“I’d like to dance with my wife, Aaron.” His tone was harsh and biting, and made Nicole flinch. Aaron and Ryan seemed locked in a silent battle for an awkward moment, then Aaron released her.
“Congrats, Nicki.” He blew her a kiss and walked away. His jaw clenched, Ryan took her by the hand and wrapped his arms around her. As his focus shifted to her, she watched him attempt at a smile that fell flat.
“A little over the top there, sport.” Nicole managed in a calm tone, standing firm and refusing to dance. His drunken eyes fixed on hers and the look her gave her warned her not to start a fight.
“How about if tonight is just about the two of us. For once.” He said it in a stage whisper, but Nicole looked around to be sure no one was within earshot. Ryan seemed to gather his wits and pulled her closer. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you alone for so long.”
“Poetic words, Ry,” Nicole responded, and a million little moments passed between them. Their fights, the breakup, and all the times he’d left her alone with Aaron to occupy her time. She saw the wheels turning behind Ryan’s eyes and the sudden look of determination he wore failed to surprise her.
“Dance with me, my lovely Cheesehead bride.”
Nicole blew out a deep breath and shoved her hands deeply into the pockets of her winter coat. She looked away from Ryan’s grave and cast her eyes out at the partially frozen river peeking through the barren trees. She set her jaw and turned back to Ryan.
“I love you, ya know. And I know you loved me. I think that’s why we were such experts at hurting one another.” She stopped as she tried to thrust away the constricting sensation in her throat.
“You knew Aaron and I loved each other before we did. All your stupid accusations about him weren’t bullshit. Dammit, Ry. I wish you could fucking talk back to me. I’d just love to hear that infamous Ryan Harper commentary about now.”
Birds sang to each other in nearby trees and the wind whistled quietly. She heard the distant sound of traffic on the interstate. She waited to hear his voice, but the utter absence of him made her burst into liberated tears.
A few minutes later, she wiped the tears away with the back of her palms. Pulling the shining gold band from her pocket, she surveyed the inscription engraved on it. It was Latin, and Ryan had told her it said: “Our love is forever.” She’d brought it along with the intention of leaving it, but on the ride out had decided to keep it for Ike. She put it back in her pocket.
“Aaron and I are getting married today. It would be awesome if today could just be about us. It's time for you and I to let each other go.” She turned, and without looking back, made her way toward her Jeep and back to Aaron Foster.
“Avery, you’re glowing. I take it things are going well?” Lauren placed a tablecloth over one of the tables at CoffeeSmith’s. Aaron and Nicole’s wedding was scheduled for 2:00 P.M., and though Nic wasn’t concerned with details, Lauren and Avery had made a pact to make it as lovely as possible. Avery simply nodded in response to Lauren’s probing, her hand going to the stunning turquoise necklace from Shilah.
“Oh. Did I tell you I accepted an offer on my house?” Avery smiled at the surprised reaction she got from Lauren.
“What the hell? I didn’t even know you were selling your house.”
“Yeah. Honestly, it just had too many bad memories and too much space. I just need to simplify my life and move forward.”
“Okay. That’s great and all, but where are you going to live?”
“I have something in mind.” She smiled to herself at the thought of buying Nicole’s house. It was perfect now that Nic had worked her magic in it, and it certainly held nicer memories. She had considered inviting Shilah to join her, but wanted to wait a little bit longer for them both to get their footing as a couple again.
Jules appeared in the kitchen doorway carrying two serving trays. They finished covering tables with champagne-colored tablecloths and put out simple white flower arrangements and fixings for afternoon tea.
The bell chimed on the door, and Shilah and Jack entered CoffeeSmith’s carrying crates of champagne glasses. They both seemed nervous.
“Hey babe?” Shilah set his box down on the nearest table and rubbed his palms together. Avery turned expectantly to him.
“Yes?”
“Okay. Here’s what happened. I had to slam on my brakes because Lauren’s babysitter was on her cell phone and pulled out in front of me. The other box of glasses slipped off the back seat.”
“They were spares, Shilah. Stuff like this always happens.” She shrugged.
“Where do you want this wine glass Christmas tree?” Jack asked as he stared at a diagram Nicole had drawn.
