A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina

by Annalisa Daughety

  “Yeah, well when that happens, maybe your daddy won’t mind if I ask you out.” Luke’s ego still stung from learning that Summer’s dad wouldn’t hear of letting her go out with him.

  She shook her head. “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

  Luke had asked her out to a movie, but she’d balked at the thought of him picking her up in his old truck and said her daddy wouldn’t let her go with someone whose family he didn’t know.

  “So you’ll meet me then? Even though you might get in trouble?”

  Summer tossed her dark ponytail. “I’m staying at Gram’s tonight. I’ll tell her I’m meeting a friend for a movie.” She grinned. “Which is totally true.”

  “Awesome. Meet me at the bandstand at the Battery at seven.”

  She nodded. “I’ll be there.” She stood. “I’d better go inside.”

  He grabbed her hand and felt a twinge of excitement. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  At the time, it had seemed like it was them against the world. Luke had tried to make a good impression on her dad when they’d finally met, but Mr. Rutledge had always been cool toward him.

  His own family had loved Summer from the beginning. She’d even broken through his dad’s gruff exterior. The elder Nelson had told his son that hanging on to Summer was the smartest thing he’d ever done.

  And if he remembered correctly, Daddy had also warned him not to mess it up.

  As he finished mowing the yard, he wondered if he’d messed up bad enough that they couldn’t come back from it. Nothing irreversible had happened. He’d just packed a duffel bag and spent a few nights away.

  He sat on the porch steps and took a swig of water. He’d wait for her to get home. Give her an apology. She was the most important person in his life. And she deserved to be treated better.

  He leaned back and stretched his legs out in front of him. Just those few days apart and he’d realized that he needed to do whatever it took to get them back to where they used to be.

  And if that meant going to counseling with some guy at Summer’s church, then he would have to man up and do it. The talk he’d had with Rose had made him realize a lot of things. Number one being that he’d crumbled under the griefof losing Bobby and the baby, and Summer had been the one to suffer because of it. He would have to figure out a way to make it up to her.

  Milo barked at the gate.

  Luke looked up to see Summer’s SUV pulling slowly up the driveway, Mitch’s red Porsche following behind her.

  Summer climbed out of the vehicle and walked over to the porch. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” She looked good. Her khaki shorts and green polo shirt showed off her trim figure.

  He stood. “I wanted to get the yard done and see Milo.” He met her gaze. “And you.”

  Hope flickered across her face. “Yeah?”

  Luke wanted nothing more than to run to her and take her in his arms. Kiss her until she couldn’t think straight and then carry her up the stairs to their room. But he knew they had a lot of talking to do first. “Yeah.”

  “Luke, we missed you at the cookout,” Mitch said.

  He looked up in surprise. He’d been so happy to see Summer, he’d forgotten that Mitch had followed her into the driveway. Much to his chagrin, Jefferson stood next to Mitch, an amused expression on his face. “Yeah, sorry I missed it.”

  “Your wife put us to shame on the volleyball court,” Jefferson said. “That’s why we’re here. We promised to take her out to dinner tonight if her team won two out of three.”

  “And they won three out of three,” Mitch grumbled. “So here we are.”

  Summer locked eyes with him. “Why don’t you come with us? I think we’re headed to California Dreaming. You know how I love their crab cakes.”

  He shook his head. “I’d better not. But you go on.”

  She climbed the porch steps and stood next to him.

  His hands ached to touch her. But he didn’t.

  “I’ll go get changed. Be right back.” Summer brushed past him and went into the house, Milo at her heels.

  The three men stood in silence for a long moment.

  Mitch cleared his throat. “Well, this is a tension convention. I’m gonna go in and grab a bottle of water. You boys play nice.” He trotted up the stairs and into the house.

  Luke eyed Jefferson. “So have you settled in yet?”

  “I’m renting a carriage house a few houses down from here.” He raised an eyebrow. “That should make you feel better, knowing that if Summer needs anything, I can be over here in a few minutes. Especially now that she’s living all alone.”

