by Lily Thorn
Cade put his head in his hands. He was going to singlehandedly destroy everything his family had built.
The phone rang. Cade snatched it up, wildly hoping that Ed had taken mercy on him and decided to waive the permit fees. “Hello?”
“Hi, I was wondering if you had a space available for a wedding this Friday?” A woman’s voice filtered through. “I’m sorry it’s such short notice, but my daughter has trouble making big decisions. At least she’s sure about the groom!”
Cade made himself laugh. It wasn’t difficult. He had years of experience slipping into customer service mode. “This Friday, you said? Yes, we have an opening. We can do the ceremony and reception on site.”
“That’s perfect. And will the photographer who took the star photo be there? The one where everything’s reflected in the lake? My daughter saw that photo online and insists that she needs the same photographer.”
“Of course,” Cade said, “she’ll definitely be there.”
“That’s fantastic,” the woman said, immeasurable relief in her voice. “Kristen’s going to be thrilled.”
Too bad it would take much more than this one wedding to get enough money for the permits. Cade bit back a sigh. “Let me get your details so we can reserve your date,” he said, doing his best to sound cheerful.
He wrote down all the information, telling the woman where to send her deposit. After assuring her he’d see her on Friday, he hung up the phone, feeling drained.
Cade shuffled into the hall. Now he had more work to do, and none of it would help them put in the lift. At the top of the stairs, Jupiter whined, shoving his cold nose into Cade’s palm.
“It’s all right, Jupe. Everything will be fine.” He scratched the dog behind the ears, earning some resounding thumps of Jupiter’s tail.
“Cade?” Tess swung her door open. “Is everything all right? I thought I heard trucks.”
“Everything’s fine,” Cade said. “They’re gone now.”
“Oh.” Tess padded down the hall in her bare feet. “I thought they might be here to help build the lift.”
He couldn’t tell her. Not now. “That’ll happen soon enough. I have some good news, though.”
“What?” She looked up at him, eyes wide.
“We’re having another wedding this Friday. The bride saw your star trail photo online, and has to have you as her photographer.”
“Really?” Tess put a hand to her mouth. “That’s amazing!”
“But not surprising,” he said. Her joy was infectious. At least everything wasn’t horrible.
Cade heard a car pull up outside. He frowned. “Who could that possibly be?” He descended the stairs, Tess at his side.
They went through the double doors in time to see Coop tap on the side of a taxi. “Thanks for the ride!” he called as the taxi retreated.
“Mom? Dad?” Cade stared at them. “You’re back?”
“It’s been two weeks, hasn’t it?” Coop dragged a suitcase out of the drive. “There’s only so much rum you can drink, Cade, even in the Florida Keys.”
“And have you smuggled a few gallons of rum back here?” Their pile of luggage seemed much larger than the one they’d left with.
“Oh, that?” His mother waved him off. “It’s just a few gifts.”
“Gifts?” Cade held back a groan. He could only imagine.
Coop looked up the mountain. “I would have thought you’d have a crew in here by now. What’s the estimated date of completion?”
“Now, now, dear,” Julie said. “We passed that task on to Cade for a reason.”
“I’m working on it, Dad,” Cade said. He didn’t want to let his parents down. They’d trusted him, and now he had to clean up his own mess. “I put down a deposit. I think we can get work started soon.”
“Good,” Coop growled, “because it’s getting late.”
“Coop.” Julie nudged him with an elbow. “Cade has things under control.”
Cade desperately wished that were true.
“There isn’t any extra money, is there?” he asked, trying to sound casual. “For our future projects?”
Coop narrowed his eyes. “Why do you ask?”
“We gave you access to everything we have,” Julie said. “If you want more, you’re going to have to wait until Bearview turns a profit.”
“Thanks, Mom. I just wanted to check.” Shit. By the time the lodge turned ten thousand dollars in profit, summer would most likely be over.
“All right,” Coop said. “Where is everyone? We have gifts.”
