“Yeah, but certain breathing practices can calm you down,” Striker insisted.
“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”
Stonewall glanced out at the audience again before looking down at his watch. When Father Jon Martensite took his place beside him, and the music began playing, Stonewall knew it was time. The best part of his life was about to start.
• • •
“You okay, honey?”
Joy looked up at her father who looked handsome in his tuxedo. Today he had put aside his uniform as chief of police in Baton Rouge to simply be the father of the bride. “Yes, Dad, I’m fine.”
“Well, you look beautiful, Joy Elyse.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, Dad.” Striker’s wife, Margo, had designed her wedding dress and she felt beautiful in the off-the-shoulder flowing white gown made of satin and lace.
“I love you, Dad,” Joy whispered.
“I love you back, honey.”
While growing up, her father had always been her hero. Of her three siblings, she was the only one who had followed him into law enforcement. She had been a police officer, then a detective, and last year she’d been promoted to lieutenant with the Charlottesville, Virginia, Police Department. Then again, she’d always been a daddy’s girl. “I’m happy.”
He smiled down at her. “I know you are, and I can thank Stonewall for that. I guess I don’t have to tell you that you’re getting a good man.”
That meant a lot coming from her father, whom she’d always thought to be a good judge of character…even though he’d sometimes given people the benefit of doubt. People like her ex-fiancé.
She drew in a deep breath, fighting her nervousness. Her sister Cheer, who was her matron of honor, was about to enter the church. Cheer would be followed by the ring bearer, one of Joy’s nephews, and then two of her nieces, who were her flower girls. The wedding reception would take place in the huge ballroom of the Lake House Reception Center.
Last night’s rehearsal dinner had been wonderful. Joy’s ever-observant detective eyes had noticed a number of things...like the way Stonewall’s good friend, Dakota Navarro, a wealthy, international playboy and jetsetter, couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Stonewall’s sister Mellie. And how Joy’s friend, Dr. Lennox Roswell, a medical examiner for the Charlottesville Police Department, kept discreetly checking out Stonewall’s boss, Roland Summers. Roland -- who owned a bodyguard/protection agency— was not only Stonewall’s boss but also a close friend. Lennox was a drop-dead gorgeous woman and was used to men ogling her. Joy found it interesting that this time it was Lennox who seemed to be on alert.
And finally, Joy’s eyes settled again on Andrew Logan, a man she and Stonewall fondly called Drew. It had been surprising when they’d discovered they both knew him. Andrew had served time with Stonewall in prison, and Joy had met Andrew a few years ago at a national law enforcement seminar, back when he had become a police detective in Alexandria, Virginia.
It was at that particular seminar that he had hooked up with Joy’s friend and fellow detective, Antonia “Toni” Oliver. Toni and Drew had engaged in a pretty hot and heavy affair during the week of the seminar, and it had lasted for almost a year after that.
To this day, Toni hadn’t told her why they’d broken up, but Joy pretty much had an idea. Since Toni was one of her bridesmaids, and Andrew was one of Stonewall’s groomsmen, they’d both been at last night’s rehearsal dinner...it had been obvious to everyone that they were trying to ignore each other. Joy would have to try to catch Toni for a quick chat before leaving for her honeymoon.
“Ready, baby girl?”
Joy glanced up at her father. Her thoughts had purposely drifted to last night’s rehearsal dinner in an effort to calm her nervousness. But now those thoughts were where they should be—on the handsome man waiting for her at the end of the aisle. The man she loved more than life itself. “Yes, Dad, I’m ready.”
On her father’s arm, she slowly walked into the church, absolutely sure that she was about to become the happiest woman in the world.
• • •
Stonewall glanced down at Joy. The moment she’d entered the church on her father’s arm, he’d lost his breath. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Her wedding gown was stunning, and she looked totally radiant in it. As she’d walked down the long aisle, she’d only had eyes for him. And he’d only had eyes