by Beth Carter
“That’s because of Hope,” Tucker said. “Britney dearly loves her counselor.”
“And I love Brit. Always have,” Hope said, as she peered back outside. “Do you need help getting home, Dr. Holmes?”
“No, I have a four-wheel drive and”—she tapped on her black knee boots—“I wore these after I saw this morning’s forecast. I’ll be fine.”
After the principal left, Hope noticed Cheri was still cleaning up. She whispered to Tucker, “We can’t leave our own wedding early, can we?”
“Darn if I know the protocol.” Cole was refreshing drinks for Wyatt and Sawyer. The cowboys didn’t seem the least bit concerned about the snow.
Hope held Tucker’s face in her hands and kissed him in the middle of the barn. After the kiss, she nearly doubled over laughing.
“What’s so funny? You don’t like how I kiss?”
Giggling, she said, “I love how you kiss. I just remembered Larry-Mac used to say ‘I didn’t raise you in no barn.’ And now I got married in one.”
Tucker pulled her closer. “You showed him.”
The clatter of chairs got their attention as Cole, Wyatt, and Sawyer began collapsing the folding chairs and placing them against the wall.
“Let’s go over there. I want to help,” Tucker said.
As they approached the bar, Wyatt tipped his hat. “Howdy, newlyweds.” The cowboys clanked beer bottles together. “Great weddin’, Cole. Well done. You and Cheri pulled off a good ‘un.”
“I’d say,” Sawyer added.
“Thanks, boys.” Tucker reached for a chair but Cole held up his hand. “No need. You’re the man of honor.”
Ignoring him, he said, “I’d rather help.” In no time, the guys had the chairs cleared while Cheri and Hope placed the cake in several containers, saving the top layer for their first anniversary.
“Is that a thing?” Hope asked.
“Most definitely.” Cheri closed the lid. “I’ll freeze it for you until this weather clears up.”
“Thanks. I hope Suzy makes it home okay with the babies.”
Cheri checked her phone and held it in the air. “They’re halfway home. Suzy texted five minutes ago and said Ken found a shortcut. She said they’d have the babies tucked in bed soon.”
“That’s great news.” Hope sighed. “What are we going to do about this snow?”
Cocking an eyebrow, Cheri said, “It’s under control. Don’t worry about a thing.”
Chapter 99
Earlier, Cheri had found Cole tying the handles of an enormous trash bag into a knot. “Hey, cowboy.”
“Hey, New York.” He pointed toward the snow-covered pine trees. “Pretty, ain’t it?”
“It’s beautiful but not exactly what Hope envisioned for her wedding day. What can we do to make it up to the newlyweds? Any brilliant, last-minute ideas underneath that cute cowboy hat of yours?”
Cole’s blue eyes twinkled as he embraced Cheri. He whispered, “Maybe we should have made this a double weddin’. But I’m sure your high-falutin’ parents wouldn’t have seen fit to have their little girl get married in a barn.”
“Cowboy, you are way off topic.” Cheri’s heart beat double time. Does he love me? We’ve never even uttered those three words. And little does he know my mother appeared on my doorstep a couple of days ago. This isn’t the time to tell him about that saga.
Standing on tiptoe, Cheri planted a long, lingering kiss on his mouth. “You’re pretty special, cowboy, but we’ve got to focus on Hope and Tucker. Having girlfriends for the first time in my life has taught me the importance of friendship. Any ideas about what we can do for them?”
Cole tilted her chin up and kissed Cheri again. “Okay, okay. I was just testin’ the waters. I hope I didn’t scare you off none.”
Cheri felt her neck flush. “You almost had me.” She playfully patted his bottom. “Ideas, cowboy. Ideas.”
He tugged on his chin. “How about a romantic bonfire?”
“A bonfire is romantic but I meant what can we do for their wedding night?” She lowered her voice. “They can’t sleep here and the roads must be treacherous by now. How do you feel about loaning Hope and Tucker your house for the night so they can have some privacy on their wedding night?”
