Chapter 50 – Eden
EDEN
Day of The Wedding
Istride quickly from the barn over to the catering trucks, holding my maid of honor skirt up as I walk. It was hemmed to go with the heels I’ll wear later, during the ceremony. Now, with the wedding ceremony starting in three hours, I need to be in flats.
“Hey, Miranda!” I shout to the chef as I reach the door. “You got everything you need?”
“We’re good with the food, but I hear one of the servers was a no-show,” she says as she moves a tray of chicken into the portable oven.
I swear under my breath. “Okay. I’ll check with the head of service, but I’m hoping that you’re wrong.”
“Hate to tell you, but I’m never wrong.”
That sends me rushing back to the shed behind the barn, where the servers have been gathering. The lead, Johnny, whistles at me.
“Eden, you look like a million bucks!” he says. “What can I do for you?”
I roll my eyes. Johnny can get away with commenting on my outfit because he’s Reed’s godfather and he’s known me since I was three. “You can tell me that we’ve got a full house of servers.”
“One kid didn’t show up, but don’t worry about it. I’ve got another one coming in from town.”
“Are you sure about that?” As the man behind the only successful restaurant in Sundre, Johnny was the only man I’d trust to run lead on service at the wedding. Johnny’s reliable, but that doesn’t mean his servers are. Waiters tend to jump ship when they get a better paid job on a ranch.
Johnny waves his hand. “Don't worry. I've got this. Now, don't you have pictures to be in? You're in this wedding!”
“I still have an hour before pictures, and I’ve got to make sure the flowers are set up before then. Text me if you have any more problems.”
Then I’m already running back to the house, where the florist and the cakemaker have set up shop in the kitchen. I make pretty good time, considering that I’m running on adrenaline and three hours of sleep. Since I finished chatting with Brinley, I’ve spent almost every minute of the day working.
Luke and I have had about five minutes total to catch up. Enough for me to recount my conversation with Brinley, only for him to top me with his eavesdropped conversation between her and my brothers.
Apparently, the Lockes haven’t made a firm decision yet, because they iced Luke out through the whole rehearsal dinner.
When Luke asked Wade if he needed a whiskey refill, Wade just held out his glass without making eye contact.
Luke poured to the brim, and my brother accepted it with a muttered thank you.
I’ve tried not to worry about it. I can’t fit it inside my head and think about flower arrangements. Floral arrangements which, I’m relieved to see, are mostly gone from the kitchen. That means they’re being placed on tables in the barn as we speak.
“Your bouquets and boutonnieres are in the fridge,” the baker tells me. “Cake is in good shape. Nothing to worry about here.”
I let out a breath. “Good. Love it. Text me if that changes.”
It probably will. Weddings have a way of bringing out chaos, but so far, problems have been kept to a minimum.
I check my watch. I have thirty more minutes before I need to join Brinley and the girls back at the cottage for hair and makeup.
Maybe that will give me time to sit down and eat an energy bar after I triple check the ceremony arch and seats.
My phone buzzes, and I recognize the officiant’s name. Ruby is from the next town over and came highly recommended by my friends in the area. When I met her at the rehearsal dinner last night, it only confirmed that we’d made the right choice.
Ruby
Sorry to bother you, but I got a flat tire about an hour outside of town.
I groan. So much for that energy bar. I’ve got one more fire to put out.
The barn rings with chattering guests, complimenting the wildflower bouquets everywhere and the romantic twinkling light. Yellow afternoon light streams through the windows, setting everything in a golden tone. A musician strums on an acoustic guitar.
I smile, looking in on everyone. The whole thing looks dreamy, sweet, and a little wild, Brinley’s secret romantic side taking physical form. It’s everything we both dreamed it would be.
I glance down at my watch. By now, Beau and the groomsmen should be coming down from James’s cabin.
I already brought Brinley and the other bridesmaids down to the house, where the makeup team is taking care of final touch-ups.
The only thing left for me to do is check on the sunset champagne toast arrangements.
Strolling behind the barn, I find everything just as I left it. An arch of flowers frames the table of glasses, and small circles of chairs have been set up for guests. A small fire pit is ready to light up later once it gets cooler.
“Well?” Luke says from behind me. “Is it everything you hoped it would be?”
