A Reed Brothers Wedding at Lake Fisher (The Reed Brothers #23)

1. Gabby

1

GABBY

“What time is Seth supposed to get here, Gabby?” my mom asks, her voice soft but steady as she helps my youngest sister, Poppy Jane, eat lunch. The metal spoon scrapes gently against the edge of the bowl, the sound mingling with the hum of the cicadas outside. We’re only allowed to call her just that. Not Poppy, because nobody wants Pop to get a swelled head over how she may or may not have been his namesake.

I glance down at my watch, the giddiness of anticipation pulling at me. “Any minute now,” I say, marking off another item from my to-do list with a well-worn pencil. I can feel the tightness in my shoulders, a tension born from weeks of preparation for the wedding. My mom and I have been working tirelessly, trying to ensure everything would be perfect. The air smells like freshly cut grass, mingling with the heady scent of blooming wildflowers we arranged around the deck earlier that morning. The sound of a distant lawnmower hums from a distance. An orange cat walks across the banister behind me and clumsily falls, so I catch it in mid air, setting it on my shoulder. Calamity Jane is still clumsy. That is one thing that will never change.

Pop, of course, has taken charge of the catering. For him, it will be an excuse to drink beer and spend hours smoking meat while fiddling with his grill. I can already imagine the clouds of smoke rising in the distance, mixing with the warm scent of wood smoke that always brings a sense of comfort.

The Reeds will handle the heavy lifting on the big day—setting up chairs and equipment, all the while joking around and making a show of it. They’ve done this before; they know how to turn an ordinary day into a special day. For now, the only task left is the flowers, simple but elegant, just as I’ve always wanted.

I glance out the window, momentarily distracted. The lake beyond the cabins lies still, the water glistening beneath the midday sun like glass dusted with gold. Tall oaks and pines frame the horizon, their dark, gnarled branches creating a perfect contrast against the shimmering water. The sunlight dances across the ripples, a soft breeze teasing the surface, making it look like it’s twinkling. The moist air clings to my skin, but it’s not uncomfortable—it’s familiar, like an embrace from this place I’ve come to love.

“Do you remember what it felt like that first day we arrived at Lake Fisher?” I ask, my voice dropping to a murmur as nostalgia grips me. I was sixteen, uprooted in the middle of the night, unsure of what the future held. The headlights had cut through the darkness like a beacon, leading us to this quiet place where Mom had spent her childhood summers. But back then, it wasn’t a vacation; it was an escape.

“I remember,” she says wistfully, the tone of her voice softening, as though she’s been transported back to that night, too. “For me, it felt like a new beginning. A chance to come home.” Her fingers go still, hovering over the bowl for just a second before resuming their gentle motions. “My dad and Uncle Adam had set everything up with Pop before we even got here.”

I nod, recalling the little cabin we arrived at, cloaked in shadows and mystery. “I remember walking up those front steps, and Trixie dropped a basket of laundry. She flinched—she was so scared to make a mistake back then.”

A sigh escapes my mother, and for a moment, her hands pause. “I remember that too,” she says, her voice growing faint, filled with something close to regret. “I wish I’d done better back then.”

I instantly regret bringing it up. The memories hang in the air between us, heavy and bittersweet. Mom doesn’t like to talk much about those days, and I don’t blame her. They were hard for all of us.

“You did better when you could,” a voice calls from the hallway, and my stepdad, Jake, strolls around the corner. “Have you seen Pop anywhere? He’s supposed to be here to help me get everyone checked into the cabins when the buses arrive.” He scratches his ass through a pair of board shorts like a man completely at ease. He reaches into the fridge, takes out a carton of juice, and drinks straight from it without hesitation.

“That is disgusting,” Mom says, not even trying to stop him anymore. We’ve all learned that unless you want to drink from where Jake’s lips have been, you stay far away from the juice.

He grins at her, his eyes crinkling at the edges, and leans in to kiss her cheek. “Whatever,” he says with a chuckle, his voice playful. Then he steps out the door, calling back, “If you see the old man, send him over to help check everyone into the cabins. Buses will be here any minute!”

I can hear the crunch of his sandals on the gravel outside as the door swings shut behind him, leaving the kitchen in silence once again.

“Do you think they’ll ever stop arguing?” I ask, more to myself than to her.

She snorts. “Maybe when one of them is dead.” She glances out the window, following Jake’s path with her eyes. “When Pop had his stroke, Jake dropped everything and came straight back here. He didn’t have much to stay in New York for, not after the mess with his ex-wife. That’s how we ended up here again that summer.”

“Do you regret it?” I ask, catching the faraway look in her eyes. “Coming back here, I mean.”

