Read an excerpt
Ten Things
Breckin,
What I love about you
1. The way you look at me
2. Seeing your smile
3. Your laugh
4. How you make me laugh
5. The way you hold my hand
6. The strawberry scent of your hair
7. Your cute pout
8. Your kisses
9. The sound of your voice
10. The way you say, “I love you, too.”
-Mason
Chapter One
Maggie, her sister—Danica, her long-time friend—Marta—who had flown in from France, and her mother had commandeered one of the Sunday School rooms in the fellowship hall at the church, transforming the space into a dressing room. They had thought of everything, complete with snacks and beverages, a vanity table for doing their hair and makeup, a cabinet consisting of perfumes, powders, lotions, and all types of curling irons, as well as every color of light pink nail polish.
“This shade comes close to my dress.” Maggie extended her foot, showing off her newly painted toenails. “What do you all think?”
“Looks good,” Danny chirped.
Mart chimed in with, “Agreed.”
The low tones of “Unchained Melody” drifted from the ceiling speakers and swirled around them. “Who brought the music?” Breckin asked.
“I did,” her sister replied.
“Love this song.”
Glittering blue eyes met her. “I know. I tried to get all your favorite music. In fact, you can keep the CD I burned as a memento—a soundtrack of your wedding preparations.”
Breckin’s heart squeezed. “Aw…thank you, sis.”
“You’re more than welcome.”
“Does anyone want something to drink?” Marta asked.
Danny answered with, “Not me.”
Maggie shook her head, dark hair swishing. “Me either, but I will get something before I do my makeup. Don’t want to smudge my lipstick.”
“I’m fine,” Breckin added and put her foot on the ottoman.
Looking at the worn message she’d taken from her childhood keepsake box that morning, she silently read it, smiled, and then handed it to her sister.
Tiny safety pin poised Danica met her gaze. “Are you sure about this?”
“It’s my something old to add to something new, and something blue. So, yeah.”
“All right.” Her sister grinned as she pierced the paper and secured it to the thin silk before slipping the sky-blue material around Breckin’s leg, sliding it up around her toned thigh. “So that you know, I like the idea of Mason finding his old note when he takes this off of you.”
“Me, too.” Breckin lovingly brushed her fingers over the lacy garter.
Maggie placed the polish bottle she had in her hand into the basket. “How old were you when he gave you that?”
“Fifteen.” Carefully, she adjusted the bridal accessory. “I found it in my backpack the morning Danny and I left on our camping trip with Dad that year.”
“So sweet.”
Mom waltzed in with the long garment bag covering the perfect wedding gown. “What’s sweet?”
“Brecky-boo’s something old,” Danny replied.
After unzipping the clothing carrier, removing her dress, and hanging it, her mother came over to inspect their handiwork. “Well, now. Isn’t that clever.”
“Do you think I’ll surprise Mase?” Breckin asked.
“I’d say so.” Mom tenderly patted her cheek before glancing at Maggie. “Did you bring the handheld steamer?”
“Sure did.” She pointed across the room. “It’s heating up.”
“Wonderful!” Her mother beamed brighter than the noon-day sun. “Breck’s dress will need a touch-up after transporting it here.”
“Breck,” Marta called, gaining her attention.
Meeting her friend’s violet gaze, she cocked her head. “Yeah?”
“Smile!” The crazy woman snapped an impromptu picture with her cell phone.
“Hey!” She giggled. “I’m standing here in my skimpy underwear with my robe gaping.”
“Your hubby-to-be will appreciate it.”
“Don’t you dare!” Breckin laughed as she hustled over to her friend, grabbing for the phone she’d left on the table that Marta had snagged.
“Too late.” Handing her cell over, she smirked. “Already sent it.”
Breckin blinked, rapid-fire, staring at the device in her hand. “You seriously sent that to him.”
With a lift of her shoulders, she answered Breckin’s statement with, “You wanted to surprise him.”
“That ought-a do it alright,” Mom said, snickering.
Waggling a finger, Breckin shook her head. “You just wait, Mart. Big, big paybacks.”
All of her bridesmaids burst out laughing, making her chuckle too.
***
No way would he be late to meet up with the pastor, not today. Today was way too important.
