Chapter Eleven
Cash had told them to come as they were to the wedding, but none of the crew wanted to wear work jeans and flannel shirts to his and Nick’s big day.
They didn’t own dressier clothes, which left them with a choice between renting or buying suits.
The less expensive route would’ve been to rent, but that was only if they thought the wedding was an isolated incident.
Tyler’s grandaddy was fond of saying that there were only two certainties in life: taxes and death.
Looking around the room of handsomely dressed men, Tyler added another guarantee: there would be more weddings on the ranch.
And if they were smart, they’d make Harry the wedding planner.
“Wow,” Owen said. “I’m really glad you talked me into buying a suit now.”
Harry had removed the furniture to set up an altar at one end of the great room and a dance floor at the other.
She’d draped wispy white fabric strategically throughout the space and strung fairy lights to give off a romantic glow.
An arrangement of evergreens, white roses, and silver pinecones adorned the mantle over a crackling fire, and the room smelled like cranberry, citrus, and pine.
The wall of windows turned the fresh blanket of snow into the perfect backdrop for the winter wonderland wedding theme.
“It’s beautiful,” Tyler said.
Owen leaned closer and said, “You’re beautiful.”
Tyler had chosen a simple gray suit, white shirt, and navy tie. He thought he cleaned up nicely, but Owen looked like a million bucks in a navy suit, white shirt, and gray tie. The yin to his yang. “You look like a movie star.”
Owen smiled and straightened up. “I do?”
“Mmhmm. But I’m going to like that suit even better when it’s on our floor.”
Owen’s grin turned lecherous. “Think we could sneak away after the ceremony?”
“And miss Harry’s dinner?”
Owen shut one eye and cocked his head. “After dinner?”
“Deal.”
Ivan clapped Tyler on the shoulder, reminding him that they weren’t alone. “Damn, we clean up good on the ranch.”
“We sure do. How are the grooms doing?” Tyler asked.
Rory snorted. “They’re still in their room getting ready. Pretty sure I know what they’re doing.”
“Who’s officiating the ceremony?” Rueben asked.
“My mother,” Harry said as she entered the room to several whistles.
“I know,” she said smugly. She wore a floor-length silver gown and a fuzzy white cropped jacket. “Hope got ordained online and can’t wait to officiate her first wedding.”
“You look like a princess,” Keegan said in awe.
“Stop it,” Harry said as she waved for him to continue his flattery.
“Maybe even a queen,” Keegan added. “Where’s your tiara?”
“Hey, kid. Watch it,” Dylan teased. “This is my queen.”
Harry offered her cheek to Dylan, and he kissed it. “Thank you, Keegan. You’re too sweet.”
“The dining room looks amazing too, sis,” Finley told her.
She kissed his cheek before hooking her arm through Rory’s. “I can’t take all the credit. My favorite sidekick is especially talented at putting together weddings at the last minute.”
Rory darted a quick glance in Ivan’s direction as a pretty pink blush bloomed on his cheeks. “I got caught up in the moment.”
Their big foreman couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from his boyfriend until Hope and Gary entered the great room. Hope wore a satiny silver pantsuit with white fur trim on the jacket lapels and sleeves.
“Oh, Harriet,” she exclaimed as she took in the room. “Everything looks beautiful. I’ve been to professionally planned weddings that didn’t look half as pretty as this.” She raked her eyes over her daughter’s gown. “And I can’t fault your fashion sense.”
Harry hugged her mom and laughed. “We look like we planned matching outfits on purpose.”
Tyler looked at Owen’s suit, which was the mirror opposite of his, and figured everyone would think the same about them. They just shared a wavelength and had since their very first meeting.
Owen stepped closer and said, “I have to admit, I’m kind of disappointed.”
Tyler’s breath caught, but he managed to say, “Why?”
“I would expect Hope to dress like Moira Rose at David and Patrick’s wedding in Schitt’s Creek,” Owen said.
“I heard that,” Hope said. “And my daughter made me behave.”
“Someone has to,” Harry said.
Gary threw up his hands. “Hey, I’ve tried.”
“Lesser men have failed at the task, darling,” Hope told him.
Tyler checked his watch and noticed it was almost time for the ceremony to begin. “You don’t suppose the grooms snuck off to Vegas, do you?”
A familiar gruff chuckle answered Tyler’s question, and they turned to see Nick and Cash standing just outside the great room.
They looked around the space in awe before Cash met Tyler’s gaze.
