Love Hard (Anything But Mine Book 2)

by Barbara Justice

  Sky stood, stretched, and yawned. “Thanks for all your hospitality today, but I’m beat. Meg, are you ready to turn in?”

  As they walked up the path back to the guest house, Meg confessed, “I really wasn’t ready to jump into wedding planning today. I’m sorry if my family was so overwhelming. Are you okay with all their plans?”

  “Yes, as long as you are. The wedding is far less important to me than planning our lives together.” He pulled her close, and kissed her on top of her head. “But you’re going to have to take a lot of time off, to pull everything together in four months.”

  Meg opened the guest house door, and collapsed on the sofa. “Yeah. I don’t know how I’m going to manage that, and take three weeks off for the wedding.” She pulled her arms tightly across her chest. “I’m going to lose my job.”

  “Baby,” Sky said, as he sat down next to her. “We’re going to be married. There’s no reason for you to worry about work anymore.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” She jumped up and began pacing the floor. “And what if we break up before the wedding? What would happen to me? I’d have no job, no place to live…”

  He was taken aback. “Darlin’, first of all, we’re not breaking up. Second, you’ve gotta get a hold of yourself. These pre-wedding jitters are hitting a little soon, don’t you think?”

  “I’ve already had one broken engagement. What if it happens again?”

  “It’s not going to happen again. Trust me. Besides, I have a plan.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  After some negotiation, Meg agreed to Sky’s plan that she take a leave of absence from her full-time job at the hospital, but still remain available to work on a per-diem basis, filling in on shifts when she had the time and wanted to work.

  Her new schedule allowed her to fly back and forth to both New York City and Southampton whenever necessary for wedding planning. In mid-January, she and Becky made a trip for dress shopping, meeting up with Jen, Gina and Grace at designer Grant Glasso’s Madison Avenue boutique.

  The choices of styles were overwhelming, as were the opinions of her family members and Becky. When no one would listen to her, she reached a boiling point. “I really don’t care anymore. I’ll wear whatever you think is best. Let me know what you decide. I’ll be outside getting some fresh air if you need me.”

  Meg stepped outside and into the frigid New York winter air. After she took a walk around the block, she noticed a food vendor cart on the opposite corner from the boutique, and she crossed the street to get a bite to eat. She was savoring the sauerkraut and mustard topped dirty-water hot dog when she heard a voice behind her.

  “It doesn’t have to be this way.”

  “Mr. Glasso,” she said, with her mouth full. She swallowed and wiped away some stray mustard from the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “I’m sorry I walked out. I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

  “I don’t blame you for walking out. And I told them so.”

  She finished the last bite of her hot dog, and took a deep sip out of her water bottle. “Thanks.”

  “Do you have any idea what you want your dress to look like?”

  “Yes, I do, actually.” She dug into her purse and retrieved a torn-out page from a magazine. “Something like this, but sleeveless, and with a long, full skirt. What do you think?”

  A smile spread across his lips. “It’s simple, but perfect for you. Come with me.” He took her by the arm and guided her back to his boutique across the street.

  Once inside, Mr. Glasso explained that Meg had her own ideas for her dress. “I’m going to create a custom gown for our bride,” he said. “And it’s going to be our secret, because I don’t want any of you interfering with her choice.”

  He whisked Meg inside his private workshop, where her measurements were taken. They discussed fabric choices, and the height of the heels she was planning to wear.

  “That’s an unconventional choice,” he said, when Meg told him what she planned on wearing on her feet underneath her gown.

  “Maybe for New York City, or the Hamptons, but not for Nashville,” she replied. “Remember who I’m marrying.”

  He laughed out loud. “How can I forget? I’ve done a lot of celebrity weddings, including both of Jennifer’s weddings, but I’ve never done a wedding dress for the bride of a country music superstar. This is a first for me.”

  Once they were finished in his private workshop, Grant ushered Meg back to her family. “Now that the bride is set, let’s pick out dresses for the rest of you.”

