“Oh, boy,” I whispered, trying hard not to look at either mine or Mitch’s mom.
“We knew we only had one shot, so this is a combined bachelorette and bridal shower. Sexy times first, then games and presents!” Anna said, following it up with a “Whoop!”
My face reddened as the fireman took off everything except his bright-red briefs and began writhing over me in the chair. Once my mortification was complete, he moved on to give other, more willing and vocal ladies lap dances and I scurried out of the chair and moved to the refreshment table.
I looked at the table lined with pretty deserts, hors d'oeuvres, and a large charcuterie board.
“This is all so amazing,” I said to Liv, who’d come up beside me.
“It’s all your girls. They planned and organized everything,” she said.
“I’m sorry I told you not to do anything. This is actually really great. Touching.”
“You deserve it, Faith. Who cares if you’ve been married before, or that you have Hope? You’re getting married to a wonderful man and are about to start this fantastic life together. It should be celebrated.”
“Thanks,” I said, moving to give her a hug before picking up a plate and loading it with goodies. “I’m so happy I skipped breakfast today.”
We spent the afternoon playing silly games, like paper bride, who’s that couple, purse scavenger hunt, and musical bouquet.
It was a blast, and guests won free blowouts, manicures, pedicures, and ice cream from Twisted Sisters Ice Cream Shack.
“Time for presents!” Cheryl yelled.
“And then cake!” Stacey added.
My heart swelled with love for everyone, and my face felt like it was stuck in a permanent grin. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been the guest of honor at a party, and it felt really good to have everyone there wanting to celebrate with me.
“That one’s from me,” Liv said unnecessarily when I pulled a little white lacey number wrapped in her signature Queen’s Unmentionables gift wrap.
I also received tons of items for the kitchen, and for entertaining, and T-shirts for Mitch and me that said, Bride and Groom, respectively.
“Thank you all so much,” I said when I was done opening everything. “You are all so very generous and I can’t wait to show Mitch everything we’ve been blessed with. We love you all and cannot wait to share our special day with you. Thanks for coming out today.”
“Wait, that’s not all,” Anna called as she wheeled out a cart with a cake on it.
“Wow!” I exclaimed as I walked over and looked at it.
It was a beautiful, tiered cake with a salon chair, mirror, and hair dryer made out of fondant on top.
“This is incredible.”
“It’s Joy’s handiwork,” someone called out, referring to the owner of The Sweet Spot, our local bakery.
“Thank you, Joy, it’s gorgeous,” I told her with a smile.
“And what does Stacey always say, if it’s a bridal shower cake, the calories don’t count?” Cheryl joked.
“To hell with the calories,” Stacey hollered back. “My ass looks fine, so I’m having a big ole slice.”
Everyone laughed, and when Joy held up the cake cutter, I asked her to do the honors.
It was a wonderful day with amazing people, and we finished it off with delicious cake.
Epilogue
Faith
“You look so beautiful,” my mom said, dabbing her eyes delicately with a handkerchief.
We already had our hair and makeup done and were dressed, so running mascara was out of the question.
I felt like a princess in my ivory scalloped-lace satin, spaghetti-strap wedding dress.
It was the most beautiful piece of clothing I’d ever owned. Olivia and I had searched far and wide for the perfect dress and I’d become convinced it didn’t exist, and then on a trip to Billings, I saw it. Lacy scallops trimmed the V-neck and low V-back of a chic A-line wedding dress. Spaghetti straps and a grosgrain ribbon at the waist added sophisticated detail, and the satin skirt had side pockets for the ultimate modern touch.
It was me in dress form and I loved it.
“Thanks, Mom,” I said, breathing through my nose in short bursts to keep the tears at bay. I was sure I looked like a crazy person, or a horse, but I didn’t want anything to mess me up before I walked down the aisle to Mitch.
“Your dad’s waiting outside,” she told me, giving me a quick side hug. “I’ll see you out there. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
I went out in the hall to find my dad pacing nervously.
“I’m ready,” I said, causing him to stop, his head swinging up to find me.
When his eyes filled, I said, “Oh, no, Dad, don’t. If you cry there’s no way I can keep it in.”
“Sorry, you look…” he started, and then his face fell, and he began to sob.
I rushed to him and put my arms around him, then, unable to hold back, a few tears snuck down my cheeks.
After a few moments we composed ourselves and he handed me his hankie. Once I made sure there was nothing black running down my face, I gave it back and tucked my arm in his.
“Let’s do this,” I said, and he led me outside.
The yard had turned out beautifully, as had the wedding arch. I’d chosen lilacs and peonies for the wedding flowers, and they were everywhere, making the space look magical and pretty. Rows of white chairs lined the yard and at the end, underneath the arch, were Mitch, with his best man, Wilder, along with Olivia and Hope, who was our flower girl.
They all watched and waited as the wedding march began and I started toward him.
I guess I’d broken the seal with my dad, because once I saw Mitch and Hope waiting for me, the tears spilled over.
The wedding was perfect and the reception a true celebration of the love Mitch and I shared.