He grinned. “Oh, hell yeah. That means I get to sleep in a sleepin’ bag with you—in the barn.” He fake coughed into his hand. “Think that’ll make the New York society pages?”
“I think New York is tired of me—for now at least. Good. I’ll throw the sheets in the washer, and add some candles and holly, before telling Hope and Tucker.” Cheri squeezed Cole’s hand. “Want to help out with some firewood? A cozy fire would be romantic.”
“Right behind you, New York.”
~ ~ ~
Cheri snuck off to the house and rummaged around until she found several candles. She set them on every table top, nightstand, and strategically around the living room and bedroom. After placing fresh sheets on the bed, she gathered every spare blanket, pillow, and sleeping bag she could find and set them beside the front door so Cole could take them to the barn for anyone who decided to stay over.
While Cheri turned down the bed, smoothed the comforter, and placed chocolates on the pillows, Cole started a crackling fire in the living room and began playing a smooth jazz CD.
Cheri retreated from the bedroom and gawked at him, mouth wide open. “Cowboy, you have a jazz CD?”
“Sure. Why not? Country boys can be sophisticated too. Haven’t you figured that out?” He wrapped his arm around Cheri’s waist. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever figure you out, New York, but I hope I have a few decades to try.”
Still stunned by Cole’s romantic inclinations, Cheri wrote it off as getting caught up in the wedding ceremony. “I hope we have decades too, cowboy. Now, let’s go find the bride and groom.”
Chapter 100
After discovering Cheri and Cole’s surprise offer of Cole’s house for the evening, Hope and Tucker thanked them profusely and left hand in hand. They made the treacherous walk to Cole’s house, slipping and sliding with every step. Hope gripped Tucker’s arm. “It’s a good thing I’m wearing cowboy boots. My shoes would have been filled with snow.” She stomped the snow off her boots and reached for the screen door.
“Hold up, Mrs. Jensen.” Tucker placed one arm around her shoulders and another below her hips.
“What are you doing? You can’t lift me.” Hope felt both embarrassed and exhilarated. “Though I have lost some weight.”
“I meant to mention that.” He winked. “You’re too skinny.” With ease, Tucker hefted her in the air, stepped over the threshold, and kissed Hope full on the mouth while still holding her.
Once he set her down, Hope wrapped her arms around her husband. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“It has been far too long.” Tucker tapped his watch. “Maybe a full five minutes.”
Squeezing his hand, Hope was slack jawed when she noticed all of the lit, white pillar candles on seemingly every flat surface and across the fireplace mantle. “This is stunning.” She pointed. “Look. Someone even placed my bouquet of red roses in a vase on the coffee table. Several strands of the twinkling lights had been restrung in the living room and the holly and berry-filled mason jars were placed in strategic areas. A scent of cinnamon and pine filled the air. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “This is better than any hotel room. I can’t believe Cheri and Cole did this for us.” A tear trailed down her cheek. “Actually, I can believe it. She’s incredible. This goes perfectly with our rustic country wedding.”
“It’s mighty fine,” Tucker said. “Nice music too.” He wrapped his arms around Hope as they swayed to the romantic saxophone tune. Before the song ended, he wiggled his eyebrows and said, “Let’s check out the bedroom.”<
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Hope’s heart skipped a beat as they entered Cole’s room. The comforter was chocolate brown and teal sheets peeked out where the bed was turned down. She noticed chocolates on top of the pillows. More white lights were strung across the headboard. “Cheri thought of everything.”
“She sure did.” Tucker rubbed her stiff shoulders. “Someone needs a massage. I better check that fire first.”
Thank goodness. I’m not quite ready for the other main event. “I’ll help you,” Hope said a little too eagerly, as she padded behind him toward the living room.
As they embraced in front of the warm fire, blizzard-like snowflakes continued to fall. Noses pressed against the window, Tucker’s breath fogged the glass. He said, “I hope you weren’t planning on leaving anytime soon.”
