by S. J. McCoy
The elevator arrived and they all stepped in.
~ ~ ~
Ben stepped out of the elevator and made his way to the front entrance. He was meeting Dan and Jack and some of the other guys there. He was looking forward to seeing his parents—in a way. He loved them. They were just different. He didn’t understand them—any more than they understood him. They were, as Lizzie had said, free spirits. They had a wanderlust that he hadn’t inherited. They spent most of their time roaming the country in a motor coach; a life that held no appeal for him. The resort was his life; Summer Lake was his home. He liked to work hard, make the most of every day. They seemed to spend their lives chasing tomorrow, chasing the next adventure. He shrugged. He didn’t. That was his problem. If he was honest, part of him was dreading seeing them, they always bugged him about finding a girl, getting married and settling down. Since all his friends had started doing that, his infrequent conversations with his parents had gotten more strained than usual. This particular visit promised to be excruciating—considering that Charlotte was going to be here. They adored her. They still talked about her. They never even considered what that did to him. It made sense, though; she was just like them, another one who’d wanted to chase tomorrow. He stopped dead, realizing that he’d overshot the lobby and was wandering away down a corridor. That was what thinking about Charlotte did for him. Got him lost and off track. He shook his head and turned around to retrace his footsteps. He needed to stay in the moment, find the guys. He’d have enough to deal with later. Having his parents and Charlotte here was going to be tough, to say the least.
He put a smile on his face as he spotted Dan waiting by the doors. He didn’t need to burden anyone with his problems. This was about Dan and Missy’s big day, not about his own regrets at never having one.
“Thanks for coming,” said Dan.
Ben nodded. Dan had called him as soon as Doc Morgan had said Missy’s dad would be okay to fly to join them. “I’m glad to. I was thinking, I could go back with Doc if you like?”
Dan cocked his head to one side. “I think it’ll be fine. I mean, Chance is there, between him and the Doc they should be okay.”
Ben nodded. He shouldn’t have even suggested it. He was trying to take the coward’s way out and not be here when Charlotte arrived.
Jack and Pete came striding through the crowded lobby toward them. As always they turned the head of every female within a hundred-yard radius. Ben sighed. He didn’t need to go feeling sorry for himself just yet. He still had a long weekend ahead; it was too early to start envying the others just because they had it all while he… He rubbed his hands over his eyes. He had a great business to run.
Pete came straight to him. “Are you okay?”
“Course I am, bud.”
Pete gave him that hard stare that worked so well on most people.
Ben laughed. “This is me, remember? You can’t intimidate me with the Hemming glare! What’s up anyway?”
Pete smiled. “Sorry. I just know you too well. And I know how hard this weekend must be. I’m trying to look out for my old buddy, that’s all.”
Ben smiled, glad that Pete finally seemed to be getting back to normal. “Thanks, Pete. I’m not going to say it’s easy, but I’ll survive.” He decided to come clean. “I was just telling Dan I’d be happy to go with Doc to collect Chance and Missy’s dad.”
“So that you’re not around when Charlotte arrives?”
“And my parents. If they make it.”
Pete blew out a sigh. “I can see why you’d want to do that. If you do decide to go, there’s a couple of things I’d like your help with.”
Ben raised an eyebrow. “Why, what are you up to?”
Pete gave him a mysterious smile. “I’ll tell you later. I want to make sure I can pull it off first.”
Smoke, Nate, and Ryan came to join them. “Morning,” said Smoke. He looked at Dan. “Have you figured out how you want to work it yet?”
Dan shook his head. “That’s why I wanted to get you all together to help me figure it out. When should we get him here? How do we keep it a secret until five o’clock tomorrow?” He rubbed his hand over the stubble on his cheek. “I don’t know what’s going to be best.”
“Let’s make a plan then,” said Pete.
Jack groaned and punched Pete’s arm. “Will you never learn?”
Ben laughed. “We do need to work out the details.” He smiled at Michael and Gabe as they wandered up to join them.
“You look pretty happy for a guy who just called off his wedding,” said Pete.
