Chapter Twelve
As they were driving into town later, Laura’s cell phone rang, and she dug it out of her purse, hoping it wasn’t anyone she’d have to pick up for. She and Smoke had made the most of the morning together but had decided they should call Cameron and come down to the resort to see him this afternoon. She needed to catch up with the girls too and see how everything was coming along. She also wanted to check in with her mom and Aunt Chris. So, she really wanted to enjoy this last bit of time alone in the truck with Smoke.
He looked over at her and smiled. “Take it.”
She checked the display. It was Lawrence. She shook her head. Shawnee had said she’d make him wait until Monday, but then Shawnee didn’t know what was going on. She thought Laura was only working on a necklace, she didn’t know about the engagement ring. Lawrence was probably getting antsy. She sighed. He could leave a message. She wasn’t going to be doing any more work on the ring until Monday.
Smoke raised an eyebrow. “Something you don’t want me to overhear?”
She laughed. “No. It’s not like that.”
“Yeah, right. I’m guessing it’s to do with your party, isn’t it?”
“No. If you must know it’s Lawrence.”
Smoke scowled. “What does he want? It’s weekend.”
She laughed. “My thoughts exactly, and why I let it go to voicemail. As Jack would say, chill out Smokey!”
He shook his head at her. “Sorry. I just want you all to myself while we can.”
“I know. I feel the same way. That’s why I didn’t answer. I think we both need to relax. We have to see everyone, there’s so much we still need to take care of. Cameron’s here. Piper’s here. We just need to roll with it. After the wedding, we’ll get a whole week to ourselves and no one will disturb us.”
“You’re right.”
She laughed. “Can I get that in writing, please?”
“Don’t push it.” He slowed the truck as he came to the four-way stop at the edge of town.
Laura’s phone beeped.
“Do you need to at least see what he wants?” asked Smoke.
She smiled. “It can wait. It can’t be anything too urgent.”
When Smoke brought the truck to a stop in the square, he groaned when he saw Missy waving and making her way toward them.
“Come on,” said Laura. “I thought we were going to relax and roll with it.”
“We are.” Smoke fixed a smile on his face. “See? I’m thrilled to be here.”
She laughed and opened the door. “Hey, Miss. What’s up?”
“Hey.” Missy looked at Smoke. “Do you mind if I borrow her for a minute? This is super-secret-squirrel girl stuff.”
Laura tried not to laugh as Smoke gave Missy his best smile. “No, not at all. You two go talk. I’ll go find my brother.”
“Is he okay?” asked Missy as she took Laura’s arm and led her away from the deck.
“He’s fine. He’s just messing around.”
“Okay. I know the two of you wanted the weekend to yourselves, but I just had to catch you for a minute.”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing. I just had an idea I want to run by you. I talked to Chance last night, and he said he and Hope are going to be here next weekend with her dad.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Did you tell him about the wedding?”
“I did.”
“I mean did you invite them?”
“No! I’m not going to start inviting people to your wedding.”
“It’s not just people! It’s Chance and Hope; of course, we’d love them to come.”
“Well, call and invite them, if you want, but that wasn’t what I wanted to tell you. They’re coming here because they’re going to be in LA on Friday night. Her cousin Oscar is having some big do at his club, and they’re going. They wondered if Dan and I wanted to join them. When I told them about your bachelorette party, Hope asked if you wanted to hold it at the club.”
“Oh. Wow!”
“Yeah, that’s what I said. I know we’re all set for Vegas, but Oscar Davenport’s new night club? With a bunch of celebrities, and a couple of big country singers performing.”
“Really? Who?”
“Only Clay McAdam and Lawrence Fuller!” Missy looked so excited Laura had to laugh. “What?” asked Missy. “What’s so funny?”
Laura pulled her phone out of her purse. “Just let me listen to this?”
Missy wrinkled her nose as Laura found the message and put it on speaker. “Hey, Laura, darlin’. It’s Lawrence. Listen, I know Shawnee made me promise I’d leave you in peace till Monday, but this isn’t work. Me and Clay, we’re going to be in your neck of the woods next Friday night. I know it’s your wedding weekend, but I thought you might want to party your last night of freedom. We’re going to be playing this fancy new club in LA, it’s called Six. You might have heard of it. Anyway, give me a call. Let me know. But, yeah, not till Monday if you’re busy. Shawnee’s going to be there, and Carson and Matt. Hope you can make it. Take care now.”
Missy stared at her. “Lawrence Fuller? Just calls you like that?”
Laura laughed. She’d forgotten that she’d been sworn to secrecy about who her client in Nashville was. “Yeah. I shouldn’t tell you, but he’s the reason I was in Nashville last week.”
Missy’s eyes widened. “You’re making him a ring?”
Laura nodded.
“For Shawnee?”
She nodded again. “But Miss, you mustn’t say a word, okay. I’m breaching my contract by telling you.”
“My lips are sealed! But that’s awesome! And it’s obviously meant to be. Chance and Hope invited you and Lawrence Fuller invited you—how can you say no?”
