Chapter Nine

 

“Are you sure we can’t keep you until tomorrow?” asked Lawrence.

Laura shook her head.

“How can you even ask her that?” asked Shawnee. She turned to Laura. “And people ask why I’ve never married him! He just doesn’t understand.”

Lawrence grinned behind her, and Laura had to bite back a smile of her own. She’d love to be there when Lawrence did propose, and she was much happier about the ring now. Shawnee didn’t have the slightest inkling about it. She was thrilled with the necklace design, though. The three of them had met for an early lunch before Laura headed back to the airport, and now it was time for her to go.

“We can talk on the phone, and we can video chat so I can show you how things are coming along.”

“I know,” said Lawrence. “It’s all good. I know it’ll turn out perfect. It’s just that you’ve become like family since you’ve been here. I wish you could stay.”

Laura smiled. “I’ll be honest; I wasn’t looking forward to coming here. Nashville wasn’t my favorite place, but you’ve all made me feel so at home. If I didn’t have so much wedding planning to do, I’d be tempted to stay.”

“You’ll just have to come back and see us soon then,” said Shawnee. “I’d love that.”

“Yeah, you should do that. You and your new husband have an open invitation to come stay with us any time you like.” Lawrence grinned again. “And, if you wanted to come see us on the tour, you could come backstage one night.”

He winked, and Laura knew which night he was talking about. She’d love to be there the night he proposed to Shawnee. “I’ll talk to Smoke and see what we can do.”

Lawrence looked out the window of the restaurant. “Carson just pulled around. I guess that means it’s time.”

Laura checked her watch. It was time, and sad as she was to leave her new friends, she couldn’t wait to get home to Smoke. Both Lawrence and Shawnee hugged her before she got into the limo.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” said Lawrence.

Shawnee laughed. “You can wait till Monday. Let her have the weekend with her man.”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry.” He gave Laura a sheepish smile and a shrug.

Laura laughed. “I’ll call you Monday morning.”

“Send us a quick text to say you got home safe?” asked Shawnee.

“Okay.”

Carson shook his head. “I hate to break up this fond farewell, but we need to get going. There were reports of a wreck out by the airport, and we don’t want you to be late.”

“Okay. Let’s go.” After more hugs, she got in, and Carson ran around to the driver’s door.

“I hope we will see you back again soon,” he said when he pulled up in front of the terminal.

“Me too,” said Laura. “And I hope you make it out to California to sing me your hit song in the not-too-distant future.

Carson grinned. “I’m already working on it, and don’t worry, I’ll be sure to call you before I come.”

“Thanks.” Laura wanted to say something else, to encourage him somehow and to tell him to keep in touch. Instead, she just smiled. “You take care.”

“You too. Come back and see us, you hear?”

“I will.” She picked up her bag and went in through the automatic doors. For all she hadn’t been looking forward to this trip, it had been great, and she really was sad to leave. She wasn’t sad for long though. By the time she’d checked her bag and joined the line to pass through security, her thoughts had already turned to getting back to Smoke and to everything they had to get done this weekend.

~ ~ ~

When they landed back at Summer Lake, Smoke turned to smile at Laura as he taxied off the runway. “Remember the first time we did this?”

“Yeah, you brought me up here for Missy’s birthday party.”

He grinned. “We went to Missy’s birthday party before I took you back to your room and got what I really brought you here for.”

She laughed at that.

“I’d told myself I wasn’t going to sleep with you that night, you know?”

“But you couldn’t resist.”

“If I remember correctly, it was you who couldn’t resist me. We didn’t even get out of the kitchen before you had me up against the cabinets.”

He smirked as he remembered. “You don’t remember correctly. I tried, but you wouldn’t let me. You shoved me down in a chair instead and climbed all over my stuff.”

She laughed. “I didn’t shove you.”

“Maybe we should recreate the scene tonight, and I’ll tell you if it was a shove or not.”

“I like the sound of that. Do we get to go straight home?”

Smoke sucked in a deep breath. He’d like nothing more. He brought the plane to a stop and cut the ignition before unfastening his belt and turning to watch her as she unfastened hers. “We could. I’d like to, but if we do, we’ll have to come back out again later.”

Laura sighed. “Where are we going? What are we doing, and who are we seeing?”

“Cam’s here again. He’s staying at the resort, don’t worry. And a bunch of the gang are coming to the resort for dinner. I said we might go. We don’t have to if you don’t want, but …”

“I don’t want to. I’d much rather take you home and climb all over your stuff again, as you so eloquently put it, but we’d better, and we’ll enjoy it.”

“And you can still have your way with me when we get home later.” He rested his hand on her knee and slowly slid it up over her thigh, loving the little pink stains that appeared on her cheeks.

“You’ll just have to hope I’m not too tired by the time we get there.”

Smoke laughed. “You won’t be.”

