“Travis O’Hare!” Maggie exclaimed. “Everyone loves my adventures.”
“Think ziplining,” Ryan said.
Shane fixed Lily with a droll look. “Think stealing someone’s Harley and taking it for a joyride.”
“Really, Grandma?” Shane’s oldest, Abby, asked from his side.
Maggie waved that away. “Your daddy’s just being funny.”
“Cake’s ready!” Barry hollered.
Shane stood abruptly. “I’d better get the ice-cream cart set up.”
Lily set off in search of her husband, who she quickly found in a huddle with Vince, Sophia, and Missy. “Nic, come on! Cake!”
Nico caught up with her, taking her hand and walking with her to admire the…unusual creation. The frozen yogurt wedding cake that Lily had thought was vanilla with chocolate chips turned out to be coconut cream with mint chips. The icing was popcorn flavor. A Dancing Cow original. Shane’s daughters, Abby, Hannah, and Becca, turned their noses up at it. Lily had to admit the flavors were an unusual combination, kinda gross, so she did what any bride would do.
Smashed it in the groom’s face.
She got Nico good with that surprise move.
“Payback,” he growled, advancing on her.
“You can’t mess up my wedding gown!” she exclaimed.
He hesitated, and she thought she’d won that round. Then he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with his gross fro-yo-covered mouth, making her taste all that coconut-mint-popcorn flavor.
He pulled away and grinned at her.
Someone got on the mike. “Time for a toast.”
She wiped her mouth and turned to see it was Luke with the best man toast. He’d purposely come to the wedding without a date because, as he said, “women always get the wrong idea when you take them to a wedding.”
Nico got a napkin and wiped his face clean. Then he held her by the chin and wiped her cheek where she hadn’t even known she had fro-yo. He gave her a quick kiss. Missy took the napkin to throw away, probably so they wouldn’t miss the toast.
“One day,” Luke began, “there was a redhead with a thing for blue-collar guys like my brother Nico.”
The crowd tittered. Lily flushed because they probably thought it was her. Nico wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Luke went on. “And Nico, he was cool with that.” Everyone laughed. “But then another redhead showed up.” Everyone got quiet. “You might’ve guessed who that one was, our Lily.”
She squirmed a bit, knowing what was coming next. She really hoped he didn’t tell the entire town she’d slapped Nico for the unexpected kiss. It had been a symbolic slap like any classy lady would do when mauled by a strange man.
“So Nico did what any red-blooded man would,” Luke said. “He kissed the first redhead who walked into his showroom.” He paused over more laughter. “Lucky for us, he got the right one. Lily has been so good for my brother. And I and my whole family thank you for that. For bringing him the happiness he so richly deserves. For valuing family as we do. We are very happy to call you sister.”
“And daughter!” Mrs. Marino hollered.
“Yes!” Mr. Marino hollered.
“She’s my daughter,” her dad pronounced in a booming voice. And for some reason that got her choked up more than anything. He really was trying to connect with her.
“To your future happiness,” Luke said, holding his champagne glass up in a toast. “And may you be blessed with many children.” His whole family knew they wanted a large family. Lily had always dreamed of it after growing up an only child.
Everyone toasted to that. Nico turned her in his arms and kissed her breathless.
Her sister went up and gave a toast, telling the story of how she and Lily had found each other late in life that ended with Missy saying in a choked voice, “Nico has asked me to be a part of his and Lily’s family, and I want that more than anything.”
Lily gasped, her hand covering her mouth. She turned to Nico, who smiled, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and gestured for her to listen to her sister.
“If that’s okay with you, Lily?” Missy asked.
“Yes!” Lily hollered.
Missy lifted a hand and went on in a quavering voice. “Everyone has been so welcoming, and I have a job opportunity here, thank you, Vince and Sophia, and I’ll find a place to stay. Even though Nico was kind enough to invite me to live with him and Lily for as long as I like, I’m not going to intrude on the newlyweds. Some things you just can’t unsee.”
Everyone laughed.
