The Wedding Flight

by SJ McCoy

  “Neither are we yet,” said Laura.

  Smoke blew out a sigh. “But we can hope.”

  “That they are?” asked Ben.

  “No, that they’re not,” said Smoke.

  Chapter Four

  “What did you and Piper do this morning?” asked Smoke.

  Cameron shrugged. “We had breakfast then went out for a walk.”

  Smoke gave him a hard stare, but he just laughed. “Unlike you, I know how to hang out with a woman as a friend. Don’t worry, I’m on my best behavior.”

  “Sorry.” Smoke blew out a sigh. “This place just makes me nervous. It seems everyone who comes here meets someone and falls in love and changes the course of their life. You’ve got your life on track, you don’t need to change it—especially not for a woman.”

  Cameron gave him a puzzled look. “I thought it was working out well for you.”

  “It is. I don’t mean that.” Smoke looked around the deck of the restaurant. He and Cameron had stayed here to have some lunch while Laura had taken Piper over to her store at the plaza at Four Mile. He didn’t want anyone else to hear his news yet; they planned to tell them all later. “Things couldn’t have worked out better for me.” He smiled. “Laura and I have figured out a date we can get married. I hope it’s going to work for you.”

  “Of course, it will. I’ll make damned sure I’m free. When is it?”

  “Two weeks today.”

  “Damn! You don’t mess around, do you?”

  Smoke chuckled. “I think it’s more like we messed around for so long that when we finally got serious about naming a date, we just wanted to get on with it.”

  Cameron pulled his phone out of his pocket and frowned as he checked the screen.

  “Are you busy?”

  “Not anymore.” Cameron smiled as he tapped out a text. “Nothing’s going to get in the way of me being your best man. Have you told the folks yet?”

  “No, we’re going to call them later. We had to see if the chapel was available and talk to Ben about a venue.”

  “And it’s all working out?”

  “Yep.”

  “Wow, then I guess it’s just meant to be.”

  Smoke chuckled. “I didn’t think you believed in fate.”

  “I don’t. I believe in making things happen, but when it’s this easy, you can’t help but feel you’re getting a helping hand from somewhere. So, you’re doing it all here? Where’s this chapel?”

  “Just out of town a little ways, right on the water. It’s,” Smoke shrugged, “quaint is the word, I guess. You know me. I don’t care where it is, I just want us to be married.”

  “And what about Laura? Is she going into overdrive setting it all up?”

  “Not really. She wants to keep it simple.”

  Cameron gave him a sly smile. “Will there be any bridesmaids for your best man to play with?”

  Smoke scowled. “Only one.”

  “Piper?”

  “Yeah. Am I imagining it, or do you like her.”

  “Sure, I like her. She’s a good-looking woman, she’s funny, she’s smart, and you can’t say you haven’t noticed how hot she is?”

  “Of course, I have. That’s what had me worried to start with. It’s not like you to pass up on a hot chick, but you seem like you like her, too.”

  “She’s different. She’s not like the women I usually date. She’s like a breath of fresh air.”

  Smoke sighed. “I should stop being an asshole about it then, right?”

  “I didn’t say you were being an asshole.”

  “But we both know I am. I want to say I’m looking out for you. I don’t want to see you get snared by someone who’s not good enough for you. I don’t mean Piper isn’t good enough,” he added when he saw the look on his brother’s face. “I mean no one’s going to be good enough for you in my eyes. Plus, it’s not straightforward for you, is it? You need to marry someone who’ll be an asset as your wife. Someone who’ll be good for the business and everything. Piper doesn’t strike me as someone who’d be comfortable in your world.”

  Cameron shook his head. “Who said anything about getting married? I like her. She’s fun. That’s it. If she’s going to be your bridesmaid, I’ll see her again in a couple of weeks.”

  “Yeah, sorry. I just know what this place does to people. You go on one date, and the next thing you know you’re head over heels in love. Guys drop like flies around here.”

  “Would it be such a bad thing?”

  “I guess not. I’ll butt out, huh?”

