Beach Wedding (Eversea Book Three) (The Butler Cove Series 5)

by Natasha Boyd

  “I’m getting married today,” I whispered and looked at Jazz.

  She took my hand. “You are.” She swallowed and blinked. “And I’ll be damned if I’m going to cry all day today.”

  “Don’t forget you don’t cry. You don’t want to start on my account.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Four o’clock this afternoon seems so long to wait. I want to be married already.” I squealed. “I’m going to be Mrs. Jack Eversea.” Jack’s wife. The idea of it was so big, the feeling in my chest was so overwhelming, it almost felt as if my ribs would crack or my head would explode. I sat up suddenly and gasped in a breath. “Wow,” I managed.

  “I’m convinced you already are after that handfasting ceremony last night. I mean what is marriage if not a commitment in front of friends and family.”

  I sighed and lay back down, my hand on my rapidly beating heart. “That was beautiful. Even though I wanted to get married here, in my home, part of me really wanted a beach wedding. Seems like I got that too.”

  The sound of a truck pulling up with the heavy chug of a diesel engine had Jazz slipping out of bed. She peered through the blinds as I heard the telltale beep beep of the truck reversing. “It must be the truck delivering the flowers.”

  I hadn’t even seen the garden at the back of the house since it had been set up for the wedding. I slipped out of the warm cocoon of the bed to join Jazz. “Can I help with anything today. Please don’t make me sit up here like some princess while you do all the work. You need time to get ready too, Maid of Honor.”

  “Pshh,” Jazz emitted the sound of dismissal. “Please. I have Nicole and Joey helping me. The tables and chairs are already set up. The caterer is doing the tablecloths. The florist has done the bouquets, Hector from the Grill is coming with his cousin to help me lay the tables.”

  I looked out the window and saw that, indeed, chairs were already set up in rows in one corner of the yard in front of a wooden arbor and swing we had installed during the remodel and landscaping. Though the swing had been removed, and boughs of twiggy vine had been wrapped around the frame, I knew the florist would be decorating it with boughs we’d designed. I couldn’t wait to see it later. Below us, round tables and chairs were set up interspersed with heat lamps here and there. And to the right, long tables in a line indicated where the bar and food serving areas would be. Later the tables would be laid with white linen and burlap and strewn with candles and the floral and feather bundles. Attached to the house, and strung over the yard to the trees, were strings and strings of lights that would be turned on when the sun set tonight just after five p.m.

  Jazz took my hand and squeezed. “It’s going to be stunning. And so far only the caterer has realized it’s you and not Nicole getting married since her crew last night was there. We’ve sworn them to secrecy, but you know these things have a way of coming out. I called Sheriff Graves this morning and after the guests arrive he’s going to close off Butler Avenue and redirect traffic, so we don’t get any unwanted parking and trying to get pictures. You know the local news team will want to get a sniff ...” She took a final look through the blinds. “Give them a break from reporting on alligators and bingo night.”

  I snorted. Growing up it had been a joke that nothing interesting ever happened in Butler Cove. Now that we were adults, we knew how very blessed we were by that.

  “And you’re sure no one recognized you on Wednesday when you drove inland?”

  “No one. We drove two hours to Hampton County. I think the guy at the licenses desk is going to work there until he dies at his desk. Poor little man was like, ninety.” It had taken long minutes for him just to cross the one room government building with his cane to get the registration form out of a filing cabinet. And about twenty minutes to figure out how to get the copy machine to work. Eventually Jack had asked if he could help and refilled the paper tray.

  “Okay,” said Jazz. “You relax, take a bath, have something to eat. Charlotte’s coming over at eleven. Hair and makeup lady will be here at noon. Lunch at one. Dressing you at two. Pictures at three. Then we come up here and regroup for thirty minutes before you walk down there and make that stunning movie star your husband forever.”

  “Phew.” I grabbed Jazz for a hug. “Thank you for this. For making this the very best day I could ever imagine.”

  She hugged me back. “Shhh. Day hasn’t happened yet. Don’t jinx it.”

  “It will be perfect. It already is.”

