Her Best Friend's Brother

by Kay Stockham

  “There, see?” Gram sent him a wink.

  Shelby gaped at him, her mouth falling open in surprise. Garret was right. She really had expected him to back off and not agree to her stubborn stipulation.

  “That’ll do. For now,” Gram murmured, flashing Luke the same smile his grandfather had once claimed had the power to knock a man on his ass and leave him senseless.

  But he wasn’t his grandfather. His family had been after him for years to move back, at least live within a few hours’ driving distance. But California was the hub for what he did and he had to stay there. Could they see that? No, they expected him to drop a lucrative career to move back and do what?

  It took him a moment to realize Shelby still looked thunderstruck by his agreement. He decided to take advantage of her silence, before she could change her mind or think of something else to add to her list of conditions. Pulling the velvet box from his jacket pocket, he dug the ring from the folds.

  “What—Now?”

  Luke ignored Shelby’s hushed question. He snagged her hand and slipped the ring on her finger, waiting for her reaction. But all she did was curl her fingers into a fist and stare at the pear-shaped emerald surrounded by two layers of diamonds. He’d never considered her a diamond solitaire kind of woman and had bought the ring the moment he’d laid eyes on it. Had he made a mistake? Did she want something more traditional?

  “It’s…beautiful.”

  “It matches your eyes.”

  “Is Uncle Luke going to kiss her?” Matt asked from the sidelines.

  Luke hadn’t realized Nick and his son had entered the dining room, but Luke smiled at his nephew’s suggestion. Not a bad idea. At least in that he and Shelby got along.

  Luke lowered his head for a kiss only to find his lips brushing the corner of Shelby’s mouth when she turned her head. In response, he slipped his fingers into her hair and held her gently, brushing another kiss along her cheek then across her lips. She trembled and that, more than anything, cut through the haze of turmoil attacking his overloaded brain. Shelby was scared. Anyone in her right mind would be scared, and Shelby had more reason than most. He’d have to remember that. Adjust and make allowances. “We’ll make this work.”

  “You’re delusional if you really believe that.”

  Luke held back a husky laugh. There was his happy bride.

  “So, we making the announcement tonight?” Ethan asked.

  Luke stared at Shelby’s averted face and knew he couldn’t give her too much time to gather her flagging emotions. He searched his mind for a suitable date and then had a brainstorm of his own. “Yeah. And I’d like you to be here for the ceremony.”

  “But…Luke, your brother leaves in a few days.” His mother exchanged a look of concern with Gram. She no doubt worried at the suddenness of it—and the planning. But his mother was good, the ultimate charity event organizer, and he knew she could pull something together in the time allotted, blindfolded and with her hands tied behind her back. “I suppose we could go to Pigeon Forge tomorrow,” he suggested, knowing full well his family wouldn’t go for that.

  “Not on Labor Day weekend, you can’t. Those chapels book months and even years in advance,” Alex said.

  Shelby shut her eyes and took a deep breath. “Do we have to do it so…soon? I’m sure Ethan would understand.”

  Luke glared at Ethan to keep him quiet.

  “Sorry, sweetheart. If it’s all the same to you, I would like to be here,” Ethan said, lifting the glass in his hand. “It’s not every day one of my brothers gets married.”

  Everyone laughed at that. Luke doubted many families had three weddings in a year.

  Luke slipped his hand beneath Shelby’s chin and nudged her face back to his. “Everyone is here now. And Judge Chambers is a guest. He can issue a special license.” He smiled, knowing without a doubt that his father’s old friend would agree to the request.

  “Um, couldn’t we just go to the courthouse before Ethan leaves? Have a small, private ceremony? With everything that’s happened this week,” she whispered, “don’t you think that would be…best?”

  “Nonsense, Shelby.”

  His mother pulled Shelby into a hug, a blatant sign of motherly support. Then again, why wouldn’t she love this turn of events? Shelby had gotten him to agree to come home more often—something Marilyn and her prayer circle hadn’t managed to accomplish.

  “I say we do this right. Rosetta and I are getting to be old hands at planning weddings. When do you return to California, Luke?”