Missy looked directly at Lily. “I’ll be here to stay as soon as I can arrange it. Nico said it would be a wedding present for you both, but really it’s a gift that you’ve both given me.” Her voice wobbled at the end and she quickly put the mike back on its stand.
Lily hugged Nico tightly, tears welling in her eyes. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“It was mostly Vince and Sophia,” he said gruffly, wrapping his arms around her. “They needed an office manager. The job made everything else possible.”
She gazed at him with all the love in her heart. “You would’ve let Missy stay with us rent-free for as long as she wanted so I could have her close.”
“True. But the job was important to Missy. She wanted to earn her keep.”
Lily turned to her sister still standing on stage, looking like she was about to bawl her eyes out, and raced to hug her. “I’m so excited!” she exclaimed the moment she reached Missy. She squeezed her tight before pulling back. “I wanted you to stay so much, but I was afraid it was too much to ask. We’re going to do all the stuff we missed out on before—birthdays, holidays, pop-in visits, Sunday dinners, and I know you’ll be a great aunt to my kids. We’re hoping to have three or four. This is truly the best wedding present ever!”
“Like I said, it’s a gift for me too.” Missy dashed at her tears with her knuckles and let out a small laugh. “I’m totally not a crier.”
“I’ll help you with all the details. As soon as I get back from my honeymoon, we’ll plan your move. Don’t worry about a thing. You’re going to land here and know you’ve found home.”
Missy gave her a watery smile and looked around at all the guests and the beautiful park. “I think I already know that. I love you, sis.”
“I love you too!” Lily exclaimed and hugged her again before leading her away from the stage.
After everyone had a turn at the mike that wanted to toast, and that was all of the Marino-Reynolds clan, Zoe and her jazz band launched into a sweet ballad called “Lima Bean” that had all the couples slow-dancing together. Some of them holding babies; a few toddlers hanging onto their parents’ legs too. The older kids spun in circles by the edges, wearing wacky glasses. Luke stood nearby and watched.
When it was all over, she and Nico drove off to the well-wishes of their family and friends, ready for their honeymoon drive through New England to see all the best sights. Like the giant trebuchet in New Hampshire that hurled pumpkins, a landlocked ship on a grassy lawn in Vermont, and a chocolate moose in Maine. Lily couldn’t wait to discover it all.
~ ~ ~
“Tonight’s the night,” Nico told Lily as they stepped into the honeymoon suite of their hotel. “I can’t wait to knock you up.” He could breathe again; he had his bride and he’d given her what she wanted most.
She smiled as she slipped off her wedding gown and carefully hung it in the closet.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled into her neck. She wore only a strapless bra and a scrap of lace panties he wanted to rip off.
She turned in his arms. “I can’t wait either, husband.”
He thrust his hand in her hair, holding her head and gazing into her electric blue eyes. “Are you happy to be my wife? To live a life far from the country-club crowd?”
“Nico,” she said softly, “how can you even ask that? I never fit in with the country-club crowd. I’m yours. I’ve been yours since the
first time you kissed me, and I’ll be yours forever.”
He swallowed over the lump in his throat. “If you have another nightmare tonight, I won’t be able to sleep.”
“I don’t think I will. Everything in my life just fell into place. I’ve got the most wonderful husband in the world, my sister is here to stay, and I just got more family than I ever imagined in my entire life.”
“I wanted to do right by you. I wanted everything to be perfect so you wouldn’t have any regrets.”
She put a hand to his cheek. “Not everything is going to be perfect, but that’s okay. As long as we’re together, I’m happy. I can’t imagine anyone better suited to me than you. You get me. You let me do my thing and you’re willing to do it with me—”
“I draw the line at karaoke.”
She smiled, her sweet loving smile. “You knew what I needed, my sister, and you’re…you’re just everything!”
He kissed her and sucked on her plump lower lip. “Define everything.”
