“Move in with me. We’ll find a new place in town. Somewhere with a lot of room so you can build a new garden. We’ll build it together, and you can listen to me complain about all my shitty games.”
Penny rubbed his cheek. “You’re not going to have any shitty games next season.”
“And that’s exactly what you’ll tell me. And then I’ll whisk you away to my lair and make love to you and get a hat trick every fucking game. It’ll be amazing.”
Penny laughed, and his lips found her throat. He kissed it gently. “Please say yes.”
Her hands ran down his chest, pressing against the buttons of his white dress shirt. “Under one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You have to tell Henrik.”
Callen pulled back. She tricked him. He pursed his lips. “Fine. I’ll tell him. But let’s wait until after the wedding tonight. I don’t want to have a bloody nose in the pictures.”
She kissed his lips and then his nose. “Good idea.”
His hands found her waist and the back of the open dress. She pressed her lips to his ear.
“You know you have to zip it back up now, right?”
“Why? I’m already guilty by default by having you in here. I might as well make the ass beating worth it.”
“I have to meet the bride for pictures in ten minutes.”
Callen groaned. “And you waited until now to drag me into a bathroom and get you naked? I could have skipped that round of golf this morning.”
She kissed his cheek. “Austin needs you today, but he leaves for his honeymoon tonight. Then you’re mine.”
He started to kiss her again, but then the door handle started to shake. “Shit.” He quickly zipped up her dress and jerked the door open, wiping the lipstick from his mouth. Luckily, it was only Magnolia.
“Hello.” She smiled, placing her hand on her hip. Her white dress was large and bloomed out away from her body. She held the end of her long veil in her other hand.
Callen forced out a smile. “Hi.”
“Somehow I figured I would find you two in here. Did you show him?”
Penny nodded, smiling from ear to ear.
“Good.” Magnolia pointed a finger at him. “But no hanky-panky at my wedding, Callen Copley. You hear me?”
Callen gave her a quick salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
Magnolia laughed. “Now, I need your girlfriend for pictures.”
He sighed. “Fine, Scarlett O’Hara. You can steal her for a little while longer.”
Penny kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you at the ceremony.”
Callen stood there and watched them walk off together. Magnolia in her poofy dress with Penny at her side.
“Hey—” Drew’s voice called from behind him.
He turned around to see him come down the stairs. “Did I just see you come out of a bathroom with my sister?”
Callen winced. “No. You absolutely did not see me do that. I don’t know what you saw, but it wasn’t that.”
Drew grinned, and Callen started to panic.
“I’ll deny it, Drew. To my grave, I’ll deny it.”
“Stop worrying. I won’t tell Henrik.” Drew patted him on the back. “Whatever makes Penny happy is okay with me. Even if it’s you in a bathroom.”
“Really? Because you weren’t that easygoing when Henrik tried to date Leila.”
“Well, first of all…you’re not Henrik. And secondly, Sam approves of you.”
“He does?”
“He said he’s roomed with you on the road for two years, and even after seeing you at your worst, he would let you date his sister.”
“Wow. Okay, well, remind me to give Sam a big thank you for that.”
Drew nodded then pointed to the group of guys gathering outside. “Why don’t you go tell him yourself?”
Callen moved over and peek out the window. It looked like the guys were getting ready for their pictures. Drew nudged his elbow. “See you at the wedding.”
Drew disappeared to go find the girls, and Callen made his way outside. He instantly found Sam and grabbed him up in a bear hug. “Hey—what did I do now?”
Callen set him back down. “That’s for getting me in your boyfriend’s good graces when it comes to courting his sister.”
“Courting his sister?” Sam started laughing then turned around to make sure Henrik couldn’t hear him. “Crap like that is exactly why you got my vote of confidence. I mean…who says courting anymore?”
“Make fun of me if you wish, but I’m still grateful. Thanks for having my back.”
“Well, you’re welcome.” Again Sam looked around as they headed around the house where the photographer was set to take groomsmen pictures. “And speaking of having each other’s back…I was kind of hoping when Drew and I get married this fall, you’d be my best man.”
Callen paused mid-step. “Seriously?”
Sam smiled. “Yeah. I mean, Drew will have his brother and Austin since they’ve obviously known him longer. But you’re my roomie and line mate…I just thought—”
“Absolutely,” Callen said, jumping in before Sam could get the wrong idea. “I definitely will. It would be an honor.”
Sam beamed. “Thanks.”
They joined the other guys for pictures then went to the back yard to get ready for the ceremony. Magnolia was a vision of beauty. Her cheeks blazed red as she walked down the aisle to Austin. Callen couldn’t pay attention to her, though, not with Penny standing across the aisle from him. His gaze locked with hers, sharing a simple smile. Soon he’d have her in his arms again.
Austin and Magnolia exchanged their vows, and when he kissed her, he really kissed her. “Easy, big guy,” Henrik said, chuckling. “Her dad is right there.”
