Chapter Eighteen

 

Smoke pursed his lips. “Are you sure?”

Laura nodded. “I’m sure I’m sure. I didn’t even want you to see me this morning. I’m not riding back with you. I need to get home and take my time getting ready. You only need ten minutes to make yourself gorgeous. I’ll have to work hard at it all morning.”

He touched her cheek. “That’s a lie.”

She shrugged. “I’m glad you think so, but I know the truth. Seriously. I’d rather fly home with Piper now while you go back to Vegas and drop Jared off. I’ll see you at the church at two.”

“Okay.” They were back at the airport with Cameron and Piper. Everyone else had left either last night or this morning. Smoke turned to Piper. “I’m trusting you to get her home safely and get her to the church on time.”

Piper smiled. “You know you’ve got no worries. We’ll be there. It’s you who needs to get a move on. I’ve already filed my flight plan.”

“Okay. You’d better get out of here then.” He kissed Laura. “See you there.”

“Don’t be late.”

Cameron shook his head. “The two of you need to hurry up with your goodbyes, or we’ll all be late.”

Smoke raised an eyebrow at him. He sounded irritated. “Okay, okay.” He kissed Laura one more time. “Meet you at the altar at two.”

“I take it the two of you didn’t get it on?” he asked Cameron as they watched the girls walk away.

“What makes you think that?”

“The fact that you didn’t arrive here together added to the fact that you’re being a grouchy bastard this morning.”

Cameron laughed. “You’re good. Your powers of deduction serve you well.”

“What went wrong?”

“Nothing. We talked, we danced, we had a good time.”

“But?”

“But the more time I spend with her, the more I like her, and the more I like her, the more I think it’s a bad idea to get her into bed.”

Smoke sighed. “Maybe it would be a mistake.”

Cameron shrugged. “Maybe it would, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to talk myself out of it again tonight.”

Smoke laughed. “Well, we need to find Jared and take him home before you can make that mistake. Let’s get going.”

Jared was waiting for them in the flight planning room. “Hey. I can rent a car and drive myself back if you want? Today’s your wedding day, right?”

“It is, but it’s not too far out of the way. I just need to file, and we can get out of here.”

~ ~ ~

“Surprise!”

Laura jumped when she put the key in her front door, and it flew open. Her mom and Aunt Chris were standing there grinning at her.

“Hey! What are you doing here?”

“We wanted to be here, in case you need anything,” said her mom. “I just want to be with you when you get ready for your wedding.” She wrapped her in a hug.

Laura had to swallow around the lump in her throat. “I’m glad you’re here. Thanks, Mom.”

Aunt Chris smiled. “Don’t just stand there crying on the doorstep. You’d better get a shower and start getting your dress on.

Laura laughed. “We’ve got a few hours yet.”

“I know, but I want to see you in your dress.”

When she came down from the shower, her mom, Aunt Chris, and Piper were all sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee. She poured herself one and sat down to join them. “Did you all enjoy yourselves last night?”

Her mom and Aunt Chris exchanged a glance and Piper dropped her gaze, suddenly needing to stir her half-empty coffee.

“Come on,” said Laura. “I need to hear all about Clay and Seymour and Cameron.” Piper didn’t look up.

Aunt Chris grinned. “I don’t mind going first. Seymour is even more wonderful in person than I thought he was when I’ve seen him on TV and in magazines. He’s lovely.”

Laura’s mom laughed. “Your fantasy finally came true.”

Chris gave a dirty laugh. “Not quite, but I’ve not given up hope yet. He’s coming to the wedding, and he’ll be in town for the weekend.”

“He’s coming to the wedding?” Laura’s mom caught her gaze.

“Yes. He brought a bunch of people back here in his plane. Hope and Chance are coming; we had to invite him.”

“And I’m very glad you did, thank you,” said Chris.

“Anyway, inviting Seymour is less surprising than inviting Clay McAdam.”

Laura smiled as her mom’s cheeks tinged with pink. “He flew people back here, too, and he’s a friend of yours, isn’t he, Laura?”

“He is. I’m guessing he’s a friend of yours now, too?”

“I’d like him to be.”

“He’s a good man,” said Laura.

Aunt Chris patted her mom’s arm. “He is, and he’s totally into you. Stop doubting it and enjoy it.”

Her mom shrugged. “I’m going to try.”

Laura looked at Piper. “And what about you? What happened?”

“Nothing.”

Aunt Chris made a face. “Nothing? Smoke’s brother followed you around all night, looking like he wanted to drag you back to his cave and hump you silly, and then nothing happened? How come?”

Piper shrugged. “I have no idea. We danced, we chatted, we laughed, and then we said goodnight.” She shook her head sadly. “Without so much as a kiss on the cheek. I guess he’s just not into me. Maybe he’s so polite and well-mannered that he’s escorting me since I’m the bridesmaid, but he’s not interested in me.”

“Oh, he’s into you.” Laura’s mom nodded sagely. “He’s into you all right.”

“If he is, he needs to do something about it. I’m tired of making a fool of myself.”

