Natalie’s pulse still zipped, but she rushed toward her vanity and hit the panic button alarm on the phone Rafe installed. She returned to her mother’s side. Mom handed her the guns while Natalie asked, “Mom, are you okay?”
Her mother let out a sigh. “I’m stronger than you and your father give me credit for. I don’t have time for cancer and it’s not going to beat me.”
“Clearly,” Natalie said while the door opened, and Galen’s brother-in-law came in with four of his security team.
Immediately they helped her mother. “Rafe, don’t let Galen come in here. We’ll start the wedding a few minutes late.”
Once security had Alison, her mother waved her hands in the air and said, “You need to tell me all about the Perez family.”
Natalie pointed toward Alison who was being escorted out. “You just took out the one paying them. I’m sure I’m fine and I can marry Galen now without any more threats.”
Her mother tucked her gun under her dress, with her body and shoulders still tight from the adrenaline that must have rushed through her. Natalie immediately thought her mother almost looked like her old self which was perfect. She needed her mother.
And yes, they still needed a few answers, but the physical threat was done. Now she could marry the man she loved without stress or fear.
She dialed the hair and makeup ladies to come and soon the room was abuzz with pre-wedding activity again. Her heart still raced from all the activity, but once the hair and makeup ladies returned for touchups, so did a sense of normalcy and fate. The touch-up made sure she looked flawless which was exactly how she wanted Galen to see her. Now nothing stood in their way.
Galen and Natalie finished their first dance at the reception as the sun went down. Natalie still glowed from happiness and Galen could breathe. She was smiling, no,beamingat everyone, as if nothing had ever been out of control. He clearly owed her mother for teaching her to be strong and level-headed as well as saving the wedding.
As they held hands and made it back to their table, Rafe walked over and quietly told them both, “Galen, Natalie, I have some answers for you that you might want to hear.”
Natalie put her hand on his back and leaned closer, but Galen turned toward her and asked, “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” She didn’t even blink. He wrapped his arms around her waist once they stood and waved at everyone. The moment they escaped, they walked into the house, toward the small library nook where they could be alone.
Rafe crossed his arms the second the door closed and told them, “So there is no child from Alison. She’s admitted under exam she lied to get you to investigate the claim and possibly stop the wedding—she didn’t expect you to speed up the ceremony.”
Galen’s shoulders relaxed. He’d raise his own children, hopefully, with Natalie for years to come. What he’d said to Alison at 18 was so different from how he felt now.
Natalie gently nudged his arm and he turned toward her as she asked Rafe, “Why though? That’s what I want to know. Why did she come back suddenly and threaten me?”
Rafe met Galen’s eyes for a moment but then he turned toward Natalie and said, “She’s been stalking Galen for the past year, hoping to find her opening to return to being his wife. She lost the money your father left her in a few bad business ventures and her family is estranged now.”
Natalie asked, “So she wanted Galen or his money?”
“Both,” Rafe said. “We have video from searching her house proving how long she’s been after Galen. When she realized you were the biggest threat to her goal, Natalie, she set out to get rid of you. She was furious how Galen reacted to you losing your wig.”
Natalie laughed. “Wow, that wig again.”
Galen smiled at the image of Natalie taking that wig off. Hopefully she packed it, but for now he felt lightness growing in his chest. He had everything he ever wanted. He had a lovely wife, a happy home and a future. Everything he never thought he wanted was now happening.
Rafe then answered, “It probably kept you off her radar for most of the time. She knew you were lying to Galen for at least the last six months, but didn’t make a move against you because she understood it was for work. Apparently she didn’t expect Galen’s reaction.”
“She was cute once I uncovered the disguise.”
Natalie blushed.
However the idea of some boy or girl out there that was his child that he hadn’t raised replayed in his mind. He swallowed and asked, “Sorry to interrupt but just to be sure, I have no child out there in the world.”
Rafe put his hands in his pockets. “Not from Alison.”
Then life was great. “Perfect. Natalie and I need to get back to the wedding—thanks, Rafe.”
In her white dress, she looked like an angel, which she already was. Loving her was natural and easy. They returned to their table next to the strawberry vanilla cake. As he held her seat for her, he asked, “Natalie, are you happy?”
“I wouldn’t have married you otherwise.” She winked which only caused the lightness to grow brighter in his chest. He didn’t need anyone else because Natalie made him feel alive in ways he’d never experienced.
She then leaned closer to him and whispered, “Let’s cut the cake and get out of here.”