  Cameron chuckled. “Now there’s a good idea.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Laura parked the car behind the store and unlocked the door, letting Piper enter ahead of her. “Hey, Maria,” she called. “It’s only me back here, don’t worry.”

  Maria popped her head around the office door. “Hi. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, everything’s fine. I just need to collect a few things from my desk. How are things going?”

  “Great. It’s been busy this morning.”

  “That’s what I like to hear. Have you had lunch yet? Do you want me to cover for you while you take a break?”

  Maria’s cheeks tinged with pink. “I’m fine, thanks. Zack stopped by with a sandwich for me.”

  Zack seemed to be around a lot lately. He was one of the student pilots. He’d come out to the store one day a couple of weeks ago with Smoke and had taken a shine to Laura’s assistant, Maria.

  Laura smiled. “Is he still around? Do you want half an hour?”

  “No, thanks. He had to go.”

  “Okay, well, we’ll leave you to it, then. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I’m fine. See you on Monday. Oh, no I won’t, will I?”

  “No. I’m flying out early, but I’ll check in with you when I land.”

  “Safe travels, and don’t worry about anything here.”

  “I never do, thanks to you.”

  As they made their way across the plaza, Piper turned to look at her. “You have it all figured out, don’t you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’ve got the store, but you don’t need to worry about it because Maria is so capable. You get to travel. You’ve got a man who adores you, but isn’t around all the time to smother you.” Her smile faded a little. “You’ve even got your mom here now.”

  “Yeah. I know I’m lucky the way it’s all worked out.”

  “I don’t think luck had anything to do with it. You’ve worked hard, you’re smart, you’ve made it happen.”

  Laura smiled. “I make the most of what comes my way, too. Me and Smoke, that was just luck.”

  “Yeah, I suppose no matter how smart you are or how hard you work, you can’t make the right guy just walk into your life, can you?”

  “No, that’s pure luck if you ask me. Are you feeling lucky?” Piper smiled but didn’t say anything. Laura had a feeling she knew exactly what she meant. “I don’t know Cameron that well, but I like him.”

  Piper nodded. “I’m not sure I should say anything, but if I did, I think I’d say the same.”

  “I thought so.”

  “Anyway,” Piper was keen to change the subject, “where are we going? Isn’t the lodge that way?”

  “It is, but I want to stop in and see Holly first. I want to talk to her about our dresses. She’ll be able to tell me where I stand the best chance of getting a wedding dress on two weeks’ notice.”

  “You’re sure you want me to be your bridesmaid?”

  “I’m sure I’m sure. What’s up, don’t you want to?”

  “I’d love to, but you have so many friends here; wouldn’t you rather ask them?”

  “No, you’re my best friend and my oldest friend. I want it to be you. And besides, I couldn’t ask just one of them, and I can’t ask all of them. This is the best way. Plus, this way you’ll be paired with Cameron. You can’t tell me y
ou don’t like that idea.”

  Piper’s eyes twinkled as she smiled.

  “Hey! What are you two doing here?” asked Holly as they entered her store.

  Laura grinned. “I need your professional help and advice.”

  Holly raised an eyebrow and looked her over. “You don’t need my help, girlfriend. You’ve got a better sense of style than I have.” She looked at Piper.

  Piper laughed. “It’s okay, you can say it. I have no fashion sense whatsoever. I’m more used to jeans and boots. I’m trying though.”

  Holly held up a hand. “You’re succeeding. You look great. I was going to say you obviously know what you’re doing, too.”

  “Really? Thanks!”

  Laura smiled. “I told you. You just need to have a little faith in yourself and break out of your rut. Ditch the pilot’s uniform and trade it in …” she smiled at Holly, “for a bridesmaid’s dress.”

  “What?” Holly looked shocked.

  “Yeah,” said Laura. “That’s what I need your help with. Where am I going to find a wedding dress and a bridesmaid’s dress that we can wear two weeks from today?”