  So he knew Luke was staying on the boat. She’d told Jefferson of all people. Luke would’ve rather been sucker punched than betrayed by his own wife. “Yeah. It makes me feel loads better.”

  Jefferson chuckled. “Now, now. It sounded to me like you brought all this on yourself.”

  “Have I mentioned how happy I am that you’re back in town?” Luke asked. “Just gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.” He glowered.

  “Oh, I can imagine.” Jefferson smirked. “And believe me, I’m thrilled to be back.”

  Luke stood. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s something I need to take care of inside.” He pushed the door open with a vengeance, almost knocking Mitch down. “Sorry, man,” he mumbled, walking past his brother-in-law and into the entryway.

  He took a deep breath and headed up the stairs.

  Summer stood in front of the mirror, twisting her hair into a bun.

  “Can we talk?” he asked, sitting down on the bed, admiring the way her skin glowed from a day in the sun.

  She turned to face him. “Luke, they’re waiting downstairs. I don’t think this is the right time.”

  “When will be the right time then?” He rubbed his jaw.

  “I don’t know.” She turned her attention back to the mirror. “You can’t just stop by and expect me to drop everything. I waited days for you to call and didn’t hear a word. So the way I see it, our talk can wait a little bit longer.”

  “I’ve known you for a long time. I can tell you’re upset.”

  She turned back around, fire in her blue eyes. “You think? My husband moves onto a boat that he purchased with money that I had earmarked for the child that I hoped to have someday.” She narrowed her eyes. “The child I still plan on having someday. And now you show up like nothing happened and expect me to forget it?”

  He shook his head. “It’s not like that, and you know it. Besides, you’re the one who first suggested that I stay on the boat.” He sighed. “And you know I don’t expect you to forget everything that has happened. But we need to talk about it.”

  “All those months. All those months I wanted to talk. Begged you to talk.” She grabbed her purse from the foot of the bed. “And you acted like I barely existed.”

  “I know I have a lot to apologize for.”

  She paused at the doorway. “Luke, I do want to talk to you. We definitely need to. But right at this minute, I don’t haveit in me. Do you hear me? I am not capable at this point in time to have this conversation with you. It’s been a long day. A longer week.” She shook her head and sighed. “And at this moment, all I can handle is going to eat some crab cakes and letting Mitch and Jefferson make me laugh. At this moment, I want to forget for a couple of hours that I’ll be coming home to an empty house.”

  “I’m sure Jefferson would be glad to walk you home and check the place out.” Luke glowered. “I can’t believe you told him that I left. What were you thinking?”

  “What was I thinking?” She closed the bedroom door and turned to face him. “I don’t know—I guess I was thinking that it was the truth. You left. And to top it off, you haven’t called. Haven’t come by. I haven’t heard so much as a peep from you.” She narrowed her eyes. “Jefferson happened to see me out for a walk with Milo, and I was upset. I didn’t intend to tell him, but I’m not sorry I did.”

  “He happened to see you out,
huh? Don’t you think it’s a little weird that he shows up all of a sudden, and now he practically lives next door?”

  Summer groaned. “Seriously? I thought we’d gotten over the Jefferson hurdle years ago when I married you.”

  “Is that a hint of regret I hear in your voice?”

  She furrowed her brow. “Don’t be stupid. Do I need to remind you again that this whole thing—”

  “What? Is all my fault?” He shook his head. “Right. And you are totally blameless. Except for the whole walking around like a robot for months, forgetting the simplest things and working sixty-hour weeks at the office. But besides all that,you’re perfect.” Luke could admit that many of their problems stemmed from him. But it had taken both of them to reach the point where they were now. The breaking point.

  “I know I’m not perfect.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I know that better than anyone.”

  Luke took a step toward her, but she held her hands out to stop him.

  “Don’t.” Her whisper carried as much force as any yell.

  He sighed. “I didn’t come here to argue. I just wanted to see you and Milo.”

  “Milo is downstairs and needs to be walked. Stay as long as you like. But I’m going to dinner now.” She walked out without another word.