Laura thought about it. She didn’t want to say no. It’d be fun, and so much better than Vegas. Vegas would be a good night, but it wouldn’t compare to a swanky new nightclub, where she’d get to hang out with her new friends, and Chance and Hope. She frowned. “How would it work, though? If they’re coming to the wedding, shouldn’t Chance go with Smoke and the guys?”
Missy shook her head. “I don’t know. He goes where Hope goes, but if it’s going to turn into a full on girly night, maybe he wouldn’t want to be there.”
Laura nodded. “Let me think about it? I should talk to everyone, see which they’d rather do.”
Missy laughed. “I think we both know the answer to that.”
“I think we do.” Laura smiled. She was sure the girls would much rather go to Oscar’s club.
~ ~ ~
Smoke found his brother out on the deck of the Boathouse. He looked relaxed, sitting there by himself, sipping a beer and staring out at the lake.
“Hey, Cam.”
Cameron turned and smiled. “Hey. I hope you didn’t come down here just for my sake? I’m a big boy, I can take care of myself, you know. I’m enjoying this, I could get used to it.”
Smoke smiled and sat down opposite him. “It looks like you already are. It’s good to see you relaxing.”
Cameron nodded. “I like it.”
Smoke looked around. “And you’re by yourself?”
Cameron’s smile faded momentarily. “For now. I had breakfast with Piper.”
Smoke raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean what I think it does?”
Cameron shrugged.
“Well, does it, or not?”
“Actually, it doesn’t. Not that it’s any of your business.” He pushed his sunglasses up and rested them on top of his head. “We hung out last night after you’d all left. We had fun. She’s amazing. We polished off a bottle of wine, and I thought about it. We both did, but for some reason, I’m holding back, and she is, too.”
“Why?”
Cameron shrugged. “Maybe it’s just because my big brother is so disapproving for some reason.”
“Cam, I’m sorry, I—”
Cameron smiled. “Don’t be. I shouldn’t be blaming you. I like her. She’s cool, and she’s hot all at the same time. But even if you hadn’t been warning me off this whole time, I’d have my reservations.”
“Why?”
Cameron sighed. “Because she’s not the kind of girl you just spend a night with and then forget. She’s not like that. It wouldn’t be right. At the same time, she’s not the kind of girl who’d fit into my life in a longer term, dating kind of situation. And besides, she lives here, I don’t. And to complicate things further, I talked to Ben about renting one of the cabins for the weekends through the fall. This lake of yours has gotten to me. I’d like to keep coming back, even after the wedding. I don’t want to make that complicated or messy by sleeping with someone here.”
Smoke nodded.
“What? I thought you’d approve.”
“I do,” said Smoke. “Every little shred of logic in me is agreeing with you and all your reasons to steer clear of her, but some small illogical part of me feels sad that you might be missing out on something.”
Cameron laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
Smoke laughed with him. “Me neither. There must be something in the water up here.”
“So, what are you saying? That I should forget logic and give it a whirl?”
Smoke pursed his lips. “I don’t know. I think it’s best if I don’t say anything.”
Cameron smirked at him. “That way, whatever goes down, it’s all my own doing, right?”
“Yep, that’s about it.”
“Fair enough. Where’s Laura?”
“Missy dragged her off as soon as we got out of the truck, said she had to talk about girl stuff, which no doubt means whatever they’re doing on Friday night.”
“As your best man, I feel as though I should be lining up something special for you for Friday night. Pete and Jack seem to have taken care of everything. You and Jason have got the transport covered, I feel like a spare part.”
Smoke smiled. “There is one thing you can help with that no one else can do.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“Help make sure Dad enjoys himself.”
Cameron grinned. “Seriously? You finally asked him? And he’s coming?”
Smoke nodded happily. “Yep. He even joked about the roulette tables.”
Cameron rolled his eyes. “That’s no joke. He’s gotten worse over the years. He loves it, Mom hates it. That’s one thing that’ll happen in Vegas that should never be mentioned when we get back.”
“For real?” Smoke had thought his dad was mostly joking, but Cameron looked deadly serious.
“For real. I don’t know what the story is, but it’s about the only thing they ever argue about.”
Smoke didn’t like the feeling that Cam knew more about their parents than he did, but it was only to be expected since Cam had always been there with them, while he hadn’t spoken to them for years. “Okay, we’ll keep an eye on him. Maybe Vegas isn’t the best idea?”
Cam shrugged. “It’s hardly original, is it? And I don’t see you going for all the reasons guys usually go there.”
“Hell no!” Smoke shook his head vigorously. “If it were up to me I’d still be going to Giuseppe’s and letting Laura wonder what we really got up to.”
Cameron laughed. “It’ll be fine, you’ll have a good time, and as your best man I give you my word that I will have you back here, all dressed and ready to get married at two o’clock on Saturday.”
“Thanks.” Smoke frowned. He’d rather be back here and safely tucked up in his own bed before midnight on Friday. His frown turned back into a smile when he saw Laura’s mom and her Aunt Chris making their way across the deck toward them. “Hey. How are you?”
“Hi, Smoke. Cameron. We’re great thanks, how are you?”
