What Matters Most

by Longley, Barbara

  “Hmph,” Mr. Haney grunted.

  Mrs. Haney smiled warmly. She too seemed younger than her years. “It’s lovely to meet you, Will. We’re glad you could join us for this joyous occasion. Please call me Maggie and my husband Joe.”

  He smiled. “Thank you, Maggie. I will.”

  The photographer called for the Haney family members to gather, and Josey handed Will her purse before walking to the front of the church. The bride and her entourage entered, and Will settled in a pew to observe the boisterous group. What must it have been like to grow up in such a large extended family?

  Josey stood between her brothers and smiled for the photographer. She represented everything he’d always yearned for in a woman. Josey was intelligent, open and affectionate. She didn’t care about what he had; she cared about who he was, and she supported his choices. With her, he could let down his guard and relax. The funny thing was, until she walked through his front door, he hadn’t even realized what he’d been missing.

  A surge of emotion he couldn’t quite identify slammed through him. The gut-punched sensation hit him again, the one he got every time he looked at her. Will lost his breath and his pulse pounded just thinking about her. He thought about her a lot—every minute of every day. Am I in love? Yes.

  His throat tightened, and the backs of his eyes burned. This moment would be imprinted on his brain for all time. He couldn’t drag his eyes from her to save his life. With each beat of his heart, a single word echoed and pulsed inside his head. Mine.

  Jo’s insides flipped as she rejoined Will. Would she ever get used to being with such a gorgeous man? “We’re supposed to sit behind my grandparents,” she said, pointing toward the second row of pews.

  Will nodded. His manner preoccupied, he placed his hand at the small of her back, following her to the spot behind her grandparents. Guests were filing into the church now, led to seats by four of Jo’s cousins who were acting as ushers. Wyatt and his three attendants stood by the altar where they chatted with the minister.

  Will hadn’t uttered a word since she’d rejoined him. He seemed withdrawn somehow. “Are you OK?” She couldn’t identify his expression, but he looked … shaken. “Did one of my relatives give you a hard time?”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  Josey took her place as more of her family slid into the pew from the other side. Her cousin leaned forward to shake Will’s hand.

  “Hi, I’m Jack Junior, and this is my wife June,” he said.

  “Nice to meet you,” Will said, shaking her cousin’s hand.

  The ushers took their seats, and the pianist stopped playing background music. The church went silent for a dramatic pause, and then the wedding march began. She and Will rose along with everyone else. Kayla’s friends, dressed in a soft beige, preceded the bride down the aisle, led by Kayla’s little boy. Brady proudly carried a white satin pillow with the wedding bands securely fastened with ribbon.

  He waved at the grownups he knew, causing the pillow to dangle and eliciting a few laughs. Finally the bride appeared with her father, and appreciative murmurs filled the church. “Doesn’t she look beautiful?” Jo whispered. Her heart swelled with love and pride for her brother and his new family.

  Will leaned close. “She doesn’t hold a candle to you, Jo.”

  There went her insides, melting like hot fudge. Grandpa Joe glanced at Will for a second, his expression inscrutable. Her grandfather grunted. She peered at Will to gauge his reaction. He winked and did that lopsided grin thing that turned her brain to mush. She smiled and went back to watching the bride make her way toward the altar. Will placed his hands on her shoulders, and she leaned back against him for a second.

  Everyone sat as the bride took her place before the minister and handed her bouquet of pink and white roses to her maid of honor. Wyatt reached for his bride’s hands; his were visibly shaking. Her brother’s face had turned scarlet, but the expression of adoration and joy suffusing his features was unmistakable. Even from where she sat, Jo could see how shiny his eyes were. And … here come the tears. Great. She opened her purse and pulled out a tissue.

  Will draped his arm over the back of the pew and rubbed her shoulder, further melting her insides. Jo dabbed at her eyes and listened as her brother and the woman he loved pledged their lives to each other.