~ ~ ~

Emma turned to Megan and smiled. “Isn’t this great? I hardly come out at all these days, and you’re the same. I don’t remember the last time we both made it out to dinner together.”

Megan nodded. “I could come out more; Lizzie loves having Ethan and Billy, but I just don’t like to leave them.”

Jack grinned at Michael. “And we say it’s the girls who don’t want to come out, but we’re just as bad, right?”

“Yeah. I still love to come out and see everyone, but I miss the little guys so much when we do.”

Missy shook her head. “Make the most of it. There are lots of happy grandparents around tonight who finally get some time with the little people by themselves. You should all relax and have a good time.”

“Oh, I plan to.” Emma raised her glass.

“Is that Smoke’s brother?” asked Missy. They were sitting on the deck of the Boathouse, and she pointed over to the square where a guy was getting his bag out of the back of a car.

“It is,” said Jack. “Do you mind if I go have a word with him, baby?”

Emma got to her feet. “Not at all; I’ll go with you.”

Missy laughed. “No matchmaking, Mouse.”

Emma gave her an innocent shrug and then turned big eyes on Jack as he took her hand and started walking.

“She’s right, Em.”

“What did I do?”

“Nothing yet, but we can all see what’s coming. You’re looking to set Cameron up with Piper, aren’t you?”

She shrugged again. “They’d make a lovely couple, don’t you think?”

Jack shook his head. “They would, but I don’t think you should do anything. Leave it alone.”

He sounded stern, and she gave him a puzzled look.

“Sorry, baby. It’s just that I know what you’re like. I know you just want to see everyone happy, but you don’t know Cameron, and you don’t know the Hamilton family.”

Emma frowned. “They seemed so nice when I met them. I know there was all that business with Smoke and Anabel, but I thought that was all in the past. They learned their lesson. Surely they wouldn’t try to interfere with Cameron?”

“No, they wouldn’t, but you have to remember that Cameron …” He stopped and shook his head as they reached the square. “Just do me a favor and watch from the sidelines? I don’t see Cam getting involved with someone from outside of the world he lives in.”

“Okay. I just like seeing people live happily ever after.”

“I know.”

Cameron looked up as they approached. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey,” said Jack. “I didn’t know you were back this weekend.”

“I probably shouldn’t be, but I want to be around if I can do anything to help with the wedding plans.”

“That’s so nice of you,” said Emma.

Cameron smiled and looked a little guilty, and Emma had the feeling that he realized that she understood that wasn’t the only reason he was here.

“Smoke and Laura aren’t back yet, but there’s a bunch of us here if you want to come join us,” said Jack.

“Thanks. Are you out on the deck? I’ll go get checked in and then come and find you.”

“Yep, you can’t miss us. We’ve got three tables pulled together so far, and there will probably be four by the time you come back down.”

“Great. I’ll see you in a few.”

Emma smiled to herself as he ran up the steps to the lodge.

“What are you looking so smug about?” asked Jack.

“Oh, nothing much.”

“Other than what?”

“Other than the fact that I know Piper is up at the lodge right now, and I’m hoping he runs into her.”

Jack chuckled. “You really are a hopeless romantic, aren’t you?”

She slid her arm around his waist as they went back to join the others. “Yes, I am, and you’re the one who proved to me that I’m not stupid. That true love and happily-ever-afters do exist.”

“They do, but you have to find the right person.”

“And you don’t think Piper is the right person for Cameron? Why not? I don’t understand. I think she’s lovely.”

“She is; it’s not about that. It’s more about Cameron. I think the right person for him will be someone who can survive in his world. If anything, Piper seems too nice. You need some hard edges to survive in Cam’s world. I don’t think she’d make it.”

“Oh.”

Jack laughed. “It never ceases to amaze me how many different things you mean when you say ‘oh’ like that.”

“In this case, I think I mean I’m disappointed. I think the two of them would be lovely together, but I’d hate to see Piper unhappy by trying to fit into Cameron’s world.”

“Exactly. Now you’re starting to understand what I’m talking about—and why I’m saying you shouldn’t interfere.”

“Okay,” she sighed as they reached the table.

“What’s the matter?” asked Missy. “You’re sighing like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

Jack laughed. “Not the weight of the world, Miss. Just the weight of a little bit of reality.”

Emma smiled. “Yep, that. I don’t like reality too much. I prefer my own light and fluffy version.”

Missy laughed. “As long as you’re okay?”

“I’m a little disappointed, but I guess I’ll survive.”

Nate grinned as he and Lily arrived at the table in time to hear Emma’s reply. “How’s he disappointed you, Em?” He looked at Jack. “I always said he wasn’t good enough for you.”

Jack laughed. “Nice to see you, too, Nate. And for your information, I have not disappointed my wife …”

“Never!” said Emma with a coy smile that had the others laughing.

“Well, excuse me. I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”

“I’m fine; thanks for caring, Nate.”