  “You’re kidding me? Two weeks from today? You two are finally going to tie the knot, and this is all the notice we get? Where are we going? What are we doing? You know my vote goes for the Italian Riviera.”

  “No, sorry. We’re going to get married right here, in the chapel by the lake and then hold the reception at the new lodge, in the Lakeview Suite.”

  “Oh.”

  Laura laughed. “Don’t look so disappointed. I know I’d talked so much about going to Europe, but when it came down to it, it’s more important to do it now.”

  Holly looked shocked. “You’re not …?”

  “What?” Laura didn’t know what she meant.

  Piper laughed. “She wants to know if you’re pregnant, and so do I. Is that what all the big hurry is for?”

  “Hell, no!” Laura shuddered. “We don’t know if we ever want kids, but if we do, it won’t be for years yet. This is just about us wanting to be married. The way our schedules are, it’s either now or wait another year.”

  “Fair enough,” said Holly. She went to her desk and pulled out some bridal magazines. She flipped the first one open and turned it around for Laura to look at. “Check out those few pages. See if you like her style. That’s Tara, she’s a good friend. If you like what she does, I’m sure she’d be willing to help. If not, we might have to fly down to LA and go shopping.”

  “That’s the point,” said Laura. “I’m not going to have time. I’m going to Nashville on Monday morning, and I won’t be back till next weekend.”

  Holly rolled her eyes. “You don’t make it easy, do you? Let me see if I can find any contacts there who you could stop in and see, otherwise we’re going to have to find you something off the rack.” She looked Piper over but spoke to Laura. “What color scheme are you thinking?”

  “I haven’t had chance to think about it yet.”

  “Good, in that case, can I suggest purple? It’d work wonderfully with Piper’s coloring and yours.”

  “Sure.” Laura smiled. She wasn’t too worried about colors, and she knew Holly was right. “Can you tell me what flowers would work? I don’t know much about those.”

  Holly shook her head. “Not my department, you need to talk to Missy about that, and you should probably put Em onto making you a cake while you’re at it.” She took Piper’s arm and led her over to one of the racks and started holding dresses up against her. She tried lilacs and lavenders and finally a rich, deep purple. “There, what do you think?” she asked. “I know it works for Piper.”

  Piper nodded happily. “I love this color. I’ve never worn anything like this before.”

  “But what about you, Laura? Would you be happy with a color scheme based on this?”

  “I love it. I can see it already. I can get Smoke a cummerbund in the same silk; it’d suit him. I can get ribbon in that color and some lilac and maybe just a touch of pink.”

  Holly made a face. “No more than a touch!”

  Laura laughed. “Don’t worry; this is me you’re talking to, not Emma.”

  Holly laughed. “Sorry. Yeah, I can see that a splash of pink on the thinnest ribbons would work.”

  “Exactly,” said Laura. She carried on flipping the pages of the magazine. She liked the designer; she used classic, simple lines. But much as she liked the style, there wasn’t a single dress that she’d want to wear. She shook her head. “No, sorry, this isn’t …. oh!” She turned the next page and there it was. It was perfect. Holly and Piper crowded around her to see.

  “Oh, that’s gorgeous!” said Piper.

  That made Laura smile. That was what Smoke called her, and what she called him. Gorgeous, and as far as she was concerned that dress was abso-fucking-lutely gorgeous!

  “It’s perfect for you,” said Holly with a smile. “It’ll work on your figure. Not many people could carry that off, but you’ll look stunning.”

  Laura laughed. “Anyone with more than a handful of cleavage wouldn’t be able to wear it, you’re right. But for the first time in my life, I’m happy to have small boobs.”

  Holly laughed. “That’s the way to look at it. Work with what you’ve got and make the most of it.”

  Piper smiled. “I’m learning so much here.”

  “Stick around,” said Holly. “We can teach you all about it.”

  “I’m starting to think I should.”

  Laura jerked her head around to look at her. “Yes! You should. In fact, I don’t think you should leave at all. You should stay until the wedding, it’s not long.”

  Piper shrugged. “I’ll have to see what Smoke says.”