For a moment, she doesn’t answer, staring out at the lake, lost in thought. Then she blinks, jerking herself back to the present. “The only regret I have is that your dad won’t be here to walk you down the aisle.”

Before I can say anything, the crunchy sound of heavy tires rolling over gravel reaches my ears. I turn to see a cloud of dust rising in the distance as the buses arrive, their airbrakes hissing as they come to a stop in front of the cabins.

“Did they bring everybody again this time?” Mom asks, her eyes wide with curiosity.

I nod, feeling a nervous flutter in my chest. “Seth said they’d all be here—the whole crew. They’re staying the week leading up to the wedding while they do charity events and then a few extra days for rest and relaxation.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with them filming the wedding for TV?” she asks, her brow furrowed with concern. “It seems awfully intrusive.”

“It won’t be about me and Seth, not really,” I say with a shrug. “It’ll be more about the Reeds. They came and interviewed us for a few minutes last week. They’re talking about Seth changing his last name to Reed.”

Mom chuckles softly, pretending to swoon. “My daughter, a Reed! My god, I’m proud.”

Mom’s eyes light up, and she leans in closer, completely captivated. “Have you spent much time with them?” she asks, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of envy.

I shrug, feeling the faint warmth of familiarity settle in. “We go over there about once a week. Seth pretends to get his hair done, but it’s really just an excuse to be around everyone. I usually tag along. When we drop by, there’s almost always an extra Reed or two hanging around—sometimes just a kid or two.” I shrug again, but this time with a small smile. “They’re just normal people. They live big lives on the show, but off-camera, they’re just Reeds—five brothers who own a tattoo shop in Manhattan, their wives, and their friends. And trust me, they have a lot of friends. God, they’re everywhere.”

I pause, thinking about the personalities that make up the family. “Logan’s the quiet one—thoughtful, introspective, but he’s got this sharp, unexpected humor. Matt’s kind of solemn but ridiculously kind. Paul? He’s in charge. When he speaks, everyone listens. Sam and Pete are all about shenanigans. And Edward, who is like the honorary brother, is always there and always solid.”

Mom taps her pen against my wedding list, her eyes calculating the next task. “Have you and Seth talked about the money you’ll get from filming the wedding?”

“We’re donating all of it,” I say without hesitation.

She looks up, a mix of surprise and pride in her eyes. “Have you decided where?”

I nod, swallowing back a sudden lump in my throat. “To the domestic violence shelters here in town. That’s how we ended up here, after all.”

Mom blinks hard, her eyes glistening. “That’s a wonderful idea,” she says, her voice watery.

“And some to the local food banks. We’re spreading it around, but it’s all staying local. That was important to me. Oh, and a portion is going to Shy’s outreach group. You know, the guy who runs the convenience store on the corner? Paul said he once gave the Reeds a turkey dinner for Thanksgiving and wouldn’t let them pay for it. Paul said, ‘Kindness begets kindness.’”

Mom raises an eyebrow. “He said that? Exactly like that?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “No, it was more like, ‘If someone’s fucking kind to us, we can be fucking kind back.’ Generosity’s a big deal to them, Mom. They help people who help others.”

She smirks at me, a sly look crossing her face. “So, did you discuss your sleeping arrangements with Jake? Will Seth be joining us in the big house? Or is he staying in one of the cabins with Sky and Matt?”

I snort. “You know Seth and I live together at school, right?”

She points to herself dramatically. “Oh, I’m fully aware you two live together and probably have loads of sex, Gabby. But I doubt Jake ever thinks about that.”

I grimace. “God, I hope he doesn’t think about it.”

Mom throws a dishrag at me, but I catch it before it hits my face. “I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it. Shut up.”

“Anyway!” I say loudly, desperate to change the subject. “I’ll talk to Seth about where he wants to sleep. Should I run it by Jake first, just to make sure?”

Mom shrugs. “That’s up to you.”

“I’ll sort it out,” I say, feeling a flicker of nerves. I head to the door and peer outside. “Looks like Pop and Jake are at it again,” I say with a sigh.

Mom rolls her eyes. “What else is new?”

“Uh oh.” I squint, noticing the escalating tension. “Pop just took Jake’s clipboard. And now he’s whacking him over the head with it.”

Mom rushes to the window. “I’d break them up, but Jake probably deserves it.”

“Probably,” I agree with a laugh. I step outside, feeling the heat of the afternoon sun on my skin. The buses have arrived, and I spot Trixie and Alex already sprinting off with Paul and Matt’s kids. Jake and Pop are still squabbling, but at least Jake has managed to wrestle his clipboard back.

“Do you know where everybody’s going?” I ask, thinking I can help pass out keys and get everyone settled.

“To hell if they don’t get their act together,” Pop grumbles, smoothing the hair over his bald spot.

