Southern Bride

by Knight, Ciara

  Dylan took the ring and slid it onto my shaking finger. He pulled me in for a kiss that promised a future that would be nothing like our past. One full of love and happiness.

  “Ah, congrats, but we have to go, brother.” Zoey smacked Dylan on the back.

  Dylan and I followed Zoey’s gaze to the distant red and blue lights barreling down the main road out of town.

  “No. He’s not going to win this time,” I said.

  Zoey waved us to her car. “Tell your friend to go first and lead them down the other way. You two, in my car. We’re going to get out of here and get Dylan far from Magnolia Corners.”

  “We can’t run from the police. That’ll just make things worse,” Dylan, the new, practical, rule-abiding man said to us both.

  Zoey pushed up her sleeves. “Don’t worry. We’re the Dixon sisters. And we’re part of the Dumont family now. I’ve got a plan.”

  Dylan eyed me. “A lot has changed since I left. I thought Zoey was the sweet one.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The trees whizzed by until we reached the interstate. Zoey drove like an FBI agent with her crazy roundabout way of getting up to Eagles Landing. “Okay, we can all breathe. We should be out of Sheriff Crazy’s jurisdiction.”

  As if she’d thrown down the gauntlet daring the finest of the Magnolia Corners police department to find us, a light whirled, and a siren echoed.

  “Great, they found us,” I mumbled. “I’m sorry Dylan, but I promise Ashton will help with the best lawyer money can buy.”

  He only smiled and kissed my cheek. With no time to waste, I dialed Ashton’s phone, hoping he’d answer this time, but nothing. “I’ll call the club. Certainly they’ll pull him out of dinner.”

  “Sadie is going to kill us for interrupting, but she’ll understand,” Zoey said over her shoulder.

  Dylan tapped the back of Zoey’s seat. “Aren’t you going to pull over?”

  “Nope, almost there.” Zoey stepped on the gas, sending us back against the seats.

  I found the club number on the internet and dialed. A stuffy male voice answered, but before he could get out his welcome message, I blurted, “You have to get Ashton Dumont. We need his help. It’s an emergency.”

  “Ugh. Darn traffic lights.” Avery pulled into a gas station around the side and out onto another road.

  “Madam, if you would please hold.”

  I waited for Ashton but could only imagine the charges adding up against Dylan. If I knew the sheriff, he’d let Zoey and me go, but his vendetta he’d hold tight to until Dylan rotted away in a cell. “Maybe we should pull over.”

  “Look, there’s the club.” Zoey changed lanes, did a last-minute U-turn, and dodged the cars before turning into the parking lot on the other side of the club.

  “Ashton Dumont here.”

  “Ashton, it’s me, Avery. We’re in trouble. Short version, we’re coming in hot and need a lawyer. Sheriff Milton is going to take Dylan to jail on trumped-up charges.”

  A second clicked by before Ashton answered. “Get inside the club.”

  Zoey squealed around to the front and dashed through the parking lot. The two sheriff’s cars came from the other side to cut us off, but they weren’t fast enough. The car jolted to a stop, and we all raced inside to find Ashton and Sadie waiting.

  The club went silent with the sound of the sirens outside and our abrupt entry.

  “What’s going on?” Sadie asked, grabbing my hands and holding them tight. “And what is that on your hand?’ A big smile creased her face.

  “We’re getting married. That is, if Dylan doesn’t go to jail for no reason.” I looked at my man, who stood strong despite the litany of troubles he’d be facing.

  Sheriff Milton busted inside the front door, met by a guard from the club and the front desk personnel. “Sir, may we help you?”

  Ashton greeted Dylan with a handshake. “Can I ask what Sheriff Milton wants to arrest you for?”

  “Trespassing on the bakery. Dylan was going to get the cupcakes for the surprise party tonight and never made it inside before Sheriff Milton arrested him,” Zoey blurted.

  “But he had our permission,” Sadie said, her eyes narrowing toward Sheriff Milton.

  Ashton crossed the room with Dylan at his side. Sheriff Milton took out his cuffs and headed for Dylan.

  “The charges are invalid. He had our permission to be at the bakery. He was doing us a favor,” Ashton said in an official Dumont tone.

  The man didn’t listen, though. “Try evading arrest, reckless driving, and a dozen other charges.”

  Zoey strutted forward with her arms out in front of her and bent wrists. “I was driving. I’m the one you should arrest. I kidnapped him to force him to marry my sister.”

  A crowd of well-dressed patrons gathered in the lobby. Mrs. Dumont, Ashton’s mother, entered with a gasp. “May I ask what this spectacle is all about?”

  My fear faded with the sight of the woman who made things happen without fail, except thwarting Sadie and Ashton’s marriage. Poor Dylan stood in the middle of everyone, attempting to make things right. I joined him hand in hand and faced Mrs. Dumont. “The sheriff of Magnolia Corners is here to falsely arrest Dylan Markham, an active-duty officer of the US Army here on leave. He threatened to report him to his commanding officers for a crime he did not commit in order to stop us from getting married.”