  The women spent the rest of the afternoon looking at dresses, before deciding on simple one-shoulder pale mint green gowns for the bridal party, and a gown in a deeper green for Grace.

  “I’m sure Fiona will want to coordinate,” Becky said, as she photographed the dresses. “She’s as much a part of Sky’s family as anyone.”

  “Good idea,” Meg agreed, as she also snapped photos of the dresses to e-mail to her friend Susan and Sky’s sister Livi. “It’s hard to believe how quickly the time is going by. The wedding will be here before we know it.”

  Sky, Meg, Jack, Becky and the rest of the band members arrived in Southampton a few days before the wedding was to take place in order to perform at a benefit Jen had arranged for the Peconic Land Trust at the Southampton Arts Center on Job’s Lane.

  “It’s a great cause,” Sky said to Jen the night of the show. “I’m glad you asked us to help out. Hopefully, we can raise both money and awareness of the importance of preserving open space out here.”

  Before the show, the band held a “meet and greet” session with everyone who had purchased VIP tickets. Sky made an effort to spend time with everyone Meg or her family members introduced him to, posing for additional photos and signing autographs. He and Jack donated some Johnson Bishop Band memorabilia, including a guitar signed by all the band members, for the silent auction that took place prior to the show.

  Meg beamed as she watched Sky work the room with her cousin. It’s hard to believe that in just two days I’m going to be his wife. She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a tap on her shoulder, and came face to face with Trey.

  “How’s my daughter in law?” He gave Meg a kiss on the cheek, then pulled her in for a hug.

  “Trey! Did you just arrive?”

  “Came straight from the airport. How are you doing? Any pre-wedding jitters?”

  “Nope. Actually, I can’t wait to get it all behind us, and get back to our normal life.” She took a look around, and pointed across the room. “Fiona’s over there, with Becky.”

  Trey caught Fiona’s eye, and grinned. “She’s as excited about the wedding as I am.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  They were interrupted by Sky, who greeted his father with a hug. “I’d love to catch up, but we’re going on in a minute. Let’s have a drink after the show.”

  “Sounds good, son.”

  Meg kissed Sky, and wished him good luck before he and the band took the stage. She made her way over to her father and the rest of her family just as the band played the first chords of their opening number.

  Following the concert, Jen and Drew hosted an after party at their home in Southampton for the band members and the Peconic Land Trust’s top-tier donors. They went all out with a barbecue theme catered by Townline BBQ to honor the Johnson Bishop Band’s Texas roots. Sky and Jack played a short acoustic set, and posed for more photos with the guests.

  Meg made sure she had a plate of food and a cold beer waiting for Sky as soon as he was free. “You must be exhausted,” she whispered in his ear while giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

  He nodded his head while he wolfed down a couple of pulled pork sliders, cornbread, cole slaw, and potato salad in Jen’s kitchen, which was off-limits to the guests. “Thanks for having dinner ready for me,” he said, as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I was starving, but I know I can count on you to always take care of me.” He reached out and pulled her i
n for a hug, before leaning down to kiss the top of her head.

  Trey entered the room and cleared his throat. “Meg, can I have a word with my son?”

  “Sure.” She kissed Sky on the lips. “See you outside.”

  Trey waited to speak until Meg left the room. “Has she signed the pre-nup yet? You never got back to me after I sent it to you.”

  “Yeah, about that. I never brought it up with her. I’m not asking her to sign a pre-nup.”

  “Why in the hell not? Do you have any idea how much you stand to lose if the two of you divorce?”

  Sky crossed his arms in front of him. “There’s not going to be a divorce. I love her, and I’m never going to leave her.”

  Through gritted teeth, Trey asked, “And what if she leaves you?”

  “If she leaves me, it’s because I’ve screwed up big time.”

  “You’re making a huge mistake. Even though I don’t think she’s a gold digger, you still have to protect yourself.”

  “Dad, I’m not doing it.”

