Josh couldn’t decipher that smirk and he wasn’t about to ask. He hoped his parents had taken advantage of every second they’d had together. Just like he intended to do with Riley. And as they headed to the woodshed just beyond the house, where Rex was loading up a small trailer, Hope came into view, and Josh swore her eyes shone a little brighter.
Chapter Three
THE KITCHEN SMELLED heavenly. Riley and the girls had been baking and preparing for tomorrow’s big event all afternoon. Four layers of white wedding cake sat cooling on the counter, their sweet aroma tempting Riley with every breath as she and Brianna dipped strawberries in chocolate. The chocolate ganache was perfectly prepared (they’d tasted it several times, just to be sure), and cooling in a big bowl covered with plastic wrap. Jade was cutting vegetables for kabobs, and Savannah and Lacy were using cookie cutters to cut fruit for a decorative fruit salad. Country music and Top 40 songs streamed from Jade’s iPhone while they danced and sang their way around the kitchen with two little ones who were eager to help underfoot.
“Please lemme stir!” Christian tugged on the hem of Max’s shirt as she mixed the homemade marinade for tomorrow’s steaks. She was using one of Josh’s mother’s recipes, which Savannah had dug out of her mother’s old recipe cards.
“It’s my turn,” Dylan reminded him. “You stirred last time.”
“You both may have one last turn.” Max stood between the two boys, both of whom were now climbing onto chairs beside her.
Riley looked up from the strawberry she was dipping in chocolate and glanced out the window. “Looks like Grandpa Hal is on his way in.”
“Yay!” Dylan and Christian exclaimed in unison as they scrambled off the chairs and scurried toward the door to greet their grandfather.
Max laughed. “Well, I guess we know where their priorities lie.”
Finn’s cry sounded through the baby monitor, and Lacy sighed. She’d just put him down twenty minutes earlier. “My poor boy. Doesn’t anyone have a good remedy for teething?”
“Brandy,” Brianna offered. She dipped a strawberry in the vat of chocolate and set it on wax paper to cool. “Not that I’ve tried it, but that’s what everyone always told me.”
“Hm.” Lacy’s blue eyes lit up. “Liquor the kid up. That sounds like a great idea…if I were a horrible mother.”
They all laughed.
“I think she meant you could use the brandy,” Jade suggested.
“I have wine.” Lacy took a sip from her glass, then set it on the counter and headed for the stairs. “But I still feel bad for my little man.”
Hal came through the door and scooped one young boy up in each arm. “Let’s go, you little rascals.”
“Dad, you shouldn’t be carrying them,” Savannah chided him.
“Nonsense.” He carried the giggling boys into the living room, where Brianna and Max had set out toys, markers, crayons, and the cardboard stars the girls had cut out to be strung as decorations.
“Mommy, can Adriana and I ask Daddy to help us make the headdresses now?” Layla asked.
“He’s working on the terrace, honey,” Brianna answered. “They’ll come get you when they’re ready.”
“I’ll take them.” Savannah set a star-shaped piece of honeydew melon on a platter and lifted Adam from the high chair onto her hip. “We could use a little fresh air before I start gobbling down those strawberries.”
“Start?” Riley cocked a brow. They’d each already eaten several of the sweet treats. She’d be surprised if any were left for the wedding. Her phone rang, and she wiped her hands before reaching for it.
“Saved by the bell,” Savannah said, then turned to the girls, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper. “Come on, girls, let’s grab one more strawberry before Auntie Riley gets off the phone.”
Giggling, they each grabbed a strawberry and hurried out the door.
“Honey,” Riley’s mother said through the phone. “Are you there?”
“Yes, sorry, Mom. It’s a little busy around here. Where are you? I thought you’d be here by now.” Her parents should have arrived an hour ago.
“I’m sorry, but your father and I are running late. We’ll be there sometime after dinner.”
“After dinner?” Her heart squeezed, and she told herself it was no big deal, but she missed her parents, and this was a big weekend for her. “I was really looking forward to spending today with you.”