  My phone beeped.

  “That’ll be your movie star, I’ll bet.” She winked at me and slipped out the door.

  I picked up my phone and grabbed the glass of orange juice from the breakfast tray.

  Jack: Morning, Beautiful.

  Me: Morning, Husband-to-be.

  Jack: I wish I was with you right now. I can’t wait to see you. Did you sleep well? I was too keyed up to sleep much.

  Me: Uh-oh. I hope you won’t be too tired for our wedding night. *Wink*

  Jack: Never. In. A. Million. Years.

  Me: It’s going to be the longest day ever until I get to see you.

  Jack: I know. I feel the same.

  The day became a dream. A mist I had to walk through to get to Jack. I relaxed, I bathed, I laughed with Charlotte, I had a girls’ lunch with Charlotte, Monica, Jazz, Nicole and Lizzie, and Mrs. Weaton. Then Jazz, Charlotte, and Mrs. Weaton stayed. All the while the photographer took pictures of us getting ready. I was primped and plucked and painted. Dressed and trussed and spritzed. I slipped silky stockings up my legs and snapped them to the white lace garter belt I’d bought, knowing Jack would love it. My feet were encased in satin ballet flats. I clasped Nana’s pearls at my neck.

  Mrs. Weaton tucked a small hair comb with a piece of blue lapis that had been my mother’s into the waves that were swept into a loose up do with a simple thin silver band around my crown.

  Jazz brought the bouquet in a long box and handed it to me. Roses and curly willow, olive branches, and a couple of long elegant pheasant feathers cascaded downwards. I gasped when I saw it and took it carefully out of the box, holding it against me. There was silence and I looked up to find everyone staring at me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Oh,” Charlotte started on a sigh and her eyes filled.

  “Don’t cry,” yelped Jazz. “Nobody cry. We’ll ruin our makeup. Blink, blink, blink. Dammit. Blink them away. She’s not the most breathtaking bride you ever saw. This is not the most incredible day ever. Nobody cry!” she yelled.

  Jazz’s outburst served to break the tension as we all burst out laughing.

  “But, holy shit, K. You have to see yourself.” Jazz opened the wardrobe so I could see myself in the long mirror.

  And I caught my breath.

  The dress skimmed close to my body over my hips where it gently flared at my ankles. It had a low vee in the front and an even lower back. It was sexy. But the whole dress was overlaid with delicate and sheer antique lace. Lace covered my arms to the wrists and my whole back, done up with a single row of satin-covered buttons. Though my décolleté was left bare. It was elegant and almost otherworldly. And with the bouquet draped against the dress. “I’m a bride,” I whispered in awe.

  I stared at myself, my makeup was natural, but it was the best I’d ever looked. Even when I’d been made up for Jack’s Hollywood events. My eyes were the bluest I’d ever seen, my cheeks gently blushed with pink, my lips with a natural sheen. I looked like I was in a magazine. “This isn’t real,” I said.

  My mother looked at me through my eyes. I could see Nana, too. I blinked and knew they were here with me. In my heart. In this very room.

  Jazz, wearing a dove gray silk dress that clung to her curves, came and stood next to me.

  “Look at us,” I said. “In my heart, we’re still in middle school talking about boys. Wondering who we’ll marry one day. Or in high school talking about hot movie stars.”

  “And here we are. And you’re marrying the boy.
The hot movie star.”

  “And the most beautiful soul. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.”

  Charlotte laid a hand on my shoulder, talking to my reflection. “And he’s the luckiest man in the world. And so am I to be gaining you as a daughter.”

  I turned, laying the bouquet back in its box for now, and pulled Charlotte into a gentle hug so I didn’t ruin our dresses.

  A knock sounded.

  Jazz frowned. “Who is it?”

  “Joey,” my brother called. “I heard you yelling a few minutes ago. Everyone okay in there?”

  Jazz pulled the door open. “Fine,” she said. “I was just ordering people not to cry and ruin our makeup.”

  My brother, in a light gray suit, stood outside the door, his face registering awe as he took in Jazz from head to tow. “Wow,” he said. “You look stunning.”

