His chuckle is mirthless. “I nearly lost everything once. Let’s not pretend it didn’t happen.”
I glance at him. This man, who’s always been the grounded one. My brother, in every way but blood. A solid presence in my life for the past fifteen years, who I could always count on, no matter how badly I screwed up. He’s a man drowning in the weight of wanting to do everything right.
“I like to think you’re a man who learns from his mistakes.” I rest my head on the wood framing the lookout. “Eliza’s willingness to marry you should tell you that much.”
He nods, slow and uncertain. “I want to give her the perfect life.”
“Perfect is overrated,” I say, thinking of Jackie and the uneven road back to each other. “Genuine and present? That lasts longer.”
Carter turns, stare narrowing like he’s seeing me in a different light.
“But what do I know?” I laugh. “Not married yet. I’m just the best man.”
Carter stands, brushing off invisible lint from his pants. I mirror him, relieved that I won’t have to meet a possibly heartbroken Eliza.
He doesn’t speak. He just stands there, gaze suspiciously bright. Looking for something to say, but maybe silence is enough for now.
“That you are,” he chuckles at last, the sound coming out a bit strangled. Then, with no warning, he steps forward and pulls me into a fierce hug. “Thank you.”
I grip his shoulder and hold him for a moment.
“Let’s go make you a husband,” I say, voice croaky.
Glancing back through the window, the setup looks complete. I spot a fleeting blue flurry of fabric ducking into the tent and hear the first notes of a violin warming up.
I need to hurry.
The hunt for Jackie brings me to the side of the white iron-wrought gazebo, where the band is tuning up for the ceremony.
She had it brought from their childhood estate. For two siblings who used to mock anything remotely sentimental, this is one hell of a gesture.
At the top of the stairs, Jackie looks like a conductor. Focused and commanding, clipboard in hand.
“This is your cue to start,” she tells the lead violinist, taping her silver pen against the paper.
Unfortunately for Grace and her binders, Carter and Eliza actually went through with their plan for the small wedding at their home in Silver Lake Falls. Clara was the hardest to convince, but if I’ve learned anything about the Rawlings over the years, it’s that they adapt. Sometimes not so willingly, but that’s neither here nor there.
Jackie almost choked on her tears when Eliza asked her for help.
And now, for the past month, she’s been coordinating everyone with an iron fist, which I suspect she’s enjoyed even more than running the family company.
Between her and Quinn, they could orchestrate a royal wedding without breaking a sweat.
I take a second to admire the soft blue fabric flowing in the breeze, snaking around her hips, the slit of her dress flashing her leg when the wind picks up.
She anxiously taps the side of her hair while going over the clipboard one more time. My stressed hurricane in heels.
Her phone rings, and her tone instantly warms. “Don’t you worry about a thing. Everything’s ready.” Her wavy blonde hair bounces as she nods. “I’ll be right up. I have something borrowed to give you.”
Scanning the horizon, her brows are furrowed until she sees me, and her whole face lights up.
When she reaches me, I take her hand and steer her to the side of the house, to the one quiet spot I can think of.
“Adam,” she warns, in full business mode.
“Love of my life,” I counter, flashing a grin over my shoulder, as I pull her gently through the stone arch draped in vines.
“Eliza is waiting for me,” she says.