There was so much dancing I was sure Hope wouldn’t be able to walk the next day, but I think she may have had the best time of all. The toasts all included her, Mitch and my father had both had special dances with her in front of everyone, and Mitch had even given her the ring she’d asked for the day he’d proposed.
“You’re the sweetest man, you know that?” I asked, as I danced happily in his arms to one of the last songs of the night.
“She deserves every happiness,” he replied, pulling me closer. “You both do. You’ve both been through so much, and due to you, she’s a happy, well-adjusted kid, who seriously makes the world a little brighter simply by being in it.”
“But you realize she’s going to grow out of that ring in a few years.”
“Then I’ll replace it,” he said with a shrug.
I laughed and shook my head. “See … the sweetest.”
“She’s my daughter now,” Mitch said, dipping his head to kiss my chin lightly. “I’ll give her the sun and the moon if she asks.”
“Oh yeah? Is that going to be how you are with all of our kids?”
“Most definitely,” he whispered, teasing the lobe of my ear with his teeth. “It’s possible I’ll be the biggest pushover there is, I hope that’s okay with you.”
“Well, we don’t want our kids to be spoiled, but you loving them the way you do won’t spoil them, it’ll just let them know they’re cherished. You just have to find the line.”
“I’ll be sure to work on that,” he said, doing something with his tongue that almost made me lose my train of thought.
“You have about seven-and-a-half months to figure it out,” I told him, my breath catching as I waited for his reaction.
It took a second, but eventually he pulled back, his velvety brown eyes intent on my face.
“Seven-and-a-half months?” he asked.
I nodded, biting my lip to try and hold back my grin, and failing.
“Miles said I’m about six weeks along.”
Mitch let out a whoop and swung me around, laughing and crying.
“Faith Evans,” Mitc
h said once he put me back on my feet. “First you gave me a perfect summer and now you’re giving me a perfect life. I love you and Hope so much and I know our baby is going to add to our already perfect family.”
“Not too perfect though,” I said with a smile. “A little imperfection can make things even better.”
“Together we’ll be imperfectly perfect,” he said, dipping me low and kissing me soundly. “Thanks for coming home.”
“Thanks for waiting for me,” I said, throwing my arms around him and hugging him tightly. “I’ll love you forever.”
The End
Want More Mason Creek?
Keep reading for an excerpt from the next book in the series, Perfect Embrace by Kaylee Ryan.
Prologue
Laken
Sixteen years old
“Gah! Did you see Grayson?” I ask my best friend, Justine. “Holly is so freaking lucky.” We’re standing in the bathroom of our high school, Mason Creek High. As sophomores, we don’t usually see the juniors and seniors too much. However, there are times, like today, that we get a glimpse and, well, let’s just say, seeing him walking out of the office and watching his tight end, which has nothing to do with his position on the football field, just made my day.
“That she is,” Justine agrees, running her Chapstick over her lips.
Before I can gush about how gorgeous he is, one of the bathroom stalls opens, and out walks Holly. As in Grayson Davis’s girlfriend, Holly. I cringe, ready for her to give me hell for checking out her boyfriend. Holly and Grayson are both seniors. My sister, Leni, is a junior, and I don’t hate it when I get to tag along with her to ogle the hotness that is Grayson Davis. However, I would never speak those words to anyone but my best friend, Justine, or my sister.
“H-Holly—” I start, and she smiles. Not a sneer, but a genuine smile.
“I happen to agree with you.” She winks.
“I’m so sorry. I would never— I mean, I was just looking—and I’ll shut up now.”
Justine squeezes my shoulder, letting me know she’s there with me through this embarrassing ordeal.
“There is nothing wrong with looking, Laken.” She steps up to the sink and washes her hands.
I didn’t even know she knew my name. “I’m sorry,” I say again.
She turns to look at me, and I think this is it. The tongue lashing I was expecting. Not that that’s her thing. I don’t know much about Holly, other than she’s dating the hottest freaking guy in our school. “Don’t apologize for looking. It’s not illegal. You weren’t plotting this evil plan to seduce him,” she jokes. “It’s all good. I promise. And honestly, if I were you, I’d be looking too.” She shrugs.
“Still, I shouldn’t have said that. Not here.” I bow my head.
“Hey.” She steps toward me. I can hear her drying her hands and the hard-crinkly brown paper towels the school places in the bathrooms. “You did nothing wrong. I know what Gray and I have is good. Even if you were plotting the demise of our relationship, it wouldn’t work.” She shrugs again and tosses the paper towel into the trash can. “Have a good day, ladies.”
As soon as the door closes, Justine looks at me with wide eyes. “Did that just happen?”
I hold my arm out to her. “Pinch me.”
She does, and I indeed feel the sting. “She’s so freaking cool.”
“She really is. Couple goals right there.”
“Truth. No wonder he’s head over heels in love with her.” That’s the other thing. Grayson isn’t afraid to show the entire school that Holly is his number one. He walks her to class, sits with her at lunch, kisses her at halftime before heading to the locker rooms. The list goes on and on.
Grayson Davis has set the bar high and has helped me realize that’s what I want. I won’t settle for a guy who doesn’t love me like he loves Holly.