  Jazz grinned. “Thanks. So do you. But wait ’til you see your sister.”

  Joey looked over at me and didn’t say anything for long moments.

  I smiled nervously.

  “You look,” his voice hitched, and he cleared it. “You look ...” he inhaled deeply through his nose, seemingly unable to speak. Then he looked up at the ceiling and blew out a breath before facing me again. “You are beautiful. And you remind me of ...”

  He lost his voice again.

  Jazz reached out and took his hand.

  “Mom,” I said.

  He nodded, and letting go of Jazz, walked over to me. “Yeah,” he whispered, his eyes wet, and kissed my forehead. “Good luck today, kiddo. Not that you need it.”

  “How’s Jack doing?” I asked. The guys were getting ready at Devon’s.

  “Jittery, actually. It’s kind of endearing.”

  “Nervous?”

  “Not of marrying you. Excited. And totally impatient. He’s convinced the universe has made this the slowest day ever.”

  “I know the feeling.”

  “Well, it’s just an hour to go now. And Jack’ll be here in thirty minutes, so we better get on with having pictures so he doesn’t see you when he gets here.”

  The next hour flew by, and I was back in my bedroom overlooking the yard as people took their seats. The arbor was dripping with fresh white roses. The sun was low in the sky. A small three-person band was playing acoustically to the left of the ceremony space.

  “Okay.” Jazz poked her head in the door. “Charlotte, Mrs. Weaton, it’s time for you to be escorted down the aisle.”

  I gave them each a kiss on the cheek and waited at the window. The energy outside shifted, people turned in their seats. Below me, Nick emerged and walked down the aisle. Then I saw the top of Jack’s dark head as he escorted his mother from the house and down the steps. I held my breath. He was also wearing a gray suit, like Joey, who was right behind them escorting Mrs. Weaton. Jack and his mother made it to the front of the ceremony area, where he kissed her cheek and she sat.

  He turned, and the low afternoon sun touched his face.

  My breath caught.

  Damn, but the man was beautiful. My eyes lingered and then roamed downward. And wow, he could wear a suit. It fit him perfectly, a darker gray tie and white shirt at his throat. A boutonniere was pinned to his lapel.

  I couldn’t wait to see his eyes up close.

  His dark hair was naturally mussed up because of the way he ran his hands through it, which by the looks of, was a lot. As if he could tell, his hand went up and brushed it down as he smiled nervously at everyone and went to stand at the front.

  Joey had walked back to the house, since he’d be giving me away.

  “You’re up,” said Jazz from the bedroom door.

  I gathered the bouquet and joined her, following her down the stairs.

  Jack’s stepdad stood at the bottom ready to escort Jazz.

  “You look beautiful,” he said gruffly and leaned down to kiss my cheek.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “So as soon as Jeff and I make it to the front,” Jazz instructed, “the band is going to start to play your song. Wait until she hits the second verse. As soon as she starts, that’s your queue. Take your time. Everyone is going to want to see you, so walk slowly.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Jazz and thank you.”

  “Anytime, bestie.”

  She walked out the door on Jeff’s arm.

  Joey and I stood in the quiet of the old house, my childhood home, and I felt its loving arms embrace me.

  “I’m so proud of you,” said Joey.

  “Thank you,” I said. “For everything. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” He turned and faced the door, offering me his arm.

  I took it, slipping my hand into the crook of his elbow, and we waited quietly with no more words needed between us.

  The music outside died down, then a single strum of an acoustic guitar sounded, and a girl’s voice, rich and soft, began singing.

  I should have known Jazz would take my silly song request, “Halo,” and turn it into a heart stopping emotional high point to the proceedings. The hair on my arms raised up at the stark emotion imbued into the words by the singer. Wow.

  The acoustic guitar picked up the gap between verses.

  And then it was time. As the girl’s voice began the words—hits me like a ray of sun burning through my darkest night—I stepped outside, and my eyes found Jack’s.

