She gave his cold fingers a squeeze, hoping he wouldn’t feel rejected. “Let TJ have a minute with his dad.”

But Lawrence wasn’t in a mood to be placated. He was annoyed, embarrassed, and yes, deeply offended. “His dad?” he echoed, angry and surprised. “Since when has Trey Sheenan acted like a dad? Since when—”

“Lawrence,” she choked on his name, cutting him short, squeezing his hand again, expression pleading. She couldn’t do this now, couldn’t fight with Lawrence, not on their wedding day. But she also had to be sensitive to TJ’s feelings, and for that matter, she wouldn’t shame Trey in front of his son. “I know this is hard, but let me handle this. It won’t take long. I promise.”

Lawrence pulled his hand from hers. “Everybody is wondering what’s going on out here. Everyone is worried about you, McKenna.”

“They don’t need to be worried. Everything’s fine,” she answered.

“If everything was fine, you’d be in the church, McKenna, not out here with your—” Lawrence shot Trey a caustic glance, “ex.”

The doors of the church swung open again. “You okay, honey?” Aunt Karen called to her.

McKenna looked up and Aunt Karen, Rory, Quinn, Paige, and Troy Sheenan had all crowded into the doorway. Paige looked anxious, Aunt Karen indignant, Troy troubled, and her brothers ticked off.

“I’m fine,” she answered, checking her irritation. “We’re almost through here and I just need everyone to go back inside and let me finish speaking with Trey—”

“And leave you alone with that convict?” Aunt Karen demanded. “I don’t think so!”

Trey shot McKenna’s aunt an incredulous look. “You think I’d hurt my girl?”

Lawrence stiffened. “She’s not your girl anymore, Mr. Sheenan. She’s my wife—”

“Not yet your wife,” Trey corrected, “still just a bride.”

“If you’d let us finish the ceremony, she’d be my wife.”

Trey’s dark head dipped, conceding the point. “True.”

Aunt Karen wagged her finger at Trey. “Why aren’t you in jail?”

“Got out early,” Trey answered, smiling faintly. “Good behavior.”

“Hah!” Karen snorted. “Don’t believe that for a second. You probably broke out. They’re probably looking for you now.”

His lips curved higher. “With guns and dogs.”

“I knew it!”

“It’s good to see you, too, Karen.”

“Ha!”

Lawrence shifted his weight, arms folding across his chest. “Karen’s right. What do you want?”

Trey’s smile faded.