Wonderful. Well bring the bride right out, Ava dear.
Okay! Dont worry, Brooke. No need to be nervous. Ava propped the door open before she left. Getting married is the most amazing feeling. Im so happy for you.
Shes our boss at the bakery, the twin in the lavender explained.
Shes also our cousin, the blue twin added. Are you ready, Brooke?
Absolutely. Brooke looked ethereal with bliss as she took one final look in the mirror. Im breathless.
Youre a princess, my dear, Lil enthused. Just perfect.
Flawless.
Beautiful.
The McKaslin sisters chimed their compliments, gathered around the bride, clearly about to line up for the procession. Time to find Jerrod in the church and settle in for the ceremony. Honor slipped out the door, unable to look away as the sisters embraced the bride, their happy voices echoing down the hallway.
That never would have been me, she thought as she tripped into the vestibule. She never would have felt joyful marrying Kip. Just the proof shed needed to know she made the right decision.
Honor. Luke offered her his arm, the consummate groomsman. May I escort you to your seat?
I would love that. As she slipped her arm through his, emotion fluttered in her heart. Light, sweet and full of peace, that feeling stayed with her as she stumbled forward at his side, her feet barely touching the ground.
This is what I get for skipping breakfast, she thought as she seemed to float down the aisle. Light-headed, shivery, quick, swooping pulse. Those were definitely signs of low blood sugar and not romantic interest, and they were easily remedied. Big relief there.
Dont believe a single word they said about me, he advised.
You mean youre not nice? Youre not a good guy?
Okay, I sure try to be. A grin carved into his features, softening the rugged planes of his face and bringing out those swoon-worthy dimples. But Im sure that wasnt the gist of the conversation.
How did you know you were even mentioned?
Uh, cuz my sisters meddle. Lil is the worst.
They did happen to mention you were single and available, but dont worry, I thwarted them at every turn by changing the subject.
Did it work?
Eventually. Im persistent. Others see it as stubborn, but thats not entirely a bad thing. A little breathless, she was glad when Luke stopped at the end of a row. I finally steered the conversation back to the bride. She looks beautiful, by the way, so prepare yourself.
I have no doubt.
Lukes eyes had little flecks of gold in them, stunning against the violet-blue, so stunning she couldnt seem to look away. Definitely strange, too, she thought, more light-headed, still. Perhaps shed break into the candy she kept in the bottom of her purse. That ought to chase away her symptoms. She slipped her arm from his. Thank you for escorting me.
My pleasure.
Oh, but those dimples could dazzle any woman. Good thing they didnt have an effect on her. No way, no how. Her shoes tapped against the floor as she scooted into the row. Ill see you after?
Ill hang back so you can follow me, Luke said as he pivoted, talking over his shoulder. I drive a white truck. Dont worry, Ill keep an eye out for you in the parking lot.
Thanks, she said, but he was gone, hurrying to seat a latecoming guest.
The other groomsmen were lined up at the front, the groom a calm, content-looking man who joked with his best man. The low rumble of their laughter blended with the din of the crowd and the rise and fall of notes from the quartet. Finally the crowd hushed as the minister took his place and the processional music began.
Are you sure the cake will be good? Jerrod whispered to her as he put his iPod on pause. Apparently he knew where his priorities were.
Positively.
As quietly as she could, she unlatched her handbag and dug out a roll of candy. She offered it to Jerrod first, who happily took a few, ripped the paper farther down on the roll and popped the sweet-tart lozenge into her mouth. Flavor exploded on her tongue. Take that, low blood sugar.
An adorable little girl with bouncy brown curls paraded down the aisle, tossing rose petals from her fancy white basket. She looked like a cherub with angelic cheeks and sweet button face. Her snowy lacy dress swung around her knees. Completely adorable.
Thats Madison, my niece, whispered the woman whod visited the dressing room. The baker, cousin Ava, leaned over the back of the pew, eyes wide with curiosity. Isnt she adorable? I hear you are dating Luke?
Not dating, she corrected way too fast and way too defensive. Best to blame that on the low blood sugar, too. Everyone has the wrong idea. Luke and I are just friends.
