Startled, the three by the window jumped before they trained their eyes on her.
"I'm not kidding. I see coffee!"
"Getting you a cup right away, Boss," Leah chirped as she scurried toward the kitchen.
"I think the list is on the refrigerator, Leah. Bring it in will you? Colin, I'm putting you in charge of creating a shower schedule. Carrie gets first pick of a time slot, then the rest of us."
"What's the name of your…uh…friend, Delia?" Colin asked, pushing to his feet.
"You mean Stuart? He's British, you know. Lovely man. Oh, and don't forget your parents. Where the hell are they, anyway?"
"Still sleeping, I'd guess. After the one they tied on last night, I'm not surprised." Colin chuckled. "By the way, is Grey showering here, too?"
"Horrors!" Delia clutched her heart. "The groom never sees the bride on their wedding day until she comes down the aisle. It's bad luck!"
"I don't know these things."
"You have two married sisters…"
"I wasn't exactly interested in these details back then."
"Well you should be now, since you're next in line," Delia said.
Both Leah and Colin blushed.
"Delia! You're embarrassing them," Carrie chimed in.
"Like you didn't a minute ago?" Colin responded.
"Don't they have a shower at that house your parents rented?"
"I'm sure they do. The house is huge. Maybe two or three showers."
"Good, then your brother can shower there. Chop chop, everyone. Let's go. There's work to be done. Leah, please give me a hand with breakfast. Colin, wake up Janice and Harvey. And Carrie…"
"Yes?"
"Do whatever the hell you want; it's your day, sweetheart."
As Delia turned to go, a tall man with light brown hair and gray eyes sauntered down the steps.
"Can I help?" He asked.
"Stuart! My love, come into the kitchen. You can help with breakfast," Delia cooed.
Stuart stopped to kiss Delia before he followed along behind her and Leah.
"I don't know, Colin, Delia may be next," Carrie snorted before scampering up the stairs to her room.
****
The smell of bacon reached Janice and Harvey's room, waking them before Colin arrived. After throwing on robes, they lumbered down the stairs slowly. All seven sat down to breakfast together. While they ate, Delia parceled out jobs and put initials next to each task on her list.
"I have you on here, so don't think you can weasel out. I'll know who does their job and who doesn't."
"This is beginning to sound like boot camp, Delia," Carrie said.
"You've got to be organized to put this together, honey."
After breakfast, they all dispersed. Colin and Leah retreated to their room. Together they began to strip the bed.
"What time is the limo picking you up?" Colin folded the cotton blanket.
"Nine o'clock. Plane leaves at eleven thirty."
"Our last night together…" Leah sighed.
"Just for a while."
"Six months." She avoided his gaze.
"But what a night it was," he said, pulling her up against his chest.
"If we don't…"
His mouth came down hard on hers before she could finish her sentence. Leah melted against him as he demanded her surrender. His fingers wound through her hair, holding her head in place while his mouth ravaged hers. A small sound escaped her throat as her fingers gripped his shoulders.
Leah tried to focus her senses on the feel of his chest up against hers, his strong thighs pressing hers and his lips, hard and soft at the same time. Feel it, remember it. She tried to lock the sensations his closeness caused into her heart forever.
A loud knock on the door drove the lovers apart.
"No more fooling around in there. We've got work to do," Delia's voice rang out.
Looking sheepish, Colin picked up the sheet he was folding.
"Christmas, huh?" He murmured.
"Yeah. I'll be back at Christmas."
"Will you wait for me?" Colin put down the sheet and picked up a towel.
"I will if you will," Leah said.
"What?"
"I mean…of course I will. Will you?"
"Where could I find another woman like you?" He grinned.
"The same place I'd find another man like you." She got on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips.
"Since I'm handling the shower list, I've put myself first."
She threw a pillow at him. He caught it and tossed it back at her. Pillow toss quickly escalated into a pillow flight. He tackled her on the bed, restrained her hands, and kissed her passionately.
"Take that to France with you," he said.
"I will…I love you, Colin. Nothing can change that."
"I love you, too, honey. And I won't forget you."
"We can email." Leah took her jeans out of her suitcase.
"Text."
"Call."
