Chapter 29
“I am not staying here, not permanently,” Drew said between bites of her cheeseburger.
“You get used to it,” Savvy said. “It’s really not that bad.”
They were sitting on the deck in the swamp, enjoying a barbecue. “No, you get used to it. I refuse to. Way too many creepy crawly things for my liking.”
Cross dropped a kiss on her head as he put a beer in front of her. “We could split our time between here and Miami. We don’t have to stay out here. I already got an estimate to fix my house. I got it from the same guy who’s rebuilding Frankie’s place.”
“Chuck,” Frankie supplied the name, then took a swig of her beer.
“He’s good people. He actually introduced me to Pierre LaPierre.
He runs a small shipyard not far from here.
I’m going to do the repair work for him on the shrimp boats, airboats…
Any fishing vessels, really. The pay is good and I keep my own hours as long as I finish everything in time.
” Frankie smiled at Stone. “Things are really coming together. My place is being rebuilt, and I have a job that pays well but also gives me time to maybe do some cool custom welding.”
Stone gave her a quick kiss. “I like the sound of all that.” He put his arm around her and she leaned into him.
“Yeah, me too.” She gave a shy smile and then turned to the woman sitting on her other side. “What about you, Riven?” Frankie said. “How are things going with the wedding plans?”
Riven smiled widely. “Good. It’s coming together. I secured the horse for McGuire, so that’s in place. Now I just have to find a good caterer.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Savvy asked.
“Wait,” McGuire blurted. “Horse? What horse? What the hell are you talking about, woman?”
Riven gave him an innocent look. “Didn’t I tell you? I thought it would be a great idea if you arrived at the church on horseback. There’s this really beautiful white stallion—”
“No!” McGuire shook his head. “Like… Hell no. I love you, Riven, but I am not getting on a horse.”
“But why?” Riven asked.
“Yeah, why?” Cross parroted. He grinned. “I think you’d look great on a horse.”
“I’m so glad you said that,” Riven commented with a huge grin, “because I booked horses for all of you. I think all the groomsmen should arrive on horseback.”
Cross’s jaw dropped open. Stone froze. Patch started shaking his head. “I… There’s… Uh, no freaking way—”
Riven burst out laughing. “Gotcha. All of you.”
McGuire sagged in relief. “Damn, woman! You had me there.”
Patch turned to Savvy. “Don’t get any ideas. I don’t do horses.”
Savvy cocked an eyebrow. “I have nothing to do with any of this. Why would I put you on a horse?”
“I’m just saying, I’m not arriving at our wedding on horseback,” McGuire growled.
“Wait,” Drew froze. “You two are getting married?”
Savvy shot Patch a look. “We’re discussing it.” She turned back to her food.
Drew laughed. “Oh, she’s got it bad. You are so in, Patch. Savvy would love to put those planning skills together on a wedding.”
Savvy stuck her tongue out at her sister, but Drew knew instantly that Savvy would say yes.
The way she looked at Patch said it all.
She smiled as she reached across the table and squeezed her sister’s hand.
It was nice to be on good terms with her siblings.
It really meant a lot to her. She felt loved.
Turning, she looked at Cross, who met her gaze steadily. She loved him, and he loved her. That was the best feeling in the world, and that was enough right now.
“How the hell did you fools find this place?” a voice called. Wallace hopped out of the boat as Billy brought it in to the dock and then tied it up.
Billy cut the engine and jumped out. “Seriously, who the hell are all the people that live out here? It’s like the end of the earth.”
Drew got up and went over to hug Billy. Cross followed. Billy put Drew down and then turned to Cross. “I’ve got a bone to pick with you.”
A look of uncertainty flitted across Cross’s face. “Uh, yeah?”
Billy’s face had gone blank, but his eyes gleamed. “Thanks for making our girl so happy. If you hurt her again, I’ll kill you.” He grinned. “Now, something sure smells good.”
Cross let out a long breath and put his arm around Drew. She leaned into him. “You were worried.” He nodded, and a broad grin broke out over her face. “Good,” she replied. “Remember that.” Then she leaned up and kissed him. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Mighty Mouse.”
She gave him a playful frown
He grinned back at her. “Love you too.”