The Wedding Dance Page 4

  His heart thundered in his chest at the way she squeezed his hand and smiled back at him. He loved that she still made him feel that way every time she smiled at him. “And I want you to myself, too. Let’s close the world out for a couple of days, shall we?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

  He turned off the main road and onto Cottonwood Creek. He was surprised to see an SUV parked in the driveway outside their house. Laura gave him a puzzled look. “Who the hell is that?”

  Smoke frowned. He had no clue, but he didn’t like it. He pulled up and cut the engine. “Wait here. I’ll go see.”

  Laura laughed. “Yeah, right. Stay in the truck, little lady? Ha!” She opened her door. “I’m coming with you!”

  Smoke blew out an exasperated sigh—of course she was. He hurried around the truck, needing to at least get in front of her. He drew her to his side as the vehicle’s door opened and a man stepped out.

  “Hey guys! Sorry to land myself on you, but I’m here! I finally made the move.”

  “Nate!” Smoke and Laura both spoke at once.

  He laughed. “Yeah, glad you still recognize me.”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” asked Smoke.

  Nate grinned. “I’m making the move, like I said.”

  “But I thought I was picking you up in LA on Thursday?”

  “Sounds as though you’re going to have enough people to ferry around next weekend.” Nate shrugged. “And I got finished up ahead of schedule. I thought I may as well come up here and start looking for a place, get settled in.” He raised an eyebrow at Smoke, “Plus, I thought my friends might be pleased to see me a couple of days early.”

  Damn! Smoke was glad to see him, but his plans for the next few days hadn’t included a house guest. “You could have let me know.”

  “Sorry,” Nate looked apologetic.

  “No need.” Laura dug Smoke in the ribs as she smiled at Nate. “We are pleased to see you. It’s just a bit of surprise. Come on in. I’ll make up the spare room.”

  Nate started grabbing his bags from the car. “Thanks, Laura. It’s good to see you.”

  Once they were all settled in in the living room in front of the big windows overlooking the lake, Smoke turned to Nate. He still didn’t quite get why he was here.

  “I’d have thought Jack would be your first port of call.”

  Laura pushed at him. “Don’t be an asshole, Smoke.” She smiled at Nate, “We’re glad you’re here.”

  Nate laughed. “Thanks. Sorry. I probably should have called or something, but you know what I’m like. I got a wild hair up…” he stopped short and smiled at Laura. “…and here I am. I figured Jack and Emma would be busy helping with wedding stuff. Pete, well, I saw Holly last week, and I didn’t want…I thought I’d best not land on them. You two are easygoing, spur-of-the-moment types; I didn’t think you’d mind. I can go get a room at the resort if it’s a problem though?”

  “Oh, no, you won’t,” said Laura. “We’re happy you’re here!”

  Smoke pursed his lips. He was happy to see Nate. It was about time he moved up here, but having him stay with them for the next few days wasn’t ideal. Hadn’t they just been saying they wanted time together—alone?

  Nate raised an eyebrow at him and Smoke smiled.

  “You’re a pain in the ass, Nate. You’re lucky that my lady is such a sweetheart.” He smiled at Laura. “If it were down to me you’d be in a room at the resort.”

  Nate laughed. “Sorry. I’ll go see Ben tomorrow. Get a room while I house hunt.” He turned and winked at Laura. “But tonight you’re stuck with me.”

  Laura laughed with him. “And we’re happy to be. So, come on. Catch us up. What’s going on with you?”

  “Well, like I said. I got finished up early in LA. Everything’s finally come together for me to move up here. Nothing much else going on except a wedding to go to next weekend. I don’t suppose you have any pretty single friends lined up for me, do you, Laura? It seems odd to go to a wedding without a date. And from what I hear, the only bridesmaid is married to my boss, so that’s not going to work out for me.”