“What are you talking about Jack? You mean the champagne fountain? God, you are such a redneck.” Lauren laughed at him. Avery watched as Jack held up the picture for Shilah.
“Yep. Wine glass Christmas tree. Nailed it,” Shilah agreed.
The bell chimed again and as Sean and Trish walked in with Aaron, Jack turned to Lauren.
“Where the hell is the silencer for that thing? I cannot listen to that shit all day!” he complained.
“Dead man walking,” Shilah called loudly and Avery elbowed him. Aaron grinned at them both from ear to ear.
“Where’s my blushing bride?”
“You’ll see her when the music starts,” Lauren replied.
“That’s stupid,” Aaron complained.
“That’s tradition. It’s the only traditional thing she insisted on, and I am holding her to that shit,” Avery informed them all. Aaron shrugged off his pea coat and looked down at his gray suit jacket.
“Anyone got a lint brush?” Aaron asked. Sean whipped one out of his inside pocket and held it out to him. Jack laughed and clapped his hands together.
“What?” Sean’s eyes darted defensively.
“A man’s not a man unless he carries a lint brush.” Jack smirked. Sean rolled his eyes and picked up his guitar case. Avery directed him to the back of the café, where he set up to play near the bank of windows overlooking the deck and the river. Avery thought they’d done a nice job of decorating the wedding arch with flowers, pearls, and greenery. Jack shooed Shilah away after he nearly dropped two additional champagne glasses. He spent the next ten minutes erecting a perfect pyramid of glasses, to the obvious shock and awe of his wife.
Lauren and Avery ran the red aisle runner from the front of the restaurant to the arch by the windows. Lauren huffed and puffed a little toward the end, and Avery bit her tongue. She didn’t want Lauren going all hormonal on her.
Avery looked over in time to see Aaron pull two ring boxes out of his inside pocket. He opened them and handed the rings to Shilah. She couldn’t make out what they were saying to each other, but Shilah wore a proud and honored expression that tugged at Avery’s heartstrings. She smiled, and at that very moment, Shilah looked her way. Seeing her, he looked delighted and blushed. Aaron leaned in and whispered to Shilah, who laughed and shook his head. Aaron’s sardonic expression caused Avery to roll her eyes.
The irritating doorbell chimed again. Jack swore at the interruptive sound and Lauren’s babysitter, Shaina, entered with Ike and Lauren’s girls in tow. Avery crossed the room to Shaina, whose pale eyes looked fretful. She took Ike from her.
“I tried to keep him clean, but he already has ketchup on his suit.” Avery fixed Ike with a scolding look and Ike gave her a charming grin. Though she fought a valiant effort, her face broke into a dazzling smile.
“He’s fine,” Avery replied, spotting the two perfect red fingerprints on his cream-colored suit coat. Shaina looked relieved at her response and crossed to Jules, who placed several serving bowls of lemon curd and Devonshire cream onto the buffet table. Avery watched as Shaina reached out and tapped Jules on the shoulder. Jules turned and smiled at her. Shaina reached out and tucked a strand of Jules’s hair behind her ear. Avery turned to Lauren and noticed she was also watching the exchange. Lauren caught Avery’s eyes a
nd nodded with a pleased expression.
The doorbell rang once more and a small, bald man entered. He introduced himself as the Justice of the Peace and as Lauren took him to meet Aaron, Avery saw her parents pull up. When they reached the door, she juggled Ike to the other hip and opened it for them. Trailing after them, she saw the rest of the Harpers. Everyone wore nervous expressions, except her eldest nephew, Jake, who merely waved to her with a Ryan-like Cheshire grin.
“Grandpa!” Ike shouted, and Avery threw a sideways glance at Aaron. His surprise was obvious, but he straightened his tie, as if preparing for whatever might come.
“I’m glad you came,” Avery said as her father reached out and took Ike. John raised his eyebrows at her.
“Of course, we came, Avery,” Sandra replied pointedly and moved past her, making her way toward Aaron. John trailed after her, still carrying Ike.
“This place looks adorable. Lovely job.” Jo glanced around as she took off her coat.
“Thanks.”