“I wouldn’t want to get married without you guys.
” Cash’s gaze misted over as he took in the crew’s attire.
“You look damn good. I can’t believe you went to so much trouble for us. ”
They rushed Cash and Nick as a group. They were always affectionate toward each other, but it was the first time they’d engaged in a group hug of that magnitude.
By the time they were done, Cash couldn’t contain his tears.
He swiped at his eyes until Harry whipped out a tissue from her jacket’s inner pocket.
“Getting sentimental in my old age.” Cash wiped his face and tucked the tissue away. He smiled at the gathered group before turning his gaze to Nick. “Ready to do this?”
Nick cupped his face and used his thumb to wipe away a tear Cash had missed. “I’ve been ready.”
They joined hands and headed to the altar.
Rory and Ivan exchanged a warm look before they followed the soon-to-be husbands.
Hope got caught up in watching the couples and needed a nudge before she remembered her role in the big event.
Harry had set the chairs in a single row to form a semicircle around the altar instead of cutting the group in half.
“I didn’t prepare a formal ceremony,” Hope began. “I wanted to soak in the ambience and love around me and speak from the heart.”
What followed was a gorgeous celebration of devotion and commitment.
Tyler got swept away by the heartfelt and humorous vows Cash and Nick had prepared for one another.
At some point, he realized he was holding Owen’s hand, though he wasn’t sure which one of them had reached for the other.
Ivan’s and Rory’s gazes were riveted to one another during the ceremony, almost as if they were the ones committing their lives to one another.
A quick glance at the rest of the crew revealed a sweet array of emotions and reactions.
Finley leaned on Kieran’s shoulder, and Kieran pressed his lips to Finley’s head.
Dylan stared at Harry as if he still couldn’t believe his good fortune, and she playfully nudged him with her elbow when she caught him staring.
Keegan’s hazel eyes shone with so much hopefulness that it hurt to look at him.
And Rueben wore a look of pure determination on his face.
Tyler looked to his right and caught Owen staring at him.
The fairy lights reflected in his midnight eyes, making them extra sparkly.
Tyler had already promised this man forever, and he had every intention of backing up his words with action someday.
He’d start by fully surrendering his body to Owen when they got back to the cabin.
They’d pleasured each other in so many ways, but they’d stopped short of full penetration.
Tyler didn’t want any barriers between them—emotionally or physically—and had suggested they swing by the clinic for testing while they shopped for their suits on Thursday.
Owen had stared open-mouthed at him for so long that Tyler thought he’d made a mistake, but then Owen swooped in and kissed him in the middle of the department store.
Tyler had proof that what he wanted—to belong to Owen in every way—was within his reach, but two nights had passed since then without feeling Owen inside him.
He straightened his shoulders and channeled Rueben’s determination.
Owen’s mouth curved into a wicked grin that made Tyler want to drag him back to the cabin, dinner be damned, but cheers and clapping interrupted his plans.
He turned his head and saw the grooms were still enjoying their first kiss as husbands.
The winter wonderland theme continued into the dining room.
A white lace runner graced the length of the table.
Harry had made centerpieces out of the same evergreens, white roses, and silver pinecones that decorated the fireplace mantel.
She’d added glass jars with flickering candles and hung twinkling snowflake lights from the chandelier over the table.
Harry hooked her arm around Rory’s neck and said, “If you like the way we decorate, just wait until you taste the feast we’ve prepared with Dylan’s help.”
Nick rubbed his hands together and said, “I’ve been smelling smoked meat all day long. Bring on the feast.”
Cash smiled and shook his head. “I’m not sure what he’s more excited about—marrying me or eating brisket, ribs, and pulled pork.”
Nick sighed heavily. “If you have to ponder, then I’m not doing something right.”
His comment triggered catcalls and whistles until Harry, Dylan, and Rory silenced the room with the first platters of food. Conversation all but stopped over the next hour as everyone enjoyed their feast.
“We’re supposed to dance after this?” Ivan asked, pushing back from the table.
“Yep,” Rory told him. “You need to burn off calories and make room for cake.”
Ivan leaned closer and whispered something in Rory’s ear that made him smirk. Tyler might be a rookie, but he’d be willing to bet money that Ivan listed more intimate ways they could burn off calories besides dancing.
Rueben pushed back from the table and stood up with his empty dishes. “I think Keegan and I should get to be the DJs since we’re the only single people on this ranch.”