  To my surprise, she laughed. Not the sophisticated laugh of the typical rich but almost hysterical. “Oh, my dear sheriff, I’m afraid there is nothing you can do to stop one of these girls from getting their claws into a man. Once they’ve got one, they are not going to let him go, no matter what you try.” She shot a sideways glance at Sadie. I almost fainted when Mrs. Dumont winked at her.

  Dylan held tight to me. “I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble. My apologies, ma’am.”

  “No need, son. I’m sure we can sort this out. Mr. Hendricks, can you get my good friend Mayor Sheffield on the phone?”

  Sheriff Milton snarled at the woman, “I am an elected position. I do not have to answer to the mayor. I have every right in the state of Georgia to arrest a man who committed a crime in my jurisdiction and bring him back to my county.”

  “He didn’t commit a crime,” Zoey said. “As I told you, I’m the one who was driving.”

  The sheriff looked at Dylan and then at Zoey. “Fine, Ms. Dixon. You can go to jail, too.” He put the cuffs on Zoey, which looked huge on her dainty wrists.

  A bright light flashed then two more.

  “That isn’t going to be such a great image to have when you’re up for reelection next year. Come to think of it, I’ve been meaning to talk to my friend Mayor Sheffield for a while. From what I understand, his nephew wants to be sheriff.” Mrs. Dumont looked at the deputy, who still stood behind his boss but several feet outside the picture zone.

  The sheriff looked between us all and then at his deputy. His expression went from wide-eyed surprise to furrowed-brow angry. “I did everything I could to save this girl. It’s on you when that boy kills her.” He removed the cuffs from Zoey, slid them into his belt, about-faced, and waved his deputy to follow.

  After the sheriff exited the club, Mrs. Dumont offered her hand to the deputy. “Thanks for the call. I realize this puts you in a difficult position, so I promise to offer my assistance with you being elected sheriff next year.”

  He only nodded and then went out the door before Ashton and Sadie turned toward us. “And I thought our wedding was eventful.” Sadie giggled.

  Dylan hugged me tight and long. “I understand now how you became such an amazing woman. Your sisters are crazier than you ever were.”

  We all laughed, except Mrs. Dumont.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to return the club to a sophisticated establishment instead of a romper room for country folks.” And in that one breath, she returned to her snooty Dumont persona. That was okay, though, because she was perfect the way she was, something Sadie had tried
to explain to me once but I couldn’t see. Now, I totally understood.

  “When is the big day?” Sadie asked.

  Dylan cupped my cheek. “I think it would be best if I left town as soon as possible. I wouldn’t put it past the sheriff to still try to make trouble for me.”

  “Tomorrow. We have all those decorations in Zoey’s car,” I said, with more excitement in me than I had felt in years.

  Ashton patted Dylan on the shoulder. “We can have it here at the club. I’ll reserve one of the rooms. What else can I do?”

  Dylan looked down at his uniform. “Do you know where I can get a suit? I know it’s strange not to want to get married in my uniform, but I want this to be about Avery and me, nothing else.”

  “I’m sure I can. Come with me.” Ashton walked ahead, but Dylan wrapped his arms around me one more time.

  “Don’t disappear on me,” I whispered.

  “I won’t. Promise.”

  When Dylan was out of sight, my sisters and I squealed and celebrated Dixon-style for a moment, and then Sadie grabbed my hand and headed for the door. “Come on. You need a dress, and we need to let Aunt Cathy know that the party in Magnolia Corners is canceled but there is going to be a wedding here.”

  I walked out arm in arm with my sisters one last time. Tomorrow I’d start my new life. A life that I’d mourned for, hoped for, dreamed of, and now I would live. A life as Mrs. Dylan Markham.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The sun rose higher in the sky, telling me that in a few hours I’d be married. I didn’t care about a big wedding ceremony. It was more about a formal goodbye to my sisters and a representation of a new beginning for Dylan and me.

  Aunt Cathy stuck another hairpin in the back of my head. This would be the southern invasion in the country club. “Are you sure you don’t want me to contact your mama?”

  “No thank you. She hasn’t been a part of my life for a long time. I’m happy that you’re here, though.”

  “Me, too, dear. I’m just sorry I didn’t have my dress for you.”

  I looked down at the white dress I’d chosen from the ones Mrs. Dumont had rushed over this morning. “I don’t even want to think about how much this cost.”

  “Don’t you worry about that, dear. Mrs. Dumont likes everyone to know how rich she is. Besides, she wanted to keep something classy with the Magnolia Corners invasion of her club.”

  Sadie laughed. “I hope Ashton tells his mother about the menu before the reception. Sweet tea and mint juleps with caviar and wings is probably not the normal fare.”

  She dug a shoebox out of a bag she’d brought with her. “I think it’s a dream come true for her, actually. She’s always wanted to throw a wedding at the club, so you’re doing me a favor. Maybe I won’t hear at every family dinner about how I dragged her son down to a county fair to get married.”

