"I'm getting married! Oh Lord.... Somebody pinch me quick so I know I ain't dreamin'!" Cassandra exclaimed as she stood before a full length mirror in her room at Anita's and stared at herself in her white lace gown.

Lauren reached out and pinched the back of Cassandra's arm causing the other woman to let out a yell and glare at the girl. "What was that for?"

Lauren shrugged. "You asked for somebody to pinch you!"

"That's enough you troublemaker," Anita scolded with a smile as she stepped into the room. "Cassandra, you look beautiful."

Emma had to agree with Anita. Cassandra's wild curls couldn't be tamed but they suited her perfectly as they cascaded down her back and the lace gown contrasted with her golden skin.

"If my pa and brothers could see me they wouldn't believe their eyes," Cassandra stated, touching her lightly painted cheek.

Emma's heart ached a bit for her friend. Despite several invitation sent to her family in the last month, they had refused to come to her wedding. Apparently sending her to Anita had been their way of getting rid of Cassandra for good—that made Emma even more happy to know that the other woman had found such love with Ben and friends and family within their group.

A knock came on the door. "Come on in unless you're Ben! Ben you ain't supposed to see me yet!" Cassandra warned, slipping behind the curtain and yelling from behind it.

The door opened and Kyle poked his head in. "If there's one thing I'm not, it's a preacher man," Kyle assured them with a smile.

Emma noticed the bag in his hands. "What do you have there?" she asked.

He held it out to her. "It's for you. From Liam. I was sent up here with direct instructions, which have already been given the stamp of approval from the bride and groom so don't feel as if you're stepping on toes....."

"What are you talking about?" Emma asked, feeling confused by his rambling.

"Just look at what's in the bag, sweetheart," Anita urged.

"Yeah, I'm having a hard time keeping it a secret," Cassandra agreed. "I ain't good at keeping my mouth shut."

"We know," Lauren quipped.

Emma took the bag and opened it slowly. She instantly recognized the white lace gown from her wardrobe at the cabin. "I.... I don't understand..."

Kyle took her hand and tilted his head. "Liam wanted to come tell you this himself but he was afraid of bad luck if he saw you..."

"But we're already married...."

"Wasn't much of a wedding," Kyle countered. "Liam loves you, Emma. You have changed that man for the better and he wants to make you happy. He wants you to have a real wedding with all of the people that love you both there to celebrate with you."

Emma couldn't stop the tears that filled her eyes. She blamed it on the babe in her belly. She laid her hand over her stomach which was just slightly beginning to grow round—not enough to be visible beneath her dresses and skirts.

Cassandra came around the curtain. "Please do this with me, Emma. I'm nervouser than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! I'd feel a lot better about it all if I had my friend up there with me getting married too."

Emma looked around at all the faces of her family—her true family. They were eager and excited and clearly all full of love for her and Liam.

Emma was terrified at the thought of putting on that dress and stepping in front of so many townspeople—what if she messed up her words? Then she remembered Liam's letter the day she'd gotten this dress in that wardrobe. He wanted this. He wanted to do this for her. She knew it had to be a big step for him to openly go in front of a crowd and share his love and feelings for her.

Liam was a very private person. If he could do this then so could she. Emma held the dress close and put her hand on her dark tresses. "I'm going to need some help with my hair."

Liam paced the ground feeling like a monkey all dressed up in his suit. He missed his animal skins...... but Chase had assured him that wearing the dead flesh of critters wasn't proper wedding etiquette or some nonsense like that.

He grumbled as he tugged at the collar of his shirt. Hell, it was hot outside. When was the weather going to cool down?

Realizing that maybe he was in a sour mood because of nerves, Liam stopped pacing and took a long deep breath.

"What are you pacing around grumbling and growling for?" Chase asked, walking up to him. "You're acting like a nervous schoolboy."

Liam glared at the man. "Hell, I am nervous."

"Why?"

"Hell if I know," Liam grumbled. "The woman and I are already married and have been for months. There's a babe in her belly for christ's sake and, yet, here I am scared to death she's going to say no."

"Well stop worrying," Kyle spoke up, coming to stand beside Chase. "The woman said yes. She's going to marry you again today."

Liam's breath left him in a rush. Relief flowed through him like water.

"Why'd you have to tell him?" Chase complained. "I was enjoying watching the brave, strong, stoic Liam McIntyre have a mild episode."

"Why on earth would he be having an episode?" Ben asked, making his way over to them. "Did you see Cassandra?" he asked Kyle. "Did she say anything?"

Liam was concerned about the man. He was pale, shaking and appeared ready to collapse.... However, it was clear Kyle didn't share his concern. "She's changed her mind, Ben. Said there just isn't any way she can be married to a preacher man."

What little color had been in Ben's face, quickly drained away. He swallowed hard and Liam was sure the man was about to cry. Chase nudged Kyle and Kyle quickly spoke up. "Ben, I'm joking. Hell, don't get so upset."

"So, she didn't change her mind?" Ben gasped.

"No. The woman is head over heels for you, preacher man."

Ben nodded, a smile curved his cheeks and then he reached out and punched Kyle hard in the chest.

Kyle staggered back, clutching at his chest as he chuckled. "You hit me! I didn't think the Lord condoned violence."

Ben adjusted his collar. "He doesn't. But at times, I do, and he's good at forgiveness."

Time seemed to drag on but finally it was time to move to the tiny church. People were crammed inside and Liam felt uncomfortable with so many eyes on him.

Liam had insisted on allowing Ben and Cassandra to have their ceremony first. He had done so in an attempt to be a good friend and allow them their moment—but it was hard as hell to stand and wait his turn.

Ben had gotta a friend to come and perform his wedding to Cassandra and, as far as Liam was concerned, the man talked too slow.

The wedding was short and sweet but seemed to take years where Liam stood. His suit was itchy and hot. His collar was too tight. He hated the eyes watching him and he wanted to be out of the church and into the air......

Then Ben took his stand at the alter to perform Liam and Emma's ceremony and every ounce of Liam's stress, worry and discomfort was forgotten when the pianist began playing and Emma stepped inside.

His wife was the single most beautiful sight Liam had ever seen. Her porcelain skin was glowing against the white lace dress. Her dark hair was all pulled back on her head and loose tendrils curled around her cheeks.

But it was her happy smile and the love shimmering out of her light blue eyes that truly stole his breath.

Their vows were simple but Liam put every ounce of love and honesty had had into each word he spoke.

Liam was lost enough in the moment and what he was feeling for Emma that when Ben said it was time to kiss his bride, he didn't hesitate before doing that right there in front of half the town.

After the wedding, Liam and Emma walked arm in arm out into the last evening sun. Liam was ready to get her home—he figured they might as well have the wedding night that went along with the wedding.

Lauren and Anita stopped them outside. "Where are you going?" Anita asked.

"Home," Liam replied quickly.

"No you're not," Anita countered. "None of us got to take part in your first wedding and Emma spent the night of that wedding unconscious and beat half to death in your cabin. Not exactly a celebration."

Liam glared at his aunt, angry at her for bringing up such memories. He felt Emma's grip on his arm tight as she too must have been remembering that terrible night.

Lauren nudged his aunt with her elbow. "I think that might be why Liam wants to take her home, Miss Anita. Do things the right way this time."

Lauren ducked, knowing Anita's hand would be coming for the back of her head. "You shouldn't be speaking that way! I knew allowing you to run around with those boys was a bad idea." Anita fussed with her bonnet. "There's a baby on the way so it would seem they got things just right."

Liam could all but feel the heat coming off of Emma's cheeks. "Okay, that's enough. We'll come to the celebration you have planned."