“I was, too, honey. But your father and I…” Her voice faded, and she cleared her throat. “We had some things to take care of. We didn’t expect it to take this long. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
Riley sighed. “Okay, but is everything all right?”
“Mm-hm. Fine. Don’t worry about us. We’ll see you soon.”
“Mom, are you sure? Is something wrong with Daddy? You sound funny.” She watched Jade pass by on her way into the living room.
“No, honey. He’s fine,” her mother assured her. “We just didn’t sleep well last night, and had a hard time getting going this morning. We’ll be there in a few hours. I love you, honey. Enjoy the girls, and I can’t wait to see you.”
They talked for a few more minutes, and by the time they hung up, Riley’s mother had almost convinced her they were fine.
Almost.
It wasn’t like her mother to miss such a big event. Thinking about the call, Riley wandered into the living room. Jade handed little Hal to his grandfather and gave her baby a kiss on the cheek. She looked happy and beautiful in a pair of cutoffs and cowgirl boots. She hadn’t changed one bit since she was nineteen. Except she looked even happier now, which Riley had never thought possible, because Jade was a firecracker and her spark never dimmed.
“You sure you don’t mind?” Jade glanced at Dylan and Christian, who were coloring the stars the girls had cut out as decorations. “You’ve already got these two goofballs to look after.”
The boys giggled.
Hal pressed a kiss to the baby’s forehead. “Darlin’, this is half as many as I raised.”
“Okay, well, holler if you need us.” Jade headed back the way she’d come, and when her eyes met Riley’s, her expression turned serious. “Uh-oh. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Jade settled her hands on her hips and scowled. “Riley Banks, you tell me what’s going on, or I swear…”
Riley arched a brow. “Swear what?”
“Aw, heck. I’ve got nothing.” Jade laughed and took Riley’s hand, dragging her through the living room toward the study. “Let’s check on your dress. That should bring a big smile to your pretty face.”
Riley stumbled to keep up. “Why did you hang it down here?”
“Well, duh. You don’t want to traipse down all those stairs, trip on your train, and fall on your ass tomorrow, do you?”
“No! I hadn’t even considered that.”
“You didn’t need to. I’m the matron of honor. It’s my job to make sure your nonfunctioning nervous-bride brain doesn’t have to work too hard.” Jade waved at the entrance to the study. Rich mahogany bookshelves lined the far wall, each shelf filled from end to end. A stone fireplace ran the full height of the wall to their left, flanked by two enormous windows overlooking the grounds.
Riley stepped into the room. Her wedding gown hung on a wooden coatrack that looked out of place in such a fine study. And just beyond, hanging from the back of a door that led to the dining room, were the girls’ bridesmaid dresses.
Riley’s heart skipped a beat, as it had every time she set her eyes on the gorgeous gown. She and Josh had designed and redesigned the dress time and time again, until every thread of lace in the halter bodice and every inch of the layered soft tulle skirt were perfect. They’d incorporated rose appliqué over the lace, reminiscent of the roses Josh had given her the night he proposed. Remembering the long hours they’d worked on it side by side, Riley thought, not for the first time, how they made perfect partners in every sense. Her hand moved to her belly, and
her throat clogged with emotions. Jade must have felt the wave crashing over her, because she squeezed Riley’s hand.
“It’s stunning, Ri. I can feel the love you two put into the design.”
Pressing her lips together hard to fend off another wave of emotions threatening to spill her secret, she nodded. Savannah came into the room and draped an arm over each of them.
“Where are the girls?” Jade asked.
“Treat is helping them make the headdresses like a pro. He said our mom showed him how.” Savannah smirked. “Boy do I wish I knew that way back when. I could have teased him something awful. Now it’s just the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen. That big man helping those adoring girls.”
“And where’s your little man?” Riley asked.
“He’s with my dad, who is in his heyday with four boys to take care of. He’ll have them working his ranch in no time.”
Jade laughed. “Maybe we should let Finn and Adam sleep in his room tonight. See how much he misses it come morning, after getting up with them three times.”