Michael grinned at him. “I couldn’t be happier, but I’m sure you won’t understand, Hemming. You’d be crying over all the wasted plans and lost deposits.”
Ben hadn’t even thought about those details. He’d just been relieved that Michael and Megan were going to do what made them happy.
Pete grinned. “Too right, I would! I think it’s a crying shame. In fact, I wanted to talk to you about it. See if I can’t help you out.
Michael laughed. “No worries, mate. It’s all good.”
Ben laughed as Pete put an arm around Michael’s shoulders. “No really,” he said as he started to walk him away from the others. “Let’s have a talk. You know I can’t stand to see a good plan go to waste.”
Gabe laughed as he watched them go. “What does Pete think he can do?”
Ben had an idea, but it seemed a little too far-fetched. Pete wouldn’t do that. He shrugged. “Who knows?”
“Knowing Pete,” said Smoke, “he’ll probably help Michael negotiate some kind of deal with the hotel and the caterers, move his deposits to a later date rather than lose them completely.” He looked at Jack, “He won’t be able to stand to lose a deal without renegotiating, don’t you think?”
Jack nodded, but he looked thoughtful. Ben got the impression that Jack might be thinking along the same lines he was. He’d have to ask him when he got the chance. If he was right, they’d find out soon enough.
Chapter Seventeen
Missy sat with Emma and Holly in the foyer to the spa. They’d decided to wait and see who else showed up before they went in.
She smiled as she saw Lizzie and April step out of the elevator.
Holly followed her gaze. “Michael’s mom is a superstar, isn’t she? She was so much fun last night, and she’s always either taking care of the kids or rounding up the strays and making sure no one is left out.”
Missy nodded. “She’s always been like that. She’s always been so good to us, hasn’t she, Em? I think she wishes she’d had a daughter. I mean she absolutely dotes on Michael and Gabe—her angels, but she’s loves spending time with the girls, too. She’s taken Renée in like a daughter, you’d think she really is Megan’s mom, the way she is with her—and Kenzie, too. She’s like the mother hen.” Missy fell quiet as Lizzie and April arrived to join them.
“Good morning, lovelies,” said Lizzie with a bright smile. “I thought there’d be more of us.”
“There will be,” said Emma. “I spoke to Chris; her sister came in early this morning. Laura’s going to bring them in a little while.”
Holly looked puzzled. “I struggle to keep up. Just let me get this straight. Chris is Jack and Dan’s mom, so her sister is Laura’s mom, right?”
“That’s right, said Missy with a grin. “We’re all becoming just one big, complicated family.”
“What do you think?” asked Emma. “Should we wait to see who else is coming, or should we go on in?”
“We may as well go in,” said Missy. “The only one I’d worry about would be Megan, but she’ll probably come with Kenzie, and I doubt Kenzie will even be awake yet.
April gave her a worried look. It was obvious that something was bothering her. Missy didn’t want to ask her in front of everyone. If it was something she wanted to share, she would have spoken up, wouldn’t she?
Soon they were all sitting in their robes, sipping smoothies in one the opulent lounges, as they wait
ed for their treatments. Lily and Leanne had come to join them. Missy was pleased to see Pete’s mom, Anne, come in and sit with Holly. She really hoped things were getting better there.
April came to sit beside her. “What’s the matter, hon?” asked Missy.
April looked troubled. “Can I share someone else’s secret with you?”
Missy wrinkled her nose. “You can if you feel you need to. It won’t go any further.”
April sighed. “I wouldn’t normally share anyone’s secrets, I hope you know that. It’s just that, well, I think this one should go further. Even though I know it’s not my call to make. I’d love to hear what you think.”
Missy was intrigued. “Go ahead. I’ll tell you what I think, you can always count on me for that.”
“Thanks,” April’s smile was full of relief. “It’s Kenzie. Last night, she and Chase decided that they’re going to go off and get married today. They asked me and Eddie to be their witnesses.”
Missy wasn’t surprised at all. It was just like Kenzie and Chase to do something like that. “So what’s the problem? We can fit it in. She’ll need to drag her ass out of bed and let everyone know though.”
