Alex did not testify in his own defense as Edward told her he probably wouldn’t. The defense case was relatively short and was essentially an argument that everything that happened was consensual. Which—in light of the testimony from the women who’d been stalked by Alex, her own testimony, the pictures and medical testimony of her injuries, signs of struggle at her home, and the testimony of the police who came to the cabin and saw her screaming and trying to fight him off — seemed ridiculous.

It only took the jury forty-five minutes to come back with a guilty verdict and Maggie sobbed in relief. Liv and Dee and a great many other people from Petal had come out to the trial and they all burst into applause and the judge had to pound his gavel to shut them all up.

The sentencing phase would be decided by the judge and he scheduled a hearing the following week to hand down his decision. When they returned, Alex was sentenced to seven years in prison. Edward explained that was pretty good considering but Maggie snorted, wishing he’d be in prison for life.

Chapter Twelve

The morning of May twenty-third arrived and Maggie awoke smiling. It was her wedding day. She spent the night at Liv’s place and Kyle was at his parents’. Dee came over first thing and brought breakfast while Liv did their hair.

“Phone for you, hon, it’s your husband-to-be.” Liv handed the phone to her and she went back to artfully pinning up her curls and lacing flowers and ribbon through it all.

“Hi honey! Not having second thoughts are you?” she asked with a laugh.

“Hey, Red, no way. Although I just want to say, yet again, how stupid I think it was to make me sleep alone last night. I haven’t slept alone since November. I don’t like it.”

“Stop whining. It’s the last time you’ll have to. I didn’t want you to see my dress until the ceremony. I want it to be a surprise.”

“Okay, I’m sure it’ll be worth it. I sure do love you, Red.”

“Me too, baby. I have to go. Liv’s doing my hair and the phone is in the way. I’ll see you in an hour.”

“Can’t wait.”

Maggie hung up and sighed. “He’s so wonderful.”

“Oh lawd! I thought the weekly Arthur is wonderful updates were bad!” Liv joked.

“Are you talking about my boy?” Polly flounced into the room.

“Hey, Mom. Of course we were talking about Kyle. My, don’t you look pretty!”

“Thanks, doll. What can I do?”

“I’m done here. Let’s help her get into the dress.”

Maggie’s dress was antique white silk and satin. Sleeveless, with tiny embroidered French blue flowers along the neckline. The back had a small vee in it with the same embroidered flowers. It gathered into a pleat at the small of her back and the material flowed down and made a modest pool of silk as a train. She opted against a veil and chose to wind flowers and ribbon in her hair. Her bouquet was of silver roses and white magnolias. As a present for Kyle later, she had on a gorgeous cream colored bustier and garter set underneath with pale silk stockings.

Dee and Liv wore French blue dresses of mid-calf length and the groom was wearing a dove gray morning coat with his tuxedo.

“Look at you, girl,” Liv whispered as they got her all fastened inside of the dress and she stood before the mirror.

Maggie smiled as she looked at them all. “We sure do clean up nice.”

“I almost forgot. Here.” Polly handed a velvet jeweler’s box to Maggie. “This is from Kyle.”

She opened the box and softly gasped when she saw the pair of sapphire and diamond earrings inside. The note said, something blue and something new. She put them on and they sparkled in her ears.

“Now for something borrowed,” Polly said, “as well as old.” She handed her a velvet pouch and Maggie opened it and a diamond bracelet came out. “My mother let me borrow this on my wedding day and then she gave it to me when I had Shane. So today, you’ll borrow it from me. And when you and Kyle have your first child, it’ll be yours.”

Maggie fanned her face. “Oh lord, you’re going to make me cry and ruin Liv’s make up job! Thank you so much!”

Edward and Tom waited on the front porch as Liv, Dee, Polly and Maggie arrived.

“You look beautiful, hon.” her father said.

Edward kissed her cheek and winked at Polly. “You sure do. Kyle is a lucky boy.” He called for Matt and Marc who were going to walk with Dee and Liv. She’d asked Polly to be her matron of honor and Shane came to escort her. All three Chase brothers looked at her and cracked grins.

“Wow! You look amazing, Maggie. Absolutely gorgeous,” Marc said.

“I’m an idiot,” Shane grumbled and Polly nodded and patted his arm.

“You look beautiful, Liv,” Matt said and Maggie smiled at the chemistry that always brewed between those two.

“Let’s rock, people,” she said and they all went to the back doors and the music started as Polly and Shane walked out, followed by Liv and Matt, Dee and Marc.

Suddenly the music changed and she put her hands in the arms of her escorts and stepped outside and everyone stood. She looked out at the gathered crowd of friends and neighbors and then, up to the arbor where Kyle stood, smiling at her.

Kyle’s heart stopped when she stepped out onto the back porch. Her dress molded to her body, her hair pinned up in artfully reckless curls and filled with flowers. She looked fey and wholesome and yet earthy and sexy all at once. And she was all his. Her smile flashed at him and he began to breathe again.