My stomach growls. I should grab a bite, but everyone’s already getting to work.
I walk over to Luke. “Where am I needed?”
Tonight is my sister’s rehearsal dinner.
The wedding is tomorrow, which means it’s only a matter of weeks until Carli and I can stop sneaking around.
Luke looks me over from head to toe, a half smile on his face. “I stopped by your cabin last night.”
I force myself to hold his gaze.
“I knocked,” he says. “You didn’t answer.”
I answer simply. “I was out.”
“Out, huh?”
“Mm hmm. Out.”
He smiles a crooked smile as if he knows everything. And then he drops the subject.
“Ethan went to get the groom from BNA,” he says. “They should be here any minute.”
“McKenna’s not going to pick him up?” I ask.
“She’s meeting the bridesmaids for tea today—midmorning. And she wanted to sleep in so she didn’t have bags under her eyes tomorrow.”
Carli’s going to be dragging for that. I hope she got some sleep.
I help carry tables and chairs into the barn, setting everything up as it will be for the rehearsal and then tomorrow’s reception. By the time a neighbor shows up with a dance floor to be installed toward the back of the barn, I’m feeling the effects of my long night with Carli.
I’m forcing my eyes to stay open while Luke and I carry the archway we made to the lawn behind the barn.
When the white folding chairs are set in perfect rows facing the arch, I look everything over.
“Our baby sister’s getting married,” I tell Luke, stifling a yawn.
“Yeah. Kinda crazy. I always thought we’d beat her to the altar. Here we are, single, no prospects in sight.”
I smile and nod. I’d tell him if I could. And I will. Denying her feels irreverent—lying to my brother leaves a sour taste behind even a deceptive nod.
Ethan arrives with Westley in tow and McKenna shows up at the main house, running out and leaping into his arms. I know the feeling.
“Hey, city boy,” Garrett says, shaking his hand.
“Hey cowboy,” Westley shoots back.
I like him—I especially like him for McKenna.
We set up the rest of the barn together, Westley doing his best to pitch in.
When everything is set, I hop in my truck and head back to my place to shower, eat and get some sleep.
People start to arrive in the late afternoon—McKenna’s friends, Westley’s few friends who flew in just for the wedding, and my brothers.
Carli’s here, wearing a skirt, boots and a blouse.
I catch her eye and smile. She smiles back.