Chapter 1
Laken
“Thank you,” I say to the UPS driver as my cell phone rings. Rushing around the counter, I grab my phone and smile when I see my sister, Leni, and my adorable nephew, Trace’s, smiling faces. I hit Accept and place the phone to my ear. “You two ready to move home yet?” I ask.
“Aunt Laken!” Trace exclaims, making me laugh.
“Hey, bud.”
“Guess what?”
“What?” I ask with all the enthusiasm my five-year-old nephew expects.
“Mommy and me are going to get ice cream.”
“You are? What flavor are you going to get?”
“Aunt Laken…” He laughs. “You know that chocolate is the bestest.”
“I knew you were my favorite nephew.”
“Yep!” he agrees. I don’t remind him that he’s my only nephew. That’s just details. “Mommy wants to talk to you,” he says, and then he’s gone.
“Hey.” Leni laughs.
“He’s a ball of energy today. Are you sure ice cream is a good idea?”
“It’s still early,” she says. “Besides, he’s been doing really well with keeping his room clean and getting his toys picked up. This is his reward. And, well, I just wanted some ice cream.” She chuckles.
“So, you two ready to move home yet?”
“He starts school in the fall.”
“That’s all the more reason to come home. Mason Creek is where you need to be with your family. I miss you, and I miss getting to see my nephew grow up. You know Mason Creek is a great place to raise a family.”
“I know, but it somehow feels like I failed.”
“What? No way, Leni. It means you miss your family, and you want to move home. You love this town. I know you do. Mom and Dad miss you too. Think about it. I love it when you come to visit, and that it’s been more frequent. I’d love it even more if you lived here full time. We could have girls’ night every week.”
“I have been thinking about it.”
“Good. That’s all that I can ask for.” The chime on the door alerts me to a customer. “I have to go. I’ll call you later. Kiss Trace for me, and tell him to enjoy his ice cream.”
“Will do. Talk to you later.”
“Bye,” I say, ending the call and turning to face the counter.
“Miss Waken!” two gorgeous little girls greet me.
“Hello to you too,” I reply with a smile. “How are you today, ladies?” I ask them, making eye contact with their grandmother Christine.
“We’re so good,” Harlow replies. She’s just a little shorter than her twin sister, Hayden. It took me a few visits to be able to tell them apart, and now it’s easy to see. Harlow is also the more outgoing twin. Both girls have energetic personalities, but Hayden seems to be okay with letting her sister take charge. Hayden is also just a little taller than her sister.
“Nana Chrissy said we can both get a new book!” Hayden exclaims.
I can’t help but smile at the two of them. “Well, you better start looking.” The words are barely out of my mouth before they’re sprinting off to the children’s books. “How are you, Christine?” I ask their grandmother. It’s usually Grayson’s mom, Jackie, who brings them into the store.
“Those two”—she shakes her head—“are impossible to say no to. Grayson tells me that I spoil them, but I just—” She shrugs as tears well in her eyes.
Reaching out, I grab her hand, giving it a soft squeeze. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” I don’t know what else to say. It’s been three years since Grayson Davis lost his wife and the mother of his twin girls. Holly was also Christine’s daughter. Her pain radiates from her. Then again, she lost two daughters that night. Holly’s sister, Heidi, was in the same accident. Mason Creek is a small town. We all see how she clings to the twins, and not one single person can blame her for that. It’s her only connection to her daughter Holly.
“How about a coffee?” I ask.
“That would be wonderful.” She smiles. “I was headed to Stitches next door, and those two insisted on stopping. I know Jackie usually brings them. They talk about you and this place
all the time.”
“About once a week,” I tell her as I get to work making her coffee. I have a variety of coffee and tea, as well as a few bottled drinks and pastries for my customers. No, I don’t make them. I mean, I know how to bake, but not on this level. I stop by the bakery across town every morning and grab a small selection to serve to my customers throughout the day. At the end of the day, I usually walk what’s left of the treats, if there are any, to the firehouse. Those guys work hard and enjoy the treats. At least they seem to.
I mean, giving them some leftover pastries is the least that I can do after the show they give me. I live in a small apartment above the bookstore. The firehouse is just down the street. The guys wash the trucks behind the building closest to my building, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve peered out my window a time or two, taking in the show. Trust me. You would too if you were me.
“Here you go.” I hand Christine her usual.
“Thank you, Laken.”
“Nana, look!” Hayden comes running. “It’s bunnies.” She smiles.
“I see that. What about your sister? Did she find one?”
“Yep!” Harlow skips over to where we stand and holds up her book.
“Sheep. Good choice, ladies.”
“Will you read to us?” they ask at the same time.
“Girls, Nana has to run next door to the seamstress to see if the shirt I dropped off for Pap is ready. Maybe another time.”
“You can leave them here,” I tell her.
“I don’t know. I can’t imagine Grayson liking that.”
I try not to let her comment sting. I know he’s protective of his daughters. “The offer stands.”
“Just… let me call him.” She steps away, and I hear her talking on the phone. She comes back and smiles. “He’s just getting off work. He’s going to be right over. As soon as he gets here, I’ll walk next door.”
Perfect Summer: Mason Creek, book 7 Page 14