Chapter 41
Anna practically floated down the walkway on Nathan’s arm before she was handed off to Chase. The groom looked as if he could be knocked over with a feather, he was so enraptured with his bride. They turned as one to the minister to take their vows.
Cassie stood witness as the wind of the island and sea teased and lifted the edges of Anna’s hair, making it float like magic. The pulsing rhythm of the water below mingled with the soft romantic tones played by the acoustic guitarist who had taken over from the band. Words were spoken by the minister of love, hope, new beginnings, and commitment.
Cassie took her eyes off the bride and groom only to find herself caught in Brody’s emerald green gaze, and her breath hitched at the intensity in his eyes. Then Brody gave her the kind of smile that lifted at one corner and left it a bit lopsided. Those handsome eyes crinkled at the edges as he looked at her — the two of them seeing no one else as the words flowed around them and Cassie realized Brody was thinking of her and him together, with those words of love and forever being their own.
In that single moment, love swelled and swirled inside Cassie, blooming like the flowers around them, vibrant and strong.
Hands tightening on the bouquet she held, Cassie’s smile bloomed in return. A silent yes between them. A yes to forever with Brody.
Chase nudged Brody’s arm, breaking the spell and pulling him back to the ceremony. Brody chuckled and shook his head as an apology before reaching into his pocket for the rings. Anna handed off her bouquet to Cassie.
Chase turned back to Anna and, with the words of forever, slipped the ring over her finger to the sighs of everyone present. Then the moment was repeated as Anna did the same for Chase. The minister announced them as officially husband and wife, and Chase’s smile reminded Cassie of a kid’s in a candy shop before he pulled his bride to him and took her in a kiss that ended in a dip. When he stood Anna back on her feet, she was blushing and staggering to the applause of everyone present before they walked down the aisle.
Cassie stepped forward, and Brody met her, grinning ear to ear.
“Hello, gorgeous.” Brody held out his arm for her to take and bent closer to her ear. “You’re a vision in white. My heart stopped when I saw you.”
Beaming, Cassie looped her arm around his and kissed him on the cheek. “Hello yourself, handsome. You look pretty amazing as well.”
He did. The crisp light blue shirt was the perfect contrast to the light grey of his pants and vest. He looked relaxed and casual.
Brody walked her down the aisle to where the bride and groom stood, ready to celebrate with their friends and family. Before the onslaught of well-wishers could catch up, Brody took a moment to slide an arm around her waist and pull her into a tender kiss.
“I missed you, baby. Sleep well without me?” Brody cupped her chin and brushed his lips to hers again.
Cassie stroked the silk of his beard. “I did. I wore one of your shirts that smelled like you so I could feel your arms around me all night.”
Brody looked about to say something more when the photographer appeared to do some formal shots with the wedding party and family.
From then on, Cassie was kept busy entertaining guests and family and making sure to keep up with the coordinator’s schedule for the evening ahead. At some point, she lost sight of Brody in the crowd and wondered where he had disappeared to.
Tables were brought out and chairs moved around for dinner. Brody reappeared right before they were due to sit down at Cassie’s side, his eyes holding nothing but mischief.
She tugged at his vest to bring him down for a kiss. “Where have you been?”
“Taking care of something.” His wink let Cassie know his lips were sealed.
“Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll get them out of you eventually.”
She certainly would, Brody thought. He’d set the stage, and all he had to do was bring in the two main characters — himself and Cassie. First though, he had a speech to give. After leading her to the head table, Brody pulled out her chair and helped her sit. The scent of his woman drifted up in the night. That perfect scent of flowers mixed in with the sea air made him pause to take a deep breath before picking up the glass of champagne that rested at his place setting. Tapping a fork to it, he waited until the gathering of family and friends fell silent.
“Everyone, on behalf of Chase and Anna, I want to welcome you tonight and thank you for coming. Let’s take a moment here to congratulate this beautiful couple.”
Applause broke out, and Brody waited for it to calm down.
“Chase and I, we’ve known each other longer than…” He shook his head and laughed. “Well, if you really want to know how long, just ask our moms. I’m sure they would be happy to whip out some pictures of us. I have three official brothers, but Chase”—Brody tipped his head toward his best friend—“you are the fourth one. Without a doubt, we’ve shared every single thing in this world together over the years, from toys, bikes, and video games to cars and all sorts of mischief. Even went off to the Big Apple together and wound up working together.”
Chase looked at him as their unbreakable bond passed between them in silent understanding.
“I have to say all of that was great, but the best thing we’ve shared together so far was meeting these two incredible women on the same night. Who would have ever known that you and Anna would walk out of that and come to be married.” He looked at the woman next to him and brought her hand to his lips. “And Cassie here, taking a chance with me, to fall in love as well.”
The love of his life took a shaky deep breath and brought a hand to her mouth at the unexpected declaration.
“You and Anna are amazing together. She’s an incredible woman in every way that matters. She grounds you and brings you out of all the chaos of our creative world, and I think, if I’m not mistaken, you do the same for her.” Anna and Chase looked at each other with love, and Brody knew he’d found the right thing to say. “Brother, I wish you and Anna many, many years of happiness and blessings, and I’m looking forward to sharing them all with you.”
Raising his glass, Brody toasted them both to the cheers that followed, and Chase stood up to hug him.
“Jeez, brother, that was one hell of a speech,” Chase said.
Anna cut in to pull Brody in for a smacking kiss of happiness, all but gushing in her enthusiasm. “You are the sweetest man in the world. Every word of that was so beautiful. I’m a wreck thanks to you.” After kissing him again, Anna waved a hand in front of her face before sitting down again.
Brody took his seat next to Cassie, enjoying one of the best rewards of his life when she wrapped him in a hug and a kiss of her own.
“That was so beautiful. I love you so much,” she said.
“I love you too. Think I nailed it, huh?” He grinned, sharing the moment with her.
“It was perfect. I hope it was all filmed so I can watch it again later.”
Dinner plates were set down before them, and Brody speared a bite off his plate to lift to Cassie’s lips. “Let’s eat. Then I want to dance with my baby all night long.”
“That’s a deal if I ever heard one.” Cassie laughed, mirroring the gesture from her own plate.
Dinner lasted forever, it seemed, especially when a man had to follow a speech with probably the most important one of his life. Even so, Brody took the time to savor the moment and the buildup, the taste of the food, their friends celebrating their own fortune, family surrounding them, and relaxing in the joy of the evening. Brody savored the light in Cassie and the sparkle in her eyes. Most of all, he enjoyed how healthy and happy she looked and knowing he had helped get her there.
Turning back from something said to Anna, Cassie caught his collar and drew him in for a slow, sweet kiss that tasted of champagne and smelled of flowers. All he could do was hold her, his light and gift in this world. The moment hit him like a ton of bricks, and Brody knew he couldn’t wait any longer.
Standing, he drew her to her feet. “Come with me?”
“Where are we going? Dinner isn’t over yet.”
She giggled as he tugged her around the tables and away from the crowd. Brody wanted Cassie all to himself for just a few minutes.
Chase and Anna watched them go. The groom leaned over to whisper something in her ear, and Anna’s face went flat with shock then bloomed in wide-eyed astonishment.