"I'll friend you." Colin said, stacking the linens on the bed.
"Skype."
They hugged then Colin grabbed his towel and headed for the shower.
Leah tossed on her jeans and a t-shirt then descended the stairs in search of Delia. By now, the caterers had arrived and the backyard was bustling with people setting up tables and chairs as well as preparing serving areas in the tent.
"How many are coming?" Leah asked.
"Seventy-five but to see all this, you'd think it was three hundred. My my! What a job."
Leah made herself busy directing the caterer's staff, cleaning up messes, washing and drying dishes. At one o'clock she scurried upstairs to dress. Colin was buttoning his tuxedo jacket but his tie hung loose. He faced her and shrugged.
"Can't tie the tie? I'll do it."
Memories of tying Hank's tuxedo tie time after time for the myriad of charity functions they attended flooded back. For a second, her breath caught in her throat and her fingers froze. Colin wrapped his warm fingers around her hand and brought it to his lips.
"You okay?"
She nodded, smiled at him then tied his tie perfectly. He glanced in the mirror.
"Wow, perfect! That ability alone is a reason to marry you," he joked.
Leah turned her back to him and handed him her necklace. Colin took his time fastening it, then caressed her neck and shoulders with his fingertips, bringing goose bumps to her skin. I'm going to miss his touch. Tears forced their way through her defenses, watering her eyes. She shut them tight and took two deep, shuddering breaths.
"I'll remember the feel of your skin forever," he whispered, his breath warm on her ear.
She battled with herself to control her emotions, winning temporarily. Backing toward the door she stopped when she hit the knob.
"So much to do…I'll…Delia will kill me if I'm not downstairs in two seconds."
Colin nodded.
"That's okay. Run away. Someday you'll stop running from me."
****
Without a little general like Delia at the big house down the street, pandemonium reigned. Jenna, Grey's younger sister was yelling at her husband, Bill, to dry the dishes faster, Barbara, Grey's older sister, was in tears because she'd lost an earring. Barbara's husband, Earl, was on all fours, searching the bedroom for his wife's missing jewelry and Mary couldn't stop crying because her oldest boy was getting married. John sat in the kitchen, his tuxedo tie untied, mumbling about the suit he was wearing while he drank a cup of coffee. Grey maintained his cool with no sweat.
The day I've been waiting for is finally here. He showered and took his time donning his tuxedo. He wanted to remember every little action. The next time I put in studs, I'll be married. The next time I tie my tie I'll be Carrie's husband. The next time I wear these stupid, shiny shoes, Carrie will be my wife. His smile got broader as the day went on. He flipped open his cell phone to check with Colin about the ring, then picked up a set of keys and stowed them in his pants pocket.
&nb
sp; Jenna cornered him in his bedroom and closed the door.
"You're sure you want to do this, right?"
"Don't you like Carrie?" His brow furrowed.
"I do. I love her like a sister, but I'm not marrying her, you are."
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
"That's all I wanted to know. I'm happy for you."
She hugged him.
"I have you to thank, you know."
"Me?"
"You and your marriage list. I never would've found Carrie if it wasn't for you and that damn list." He chuckled.
"You take all the credit, brother. You found her, you won her."
"And it wasn't easy. Isn't she great?" He stopped to stare out the window.
"God, can't take all this lovesick mooning. Let's get everyone dressed and out of here."
Grey plopped down on the sofa in the living room of the rented house, chuckling to himself as he watched his family race around.
"Barbara, where is my tie?" Her husband called.
"Your tie is on the bed. Don't sit on it! Jenna do you have an extra pair of earrings to go with this dress?"
"John, don't forget your dress socks."
"Bill…out of that shower now! You're going to make us late."
He was amused by their antics, hollering, frantic behavior trying to pull themselves together to be ready on time. He reminded him of newly beheaded chickens, racing around the yard before they collapse. He nursed a second cup of coffee, put his feet up and smiled.
John joined him. "Nervous, son?"
"Nope."
"Don't know if that's good or bad. Aren't you supposed to be? At least a little?"
"Who knows? This is my first—and only–time getting married."
"I guess when you make a wise choice you're not nervous."