“Slow down, Mario Andretti,” Gage joked as they arrived at the church more than an hour early.
“We weren’t stopped for speeding, so it’s all good,” Mason retorted as he parked.
“Even if we were pulled over, we’ve got the police chief with us,” Jake said. “I’d like to see them write him a ticket.”
“Yeah, me too,” Gage agreed, amused. “That wouldn’t work out too well for them.”
Leaning forward from the back seat, Phillip clapped once. “Well, let’s do this thing if we are going to do it.”
After yanking the keys from the ignition, Mason stepped out of the SUV—all the guys, Jake, Phillip, and Gage, clambering out of the vehicle behind him, ribbing each other as they do. He had just rounded the bumper when his cell phone pinged. Reaching into his pant pocket without slowing, Mason tugged it free and glanced at the notification. Breckin.
With a smile playing at the edges of his lips, he saw, “You might want to make sure you are alone when you open the attachment.”
Wondering what the heck, he tapped the screen to see the whole message and just about dropped his phone, spluttering. “Ho-ly…”
“You okay, man?” Phillip had come up beside where Mason had stopped abruptly.
“Uh…yeah.” He cleared his throat and quickly fumbled/slipped the phone back into his pocket before anyone could catch a glimpse of his beautiful scantily clad bride.
“You sure?” Gage’s brow was creased with concern.
“Just something from Breck.”
“Is she okay?”
She’s absolutely perfect, he silently considered. “She’s good. Just getting ready.”
The vision of her in that silky robe hanging open, showing her lacy white as snow bra and panty set, with her sexy bare leg on display wearing a garter around her thigh, was astounding but hot. Scorching hot.
Mason swallowed.
Gage studied him. “All right. Spill.”
He raised a brow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I know you. And something is going on.”
With a shake of his head, he said, “Nothing is going on.”
“Sure…” His best friend squeezed his shoulder. “You practically tripped over your feet while reading your text, then almost missed getting the phone into your pocket.”
“I wasn’t paying attention.”
“And your upper lip is glistening.”
“We’re wearing tuxedoes.” Mason attempted a nonchalant shrug, then rubbed the moisture away. “It’s warm.”
The guys were standing in a semi-circle around him.
“You might as well fess up,” Jake said.
“Yep,” Phillip added, crossing his arms.
Mason’s gaze bounced from man to man to man before he sighed. “Fine. Breck sent me something unexpected.”
Jake raised a hand. “We gathered that much by your shocked expression.”
“What?” Gage asked.
Mason frowned. “Huh?”
“What did she send?”
“A picture.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “But that’s all I’m going to say.”
One side of Gage’s mouth lifted. “So, you got a pic that tripped you up and made you break out into a sweat. Isn’t that interesting.”
Mason started walking toward the side door of the church with purpose. “Chat over now.”
The guys soon caught up—Gage chuckling, wickedly.
Cool air enveloped him when they stepped into the building.
“I don’t think Pastor Kyle is here yet,” Jake commented.
Striding down an outer aisle, his best friend whispered by his ear, “Having nudie pics on your cell phone of your almost wife isn’t a good idea, Mase.”
Mason scowled at the man and his too-knowing cop eyes. “Have I ever told you how much I hate your intuition, G.?”
Gage threw his head back and chortled. “I didn’t know anything for sure until you confirmed it.”
“Really hate that cop stuff,” he mumbled, irritated at himself for falling into his friend’s fishing for answers trap. “And she wasn’t technically nude.”
Phillip glanced their way. “What are you guys whispering about?”
“Nothing,” Mason replied.
Someone’s cell started ringing.
Jake pulled his phone out and waved it. “That’s, Mags.” He smirked. “I’ll just ask her what Breckin sent to get Mase all discombobulated.”
Great…spinning on his heel, Mason headed for the restroom. He didn’t want to hear Jake laugh when his wife told him. And she would. She’d been in the background of the picture Breck sent.
With his escape just a few feet away, Mason figured as soon as the door closed behind him, he would lock it and peek at his text again.
He raked his fingers through his newly cut hair and blew out a breath. Yeah, all right. So, he’d take his time and study the picture attached to the text.
Gage’s amused, “Don’t take too long in there, brother. You don’t want to be late, remember?” hit his back just as he turned the knob.