Smoke nodded. “As good as can be expected.”
Chris laughed. “If I know you, you’re wishing all the details were taken care of already, and you and Laura were just hanging out at home.”
“You do know me.”
Laura’s mom put a hand on his arm. “We’re nearly there now. Just one more week to go. It’ll fly by.”
“I hope so.”
“Do you know where she is? We were hoping to catch her.”
Smoke looked back up toward the square. “She was out there a minute ago with Missy. She’s around somewhere.”
“I’ll find her. I haven’t seen her for a week.”
“Yeah, I know that feeling. And I won’t see her most of next week either.”
“That’s right,” said Chris. “You’re taking Jack and Pete to Seattle, aren’t you?”
He nodded. “Yep. I know she plans to come and see you two and finalize everything. I think she’s glad I’m going to be out of her hair.”
Laura’s mom laughed. “Now, you know that’s not true.”
“Yeah, I do really.”
“We won’t want you in our hair next Friday night though,” said Chris with a grin. “I hope you have something fun planned. We’re going to have a fine old time.”
Smoke smirked. “Nice try, Chris. You know I’m not going to give anything away.”
Chris smiled. “I do. I’m only playing with you.”
Laura and Missy came to join them. “What are you playing with him about?”
“Just teasing about Friday night.”
Smoke raised an eyebrow at Laura as she laughed. “I just upped the stakes. There’s been a change of plan.”
“Oh?” Chris looked disappointed. “What are we …?” She stopped and looked at Smoke. “No. I’ll just have to ask later, won’t I?”
Smoke chuckled. “Don’t wait on my account. I’d love to hear all about the new plan.”
“Well, tough.” Laura made a face at him. “All you need to know is that you lost. Nothing you can do would be better than what we now have planned.”
Smoke shrugged. “Whatever you say, lady.” She looked so smug that he had a feeling she might be right. Whatever she and Missy had been scheming up must be something good judging by the looks on their faces. He didn’t really care. He wanted her to have a good time, and he was just going along with it all because he refused to just lie down and be outdone.
“Hey everyone.” He turned and smiled at Emma who was waving at them from the edge of the deck where she was standing with a push-chair.
“Hey, Em,” called Laura. “Are you coming to join us?”
Emma shook her head. “We’re on our way to see Gramps. Jack’s just popped in to see Ben a minute. I wondered if you heard that Chance is going to be here next weekend?”
Missy laughed. “What do you reckon? You think I forgot to tell her, or something?”
Smoke had to laugh at Emma’s sheepish grin. “Oh, yeah, right.”
Laura shook her head. “Don’t worry. I was about to tell Smoke that they’re going to be here.” She turned to him. “I’d like to invite them.”
“Of course.” Smoke liked Chance. He was a good guy. “I’d wondered about asking them, but if they’re going to be here anyway, then definitely. I’d love them to come.”
“Hope’s dad will be with them, too,” said Missy. She gave Chris a pointed look that Smoke didn’t understand.”
“The more, the merrier,” said Smoke. “Dad knows him, doesn’t he?”
Cameron shrugged.
“Oh, sorry. Hope is Hope Davenport her dad is Seymour.”
“Oh! Right. Yeah. Seymour’s been out to the house a few times. He and dad are quite friendly I believe.”
“That’ll be great then.”
Laura turned to Missy. “We haven’t done anything about invitations. There isn’t time. Do you think that’ll be okay?”
Missy laughed. “Of course. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to be asked.”
“Okay, then.” Laura frowned. “I guess I need to think about numbers again. I need to check in with Angel and let her know.”
“That’s okay,” said her mom. “I’ve been keeping in touch with Angel. We’ve kept a running total since I know you’ve got so much else going on.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Smoke nodded. “That’s awesome. Thank you.”
She smiled at him. “I’m happy to be able to help.”
Smoke put an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side. “We’re so lucky to have you.”
She looked embarrassed but happy as she smiled up at him. “I’m lucky that my daughter found you.” Smoke hugged her tighter. He loved her. She been real timid when he first met her, but she’d opened up more and more as time went by.
Laura laughed. “He’s the lucky one, Mom.”
Smoke rolled his eyes at her. “And you never let me forget it.” He looked at Cameron, wondering how uncomfortable he might be with all of this, but he was grinning broadly.
“I feel like I’m lucky, too,” he said. “I just ride in on Smoke’s coattails and get to join a whole new family and make a bunch of new friends.”
Chris smiled at him. “We are all going to be family, aren’t we?”
Cameron nodded. “But don't ask me what all the names are. My brother is marrying your niece. What that makes us, I have no idea.”
Missy laughed. “I know what you mean. I’ve been trying to figure it out myself.” She looked at Laura. “You’re my husband’s cousin, and I don’t know what that makes you. When you two get married, Smoke and you will be related, and so that means we will be, too. Somehow.”
Laura’s mom smiled. “All I know is that we’re going to be one big, happy, crazy family.”
Smoke nodded. Surprised how happy it made him. A few years ago, he’d thought he was done with family. Now he had his own family back, and Laura’s family was becoming his, too. He loved it.