for healing.
A wound that you allow to be reopened over and over again will never mend.
Now I focus my love and attention on the women who love me. The Beauties swirl around me, just as I dreamed they would, only now, I know their names, their personalities. Each woman is so dear to me, already carving a forever place in my heart.
They’ve helped me dress, done my makeup, my hair. Clasped my jewelry for me. The only finger I’ve lifted today was to sip from a mimosa Charlotte brought me.
She sits beside me. “Do we have our something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?” she asks.
“She has her something new. I put those stockings on her myself!”
“And she’s wearing antique hairpins, so that’s her something old.”
Charlotte slips the blue gemstone bracelet from her wrist. “Here’s something borrowed and something blue. My friend Emily gave it to me on my wedding day.”
Just as they’re putting the final touches on my face, Charlie comes rushing into the room, a little red box in her hands. As soon as the girls recognize the Bachman’s box, they start squealing, rushing over to see what it is.
She hands it to me, her smile wide. “It’s a gift. From Luke.”
“Oh, how romantic!”
“Open it, open it!”
“Lucky girl. You got a good one.”
“We’ve all got a good one.” I smile, flipping open the lid to find a thin gold band adorned with a tiny rose gold heart. “It’s precious.”
Lifting the tiny ring from the box, I somehow know the real gift is within the band. Tilting it under the light, I read the inscription.
Love always, Daddy
Tears brim in my eyes threatening to fall and damage all their hours of careful makeup work.
“There, don’t cry.”
“Here, let me dab her with the corner of the tissue.”
“No, let me do it. I’ve got the steadiest hand.”
As they fuss over me, I slip the ring onto my finger, my heart warm knowing how much thought he’s put into this gift. He truly wants to make me happy. Always.
Rockland is the head of the family, and his wife Tess often runs the schedule on the wedding days. When I see her appear in the doorframe, her red hair gleaming in waves, dressed in a sapphire blue gown, I know it’s time.
“You ready?” Charlotte grabs my arm, helping me up from my chair. “Let’s get you hitched!”
“Lock that boy down before he can escape!”
“You’re halfway to the honeymoon.”
“Are you ready to be a Bachman Beauty?”
The comments swirl around me, punctuated with catcalls and jokes. They make me smile so hard, my cheeks hurt. It’s what I’ve always wanted.
And more.
Because not only do I have the love of the Beauties, I found the unexpected love of an amazing man.
The ceremony is a whirlwind of emotions, parts of it a total blur, but I’ll never forget the feel of Luke’s hands clasping the sword around my neck. Those words that Rockland spoke, I heard so clearly, they will ring in my mind as long as I shall live.
“The sword is a symbol of our creed, the way we live our lives, the care and protection of a man for a woman. The sword signifies your place in the hierarchy underneath Luke’s protection—the length he is willing to go to, the sacrifice he would willingly make. He will offer you his protection and care the remainder of his life.”
That night when we make love, it’s the first time as husband and wife.
Some say living together is no different from being married, but I disagree. The moment he pledged his love to me and slipped that band on my finger, my heart seemed to grow two sizes.
Having a sacred vow tying us together gives me a sense of security and peace I’ve never known.
A week later, Luke and I are stretched out together on the white sand beaches of the Parrish. Holding the pendant between my fingertips, I watch the diamonds as they glimmer in the golden light.
A symbol of his dedication and devotion. Just touching it makes me wet.
There’s no one else on the beach.
I toss a little sand in his direction.
It splays across his chest. He lifts his sunglasses, looking at me indignantly. “What did Daddy tell you about throwing sand, little girl?”
Giggling, I toss another handful, watching the golden grains dance across his bare skin.
He growls, lunging for me.
I try to get away, but he’s too fast. Sitting up on his lounge chair, he pulls me over his lap. My legs are kicking, my