“You didn’t buy anything?” I ask, noticing his empty hands.

“Nah, I’ll wait until I get home.”

“I thought you’d finally claim her with a ring?”

“I’m not about to steal the attention on your day.” He laughs and slides in. “Not to mention, I don’t need jewelry to claim her. She’s mine, and I’d like to see someone try to steal her away.” The car fills with both our laughter; two previous bachelors that didn’t believe in love until the ones we were meant for claimed our hearts. I’m happy to see Dex finally came around, even though it appeared to take forever.

I have about a half hour by the time I get back to put on my suit and make sure everything is set. I spot the rental car in the driveway, which means Clyde and Holly are here, so I definitely don’t need to worry about the kids.

FIVE-TWENTY-FIVE, I step up to the end of the aisle with the pastor next to me. The family guests have made their way to the white chairs, and since I have such a large family, they’ve filled both sides. As the sun begins to set, my little ones walk down the aisle. Tara dressed in a pretty lilac (I only know it’s lilac because the girls just about strangled me when I called it purple.) dress with white tights and lilac shoes, while Drew matches me in a black suit. As Tara tosses a handful of rose petals onto the white liner, Drew reaches down and picks them up. Eventually, my mom walks up the aisle and takes him into her arms as he swats at her perfectly made-up face.

Next is my darling girl, Chloe, in a pink dress with white tights and pink shoes. Her hair has held up well in the few hours since I saw her last. She’s smiling brightly, carefully dropping the rose petals down on the runner. She’s beautiful and caring and I’m elated for the smart girl my daughter is becoming. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to realize she’s part of my life. When she reaches me, she wraps her arms around my legs, and I bend down and kiss the top of her head. She stands on the side of me like we rehearsed this morning while Tara waits patiently on Kailey’s side.

Then the music stops and starts again, but this time Brady steps up to the microphone with his guitar in front of him. Sitting on the stool, he begins singing “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz. My eyes fixate on the doors of my parents’ house, and Kailey steps out on Clyde’s arm. Her eyes find mine immediately, and I watch her as she makes her way to the end of the aisle. Only fifteen steps and she’ll be by my side for the rest of our lives. I should know, I counted them this morning. For a brief moment, it’s just me and her. The people to our lefts and rights are a fog as I stare at my soon-to-be wife and she stares at me. We’re proof that love can be found in the least likely of places. Through all the heartache and grief, Kailey and I came together.

She begins to walk down the rose-covered path, and Chloe tugs at my pant leg, but I don’t want to miss a minute of Kailey making her way to me. Her last steps before she’s mine forever. I capture Chloe’s hand, and she tugs it down. Still not tearing my eyes away from the love of my life, Kailey’s eyes shift to Chloe. I bend down so Chloe can whisper in my ear while I continue my moment with Kailey.

“She’s looks like a princess,” she says so loud everyone begins laughing.

“And can you believe she’s ours?” I say back.

“Then you’re her prince,” she states with wide eyes.

“Yes, he is,” Kailey agrees coming up to us.

I hold my hand out for Kailey, and she grabs it, squeezing it tight. “You look so beautiful,” I say, and her smile becomes even bigger.

“Thank you, you look absurdly handsome in this suit.”

We take our places at the makeshift altar, and the ceremony begins. The pastor nods his head to Kailey, and she hands her bouquet to Sadie, who then escapes back to her seat in the front row. We chose to conduct the traditional vows and once we begin the ring exchange, I slip on her ring and reach into my pocket for my dad’s, since I borrowed it until we can go ring shopping for mine. But, I stop when I notice Kailey reach into the edge of her bodice and pull out a ring. I’m pretty damn jealous of that ring right this second.

“What? How did you—” I ask, but Kailey smirks.

“See, I can surprise you, too.” She waits for the pastor to start saying what she needs to repeat and then slips the silver metal circle onto my finger. No piercing or tattoo has ever felt so right on my body as this ring does on my finger.

“I know pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Trey Michaels,” the pastor announces. “You may kiss your bride, Trey.” My lips can’t reach Kailey’s soon enough. Once they land on the familiar soft pink flesh that I dream about every night, I know that I’m home. The applause start, and we wave our hands to thank everyone. We glance back at the pastor, and he makes the next announcement. “I’m pleased to not only perform the marriage of Kailey and Trey as husband and wife today, but also the marriage of Trey, Kailey, Chloe, Tara, and Drew into a marriage of family.”

I walk over to my mom and pick up Drew while Kailey gathers the girls. We sit down on the small wooden stools in front of the children. We each take hold of one of Chloe’s hands. “We promise to always hold you in our hearts and be your family,” Kailey and I say at the same time. I slip on the charm bracelet onto her wrist, and she smiles ecstatically. We mimic the same movement to Tara and lastly Drew, who is more interested in ways to get it in his mouth.

After we finish the pastor makes another announcement. “I’m pleased to introduce you to the Campbell-Michaels family.” Everyone stands up, clapping while the five of us walk down the aisle into our happily ever after.

THANK YOU TO my family. My husband, who whisks our children off to go fishing, to run errands, or any activity that gives me a few hours of solitude to develop my stories. My lovely two kids who sacrifice their mommy at times due to deadlines. Thank you for your patience and love. You are my rock and I’d never be able to live my dream of being a writer without you.

To all my betas that met Dex and Chrissy first. Melinda Huff Bones, Danielle LeFave, Mia Kayla, Melissa Rolka, Annie Trembley, Michelle Hereford, Amy Lawson, in addition to the anonymous betas through Book Peddler’s Editing. Your feedback made their characters and their story stronger. Thank you for taking the time to read Can’t Let Go.

Heather Davenport, Book Plug Promotions. Thank you for your tremendous organization skills. My cover reveal, book blitz, and tour for Can’t Let Go all done flawlessly as normal. Also, everything you do for the whole Invisibles Series.

My cover designer, Sommer Stein with Perfect Pear Creative Covers. As with all my others, Can’t Let Go is breathtaking beautiful. Thank you for never letting me accept anything less than 100% LOVE!

Perfectly Publishable, your editing and formatting of all the books in the Invisibles Series is amazing and flawless. Thank you for taking the time to make them not only read smoothly, but look beautiful, too.

My street team. Oh, how I love you all. Without all of you, I’d be nowhere. I appreciate all the hard work you go in order to get my name out there and help people discover me and the characters and stories I’ve created.

To all the Bloggers, who have signed up for the release events, thank you for taking on The Invisibles Series and Can’t Let Go and helping me spread the word amongst readers.

Most of all, thank you to all the readers. If you didn’t take a chance on Indie Authors every day, this book would have most likely never been written much less published. Thank you.