She wouldn’t appreciate him interrupting the wedding, creating drama. Even he could see the pattern there. Trey = Chaos. Trey = Shame.

But he wasn’t doing this because he wanted to embarrass her. He was doing what he had to do to protect his rights as a father, even if he was only allowed to be that father on a part-time basis.

It was now or never. And God help him, but he couldn’t handle forever without his boy, so it looked like the time was now.

Trey shook down his sleeve, covering the watch, and opened the truck door.

Things were going to get interesting fast.

* * **

McKenna stood at the back of the church, trembling in her high heels, praying no one knew she was about to wobble her way to the altar. This was supposed to be a slow and stately procession down the aisle, but she didn’t feel stately at the moment, not with her legs shaking and her knees knocking.

It was the blasted Wedding March that made her shake. Those loud, bright chords so familiar to all. The entire congregation had risen to their feet at the first one, heads swiveling to the back, one hundred and fifty pairs of eyes fixing on her.

She’d smiled to hide her terror.

She wasn’t an exhibitionist. She’d never liked being the center of attention. This was definitely a lot of attention.

Rory covered her fingers where they rested in the crook of his arm and gave an encouraging squeeze. “Buck up,” he said with his deep, low-pitched voice. “You got this.”

She flashed him a smile, a real smile, some of her tension easing. “This is crazy,” she whispered. “So many people.”

“All here for you, darlin’.”

And then they were walking, and she wobbled in her heels, but not as badly as she’d feared. She pulled her shoulders back with every step, standing taller, her attention on Lawrence and TJ where they stood together at the front of the church.

TJ was wriggling away from Lawrence, trying to escape.

Lawrence’s hand rested on TJ’s shoulder, trying to keep him in place.

In a flash, McKenna saw the future, realizing that this was how it’d always be. They were so different, those two. TJ would always pull one way and Lawrence would pull the other. She’d have to be careful not to get caught in the middle. She’d have to learn to be neutral so that she didn’t put herself in the middle.

And then she was there, with Lawrence and TJ and all the groomsmen before the altar, the dark wood pews filled with family and friends behind her.

The music died.

The priest spoke a few words and Rory placed her hand into Lawrence’s and stepped away.

Rory stepping away was significant. She was leaving the Douglas family to start a new life as a Joplin. Her chest squeezed with a rush of emotion. Her life was changing. Everything was changing. She was glad. But it was also somewhat overwhelming—

“Wait. Stop.” A deep voice rang out from the back of the church. “I’d like a word with McKenna.”

She knew that voice.

But he couldn’t be here. He couldn’t be. He was in jail.

Wasn’t he?

Heart thudding, she pulled her hand from Lawrence’s to turn around, aware that the church had gone strangely quiet.