“What is that supposed to be?” Her nephews, Jake and Andy, moved toward Jack, who stood on a chair pouring pink champagne into the glasses.
“Don’t come any closer,” Jack threatened. Sean approached the table and acted like he was going to remove a glass from the bottom.
“Want some champagne, Sean?” Jack drawled.
“I don’t drink pink anything,” Sean responded. Jake and Andy guffawed. Mitch waved and winked at Avery as held the door for Angela, who waddled through the door, followed closely by her husband. Faith and Anna raced up to her to compliment her dress. Lauren quickly stepped in and instructed Faith to have everyone sign the guestbook, and pulled Anna aside to give her pointers on her duties as candle lighter.
Avery made her way to where Aaron stood speaking with her parents. Aaron now held Ike, who continuously grabbed Aaron’s nose and made a strange honking sounds. As her mother reached out and readjusted Aaron’s boutonniere, she blinked rapidly, afraid of tearing up. She felt Shilah’s arms come around her and melted as he kissed her on the cheek.
Nicole smoothed her hands over her ivory silk dress. She placed one final bobby pin in her hair to secure the rose she wore and marveled at her own sense of calm. She’d been so nervous at her first wedding that she’d been unable to eat and barely slept the day before. This time she’d slept like a rock and was already picking at one of Lauren’s famous cinnamon scones.
She heard a light tap on the door and turned to see Avery poke her head in.
“Can I come in?”
“Sure.” Avery entered with two glasses of pink champagne. She handed one to Nicole and after Nicole took a drink and swallowed, she spoke.
“Dad would like to talk to you before the wedding.” Feeling her jaw drop, Nicole let the fact that they’d come sink in and searched Avery’s face for clues to the atmosphere downstairs. Avery sipped her champagne nonchalantly, and Nicole took another drink herself.
“All right.”
Avery walked to the door and opened it. “Dad, come in.”
John Harper entered the room and Avery vanished through the open door. His navy suit fit perfectly, and his bright smile momentarily reminded her of Ryan. He crossed purposefully to her and warmly embraced her.
“You look lovely.”
“I’m so happy you came,” she responded. As tears sprung to her eyes, she fanned her eyes and laughed at herself. “Don’t make me cry.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted to see if you needed someone to walk you down the aisle.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got that covered.” She smiled and he took both her hands in his. He looked her in the eye, and Nicole remembered the last time she saw so much emotion on his face was at the funeral. She cleared her throat and waited.
“Nic. Ryan came to see me after you found out you were pregnant with Ike. I recommended the counseling. I know things were more complicated than you ever let on. You’re a strong young lady, Nicole. I don’t know how you’ve managed like you have. I’m not sure I could have done the same.” She trembled at his words. Afraid she would sob like a baby if she spoke, she simply nodded. John had always been the father she wished she’d had. With unshed tears standing in his eyes he gave her another hug.
“Aaron’s a good man, Nicole. I’ve known him most of his life.”
She smiled at John and her tears began to fall along with his. All day she’d been fighting the urge to call Aaron, to run to him. They had so much time to make up for that any time apart seemed inexcusable. She glanced at the clock and saw it was five till two.
“There’s just one more thing I need to say,” John continued, again taking both her hands for emphasis. “It doesn’t matter what your last name is, you’ll always be welcome in the Harper home and we will always consider you family.”
Overcome, Nicole sobbed and hugged him tightly. When she finally released him, she laughed and sniffed loudly.
“Okay. Now you’re kicked out for making me have to do my makeup all over again.” She pointed dramatically at the door, and he mirrored her smile as he left.
After several minutes, Nicole composed herself enough to touch up her makeup and text Avery.
Nic: It’s go time.
Avery: Thank God! Ike has ketchup on his jacket and Aaron has lemon curd on his tie!!!
Nicole laughed at the image this news concocted and headed down the stairs. Avery met her at the bottom with Ike.
“I’m so damn happy for you guys.” Avery hugged Nic tightly. Nicole bit her lip to keep from shedding more tears and nodded silently. Avery handed her the bouquet and went ahead of her through the door. Nicole couldn’t resist a peek through the glass. Avery looked amazing; her dress was identical to her own, though Avery’s was mocha. She spotted Shilah, who looked dashing in his silver gray suit, and watched him offer his arm to Avery. Nicole could hear the faint sounds of an acoustic guitar playing. She knelt down to her little man, who sucked his thumb and looked through the window.
