Four Weddings & A Vendetta (Remington Ranch #5)

by SJ McCoy

  Summer raised her glass. “I’ll drink to that. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like to have to hold back for the sake of your daughter. I mean, I understand why you did. But I couldn’t hold back with Carter. I didn’t want to fall in love with him. It seemed doomed from the start. But I just couldn’t help myself. No matter how much I knew it would hurt if I had to leave, I just couldn’t stop myself from loving him.”

  “You two are perfect for each other.”

  Summer nodded. “I think so. Anyway. I got us totally off track there. What I wanted to ask you is how you would feel about me asking Ruby to be my flower girl? I love her to little pieces and…”

  “Oh, my God, are you kidding me? She’ll probably burst with excitement. You have no idea how much she’d love that.”

  Summer smiled. Maybe she did. Maybe that was why she was asking. She was so sweet.

  “You don’t have to ask her.”

  “Oh, but I want to. It’d mean the world to me. I really do love her. She’s a big part of this place to me. The first time I met her was on the very first date Carter and I went out on.” She smiled. “She’s part of my roots here. And these last few weeks while Carter’s been taking her to school, they’ve formed their own little bond, too. He adores her.”

  “And it’s mutual.” Corinne loved the way Ruby sat in the window in the morning waiting for Uncle Carter to come pick her up. “If you both want her to, then yes, absolutely, she can be your flower girl.”

  “Thanks.” Summer went to look out the window at the sound of a vehicle approaching. “Gina’s here.” She craned her neck to one side and added, “And Cassidy’s right behind her. Looks like it’s time to get this party started.”

  Corinne smiled at Gina when she came in. “Hi, are you okay? You look exhausted.”

  Gina smiled back. “I am. It’s been a long day. I’m fine though.”

  “Nothing that a glass of wine won’t cure, right?” asked Summer.

  Gina held up a hand. “Not for me, thanks. Do you have any apple juice?”

  Summer nodded. “I do, but you look like you need grape juice.”

  “No, honestly. I’m fine. Apple juice would be great.”

  “Okay.”

  While Summer went into the kitchen, Corinne raised an eyebrow at Gina. She had a sneaking suspicion that she knew why Gina wasn’t drinking. She hadn’t the last few times they’d all gotten together either. And she did seem to be looking tired a lot of the time.

  Gina smiled back and gave her the tiniest hint of a nod, then held her finger up to her lips as the cabin door swung open and Cassidy strode in.

  “How the hell do you do it, Gina? It’s a long ass drive from the gallery back here at the end of the day, and it’s even worse going up there in the mornings. I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t come up to town at all in the winter.”

  Gina laughed. “It’s only ten minutes farther from town than your house. You just like taking every opportunity you can find to bitch about having to stay here.”

  Cassidy pushed her hair back over her shoulders. “Okay, I’ll give you that. I just felt like being dramatic about it.”

  “Let me guess, you talked to Ian?”

  Cassidy nodded with a grin. “He’s going to come for the wedding!”

  “That’s fantastic!”

  Corinne didn’t know who Ian was but they were both thrilled that he was coming. Summer came back through with a glass of wine for Cassidy and an apple juice for Gina.

  Cassidy wrinkled her nose at the sight of it. “Aren’t we supposed to be celebrating our upcoming wedding, or drowning our sorrows at being incarcerated down on the ranch or finding some other excuse to drink copious amounts of wine? What are you playing at, G?”

  Gina caught Corinne’s eye before she spoke. “Well, I wanted to give the three of you a reason to celebrate—and an excuse to drink lots of wine.”

  Corinne smiled, thrilled Gina was about to announce her news.

  “Ooh? What is it?” asked Summer.

  Cassidy was giving Gina a skeptical look. “Come on then, what?”

  Gina raised her glass. “I’m going to make you all aunties.”

  “Congratulations!” Corinne raised her glass.

  Summer’s hand flew up to cover her mouth, then she rushed to hug Gina. “Oh, my goodness! That’s wonderful news, Gina. I’m so happy for you. Congratulations.”

