Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,130

was the perfect place for us to get married.

I could see the wedding party straight ahead of us, the aisle a sheet of white sand. Even at this distance, I could make out Jared, standing underneath an arch of flowers.

Karlie was my maid of honor, and Holden was Jared’s best man, so she gripped his elbow as they prepared to walk ahead of Rollo and me.

“Don’t forget to breathe,” she said, over her shoulder.

The music played and they started walking. Left, right, left right… or was it right, left, right left?

Oh, crap.

“Stop freaking out, baby cakes,” Rollo took my hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “This is your day. Remember it.”

Rollo and I started forward, stepping onto the aisle.

I took in the faces of our guests staring back at me.

Dan and Patsy smiled proudly, tears shimmering in both of their eyes. They were two of the greatest people I had ever had the pleasure to know. I was happy to finally become a member of their family.

I met Piper’s eyes. She winked, giving me a thumb’s up.

Eva and Jason were both smiling widely at me.

Kane grinned, proudly holding his daughter in his arms, while Lacey scolded him about something.

Jay was smiling, but adjusting his suit, clearly uncomfortable.

It was unconventional, but this was our family.

My gaze flicked away from the guests and met Jared’s. The smile on his face mirrored my own.

I couldn’t believe this was happening.

We stopped in front of Jared and the pastor.

“Who gives this woman to this man?” The pastor asked.

“I do,” Rollo said, kissing my cheek and placing my hand in Jared’s. “And I couldn’t be giving her to a better man.”

Jared smiled at Rollo and took both of my hands in his.

I barely knew what the pastor was saying, my focus riveted on Jared.

My heart raced as the pastor spoke the vows.

This was really happening.

I was getting married.

This was it.

I would forever belong to Jared and him to me.

I took a deep breath to steady myself as I spoke those two simple words. “I do.”

“I do,” Jared said, love reflected in his eyes, and we slid our wedding bands over each other’s ring fingers.

I didn’t hear the pastor saying anything about kissing the bride, but he must have, because suddenly Jared’s hands were cupping my cheeks as his mouth consumed mine.

He pulled away, kissing my nose.

“You’re stuck with me now,” he grinned.

“I’m not stuck,” I beamed at him, “I’m right where I want to be.”

The End

Coming Summer 2013

Undeniable

Karlie and Holden’s story

Continue for a sneak peek of

Undeniable

And

One by Mari Arden

Acknowledgements

I don’t know where to begin… this book has been a roller coaster of emotions for me and has been my favorite, to date, to write. I have been so touched by Katy and Jared’s story and I hope ya’ll feel the same. I’ve wanted to write their story for almost a year now, and I’m so happy to finally have the chance.

To anyone who has experienced something similar to Katy or Jared, please, talk about it. Tell someone, don’t keep it bottled inside. It’s not your fault. You are not in the wrong. Let it go and find your Jared (or Katy), because you are worthy of everything.

To my family, thank you for being the most supportive family anyone could ask for. Ya’ll have supported my dreams and backed me the whole way. I know a lot of writer’s don’t have to familial support that I do, and know that I’m extremely thankful to each and every one of you. Not only do I want to thank you for your support, but I also want to thank you for putting up with me in “angry bear in a cave/gotta finish this book” mode. I love you, guys!

This is totally irrelevant, but I’m thankful to finally have a REAL office!!!! And not a desk that sits in the family room! So, thank you my MawMaw for giving up a guest bedroom so that I could have my cave… er, I meant office.

Thank you to my bestest-est-est friend, Shelby for putting up with my frantic emails at all hours of the day and night. You’ve talked me down off the ledge more than once and managed to make me laugh and smile in the process! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to help me edit (and keep me sane)! I can never express in person, or in words, how much it truly means to me. I can’t thank you enough. I’ll