from liking her more?
Not a chance.
“Honor, there you are!” Brooke popped her head out of the inner door. “Don’t think I’m going to let you out of your offer.”
“Good, because I was beginning to worry you were starting without me.”
“Not a chance.” Brooke shone with happiness. She’d had some tough times, but God had turned those hardships around. He’d brought Liam into her life, and for that Luke would always be grateful. Brooke deserved true love and a happily-ever-after.
“Luke? What are you doing standing there?” Brooke flashed her smile his way. “Guests are arriving!”
“Wow, I guess so.” He glanced over his shoulder at the familiar faces of his cousins coming up the steps. A photographer waved at him from the back, setting up. He had things to do, but he stole one moment longer to take in the sight of Honor Crosby as she hurried up to Brooke. The two women talked low, their voices a ring of merriment. Honor’s gentle alto stood out above the other sounds in the church. His heart gave a little lurch.
She slipped through the doorway and out of his sight. He raked a hand through his hair, wishing he didn’t feel anything at all for her. Just wishing he was in control of his emotions.
“Hey, Luke.” Cousin Spence McKaslin ambled up and clapped him on the shoulder. “We’re glad this day has come for Brooke. No one deserves happiness more.”
“That’s the general consensus. Glad you could make it. Hi, Lucy,” he greeted Spence’s blond-haired, sunny wife. “It’s good to see you again.”
“We wouldn’t miss this wedding for the world. I didn’t see a table set up for gifts anywhere.” She held up a beautifully wrapped box. “Where can I put this?”
“That was on my to-do list. Sorry.” He dug in his pocket for the paper Lil had written out for him. Best get to it. “I’ll take that for you.”
“I’ll seat them.” Mac, Bree’s fiancé, ambled up in his suit and tie. “Spence, I was just in your bookstore the other day…”
As the trio headed up the aisle, Luke’s thoughts turned to Honor. How was she faring being stuck in a room with his sisters? And what exactly were they talking about?
He thought of Lil, dear Lil, and hoped his name didn’t come up because he knew what the subject would be.
Chapter Three
“Poor Luke. He has been single for so long.” Lil held out the gossamer bridal veil. “Ever since Sonya.”
“Sonya.” Brooke shook her head, obviously disapproving of this former girlfriend. “She led him on and then let him down.”
“That’s too bad,” Honor said sympathetically, trying not to sound too interested. It would only prolong the discussion, the one that would extol all of Luke’s virtues as a possible future boyfriend.
A boyfriend she didn’t want. No way, no sir. She was a happily single woman these days and that’s the way it was going to stay. She grabbed the comb off the built-in dresser.
“He’s the sweetest guy.” Brooke ducked, awaiting her veil.
“The sweetest,” Cousin Katherine agreed as she took the veil carefully from Lil.
Brooke nodded. “I never thought he would get over what that woman did to him.”
“Neither did I,” Colbie agreed.
“Us, too,” the twins chimed in.
What did that woman do? Honor wanted to ask, but she was afraid to. The women surrounding her might see it as a sign of interest. Romantic interest. She doubted they understood the friend thing she and Luke had going on. Maybe a change of subject was in order.
“Aren’t you nervous, Brooke?” she said the first thing that popped into her head. “Do you have cold feet? A jittery stomach?”
“No, not a bit. Everything is calm and my feet are warm.” Brooke stopped to check her reflection in the mirror. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life, and stop trying to change the subject.”
“Hey, a girl’s gotta try.” She held up her hands in a what-can-I-do gesture. “You look stunning.”
“It’s the dress. Colbie and Lil made it for me.” Brooke brushed at the delicate satin of the princess-cut gown, which showed off her willowy figure adorably. “I never thought I would be the one to marry before you, Bree.”
“You know I want a spring wedding,” the twin in blue answered dreamily. “Now that I’m engaged and Brooke is getting married, I wonder who will be next?”
“Not me,” Colbie announced as she stepped back to check the drape of the wedding dress and gave a single, satisfied nod. “It’s the single life for me.”
“Me, too!” Finally, a comrade in arms! A like-minded ally.
“Oh, you two.” Lil shook her head. “I’m disappointed in you. Love can be the greatest adventure. You have to keep your heart open for it.”
“I’ll keep mine closed, thank you very much.” Colbie’s violet eyes sparkled with humor. “I prefer to be closed-up. It keeps the troublemakers away.”
“And men tend to be troublemakers,” Honor agreed.
“I can’t argue there.” Katherine finished pinning the veil and stepped back to admire her work. “When I first met Jack, disaster. Trouble of the highest magnitude. His teenage daughter had shoplifted from the bookstore and I had to march out into the parking lot and tell him so while he was in his uniform sitting in his cruiser.”
“I mistook Brice for a burglar,” a voice added cheerfully as a door swung open. A blond beauty stood in the doorway. “Hysterical. I’ve never lived it down. I’ve been sent in to tell you everything is ready out there. The guests are seated. The minister is ready to go. The quartet is playing.”
“Wonderful. We’ll bring the bride right out, Ava dear.”
“Okay! Don’t worry, Brooke. No need to be nervous.” Ava propped the door open before she left. “Getting married is the most amazing feeling. I’m so happy for you.”
“She’s our boss at the bakery,” the twin in the lavender explained.
“She’s also our cousin,” the blue twin added. “Are you ready, Brooke?”
“Absolutely.” Brooke looked ethereal with bliss as she took one final look in the mirror. “I’m breathless.”
“You’re a princess, my dear,” Lil enthused. “Just perfect.”
“Flawless.”
“Beautiful.”
The McKaslin sisters chimed their compliments, gathered around the bride, clearly about to line up for the procession. Time to find Jerrod