  Smoke chuckled. “You don’t need a date. And you’re going to have to tone yourself down if you’re going to live up here; so leave the local girls alone. We’ll be in Vegas for Christ’s sake. You’ll find plenty enough mischief to get into.”

  “Yeah. Ben and I can go out on the prowl. We had fun at Pete’s stag night.”

  “I wouldn’t bank on that.” Smoke thought about it. He didn’t know if Ben would be eager to go off partying with Nate or whether he’d be too preoccupied with his ex. He shrugged and looked at Laura. The way her eyes shone with mischief as she smiled back at him made him a little uneasy.

  “Slow down, Smoke. Maybe we could find Nate a date.”

  He shook his head rapidly. He didn’t want any of Laura’s friends falling prey to Nate’s charms. If Nate was going to be living here, he really would need to tone himself down—or at least have his fun elsewhere. Nate liked women, but he wasn’t exactly good boyfriend material. The women around here all seemed to want to settle down and live happily ever after. That wasn’t Nate’s deal at all.

  “Don’t worry,” said Nate. “I can be a gentleman.”

  “I’m sure you can,” said Laura. “I think it’d be fun for you to go with someone; it’ll get you off on the right foot to get know more people, if you’re going to be living here.”

  Smoke scowled at her. “Who do we even know that’s single? Everyone seems to pair off as soon as they get here.”

  “There’s April, for starters.”

  Smoke didn’t like that idea. He didn’t know April too well, but he did know the poor girl had been through a lot. She’d come here to escape an abusive husband. She didn’t need to be falling under Nate’s spell and having her heart broken. He looked at Nate. “She’s not your type.”

  Laura laughed. “We’re talking about a date to go to the wedding. That’s all.”

  Smoke laughed and jerked his head toward Nate. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s on the triple F plan.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him, making him laugh again. “Find ’em, fuck ’em, and forget ’em.”

  Laura looked at Nate and he hung his head with a sheepish grin. She laughed and looked back at Smoke. “I know someone else who was on that plan when I met him.”

  It was true. Smoke had lived that way for years. It was different though. He’d had good reason. He didn’t want to get close to a woman because of the hurt he’d been through, and because he’d believed that being with a woman would mean giving up who he was. Nate wasn’t like that. Nate just wanted to have fun. He lived life to the fullest and made the most of every moment—before he moved on to the next. Smoke shrugged. It wasn’t really any of his business. “Yeah, but meeting you changed it all. Changed me. There’s only one of you. Nate’s not going to get as lucky as I did.”

  Nate laughed. “And no offense, Laura, but I wouldn’t want to.” As he smiled, even Smoke could see why women fell for him so easily; he was a good-looking guy. “I just want to get lucky!” he said with a laugh.

  Laura nodded, but Smoke could tell she was still scheming something. He’d have to have a word with her when they went to bed. She didn’t understand what she was dealing with when it came to Nate.

  “Anyway,” said Nate, “I want to hear what you two are up to.” He looked at Smoke. “How’s the flight school coming?”

  “Great.” Smoke was relieved to change the subject. “We’ve got the first batch of students coming in next week.”

  Laura smiled. “I’m glad Michael was able to fit them all in in time.”

  Nate raised an eyebrow.

  “You met Michael at the fundraiser,” said Smoke. “He’s the Aussie, the doctor? He took the training so he can issue medical certificates that they’re fit to fly.

  Nate nodded, looking thoughtful. “Yeah, he seemed like a good guy.”

 
; “He’s the other one getting married next weekend,” said Laura.

  “Yeah, right.”

  “But what?” asked Smoke.

  Nate grinned. “You just got me thinking about the fundraiser.” He looked at Laura. “Is that blonde friend of yours coming? Leanne.”

  Smoke groaned.

  Laura cringed. “Yeah, she is. She and Dan have been big buddies since they were at Berkeley together.” She looked at Smoke. “She’s not Smoke’s favorite person though.”

  “Ah, shit! She was the one…” Nate shook his head. “Sorry, dude.”