“Nope. You’re stuck with me now,” Hope said. “We may have to share the house with Cole and Cheri if this doesn’t let up tomorrow night.”
“We’ll cross that bridge,” Tucker said. He reached for a log on top of a neatly stacked pile of wood near—but not dangerously close—to the fireplace. Adding a log to the fire, he used a steel poker to arrange the wood. Yellow and orange flames flickered. “I hope you like the smell of wood smoke.”
“I love the earthy smell.” Hope stared at the blaze. “You know, I thought the snow had ruined our day, but this crackling fire with the lights and candles is like a cozy fairytale.” Hope crossed the room and patted the couch.
After Tucker was satisfied with the log arrangement, he sat beside Hope and placed his arm across her shoulders. His eyes twinkled more than the flames. “Hello, wife.”
Hope had never smiled wider. In fact her face almost hurt from grinning every time she was around him. “Hello, husband.” She studied his face. “Never in a million years did I think I’d get married, let alone meet someone like you.” Happy tears filled her eyes. “Thank you for finding me and for loving me.”
“Shucks. I’m the lucky fella. Thank you for going to Nashville on the exact day I was there last year. I still remember our first dance, do you?”
Hope bobbed her head. “Of course. It was awkward, beautiful, and perfect.”
Caressing her arm, Tucker chuckled. “That’s exactly how I’d describe it—especially the perfect part.” He squeezed her hand. “I hope you like my wedding gift.”
Hope glanced around Cole’s living room but didn’t see a wrapped gift, nor a gift bag. “Gift? I knew I’d forget something.” She pressed her palm against her forehead. “I’m such an idiot. A wedding gift didn’t occur to me. I’m terrible at this.”
“Stop.” Tucker kissed her. “Your gift is Britney and my gift from you is how amazing and accepting you are of her.” He chuckled. “Poor kid inherited my bad complexion from high school. By the way, I promised Britney you and I would take her on a shopping spree soon after our wedding or a spa day or movie.” His voice caught. “I’m not sure what teen girls like to do.”
Hope leaned back, watched the fire, and took in the moment. “We’ll figure it out together. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have be a part of my family, besides you.” Hope winked. “I guess I’ll have to learn how to be a wife and a stepmom at the same time. And I can’t wait. My former, boring life has never been so full.”
“There’s one other thing I wanted to discuss about Britney and then we need to focus on us and only us.” Tucker crossed the room and added another log to the fire.
Hope loved how he sprang into action to keep them both warm. “What? You can ask me anything.”
He stirred the ashes and continued. “I wanted to run it by you first since we’ll be combining our finances—or I assume we will. The agreement states I’ll pay half her college. I’d like to pay all of it. Not for a private college, mind you. I can’t afford that but a four-year public college.” He sat back on the couch and placed a hand on Hope’s leg. “What do you think?”
Hope burst into tears. “I think I love you so much my heart might burst. You don’t have any idea how many times I’ve helped Britney with her college applications and how she has fretted over the cost. She had almost decided to go to a two-year college due to her financial situation.” She reached for Tucker’s hand. “To answer your question, I’m totally on board with paying for Brit’s college tuition.”
“That’s a relief. I know I can’t buy the lost years but I want to do everything I can to make it up to her.” Tucker stood. “Now, enough about Britney for today, okay? The rest of the evening is about us. This is our honeymoon, after all.” He winked. “Be right back.”
Hope studied Tucker’s broad shoulders as he retreated to Cole’s kitchen. The stars definitely aligned when we met. Her heart raced as she thought about the rest of the evening. A lump formed in her throat as she wondered how she could get comfortable in the bedroom. I don’t have any idea what to do. How did I get to be this age without having sex?
Breaking her concentration, Tucker returned with a tray containing a chilled bottle of champagne and two flutes.
