Her Hidden Falls Bodyguard Billionaire Cowboy - Taylor Hart Page 0,48

good, but yes, that tux works for him.”

Charlotte let out a light laugh, and Zoey saw Ryan wink at her. “Let’s just say that the Hardmans are blessed men.”

Sean stood at the end of the red carpet, with his brothers lined up by his side. Beau was next to him, and he was definitely flirting with his wife. He did a fake kiss in the air.

Ryan was next, then Kane, then Kent. Not to be left out, Richard Chavez was also standing with the brothers. Richard had been instrumental in making sure that she was cleared from WITSEC and all other charges the government had against her. He’d even made sure that she was “compensated” for the loss of her brother by having her brother’s grave moved to Hardman property.

Seeing these good men standing next to Sean, and then thinking of her brother, made her tear up. She truly had been blessed.

Once they reached the front, Charlotte ceremoniously took Zoey’s hand and held it out to Sean. “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

“No, I’ll kill you,” Star interrupted.

Ryan leaned forward. “No, I’ll kill you.”

Beau jerked back to Ryan, frowning. “Hey, I’m the best man. That means I get to kill him if he messes up.”

Sean didn’t seem to notice the brothers bickering behind him. “Hey,” he whispered, gazing into her eyes.

Everything around them melted away. “Hey.”

“We’re getting married,” he murmured, beaming with pride. He must have noticed that her vision was getting blurry with tears, because he asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m just happy.”

His own eyes became misty. “Me, too.”

Beau put his hand on Sean’s shoulder. “Uh, bro, can we start?”

Zoey turned. Everyone was quiet, listening to them. She let out a light laugh.

The pastor welcomed everyone, and when they got to the vows, he turned to Sean. “Mr. Hardman informed me that they would do their own vows.”

Butterflies fluttered in Zoey’s chest. Why had she agreed to this?

Sean nodded and gave her hand a little squeeze. “I’m not going to lie.” He glanced over at the crowd and grinned at them. “And none of these guys would let me lie.” To her, he continued, “It’s pretty much been common knowledge that I’ve been into you since you moved here.”

“Boy, ain’t that the truth,” Beau said, nodding at the crowd.

“Oh yeah,” someone called out.

Zoey rapidly blinked and tried not to cry. But how could she contain her emotions at a time like this?

“You told me once that I couldn’t love you because I never really knew you. But see, that’s not true. I’ve thought on this a lot. The truth is, maybe I didn’t know your real name.” He gently caressed her face. “But I always knew you.” To the onlookers, he said, “You all knew our mother.”

Zoey glanced at the crowd. Many nodded, their eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

“Well,” Sean said, a tear slipping down his cheek as he turned back to Zoey, “she used to always say that you don’t see people with your eyes. You see them with your heart.”

With an unladylike sniffle, Zoey tried to blot her tears before they completely ruined her makeup.

The side of his lip quirked up. “My heart knew the real you the whole time.”

She sobbed a little and put her hand over her face.

Sean took her hand back. “It’s okay.”

After a few deep breaths, she got control of herself and then laughed.

“You’re a good person, Zoey, and I love you. I always will. And I’ll try every day to be worthy of your love.”

Unable to stop herself, she dove at the man, hugging him.

The crowd clapped and cheered.

“I love you,” she whispered in his ear.

“I know.”

“Now hold up,” the pastor said. “We still need to hear from the bride.”

She turned to face the town. There didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the building. She glanced over to Charlotte and Star; their makeup was ruined, too.

She turned back to Sean and sucked in a long breath. “You know, I had this whole speech written out.” Her voice cracked. “Dang it,” she said, swiping at her cheeks.

“Someone get her a tissue,” someone called out in the crowd.

Ryan broke from his position and offered her a handkerchief. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” Her hand trembled, and she was overwhelmed. To Sean, she said, “I never thought I’d be able to have a life with a man I loved. A life with family and friends who I knew and loved.” She smiled at the crowd, and then her eyes met Sean’s again. “I couldn’t admit