Chapter 12
“Oh, my.” We all turn and find Mom standing on the threshold of the big family room in my parents’ house. This is where all the guys are getting ready for the wedding. All of my brothers and my dad are here. Erin’s dad decided to get ready with his family up at the resort, which was probably for the best, given how many of them there are and how small Mom and Dad’s house is.
“What do you think?” Remington asks, adjusting his bowtie. I know that he doesn’t love wearing the monkey suit—hell, none of us likes it, but I have to admit, we all clean up nicely.
“I think,” Mom says, tears in her eyes, as she walks over to smooth down his lapel, “that I have the handsomest men in the world, right here in my house.”
“That’s a given,” Brady says with a smug grin.
Mom takes a turn with each of us, kissing our cheeks and brushing imaginary lint off our shoulders, and then finally makes her way to our dad, who scoops her into his arms and plants a big kiss on her.
“You’re damn beautiful,” he mutters in her ear.
“I’m ready!” Johnny, Remington’s son, comes running out of the bathroom. His tie is crooked, his jacket bunched up at the shoulders, and he forgot to zip his fly, but he’s all smiles. “I look dang good.”
“Yes, you look very handsome,” Mom says with a laugh and bends over to kiss his head. “But let’s straighten you out a bit, shall we?”
“I lost another tooth,” Johnny says proudly. “It’s gonna look awesome in the pictures, and I got another five dollars.”
“How much do you have now?” Ryan asks.
“Forty dollars!”
The kid’s been losing teeth all summer, and the tooth fairy has been damn busy and is likely now broke.
“What will you do with all your riches?” Mom asks him.
“I wanna buy a bike.”
“How’s Erin, Mom?” Rem asks. “Is she nervous? Is she okay?”
“She’s having a great time,” Mom assures him. “This morning, they started with mimosas and a nice, big breakfast. Then the glam squad arrived, and they’ve been laughing and playing music and enjoying each other all day. She’s not worried at all, my boy. Erin loves you, and this is her home.”
“I know,” he says, and seems to almost be in awe of the idea. “I’m afraid she’s going to come to her senses and run back to Seattle.”
“Not a chance,” Johnny says. “She loves me too much.”
“You’re right about that,” Rem says and leans down to kiss his son’s hair. “Did you use shampoo in the shower?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure?”
“Dad, it’s our wedding day. I’m not going to show up smelling bad.”
“I’m headed out,” I announce, and earn scowls from the other members of my family.
“Where are you going?” Brady asks.
“I have to go collect my sexy date, and then I’m going to meet all you bozos—not you, Mom—at the ceremony. Summer’s getting ready at the farmhouse so she didn’t have to run home to change after she was done setting up flowers.”
“That girl has to be exhausted,” Dad says. “She didn’t leave here until almost one in the morning last night, and she was back here by six this morning.”
“Yeah, setting up the flowers is way too simple for what she and her team did today,” Ryan adds as Remington nods. “Yesterday, she turned that tent into something out of The Secret Garden, and today? Today belongs in a Disney movie.”
“It’s really pretty,” Johnny agrees.
“It’s important to her that everything is perfect for Erin,” I reply, stupidly proud of my girl. I’ve seen it. Erin’s going to be so happy with everything, which is all any of us want. “Now, I’m going to go get her. I know she wanted to double-check a few things before everyone else starts arriving.”
“Chase, before you go,” Mom says, and I’m sure she’s going to ask me what my intentions are with Summer, but instead, she simply smiles at me. “I like her.”
“Yeah. Me, too. I’ll see you all in a bit.”
I want to make sure that Summer has eaten today and that she’s feeling all right. Yeah, she’s worked her ass off, and I need to make sure she remembered to take care of herself.
I can hear the music from inside the house as soon as I step out of my truck. Country music is blaring, and when I walk inside, there’s maniacal giggling to go along with it coming from the kitchen.
But just stepping out of Erin and Rem’s guest suite is Summer, and my heart stutters to a stop.
Her golden hair is swept up in wavy strands, pinned back from her face, and spilling around her shoulders. Her dress, a long, lavender thing that sits high on her neckline, is sleeveless and has a cut-out that shows off her impressive cleavage and hugs her every curve perfectly.
“Are you going to speak, or am I imagining you standing there?” she asks with a grin as she walks toward me.
I move my head from side to side, still soaking her in, as she continues to move so gracefully, so fucking elegantly, that I’m sure I’ve swallowed my tongue.
“You look handsome,” she says and reaches up to straighten my tie.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my fucking life.”
I hear the growl in my voice, but I can’t help it. I feel…primal. I want to keep her just for me and not share her with any of the idiots that will be at this wedding today.
Her eyes jump up to mine, and she takes a quick breath before I loop my arms around her waist and pull her to me, lower my lips to hers, and kiss her the way she should be kissed when she looks like this.
Like I never want to let her go.
“Wow,” she whispers when I pull back.
“You know that it’s rude to be more beautiful than the bride, right?”
She laughs now and smooths her hand down my chest. “That’s such a cliché thing to say, but it’s also very sweet. Just wait until you do see the bride. You’ll swallow your tongue.”
