“Nonsense,” Nancy replied. “What good is a family business if family isn’t working there?” She raised her glass. “A toast to the happy couple!”
That night, Kate was doing her nightly skin-care routine before bed. She looked at the ring, still not quite believing it was real. She was getting married! There was a knock on her window, the French doors on the balcony opened, and Grant stepped in.
“How is the future Mrs. Holbrook?” he asked, drawing her close to him and kissing her.
She pushed him down on the bed, and he lay back on the pillows and gave her his best come-hither look. Kate laughed at him and slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
“Pretty happy now that she’s landed America’s most eligible bachelor. Brandy’s going to be so jealous,” she said then clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, that’s so petty.”
Grant grinned up at her. “Brandy and Fernando have taken up together, so everything’s working out.”
“Have they?”
“Eric told me.”
“They’ll be perfect for each other,” she said, pulling out her tablet. “Now we have to pick a date and start wedding planning.”
Grant plucked the device out of her hand and tossed it away. She protested, but he pulled her back on top of him and kissed her possessively. “There’s nothing to plan. You’re mine, you’re my fiancée, and you’re going to be my wife. That’s how it is.”
“Is it, Mr. Holbrook?”
“Absolutely.”
Chapter 66
Grant
Grant was nervous the day of the wedding. It was early fall of the next year, and there was a slight chill in the air. Since they were having the ceremony in the garden, Grant was glad it wasn’t too hot outside. The sun was shining, and the women were wearing furs. His uniform was wool, so he was glad for the chill.
While Grant was struggling to dress, Carter and Mark stepped into the room.
“Need some help, cuz?” Carter asked.
“That would be great, actually,” he said, gesturing to his pants. Carter ignored him and passed out glasses of whiskey.
“That’s not helping, Carter,” Mark said. He clipped on Grant’s shirt stays and made sure everything was straight then helped him into the heavy dark-blue pants.
“How’s business?” Carter asked while he made sure Grant’s shirt was neat.
“I’m glad I transitioned out of sales and more into managing those huge contracts. Even though it’s a lot of work, it’s nowhere near as stressful as sales. Have you figured out what you’re going to do about your career?”
“I’m not sure,” Mark said.
“I’m sure. I’m out in two months, if everything goes smoothly,” Carter said.
“Which it won’t,” Grant said, watching Carter finish Grant’s whiskey after drinking his own.
“You need to slow down,” Mark admonished.
“Where are you guys going to move after the honeymoon?” Mark asked.
“Here, I guess,” Grant answered.
“Here? It’s going to be crowded. My mom and dad are moving here too. They’re renovating their house.”
“Well, this place is plenty big. Neither Kate nor I has time to manage our own household. Plus, we’d be over here all the time, anyway. Might as well.”
“I’ll move here too,” Carter said, pouring himself another glass of whiskey. “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