  “Sunday afternoon. I won’t be able to return again until after Ethan’s left for Niger.”

  “Well,” his mother murmured, sliding Shelby a sympathetic but firm glance, “it looks as though tomorrow is your wedding day.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  MR. LONG GAVE Shelby the rest of the weekend off and actually seemed okay about the turn of events. Then again, in the face of making the Tulanes happy, she figured he didn’t have many options but to go with the flow.

  Two hours after agreeing to marry Luke, Shelby found herself seated at a table with Marilyn, Rosetta, Alex, Darcy, Jenn and a whole slew of Luke’s aunts and female cousins.

  “What about a dress?” Alex asked. “Do you know what style you’d like? We could try to run to Nashville tonight.” She checked her watch with a frown. “If we spent the night and got started first thing in the morning, we could be home by evening. Maybe sneak in a mani-pedi?”

  Shelby opened her mouth to respond, but someone put heavy hands on her shoulders and leaned over her. In an instant she recognized Luke’s touch. How scary was that?

  “Shelby has a dress.”

  “You do?” Alex frowned.

  “I bought her one as a gift. If it fits, I’d like her to wear it.”

  All of the women stared at her, waiting for her to comment.

  “She hasn’t had a chance to see it yet,” Luke explained.

  His hands gently squeezed and, like it or not, she felt a measure of comfort from his touch, his scent. Was she making the right decision? Doing the right thing for the baby? “I’m sure it’s beautiful. It’ll be fine. If not…I’ll find something.”

  The talk continued around her as women chimed in with their opinions on the hows and must-haves.

  “What about flowers? Do you like roses? Or calla lilies?”

  “Yoo-hoo! Shelby!”

  Shelby’s heart stopped. Oh, no. Please, no. She turned toward the dining room’s entrance and moaned when she saw her mother blocked by the hostess.

  “Shelby! There, see? There’s my daughter. Shelby, come tell this nice woman who I am.”

  Shelby shoved away from the table. It was bad enough to sit there with Luke’s family but to have her mother join in? “I have to go.”

  “Sit down, Shelby.” Rosetta curled her hand over Shelby’s and held her in the chair. “Breathe, child. You’re going to be sick again if you don’t.”

  Everyone watched as Ethan spoke with the hostess and Pat beamed at the handsome doctor for coming to her rescue. She curled her arm over his and played the simpering debutante as Ethan escorted her down the balcony steps and across the dining room toward them. And with every step the knot in Shelby’s stomach grew larger.

  Please don’t make a scene, please don’t make a scene, please don’t—

  “Oh, I just can’t believe it! My baby is getting married and having a ba-bee! Shelby, come give your mama a hug.”

  Rosetta squeezed her hand again before releasing it. Shelby reluctantly stood and her mother nearly toppled her with a perfume-laden bear hug that shoved hairspray-laden hair into Shelby’s face.

  “Oh, honey, why didn’t you tell me? Is that what you wanted to talk about on Sunday? After everything that’s happened this week—”

  “Mom, please, just sit down.”

  “No, baby, I can’t. We have to settle this once and for all.” Large tears filled her mother’s eyes and trickled out over her eyelashes, real ones t
his time. “Please, tell me you forgive me.”

  Like she could refuse in front of Luke’s entire family, with the members of the club and everyone else watching? Her gaze shifted to find Luke and she saw him eyeing her with concern. “It’s fine, Mom.”

  “Really? Do you mean it?”

  She knew her mother wouldn’t stop until she agreed. Shelby felt her face heat even more. “Yes. Please, sit down.” And behave.

  Jennifer scooted back her chair and stood. “Ms. Taylor, we’re glad you could join us. Take my seat by Shelby.”