“Sexy, smart, capable, loving, gentlemanly—”
He laughed. “Would a gentleman have grabbed a sexy redhead and kissed her the first time they met, Tiffany?” That was the name of the woman he’d mistaken her for. Best mistake of his life.
She gave him a mock slap, which had him grinning. Then she kissed him and bit his bottom lip. He had her plastered against the wall in two seconds flat.
“Damn, you get me revved up,” he growled, cupping her between the legs as his teeth sank into her neck.
She let out a shaky breath. “I love a revved-up Nico. It’s a rough and tumble ride.”
With a bonus jackpot.
He knocked her up. First mind-blowing try.
~ ~ ~
Don’t miss Missy’s story, Resisting Fate, where fate does a little matchmaking.
If you’re new to Clover Park, check out where it all began with Nico and Lily in Rev Me Up.
Read on for a sneak peek of Resisting Fate.
Resisting Fate (Happy Endings Book Club series)
Is fate playing matchmaker?
Missy Higgins wasn’t looking for a man, yet everywhere she turns, sexy Ben Wright pops up. A harmless flirtation, nothing more, until Ben wanders into the Christmas craft bazaar just as her horrible ex appears. It’s Ben to the rescue as her fake boyfriend with a scorching kiss that leaves her breathless and weak in the knees.
Mind. Blown. (Though she insists it’s a onetime thing).
But when Ben shows up just as she’s getting fired and offers her a holiday job she desperately needs, she has to wonder if fate might be telling her something. Like screw professional boundaries, give in to uncontrollable lust, and let a man into her heart. How can she resist fate when Ben is irresistible?
Don’t smite me. Ben Wright quickly stepped through the entrance of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and lived to tell the tale. He hadn’t set foot in church since he was a kid. He veered right and headed downstairs to the basement for the craft bazaar. Not that he was a crafty guy. He was more of a rugged type with his six-foot height, short light brown hair, and his usual black leather jacket with worn jeans and hiking boots. His dimpled smile detracted from the ruggedness, making him “approachable” or “such a cutie patootie,” as Grandmom always said when she wanted to butter him up. Just like she’d said this morning before ordering him to pick up a jar of homemade cherry jam and a handknit sweater. Something in a men’s large that he’d promptly forget he bought. Merry Christmas to me!
He chuckled to himself. Grandmom was down with a cold or flu, she wasn’t sure, and had insisted he do exactly as she said. “It’s one day only! You can’t miss it!” And when he’d assured her he didn’t need anything more than to spend Christmas with her, healthy and well, she’d become irritated, shooing him out the door with a parting jab. “You have to get your gift before someone else snatches it up!” Like there’d be a stampede for men’s handknit sweaters.
In any case, he always came through for a woman in need. It was kind of his thing.
He halted in the bustling basement, surprised by the number of people Christmas shopping when it was still November. It sure as hell felt like Christmas down here, from the silver garland strung along the ceiling to the carols playing softly in the background to the scent of hot chocolate and fresh-baked goodies. He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets, taking in way too many long tables along the edges of the space bursting with crafty crap. He needed a plan—get in, get out.
He made his way to the center refreshment table with hot chocolate, juice boxes, and assorted individually wrapped baked goods for sale. He figured the women there could direct him to the jam. A few minutes later, jam in hand, he was about to ask where the men’s sweaters were hiding when a hand clapped him on the shoulder.
“Ben, how nice to see you here again!”
He startled at the sight of an ancient Father Munson, completely bald now, and considerably more cheerful than he’d ever been at Mass. Ben flushed, feeling guilty for…everything. “How’re you, Father?”
“I’m well, thank you. Your grandmother said you’d be here. Let me direct you to the sweaters she thought you might like.”
“Sure, thanks.” He followed him through the crowd to the far corner of the room, where two long tables were covered in sheep’s haircuts. One corner of his mouth lifted, imagining all those naked sheep grazing in the meadow.
Father Munson gestured him on. “Right over there,” he said and took off, surprisingly nimble for a man of his years.