The ceremony ended with Callen finally getting to take Penny’s hand and walk her back down the aisle. The reception was outside as well, no tent, just the stars and a million and one lanterns and stringed lights in the trees surrounding the back yard. Magnolia stole Penny away from him again for a couple more pictures, but he quickly found her afterward. He slipped a flute of champagne in her hand. “Drink fast.”
Her fingers touched his hip, and he wondered if she craved the contact constantly like he did. “How come?”
He leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “Because I owe you a dance. And I want to prove my mad skills to you before I down another glass of that fancy stuff and lose all my moves.”
Penny grinned and took a giant gulp of her drink. “I would really hate to miss that.”
“Exactly.”
Her fingers played with the stretchy material of his suspender. She looked around his shoulder, her eyes widening. “Have you told my brothers we’re moving in together yet?”
“No. Why?”
“Because I told Leila, and I think she might have let it slip.”
“What?” He whipped around, and sure enough, on the other side of the dance floor, Henrik was standing dead still, glaring at him. “Fuck.”
Penny tugged his hand. She’d already downed the rest of her champagne and pulled him out onto the dance floor. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“He’ll be mad I didn’t tell him first.”
“I doubt it.” She let him spin her around and bring her into his arms. “Have you seen Leila’s dress? He won’t remember your name by tomorrow.”
Callen pursed his lips. “I have seen her dress. It’s exactly like yours.”
His gaze dropped down to the too deep plunging neckline. She laughed, leaning into him. “Let me see your best moves.”
“Why do I think you’re not talking about my dancing skills?”
Her lips touched his ear. “Because I’m not.”
He glanced back at Henrik, but Penny was right. His attention was focused solely on his wife, and the beautiful flower girl in his arms. He took Penny’s hand and spun her around, causing the bottom of her dress to flare out with the motion, then he jerked her back into his arms. “Would you li
ke to go on a date next weekend?”
Her expression was curious. “Isn’t next weekend your big day with the Stanley Cup?”
“Yes. But that’s beside the point. Answer my question.”
“Of course. I would love to go on a date,” she said quickly. “I don’t want to mess up your plans, though.”
“It won’t. I know exactly how I want to spend my day with Stanley.”
And he did. He’d have to straighten out a few things with her grumpy big brother to get him on board for a family road trip, but he could make it work. Penny eyed him suspiciously. “What kind of date do you have in mind, exactly?”
He twirled her around again to distract her. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
PENNY’S NEW FAMILY
The sun stood directly behind the tall, pointed peaks in the distance. Callen had been right. The snow appeared as if it were on fire, flames of yellow and orange swirling into the sky. The light reflected off the water of Big Pine Lake, and through the sky above their heads. Even in the dead of summer, Penny could feel the nip of the cool breeze at her back as the sun slowly disappeared behind the horizon. Callen’s fingers found hers as he reached around the giant, silver cup that sat between them. His smile was glorious. So uniquely Callen. “You get one day with the Stanley Cup,” she said, glancing back at it, “and this is what you want to do.”
“Yep.” He nodded, inching himself a little closer to the trophy that officially belonged to him until eight a.m. the next day, when he would pass it onto Sam to enjoy. “You. Me. The Stanley Cup. It’s the best date ever.”
“It is,” she agreed, laughing. “But what about them?”
She motioned behind them, back to his black monster truck that sat in the distance. Their friends sat on the tailgate, patiently waiting for them to finish the date Callen insisted they have before they took the trophy into town and celebrated with the rest of his hometown.
“Them? They can wait a little more. This is my day with Stanley, and I want to spend it here, with you.”
“I’m hungry,” Austin yelled from the back of his truck. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
“You’re always hungry,” he yelled back, but stood and dusted himself off. He stood there, staring out across the lake, his hand on the trophy. “Don’t rush me.”
Penny stood too, and walked over to him. “What are you thinking about?”
Callen pursed his lips. “If I puked on your shoes…would you forgive me?”
“Umm.” Penny eyed him suspiciously. “Why would you be puking on my shoes to begin with?”
He glanced at her then straight back to the lake. “You remember how you considered changing your last name so your mom would have trouble finding you again?”
“Yeah, but that was before they searched her car after she was arrested and found it full of drugs. It’ll be years before she’s out of jail now.”
“Well…” His fingers attached to the trophy flexed, like he gripped it too tight. “What if you changed it anyway?”
She walked around in front of him. “What do you mean?”
He smiled, but then his teeth tugged nervously at the ring in his lip. “You know how your grandmother gave you that brooch, and you only wear it for special occasions?”
“Yeah.”
“My grandmother gave me something too. And its only meant for one very special occasion.”
“Callen—”
His hand dipped inside the Stanley Cup, pulling out a small, black box, and then he was on his knee. He opened the box.
A ring.