April sighed. “That is the problem. Since Megan just called off her own wedding, Kenzie thought it best not to say anything. To just go off, her and Chase, with me and Eddie as witnesses. It seems such a shame. For one, I think Megan would be really hurt not to be there for her, and besides, everyone’s here—in one place—together. Surely they’d all want to help the two of them celebrate their marriage.” She stopped and looked at Missy questioningly. “Or am I just trying to impose what I think? Am I interfering?”
Missy shook her head. “You’re not interfering; you’re just wondering what to do for the best. I’m the one who’s about to interfere! Kenzie has this thing that she and Chase are just outsiders, newcomers to the lake. She feels as though she doesn’t quite belong, not as much as everyone else does. And it’s stupid! It’s only because she can’t quite get used to the fact that she finally does belong, that she has friends and family who love her!” She looked around for Lizzie. Missy had only been saying earlier how Lizzie was taking in Megan and Kenzie as her own daughters. Well, Missy was about to ask for her help. If Missy had anything to do with it, Lizzie was about to be mother-of-the-bride! “Come on,” she said to April. “You did right telling me; now we’re going to ask for Lizzie’s help in interfering!”
~ ~ ~
Dan pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked the text that had just come in. His heart hammered in his chest as he read Missy’s words.
We need to talk! Secret scheming going on!
Holy shit! How did she know? He looked around.
Jack caught his eye. “What’s up, bro? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost!”
“Missy knows!” he said.
“How? What makes you think that?”
Dan had no idea as to the how. He looked around the guys, they’d all come to sit in the bar while they figured out the logistics of getting Missy’s dad here. Surely none of them would have let it slip? “I don’t know, but read this.”
He handed Jack his phone.
Jack grinned. “Calm down, little brother. I think you’re getting jittery. I read that as Missy is doing some secret scheming of her own and wants your help. Text her back. Ask her what she means.”
Dan blew out a sigh as his heart rate slowly returned to normal. “Thanks, Jack. I hope you’re right.” He tapped out a reply
What’s going on?
A few seconds later his phone rang.
“Kenzie and Chase are planning on sneaking off and getting married today. I want to get everyone there to surprise them.” Missy was whispering; it sounded like she was locked in a closet. Dan had to smile.
“Oh. Okay. Where are they going? What time?” Dan was hoping this wouldn’t clash with getting Smoke and the Doc out of here and back to Summer Lake.
“I don’t know yet! You know what they’re like, I don’t think they even know themselves.”
Dan bit back a chuckle. This was so Missy. “So, beautiful, how am I supposed to help you get everyone there?”
She laughed. “I’ll tell you when I figure it out. I guess I’m just excited and I want your help. You’re the genius, you can make anything work.”
Dan’s heart swelled with pride. She had so much faith in him, and he had no idea why. “Okay. I’ll let the guys know what to expect, and you let me know when you figure out the details.”
“See if you can get anything out of Eddie. He and April are supposed to go with them to be their witnesses.”
Dan looked around. Chase and Eddie had not long come down to join them. He spotted them sitting with Ryan and Nate. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Great. I’ve got to go.”
He laughed. “Where are you?”
She laughed with him. “I’m hiding in one of the treatment rooms so Kenzie doesn’t hear. But I think someone’s about to come in.”
Dan laughed harder. “Well, get out while you can, but don’t get caught!”
Pete had come over to join them and was talking to Jack. As Dan hung up, Jack smiled at him. “So?”
Dan explained about Kenzie and Chase.
“Well, damn!” said Jack. “This is turning out to be an eventful weekend. One wedding got canceled. One springs up out of nowhere. I wonder what’s going to happen next.”
Dan shook his head. “Hopefully nothing. There’s been enough excitement already.”
Pete grinned at him. “Don’t say that, Dan. This is Vegas. The excitement never ends.”
Dan smiled, hoping Pete was just joking. “I guess I need to talk to Eddie. See if he knows what their plans are.”