  Despite their issues, both her brothers had managed to stumble into something amazing. With every fiber of her being she hoped someday she’d make the same kind of lasting promises. Could she and Will reach that place together? Too soon to tell. Right now everything was all fluttering hearts, butterflies in the midriff, and uncontrollable smiles. She and Will were infatuated. They hadn’t been tested yet. Come to think of it, they hadn’t had a single disagreement.

  Maybe the infatuation would sputter out with time, but she hoped their feelings deepened and took root. Couples needed deep roots to anchor them against the storms life would surely throw their way. Dammit, weddings always made her sentimental and wistful. She sniffed, dabbed at her eyes and leaned against Will’s side, inhaling his intoxicating scent. He continued to rub her shoulder absently, his attention on the bride and groom.

  After all the vows were said and the rings were on their fingers, the minister introduced her baby brother and Kayla as Mr. and Mrs. Haney. Jo clapped and cheered along with everyone else. She swiped the happy tears from under her eyes as the wedding party exited, and then the ushers directed the family to follow, one pew at a time.

  Will kept his hand at the small of her back as Jo got in line behind her grandparents to greet the newlyweds. The tears started again once she stood in front of her brother. “I’m so happy for you both,” she squeaked.

  Wyatt hauled her in for a fierce hug. “Can’t believe it, Jo. I’m married,” he whispered. “I’m married to the most amazing, wonderful woman. I have an incredible stepson. We’re a family.” His voice quavered. “I hope you—”

  “Speaking of your amazing stepson, where is he?” No doubt her brother had been about to say something embarrassing, like … I hope you find a love like this someday. Jo backed out of her brother’s hug and looked around for Brady.

  “He’s with my parents,” Kayla told her. “They have him for the entire night.”

  “Ah, good planning. He’s probably wound pretty tight by now.” She laughed. “Welcome to the family, Kayla.”

  “I’m thrilled to be a part of your family.” Kayla hugged her briefly.

  “This is Will,” Josey said, gesturing toward him. “Will, this is Kayla.”

  “Glad to meet you.” Kayla studied Will with almost as much intensity as Jo’s brothers had earlier. “I hope we get a chance to talk at the reception.”

  “Looking forward to it,” Will replied. “Congratulations and best wishes to you both.”

  She and Will headed for his car. “Do you know where the Saint Paul Hotel is located?” she asked.

  Will opened her car door for her. “Mmm-mm.”

  Once he was behind the wheel, she turned to him. “Something is bothering you, and I want to know what it is. You’re miles away. Did someone say something to upset you?”

  Will reached out, cupped her chin, leaned in and gave her a brief kiss. “Weddings make me … reflective,” he murmured. “That’s all. I wish we had a few hours alone together before the reception.”

  “Oh, that kind of reflective.” Jo laughed. “Yeah, me too.”

  His gaze roamed over her face, settling on her mouth. “I want you, Jo. The minute you walked through my door, I began plotting ways to convince you to go out with me. Remember how I left it up to you to call me? When you didn’t …” Will shook his head and the muscles along his jaw twitched.

  “I didn’t think you were serious about wanting to see me again. I thought you were just bored and a little lonely.” At the time, she couldn’t see what they had in common or why he’d want to spend time with his plumber. “I was attracted, but unsure about whether or not I wanted to get to know you.”
r />   He studied her. “Are you ready for the next step?”

  Her throat tightened. “Yes.”

  “If you have any doubts, I need to know. We can slow things down until—”

  “No. I want this.” Heat rose to her cheeks. “I want you.” His tender smile warmed her all the way to her toes. “Dinner, a few dances, and then we can cut out of the reception,” she added.

  “Good plan.” He pulled out of their parking space and steered them into the line of cars exiting the lot. “Have I mentioned how beautiful you are, Jo?”

  “Once or twice.” A pleasurable tingle shot through her at his words. She was beginning to believe he really did see her as beautiful.

  “I’m a very lucky man,” he said.