“You go to hell,” Jake retorts without missing a beat.

“Do you hear how he talks to me, Gabby?” Pop complains with a mock look of hurt on his face.

“You’d give him no respect otherwise,” I remind him.

He rocks his head back and forth as though he’s thinking about it.

I chuckle. “You wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Pop grins. “True. So, where’s your fiancé?”

“No idea.” I turn to Jake. “Hey, Jake, where’s Seth on the housing list?” I ask. I wink at Pop. He winks back.

Jake jerks his head up. “What do you mean?”

“Where is Seth sleeping?” I ask more clearly.

He glances up, his brow furrowing. “I figured he’d sleep with you.” He gives me an absent gesture, a flutter of his hand. “He had better be sleeping with you, or else he’s going to be on the couch at Sky and Matt’s cabin because we’re out of beds.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “That was easier than expected.”

Pop laughs, nudging me. “Did you think he’d put up a fight to protect your virtue?”

I snort. “Pretty sure virtue went out of style when women stopped being considered property.”

Pop thumps my nose playfully. “I’d have gotten three horses for someone as cute as you back in the day.” He pretends to look me over. “Maybe four if you’d ever learned to do the damn dishes.” He scruffs the top of my head with his big old bear paw, but then he sobers. “Be glad those days are over.”

“Duly noted,” I say with a grin, but the worry I had fades away. “Honestly, I thought Jake might not be cool with Seth staying in my room since we’re not married yet.”

Pop shrugs. “Marriage is just paperwork. The real work happens outside of it.”

I feign surprise. “Are you telling me marriage is hard work, Pop?”

He chuckles, patting my back. “Every damn day.”

I finally spot Seth stepping off the bus, a baby strapped to his chest and another holding his hand. He grins when he sees me, but his shirt is stained with baby drool and something else that’s definitely wet. “I think this one just peed on me,” he says, sniffing his shoulder. “And another one puked on me an hour ago.”

I laugh, the sound of it light and carefree. “Rough trip?”

He kisses me, quick and soft. “Worth it.” He shifts the baby, looking utterly unbothered by the mess. He shakes Pop’s hand. “Good to see you again, Mr. Jacobson.”

Pop claps him on the back, nodding toward the lake. “Go take a dip. The best remedy for whatever ails you.”

I grin. “Pop’s right. Want to go for a swim?”

Seth glances back at the chaos. “I wish, but Sky put me in charge while she’s getting everyone sorted.”

Pop rolls his eyes and reaches for the baby. “Oh, give it here. Come to Pop.” The baby giggles as Pop scoops him up. “Oh, you’re a wet little rascal, aren’t you? Which one are you?”

“No idea,” Seth admits, looking a little lost. “There’s just so many.”

“That one’s mine,” Edward says, strolling over. He takes the baby, offering an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that, Mr. Jacobson.”

Pop laughs. “Nothing a little lake water won’t fix. What do you say, Gabby? Ready for a race?”

I shoot off, sprinting toward the dock. Pop’s slower than he used to be, but he still manages to beat me to the water. We hit the lake with a splash, and soon enough, the other Reed brothers follow suit, diving in like kids at summer camp. Seth surfaces beside me, shaking water from his hair.

“Welcome to Lake Fisher,” I say as he pulls me close and kisses me, the lake water swishing against my skin as he draws me close.

“What the hell are you doing, Pop?” Jake yells from the dock, clipboard in hand. “You’re supposed to be working!”

“Get your panties out of a twist and join us!” Pop calls back. “And lose the stick up your ass before you jump in.”

Pop dives under, tugging at my ankle as he goes, pulling me under, too. I resurface, sputtering, only to see Jake set his clipboard and his phone on the dock and cannonball in, sending a tidal wave over all of us.

Pop grins as he wipes the water from his face. “Taught him everything he knows.”

Jake, splashing Pop, grabs him in a headlock. I dodge their flying elbows, laughing as I wade back to shore, the sand soft and squishy beneath my feet. My clothes cling to me, but I’m not bothered. Seth’s shorts are stuck in his butt crack, and he pulls them out with a determined tug, making me laugh.

Seth doesn’t see the Reed brothers sneaking up behind him, but I do. They hoist him up, and he squeals, half-laughing, half-protesting, before they toss him back into the lake.

I sit on the sand, watching the brothers dunk and wrestle each other while Sam climbs onto Pete’s shoulders and dives off.

Then, they switch places. Mom sits down next to me. “Are you sure you want to marry into this family?” she asks quietly.

I point to Jake and Pop, who are right in the thick of things. “It’s not so different from the family I already have. Just more of it,” I admit. I gently knock her shoulder with mine.

I’m ready. So ready for this.