  Jen walked into the kitchen. “Everything okay?”

  Trey and Sky both jumped. I wonder how much she overheard, Sky thought, as he ran his hands through his hair. “Yeah. I’m just explaining to my father that we’re going the traditional route, and not writing our own vows.”

  “Classic and timeless is always the way to go,” she agreed.

  “Jennifer, your home is beautiful. Thank you for your hospitality tonight, and for hosting tomorrow night’s rehearsal dinner. I’m looking forward to the clam bake.” Trey kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going to head to the inn. It’s been a long day. See you tomorrow.”

  After Sky and Jennifer said goodnight to Trey, they sat down at the kitchen table. “Thanks again for doing the show tonight. We raised a lot of money.”

  “It was our pleasure to help.” Sky looked around the kitchen and sighed. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Was it hard for Drew to adapt to the whole celebrity tabloid-driven life? I mean, he was already on television, but when the two of you got together his life was turned upside down by the gossip rags. It must have been hard on the relationship.”

  “Umm…when the tabloids made the horrible accusations about us and my first husband, it was hard on both of us. I hated to see him hurt by them. But we got through it because we love each other. Why do you ask?”

  He ran his hands through his hair. “It’s just that I’m worried about Meg. I’ve already put her through the mill with that crazy fan Mallory, and everything that happened last year. I don’t want to see her have to go through that again.”

  Jen nodded her head. “Of course you don’t. I’m sure you’ll take every precaution, and make sure there’s nothing for the tabloids to print.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  The whir of blow dryers greeted Meg as she descended the stairs to the spa at Jennifer’s Southampton home on the day of the wedding. She took deep breath and scanned the room, smiling as she watched the most important women in her life being primped for her big day.

  She caught the eye of her friend and matron of honor, and smiled. If it wasn’t for Susan dragging me to that concert, none of us would be here today. She crossed the room and greeted her friend with a kiss on the cheek, before making the rounds to say good morning to everyone else.

  Once she said hello to everyone, Meg sat down next to Fiona and waited for Kenny to finish blowing out Jennifer’s hair. She accepted a glass of lemon water from Lucy, Jennifer’s housekeeper and cook, who was serving a light brunch to the women in the wedding party.

  Fiona placed her hand on Meg’s shoulder. “How are you doing, dear?”

  “Surprisingly, I’m okay. I just can’t wait to get this all behind us, and begin life as a married couple with Sky.”

  “He told me the same thing last night. He said he would have rather eloped, but knew his father and your family would never forgive the two of you.”

  Kenny interrupted them. “Well, that’s for sure,” he said with a chuckle. “You’d never have gotten away with it.” He ushered Meg to his salon chair, and began to blow her hair dry. He had to pause periodically for Alan Piersall, Jennifer’s real estate broker-turned-photographer, to snap some pictures.

  “He’s cute,” Kenny whispered in Meg’s ear. “I’ll have to ask Jen if he’s single.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Ooh, you should definitely find out. You two would make an adorable couple.”

  Kenny arranged Meg’s long chestnut hair in soft waves framing her face, before affixing a small spray of tiny daisies behind one of her ears. “I wasn’t sure about your choice of daisies for your hair, but when you sent me the photo of your gown yesterday, it all made sense,” he said, as he used his fingers to smooth her locks. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you for making me that way.” Meg kissed Kenny on the cheek, then dashed up the stairs to get dressed. There was a clamor of excitement as she stepped into her gown with the help of Grace and Fiona.

  “Oh my God, you look beautiful!”

  “Turn around, let me see.”

  “Stunning!”

  “Mr. Glasso outdid himself,” Jennifer said. “I’m so glad you didn’t let any of us influence your decision.” She inspected the simple sleeveless bodice and full skirt of Meg’s gown, and noticed the simple lace pattern was made of tiny daisies. “Daisy lace? This is incredible.”

  “I wanted to incorporate my mother’s favorite flowers, to honor her memory.”