  Smoke blew out a sigh. “It’s okay. She meant well.” He gave Laura a pointed look. “Or so somebody is always telling me.”

  Laura laughed. “She did. I wish you’d just get over it.”

  Smoke scowled. “I have.”

  Nate laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to cause a domestic quarrel. I could always keep her out of the way—keep her occupied in my room so you don’t have to run into her.”

  Smoke had to laugh. “Yeah. I wish you luck with that one.”

  Laura laughed as well. “If you set your sights on Leanne, then that is nothing to do with me. It sounds as though you may be a match, but I take no responsibility—for either of you!”

  Smoke was grateful that at least she wasn’t trying to set them up. He did understand that Leanne had just been trying to look out for Laura, but he still didn’t like her. She’d caused him too much pain…even if she had, as Laura always told him, made them stronger for it in the end. “Didn’t Dan say her ex is going to be there, too?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Ryan.” She shook her head. “It’s going to be quite a weekend. We’ve got two weddings and two, long-overdue reunions.”

  Nate gave her a puzzled look.

  “Leanne and Ryan were a big deal for a long time,” she explained. “They were engaged. And then, Ben’s ex, Charlotte, who he hasn’t seen for years is going to be there, too.”

  “Wow. Sounds as though I’ll be better off hitting the clubs and staying away from the drama,” said Nate.

  Smoke nodded. It wasn’t so long ago he would have felt the same way. “It’ll be whatever it is. For now, though, I’m ready to turn in.” He stood and held his hand out to Laura. “I’m glad you came, Nate. We’ll take you down to the resort for breakfast in the morning.”

  “Thanks, that’ll be great.”

  Smoke grinned. “And while we’re there we can talk to Ben about finding you a room!”

  Laura pushed at him. “Asshole!”

  Nate laughed. “Thanks, guys. Goodnight.”

  Chapter Five

  Megan smiled as Ollie pulled on his leash. “We’re nearly there, boy.”

  He turned and looked back at her and gave two short, sharp barks. He loved their Sunday morning walks on the beach. Megan loved them, too. She loved to come out early while it was still quiet everywhere and just walk the beach and enjoy the silence.

  Michael had taken Ethan over to April’s house where he was going to spend the day with her son, Marcus. The two of them had gotten really pally over the last few weeks. Megan was happy about that. Ethan loved to spend time with Missy’s son, Scot, but Scot was that much older and as he grew into his teen years, the difference between him and Ethan became more apparent.

  She stopped at the edge of the parking lot and Ollie sat, knowing what was coming. He grinned up at her and wagged his backside even as he sat on it.

  “Good boy. Now you listen, Oliver. When I take this leash off, you need to be good, okay? You can play, but don’t go in the water, and you come back to me when I call you.”

  He offered her a paw to shake, making her laugh.

  “Yes, it’s a deal,” she said as she shook it. “You do as you’re told and you can have your treat when we’re done.” She unfastened his leash.

  Ollie gave his trademark two short, sharp barks and ran off down the beach. Megan shook her head as he ran straight out into the water. He was such a good dog; he was pretty well behaved with most things, but he did love the water. She shrugged. It made him happy. Everyone should be able to do what made them happy. She was finally happy. She loved Michael with all her heart and soul, she knew he loved her the same way. She loved Ethan, loved the family that they were becoming. She took a deep breath. She couldn’t wait for them to grow their family. Well, actually, she could. She was desperate to have children, but she wanted it to happen when they were married. She took another deep breath. She mustn’t get herself worked up. She was just being silly. She was probably emotional because she was hormonal. That must be it. Her period was way overdue.