“Are you ready to go see Aaron?” she whispered enthusiastically. Ike’s face bloomed in a beautiful smile as he popped his thumb out of his mouth.
“Ready!”
Nicole opened the door and stepped inside, holding her bouquet in one hand and Ike’s hand in the other. She turned to her left and took in the murmuring crowd. Chairs scraped the floor as everyone stood in unison.
Sean began to play a different tune on the guitar that Nicole now recognized as “You and Me.” Her heart soared as her eyes met Aaron’s. His widened as he looked her up and down, shaking his head. Aaron’s golden brown hair perfectly contrasted his charcoal designer suit. She tilted her head and looked pointedly at the guitar. Scolding him with a disapproving look for his choice of music, she giggled when he responded with a cocky shrug and a dimply smile.
Ike released her hand with an ear-piercing squeal and dashed down the red carpet to Aaron. He slammed into Aaron’s legs, and the crowd roared with laughter as Aaron theatrically reacted impaled. With a joyous smile, Aaron hoisted Ike up into his arms. Barely aware of the beaming crowd around her, Nicole fearlessly made her way toward the two men who shared her heart. When she reached the arch, she passed her bouquet to Avery. Aaron shifted Ike to his other arm and she took his hand.
“You look unbelievable,” he whispered, and he leaned in and softly kissed her cheek. Their fingers intertwined and they turned to the Justice of the Peace. As the man began to speak, Nicole glanced past him at the breathtaking view of the river. The sense that she’d been destined to be here in this moment with Aaron all along permeated every fiber of her being. She felt Aaron squeeze her hand. Sneaking another peek at her soon-to-be husband, her heart fluttered as she caught him peeking back. Afternoon sunlight illuminated both Aaron and Ike, and Nicole wanted to bottle that moment. She ached to embrace them both, and as if he could read her mind, Aaron grinned and mouthed the words,
“I love you.”
Heather Halloran - Thanks for the clever feedback on age rela
ted costumes and language. We adore your spunk and love you madly for all your hard work on Word (blog). You are “in the trust” and you are a BAMF!
Karen Brown Zippe - Our real life Lauren Smith. Thanks for tolerating the emails, text messages, and phone calls. Thanks for being a subject matter expert on various uncomfortable topics. You are an inspiration!
Donna Sweet - You ROCK!!
Jay McAtee - We loved all of your witty commentary and your hysterical laughter! Look, Pa! No Aussies!
Andrea Randall - Our first and most passionate beta (Alpha Beta). Thanks for all of the avid interaction and for not only being a member of the Aaron “Fucking” Foster fan club, but also the president.
Vanessa Proehl - We owe you epically for bringing us into this tiny corner of the literary world. We’ll never forget that you were the first to pimp us out. Someone will fall into a bonfire someday in your honor.
Maggie Evans - For beta-ing Quest and our first book, Fury, and being so enthusiastic about it. We appreciate all of the early morning chats about the daily pages. Your passion for the characters really made it seem worthwhile. We’re so glad you were on board!
Mindy Badgett - Thanks for coming in with fresh eyes when the others had seen too much. You pressed us hard on motivations and gave your brutally honest opinions. Invaluable!
Les Pace - The real life inspiration for Aaron’s dimples and wicked sense of humor. Thanks for the ideas you lent and the insightful lectures regarding the male point of view.
Charles Sheehan-Miles - Our other straight male beta! We were so grateful to have a non-Aaron Foster male point of view. Thanks for the much needed feedback and taking time away from your hectic writing schedule to bring your thoughts to our chaotic round table.
Cover Artist: Michelle (Warren) Preast of IndieBookCovers - How can we ever thank you enough for our beautiful cover, bookmarks, and Facebook cover? You nailed our vision and were wonderful to work with.
Our editor, Lori Sabin - for your eagle eye and thoughtful contributions. You gracefully helped smooth out wrinkled edges and that help made all the difference.
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