“And who is this?” his mother asked, looking at Tess. “Aren’t you going to introduce us, Cade?”
“Oh, sorry. Mom, this is Tess, the wedding photographer I hired. Tess, these are my parents.”
Tess was beginning to open her mouth to say hello when Cade’s mother wrapped her in a hug.
“Hello, Tess! You can call me Julie.” His mother beamed.
Cade grinned at Tess’s stunned expression.
“Coop.” His father stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Anyway,” Julie said, “we have shirts for everyone.” She pulled a stack out of a suitcase. “Even you, Tess.”
“Really?” Tess’s eyes were shining.
“Of course! You’re part of the family now. Here, you can have your pick of the shirts. This one might not be too big.”
Tess clutched the light blue shirt with a sailfish splashed across the front that Julie handed to her. “Thank you so much,” she said.
“Are you sure you don’t want a different one?” Julie asked.
Tess shook her head. “I love it.”
“This one’s for you, Cade.” His mother held a Key Largo shirt up to his shoulders. “Yep, this will definitely fit.”
“You didn’t bring us any rum?”
Coop winked. “That’s for later.”
Julie picked up a bag.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Coop said. “Let me get that.” He gave his wife a kiss. “We’ll make the boys bring up the rest.”
“You spoil me.” Julie took his hand. “Cade, I’ll be back soon. I want to discuss a project with you and Tess.”
His parents walked into the lodge as Tess stared after them.
“Are they real?” she asked in a low voice.
“What, did you not expect a shirt?”
“I didn’t,” she said, holding it close.
“You don’t have to wear it,” Cade said.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I mean, if sailfish are your style…”
“Hey, sailfish are cool.” She folded the shirt. “But seriously, are they putting on an act?”
He furrowed his brow. “An act?”
“Yeah, are they pretending to be that in love just because I’m here?”
Cade laughed. “That’s how they are all the time.”
“Really?”
“Granted, it might be worse after coming back from a romantic getaway. But I don’t think they would bother keeping up an act for almost three decades.”
Tess’s jaw dropped. “They’ve been married for thirty years?”
“Almost. I think their next anniversary is their thirtieth, actually. This New Year’s.”
Tess seemed deep in concentration. “And they still love each other after all this time?”
“It can happen, you know,” Cade said gently. “Love can last a lifetime.”
He wished she would believe him.
Chapter Thirteen
WHEN JULIE HAD asked Tess and Cade to do her a favor, Tess had agreed immediately. Cade’s mother was so warm and welcoming—so unlike Tess’s own. Now, Tess was wondering what she’d gotten herself into. This could go so badly.
“It’s in here somewhere, I promise,” Julie called from deep inside a walk-in closet.
Tess shivered. This was all very weird.
“I love the website,” Julie had said earlier. “The pictures you added are brilliant, Tess. But I’d like to do a
photoshoot ourselves, if you wouldn’t mind helping with that. I want some images that we’re totally in control of.”
It had seemed like a great idea. What Tess hadn’t known was that she wouldn’t be behind the lens for the photoshoot.
“Here it is!” Julie emerged from the closet, holding a garment bag. Carefully, she unzipped it. “Let’s hope no moths fly out.”
She held up the dress, the flowing white fabric whispering on the air. The bodice and sleeves were an intricate lace. Tess swallowed. The dress was classic, timeless. There was just one problem—it was a wedding dress.
“Try it on,” Julie said. “Don’t worry if it doesn’t fit. We can always pin it back.”
Cade’s mother held out the dress, and Tess had no choice but to take it. She hoped Julie didn’t see that her hands were trembling. Tess had never thought she’d wear a wedding dress.
Julie put a hand over her eyes. “Let me know when you need me to button you up.”
Tess stepped out of her clothes. For a moment, she debated whether she could take advantage of Julie’s temporary blindness and sprint away. But no, they had already paid her generously. This was part of the gig, and she’d just have to deal with it.