  Cassidy grinned and raised her glass. “Rather you than me!”

  “Cassidy!” Summer looked mortified.

  Gina laughed. “I thought you might say something like that.” She turned to Corinne and Summer. “Don’t worry about it, I’m not offended. I know her too well.”

  “But still…” Summer scowled at Cassidy who shrugged unrepentantly.

  “Sorry, not sorry. I’m not a baby kind of person. They don’t do anything for me. They’re demanding little creatures, constantly wet and noisy at both ends.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Not for me.” She looked at Corinne, “Now once they get to about four or five, that’s a different matter altogether.”

  Corinne laughed at her. “You’ve only changed your tune since you got to know Ruby. You thought she was a monster at first, just like Beau did.”

  Cassidy shrugged. “What can I say? All I can say in my defense is that I was inexperienced. My little Ruby pal taught me a thing or too. I’m not afraid to admit I was wrong there.”

  “And when you hold Gina’s baby for the first time, you’ll have to admit you were wrong again. You’re going to fall head over heels in love and I for one can’t wait to see it.”

  Cassidy looked at Gina. “Don’t hold your breath on that one, will you?”

  “No way. I’m not expecting a miracle.”

  “I’d put money on it myself,” said Corinne. “I was like you, Cassidy. I’d never even changed a diaper until I had Ruby. I didn’t think I had a motherly instinct to my name.” She realized they were all staring at her in disbelief and shrugged. She was getting used to them all, starting to feel like she was one of the group, but she still didn’t tend to open up about anything too personal very often.

  “But you’re the best mom I’ve ever seen,” said Summer.

  Gina nodded. “I’m planning on coming to you for lessons.”

  Corinne shook her head. “All I know how to do is get Ruby and myself through life.” She looked at Cassidy. “And that’s my point. When you’re talking about babies, when you meet other people’s babies they’re not the same at all. When they’re yours,” she smiled at Gina, “or they’re the child of someone you love, it’s completely different. I think you’ll feel some kind of ownership, if that’s the right word.”

  Cassidy smiled. “I hope you’re right, and if you are, I’ll be more than happy to admit I was wrong again.” She took a swig of her wine. “So, when are you due, Gina? How’s it going to affect the gallery?”

  “Cassidy!” Summer put her hands on her hips. “You are terrible!”

  Gina laughed. “She is what she is, and she’s proud of it.”

  Cassidy nodded. “That’s right, and you all love me for it.”

  Corinne had never had a group of friends like these. They were all so different, yet none of them tried to change to please the others. They were each accepted for who they were. Their differences were celebrated not ridiculed. She loved it.

  “We do,” said Summer with a rueful smile. “Even if we also wish you could tone it down on occasion.”

  Cassidy wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Sweet little Summer. You know you wouldn’t change me for the world. And besides, we make such a great team. I make you look good, admit it. Whenever I’m a little abrasive, you’re right there to soothe the sting of anything I might say. No one ever remembers that I was a bitch—just that you were so incredibly sweet and gracious by comparison.”

  Summer laughed. “I never thought about it like that, but I guess you’re right.”

  “She is,” said Corinne. “You’re a go
od double act.” She turned to Gina. “But when are you due?” She wanted to keep the focus on Gina and have them all celebrate with her. She remembered how she’d felt when she found out she was expecting Ruby. Her friends had been sympathetic, at best, mostly disinterested. She didn’t want Gina to feel the way she had back then.

  “February,” said Gina with a smile.

  “Ooh, you should call him Valentine if he’s a boy, or Valentina for a girl,” suggested Summer.

  Cassidy rolled her eyes in disgust. “Seriously?”

  Gina laughed. “I don’t think so.”

  “Have you even thought about names yet?” asked Corinne. “Or are you keeping it secret?”

  Gina shrugged. “We’ve talked about one name. I think we’ve decided on it.”

  “For a boy or a girl? You don’t know what it is yet do you?”

  “No, I’m not sure we even want to know. And the name can be either.”

  Cassidy raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to give a boy a girl’s name?”