  And another deep breath. She picked up her pace as she went after Ollie. She wanted to grow their family, she wanted a baby so badly. But she did not want to be pregnant when they got married. Maybe that was silly, but it was deeply engrained in her. It was Adrian’s fault. Yet another of mean things he’d drilled into her head when she was with him. He’d told her he would never marry her. Of course, she’d been grateful of that! But he’d told her and told her that no one would ever want to marry her. That the only way any man would ever marry her would be because he had to, if she was stupid enough to get pregnant. She did want to get pregnant, she did want to have Michael’s baby, but she wanted him to marry her—just for her—first. It didn’t help knowing that Michael had married Ethan’s mother Kay when she was pregnant—because she was pregnant. Look how that had worked out for him!

  She reached the water’s edge and called Ollie, who was happily chasing leaves. She mustn’t let her mind go there. She wasn’t pregnant; she was just late. That was all. She turned at the sound of a shout from the parking lot. She smiled when she recognized the guy standing there. It was Chase. She called Ollie again, but he’d spotted Chase, too, and was already racing back up the beach toward him. By the time Megan reached them, Chase was squatting down and Ollie had a paw on his shoulder.

  “Good morning, Megan.”

  “Hi, Chase. How are you?”

  He nodded. “I’m great, thanks. Just getting a run in while I can.”

  Megan laughed. “Let me guess. Kenzie is still sleeping?”

  “Yeah. She works hard.”

  Megan loved that Chase obviously loved her sister so much. He was always quick to defend her. “I know. I’m really proud of her.”

  Chase smiled. “Me, too. For a while I didn’t think either of us were capable of this—of living together, settling down—you know?”

  Megan nodded; she did know. She’d had her doubts about the two of them herself, but she was so happy for them. “But look at you now. I just can’t wait for the two of you to set a date and get married.”

  “Neither can I. We’ll do it when the time’s right. How about you? How are you feeling about your big day?”

  To Megan’s surprise, she felt herself start to shake. “I…I…I” Oh no! Was she really back to stuttering?

  Chase looked concerned. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, but realized just how far from okay she really was as she felt tears roll down her face. She brushed them away as Ollie looked up at her and started to whine.

  “Megan, what is it?”

  She shook her head. “Ap…Apparently it’s something about bumping into you out here that makes me cry.” She gave him a weak smile. He and Kenzie would never have gotten together if Megan hadn’t run into Chase out here once before and given him Kenzie’s number.

  He smiled. “Well last time that happened, you told me what was going on and it worked out pretty well for both of us. So what do you say, do you want to try again? Tell me what’s up?”

  She nodded. It was crazy. She did want to talk to someone, and Chase was a safe someone. Someone she trusted and who would be neutral.

  “I…I…I…” Oh, for goodness sake! “I think I might be pregnant!” she blurted out and burst into tears.

  Chase put an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, don’t cry. Isn’t that what you want? What Michael wants? I thought the two
of you wanted kids?”

  She nodded and blew her nose. “Yes. But…but…but...” A fresh wave of tears came. “I’m sorry, Chase. I’m just so stupid.”

  “Hey! You are not stupid! You’re one of the smartest people I know. So, come on. Tell me what the problem is.”

  “I don’t want Michael to marry me because I’m pregnant!”

  Chase looked puzzled—as he had every right to. “But he’s not. He’s…”

  “I know. I know. I told you I was being stupid. It doesn’t make any sense. We’re getting married anyway. Because we want to. It’s just a stupid hang-up in my head. I don’t want to get married because I’m pregnant! Can you understand that?”

  He nodded. “I think so. I mean, I get it, but it’s not like that, is it?”

  “No, it isn’t, but in my head, it feels like it is and it makes it feel all…wrong! Just. Wrong.”

  “But you don’t know if you are?”

  She shook her head. “Ridiculous, isn’t it? I’m getting myself worked up about something that might not even be an issue. I know I should find out, but I keep putting it off because I don’t want to face it. And besides, what would I do? Go to the doctor? That would mean Michael or his dad. Even one of those test things…I’d have to get it from the pharmacy. How long do you think it would be before the whole town knew?” She wondered what he must think of her. What must be going through his mind as his brow creased and he stared out at the lake. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not your problem.”