Sure. I know what you mean. Thats the best place to start.
Not sure how to argue with that, she held her tongue. The little ring bearer strode down the aisle, a cute little boy sure of his duty.
My nephew, Tyler, Ava informed her.
The bridesmaids came next, strolling down the aisle carrying bouquets of daisies. Each dress was a different colorblue, lilac and gold. When they reached the front, Honor noticed Luke standing alongside the best man, shoulders set, back straight, striking in his dark suit. Incredibly fine-looking.
Her heart gave another swoop, so she popped a second candy into her mouth. That was absolutely the last time she was skipping breakfast.
* * *
Exultation flitted in the air like the scent of roses from a nearby border row as friends and family descended the church stairs and streamed toward their vehicles, buckled in and zoomed off. Honor beeped the remote, her car door locks popped and Jerrod dropped into the passenger seat. She went up on tiptoe, looking around for a sign of Luke. White pickup, hed said. She frowned, seeing at least ten white trucks gleaming in the lot. Now what?
Over here! called a familiar voice.
She whirled around, shading her eyes with her hand as she squinted into the hot noon sun. There you are. Did you know there are at least a dozen white pickups in this lot?
Sorry. He eased behind the wheel, leaving the door open so he could holler across the roof of a departing car. Id planned on finding you in the crowd, but you made a fast dash toward the exit.
It was hard not to. It was like being a salmon in a river current. I decided to go with the flow.
The McKaslins and friends are a desperate bunch when we get hungry.
I know, right? She slipped into the leather seat, scorching from sitting in the sun. Yikes. Her fingers seared when she touched the steering wheel. Is it very far?
If so, shed likely melt.
Not too far. Follow me.
She eyed the mad dash of vehicles toward the exit. Ill try.
Not to worry. Ill keep my eye on you. He winked. Why did the man have to have a dazzling wink, too? His door closed and his trucks engine roared to life.
Im dying, Jerrod commented. Air conditioning. Quick.
I doubt it will help in time. We may be a puddle of carbon-based goo before we reach the street.
No kidding. Jerrod fanned himself, not that it would help, and whizzed down his window. The instant the engine turned over, he took charge of the a/c controls.
No kidding. Jerrod fanned himself, not that it would help, and whizzed down his window. The instant the engine turned over, he took charge of the a/c controls.
So, not too bad so far, right? She buckled up.
At least were out of the house. Jerrod frowned at the hot air spewing from the vents. Youre sure therell be kids my age here?
Thats the word. She checked her mirror, saw the grill of Lukes truck lumbering closer and smiled in spite of herself. You miss your friends back home.
You know it. Jerrod leaned forward to catch the tepid air from the vents.
Luke motored by in his gleaming truck. She caught a flash of his smile as she pulled out to get in behind him. Heres where her California driving skills came in handy. She nosed in front of a Buick jockeying for supremacy and angled in behind Lukes tailgate. Skills honed from mall parking lots. Good to know they hadnt gone rusty.
Her cell chimed. She scrambled for the Bluetooth earpiece and answered before it went to voice mail. Hello?
Nice maneuvering back there. That was the ministers car.
Oops! She felt a twinge of guilt as she glanced in her rearview at the Buick idling behind her. Between that and missing all but one percent of Sunday service, Im in need of serious penance.
Ill say. And before you ask, theres not an afternoon service you can catch.
How did you know I was going to ask? She flipped on her right blinker when his started to blink.
I know you dont like to miss church.
Thats right. How many Sunday mornings had she ended a chat session because she needed to dash off to church? Its weird because you and I know each other, but at the same time we dont. Were strangers who are, well, strangers.
True. We just technically met. His trunk made a neat turn onto the street.
She pulled up, took advantage of the clear road and turned after him. So, tell me about where were going. You mentioned volleyball.
Shh. Thats top secret, remember? If anyone asks
Ill deny any knowledge
or youll be disavowed.
Why do I suddenly want to hum the Mission: Impossible theme?
I dont know, but I have the same urge.
This was why shed liked typing at Luke. He was fun. She scooted through a yellow light keeping on his tail, breezing through the intersection before the red. Perfect timing. So, how does the volleyball team selection work in your family?