  “Yes, you are,” she teased. Somehow she kept her tone matter of fact, even though her insides were rioting like crazy. He laughed, and then they were on their way to the hotel.

  She cast around for something to talk about, and his legal recitation before the wedding earlier came to mind. “So, you and Greg are really starting your own firm. That’s exciting. When will you move into your offices?”

  “I’m giving my notice on Monday, closing on the building on the twenty-sixth, and moving in on the twenty-seventh.”

  “Do you need any extra manpower? I’m sure my brothers and a few cousins would be willing to help. Especially if you offer them pizza and beer.”

  “Neither of us have anything to move. You can help me pick out office furniture though, and we’ll have it delivered.”

  “Oh. Right. Still, I’ll take the day off to help you organize things.”

  “I’d love that, Jo. We can go out to lunch. That reminds me.” Will glanced at her. “Are you doing anything on Sunday the twenty-fourth?”

  “Not that I know of. Why?”

  “My parents have invited us to join them for brunch.”

  Oh brother. Another first for her, meeting the boyfriend’s parents. Her heart lurched. “They know we’re seeing each other?”

  “Yes.” Will reached for her hand and twined their fingers together.

  “All right.” Had he told them she wasn’t in his league, that she dealt with nasty sewer drains and hair-clogged pipes for a living? She’d never been a nail-biter, but she might start.

  The Saint Paul Hotel came into view, and Will pulled up to the valet parking stand. After handing over his keys to a parking attendant, she and Will made their way to the front desk. “I have a reservation,” she said to the smartly dressed woman behind the counter. “It’s under Josey Haney. We’re part of the Haney and Malone wedding.” She reached into her purse for her wallet.

  Will handed the front desk clerk his credit card before Jo could get to hers. “I’ve got this,” he said.

  “But I invited you.” Relatives were beginning to trickle in. Signs pointed to the reception ballroom, and excitement thrummed through her. She grinned and waved at Renee and her husband.

  “Regardless, the hotel is on me. Shall we?” Will asked, their plastic keycards in his hand.

  She nodded and reached for the handle of her overnight bag. They entered the elevator behind another couple.

  Will pushed the button for the sixth floor. “I upgraded our room to a Landmark King overlooking Rice Park, by the way.”

  “You did?” She shot him a puzzled look. “When?”

  “The same night you told me you’d booked a room for the reception. I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Oh. Well, you did … surprise me, I mean.” She grinned. So, Will had a romantic streak, another item on a long list of things to love about him. The elevator stopped, and the doors opened. Will led her to the last door down the carpeted hallway. He slid the keycard in and opened the door for her. Her jaw dropped as she peered around the room. “Oh wow.”

  A king-size four-poster bed with a luxurious embroidered bedspread in gold dominated the room. A bar and television took up the wall beside a large window, and a loveseat and chair upholstered in velvet were placed around a glass coffee table. Jo crossed to the window and moved aside the sheer curtain. Their room overlooked Rice Park and the Ordway Theater across the square, with the historic Landmark Center to the right.

  Will put his arms around her from behind, and she placed her hands on his forearms. They stood together, enjoying the view and their surroundings. “This is perfect, Will. Thank you.”

  “I’m glad you approve.” He turned her around, drew her close and kissed her. Oh, man, she loved how he kissed her, with tenderness and passion combined. Need coursed through her as she pressed herself against him, wanting nothing more than to stay here in this room with him for the rest of the night. She couldn’t imagine anything better.

  His hands roamed all over her. She circled her arms around his neck, reveling in his hardness and warmth. She inhaled deeply and took in his wonderful masculine scent. If it wasn’t her brother’s wedding they were celebrating, she would suggest they skip the reception and order room service. She ended the kiss and reluctantly stepped away from the hot lawyer who rocked her world.

  “Whew.” She fanned her face with a hand. “Dinner and one dance,” she muttered.