“Speaking of getting up at night, I checked on Lacy. She got Finn back to sleep, and she’s conked out right beside him on the bed. I didn’t think I should wake her.”
“No, definitely let her sleep,” Jade said. “The poor girl is probably exhausted.”
Savannah ran her fingers over the knee-length bridesmaids’ dresses. “These are so beautiful. And since each is a little different, we can wear them again.”
“Josh came up with the design for those.” Riley was glad to have regained control of her emotions. “They’re a modern twist on a classic dress.” She pointed out the pleated, crossover bodice and A-line skirt. “The lines are perfect for curvy girls or skinny minnies. And the subtle beading along the neckline gives a nice little sparkle, don’t you think?”
“Definitely.” Jade turned Riley by the shoulders and gazed into her eyes with an understanding look Riley had seen for so many years, she could conjure it in her sleep. “Now, what happened with your mom?”
“How’d you know it was her on the phone?”
“Because everyone else who could make you look that worried is here with us.”
“Did I miss something?” Savannah asked.
“Not really. My mom called. She said they didn’t sleep well and they’re running late.”
“Oh, well, that’s not bad, right?” Savannah asked.
Riley nodded. “But something in her voice sounded off.”
“Or maybe that’s the bride’s nerves getting the best of her.” Jade hugged her. “What do you say we get that cake ready before the kids get their hands on it?”
Twenty minutes later, with four round layers of wedding cake in varying sizes spread across the table, a bucket of premade white fondant at the ready, and five soon-to-be sisters-in-law standing elbow to elbow, eager to see weeks of practice in action, Riley reached for the bowl of ganache.
“What are the balls for?” Savannah pointed to a bowl of edible pearls.
“Decorations,” Riley answered. “They’re edible, and I thought we could create waves along the bottom of each layer.”
“Aren’t all balls edible?” Jade asked.
Riley laughed. Of course Jade would go there.
“Imagine how good they’ll taste with the chocolate ganache on them,” Brianna exclaimed. “That chocolate’s so good. I can’t wait to get another taste!”
“On some balls?” Savannah tried to stifle a laugh, but it slipped out, causing the others to burst into laughter.
Brianna’s cheeks flamed. “I didn’t mean…”
“It’s okay, Bree,” Max said, giggling under her breath. “A little raunchiness is good for you. But you won’t catch me talking about Treat’s…pearls.”
Riley doubled over in laughter. “Pearls! That reminds me. No pearl necklaces with the bridesmaid dresses!”
“Ohmygod.” Max covered her face with her hands.
“Pearls? Rexy has baseballs,” Jade said through fits of laughter. “Mm. Chocolate sexy Rexy ba—”
“Hey! Sister over here!” Savannah complained. “I do not need to think of my brother’s—man parts.”
Riley and Jade gulped air to try to quiet their laughter. “Sorry,” they said in unison.
Riley busied herself unpeeling the plastic wrap and they all peered into the bowl.
“It looks perfect,” Max declared.
They all exchanged a mischievous look, and at the same time, they each stuck a finger in the bowl and licked the chocolate off.
Max eyed Jade. “Don’t. You. Dare.”
Jade’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “What?”
“You’re going to say something about sucking or chocolate or both,” Max said. “And don’t double dip. No more fingers in the bowl.”
“Yes, Mom,” Savannah said.
Max rolled her eyes. “I’m just trying to keep the exchange of germs to a minimum.”
“Whatever germs we have, we have already shared,” Riley pointed out.
Max stuck her finger in the bowl again with a grin.
Jade glared at her.
“What?” Max said. “If you can’t beat them…”
“Nothing.” Jade grabbed a spoon and filled it with ganache.
“Hey!” Riley pulled the bowl to the side. “Leave some for the cake.” She grabbed a spatula and began spreading the ganache over the largest layer. “It’s not as easy to spread as I’d hoped.”
“That’s what he said,” Brianna said quietly.
Everyone fell silent, turning amused eyes on Brianna, who hardly ever made dirty comments, and they all exploded into fits of laughter again.
“We’ll never get this thing done. It’s almost dinnertime.” Riley continued icing the layers.