  “Hey!” Summer’s hands were on her hips again as she gave Cassidy another stern look. There’s nothing wrong with that. It worked pretty okay for John Wayne!”

  Cassidy laughed. “Oh, Summer. If Marion was such a great name for a male, why did he change it to John for a screen name?”

  “Oh. Yeah.” Summer looked crestfallen. “You’re right, I guess.”

  “I’m sure Gina’s not thinking of using the name Marion, though,” said Corinne. “Do you want to share, or are you keeping it to yourselves?”

  Gina shrugged. “I don’t see why I shouldn’t tell you. I’d love to hear what you all think.” She stuck her tongue out at Cassidy. “Though, if you hate it, your face will speak volumes, you don’t need to say a word.”

  Cassidy grinned. “Fair enough. I can keep my derision to myself. Put us out of our misery then, what is it?”

  “Phoenix.”

  Corinne smiled. She loved it.

  “That’s lovely,” cried Summer. “Oh, I love it, Gina. Boy or girl.”

  They all turned to look at Cassidy. Corinne was shocked to see her eyes glistening and a sad smile on her face.

  “What?” asked Gina.

  “That was my grandmother’s name.” Cassidy sighed. “I always used to wish that my parents had named me after her.”

  “Wow! I had no idea,” said Gina. “I thought I’d come up with it all by myself. Of course, then I looked in the baby name books and it was there—for girls and boys.”

  Cassidy nodded. “Apparently it’s a traditional name in our family. My grandmother was named after her grandfather.” She nodded again. “It’s a good one. Good choice, G.”

  “Well, thanks. I’m glad I have your approval.”

  Summer looked concerned. “Do you think you should be riding at the wedding? Shouldn’t you be careful?”

  “I’ll be fine,” said Gina. “I’ve ridden all my life. I don’t think I’m going to fall off on my wedding day of all days.”

  Cassidy laughed. “That’d probably be me. I’d try to make this grand entrance and end up on my ass in the dust.”

  “If any of us is going to do that, it’ll most likely be me,” said Corinne. “I’m doing well with my lessons, but I’m a long way from competent—or confident.”

  “We don’t have to do it,” said Summer. “We can just let the guys ride in.”

  Cassidy nodded. “I know I was all about not standing around waiting like wallflowers for our men to come riding in, but it was just an idea. We can come up with something else; in fact, I think we probably should, considering Gina’s condition. And if you,” she smiled at Corinne, “don’t feel confident in the saddle yet, then I don’t want to do it. I’d hate to think that you were worrying about it on your wedding day.”

  Corinne sucked in a big breath. She’d been prepared to go along with the idea, but it didn’t thrill her.

  Cassidy read her reaction and smiled again. “So, if we let the five of them ride down from behind the house, how about the five of us all come in together on one of the wagons. We’ll get to watch them arrive and go get set up at the front and then we can each walk down the aisle in turn.”

  “We’re going in turns?” asked Summer. “I was thinking we’d all go at once.”

  “How would that work?” asked Corinne. “We all stand around up there during each other’s ceremonies?”

  “I thought we were all having one big ceremony?”

  Gina looked at her. “Huh? You mean a mass I do? What would happen when it comes to, do you Summer Breese, Cassidy Lane, Gina Delaney, and Corinne Watson take Mason, Beau, Carter, and Shane Remington?”

  “Oh.”

  Cassidy laughed. “You’d have to hope the pastor didn’t get the order mixed up or we might end up married to the wrong brother.”

  Corinne laughed. “Now that could be interesting.”

  “It could be awful!” Summer looked horrified. “Can you imagine Beau and Cassidy? That’d be a catfight in no time. And what if Mason and I got landed together.” She smiled at Gina. “No offense, or anything, but he’s scary.” She shook her head.

  “What do you mean?” Gina looked bewildered. “He can be a bit stubborn, but…”

  “You won’t see it, Gina; you obviously have the inside track to the inner softie,” said Corinne, “but believe me, to the rest of us, Mason can seem a little intimidating at times.”