Sucking in her stomach, Tess turned to the dress. What if it was far too small for her? She’d never forgive herself if she tore Julie’s dress. Gingerly, she pulled it over her hips.
“Do you have it on yet?” Julie asked.
“Almost…”
“Well, get a move on, girl. It’s a dress, not an antique. Not yet, anyway.”
At least Julie was amused. Tess put her hands through the sleeves, bracing herself in case of a rip.
“I have most of it on,” she said nervously.
Julie took her hand from her face, but left it hanging in midair. “Oh, Tess. You look incredible!” Were those tears forming in her eyes?
“Sorry.” Julie fanned her face. “It’s a bit silly to get emotional when no one’s actually getting married. Let’s button you up.” Bustling around, she began fastening the gossamer buttons that went down the length of the dress’s back.
“I can’t believe this,” Julie said as she fastened the last one. “It looks like a perfect fit.” She swung open one of her closet doors to reveal a full-length mirror.
Tess almost didn’t recognize the stunning woman who looked back at her. The dress hugged her in all the right places, emphasizing her curves in the best possible ways. The elegant lace was balanced by the light and airy skirt. Tess barely dared to breathe. She felt like she could float.
“It’s fabulous on you,” Julie said, “like you were meant to wear it.” Dabbing at her eyes, she picked up a hairbrush. “Well, back to business. If we stand around too long basking in your beauty, we’re going to lose the light.”
She patted a stool next to the vanity, motioning for Tess to sit. “You don’t mind if I do your hair up really quick, do you?”
“Of course not,” Tess stammered. She still was having trouble getting over how Julie had called her beautiful.
Gently, Julie ran the brush through Tess’s hair. Tess watched in the mirror as she made careful braids, pinning them around Tess’s head. The result was simple, but stylish. Putting one last pin in place, Julie set the rest aside.
Tess admired her hair in the mirror. “Thank you,” she said, “it looks spectacular!”
Julie stared at Tess’s hair, her mouth in a tight line.
“Is everything all right?” Tess asked.
“I’m sorry, honey, I swear I’m not usually this crazy. It’s just—I have seven sons. Do you know how wonderful it feels to be able to style a girl’s hair?”
They both laughed. As Julie put the hairbrush and the pins away, Tess realized that it was the first time a mother had made up her hair. She exhaled, not wanting her own mother to intrude on her thoughts. Kim Holt would never win Mother of the Year, but she had done her best.
“Stand up,” Julie said. “Twirl. What do you think?”
Tess eyed herself like she was assessing a prop in a shoot. “It’s amazing, but the ensemble’s missing something…”
“You’re right. And I know just what it is.” Julie reached into a drawer. “Try this.” She looped a silver pendant around Tess’s neck. “How does that look?”
Tess fingered the shining teardrop. “It’s beautiful!”
“It was my mother’s.” Julie smiled. “It looks right on you.”
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to wear?”
“I’m positive. Jewelry was made to be worn, after all, not to molder in some dusty drawer.” Julie stepped back, admiring her. “You’re not going to get any more bridal. Let’s go see how my men are doing.”
Tess trailed Julie to the gazebo, feeling oddly nervous. It was strange enough that she was going to play a bride, but now she had to meet her fake groom.
She gasped when she saw the gazebo. Cade’s brothers had transformed it. Lanterns spilled down the steps, all of them lit with flickering candles. The sun was glowing orange, and a gentle breeze was rolling through. The scene looked like it was straight from a fairytale. All it needed to be complete was a Prince Charming.
“There you are,” Julie said.
Cade turned, devastatingly handsome in a gray suit and navy tie. He filled it out perfectly, though his arms seemed to strain the sleeves a bit. The sight of him made Tess stop in her tracks.
“Tess?” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “Is that you?”
“Of course that’s her,” Julie said, “now stop gawking. We’re going to start losing the light soon, aren’t we, Tess?”
“That’s right.” Somehow, she managed to tear her eyes away from Cade. This was a photoshoot. It was another job, not a real wedding. She had to snap out of her reverie. “Let me just set up the tripod.”