Jack nodded. “You do that. We can start telling the others they need to be ready for another wedding today.”
~ ~ ~
Kenzie spotted Megan. She was by herself, leaning on the balcony overlooking the conservatory.
“How are you doing, sis?” Kenzie was feeling uneasy about going off to get married just after Megan had called off her own wedding.
Megan’s bright smile surprised her. It seemed so genuine. “I’m better than I have been in weeks, Kenz. I’m so relieved.”
Kenzie wanted to believe her, but she found it hard to. “Are you really? You’re not just putting on a brave face?”
“I’m really not! I know it doesn’t make sense to you or anyone else. But the thought of getting married pregnant was making me miserable.”
Kenzie smiled and leaned on the balcony next to her. “It doesn’t need to make sense to anyone else. All that matters is that you’re happy.”
“Well, I am. So relax.”
Kenzie nodded. She almost relaxed enough to tell Megan her own plans, but it still didn’t seem right. It felt selfish somehow. She’d love for Megan to come with her and Chase. Hell, she’d love for everyone to be there. But it wasn’t the same for them. All these people were here for Missy and for Michael—two of their own. Summer Lake originals. These guys had been friends all their lives. She and Chase were newcomers. She was grateful for the friendship and the acceptance that they’d been shown, but she knew they didn’t really belong. Not in the same way. She wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to think any of them would even want to come to her wedding. She sighed before she realized she had.
“Are you okay?” asked Megan.
“Me? I’m always okay. You know this.”
Megan gave her a puzzled look. “I hope so. What are you doing this afternoon? Ethan’s out with Doc this morning, but we were thinking of taking him over to the mall later. He’d love it if you came, too.”
Kenzie shook her head. “I’m going to help Chase and Eddie practice. We invited April along.” That was the cover story they’d come up with to explain their absence while they went downtown to the Marriage License Bureau and then ran across the street to the wedding chapel. Chase had researched it all online this morning. He’d even filled
in the forms.
Megan looked sad. “Okay. You know, I was really looking forward to you being my bridesmaid tomorrow.”
Kenzie nodded. She’d been looking forward to that, too. She wondered again if she should ask Megan to come. But no.
Missy came and leaned on the balcony on the other side of Megan. “What are you two up to? Got any plans for this afternoon?”
“We’re thinking about taking Ethan to the big mall,” said Megan. “Do you think Scot would like to come? I was going to ask you, and ask April about Marcus too.” She looked at Kenzie. “Is he going to the practice with you?”
The way Missy looked at Kenzie made her nervous, for some reason. “You’re going to practice?”
She nodded. She knew the best way to lie was to give as few details as possible. That way there was less to remember—and less to trip herself up with!
“What time?” asked Missy.
Damn! “I don’t know yet. When the guys are ready.”
Missy made a face. Apparently she was looking for a more specific answer, though Kenzie had no idea why it should matter to her.
Megan looked up at the big clock on the wall. “It’s almost time for my massage. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Once she’d gone, Missy smiled. “Megan seems so much happier now they’ve decided to wait, doesn’t she?”
Kenzie nodded.
“I don’t think we need to worry about her, do we?”
Kenzie felt as though Missy was trying to get at something, but she didn’t know what. It was weird, Missy was the most direct person she knew. Why would she be beating about the bush now? “Whatever it is, just come out and say it, Miss.”
Missy laughed. “Don’t mind me. I’m just trying to make sure that you’re not worried about her. You know her better than anyone. She seems great, but if she wasn’t, you would know.”
Kenzie smiled. “Yeah. I think she’s fine.”
“So do I. I don’t think anything would upset her right now.”
Kenzie held Missy’s gaze. It was almost as if Missy knew. And she was saying that Kenzie should tell Megan. No. That couldn’t be right. It was more likely her own guilty conscience getting paranoid because she didn’t want to upset Megan and she wasn’t sure that keeping her own wedding a secret wouldn’t hurt her more than telling her and inviting her would. “She’ll be fine.” Kenzie knew her words were aimed more at trying to reassure herself than Missy.