  “Oh, thank you, sweetie. Look at me, I’m shaking like a leaf! It isn’t every day you find out your only daughter is having a baby. Can you see me as a grandmother?” she asked those at the table as she seated herself. “I’ve already scheduled a facial and full-body mud wrap.” She shook her head and her oversize earrings wagged back and forth like pendulums. “I wish you had at least called me, Shelby. A mother wants to hear these things from her daughter. But I suppose,” she said with a drawn-out sigh, “that doesn’t matter now. Why, I couldn’t believe it when Martha Bumgarner called the shop to tell me what was going on here.” Pat pressed her fingers to her mouth and let the tears flow. “To think your father died when he could’ve—”

  “He wasn’t my father.” Despite nearly whispering the four words, Shelby’s voice carried to the others, and she felt their pitying stares.

  Her mother dabbed at her eyes. “Of course you feel that way, Shelby. Why would you feel differently when he never did right by you?”

  Shelby eyed the closest door. She could make it in about ten steps.

  “Where were we?” Rosetta asked, effectively halting the subject and steering them back on course. The older woman took Shelby’s hand once more, her grip casual but firm. “What kind of flowers would you like, dear? Roses?”

  “Oh, yes. Roses are so elegant,” her mother drawled. “Shelby, you must have roses. Bunches and bunches of them.”

  Shelby attempted to smile but couldn’t muster the energy. “It doesn’t matter.”

  The table fell silent and Shelby knew she’d screwed up again. Of all things to say. Most brides cared about flowers and dresses. Most brides wanted to marry their grooms. Most brides were in love. Hello? You’re not most brides. “I meant, whatever you think is best. I’m not good with flowers.”

  Her attempt to smooth over her blunder must have worked. The ladies began suggesting their favorites and conversation resumed.

  “Would you like a drink, Ms. Taylor?” Darcy asked from across the table.

  “I believe I would. Thank you. I had to park a mile away and I’m parched.”

  Just what she needed, her mother dehydrated and drunk. “Mom, maybe—”

  “A diet, please. Shelby, really, how could you wait so long to tell me about you and Luke? I could’ve been dieting all this time. Oh, I’ll never find a dress this late. I can’t just pull any old thing out of the closet. What will I wear?”

  “HERE.” Ethan held out a drink. “In lieu of a bachelor party, this will have to do.”

  Luke accepted the glass and found himself surrounded by his brothers, father, cousins and uncles.

  “To marriage,” his father said, raising his glass. “May your marriage to Shelby be long and lasting, full of happy times and love.”

  “And lots of sex,” Ethan added, drawing chuckles from the others.

  Luke took a drink but couldn’t pull his focus from Shelby. She sat on the other side of the dining room with the women, scratching one of the blotches covering her every time her mother spoke, which was pretty much nonstop except when his mother or Rosetta cut the woman off.

  “You sure about this?”

  He looked at Garret and nodded. “Yeah. Stop asking me that.”

  “Shelby is great, don’t get me wrong. But she doesn’t exactly look like a happy bride-to-be.”

  Garret was astute as always. “She doesn’t think we can make it.”

  His brother stiffened. “Then maybe you should wait until Ethan gets back from his trip. Luke, you and Shelby have to both want this to make it work.”

  “We’ll be fine.”

  Garret wrapped his arm around Luke’s shoulders and drew him away from the others. “The whole thing about you not being able to move back…what was up with that?”

  Luke felt the intensity of his brother’s stare. “What do you mean?”

  “Come on. I know there were some issues between you and Nick growing up. All that stupid stuff with him always getting into trouble and you backing him up when you should have steered clear.”

  It’s what brothers, twins, were supposed to do. “I like California.”

  “I know you do. But how’s a marriage going to work with you gone five days a week?”

  Not easily. “I’m hoping she’ll come around. All I know is that I want to be a father.”

  “And Shelby’s husband.”

  He didn’t deny it. “Is it so obvious?”

  “Only to those who know you’ve always liked her. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into and remember pregnant women are moody, irritable and cry at the drop of a hat. Rational behavior takes a hike when those kinds of hormones are involved.”

  Luke accepted the advice without comment. Garret knew what he was talking about because when his brother had met Darcy she’d been very pregnant with another man’s baby. The thing was, Shelby was moody and irritable on a good day. But unlike most guys, he’d give anything for Shelby to cry and shout and make a fuss, anything instead of pushing him away.

