Broken Beginnings: A High Heat Small Town Romance Suspense (Citrus Cove Book 1)

IT HAD ALREADY BEEN a month since everything came to an end. The whole town had been covered on the news over and over again, but it finally felt like the storm had passed. There was still the sting of sadness. Thomas was in jail, which was where he would stay indefinitely. Alexa was dead. She’d saved my life, and I would forever be grateful to her. David was still being questioned about everything, and while we weren’t sure if he would end up in jail, he wasn’t staying in Citrus Cove. He was out of our lives for good.

“Are you ready?”

I glanced up in the mirror, seeing Emma behind me. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a chignon. Her lilac maid-of-honor dress hung perfectly on her curvy frame, and she wore four-inch heels that she’d “compromised on” because the wedding was outside.

She came up to me and pulled me into a hug.

Ever since she’d arrived, I hardly let her go. It was either her or Cam that I seemed to hold on to.

“You look stunning,” she whispered. “Look at you.”

“You helped me find the dress,” I said, grinning at the two of us.

“I’ve had this dress picked out since I’ve known you,” she laughed. Her smile softened. “He’s the one.”

“He is. I love him so fucking much.”

“I know. And he loves you even more. I’ve run my tests.”

“Oh yeah? The three Emma tests.”

“Mmhm. And he passed. His brother, however, is an absolute nightmare of a man, and I despise him.”

“Well, I hope you can keep that to yourself since he’s officiating the wedding,” I giggled. “Hunter isn’t that bad, Emma, I swear. I like him a lot.”

She rolled her eyes but let go of her protests. “We’re ready when you are. I’d bet you fifty dollars that Cam cries.”

“No,” I hissed. “He won’t cry.”

Emma snorted. “Then we have a bet.”

“Deal.”

“Deal,” she giggled.

I took one last look at myself.

I looked happy. Truly happy.

I smiled and let her lead me out of my in-laws’ home. Emma had taken over at 8:00 a.m. for all of the preparations.

I stepped out onto the front porch. Cam’s father was waiting there wearing a tuxedo. He gave me a soft smile. “He’s a lucky man,” he said, offering me his arm.

“And I’m a lucky girl. Thank you for walking me up.”

“I’m happy to,” he chuckled.

We made our way through the vineyard, winding our way up the path to where my future husband waited.

I walked through the tall grass, my wedding dress trailing behind me. The Harlow oak tree stood strong, chairs split into rows filled with friends and family.

I didn’t see them. I didn’t see how beautiful the sky was or how perfect the weather was.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

All I saw was him.

Cameron stood under the tree, wearing a tux. The moment our gazes met, I fought the tears that wanted to fall. The tears of happiness, of gratefulness, of love.

His eyes widened, and damn it. He started crying.

“You can’t cry!” I called as I came to the aisle, looping my arm into Honey’s.

Emma snickered as she took her spot under the tree.

Colt slapped Cam’s back, everyone beaming. Bob gave my hand a squeeze as Honey came up to me. Honey was going to walk me down the aisle.

“You’re a beautiful bride,” she said, her voice wavering.

“Thank you, Honey,” I whispered.

The music started, the wind picking up gently. Honey walked me down to the man who loved me so much he was crying.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said as we came to the end.

Hunter stood in as our officiant, because of course he had a license to do so. I turned and kissed Honey’s cheek and then went to him.

Cam reached out, taking my hand. I squeezed his, smiling at him. “Hi, baby,” I whispered.

“Hi,” he whispered. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“You’re supposed to wait until I’ve officiated,” Hunter teased.

“Okay, well, hurry up and marry us so I can kiss my husband,” I said.

Hunter chuckled. “We are gathered here today…”

I tuned him out as he went through the ceremony, my eyes on Cameron. Everything felt like a blur, my heart beating faster. This man had seen me at my absolute worst and loved me through every moment of it.

He smiled as we looked at each other, both of us saying the words.

I do.

Hunter handed Cameron the tool for carving our initials into the tree. He tugged me close, his body pressed to mine as he held the blade to the bark, whittling in HB + CH encased in a heart. I blinked back tears, whispering under my breath.

“I’m yours forever, Cam.”

He kissed the top of my head, his hand cupping the back of my neck. “I’m yours too, sunshine.”