  Will groaned and raked his fingers through his hair. His impatience scrambled her thoughts and sent her pulse racing.

  “We’d better head downstairs.” She didn’t wait for a response and walked on shaky legs to the door, acutely aware Will followed close behind. If they didn’t leave now, they wouldn’t leave at all. Her brothers and grandparents would notice their absence, and she’d have to put up with comments and teasing for months. By the time they reached the ballroom, a lot of her family had already arrived.

  Hand in hand they wended their way through the tables until she found her place card. Each table had a centerpiece made of cupcakes in various flavors on a raised glass cake plate. Battery-powered votive candles were lit and placed around the cupcake centerpiece, casting soft light over the place settings. Jo surveyed the room with its linen-draped tables. Fairy lights had been strung around the perimeter, and the overhead lights had been dimmed. Everything looked so pretty, romantic and magical.

  Will pulled out her chair. “Can I get you something from the bar?”

  “Yes, please. A glass of Chardonnay.” She couldn’t help watching him as he set out for one of the bars. She loved the way Will moved. He always walked as if he had somewhere important to be. Uncle Dan, her Aunt Martha and her cousin Jerry joined her at the table. She smiled her greeting as they sat down. “Wasn’t the wedding wonderful?”

  “I can’t believe Wyatt and his attendants dressed the way they did.” Her uncle shook his head.

  “I thought what they wore was unique and made everything even more special,” she said. Will returned with two glasses of wine and set one in front of her before taking his seat.

  Jo gestured toward her relatives. “Will, this is my Uncle Dan, my Aunt Martha and my favorite cousin, Jerry.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Will said, taking his seat.

  “Are y-you J-Jo’s boyfriend?” Jerry asked.

  “I am.” Will beamed at her cousin.

  Dan crossed his arms in front of him and leaned away from the table. “Aren’t you her lawyer? You’re the guy who’s going to try to intimidate us into changing our company’s name, right?”

  Great. Jo’s hand shook as she lifted her wine glass for a sip. “Uncle Dan, now might not be the best time to discuss this.”

  “Seems like the perfect time to me.” He shot her a pointed look.

  “My purpose is not to intimidate, but to ensure Jo’s very reasonable request is given serious consideration, and that she is afforded the respect due to her as a fully-vested partner in the company.” Will leaned forward. “She has extremely marketable skills, and she has options.”

  “Did she tell you my two brothers and I started the business with our father?” Her uncle’s chin jutted forward. “It has always been Haney & Sons.”

  “Dan …” Martha said, pl
acing her hand on her husband’s arm.

  “I understand, but things have changed,” Will said. “The configuration of your firm is not what it once was. To refuse to acknowledge those changes in deference to your niece would be detrimental to your business.”

  Wow. No man had ever stepped up for her that way before. She would reward him for it later. Even though she hadn’t planned this evening as a test, he’d passed with flying colors.

  “It’s an ampersand and one word, Uncle Dan,” Jo said. “We’re still Haneys. The company name will still honor our origins, but the name change would do so in a way that is more reflective of who we are today.”

  “If I had a vote, you’d have mine, Jo. You’ve certainly worked just as hard and earned your place.” Martha scowled at her husband. “The company may have started with you, your brothers and your father, but it’s this generation that’ll keep it going, Dan.”

  Her uncle grunted and kept his arms crossed. “That may be true, but for now, Jack and I run the business.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Martha. Your support means a lot to me.” She smiled at her aunt and ignored her uncle.

  Her cousin Jack and his wife took the last two chairs at their table just as the wedding party entered. More than one guest clinked a glass. Wyatt spun his bride around, leaned her back over his arm and kissed her with dramatic, superhero flare. A round of whoops and laughter resounded through the ballroom, and the reception officially began.

  The wedding party took their places at the rectangular table in front, and a team of servers began placing bread baskets and salads on the tables. Sam rose from his place beside Wyatt, held up a microphone and gave it few taps. The room settled.