Dont worry. When we choose sides, Ill call you first.
Youre just going on my word that I can play. What if Im exaggerating or have an overinflated opinion of my own skills?
Thats a risk Im ready to take.
Arent those fateful words? Like pride goeth before a fall? Doom happens when you least expect it?
And here I thought you were an optimist. A glass-half-full kind of girl.
It depends on the day, she quipped, following him through a housing development. Im always more positive on a full stomach. We were running late, so I missed breakfast.
The truth comes out. The concrete irrigation pipe being transported wasnt the only reason you were late.
I was hoping you wouldnt bring it up, but yes. I couldnt decide what to wear. Its been so long since I really got to dress up. She scooted into a spot at the curb behind his truck. A slope of lush lawn led the way to a lovely brick Tudor, shaded by maples. Must be their destination. She hated turning off the engine, now that the a/c was finally blowing glacial cold.
Youre one of those fashionista types, arent you? Always shopping?
Could be, but Ive known worse. She gave Jerrod a nod, who opened his door and spilled out into the heat. Im nothing like my mom and sisters. They are serious fashion divas.
And you are
a mild clothes fanatic. Nothing compared to if you put me in a bookstore, then look out. She opened the door to sunshine.
Same here. Luke, towering over her, flipped his phone shut and held out his hand. I cant walk outta there without doing some damage.
Dont expect me to find anything wrong with that. She placed her hand in his, palm to palm andzap! There went that zing of emotion charging through her again.
See, it has to be low blood sugaragain, she thought as she rose from her seat. The candy was out of her system, which was crashing. Proof she needed lunch and needed it fast. Because it definitely, absolutely, under no circumstances could be related to the fact that handsome, impressive, drop-dead gorgeous Luke McKaslin was holding her hand.
Probably best to ignore the fact that the sensation stopped when she released his hand.
This is the grooms grandfathers home. Luke led the way up a few steps. A curving walkway ribboned through grass to the shady sanctuary of the charming house. He was generous enough to host the reception. I dont think he truly understood what he was getting into, the poor man.
Yes, since Ive met some of your family. Shockingly scary.
Tell me about it. Luke rolled his eyes. On the front porch, a swing squeaked. A couple sat hand in hand watching over the little kids playing soccer on the large side yard. Hey, Danielle. Jonas.
Hey, yourself, the handsome, dark-haired man answered. Didnt know you were bringing a date.
Im not, Luke answered easily, opening the screen door for her. This is my friend, Honor.
Hi, Honor, Danielle smiled warmly. A friend, huh?
Inside quick, Luke whispered in her ear, steering her and they tumbled inside the gracious foyer, chuckling together. I thought they would be better behaved about this, but Im afraid this is only the beginning. Its sort of embarrassing.
Dont worry about it. They mean well. She remembered the caring way his sisters and Lil had talked about him in the dressing room. Clearly his family loved him.
Thats the problem. You know what they say about good intentions? Thats one road that can lead to no place good. He took her by the elbow and steered her past a crowded living room, which opened to the right. Several Hi, Lukes rang out and a bold, Arent you going to introduce us to your girl? They kept going, bypassing the kitchen, too. Caterers bustled around marble counters and sunshine sparkled on a wall of windows, leading the way to the deck.
Maybe you want to escape while you can or disavow all knowledge of me. Luke released her elbow.
Its tempting. She took a step back, surveying the man and the French door he held open for her. Maybe the zinging sensation she kept feeling had nothing to do with low blood sugar.
Wasnt that a frightening thought?
The sun kissed her with its blazing warmth as she tapped her way across the spacious deck. Across the stretch of lawn, a pool glistened to the right. A volleyball net staked out a section of grass to the left and the laughing shrieks of children rang in the distance as little kids ran around clutching helium balloons. One slipped away and wafted up in the air. The beauty whod been the flower girl tipped her head back, curls swinging, to watch it fly away. A yellow Labrador bounded up to her and kissed her cheek.
The delicious scent of barbecue smoke drifted on the breeze from a built-in grill. An elderly man stood behind it, a long handled spatula in hand. Must be the grooms grandfather.