Page 116 of Filthy Twisted Devil

I roll my eyes. Johnny can get away with commenting on my outfit because he’s Reed’s godfather and he’s known me since I was three. “You can tell me that we’ve got a full house of servers.”

“One kid didn’t show up, but don’t worry about it. I’ve got another one coming in from town.”

“Are you sure about that?” As the man behind the only successful restaurant in Sundre, Johnny was the only man I’d trust to run lead on service at the wedding. Johnny’s reliable, but that doesn’t mean his servers are. Waiters tend to jump ship when they get a better paid job on a ranch.

Johnny waves his hand. “Don't worry. I've got this. Now, don't you have pictures to be in? You're in this wedding!”

“I still have an hour before pictures, and I’ve got to make sure the flowers are set up before then. Text me if you have any more problems.”

Then I’m already running back to the house, where the florist and the cakemaker have set up shop in the kitchen. I make pretty good time, considering that I’m running on adrenaline and three hours of sleep. Since I finished chatting with Brinley, I’ve spent almost every minute of the day working.

Luke and I have had about five minutes total to catch up. Enough for me to recount my conversation with Brinley, only for him to top me with his eavesdropped conversation between her and my brothers.

Apparently, the Lockes haven’t made a firm decision yet, because they iced Luke out through the whole rehearsal dinner. When Luke asked Wade if he needed a whiskey refill, Wade just held out his glass without making eye contact. Luke poured to the brim, and my brother accepted it with a muttered thank you.

I’ve tried not to worry about it. I can’t fit it inside my head and think about flower arrangements. Floral arrangements which, I’m relieved to see, are mostly gone from the kitchen. That means they’re being placed on tables in the barn as we speak.

“Your bouquets and boutonnieres are in the fridge,” the baker tells me. “Cake is in good shape. Nothing to worry about here.”

I let out a breath. “Good. Love it. Text me if that changes.”

It probably will. Weddings have a way of bringing out chaos, but so far, problems have been kept to a minimum. I check my watch. I have thirty more minutes before I need to join Brinley and the girls back at the cottage for hair and makeup. Maybe that will give me time to sit down and eat an energy bar after I triple check the ceremony arch and seats.

My phone buzzes, and I recognize the officiant’s name. Ruby is from the next town over and came highly recommended by my friends in the area. When I met her at the rehearsal dinner last night, it only confirmed that we’d made the right choice.

Ruby

Sorry to bother you, but I got a flat tire about an hour outside of town.

I groan. So much for that energy bar. I’ve got one more fire to put out.

The barn rings with chattering guests, complimenting the wildflower bouquets everywhere and the romantic twinkling light. Yellow afternoon light streams through the windows, setting everything in a golden tone. A musician strums on an acoustic guitar.

I smile, looking in on everyone. The whole thing looks dreamy, sweet, and a little wild, Brinley’s secret romantic side taking physical form. It’s everything we both dreamed it would be.

I glance down at my watch. By now, Beau and the groomsmen should be coming down from James’s cabin. I already brought Brinley and the other bridesmaids down to the house, where the makeup team is taking care of final touch-ups. The only thing left for me to do is check on the sunset champagne toast arrangements.

Strolling behind the barn, I find everything just as I left it. An arch of flowers frames the table of glasses, and small circles of chairs have been set up for guests. A small fire pit is ready to light up later once it gets cooler.

“Well?” Luke says from behind me. “Is it everything you hoped it would be?”

Beau and the rest of the groomsmen are standing by the entrance, joking around and letting James straighten everyone’s tie. Luke’s looking damn good in his tan suit, which sets off his blue-green eyes. I bite my lower lip. I still can’t believe this man is mine. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.

“Yes. It’s exactly what I envisioned.” I run my hands over his lapels, hypothetically smoothing them, but really as an excuse to touch him.

“You look beautiful, wildflower,” he murmurs. “Even prettier than the wedding you miraculously pulled off.”

Over Luke’s shoulder, I spot three figures coming toward me. I frown at the unprecedented sight of all my brothers, shaved, washed, and wearing suits. Granted, Reed skipped wearing a tie and Wade still has stubble on his jaw, but they’re more groomed and presentable than I’ve ever seen them.

They stroll across the yard in a line of three, a small army ready to strike. Reed steps forward first, like a messenger.

“We need to talk, Edie,” Reed says. “To both of you.”

The way all three of them have their mouths set in thin lines makes me think that whatever they have to say isn’t great. I square my shoulders and brace myself for the worst. If they’re going to yell at me, so be it. I can take it. My mascara has been done by a professional, so I refuse to cry, no matter what they say. Luke takes my hand, a silent gesture that promises he’s in this with me.

Reed shoves his hands in his pockets. “We’re not blind,” he says. “However you two started this thing, it’s obvious you’ve got both feet in it.”

He shoots me a crooked smile, and my chest warms. Reed’s never been one to begrudge other people for messing up, since it’s something of a habit of his. Still, I’m happy to have him on my side for this.