Love Entwined (27 page)

“You’re definitely right about that. I have a little secret,” I said, going in to whisper in Katie’s ear. “I’ve already broken down twice this morning. Don’t tell anyone though. I have to keep up this tough exterior of mine, you know.”

Rolling her eyes, she said, “Your secret is safe with me, James Bentley. But, newsflash, we all already know the truth about you.”

“Am I that obvious?” I laughed.

“Yep! And, on that note, I should probably go check on my husband and son.”

As Katie left the room, Tanner approached me from behind.

“Are you ready for this, Dad?” he questioned.

“I’m not sure you’re ever actually ready for this day, Son,” I said, taking a deep breath.

“One day, you’ll understand. Your kids grow up in the blink of an eye. Heck, I still remember when you were just a boy playing video games, and now look at you,” I laughed.

“I think I already do understand, Dad,” he said, as a little curly-haired princess ran up and grabbed his leg.

“Well look who decided to join us. Aren’t you just beautiful, Isabella,” I said, bending over to kiss my granddaughter on the top of her head.

“She takes after her mother,” Tanner said, as his wife, Mandi, came up, putting her arm around his shoulders.

“Yes, she does. Thank goodness she doesn’t take after us Roberts,” I said with a laugh.

“Dad, Mom told me to come get you. I guess they’re ready for you in the other room,” my teenage son, Grant, interrupted, pointing toward the bridal suite.

“Little brother! Don’t you clean up well,” Tanner said, pulling Grant into his side.

“You’re just jealous that you don’t look this good,” Grant retorted.

“Pfft. I look WAY better dude. I mean, have you seen my wife? On second thought, don’t be looking at my wife,” Tanner quipped.

“You two are ridiculous. I’m not sure you’ll ever grow up,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Besides, we all know that I look the best of all.”

“And, you wonder where they get it from?” Mandi interjected.

We were all in hysterics when the door to the suite opened as my beautiful wife entered. It’d been over twenty years since she’d come back into my life, but she still managed to take my breath away. She looked gorgeous in her champagne-colored gown, her golden locks pulled back in an elegant updo. The only sign of her fifty-five years was a few strands of silver hair woven in amongst the blond. She worried about them so, but I’d convinced her that no one else could see them. I only knew they were there because I knew her body better than my own.

“Looks like the party has already started,” she said, entering the room. “I hate to break up the fun, but Lexi’s waiting for her father.”

Pulling Ireland into my chest, I gave her an innocent kiss. “If she looks half as beautiful as my wife then I’m a goner,” I said, kissing her once more.

“You’re a goner then, Dad,” she said with a faint smile. “I guarantee she’ll take your breath away.”

“Well, she’s been doing that since the day she came into this world,” I reminded her.

Wiping a few tears from her eyes, she said, “I’ll give you two a few minutes before joining you.”

I exited the room and walked a few feet down the hall before coming to a stop at the bridal suite. Taking a deep breath, I lightly knocked before hearing my daughter telling me to enter.

I slowly opened the door and Ireland was correct—the vision of my daughter before me took my breath away. She was absolutely stunning, every inch the belle of the ball in her white, satin gown. The strapless bodice was lined with a sheer layer of cream lace and the skirt was puffy just as I had imagined it would be.

“You look just like Cinderella, princess,” I said, wrapping her in my arms.

“Thank you, Daddy,” she said, twirling around me. “And, look at my shoes, we even found glass slippers. Well they aren’t actually glass, but you know what I mean.”

“I’m not at all surprised, Lexi. After watching Cinderella with you more times than I care to remember, I’m honestly shocked that your dress isn’t blue,” I said with a smirk.

“I tried, but Mom told me no,” she laughed.

“Seriously, Lex. You’re beautiful—both inside and out. It seems like my little girl grew up in just the blink of an eye—probably faster than I would’ve liked. Although I never wanted to admit it, I knew Shawn would be the one to steal you away from me. He’s a good kid, Lex. I know he’ll love and cherish you the way you deserve. And, if he doesn’t, he’ll know he has to answer to me.”

“He will, Dad.”

“I love you, princess,” I said, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

“I love you, too, Daddy. You’ll always be the first man I ever loved.”

There was a knock at the door before Ireland let herself in and came toward us. “Can I join you two?” she asked.

“Always,” I said, pulling both my wife and daughter into my arms. “My two favorite women. I love you both so much. You, Tanner, and Grant are my entire life. I can’t even begin to imagine my life without you. I remind myself every day what a lucky man I am. Trust me, I know how easy it is to lose that all in the blink of an eye.”

I could tell Ireland was trying to contain her tears, “We love you too, Bentley. You’re the glue that keeps our family together.”

“Are you two done? I’m not using waterproof mascara, and I don’t want to look like a linebacker before I begin my walk down the aisle,” Lexi piped up.

“That was a mistake, Lex. If you don’t think you’re going to tear up the minute you see Shawn, then you’re delusional. I remember the moment seeing your father on our wedding day. I instantly lost it. He’s always been so handsome in a tux,” she said, picking a piece of lint from my shoulder.

“Hate to break up this family trip down memory lane, but I don’t think we should keep my son waiting at the altar,” Katie said, barging into the room.

“Did you forget how to knock, Katheryn?” I chortled.

“Save it, Roberts. I’m just looking out for my son—being a good momma bear,” she said with a mock glare.

“Can you believe our two kids are actually tying the knot?” Ireland asked.

“Actually, yes. I mean I hate to remind you, but I’m pretty sure I actually called this while they were still cooking.”

