Chapter 52

Rafe sat on the couch in his apartment to tie his black shoes, frustrated as hell.

When Calum appeared in a tuxedo carrying a florist box, Rafe ripped the lace out. “These don’t work.”

“They’re not combat boots. You do that before you put them on, not after.”

Rafe tugged the shoes off and tossed one to Calum while he searched for the other lace in the clothing bags littering the floor. It’d been a long few days helping, from the sidelines, Nate and his men get settled. Then there’d been Carina’s birthday party, where they’d celebrated with champagne near a stunning Pegasus fountain, and Miss Beatrice’s funeral, where they’d cried. Rafe even spent time with Philip, who’d asked if they could celebrate Thanksgiving with Pops.

Calum finished lacing the first shoe and threw it back at Rafe. “I went to great trouble to buy you new clothes, including the tuxedo you’re wearing, and you can’t hang them up?”

Rafe slipped on the shoe and tied the laces. “I told you I didn’t want them.”

“I told you you’d need them.” Calum laced the second shoe. “Hurry up. Ivers is double-parked, and we can’t leave your bride waiting.”

With one shoe on, one off, Rafe went into the bedroom to get both rings. On his dresser, he found them in the folded blue ribbon next to the photo of Juliet and his momma. He’d wanted to buy new bands, but Juliet still had hers and had insisted on using their original ones. “Did you bring the other ring?”

“Yes,” Calum said.

Rafe came out, and Calum held up the diamond-and-sapphire engagement ring in one hand, the florist box in the other.

Rafe put on his second shoe, slipped on his jacket, and pinned the gardenia-and-lavender boutonniere to it. Calum would hold the rings until they were needed. “Let’s meet my bride.”

* * *

Juliet tightened the belt of her silk robe and paced the rectory/sheriff’s office. Her high-heeled sandals clicked on the pine floor. When Samantha came in with two bouquets of white roses, gardenias, and lavender, Juliet asked, “What’s the time?”

“Don’t worry.” Samantha laid the bouquets on Jimmy’s desk and adjusted her strapless seersucker dress. Her hair, like Juliet’s, had been braided and twisted into a bun. It was too humid to wear their hair down. “We have thirty minutes.”

“I don’t have a dress.”

“Miss Nell promised it would be delivered on time.”

After the ceremony, Miss Nell was leaving for Charleston. “What if she’s forgotten—”

Samantha held up her hand. “Let’s go through the checklist. Something blue?”

Juliet showed off her mother-in-law’s sapphire-and-diamond bracelet. “My silver hair combs are old. And my dress will be new.”

“This will do for borrowed.” Samantha took a small box out of her handbag.

Juliet opened it and found a silver heart locket engraved with delicate scrollwork. “It’s beautiful.”

“It was my grandmother’s. You have your hair combs. I have my locket.”

“Are you sure?”

Samantha took the necklace and stood behind Juliet to clasp it around her neck. “I’d be honored if you’d wear it.”

Juliet held the heart and looked back at her friend. “Thank you. After everything that’s happened, I’m surprised you’re even talking to me.”

Samantha kissed her cheek. “I’m okay. I have you and Pete. I might even count Rafe, Calum, Garza, and Philip as friends. For the first time, I have a family, and I’m grateful. I want today to be everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”

Juliet’s eyes blurred, and she hugged Samantha.

“But,” Samantha said, pulling away and wiping her eyes, “if any of them disappoint us, they’re going down. Now that Pete is training us in Krav Maga, no one’s safe.”

Juliet laughed and found her compact to fix her makeup. “Agreed.”

A knock sounded, and Samantha opened the door to allow Miss Nell in. Today she wore a light-pink silk Chanel suit with a strand of diamonds. She held a long box with a veil on top. “I hope Juliet’s not fretting.”

“A little.” Samantha took the box and laid it on a table against the wall.

Miss Nell placed the veil next to the bouquets on the desk. “Juliet, remember the dress you found in your daddy’s trunk?”

“The one belonging to my mother?”

“Miss Beatrice and I sent it to the most wonderful couturier in Charleston who specializes in updating vintage gowns.” Miss Nell opened the box and with Samantha’s help unwrapped the tissue around the dress. “You’ll have to meet her when you come visit me. She couldn’t save much of your mother’s original gown, but she was able to use the lace.”

Samantha and Miss Nell helped Juliet into the white silk gazar strapless slip with a chapel train. The white silk gossamer dress floated over her head with her mother’s Chantilly lace forming the scoop bodice and delicate cap sleeves. The lace-trimmed skirt and train were fuller and longer than the dress, giving the gown an ethereal look. When Samantha used Juliet’s silver combs to attach the veil trimmed with the same lace, Juliet felt like a bride.

Miss Nell kissed Juliet on the cheek while Samantha handed her a bouquet. “Ready?”

“Always and forever.”

* * *

Rafe inhaled the smell of orange oil and flowers. The white church with eight rows of pews had been polished and decorated with gardenias, roses, and lavender. The sun streaming through the stained-glass windows cast the room in an otherworldly light.

He stood in front of the church with Calum and Father Quinn. He was surprised to see some of the Isle’s residents there, including Grady, Miss Mamie, CJ, and Tommy Boudreaux. Nate, Pete, Garza, and even Bob, all in tuxedoes courtesy of Calum, sat in the front left row. Jimmy Boudreaux and Philip sat on the right side with Miss Nell and Carina.

Rafe was shocked Carina had come. But he wasn’t about to question the woman who’d agreed to keep the truth of his pardon a secret.

He whispered to Calum, “You knew this would work out, didn’t you? That’s why you ordered me a tux.”

“Yes.” Calum clasped his shoulder. “Here they come.”

Samantha led the way. Once she stopped at the steps to the altar, everyone stood. Juliet didn’t need an entrance hymn. When she walked through the church doors on Pops’s arm, her smile made the angels sing. Rafe’s heart got tangled up in his chest. He could barely breathe, and there was no way he could speak. He’d have to nod his way through his vows.

Once she took his hand, though, he found his courage and his voice.

The woman he’d adored his entire life stood in front of him. She’d forgiven him. Believed in him. Loved him. When he slipped on her wedding band, followed by the new engagement ring, she met his gaze. Her eyes had filled, and he almost missed her soft “I do.”

The back of his throat burned, and he had to be prompted—twice—to kiss his bride. When he lifted his head, the room thundered with claps and cheers. Juliet wiped her cheeks with trembling fingers and took his arm to face their guests. They were surrounded by the people they loved. They were no longer alone. They had friends, family, a new beginning.