“Too late,” I mutter. “Already did. Come on, let’s head over. Are you sure you want to wear heels?”
“The floor in the tent is concrete,” she reminds me. “The ceremony might be grass, but that won’t take long. I want to wear pretty shoes.”
“Then wear them. I’ll carry them for you when you decide your feet can’t take any more torture.”
“That’s chivalrous.” She grins up at me as I escort her to the passenger side of the truck. “Is it true that the guests are being taken over to the event on wagons?”
“Yep. There isn’t space for parking over there yet, so everyone’s going to park by the barn. Rem found some wagons to borrow, and the hands are going to drive people back and forth.”
“That’s super cowboy.”
“Erin’s marrying a cowboy,” I remind her.
“You’re a cowboy, too,” she says, glancing up at my black hat. “And I like it.”
I grin and close her door and then drive her over to the event site, let her out by the tent so she doesn’t have to walk far in those heels, and then drive the truck over to where the family is allowed to park. When I join her in the tent, Summer’s bent over a table, fussing with a centerpiece.
I can’t help myself. I walk up behind her, slide my hand down her ass, and lean into her.
“Someone is likely watching,” she says, but I can hear the smile in her voice.
“But photos aren’t allowed,” I remind her and lean in further to kiss the back of her neck. “I can’t wait to get you home, see how this dress looks on my floor, and sink inside of you.”
I turn her around so I can drag my fingers down her cheek.
“You’re gorgeous, Blondie. I love it when you’re all dolled up. I can’t get enough of you when you’ve got your hair up in a bun and you’re working at the shop, but my favorite Summer? The one that stars in every fantasy I’ve ever had in my life?”
She swallows hard as I lean in to whisper in her ear.
“My favorite is when you’re naked and sweaty, with no makeup, and tangled up in the sheets of my bed. I can’t get enough of that.”
We can hear the wagon rolling up with the first wave of guests, so I kiss her cheek and start to pull back, but she stops me.
“And my favorite,” she says, breathing just a little harder now, “changes daily because I love it when you’re in your uniform. It’s hot, and I don’t care if that’s a cliché. And you’re certainly sexy today. But Chase? When you’re in cowboy mode, with your jeans and boots and hat? It does things to me that I didn’t know were possible. The cowboy cop vibe is epic.”
Shit, I wish that I could bunch that dress up around her waist and take her right here, right now. But that’s not possible.
So, I smile down at her and nuzzle her nose with mine.
“Later,” I promise her, “I’m going to fuck you until you can’t remember your name.”
“I can’t wait.”
“This is a party,” Polly says with a big grin and sips her signature cocktail, which Erin had the bartender make just for this event.
A huckleberry mojito.
“You look amazing,” Summer says to Polly. “You know I’m jealous that you can wear green like that.”
“It’s just because I’m a redhead,” Polly replies, and then smiles over at Erin’s cousin, Drew, and his wife, London. “It’s so good to see you again, London.”
“Oh, you, too. Tell me you sell that dress in your shop because I’ll be stopping in to buy it.”
“I do, actually,” Polly says with a laugh. “And I’d love it if you came in before you leave town. I want to pick your brain, actually.”
“Pick away,” London replies.
I like that friends and family are sprinkled together so there aren’t any cliques. Similar to how last night went, the seating arrangement at this reception is perfect. At our table, we have Summer and me, Polly, Ryan, Drew and London, and Brady next to Zoey, who is Erin’s younger sister and didn’t come with a date.
London owns Seattle’s professional football team and has other investment businesses, as well, including ones in fashion. And from what Erin has mentioned in the past, London loves Polly’s shop.
Also, it’s not lost on me that we have two billionaires under the age of thirty-five at this table.
“Well, not that I carry it in my shop, but I was wondering what you think of this season’s ready-to-wear line from Dior?”
“Oh, it’s divine,” London replies and thumps her hand over her heart. “And if this is the direction that the house is going in, I can’t wait to see what they unveil at fashion week in Paris. Are you going?”
Polly laughs, sipping her drink. “No.”
“Why not?” Ryan asks her, speaking for the first time.
“Why am I not going to fashion week in Paris?” Polly asks him. “Oh, I don’t know, probably because it’s Paris, and while I love that some people can afford to do that, I’m not one of them. However, London, you have to take a million pictures and send them to me.”
“Polly, come with me,” London invites, and it stuns Polly speechless. Under the table, Summer reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Be my guest for the week. I always get a two-bedroom suite at The Ritz, and I’d be happy to share it with you.”
Polly blinks and frowns down into her drink and then shakes her head and smiles up at London. She wants to go. Anyone can see it written all over her pretty face.
“Thank you so much for the offer, but I can’t get away for a whole week.”
“Why not?” Ryan demands again.
“Because I have a business to run.” Polly sips her drink again and then sets it down. “Actually, since I have both of you here, I have a couple of investment questions.”
“Shoot,” Ryan invites her, London nods, and Drew turns to Brady to discuss football.
Summer leans into me and whispers in my ear, “I don’t know why she turned London down. Fashion week in Paris is Polly’s dream.”