There was a ring in the box.
“Penny Rylander.”
Her throat went dry. Sand dunes erupted on her tongue that struggled to move. “Yeah?”
His smile was back. Amused. Worried. Expectant. “Will you marry me?”
She cupped her hands over her mouth and glanced at the truck full of her family. They all stood, their faces matching her own. Breaths held tight. Her niece Lucy sat on Henrik’s shoulders already clapping her hands. Penny brought her hands down from her mouth, and nothing but pure, genuine happiness spilled out with the laughter.
“Yes.” She leaped forward, tackling him to the ground. And she kissed him. Again and again.
Cheers erupted behind them. She really hoped someone covered Lucy’s eyes, because she couldn’t stop kissing him. This man…the only one she ever truly loved…he would be hers forever.
Forever.
He laughed against her lips, sitting them up, and then pulled back long enough to smile and place a chaste kiss on her cheek. “Let me put the ring on your finger,” he said, unable to hold back the smile. “I’ve been looking forward to this part.”
Penny let him take her hand, carefully remove the ring from the box, and slip it on her finger. “Penny Copley sounds better, I think,” he said matter-of-factly.
She still couldn’t believe it. “We’re going to get married. Actually, for real kind of married.”
“Yes. For real.”
She laughed again, looking down at the ring and then back to his smile. God, she loved that smile. “Let’s do it here in Anahim,” she said, standing with him, holding his hands between them. “Let’s get married right here, by the lake.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want. We’ll have to wait until next summer, though. It’s already starting to get cold again, and the winter here is fierce.”
“Then let’s do it this summer. Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? You want to get married…tomorrow?” He paused a moment as if saying it over again in his head. Then he smiled. “Yeah, okay. Let’s get married tomorrow.”
He turned to the others. “Is that okay with you guys?”
Sam stepped forward first. “I am willing to spend my day with the Stanley Cup at your wedding. That is as long as it’s okay with Drew that Mr. Stanley there is my official date.”
“I think I can make an exception this one time,” Drew told him.
Henrik made a face, but then smiled. “I thought I was going to have like a bereavement period. You know…a certain length of time to grieve about you becoming my brother-in-law.”
Leila elbowed him.
“Fine,” Henrik said, smirking. “You have my blessing.”
Leila rolled her eyes at him. “Yes, if you want to be get married tomorrow, we will all be there.”
“Agreed,” Magnolia said, hugging her arms around Austin’s waist.
He turned back to her, the excitement and the absolutely thrill of it igniting between them. “Well, I guess we are getting married tomorrow.”
“Yes,” she said again, because she wanted to say it a million times. “Yes, we are.”
***
Penny stood next to the lake as the sun set behind the mountains of Anahim wearing a pale pink dress and daisies in her hair per her fiancé’s request. She held Callen’s hand, and there with her family behind them, she said I do.
I do to the rest of her life with Callen Copley…to trades and long moves…to family vacations and baby showers. She said yes to the quiet moments at home with him and noisy nights at an endless number of games. Yes to everything, but most importantly, yes to happiness and never spending another day on this earth without family ever again.
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Acknowledgments
This series would not and could not have been finished without all the amazing people in my life who help keep me sane and on track. To my husband John for inspiring the guys who make readers swoon with afterhours Movie Theatre date
s, crazy agreements scribbled on paper to move across the country, and more. To Delilah for always being on the lookout for a great place for a signing, and always the one with the biggest smile in the crowd. To Gracie for always being willing to point out “Mommy’s book” every time she spots one and for always being willing to unload boxes.
To my Mom, Josephine, for always being the first person to read every book followed by the request for the next one. To my mother-in-law Becky, who has probably bought more of my books than anyone else. To Jean and Gloria for such wonderful kind words and support.
Thank you to my great friend and fellow Speech Language Pathologist, Mary, for your constant support, encouragement, and cookies. Especially the cookies.
A huge thank you to everyone at Limitless Publishing who made this series a possibility, with a very special shout out to my wonderful editor, Lori Whitwam, and cover designer Robin Harper.
Thank you to every single person who took the time out of their life to escape into this world I created. Ten-year-old me who wrote fanfiction thinks you’re awesome for making my dream come true.
About the Author
Savannah was born in Hyden, Kentucky. She received her M.S in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Mississippi in 2009. She’s been writing since the early age of nine when she begged her parents for a type writer for Christmas.
She now lives in Corbin, Ky with her husband of eight years, John, and their two wonderful daughters, Delilah and Gracie.
When she isn’t working, or running after her kids, she spends her free time traveling the country with her husband. There is nothing better than a day of football in the grove, a late night of basketball at Rupp Arena or slapping the glass to celebrate another Washington Capitals goal.
She is a strong believer that with enough hard work and determination you can accomplish anything.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/savannahblevinsauthor
The Girl With Daisies (Midtown Brotherhood #3) Page 18