  Twenty-Six

  I stepped out of my childhood home onto the back porch, blinking a little. There was a cold breeze that swept over me and through my dress, raising gooseflesh across my skin. At my side was the warmth and solidity of my brother. In front of me, past the small sea of friendly, wonder-filled gazes, was my future.

  The sun was setting somewhere to our right, and the view in front of me was cast in gold.

  Jack’s eyes were on me.

  He looked intent.

  He looked awed.

  His mouth dropped open incrementally, and I sensed rather than saw at this distance that he took a deep breath. Perhaps he felt as breathless as I did.

  His lips moved. “Wow,” he mouthed. And then his jaw got tense the way it did when he was trying to control his emotions.

  It was a monumental effort to pull my gaze away from Jack’s to make sure I didn’t fall ass over tit down the stairs. But the hand holding my bouquet had to pinch up my long dress as we neared the steps leading down to the garden. I negotiated them carefully.

  As soon as I was connected with Jack’s eyes again, the walk and everyone I passed seemed to drift away. It was Jack and me. Only us.

  And then I was in front of him. His eyes gleamed alternately green and gray, brought out by the color of his suit. A lock of his dark hair fell across his brow. His mouth tilted up at the side, and his dimple broke free.

  My chest squeezed, and I let out a long slow breath to calm my pulse.

  “Wow,” he whispered on a breath. “You look amazing.”

  “Who gives this woman to be wed?” Nick asked, breaking through the moment.

  Jack’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t stop looking at me.

  “I do,” said Joey. And after a moment he laughed.

  I looked at him. His eyebrows were raised. Oh yeah, I remembered from the rehearsal the night before, I was supposed to thank Joey. “Sorry,” I muttered, my cheeks beating with heat and turned to him. “Thank you.”

  He leaned down to kiss me on the cheek. “You’re welcome, kiddo,” he whispered. “I’m so happy for you.” He smiled and went to sit down.

  Jazz stepped up and took my bouquet.

  I turned back to Jack. Behind him stood his stepfather as his best man. I smiled at Jeff and he winked back at me.

  “Welcome, everyone,” Nick began, “to the ceremony joining this man and this woman in heart and soul for the rest of their lives on this earth.”

  Nick’s take on the traditional service, that he called a Humanist Celebration when he
’d described it, apparently followed the traditional order of events. Just with more inclusive, secular language. Not that I’d know since I hadn’t been to a lot of weddings in my life.

  Then suddenly Jack was talking.

  “I, Jack Eversea,” he began. “Am utterly in love with you, Keri Ann Butler.”

  I inhaled sharply. The memory of the first time he’d said those words to me burst through my mind. I remembered how I’d thrown them back in his face. My heart pounded with memories, raw, painful, and beautiful all at once and with gratitude at how far we’d come. I blinked rapidly, the emotions crawling up from my chest, threatening my composure.

  Jack, seeing my response, smiled reassuringly and squeezed my hands in his. “And I take you, Keri Ann Butler, to be my lawfully wedded wife. For all the days I’ve been lucky enough to be on this earth, and for all the days to come, I place myself at your feet. Take my heart into your care. For it will beat for you only as long as there is light in the day, as long as there are stars in the night, and as long as there is blood in my veins. I will love you until my last breath. And I will love you even beyond. For as many lifetimes as we are granted.”

  I dragged in a breath. A tight blink spilled a tear onto my cheek. Unable to use my hands because Jack clasped them so tightly, I left it there.

  I’d never thought much about what marriage actually meant to some people, and why some wanted it so badly and others felt it was a useless piece of paper.

  But then suddenly, I knew.

  It was like, in this moment, our love for each other became one unified thing. Flooded together, it was a limitless, bottomless storming ocean. No, a galaxy with an exploding hot center. And I imagined I could feel what Jack felt, as if I was in his galaxy. Our galaxy. How he saw me, the emotions he felt. Why he wanted to marry me. Why he’d always wanted to from the very beginning. Because it was a place where we could let the wildness free. Joining together would create a place so anchored, so sure, we wouldn’t have to keep our love contained or tamed. It would be like the universe suddenly unbound, expanding and billowing outwards with no end. And it would be bigger than either of us could have ever imagined.