  “Yup,” Cassidy nodded her agreement. “Even I couldn’t handle that much broody cowboy. I’m much better suited to the big teddy bear in cowboy boots I call Shane.”

  Gina laughed. “Yeah. You are. But back to the point, are you all thinking of one big ceremony like that or four individual ones? I must say I was thinking we’d do four of them. I want my own.”

  Corinne nodded her agreement. She was happy to share the day with the others, but she still wanted her special moment with Beau when they said, I do. She didn’t want to feel like just one of a job lot. “I’d like that better, too.”

  “And you know I would. I’m not one to get lost in the crowd. I want my moment of glory and I’d hate to overshadow yours.”

  Summer shook her head with a smile. “I’m going to ignore that you said that. I’d rather we all did it separately too; I just got it into my head somehow that it would be one big thing.”

  Cassidy patted her arm. “No. You still get to have your moment.”

  “Won’t it all get to be a bit long-winded?” asked Gina.

  Corinne thought about it. She could see that it would. “Especially for guests who only know one of us.”

  Cassidy nodded. “Yeah, I don’t see my dad being too happy to sit through an hour’s worth of ceremonies, waiting and wondering when his daughter might be up.” She frowned. “Is this starting to look like a bad idea? Do we need to rethink it?”

  “Oh, no! I love the idea.”

  Corinne did, too, but she was starting to wonder how practical and enjoyable the reality of it might be.

  Gina looked thoughtful.

  “Are you having one of your brilliant ideas?” Cassidy asked her.

  “Maybe. I was thinking what if we made a whole afternoon of it. If we have a big reception set up, like we do for Monique’s birthday, you know, people milling around everywhere, eating and drinking and socializing, and we also have the wedding set up off near the back meadow, then have each of us get married an hour or so apart. People who want to be at each ceremony can go and sit and be there, and people who don’t know one particular couple can just stay around the reception area until it’s their turn. She looked at Corinne. “Like, your sister, for example. She doesn’t know me or Mason. So she wouldn’t have to sit through our ceremony. She could hang out at the reception—we’d have tables set out and food laid on and everything. And then when it’s your turn, she can go over to where the chairs are all set out.”

  “I like it.” Cassidy was nodding. “Say, Ian, he’ll want to see you get married, Gina, and he’ll want to see me. Bu
t he doesn’t know you two. It’d be cruel to make him sit through another two ceremonies when he could be holding court over a bottle of wine.”

  Corinne nodded. It made sense to her, and felt much more comfortable than subjecting all of their friends and families to having to sit through what could become a very long afternoon.

  “What order would we go in?” asked Summer.

  “Does it matter?” asked Cassidy.

  “That’s one thing that does matter to me,” said Gina. “Well, I know it’s important to Mason. We need to go first.”

  “Absolutely,” agreed Summer.

  Corinne nodded. “Of course.”

  Cassidy, grinned. “I suppose.”

  “What about the rest of us?” asked Corinne. “Should we go in the order we got engaged?” That would put her and Beau last, but that was fine. She didn’t want to tread on any toes.

  Cassidy shook her head slowly. “Tell me if I’m wrong, Gina, but I think the guys would rather go in age order?”

  Gina nodded. “I think that might be important to them.”

  Corinne got the feeling they, too, had realized that her idea would put her and Beau last. Beau had been something of an outsider for many years, and if they followed age order, that would put him second, rather than tagging him on at the end. She smiled. “I think he’d like that.” Then a thought struck her and she looked at Cassidy. “Would you mind being last, though?”

  Cassidy grinned. She might like to play the diva, but she had a huge heart. “Nah. I want to see everyone get something special out of this day, something that really means something to them. I think going in age order of the brothers would be a big statement for Beau about reclaiming his place in the family.”

  Corinne nodded—she didn’t want to speak, because she was pretty sure her voice might crack.

  Gina nodded happily and Summer beamed. “Aww, you’re not totally self-centered, are you, Cass?”

  Cassidy laughed. “Don’t get carried away sweetie—it’s only right to save the best till last!”