“You’re doing no such thing,” said Laura. “I think he likes you, but I don’t know why he’s hanging back.”

Piper shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter, does it? My only interest in him, for now, is that he gets your Smoke back here and dressed and ready by two o’clock.”

Laura checked the clock on the wall, wishing she could hit a fast-forward button that would land her at the altar, face-to-face with Smoke, so they could finally be married. “They’ll be there. I have absolute faith in them. You should go and take your shower. If I know us, we’ll end up being the late ones. We’ll lose track of time, sitting here talking all morning.”

Once Piper had gone upstairs and Aunt Chris had taken herself into the living room to make a phone call, Laura smiled at her mom. “You like him, don’t you?”

She nodded. “I thought he was going to be just some charming stranger, but I don’t know, Laura, when you introduced us, I felt like he was an old friend and we just started talking. The more we talked, the more I felt like I’d known him all my life.” She shook her head. “Part of me feels as though I’m being very foolish. Another part of me just wants to enjoy this feeling. He’s an attractive man, and he’s attracted to me. He makes me feel beautiful.” She gave an embarrassed laugh. “Anyway, that’s not what today is about. Today is about you and your lovely Smoke, finally getting married. I’m so happy for you. He’s a good man. He’s the right man for you. I even love his family. I know they’re the Hamiltons, they’re such a big name, such well-to-do people, but they’re nice, and they’re kind. Not like Dale’s family.”

Laura nodded, remembering the women in her ex-fiancé’s family. They hadn’t been anything like Madeleine and Chelsea. “He sure as hell wasn’t the right man—not or me.”

“I know. I’m so glad you didn’t go through with that.”

“Me too. I hate to think that I would never have met Smoke if I had—or worse, I might have met him, and thought he was this amazing sexy guy who I’d never get to know because I was a miserably married woman.”

Her mom laughed. “Well, you’ll never be one of those now. I’m sure you and Smoke will have your ups and downs, everybody does, but I don’t think you’ll ever make each other miserable.”

“I doubt it.” Laura looked up at the clock on the wall. “Though I don’t think he’ll be very happy if I’m late today.”

“Let’s go upstairs. I’ll help you do your hair.”

They met Piper at the top of the stairs.

“What’s up? asked Laura. Something obviously was.

“Nothing. Why? I’m fine!”

Laura gave her a puzzled look. “Are you sure?”

Piper nodded. “Yes, I just need to get dressed.”

She disappeared into the guest bedroom and closed the door behind her.

Laura raised an eyebrow at her mom.

“Maybe she’s nervous?”

Laura nodded. Maybe, but that wasn’t like Piper. She’d have to pop in and have a word with her in a minute. She hoped it wasn’t about Cameron.

~ ~ ~

Smoke ended the call and blew out a sigh then looked at Cameron.

“What did she say?”

“She and Laura are back at the house and getting ready. Everything’s on schedule there.”

“And what are we going to do?”

Smoke blew out another sigh. “We’re going to keep calling around to see if we can either get someone out here to fix it or get someone to fly us back.” He couldn’t believe it. They’d flown Jared back here to McCarran without a hitch. They’d landed ahead of schedule and were all set to get back in the air and back to the lake—until they’d gone back to the plane. During his pre-flight checks, the flaps on the starboard wing had stuck. They wouldn’t move, up or down. Takeoff and landing weren’t options without flaps. Now they were sitting here at the airport—where the techs didn’t work on Saturdays—wondering how they were going to get back. Jason had taken a job this morning, flying some people back to San Francisco. The other pilots weren’t rated to fly the jets, and it would take them too long to get here and back in one of the Cessnas. His parents’ pilot had taken their plane back to Napa this morning to take some of the executives to Portland. He could hardly ask anyone else to send a plane for him. The only available pilot was Piper, and she was with Laura, getting ready for the wedding.

He could ask her to come get him. He probably should, but he didn’t want to mess everything up. If she came, Laura would know what was going on. Plus, she wouldn’t get to spend her morning doing her girly thing with her friend.

Cameron looked at his watch. “Are you sure you don’t want to ask Piper to come?”

“No.”

“No, you’re not sure, or no, you don’t want to?”

Smoke smiled through pursed lips. “Both.”

“How long would it take us to drive?”

“About four hours.”

“Ah, too long.”

“Yep. I either figure out a way to fly the plane out of here, or I have to admit that I fucked up and tell Laura.”

“You didn’t fuck up! It’s hardly your fault.”

“My plane, my maintenance schedule, my fuck-up.”

“Or just one of those things?” Cameron smiled.

Smoke chuckled. “Maybe. I’m going back to the front desk to see if they’ve heard from the mechanic on call yet.”

“Okay, but if they haven’t, maybe it’s time to ask Piper to come get us.” Cameron smiled. “I have a feeling Laura won’t mind.”

“So do I, I just don’t want to start our married life with her gloating that I couldn’t even get myself to the chapel. Do you think she’d ever let me live it down?”

