“Well me, obviously.”
Gina laughed.
“I chose well when I put Kyle in charge of them. I couldn’t have just anyone doing it,” Lachlan went on. “Dogs deserve the very best, even though they end up betraying you.”
Gina stared at Lach. “What do you mean?”
“The only dog who doesn’t break your heart in the end is the one who outlives you.”
Gina smiled softly. “Then I guess our dogs will simply have to outlive us.”
Lachlan chuckled. “Aye.” He turned his attention back to Kyle. “He’s happy in Colorado.” His words sounded pointed.
“I know. He found his home with Arden.”
“You’ve been there. What did you think?”
He’s definitely fishingGina thought. She nodded. “It’s nice.”
“Nice?”
“Mm-hmm. Nice.” She grinned, turned, and walked toward the door.
“Nice,” she heard him say behind her.
* * *
“Ihave never seen two more beautiful brides,” Gina told Arden as they left the ‘bridal suite’—an extra-large bedroom and ensuite bathroom in Bette Collins’ home. They were giving Elena and Elissa a moment alone before everything started with the excuse of grabbing them a couple of waters.
“How are they?” Bette asked as she rolled up to Gina and Arden in the kitchen. “What do they need? Oh my gosh, I didn’t stock the room with enough water, did I? And I should know better. A wedding dress can make you so hot and thirsty?—”
“They’refine, Bette,” Gina reassured her. “You’re doing a great job. Everything is perfect.”
“They just needed a little less hovering from us,” Arden added. “We’re giving them some space.” She looked around. “The house is beautiful, and so is the back yard. Really, perfect.”
“Oh, thank you, dear. We had to change the wedding colors for the season of course, even though it’s not Christmas yet, because pink just wasn’t going to cut it. And I have to say, the green velvet bridesmaid dresses are gorgeous on the two of you.”
She looked around at the green, white, and red garlands decorating the house. Holly wreaths with red ribbons decorated the back of each white chair in the backyard where the ceremony would take place. “Tina assured me that it wasn’ttootraditional and still looked modern.”
“Speaking of, whereisyour co-hostess?” Arden asked, looking around. “Oh, there she is.”
Elena’s daughter Tina was standing beside Rachael and looking uncharacteristically shy. Then Gina noted one of the newcomers to their extended family—Rachael and Jake’s foster son, Brian. He was a skosh older than Tina and was looking at her just as shyly. Rachael and Jake had planned on adopting a baby. But they’d had a chance to foster Brian and couldn’t turn it down. Gina wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up adopting him.
It looked like Tina might be in favor of that decision as well.
“I’m so happy for them,” Bette said, looking a little misty-eyed. “He’s a sweet boy and needs a good home.”
“Bette, I need to ask you a quick question.” Grant Collins, Bette’s husband, looked handsome in his tux. He winked and headed down a hallway.
“Excuse me,” she told Gina and Arden as she turned her wheelchair. Then she motioned for them to come closer and she lowered her voice. “I think he just wants to make out for a minute. Weddings turn him on.” She grinned. “Lucky me.”
Then she was zooming off down the hall after her husband while Gina and Arden laughed.
“She’s the best,” Arden said.
“She is,” Gina agreed. “Wait. Do you think that’s why she offered to host the wedding?” She raised her eyebrows and pointed her chin in the direction of the hallway.
That sent Arden back into hysterics.