  SHELBY STARED at her reflection in her bedroom mirror and tried to calm her racing heart. Her wedding night. If someone had said last week that she’d be married right now, she’d have called him crazy. But crazy was just how this felt. She knew of people who’d run off to Vegas, Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge after knowing each other a short amount of time, but even though she’d known Luke over twenty years, it still seemed absurdly sudden. Freakishly, frighteningly sudden.

  The ceremony had been held in the backyard of Marilyn and Alan’s mountaintop home, the occasion even more beautiful than planned due to Luke’s interference in the arrangements his family and her mother had made. Last night when the women had sat around the table, she’d let them decide everything. The music, the flowers. But Luke had vetoed their decisions—and proved just how well he knew her.

  Instead of roses, her bouquet was made of a mixture of miniature sunflowers, roses, mums and ivy with the sweet scent of honeysuckle tucked into the mix. Instead of classical music, Luke had requested his band-member cousin—a country music wannabe living in Nashville—sing Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” and dedicate it to her. From within the house she’d watched the crowd wipe away tears while she and Jerry—dressed in his one and only suit that he hated but had worn just for her—waited in the living room by the back door for their cue.

  The initial music had begun and she’d been sick to her stomach because her mother wasn’t there yet—a sign Shelby instinctively knew meant trouble. Seeing her glance over her shoulder toward the front entrance, her father had given her a hug, told her he loved her, then said he wouldn’t hold what she’d said about keeping his name against her and, if she’d changed her mind, his truck was waiting outside.

  The temptation to take him up on the offer had been so strong. Then she’d looked out the window and seen Luke taking his position at the end of the aisle and she knew she couldn’t do that to him. The music began and it was time and there they went, toward Luke. She and her father had just stepped outside when her mother made her entrance wearing a white suit, white sparkly heels and yet another hat with a veil. Her mother had wrapped her arm around Jerry’s free one, posed for the photographer, and then they were on their way again, the guests’ whispers loud in Shelby’s ears.

  Everyone had been shocked. Shelby was momentarily, too, but she’d also expected her mother to do something to draw attention to herself and she had. Jerry was right. In life tw
o constants were death and taxes. The third was her mother making a spectacle of herself in order to be the center of attention. But Shelby also had a feeling there was more to her mother’s bride attire than simply fodder for gossip. She’d felt like a third wheel standing by her parents. The way they’d looked at each other. A part of her knew her mother well enough to suspect her mother was hoping her father saw Pat as a bride again. His bride.

  Now the wedding was over. The cake had been cut, the bouquet thrown and she and Luke were back at her house for the night since he had to go back to California tomorrow. She was supposed to be changing, but all she could do was stare at the beautiful gown Luke had given her, amazed all the way down to her toes because it was so very perfect, exactly what she would have chosen for herself.

  Strapless, the bodice was heavily beaded at the top and over her breasts, the number of beads and sequins lessening at her ribs and finally ending in trickling sparkles at her waist where her skirt was lightly gathered on the left. The rest of the white material cascaded to the floor, straight and simple and very elegant.

  When she’d got up that morning her hives were still visible, not exactly something a bride wants on her wedding day. Luckily the small dose of allergy medicine her doctor said was safe had helped them disappear.

  “Shelby?” Her bedroom door opened, startling her.

  “I’m not ready yet.”

  Her comment brought a smile to Luke’s lips. “I’ll help you with your dress.” He crossed the room and, before she could argue, his hands tugged at the zipper.

  “So you expect sex, just like that?”

  LUKE STILLED momentarily at Shelby’s query, then smoothed his hands up to her shoulders and began a slow massage. She was tighter than the bow Aiya carried in Mystic Magi.

  “I suppose you want laundry services, too?”

  He hadn’t graduated top in his class for nothing. Shelby was trying to pick a fight, trying to keep him at arm’s length and get him angry. Angry enough to wig out on their wedding night and let her sleep alone? Not happening. He knew why she pushed, knew he had to push back. His gaze met hers in the mirror. “I don’t expect you to wait on me hand and foot,” he told her, dropping his head to kiss her temple.