When she was done with the last layer, they washed their hands and took turns kneading the fondant with their palms. Then they rolled it flat.
“Okay, this is really tricky,” Riley said, moving the largest layer of cake beside the fondant.
“I think it’s ready. It’s hard.” Max leaned closer to the cake, inspecting it more closely.
“We like hard,” Jade joked.
Riley touched the biggest layer and her heart sank. “Oh no. No, no, no.”
“What? It’s not supposed to get hard?” Savannah asked.
“No!” Riley glanced at the other layers, each glistening and hard. “The fondant needs to stick to it. This is awful. I’ve ruined the only surprise I have for Josh.”
“Are you sure, Ri?” Jade poked the ganache. “Because I can’t imagine hard is not good.”
Riley gave her a do-not-go-there glare. “I’m sure.” She tapped the hard chocolate with her spatula. “It’s ruined. I totally forgot the one, two, three rule!”
“What?” Savannah arched a brow.
Riley paced. “Molly drilled it into my head, but I was so sidetracked making the ganache perfect, I forgot. Ganache, fondant, pearls. One, two, three. One layer at a time start to finish.”
Charlotte breezed into the kitchen. “Mm. That looks amazing!”
“It’s ruined.” The confession sent the pit of Riley’s stomach to her knees as Jade explained to Charlotte what had happened.
“Can’t we just keep the chocolate layer and put something over it that’s sticky?” Brianna suggested.
Hope filled Riley’s chest. “Yes. Probably. Is there a store nearby, Charlotte?”
“There’s nothing nearby.” Charlotte eyed the cake. “But what do you need? Will strawberry jam work?”
“Yes, I think so,” Riley said, silently praying it would.
“Chocolate and strawberry are delicious together,” Savannah added.
“Then you’re in luck.” Charlotte pointed to her chest. “I am insanely addicted to Luscious Leanna’s Sweet Treats jams. I have it shipped to me by the dozen. Come on. I’ll show you.”
As Savannah whooped and explained that her husband’s brother, Kurt Remington, was married to Leanna, the woman b
ehind Luscious Leanna’s Sweet Treats, Riley thanked her lucky stars that fate had stepped into their lives once again. The wedding cake just might be perfect after all!
“OKAY, LITTLE BROTHER, get your scrawny ass up that ladder and hang those curtains.” Rex gave Josh a playful shove toward the ladder and peered over the deck railing at Hope grazing in the field.
Jack looked up from where he stood beside the table and shook his head.
“Scrawny my butt. You might be able to kick my ass, but you’ll never look better in a tux than I do.” Having already hung the drapes on rods that would hook into the top of the canopy frame they’d built, Josh climbed the ladder. Since their wedding was taking place in the early evening, they’d hung a glass chandelier in the center. Even without the drapes, Josh could tell it would look exactly as they’d hoped, casually elegant.
“But you do build a hell of an altar,” he said to Rex. “So I guess you’re worth keeping around.”
“Careful up there,” Hugh hollered from where he was crouched beside the railings securing netting so they wouldn’t spend the entire wedding chasing kids’ toys that slipped through.
Donned in a pair of cargo shorts and a Brave Foundation T-shirt, Dane climbed the ladder on the opposite side of the frame to help Josh hang the drapes. Dane was neither burly like Rex nor lean like Josh. He hovered somewhere in the middle from years of diving. As a shark tagger, researcher, and the founder of the foundation, which strove to educate people about sharks with the goal of saving the species, Dane was always on the move. “Ready, bro?”
“Let’s do this.” Josh was excited to see the altar come to fruition. Almost as excited as he was to stand beneath it and finally become Riley’s husband.
Rich coral drapes lined with sparkling gold satin and adorned with intricate lace and pearls along the edges would be layered over white sheers. After putting the drapes on the rod and then re-covering them with plastic sheathing, Josh had placed them on the table beside the rod containing the white sheers. Once hung, the vibrant drapes would be tied back with floral bouquets the girls planned to make tomorrow morning, leaving just a hint of white peeking out from beneath.
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