Melody of the Heart (Runaway Train, #4)

“Excuse me?”


AJ closed the distance between us. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he sighed. “If you walk down that aisle alone, all you will be doing is thinking how much you wish your dad could be there and how much you miss him. You won’t honor him because you’ll be letting his death ruin an amazing moment in your life.” One of his hands came to cup my cheek. “He wouldn’t want that.”

I sucked in a breath at his words. “You’re right,” I murmured, fighting the tears that filled my eyes.

“Of course, I am,” he teased, lightening the moment.

“You really are amazing, you know that?”

“Right back at ya, baby girl.”

I leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, AJ.”

“No problem.” With a wink, he asked, “So you choose me to give you away, right?”

I couldn’t help laughing. “No, I don’t.” I glanced over at Jake who was watching us intently. “I choose the both of you.”

Jake smiled. “That sounds pretty fair.”

While AJ nodded, Rhys snorted contemptuously. “Yeah, for you two assholes. I’m the one stuck with the fruity flower basket.”

Susan took the basket from him. “I’ll be the flower girl.”

“But I was hoping you would be my matron of honor,” I said.

Her eyes instantly lit up. “Really?”

I nodded. “It would mean a lot to me.”

“It would to me, too.” She then handed the basket back to Rhys. “Sorry, son, looks like you’re stuck with it.”

When Rhys groaned, I stepped over to him as best I could with my gown and train. “Would you really deprive me of walking on rose petals?”

He sighed. “No, I wouldn’t.”

I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Rhys. I promise I’ll make this up to you.”

He cocked his dark brows at me. “Does that mean making my favorite meal of fried chicken, fried okra, and homemade cornbread along with a strawberry shortcake from scratch?”

With a laugh, I replied, “Anything for you, flower girl.”

“It’s a deal then.”

Clapping his hands together, Jake once again took the lead. “All right, I think it’s time we got this show on the road.” As he jerked his head for Rhys to move in front of us, Rhys reluctantly followed his orders. Susan came to stand behind Rhys. Then Jake and AJ offered their arms for me to take.

“Ready?” AJ asked.

I smiled. “I’m more than ready.”





BRAYDEN


THE PAST


As I waited for Lily to make her grand appearance, I paced nervously around the altar of the Graceland Chapel. “Easy there, son. Don’t want you to wear a hole in the carpet,” Elvis said, with a chuckle.

“Sorry.”

“It’s all right. You’re nervous. Happens to most grooms.”

“I’m not nervous about marrying Lily. There’s nothing in the world I’m more certain of.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I grimaced. “Well, I’m afraid I’ll never be good enough for her.”

Elvis eased his sunglass down his nose to look at me. “Excuse me? I mean, I know who you are.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “When you made the reservation, one of the receptionists went crazy. I’m pretty sure when the ceremony is over, she’s going to pounce on you for an autograph.”

With a shaky laugh, I replied, “Oh, that’s fine. I don’t mind.”

“Like I was saying, you’re a rich, famous guy. Why would you worry you wouldn’t be good enough?”

I grimaced. “I broke her heart a year ago. Like I was the biggest asshole imaginable even before we broke up. I ignored her, I took her for granted, and I made her feel unworthy.” I shuddered. “We’ve made up, but I’m afraid that she’ll never really be able to forget what I did. Like I’ll never be able to earn back her full love and trust.”

Elvis patted me on the back. “When it comes down to it, most women are far more able to forgive and forget than they should be.”

“You think so?”

He nodded. “You just forget what happened in the past. Treat her even better than you did before, and you’ll be fine.”

“Feels kinda strange getting marital advice from Elvis,” I said, with a shake of my head.

He laughed. “You oughta take my advice to heart. Over the years I’ve been marrying couples, I’ve seen enough to become a relationship expert.”

“I guess that’s true.”

A woman stepped into the chapel. “They’re ready.”

“Okay, son, it’s time. Take your place.”

Adjusting my suit and tie, I then went to stand at the place that had been marked for me. Drawing in a breath, I tried to still my out-of-control nerves. I felt like a complete pansy.

As Jake’s mom and Rhys appeared in the doorway, Elvis began to strum his guitar. I’d paid extra to have him serenade Lily as she came down the aisle to I Can’t Help Falling in Love.