  Grace gave her a hug. “That’s a beautiful sentiment, Meg. I’m sure she’s looking down on you today.”

  “Where are your shoes?” Gina asked.

  Meg crossed the room and opened a large box. “No judgments, please,” she said, as she pulled out a custom-made pair of sky-blue cowboy boots adorned with a cascade of white silk daisies and ribbons.

  “Well, I love them,” Becky said. “They’re from Old Smokeys Boots, right? A touch of Nashville in the Hamptons!”

  “They’re my ‘something blue’. I chose the color because they match Sky’s eyes.”

  “They’re awesome,” Livi chimed in. “My brother will go crazy when he sees them. Are you going to write anything on the soles?”

  “I already did,” Meg said with a smile as she held up the boots for the other women to see, pointing to the words “I do” along with the date on the soles of the boots before slipping them on her feet.

  “Okay,” Grace said. “We’ve got the something blue and the something new covered. What about the something old and the something borrowed?”

  Jennifer produced a pair of pearl and diamond earrings. “Here’s the something borrowed,” she said, as she helped fasten them to her cousin’s ears.

  “And this is my something old,” Meg said, as she wrapped her mother’s rosary beads around the base of her bouquet of gerbera daisies. She took a deep breath, and said, “Well, I guess I’m ready.”

  Sky’s palms were sweaty as he paced the parking lot behind the church. “Are you sure she’s showing up?”

  Jack put an arm around Sky’s shoulders. “Calm down, man. Yes, she’s showing up. Becky just texted me. They’re on their way.”

  “Oh. Okay, good.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m just a little nervous.”

  Jack chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, gee, I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Are people inside yet?”

  “There was a little bit of a delay before, because it took a while to check everyone’s cell phones and cameras,” Jack replied. “That was a genius idea. I wish I’d thought about that for Becky’s and my wedding.”

  “Yeah, well, we want to guard our privacy, and make sure no photos get out on social media that we haven’t approved. And it lets our ‘celebrity’ guests relax and enjoy themselves, instead of having to pose for photos all day.”

  They watched as a fleet of black SUVs pulled into the church parking lot. Becky hopped out of the front seat of one of them, a
nd waved at Sky and Jack.

  “Guess it’s time, buddy,” Jack said, as he tugged at Sky’s arm. “Let’s go inside.”

  Sky took his place at the altar, with Jack by his side as his best man. He watched Meg’s bridesmaids walk down the aisle, smiling and winking at his sister Livi, then at Gina, Jennifer, and Becky. He saved his biggest smile for Susan, the matron of honor, as she climbed the stairs to the altar and took her place opposite Jack. Without you, Susan, we wouldn’t be here today, Sky thought, as he mouthed the words “thank you” to her.

  The congregation rose, and Sky focused on the doors at the back of the church. He gasped and tears filled his eyes as he caught his first glimpse of Meg, being escorted down the aisle by Victor.

  He stepped down from the altar to meet Victor and Meg. Victor shook his hand, and said, “Take care of my precious little girl, Sky.”

  “I promise, Victor.” He took Meg by the hand and led her up the steps to the altar. “You’ve never looked more beautiful,” he said to her.

  Meg blushed. “Thanks. And you’ve never looked so handsome.”

  The elderly priest led them through the traditional vows, before pronouncing them husband and wife. “You may kiss the bride,” he said to Sky.

  “The moment I’ve been waiting for,” Sky quipped. He pulled Meg in for a lingering kiss, as the guests erupted in cheers and applause.

  After the ceremony, Sky, Meg, the wedding party, and their families, drove to Cooper’s Beach to take photographs, then back to the farm for the reception. Before they joined the rest of their guests, Meg insisted on taking a photo on the old tractor that had been moved out of the barn and into one of the horse pastures.

  “You’re a real country girl at heart,” Sky said, as he helped her down from the tractor.

  Meg laughed. “You’d better believe it.” She took him by the hand and led him towards the barn. “Come on, let’s go greet our guests.”