“Did she just refer to Shawn and me like we’re turkeys?” Lexi asked with a wide grin.

“That she did. Are you sure you really want this one to be your mother-in-law?” I asked, gesturing toward Katie. “There’s still time to run. I parked the truck by the back door—just in case you changed your mind.”

“I’m sure, Dad, but I love that you’re always looking out for me.”

“Always,” I said, linking arms with my beautiful daughter—not quite ready to give her away, but knowing I didn’t really have a choice.

Ireland

I smiled from the side of the room with tears in my eyes, as my husband and daughter waltzed around the dance floor to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” during the traditional father/daughter dance. Their relationship was special—a bond between a father and a daughter that should and could never be broken. Ever since he first laid eyes on her, she’d had him wrapped around her tiny, little finger. In his eyes, Lexi could do no wrong. Even when she was skipping school, and sneaking out of the house to visit Shawn in the middle of the night—she could do no wrong.

Luckily, our daughter had grown up and had become a beautiful, successful young woman. I still thought she was rushing into marriage a bit too soon, but I knew in my heart that she belonged with Shawn. Thinking back on it, if my life hadn’t thrown me the curve ball that it had, I probably would’ve married Bentley barely out of high school myself.

“Should we go show them up?” Grant asked, approaching me from behind.

“I’m not sure who’d be more upset, your sister or your father. They both like being the center of attention,” I said, giving him a big grin. “But, you don’t have to ask me twice.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Let’s show ‘em what we got, Mom,” he said, linking his elbow with mine as he escorted me to the dance floor.

We swayed around the room for several minutes before Grant dipped and twirled me, just as we’d practiced in the middle of the living room all those years earlier when he’d barely reached my waist.

I saw Bentley approach Grant from behind and tap on his shoulder. “May I cut in?” he asked.

“That’s up to Mom,” he said, grinning at me.

“Well, I suppose I could be persuaded to dance with you, Sir,” I said, as Bentley reached for my hand.

“That’s good because I can be very persuasive,” he said, placing his hands on my hips as we began to move as one to the rhythm of the music.

“Better not let my husband see us. He can be the rather jealous type,” I whispered in his ear.

“I can’t say as I blame him. Every man in this room has his eyes locked on you.”

“Well the only set of eyes I care about are yours,” I said, placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

We swayed across the dance floor for several minutes, both lost in each other, until a tap on my shoulder interrupted our dance.

“Aren’t they just beautiful,” Katie said, pointing toward Lexi and Shawn who were now showing off their skills on the dance floor. The lessons they’d taken before the wedding had really paid off. They did look so graceful out there as if they were just floating together as one.

“They are perfect,” I said. “I think we all did a good job.”

As if right on cue, Greg walked up carrying a silver tray with four flutes filled with only the best champagne.

“I figured we all deserved this after putting up with those two for twenty years,” he chortled.

“To us,” I said, taking a glass and clinking it against the others.

“And to Bentley for not killing my son,” Katie added with a laugh.

“There’s still time,” Bentley said with a grin.

“What are you all laughing about,” Lexi asked as they’d come over to join us.

“Just talking about what beautiful grandbabies you’re going to give us,” Katie lied.

“Mom, please don’t start in on that already,” Shawn pleaded.

“Shawn, have I ever told you what a smart young man you’ve become,” Bentley said.

“Oh my god, Dad. It’s my wedding day. You promised you wouldn’t embarrass me,” Lexi added.

“I don’t recall any such agreement, Lex,” Bentley shrugged.

“Just let it go, Lex. You know he won’t admit it,” I laughed.

“You’re right. But, we came over here because he wanted to thank you both for letting us use the cabin in Tennessee for our honeymoon. We both have so many memories down there and we know you all do too.”

“That we do,” Bentley said, pulling me in closer to him. “So many memories have been created within those four walls. I know your grandma and grandpa would want you both to use the cabin and enjoy it.”

“I wish they could be with us today. I really miss them,” Lexi said, sadness in her voice.

“Me too, princess. Me too,” Bentley said, pulling Lexi into our embrace. The three of us hugged and shed a few tears before letting our daughter go.

“Thank you,” I said, putting my head on Bentley’s chest as we continued to sway to the music.

“You’re welcome, but I have no idea why you’re thanking me,” he admitted.

“Thank you for giving me my children, my family—a home. You reminded me that I didn’t need to go through life alone—that I didn’t need to constantly live in fear of loss. You never let me forget that our love has always entwined us,” I said, reaching up to capture his lips with my own. “I love you, James Bentley Roberts. Never forget how much I love you.”

“I could never forget you. You’re a part of me, Shamrock. Even if my memory should ever again fail me—in my heart, I will always love and remember you.”

First and foremost, I want to thank my readers—you amaze me every single day. Without you, I wouldn’t have continued on this writing journey. Your daily messages are the highlight of many of my days. The friendships I have made with many of you, I know will last a lifetime. For that I’m truly grateful. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there are so many wonderful books to choose from and I’m truly honored that you took the time to read mine. Thank you for the bottom of my heart!

To my beta readers: Kelly Williams (#JasonsLover), Katie Monson (#BusDriver), Jillian Toth, Julie Monaco (#JuicyJDavis), Susan Rayner, and Aubrea Ziegelgruber (#SisterWife)—thank you for helping me dig deeper and making Love Entwined a much more polished story. You answered my unending questions and in the process have become six of my dearest friends. Thank you and I love you all more than you will ever know!