Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
My dad, Bentley, Aiden, and Maddox approached the microphone, waiting until the music stopped. Dad picked up the microphone, caught my eye, and winked.
“What is he up to?” I asked Luc. “He already made his speech.”
It had made me cry, even if he had kept it short the way he promised.
Luc tucked me to his side. “He has a surprise.”
“You know about this?”
“Maybe,” he teased. “Just listen.”
“So,” Dad began. “You all know who I am.”
There was a loud chorus of yeses and some cheers, which made him grin. “I’m Ashley’s father. I’m also father to Gracie, Heather, and Penny.”
He stopped, waiting, not disappointed when Gavin yelled out, “Hey!”
Dad chuckled. “And of course, Gavin and Matthew—my sons. But tonight, we’re celebrating Ashley and Luc.” He became serious. “I didn’t get to know Ashley growing up, but I’ve had the privilege of getting to know her these past months. Of learning who my daughter is and what an incredible woman she has grown up to be.” His gaze found mine once again, and he smiled. “I couldn’t make your dreams come true as a child, sweetheart, but I can make sure at least a few of them happen now.”
I frowned. What was he saying? He’d given me the gift of this wonderful wedding. I’d given up the fight and allowed him to pay off my student loans. I’d even accepted the new car he bought me. What else was he talking about?
Luc’s arm tightened around my waist.
“My friends, my family standing here beside me tonight, once saw a piece of land they fell in love with. The piece of land grew and changed until it became home for many of us here in this room. A place to find love and family. Friendship. A place where you’re always safe and welcome.”
My heart started to beat a little faster. Dad walked toward us, something shiny in his hand. He stopped in front of me.
“Thanks to the same friends, it is my greatest delight to gift to you and Luc the keys to your own house here in Port Albany, Ashley.”
I looked at the keys he pressed into my palm. “A house?” I squeaked. “For us?”
“It’s from all of us parents and grandparents.” He turned off the microphone and crouched down. “I couldn’t do that for you as a child, but I thought maybe you’d accept it now. Luc said you’d love it.”
I looked between the two men I loved the most. “I get to live in the BAM compound? For real?”
“Just down the road from Mom and me. Right beside Heather and Reed.”
I flung my arms around his neck with a happy sob. He hugged me tight. “You have a safe place now, my girl. Always.”
He drew back and wiped under my eyes. “You and Luc will be very happy there, I’m sure.”
Suddenly, I was on my feet, hugging everyone. Laughing, crying, unable to articulate the emotions running through me. I had always wanted a house of my own. A family with lots of people to love. A father.
And thanks to Richard VanRyan, I had all that.
Add in Luc?
Life was pretty damned perfect.
Hours later, I strolled out onto the deck of the winery. The men were gathered as per their tradition. On the table was a bottle of scotch and one of whiskey. Cigar smoke circled their heads. All of them had loosened their ties, and the heat of the propane burners kept them warm.
I approached the table, trying not to smile. Dad watched me, his gaze suddenly leery. Aiden grinned, his arm flung over his chair.
“Anyone else feeling déjà vu?”
“Jesus, I hope you’re not about to tell us there’s a twin,” Halton muttered.
“Fuck,” Maddox muttered. “If there is—no more weddings. Shit always happens at these weddings.”
I laughed. “No twin, boys. Relax.”
Dad chuckled. “You guys are idiots. What’s going on, my girl? I thought you left an hour ago.”
“I wanted a do-over.”
He peered at me quizzically.
“A do-over—for what?”
I nodded and laid a piece of cloth I had in my hand on the table.
He stared at it, pushing it with his finger. “My old shirt sleeve.”
“It was my something old today. I had it wrapped around my bouquet.”
He smiled, confused. “I see.”
“It brought me to you.”
“It did.”
“The last time you saw it, I was angry.”
“We’ve moved past that,” he pointed out.
“I know, but like I said, I wanted a do-over. I’d like to replace that memory with something better.”
He smiled. He said those words to me so often. “All right.”
“This shirt proves you’re my father.”
He nodded.
I drew in a deep breath. “And I love you, Dad.”
It was the first time I’d said those words to him. I wanted to do it in front of the same people who had witnessed me hurling angry, spiteful ones.
He stared at me, the sentiment of the moment raging, the reason I was doing this becoming apparent.