Hope’s face brightened. “Where did you get that?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she spotted a folded white card that read: Congratulations to the happy couple! Here’s to many years of happiness. Cheers, Cole & Cheri
“You have incredible friends.” Tucker set the tray on the coffee table and filled two flutes with the bubbly. Holding his glass he wove his arm through Hope’s. “Here’s to my beautiful bride. I love you, Hope.”
“And to my handsome husband. I love you more than you know.” She downed a healthy sip for fortification.
As they sipped the champagne, the onslaught of snowflakes caught Tucker’s eye. He led Hope to the window and pointed. “Your friends are having fun.” Hope followed Tucker’s gaze across the field as she watched Cole, Cheri, and the cowboys throw snowballs and frolic like kids. Wyatt even made a snow angel while still wearing his cowboy hat. Sawyer appeared to be building a bonfire.
“I don’t think this snow is bothering them, whatsoever,” Tucker said.
“Me neither.” Heart pounding, Hope refilled both of their flutes and handed one to Tucker. With more confidence than she had mustered in her entire life, Hope led him toward Cole’s bedroom. “Follow me. I’ve got plans for you, big guy.”
Also from Soul Mate Publishing and Beth Carter:
THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS
(Coconuts Series Book 1)
As the go-to wedding planner, Suzy can’t find her own wedded bliss and has one shocker of a wedding day. It doesn’t help that she’s still pining for her high school sweetheart, the one who got away. Handling neurotic brides is the best part of Suzy’s day until her son brings home a bombshell from Europe.
Alexandra, a beautiful marketer with a “touch” of OCD, falls for a bad-boy cop who's married and possibly stalking her. But he sure is sexy. Alex tries to stay at arm’s length after she puts her job—and life—on the line for the officer who isn’t always a gentleman.
Hope hates her name, looks, and frizzy hair. As a high school counselor, she dishes out sage advice to students, yet can’t see she’s enabling her deadbeat, stuck-in-the-seventies hippie parents. After tragedy strikes, she reexamines their relationship and discovers a secret that almost went to the grave.
Friends since high school, the thirty-something women meet every Thursday at Coconuts for their own form of friendapy.
Available now on Amazon: THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS
CHAOS AT COCONUTS
(Coconuts Series Book 2)
To most, Coconuts is simply a bar. But for three best friends, it’s their oasis. That is, until everything comes crashing down.
Socialite Cheri Van Buren makes a splashy, paparazzi-filled visit to Coconuts. Secretly dabbling in disastrous online dating, the wealthy caterer desires normalcy away from the society pages. A few girlfriends would be nice too.
Hope’s life is routine, if not dull. The most exciting part of her day is counseling students until a monster tornado heads toward Hilltop High. Now she’s in shock—and not just from the devastating twister.
Alex oversees a marketing intern from hell who appears intent on stealing her job. Her relationship with her sexy cop boyfriend isn’t so sexy, especially after his ex-wife stalks her.
Suzy’s new marriage is challenged by her surly teen stepdaughter, a unique Halloween wedding, and her son’s ever-changing nuptials. If that isn’t enough, the family discovers an astonishing revelation requiring a giant leap of faith.
Will the women overcome the chaos or will it tear them apart?
Available now on Amazon: CHAOS AT COCONUTS
BABIES AT COCONUTS
(Coconuts Series Book 3)
A clash of cultures.
A chaotic wedding.
A surprise baby.
Just another day at Coconuts.
Coordinating the most joyous day of her son’s life should be easy. After all, Suzy is a wedding planner. But a meddling future mother-in-law wasn’t on the checklist. A wacky rehearsal dinner, a beach wedding, and a baby—not necessarily in that order—ensures bedlam, if not hilarity, among the two head-butting moms. The show must go on, with or without the wedding party.
Hope is adept at counseling students but has given up on dieting and having sleek hair. She has even gotten used to the fact that her adopted father no longer remembers her—until a surprise engagement and a newspaper article leave her in shambles.
Sexy banker Alex conveys totally in control while ignoring the simmering boil of her disastrous relationship. Her marketing rival is her kryptonite, but a disastrous bank event may spell her downfall.