Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
The Ranch
“You make a beautiful bridesmaid,” Archer whispered in my ear, his arm stealing around my waist. “But you’ll make an even more beautiful bride.”
“Flattery will absolutely get you laid,” I teased.
He tightened his arm. “You think anyone would notice if we left for a few minutes?”
“Everyone would notice.” I gestured to the room. “There’s not even twenty people here.”
“Smile!” Arden instructed.
Archer and I dutifully turned to face the photographer that Poet and Brooks had hired for their wedding photos. I smiled quickly and pressed my hand to Archer’s chest.
Arden snapped the photo and then looked at her camera screen. “This would make a great Christmas card.”
“It’s not the entire family,” Archer said. “Lenni, come here a second!”
Lenni was standing with Lucy and Muddy, but she dutifully traipsed over to us. “What’s up?”
“Family photo,” Archer said. “Get in here.”
“There’s no Mildred,” Lenni whined, but she stood in front of us, right in the center.
I placed a hand on her shoulder and waited for Arden to take our snapshot.
“Got it,” Arden said. “We’ll get some photos of the bridal party in a bit.”
She swept away in a breeze of blonde exuberance.
The main house of the Powell ranch was covered in votives and white candles.
The decorated Christmas tree had served as the backdrop to Poet and Brooks’ wedding vows, which had been short and beautiful.
Poet looked like a fairy princess in her white lace, floor-length dress and a glittering headpiece in lieu of a veil.
“Am I free?” Lenni asked.
“You’re free,” Archer stated.
“Hold on,” I said to Lenni before she left. “Your sash is twisted in the back. There, now you’re perfect.”
“Thanks, Wyn.” She dashed off to talk to Muddy and Lucy again.
“I can’t believe Poet let Lenni wear white Converse sneakers,” Archer said.
“I can,” I said with a laugh. “After the shopping meltdown? Poet would’ve given Lenni anything if it made her comfortable.”
Lenni’s flower girl dress was white with a red-wine colored sash the same color as our bridesmaid dresses.
“Is it weird that Poet’s parents didn’t come for her wedding?” Archer asked as he sipped from his glass of SINNERS scotch.
I looked across the room to my best friend. She caught my eye and grinned before turning her gaze back to her new husband.
“You don’t know her parents,” I muttered. “It’s better that they weren’t here. Trust me.”
“Drama?”
“Oh yeah.”
Gracie and her husband sauntered toward us with flutes of champagne in their hands. Their toddler was currently with her grandparents, so they could imbibe.
“Beautiful wedding,” Gracie said.
“Beautiful cake,” I said with a smile, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “Just as gorgeous as Hadley’s wedding cake.”
“And when will I be making your wedding cake?” Gracie demanded.
Cole put an arm around his wife. “Subtle.”
“I don’t do subtle,” Gracie said, her gaze shooting to Archer. “Seal the deal, man.”
Archer laughed. “I will.”
“He has,” I said.
“You mean he’s proposed?” Gracie squealed in delight, causing everyone to look in our direction.
“No. But he will. When the time is right.” I shot a mock glare around the room. “Back to your regularly scheduled programming.”
“He better propose before you start showing,” Mr. Powell said.
I stiffened as the room quieted.
“Connor,” Jane hissed, elbowing him.
“Sorry.” Mr. Powell winced. “My lack of filter—again.”
“You can’t keep using that as an excuse,” Jane informed him.
“Sure I can,” Mr. Powell replied. “Wyn’s one of mine. I’m making sure she’s taken care of.”
“How did you—” I looked at Muddy. “You told.”
“I really didn’t.” She looked at Poet’s grandfather. “I only confided in Jack.”
I pointed at Brooks. “Did you tell?”
He frowned. “I told Poet, but I swore her to secrecy.”
“I told Hadley and Salem,” Poet announced.
Salem waved in the direction of Declan and Cas. “We told our husbands.”
“I also told Jane,” Hadley said.
“And I told Connor,” Jane added.
I glanced at Gracie and Cole, both of whom didn’t appear at all surprised.
“Okay, so the whole family knew, but what about you two? You don’t look shocked at all. You already knew, didn’t you?”
“I heard about it a few days ago in the bakery. From Abby—my gossipy barista,” Gracie said. “So, I told Cole.”
“And I heard it from my egg guy,” Lucy said.
Everyone began talking in excitement. I glanced at Archer who appeared momentarily stunned. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lenni trying to look everywhere but at me.
“Ah ha!” I pointed a finger at her. “You!”
“Me what?” she asked, attempting to dart behind Brooks.
“Don’t hide, you little outlaw,” I stated. “You blabbed! That’s the only way people outside the family could have found out.”
The room hushed and everyone turned to Lenni, waiting expectantly for an explanation.
Lenni’s lips quivered. “Fine! It was me! I told Summer, but I made her pinky swear. I was just excited, and I wanted to tell someone. I didn’t realize she’d be the one to—are you mad?”
How could I possibly be mad? She was excited that she was going to have a sibling.
“This is so déjà vu,” Declan murmured.
“Right?” Cas added.
“No. I’m not mad,” I assured Lenni. “I can’t believe you all knew and didn’t let it slip. That’s impressive. This feels kind of anticlimactic now.”
“Meeting,” Poet said.
“Now?” I asked. “Don’t you want to cut the cake?”
“Now,” she insisted.
“Someone help me out of this chair.” Hadley groaned.
Grampy leaned over and whispered something in Muddy’s ear. Muddy nodded and she looked at me. “You mind?”
I grinned. “Not at all.”
“Mind?” Salem asked. “Mind what?”
Muddy took Grampy’s hand. “We’re in a relationship.”
Poet rolled her eyes. “Of course you are.”
Muddy raised her brows.
“I saw you coming out of the RV a few mornings ago,” Declan said.
“No way,” Cas remarked. “I saw her coming out of the RV a few nights ago.”
“I caught them in the pantry,” Salem said.
“I caught them behind the chicken coop,” Hadley said.
“That’s where I saw them,” I announced.
We all looked to Mr. Powell to see how he was taking the news. He rubbed his jaw. “I saw them in the barn.”
“Jeez, horny teenagers much?” Cas asked.
“Cas,” Salem hissed, gesturing with her chin to Lenni.
Lenni crossed her arms over her chest and pinned Muddy and Grampy with a parental stare. “When are you guys getting married?”
“Oh, this is fun,” Gracie said with a laugh.
“Not everyone in a relationship gets married,” Muddy informed her.
“She already said no,” Grampy stated.
“What? You proposed?” Poet asked, her jaw gaping.
“Finally,” I muttered. “A real surprise.”
“Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell never got married,” Muddy said to Lenni.
Lenni frowned. “Who?”
“Oh, that hurt,” Muddy muttered. “Right in the chest.”
“Hold on a second. You proposed?” Poet asked and then she looked at Muddy. “And you said no? Why?”
“I don’t have to explain myself,” Muddy said. “I’m an adult.”
“She’s right, you know. That is the rule,” Salem said.
Poet pointed at her. “Quiet, you.”
Cole looked at Gracie. “This is the best wedding I’ve ever been to.”
“Hey,” Hadley announced. “Mine was pretty good. And it also had drama.”
“What happened at your wedding?” Lenni asked her.
“Ask Wyn,” Hadley said.
“I’m sorry, where are we on the cutting of the cake?” Salem asked.
“Everyone say cheese!” Arden yelled.