Lily smiled at her. “I take it there’s nothing serious going on? We’re just joking, right?”

Emma nodded. “I was just hoping to see Cameron and Piper get together, but Jack just gave me a reality check.”

Lily frowned. “What kind of reality check? I’ve been thinking the same thing. Seeing them last weekend, I thought they were together. And then Piper came out to the barn in the week. I really like her.”

Jack sighed and looked at Nate. “It’s not just me, is it?”

Nate shook his head. “Nope. Piper seems like a sweetheart, and I don’t think a sweetheart is what Cam needs.”

“And why’s that?” asked Missy, looking puzzled.

“Because he lives and works in a cutthroat world.”

“Seriously?” asked Michael. “I didn’t realize winemakers were a tough bunch.”

“I don’t think winemakers are,” said Nate, “but you have to bear in mind that Hamilton-Groves are not just winemakers. They’ve become a huge conglomerate; they’re the biggest distributor in the country. Cam’s life is all business deals and politics. When you add in the fact that he’s also been featured in magazines as one of the most eligible bachelors, and consider all the women who’d love to snare him …” he shrugged. “Piper doesn’t seem like she’d fit in with that crowd.”

Jack nodded, and Emma sighed again.

“Aww,” Nate patted her on the shoulder before he sat down next to her. “Don’t worry, Em. Smoke has all those pilot guys wandering around; I’m sure you’ll be able to pair her off with one of them.”

Emma shrugged. The pilots that she’d met seemed really nice, but she just had a feeling about Piper and Cameron. “Maybe, but anyway, talking about Smoke, he and Laura should be here soon. Where’s everyone up to? I’ve got the cake taken care of.”

Missy smiled. “And I’ve been out to the chapel and over to see Angel about the venue. Between April, Renee, and me, we’ve got all the flowers taken care of. Laura’s mom and Chris are taking care of the ribbons.”

“And we’re taking Smoke to get a suit next week,” said Jack.

“What about the stag night?” asked Missy.

Emma shot her a warning look. They were supposed to be keeping Laura’s party plans quiet.

Missy just smirked at her.

Nate and Jack exchanged a look, but it was Dan who spoke. “Nice try, Miss. You know we can’t say anything, any more than you can say anything about Laura’s plans.”

Missy laughed. “I had to try.”

Michael shook his head at her.

“Look.”

Emma smiled as she followed Lily’s gaze and saw Cameron and Piper coming down the steps from the lodge together.

No one spoke for a few moments as they all watched the pair make their way inside the restaurant.

It was Megan who finally broke the silence. “Just because something doesn’t look like it makes sense from the outside, doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”

Michael put his arm around her shoulders. “We can vouch for that; right, little one?”

Missy laughed and leaned against Dan. “Us too.”

Lily looked at Nate. “What? You’re my perfect match. Everyone knew it from the second we met.”

Lily laughed. “Everyone except the three hundred women you slept with between that second and the time you finally asked me out?”

Emma didn’t join in the laughter at that. Nate had been such a ladies’ man. She was happy he’d left that behind for Lily, but he certainly hadn’t done it as soon as he met her.

~ ~ ~

When Smoke brought the truck to a stop in the square, Laura rested her head against his shoulder.

“Are you okay, lady?”

“I’m fine. I just want you to myself for a minute before we go join them.”

Shivers ran down her spine as he stroked her hair. “We can forget it, go home, have the whole evening to ourselves?”

She shook her head. “No. We need to see them all, and especially Cameron.”

“Okay, but we’re not staying late.”

“I couldn’t if I wanted to. I’ll be asleep.”

He scowled at her. “Is that because of too many late nights in Nashville?”

She laughed. “Probably.”

“Well, I’ll let you go straight to sleep when we get home if that’s what you want.”

“You know what I want.” She rested her hand on his thigh, and he nodded.

“And you know that’s what I want, too. I can’t wait till we’re married and we get to spend the whole week together. Alone. No disturbances, no interruptions.”

Laura smiled. “I am so looking forward to that.” She sat bolt upright. “Except that’s the one thing we’ve forgotten. Where are we going? We need to book something.”

Smoke smiled. “We can go wherever you want. We can still do the Mediterranean if you’d like, but I was thinking maybe the Caribbean since it’s closer.”

“I’d love to, but how are we going to find something on a week’s notice?”

“Mom said we can use any of the company properties. Just pick your island.”

“Wow.” Laura looked out the window and saw the gang all sitting on the deck. “How about we talk about this later or in the morning? We should go and join them and eat if we want to make an early night of it.”

“Okay.” He slung his arm around her shoulders as they walked across the square. “You do realize this is probably the last time we’ll come here together like this?”

She jerked her chin up to look at him. “Why?”

He laughed. “Because, right now, you’re my fiancée, and next time we get to come here together, you’ll be my wife.”

Laura smiled. “I cannot wait.”