She adjusted the equipment while Julie scolded her son for not combing his hair.
“Mom,” he growled. “My hair is fine.”
“It’s going every which way. This is why you use combs, Cade. Do you even have one?” His mother attacked him with her own. “Did your father not help you get ready?”
“What,” he asked, “do you not think I’m handsome?”
“Don’t even start with me, Cade Boone, or I won’t bother being gentle with this comb.”
“That was you being gentle? How did Tess survive? Ow!”
Tess tried not to giggle. “The camera’s ready,” she said.
“Do you need any help?” Julie asked.
“I don’t think so. I have a remote shutter.” Tess held up the device. “You can watch the camera display to make sure we’re in frame.”
“Excellent. Oh, just one last thing.” Julie produced a length of tulle from her pocket. “You need a veil, Tess.” She fastened it in Tess’s hair. “That’s fantastic. Okay, let’s get started.”
“Here.” Cade handed her a bouquet of wildflowers.
Tess clutched it. “Where did you get this?”
“They’re wildflowers.” He gestured to the flowers beyond the clearing. “I knew I’d have time. My mom never gets ready for anything quickly.”
“I heard that,” Julie said. “All right, you two, places!”
Tess walked into the gazebo with Cade. She couldn’t believe he had made her a bouquet. No one had ever given her flowers before.
They turned and faced each other, as if they were saying their vows. Tess stared up at Cade’s dark eyes, her heart thudding. He was so close to her. Almost like he wanted to lean in for a kiss.
Click. Tess whirled. Julie was behind her camera, finger on the shutter.
“Sorry,” she said. “You two just looked so good right then. I can take some more if you don’t mind, Tess.”
“All right.” It was so strange, being in front of the camera instead of behind it. She felt like an animal on display.
“Relax,” Cade whispered. “You look stunning.”
“Do I?” Tess smiled up at him. At least he was here. His presenc
e was oddly comforting.
Click. Tess flinched.
“Doing great,” Julie called. “Keep it up, you two!”
“Don’t worry,” Cade said, “this’ll be over soon.”
Tess watched as the sun sank lower. “It’ll have to be.”
Click. Click.
“Because of the light? We’ll be fine. We have tons of lanterns, not to mention you. You’re radiant.”
Tess blushed.
Clickclickclick.
“Can you guys hold hands?” Julie asked. “That’s great.”
The shutter whirred.
“Now, Cade, lift off her veil. Tess, look into his eyes.”
Tess obeyed, forcing herself to meet Cade’s gaze. She could get lost in those eyes. They were so warm, and quite familiar by now. His eyes felt like home.
Clickclick.
“Okay,” Julie said. “Tess, how about you put your head on his chest? No, like you actually like him. Turn this way, but close your eyes. Put your arms around him. Yes, Cade, you do the same. Small smile, Tess. That’s it.”
Clickclickclick.
Tess didn’t mind being wrapped in Cade’s arms at all. His scent was calming, and made her feel more steady on her feet. He always made her feel better, enough that a part of her almost wished this were real.
She broke away, heart racing. What was she thinking?
“Is that enough photos?” she asked Julie.
“You tell me. You’re the expert.”
Stepping down from the gazebo, Tess jogged across the grass. Fortunately, she didn’t have to wear heels for this shoot.
Julie turned over the camera, and Tess thumbed through the pictures she’d taken so far. They were all framed well, with good lighting and focus.
“These will do,” Tess said.
“That’s one way to put it.” Julie grinned. “You’re both great actors. From these photos, it looks like you’re actually in love.”
Tess felt herself blush. Luckily, Julie was focused on the pictures.
“Let me take this,” Tess said, detaching the camera from the tripod. “I need to look through the photos and edit the best ones. I should be able to put them up on the website tomorrow.”
“That’s wonderful,” Julie said. “Put those lanterns out, Cade. Come on, Tess, I’ll help you out of that dress.”