“Probably not,” said Cameron with a grin.

The girl at the front desk confirmed Smoke’s fear that the mechanic hadn’t checked in yet. He had a feeling that, even if he did, he’d say he wouldn’t be able to do anything until Monday. He went back to Cameron and held up his hands. “Time to admit defeat, I guess.”

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Piper’s number.

“Hi. Did you figure something out?”

“Nope. I hate doing this, but I’m going to have to ask you to come get me. Where’s Laura?”

“She’s downstairs. She’s got her dress on already.”

“Okay. I’ll call her. I’m not going to leave you to explain it to her.”

“Thanks. I’ll call the airport and have the guys get Papa Charlie ready.”

“Yeah. We’re going to be cutting it fine.”

“I know. Do you want me to bring anything with me so you can go straight to the chapel when we land?”

Smoke smiled. “No, I’m fine, thanks. Cameron made sure he brought everything we could need, just in case of an emergency, but I guess you’re going to have to fly in your bridesmaid’s dress.”

Piper laughed. “I guess I will, won’t I? I’d better get changed. You call Laura.”

“Thanks, Piper.” Smoke hung up. “This is going to look great, isn’t it? We’re going to have to get changed now, and go straight to the chapel when we land.”

Cameron laughed. “I know it’s not ideal, but I love it!”

Smoke laughed with him. “See how much you love it when we’re standing here dressed up to the nines and a little blonde bridesmaid comes flying in to our rescue.”

“I already like that idea.”

Smoke shook his head. “I don’t get you with Piper. You blow hot and cold.”

Cameron shook his head. “No. I’m blowing hot the whole time. I’m just blowing so damned hot I’m scared—I don’t want to burn her.”

“I don’t think you want to freeze her out, either, and it looks like that’s what you’re going to end up doing.”

Cameron shrugged. “It’s probably better that way. Anyway, stop worrying about me and Piper. Call Laura, and then we’d better get changed and wait for our bridesmaid in a pretty dress to come rescue us.”

Smoke chuckled and walked away as he dialed Laura’s number.

~ ~ ~

Laura picked up her phone and smiled when she saw Smoke’s name on the display. “Hey, gorgeous,” she answered.

“Who are you calling gorgeous?” Smoke sounded stressed. Something was wrong, she knew it immediately.

“You. What’s wrong?”

“Why does something have to be wrong? Maybe I just want to talk to my fiancée on the phone one last time.”

“I’m sure you do, but I know you too well, Cole Hamilton. Something isn’t right. You tell me what it is, this minute, or I’m coming over there.”

He laughed. “That’s what wrong, lady. I’m not there.”

Laura’s heart jumped into her throat. “You got cold feet? Where are you?”

“No! Laura, hell, no! You know better than that. I’ll be there. I just had a bit of a problem.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine; don’t worry, lady. Everything’s fine. I just need to borrow Piper.”

“Borrow what?” Laura was having a hard time processing all this. Smoke chuckled, and the reassuring sound of it made her smile and relax a little. “Okay, sorry. I’m breathing again now, you scared me for a minute there. Did you just say you need to borrow Piper?”

“Yep.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s the only pilot who can come here and get me back to Summer Lake in time.”

“Where are you? Please tell me you’re not still in Vegas?”

“Err …”

She had to laugh. “Dammit, Smoke; you’re still in Vegas? What happened?”

“The flaps are stuck. The damned plane can’t fly anywhere till it’s fixed, and there’s no one here to fix it. If Piper leaves now, she can get here, pick us up and I can still be there at the chapel, waiting when you and Jack show up in your limo.”

Laura smiled. “That won’t be happening.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m coming with her.”

“You have to get ready.”

“I am ready. All I’m going to do is sit around here until it’s time to go. Why should Piper have all the fun? We can both fly out there to the rescue.”

Smoke groaned, making her smile. “What?” she asked innocently.

“You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

She laughed. “Yes. I am.”

“I thought I wasn’t supposed to see you in your dress till you get to the church.”

“You weren’t supposed to sleep with me last night, but I didn’t hear you complaining about that.”

He laughed. “I didn’t hear you complaining either, though on second thoughts there may have been some moaning.”

“Oh, there was, but not as much as there’ll be tonight. Once we’re finally married. I’m going to hang up on you now. You’ve already talked to Piper, haven’t you?”

“You knew already?”

“No, but I knew there was something going on with her. She’s been avoiding me. Now I know why. You hang tight, little mister, we’ll be there to get you soon.”

Smoke chuckled. “Don’t gloat too much. I’ll have to remind you later that I’m still capable of looking after myself, and you.”

She laughed. “I know, the more I tease you about this, the more you’ll have to reassert your masculinity later. I’m looking forward to that.”

“Good. I think it’ll take me all night.”

“It’d better. See you soon.” She hung up and looked around the room. She was going to have to grab everything she needed and take it with her. “Piper!” she yelled.

The door opened, and Piper stood there, looking nervous. “He needs me to go get him.”

“I know. I’m coming with you.”