  Holly gave them a puzzled look.

  “Piper’s a pilot looking for a career change, and Smoke needs more pilots.”

  “That’s wonderful, sweetie. You talk him into giving you a job.”

  Laura laughed. “I think it’s more like he’ll have to talk her into taking a job.”

  “Probably,” said Piper, “but right now, I think it’s more important to figure out how we can get you that dress.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Holly picked up the phone. “I’ll call Tara and see what we can do.”

  By the time they left Holly’s store, Laura’s hopes were high that she’d be able to get the dress and have it fitted in time. Tara was also on the hunt for a bridesmaid’s dress that would work for Piper, after Holly had taken a few photos of her and texted them over.

  “You know if you were anyone else, I wouldn’t believe that you could pull a wedding together in two weeks,” said Piper.

  Laura laughed. “Just watch me.”

  “Oh, I know you can do it. Especially with friends like Holly on the case, and it sounds like the others can help with the rest of it, too. Is there anything I can do?”

  Laura thought about it. “I don’t know. It’s not really your thing, is it?”

  “No, but I’d like to help somehow.”

  “You’re my bridesmaid; that’s huge.”

  Piper smiled. “It is to me.” She looked up at the lodge. “This place is beautiful. I have to be honest, I’m glad the resort is booked up. I like it there, but this place is more your style. It’s sleek and modern and just looks higher end, more glamorous like you and Smoke.”

  “I hate to admit it, but I agree with you. I love the resort, I really do, but it’s more rustic and old-school. It’s comfortable, but I don’t want comfortable for my wedding. I want a bit of chic, you know?”

  “Exactly,” said Piper as they walked up the steps to the reception area. “This place has that. I feel a bit nervous going in here, as though they might look down their noses at me. I don’t feel that way at the resort.”

  “No, it’s not like that. It’s just as friendly. I think you’ll like Angel, the manager here and … Nate!”

  Nate looked great as always. He w
as wearing a well-cut suit and a bright blue tie, and he certainly backed up what Piper had just been saying about the Lodge being sleek and modern and high end.

  “Laura!” He came straight to her and wrapped her in a hug, then kept his arm around her shoulders as he turned his charm on Piper. “And who is this beautiful lady?”

  Laura laughed and leaned against him. “This is my old friend, Piper. She’s up here to visit, and I’m trying to convince her to stay.”

  “You should stay, definitely,” said Nate. “And since Laura’s not introducing me, I’ll do it myself. I’m Nate Evans. I work with Smoke.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Piper shook hands and Laura could tell she was quite taken with him—most women were the first time they met him.

  “Nate used to be something of a ladies’ man, but he got engaged to my friend Lily last year.”

  Nate grinned, all his flirting forgotten. “And we’re trying to figure out when we can get married, but it’s not easy finding a time that works for us and for Lily’s family.” He looked at Laura. “I don’t know what’s taking you and Smoke so long. You don’t have to deal with any of that. His family would drop everything to be there, and so would your mom.”

  Laura hesitated. Would Smoke want to tell Nate himself? No. He wouldn’t mind. “It wasn’t about working with anyone else’s schedule; it was about figuring out our own. We’re both so crazy with work. We’ve figured it out now, though.”

  Nate’s eyes widened. “You have?”

  “Yep. I hope you’re not busy two weeks from today because that’s our wedding day.”

  “That’s fantastic.” His face fell. “I think Lil’s supposed to be away that weekend.” His smile was back. “But I know she won’t care. She’ll drop it to be here for you guys.”

  “I hope so.”

  “What are you doing out here then? Shouldn’t you be running around finding a dress and making arrangements?”

  She laughed. “That’s exactly what I’m doing here. We’re going to have the reception in the Lakeview Suite, so we’ve come to see Angel.”

  “Awesome! I’d better let you get on with it then. She was in her office a minute ago.” He kissed Laura’s cheek. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you both. And tell Smoke … no, in fact, I’ll give him a call. Nice to meet you, Piper,” he said as he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and trotted down the steps.