  Zoey opened the bridal waiting-room door. “Hope you don’t have a limit on that thing.” She laughed and handed Sadie a credit card.

  “It’s fine. Did you get everything?” Sadie asked, opening a shoebox and handing me the most amazing white shoes with clear heels.

  “Yes. We need to be ready soon. The minister is waiting. Groom is pacing the floor and watching the door in hopes you don’t escape.” Zoey retrieved the bouquet of flowers from the table and held them out to me. “Come on, sis. Time for you to get married.”

  Sadie and Aunt Cathy backed away for a moment, giving me room to stand.

  Zoey knelt and fluffed out my skirts. “Hey, big sis. Did you have the talk with her? I mean, we wouldn’t want to finally get her to the alter, only to have her run away on her honeymoon night.”

  I kicked her with my fancy shoes.

  “Ow!” Zoey squealed and stood, offering her arm to me.

  “You just wait… You’ll be getting married before you know it,” I teased.

  Zoey sighed a little heavier than I’d expected. “Marriage isn’t in my future.” She quickly shook off the second of sadness and covered it up with a pinch to my cheek.

  I smacked her. “What was that for?”

  “You need to be a blushing bride, right?” Zoey trotted off to the door. “See you at the end of the aisle. I’m going to go make sure your groom has smelling salt, because when he sees you in that dress, he’s going to faint.”

  I looked to Sadie after Zoey closed the door. “Did you notice that?”

  “Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll speak to her after the wedding.”

  “What?” Aunt Cathy asked.

  “Our sister has boy troubles.” I shook my head. “I’ve been so caught up in my own, I haven’t noticed.”

  “No, don’t do that. Don’t worry about anything, including your sister,” Aunt Cathy ordered. “This is your day. Now get your tail down that aisle and marry that man so you can go live your dreams.”

  I took in a long, soothing breath and walked to the outer doors of the garden room, where everyone was waiting.

  Zoey popped out. “It’s time.” She took her position in front of me, directing Aunt Cathy up front. “Usher will seat you as the mother of the bride now.”

  Mr. Dumont came out and offered his arm to Aunt Cathy, who held her head up prouder than anyone in that room. I was happy she was here to share this day.

  “Okay, wait for the wedding march and then enter. Got it?” Sadie asked.

  I only nodded, feeling like the glass heels would break on the way down the aisle or a sheriff would appear to arrest someone.

  “It’s all going to be okay,” Sadie assured me.

  First Sadie and then Zoey disappeared through the door, leaving me alone. My pulse raced. Mouth went dry. Breath caught in my throat.

  The wedding march boomed into the atrium, and the doors swung open. At the end of the aisle, I saw Dylan in a light-gray suit, hair a little longer than when he’d arrived and more handsome than any man I’d ever seen. One look at him and I knew, no one would ever drive us apart again.

  I walked down the aisle and greeted my groom, held his hand, and we said our vows.

  Finally, we kissed.

  A kiss that sealed our promise to always love each other and never run when things got tough.

  One of many kisses to come as man and wife.

  About the Author

  Ciara Knight is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author, who writes clean and wholesome romance novels set in either modern day small towns or wild historic old west. Born with a huge imagination that usually got her into trouble, Ciara is happy she’s found a way to use her powers for good. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.

  Also by Ciara Knight

  For a complete list of my books, please visit my website at www.ciaraknight.com. A great way to keep up to date on all releases, sales and prizes subscribe to my Newsletter. I’m extremely sociable, so feel free to chat with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.

  For your convenience please see my complete title list below, in reading order:

  HISTORICAL WESTERNS:

  McKinnie Mail Order Brides Series

  Love on the Prairie

  (USA Today Bestselling Novel)

  Love in the Rockies

  Love on the Plains

  Love on the Ranch

  His Holiday Promise

  (A Love on the Ranch Novella)

  Love on the Sound

  (coming 2019)

  Love at the Coast

  A Prospectors Novel

  Fools Rush

  Bride of America

  Adelaide: Bride of Maryland

  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

  Winter in Sweetwater County

  Spring in Sweetwater County

  Summer in Sweetwater County

  Fall in Sweetwater County

  Christmas in Sweetwater County

  Valentines in Sweet-water County

  Fourth of July in Sweetwater County

  Thanksgiving in Sweetwater County

  Grace in Sweetwater County

  Faith in
Sweetwater County

  Riverbend

  In All My Wishes

  In All My Years

  In All My Dreams

  In All My Life

  Gone with the Brides

  Sassy Bride

  Southern Bride

  Sweet Bride

  HOLIDAY READS

  A Christmas Spark

  A Miracle Mountain Christmas

  Homecoming in Christmas Falls

  YOUNG ADULT:

  Battle for Souls Series

  Rise From Darkness

  Fall From Grace

  Ascension of Evil

  The Neumarian Chronicles

  Weighted

  Escapement

  Pendulum

  Balance