“Not every weekend, no,” Mom said with a smile, clearly hearing the hint of jealousy in Reilly’s tone.
All grown up and independent as hell, Stone knew that Reilly still enjoyed being the favorite.
“I’ve got plenty of time to help plan the wedding,” she assured Reilly.
“I’m gonna need all the help I can get.” She glanced at Brady. “Unless you wanna elope in Vegas. Because that’s option number two. And I’m not takin’ it off the list yet.”
All eyes shifted to Brady.
“Not a chance.”
Stone’s dad nudged Brady with his elbow. “Smart choice.”
“I don’t know why,” Reilly told Owen. “It would save y’all a ton of money.”
“A ton?” Owen asked, glancing between Reilly and Deborah.
“Of course.” Reilly fluttered her lashes. “If I’m forced to wear some big white gown, I’ve got to have all the accessories.”
“I’m not payin’ for diamond jewelry,” Owen told her, then nodded at Brady. “That’shisjob.”
With a mouthful, Reilly shook her head. “I’m not talkin’ about diamonds.” She grabbed her iced tea to wash it down. “I’m talkin’ white doves. Lots of them.”
“Doves?” Owen looked at Deborah. “Whydo we need doves?”
“It’s romantic,” Reilly said as though it was obvious.
Stone was watching their mother, too, so he saw the slight shake of her head. After all this time, Stone found it amusing that Reilly still had the ability to pull one over on their father.
“Right up until they shit on the guests,” Donovan said, pushing his empty plate away.
Reilly laughed. “Fine. Then I’ll take white tigers to walk me down the aisle. Three of ‘em.”
“They’ll eat the guests,” Donovan mentioned as though this was a serious conversation.
“White German shepherds, then. I’ll need four of those, though. That way, they can walk in pairs in front of me. Lead the way like cute little flower girls.” Reilly looked at her mother. “Whoisgonna be the flower girl?”
“You could always ask Ethan and Beau if Kiera’d be willin’,” Deborah said, referring to their cousin’s daughter.
“You could have Kate do it,” Owen chimed in. “She’s nine. Might be able to control her better.”
“She’s a Walker,” Donovan noted. “Ain’t no controllin’ that bunch.”
That earned a round of laughs from everyone.
Reilly took a bite, contemplating all the information. She lifted her fork as she swallowed. “I still think the doves are the right way to go.”
“How about dovesandtigers?” Stone suggested.
Reilly’s eyes glittered with mirth. “That would be interesting, right?”
Donovan looked at Brady. “You sure you still wanna go through with this? It’s not too late to back out.”
Tate punched Donovan in the arm and earned himself a glower that spoke of the sort of retribution Stone didn’t want to think about.
Clearly ready to be off the subject of over-the-top wedding ideas, Deborah looked at Stone.
“Donovan said you met with the landscaper.”