Ben stood near the end of one table next to a couple of elderly women checking out the men’s sweaters. There were also hats, scarves, and mittens. He touched the edge of a hat, already feeling itchy and hot. Okay, as soon as those women moved on, he’d grab the first sweater close to his size and get out of here. But then his grandmother would want to see him wear it and she’d notice if he only wore it once.
The women moved on and he stepped forward, setting the jam on the table, and quickly sifting through the men’s sweaters for one large enough for his wide shoulders that wasn’t too hideous. He felt someone staring at him. He lifted his head and nearly laughed. Her again? What were the odds?
Missy Higgins. Formerly red-haired, currently brunette with sharp brown eyes, delicate-looking cheekbones and nose, and the sexiest plump lips with a dip at the top. She wore a clingy red sweater that showed every sweet curve.
This was gonna be fun. The first time he’d met her months ago at his honorary brother Marcus’s bar in the city, she’d caught his eye with her red hair. But then she’d dyed her gorgeous red hair dark brown and the second time he met her he hadn’t recognized her. By the time he put it together, she was irritated. But not in a serious way, more like she didn’t really give a fuck.
He slapped a palm on the table. “Missy Higgins, this must be fate!”
She shook her head, smiling and shifting to stand across from him. “Uh, sure. A magical force brought us to the church basement. How romantic.”
Her deadpan delivery cracked him up. “You have to admit it was a magical force that had us going through the revolving door of Claire’s hotel at the same time.” That was where he’d met her when her hair was brown.
“Fate must work pretty slow. That was three weeks ago and you didn’t even remember me.”
“I remembered you.”
A small smile played over her lips. “No, you didn’t.”
“Well, you changed your hair. It was a delayed—”
She lifted a palm, cutting him off. “And it was perfectly logical that we went through the door at the same time. I was coming in for the jacket I forgot and you were coming out to give it to me.”
“Fate,” he said ominously.
Her brown eyes lit with amusement. “Coincidence.”
“And what about last week at the deli?”
She rolled her eyes. “We work in the same town. Bound to happen.”
“But it never happened before.” He lifted a finger. “On
ce is coincidence.” He added another finger. “Twice is—”
“Random.”
He bit back a smile. “Unusual.” He held up three fingers. “And three times, well, even a hard-core nonbeliever like yourself has to admit is—” he went for a deep spooky voice “—fate.”
“Oo-oo-oh,” she said flatly, wiggling her fingers in the air. “Looking for a sweater?”
“Under grandmother’s orders.”
“Oh, the women’s sweaters are down the other end. Cheryl can help you.” She gestured to a woman at a second table full of knits.
“It’s for me. I’m buying my own Christmas present.”
She laughed out loud, a throaty soft roll of a laugh.
He lifted the jar of jam and gave her his approachable sexy charmer of a dimpled smile. “Got this too. Not sure if this is for me or for her.”
Her lips curved in a small smile. “What a good grandson doing her Christmas shopping.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “She wasn’t feeling well, but she didn’t want to miss out on all these fine knits. I’m her only grandkid. Obviously she spoils me.”
“Obviously. Size?”
He set the jam down and threw his shoulders back. “Large enough for this manly chest.”
“Uh-huh.” Her eyes lit with amusement. “So we’re looking for a petite?”
“Extra large,” he drawled in a voice that implied more.
“Maybe a poncho, then?” she asked before pressing her lips together, clearly fighting back a laugh.
“Don’t quit your day job. You’re a terrible saleswoman.”
She smiled cheekily and started going through the sweaters. “I’m sure there’s something…” She pulled a dark green sweater out and held it up.
“There’s a bird on it.”
She glanced down at it. “It’s the bluebird of happiness.” She met his eyes with a straight face. “No?”
“No.”
She lifted another sweater. “Reindeer? Great for Christmas day with granny.” At his silence, she tried again. “Snowman. And look there’s even some tiny snowballs.”
“Next,” he growled.
She held up another sweater and made a face. “This one is kind of boring, but maybe that’s your style.”
Clover Park Bride Page 5
