“Each family does it differently. Some families open their presents on Christmas Eve, others Christmas Day. We always opened them on Christmas Eve because I couldn’t wait.”

“We opened ours on Christmas Day,” Shade told her.

“Oh.” Her face fell in disappointment.

“But I can open it on Christmas Eve.” He smiled.

“No, I’ll wait until tomorrow. I don’t want to break tradition. It might be bad luck.”

“I don’t believe in bad luck.”

“I’m still not giving you your present until tomorrow,” she taunted.

Shade got out of bed, going to the bathroom to shower and dress after telling Lily she took too much time, so he was going first. Lily lay on the bed and was still waiting for him when he came out.

He had taken the time to not only shower and shave, but to dress in a new pair of jeans and a dark blue muscle shirt.

He walked to the window to look out, seeing it had snowed another couple of inches since he had come in the night before.

“It’s supposed to quit snowing this afternoon.” He turned toward the bed. “Come here, Lily.”

Lily climbed out of bed to stand by him in front of the window.

Shade went to the bedside table and opened it, removing an envelope before coming back to her and placing it in her hand.

“This present isn’t technically for you. Open it,” he urged Lily when she stared down at it in her hand.

Lily tore the envelope open, reading the words on the paper. Then she looked back at him with pure joy on her face.

“Look at the date.”

The paper signing over the land which Beth and Razer’s property was built on had been signed the day after she had visited Diamond at her home.

“I don’t know what to say, Shade. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Taking the papers away and setting them on the chair by the window, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny box, placing it in her hand. “This present is for you.”

Nervously, he watched her face for her reaction, trying to brace himself for her rejection as she slid the ribbon off and then opened the box. Inside, a diamond ring lay on a bed of black velvet.

“Will you marry me?” Shade went down on his knees in front of her.

She began crying. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Shade stood up, kissing her so passionately it had her arms circling his neck. He pulled her away just as quickly as he had begun to kiss her.

“Good. Now, you need to get showered and dressed. We’re getting married in two hours.” He walked to the door and started to open it.

“Wait. What are you talking about? We can’t get married in two hours. Weddings have to be planned and—”

“I’ve already planned everything and what I couldn’t, Beth and Winter took care of. You want a snowy, winter wedding. Look out the window. You know Kentucky weather; it could be another year before it snows again. I’m not waiting a year to get married. Besides, how do you schedule snow?”

“I don’t know,” Lily said in bemusement.

“I don’t, either. So everything is a go for today, even the snow. I talked to Pastor Dean and got his blessing.”

“You did?” Pleasure filled her eyes.

“I did. So are we going to do this?”

“Yes. Do you need me to do anything?”

“No, everything is ready. The brothers and I spent half the night getting it set up. But I do have a quick question.”

“What is it?” Lily asked.

“Do I have to invite Sex Piston and her crew?” Only for her would he put up with that group of man-eaters.

“What do you think?” Lily giggled.

Shade went out the door, closing it behind him. “Fuck.”

He groaned, taking out his phone. Before he punched the number in, he looked upward.

“God, if you are up there and listening, remember it’s not only Lily’s wedding day, but mine, too.”

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the dial button.

Chapter 65

Shade stood beside Lucky on one side and Razer next to him with a video camera as he waited for Lily to come out of the church. The Last Riders had made an arch for them to stand under with flowers woven through and fairy lights. Candles were placed intermittently around the podium.

The church door opened and Lily came out, her arm in Beth’s as she walked down the aisle where a white runner had been laid. Shade’s breath caught at his first sight of her as the music played softly in the background.

She walked slowly toward him, wearing a lace wedding gown which hugged her body and a veil which lay on her black hair, trailing behind her and brushing the snow.

“She’s beautiful,” Lucky said reverently.

“Yes, and she’s all mine,” Shade reminded him, stepping forward to take Lily’s hand as she came to stand beside him.

Beth remained standing next to Lily.

Lucky waited until everyone retook their seats before beginning the ceremony.

“The marriage ceremony is the most sacred ritual a pastor performs. I am blessed to be able to stand here today to join Lily Cornett and John Hunter into the Holy union of wedlock.

“Ruth 1:16-17. Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following after you. For wherever you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me.

“This beautiful expression of love and loyalty is why Lily and John are standing here today to give their vows before family and friends—so all will know their commitment to each other.

“Who gives this woman in marriage?” Lucky asked.

“I do,” Beth answered with tears in her eyes.

“Shade and Lily, marriage is a sacred relationship and should not be entered into lightly. The road which has brought you here today hasn’t been an easy one. It’s been filled with many challenges and obstacles which both of you have overcome. Instead of using these challenges as excuses not to love, you have chosen to use them as a reason to love each other.

“Lily and Shade, the vows you are about to make in your own words will be a promise to keep the commitment and love you both share for each other now and forever.

“Lily, you may give your vows first.”

Lily smiled at him with such love that Shade felt tears brim in his eyes.

“Shade, I give you my heart, willingly and without reservations. I give you my promise to always love you, be the mother to your children, and to be the strong wife you deserve. I pledge my devotion and faith to you. I swear to keep all these in my heart for you through sickness and health, through our successes and our sorrows, for the rest of our lives together.”

“John,” Lucky prompted.

Shade had to clear his throat before he began.

“Lily, I promise to be your lover and friend, not only a husband. I will be your partner in this life we will share. I will be your warrior when you cannot find the strength to fight for yourself. I will be the father to your children. I give you my hand and heart to hold as we walk through life’s struggles. I will remain yours long after my body turns to dust and our names are just a memory. Together. Forever.”