“You’ll have to ask her about it later.” I kiss Summer’s cheek, and suddenly two little girls come whizzing by the table. One I recognize as my niece, Holly, and the other is her friend, Daisy.
Daisy’s shoe catches on a chair, and she pitches forward, planting her hands and knees on the concrete next to Brady.
He immediately springs into action, pulling Daisy onto his lap, and the little girl begins to cry.
“Hey now,” Brady says, checking out her hands. “Look here, you don’t even have a scratch.”
“M-m-my knees,” she says as big alligator tears track down her cheeks, and Brady pulls the skirt back far enough to expose her little knees.
“Well, those have a little scrape,” he concedes. “But it’s not too bad.”
“But my pretty dress is dirty.”
“Hey, you’re beautiful, Daisy, and your dress is just fine, I promise. I wouldn’t lie about that.”
Daisy hiccups twice and then wipes at her tears as Holly stands close by her friend, watching.
“It’s okay, Dais,” Holly says, patting Daisy’s shoulder. “You didn’t even rip it or anything. And your bow stayed in your hair.”
“It did?” Daisy reaches up, and sure enough, the bow is still there, which makes her smile. “Okay.”
“What’s going on?” Abbi, Daisy’s mom, appears at Brady’s side and frowns down at her daughter. “Are you okay, baby?”
“Yeah.” Daisy smiles up at Brady. “Thanks, uh…which one are you again?”
“Brady,” he replies with a grin. “And you’re welcome.”
Abbi smiles at Brady, and I can see the interest in her pretty brown eyes, but then she notices Zoey sitting to Brady’s left, and she nods politely before following after her daughter.
Brady watches her go.
“You’ll sprain your neck,” I say quietly, and smirk when my brother scowls at me. “She’s pretty.”
“She’s a mom.”
“So?”
Brady shrugs. “I’m just saying.”
The band that’s been playing up on the small stage slows it down to an oldie from the eighties, and I take a second to just look around the room and take it all in.
My parents are dancing, of course, because this music is from their era. I see Rem and Erin chatting with Brooks and several of Erin’s aunts and uncles.
Roger Sherman, Erin’s former landlord, is all smiles as he dances with one of Erin’s cousins, and I notice that Charlie Lexington is speaking to the photographer and pointing to the cake.
Looks like that might be next on the agenda.
My dad hasn’t said a word today about a Lexington being present at a Wild wedding, and I think that’s something to celebrate all by itself. Not that he would have made a scene or embarrassed Rem and Erin, but I’m surprised that he hasn’t at least sent a glare Charlie’s way.
But he hasn’t, not even once, and I’m glad.
“You’re deep in thought,” Summer murmurs next to me.
“Just taking it all in.”
“I have to say it, Chase. That arbor you built is absolutely stunning. It was perfect for the ceremony.”
“I made the bones, but you worked some serious artistic magic with the flowers. I hope that goes on your résumé.”
“It’ll be front and center on the homepage of my website,” she agrees with a nod. “Because yeah, it’s something. But working with what you built was a dream. It went smoothly, and that’s because you built it to be strong and stable.”
“I’m glad it was good to work with because you’ll be doing it often once this place is up and running.”
“You know, this is going to be an amazing venue.” She turns to me, her eyes bright with excitement. “Chase, it’s already stunning, and it’s literally just a tent. I love that Erin wanted to keep that side free from any flowers or coverings so we can all watch the mountains as the sun sets, and from inside, with a wall of windows?”
She kisses her fingertips.
“Chef’s kiss. This is going to be a wedding destination venue that will be in magazines and on TV shows. Once social media gets wind of it, it’ll be booked up years in advance.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so. I do this for a living. Charlie and I were talking about it this morning, and we know that it’s going to be a big deal. Hell, Sharla’s already decided she wants to snag a husband, just so she can get married out here.”
“Wow.” I raise an eyebrow and can’t help but laugh. “And what happens after the wedding day?”
“I don’t think she cares, honestly.”
We laugh, and I tug Summer over into my lap, wrap my arms around her for all to see, and don’t give a shit if anyone looks at us sideways.
She isn’t a secret. She’s mine.
“How long do we have to stay?” I whisper in her ear.
“It’s your brother’s wedding,” she reminds me with a wry smile. “So, I’m going to say at least until after they cut the cake.”
“What’s taking so long with that?” I grumble.
“Oh, there was a huge cake issue,” Summer informs me. “But Charlie got it managed, and it should be here soon.”
I scowl over to where a cake sits on a table. “It’s right there.”
“It’s fake.” Summer’s voice is light as she smiles down at me. “It’s just for show. The real cake is on the way.”
“I didn’t even realize.”
“Exactly. That’s what you have Charlie for.”
“Well, it better get here soon.”
“What’s your hurry, cowboy?”
I run my fingertips up and down the smooth skin of her back. “I just discovered that you’re not wearing a bra under this dress.”
“There’s no place to put a bra under this dress.”
I groan, and she laughs and wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me sweetly.
“Don’t worry, you’ll live.”