Chapter 26
Haden and Holly exchanged vows under the old grapevine arch in Sebastian’s mother’s garden in the backyard. Two dozen guests under a tent turned into a hundred, and the weatherman’s prediction of a hot July afternoon brought a light sprinkle of rain.
Sebastian stood alongside Rosco while Haden and Holly exchanged vows. Horses grazed out in the pastures beyond the tent, and the late afternoon turned into the evening. Emma sat with baby Isaac on her lap beside Charlie Brooks, the man who gifted him the Honda Rebel.
For the first time in almost a year, Sebastian breathed and relaxed.
He listened to the music filtering through the barn speakers and watched his sister stay in the background.
He introduced Caitlyn to Larry and Steve and their wives.
During the ceremony, he lost track of Samantha.
She dove into the details of coordinating everything for the wedding.
He looked for her. In the kitchen of the old farmhouse, the caterer prepared finger foods and kept the cake chilled for the anticipated moment.
A knot of worry tightened in Sebastian’s stomach as Caitlyn walked toward him.
“Did you find her?” he asked, his gaze lingering on the single braid cascading down her shoulder.
He wanted to hold on to this moment, to savor the simple joy of her presence.
But a primal fear gnawed at him. He loved her wholly and fiercely, and the thought of losing her was a terrifying abyss.
All he could do was hold on as tightly as possible, hoping it would be enough.
“She’s in the barn. You know Sam. She needs to keep busy. Let her have this time. She’s stronger than you realize.”
Sebastian balled his hands into fists, then unclenched them, the fight draining out of him. “It’s my fault.”
Caitlyn ran her hand up his arm. “You didn’t make Cole lie to her.”
“Seemed like a decent sort. I could have almost believed him.”
“I did.” Caitlyn glanced toward the barn. They stood in the grass outside the tent. Inside, his club brothers and friends watched as Holly and Haden cut their cake.
“He lied.”
“He loved her. That guy, the one who wanted to kill you.”
“Chris,” he said, the sound of his name bitter on Sebastian’s tongue.
“He held something over Cole. He forced his hand, but deep down, he loved your sister. I saw it when they were together. I saw it in his eyes. This was no job for him. Or if it was, he cared about Sam.”
“Not enough to keep from ratting me out.”
“It wasn’t his intent to see Sam hurt.” Caitlyn sighed.
“Maybe not, but he did.” And Sebastian needed to make sure Sam was okay. He knew his sister. She might seem composed on the outside, but she would crumble as soon as this was over. This time, he planned to be there for her. No more running. He promised Caitlyn.
“You’ve got to let her deal with this on her own. You can’t fix this for her. Cole’s in jail, right?”
“He’ll spend time, but not long.” He gritted his teeth. Cole might get out in a few years with the right attorney. Sebastian intended to ensure he spent as much time as possible keeping Cole away from his sister.
“I need to check on her.”
Caitlyn followed him as he headed around the barn. In the shadows near Stormy’s stall, Sam stood in Yeats’ embrace. Sebastian stiffened. “Figures,” he muttered.
“It’s okay,” Caitlyn turned Sebastian to face her. “Let him be her hero one more time.”
Turning his head to stare at the couple, Sebastian tried to swallow, his throat suddenly dry. Caitlyn tsked him. “Sebastian.”
He loved hearing his name come from between her lips. “I’m her brother.”
“And he’s…. Thomas…” Caitlyn placed her hands on his face and turned his face back to look at her. “Who are you to intervene in the works of God?”
Sebastian opened his mouth, and Caitlyn pressed a finger to silence him. “I know you want to be there for her, but he’s what she needs right now.”
“I should have known Yeats would be there for her.”
“You sound jealous. Be happy. You’re safe. Sam may be heartbroken, but she’s a grown woman. Give them this moment.”
Taking a deep breath, he let his muscles relax.
Not bothering to look at his sister and Yeats, Sebastian wrapped his arm around his woman as Owen hung out at the far end of the tent with a handful of kids his age, trying to burst a bunch of bubbles floating in the evening breeze.
“I have a feeling our troubles aren’t over yet. ”
Caitlyn followed his gaze to the gazebo, the girls giggling and dancing around Owen. She grinned and patted his chest. “Come on, we both deserve a slice of cake.”