Beau and the rest of the groomsmen are standing by the entrance, joking around and letting James straighten everyone’s tie.
Luke’s looking damn good in his tan suit, which sets off his blue-green eyes.
I bite my lower lip. I still can’t believe this man is mine. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.
“Yes. It’s exactly what I envisioned.” I run my hands over his lapels, hypothetically smoothing them, but really as an excuse to touch him.
“You look beautiful, wildflower,” he murmurs. “Even prettier than the wedding you miraculously pulled off.”
Over Luke’s shoulder, I spot three figures coming toward me. I frown at the unprecedented sight of all my brothers, shaved, washed, and wearing suits. Granted, Reed skipped wearing a tie and Wade still has stubble on his jaw, but they’re more groomed and presentable than I’ve ever seen them.
They stroll across the yard in a line of three, a small army ready to strike. Reed steps forward first, like a messenger.
“We need to talk, Edie,” Reed says. “To both of you.”
The way all three of them have their mouths set in thin lines makes me think that whatever they have to say isn’t great.
I square my shoulders and brace myself for the worst. If they’re going to yell at me, so be it.
I can take it. My mascara has been done by a professional, so I refuse to cry, no matter what they say.
Luke takes my hand, a silent gesture that promises he’s in this with me.
Reed shoves his hands in his pockets. “We’re not blind,” he says. “However you two started this thing, it’s obvious you’ve got both feet in it.”
He shoots me a crooked smile, and my chest warms. Reed’s never been one to begrudge other people for messing up, since it’s something of a habit of his. Still, I’m happy to have him on my side for this.
Jasper takes a step toward me next. “Look, I’m just glad you’ve got someone who actually shows up for you. If he keeps doing that, I guess we’ll get used to him.”
Luke lets out a soft chuckle, then turns to Wade, who lets out a long-suffering sigh.
“Just tell me this,” he says. “Is our grain deal still on the table? Because I already set aside the acreage and ordered the seed. It’d be damn inconvenient to change it now.”
“It was never off the table,” Luke says. “When I make a deal, I honor it.”
Wade holds his gaze for a long moment, measuring. Then he reaches out his hand, and Luke shakes it.
“She laughs more since you,” Wade adds, so low I almost miss it. From Wade, that’s not an observation. It’s a benediction.
My chest cracks open with relief. Maybe for the first time in my life, I have all my brothers’ approval.
I wasn’t really waiting for their permission to date Luke—I’m still done with them telling me what to do.
All the same, it’s sweeter to have their blessing.
It means they’ll accept Luke as part of our family, as my partner.
I would bask in the joy of it a little longer, but the groomsmen are about to enter the barn, and I have a bridal party to fetch. Letting go of Luke’s hand, I switch to event planner mode.
“I’m so glad we figured this out, but I have a bride who’s going to be walking down that aisle in about three minutes, so could everybody take their damn place?” All the most important men in my life nod. “Okay. Thanks.”
Walking down the aisle on Luke’s arm, I feel like I’m floating. The wildflower bouquets catch the light, the lights twinkling above us. The guitarist sings “Something” by the Beatles, Beau’s choice. The whole world feels like it’s shimmering.
Luke shakes Beau’s hand as we get to the altar, and we both take our places as the man and maid of honor. Luke grins at me, looking so charming that butterflies burst in my stomach.
Then Brinley appears at the back of the aisle, and everyone gasps.
Her dress is simple yet romantic, a lacy ivory dress that clings to her curves and makes her pale skin glow.
Tears immediately spring to Beau’s eyes, which he tries to covertly wipe away with his thumb.
He fails completely, and him tearing up makes half the guests start crying—me included.
From behind me, Pippa hands me a tissue. Apparently, she came prepared.
The ceremony is perfect. Brinley’s vows are witty, clever, and detailed, perfectly painting the picture of their relationship. Beau’s vows are heartbreakingly sincere, affection dripping from every word.
Across the happy couple, Luke and my eyes meet.
We grin at each other over the heads of the two people we love most, and for the first time since October, there’s nothing between us—no arrangement, no rules, no napkin, no end date.
Just the two of us, standing behind the people we love, finally allowed to want each other in front of the world.