The next three days drag on, not being near Clover. Thankfully, Bay kept me and my brothers busy setting up the outdoor wedding tents.
It’s a beautiful September afternoon, and a lovely woman is holding my arm, but she's not the woman I want to be holding it. Jessa has only made a few friends since moving in with Bay as his mail-order bride. Junie is her matron of honor for obvious reasons, while Brooks is Bay’s best man. Bran and Millie are part of the wedding party, leaving me with Autumn, one of Junie’s sisters, as the last bridesmaid and my partner for the wedding.
“Wow, would you look at all the sexy mountain men Jessa and Bay invited.” Autumn surveys the guests as we wait for our turn to walk down the aisle.
“Don’t remind me.” I grit my teeth, glaring at any of the guys who dare to look in Clover’s direction.
I don’t blame them — I can’t keep my eyes off her either. The light pink dress drapes over her curves, accentuating them perfectly and tempting me to tear it off.
“Oh, no.” Autumn laughs, drawing a few eyes in our direction. “Iclyn is going to flip out when she sees Granger is here.”
I want to ask her about the grumpy recluse mountain man and her sister, but now it’s our turn to walk down the aisle.
My eyes lock onto Clover’s, and I notice her sisters flanking her on each side in the row of chairs, almost as if they’re protecting her from the single guys here. “Good girl.”
I don’t realize I’ve spoken the words out loud until Autumn lets out a small snort of laughter and whispers, “You could at least pretend to enjoy walking down the aisle with me.”
“Sorry, Autumn.”
“Oh, don’t be sorry. You just won me fifty bucks from Junie. I bet you wouldn’t be able to keep your eyes off Clover the entire ceremony and reception.”
We reach the minister and go our separate ways—Autumn on the bride’s side next to Millie and me on the groom’s side next to Bran. And I realize Autumn is right, I can’t take my eyes off Clover.
six
Clover
The wedding was beautiful—Ieven shed a few tears for the happy couple. But by the time the reception was in full swing, and Bale still hadn’t approached me, I was ready to go home.
I guess I was right—he’s no longer interested in me. And why would he be, especially since he was paired with Junie’s gorgeous sister, Autumn, for the wedding.
They make a striking pair on the dance floor, with his dark hair and muscular build, and her fiery red hair—the color I’ve always wanted—along with her tall, hourglass figure as they danced the traditional wedding party dance.
“I think I’m going to head home,” I shout to my sisters over the loud music.
“You can’t go home—Jessa hasn’t thrown her bouquet yet.” Rue gives me her best pout, which she knows I can’t say no to.
“Fine, I’ll stay, but only until she throws the bouquet, then I’m out of here.”
I should have been suspicious of their evil laughter, but my mind and eyes were on Bale as he sat at the front table facing the guests, staring back at me.
The heat of his gaze intensifies, making my body feel almost unbearable. “Is it hot in here, or is it just me?” I grab my napkin and dab the cloth against my bare chest where a bead of sweat runs between my breasts. My body heats up even more as I watch Bale’s hungry eyes follow my movements.
“Oh, it is definitely just you.” Rue laughs as Fern and Laurel join in.
I give them my best scowl, only to cause them to laugh even harder.
“All right, ladies, it’s time for the bride to throw her bouquet. All you single ladies make your way to the dance floor," the DJ announces.
“Come on, Clover, you promised.” Rue grabs my hand, pulling me out of the chair.
“Fine. But then I’m going home.”
We head to the dance floor with the other single ladies, including Junie’s sisters, Autumn and Iclyn, as the DJ plays the song ‘Single Ladies.’
A million thoughts run through my head as Jessa positions herself to throw the bouquet.
Do I want to catch it?