  Luke buried his head in his hands. Summer had never rattled easily. But he could see that his presence had thrown her. Angered her even. Maybe a surprise visit hadn’t been the smartest thing. He should’ve called her last week and checked in. He should’ve kept a lid on his anger over Jefferson’s presence. He should’ve done a lot of things.

  He got up and watched out the bedroom window as Summer, Mitch, and Jefferson drove away.

  So maybe apologizing to Summer and getting things back to normal wouldn’t be as easy as he’d expected. He’d keep trying until he won her trust back, even if it took him forever.

  Because the idea of not getting back on solid ground with Summer was too painful to even consider. And the fact that his old nemesis had somehow weaseled his way back into her life made him very uneasy.

  Chapter 25

  Ashley had been replaying that kiss with Justin over and over in her mind ever since Monday. Followed quickly by the reminder that he hadn’t reached his thirtieth birthday yet and she was knocking on forty’s door. Okay, so maybe she had four years left until forty, but that didn’t seem all that comforting right now.

  Summer tapped her fingers on Ashley’s desk. “I don’t think you’ve heard anything I’ve said. Are you okay?”

  “Huh?” Ashley looked up to see Summer standing in front of her desk, an amused expression on her face.

  “I asked you if you’re going to go with me to the new bridal boutique over on Calhoun Street. I want to officially introduce myself. Jennifer St. Claire is getting her dress and bridesmaids’ dresses there. She’s been really pleased.”

  The St. Claire–Wentworth wedding was coming up in the fall. Ashley had met with Jennifer what seemed like fifty times already. She hadn’t seen the dress though. “I’d love to go with you. I wonder if they can show us Jennifer’s dress.”

  “Only one way to find out. Let’s go.” Summer grabbed her purse and a binder from her desk and led the way out the door. “Are you okay though? You’ve been quiet all week.”

  Ashley hadn’t been sure what to tell Summer, so she’d opted to keep her mouth shut. But it would be nice to unload it. She quickly filled her in on her outing with Justin and Colton, the cookout, and the kiss. “Why didn’t you tell me he wasn’t even thirty?” she whined.

  “Honestly, I didn’t think about it. I guess I always forget that Justin is younger. He was actually one of Bobby’s friends first, but he and Luke hit it off.” Summer unlocked her SUV and climbed inside.

  Ashley got into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt. “I can’t imagine continuing the relationship now.”

  Summer waited for a car to pass before she pulled out of her parking space. “I think you’re silly. Justin is a great guy. Very mature for his age. And you don’t look a day over twenty-five.”

  Ashley laughed. “I know he’s a great guy and all of that. But as soon as I found out his age, I felt so self-conscious. I have little laugh lines around my eyes.”

  “Maybe if you look with a magnifying glass.”

  “At twenty-nine, that means some of the girls he’s gone out with over the past year have probably barely been in their twenties. I can’t compete with that.”

  Summer let out a huge sigh. “I can’t believe you’re this insecure. You look amazing. You’re a smart, interesting woman. Twentysomething girls have nothing on you.”

  Ashley wanted to believe Summer. But after what happened with Brian, she couldn’t let go of the fear. “He might be happy with me for a few months until some tanned, flat-bellied girl-woman saunters by and turns his head.”

  Summer groaned. “What’s this really about? Because if that kiss was as good as you say, I can’t believe you’re going to let a little something like age keep you away from him.” She pulled into the parking lot at the boutique.

  “Just some stuff I’ve gone through.” Ashley sighed. “I agreed to go out with him again this weekend, but I’m thinking of canceling.”

  Summer turned off the engine and looked at Ashley. “Does he know how old you are?”

  Ashley shook her head. “No. I don’t want him to know.”

  “I can guarantee you that he doesn’t care if you’re a few years older than him. He might even find you more attractive.” Summer grinned. “You never know.”

  Ashley followed her into the store. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Because her self-confidence couldn’t take it if the opposite was true.

