Slenderman by CeeRee Fields (best ebook reader for pc .TXT) 📕

“I remember it was custom made.” Not just custom made, but his mother had designed it for one of their anniversaries. Rhys secretly thought that was the real reason Jo had kept it but never asked.

“Because of your schedule, I cleaned it out and boxed everything up. Do you remember?”

“Yeah.” His gaze dropped to the box.

“Well, your dad had this in there. It was your grandfather’s, but your dad had it engraved. I think he was planning to give it to you if you ever married.”

Rhys’s eyes jumped to hers. “What?”

“It was probably supposed to be your something old.”

He shook his head and tore into the box. Nestled inside was his grandfather’s OMEGA 1954 Mens Seamaster watch. “I’d wondered what happened to it. I loved my grandfather’s watches. He had several, but this one was his everyday piece.”

With trembling hands, he turned it over to read the words his father left for him. My son, may your love be as magical as what your mother and I found.

A rustling and Jo drew a small card from the box lid. “You missed this.”

He opened the envelope and drew out the card.

Rhysian,

Your mother and I kept this back after your grandfather passed because we wanted you to have it on your wedding day. It was at your grandfather’s request since your grandmother gave it to him on their anniversary. He loved her until the day she died. And he hoped this watch would be a happy memory of them on your wedding day.

Love,

Mom and Dad

“I’ve no idea why he had a note or the engraving already done.” Jo tucked her new gun away. “And it was weird to find it just sitting there, but I wasn’t sure how to broach it with you and then the whole Lucy thing blew up on us—”

“This is the perfect time.” He dragged her to him. “Dad was a planner. If Granddad asked for it to be handed down to me, then I can see Dad having it engraved the next day and making a card for it. Heck, he’s probably got a note in his day planner about the watch. I’ve just never had the nerve to read it.”

Jo nuzzled into the hollow of his throat. “Maybe when we get back, I can read it for you.”

“Or we can do it together.” He was stronger with her than alone.

“I’d like that,” she said, kissing him.

A loud banging on the door separated them. “Hey, you two need to get your asses out of the bed if you plan to be on time for your wedding.”

Jo growled. “Go away, Karma.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll just tell three hundred plus people—”

“We’re up!” Rhys yelled through the door laughing.

“But we’re sharing a shower,” Jo added as she walked into the closet to store the new gun in the safe.

“Fine, don’t blame me if I see you two naked because you took too long.”

Rhys laughed harder when Jo burst from the closet, grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the shower.

“We’ve gotta hurry or Karm will really come in here. Then I’ll have to kill her because your doctor and I are the only ones allowed to see you naked.”

He shook his head at Jo’s antics but quickly disrobed and joined her under the steaming water. Quick wouldn’t be a problem since they’d have a lifetime to make love slow.

Chapter 16

“You have nerves of steel, hon.” Terry closed the door behind Jo’s sisters after sending them off on various errands to make sure everything came together without a hitch.

Arching a brow, Jo tried to not to wince as the stylist pounded her hair into submission. “I don’t get why you’re saying that, but okay.”

“Well, there are well over three hundred people out there. Between Rhys’s group of friends, his parents’ friends, your massive family, and your family in blue it’s like a sea of people. Yet, you’re sitting here pretty as you please not asking for a Valium, no bottle of rum in sight.”

Jo shrugged. “I don’t need it.”

“I can see that.” Terry gestured at Jo. “I mean, you didn’t even flinch at the number.”

Was she nervous? A little. But the thought of Rhys calmed her. He was better than any substance for her nerves, and at the end of the day, he would be all hers. Besides, the reward for braving all this pageantry was the honeymoon. Two weeks of no one interrupting them when they kissed. No snickers or snide comments. And the resort they booked the private bungalow had a private beach for the resort only. Jo was sure they could work it so she and Rhys could make love in the ocean.

“Jo, seriously. You hate crowds.”

“I do.”

“And?”

Jo huffed in frustration. She’d just gotten rid of the last of the people crowding her. Just her luck her best friend had stayed behind. Though Terry had sent Maddy to Rhys and Rian since they must be missing their parents today. Jo had asked Terry to get Maddy away from her before the woman drove her nuts with all the fussing and fluttering. Now Terry was doing the same thing.

“Jo.”

Terry was a trained interrogator and could be as persistent as Jo when on the trail. Giving in, she met her friend’s gaze in the mirror. “I want to give him this. I know I joke about eloping, but I could tell he wanted the whole fanfare with all the bells and whistles.” Her hands were steady as she petted the velvet burgundy robe with Bride stenciled across it on the right. “I don’t mind being uncomfortable for a few hours when the reward is Rhys for an entire lifetime.”

The stylist sniffled.

Panicked, Jo tried to turn, but the stylist held her hair too tight. Instead, she had to resort to patting the woman’s hand. “Oh, Christ. Don’t cry. I don’t do tears.”

“We’re done. Why don’t I chat with your matron of honor while you get dressed?” The stylist dabbed at her eyes.

Jo looked at