  “It’s so nice to meet you,” Madelyn Ashworth said. “Jennifer has said such wonderful things about Summer Weddings.” She smiled.

  “Likewise,” Summer said. “We wanted to come over and introduce ourselves and take a look around your beautiful shop.”

  Madelyn beamed. “It’s a lifelong dream of mine. I have four daughters, and let me tell you, helping each of them choose a wedding gown is one of my favorite memories.” She gestured to the rows of pristine gowns. “Wedding dresses are sopersonal, aren’t they? I try to make sure that each of my clients tries on several different styles. Sometimes a girl comes in here thinking she wants one thing and realizes that something else is better suited for her.”

  Ashley thumbed through an old issue of Modern Bride from a nearby table. “I was one of those girls. I always said ‘no way’ to a princess-style dress. But wouldn’t you know it, I tried on a poufy, lacy thing and fell in love with it.” She laughed.

  Madelyn turned to Summer. “How about you? Did you wear the dress you’d always dreamed of or were you surprised by what you wound up with?”

  Summer grimaced. “Actually, I got married at city hall.” She shook her head. “I never even tried on a wedding dress.”

  Madelyn drew back, her eyes wide with horror.

  “Don’t worry though. I’ve been doing this for a long time. Just because I didn’t have my own fairy-tale wedding doesn’t diminish my ability as a wedding planner.” Summer tried to laugh it off, but she could see her credibility had fallen as far as Madelyn was concerned.

  Madelyn looked over at Ashley. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  Ashley nodded. “I am.”

  “Come on.” Madelyn pointed at a row of dresses in the back of the store. “This is the new collection for the fall. Try one on. Just for fun.”

  Summer drew her brows together. “Oh, I shouldn’t.” She didn’t want to appear unprofessional. But she had always wanted to try on a wedding dress. Last year she’d picked up a dress from the cleaners for one of her brides. It had absolutelybeen Summer’s dream gown and in her size, too. It had taken all her self-control not to try it on. She’d held it up in front of herself in the full-length mirror at the back of Summer Weddings and imagined what it would’ve been like to float do
wn an aisle toward Luke.

  “Come on,” Ashley said. “Seeing you go all princess will cheer me up.”

  Summer twisted her mouth into a smile. “I’ll try one on. But only if you promise not to cancel your date with Justin.”

  “If it means you doing something spontaneous and trying on your dream gown…I’m in.” Ashley smiled and held up her iPhone. “And I’m totally willing to document this little fashion show.”

  “What style do you have in mind, Summer?” Madelyn asked.

  Summer thought for a moment. “My dream gown used to be a ball gown with a full skirt. But now I think I like a straighter, column style. But not strapless.” She chuckled. “I get so tired of seeing strapless dresses all the time.”

  “Maybe a high neck?” Ashley asked, pulling one off the rack and holding it up. “Like this?” The white chiffon had intricate beading at the bodice.

  Summer inhaled sharply. “Oh that’s beautiful.”

  “Go try it on,” Madelyn said, pointing at a fitting room. “If you need help, let me know.”

  Summer carried the gown into a lavish dressing room. The A-line chiffon dress had a high halter neck in the front and a deep V in the back. It might not be as traditional as a poufy, strapless dress, but it fit Summer’s sophisticated style perfectly.

  She slipped it over her head. “Can someone zip me?” she called.

  Madelyn opened the door and carefully zipped the dress. “Oh my. It’s like it was made for you. Come step up on the platform and look in the mirror.”

  Summer tentatively walked out of the dressing room and stepped up on the block that was in front of a floor-length mirror.

  “It’s perfect,” Ashley breathed. “Just perfect.” She sighed. “You make a beautiful bride.”

  Summer laughed. “Okay, simmer down. I’ve already been a bride, remember? Now I’m just an old married lady.”

  Ashley raised an eyebrow. “Please don’t mention the word old to me today.”

  Summer turned to face herself in the mirror. She might be married, but her husband was living on a boat. Without her. So much for the fairy tale. “This is a gorgeous dress.”