"Guess so. Were you nervous?" Grey shifted to face his father.
"Nah. Your mother's the best thing ever happened to me. I knew it then, and I know it now."
"You found her faster than I found Carrie."
"Different circumstances, different times."
"S 'pose."
"I like your gal. Smart, independent. Doesn't take any crap from you."
"She's all those things…and…" And the hottest woman I've ever known.
"Pretty girl, too." He father said, as if he could read Grey's mind.
A little color heated Grey's cheeks. "Very pretty…beautiful."
"You've got good taste in women, always have."
"You, too, Dad."
They laughed. One by one, Andrews family members joined Grey and John in the living room. The men first, then the ladies. Grey stood up.
"Everyone ready?"
Grey opened the door, took a breath of the sweet June air and smiled. A perfect day for the perfect wedding. The cloudless sky appeared to be a richer shade of blue. Maybe it's just me. The group walked along the side of the road to Delia's house. Even from the front of the house Grey could see bustling activity. John and Mary pressed the doorbell. Delia herself answered the door, ushering them in with a broad smile and a hug for everyone.
Grey entered last. Janice stood in front of the staircase.
"Groom may not see the bride until the wedding."
Grey chuckled and gave a half bow. Leah came down the stairs, her eyes glowing.
"I've never seen a more beautiful bride, Grey."
"I'm not surprised," he said.
"Smokin' brother," Colin chimed in.
The sun had warmed the air so Delia threw open the French doors allowing people to wander outside. She had a terraced stone patio where the ceremony was to take place. Steps led down to an expansive lawn, trimmed to perfection. Grey checked his watch. Two o'clock. He motioned to his father and they strolled over to the bar. Both got vodka and tonics then found an out-of-the-way place to watch the doings. Colin joined them.
Grey glanced up at the windows on the second floor. He caught a glimpse of Carrie and waved. He wondered if things were as chaotic in that upstairs bedroom as they were on the lawn. I hope she's as calm as I am.
****
Carrie, perched on the window seat of her bedroom and already wearing her strapless wedding dress, spied Grey with a drink in his hand flanked by his father and brother. He's gorgeous in that tuxedo. As if by telepathy, he looked up at that very moment, smiled and waved at her. She raised her hand in a quick wave.
"Who's that? Grey? He's not supposed to see you," Janice snapped.
Carrie moved away from the window. Leah was laying out the wedding veil and flowered headpiece. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Carrie called out.
Janice straightened up and immediately went to the door. She admitted Mary.
"Oops! I didn't mean to pry…"
"Come in, come in," Carrie took Mary by the arm and pulled her close to the window.
"It's a lovely day for a wedding," Mary said, gazing out the window.
Carrie hugged her almost mother-in-law, who colored. "Thank you…"
"For what?" Mary's eyes got wide.
"For Grey. He's so wonderful. I love him so much. You raised a fabulous son."
Mary blushed red. "No false modesty…I agree."
The women laughed.
"Can I help?" Mary asked.
"Just hold my hand."
"Nervous?"
"A little."
Mary sat down at the dressing table while Leah pulled out a brand-new pair of shoes. "Brides always wear new shoes, don't they kill your feet?"
"When you're in love you don't feel the pain," Mary replied.
Carrie picked up the headpiece, a band of small white flowers. Janice secured it with two bobby pins. Mary kissed Carrie's cheek then returned to her family on the lawn, taking Leah with her. The bride moved to the full length mirror on the back of the door, examining her image.
"You can still back out of this, you know. It's not too late."
"What?" Carrie turned to face her mother.
"I know what it's like to live with a cheater," Janice continued.
"Mom! Grey is not a cheater."
"Are you sure? Are you absolutely certain those trips to Boston were about work? I'm going right now to confront him. Make him tell you the truth" Janice opened the door an inch.
Carrie put her hand on her mother's arm. "You'll do no such thing."
Masculine voices cut the women's conversation short. From out in the hall, Carrie recognized a familiar voice; it was Grey.
"You don't know what you're talking about. Butt out, Colin."
"But I saw you. Saw you with my own eyes, coming out of Giselle Davenport's house. You were supposed to be in Boston. What were you doing there?"
"None of your business. Stop trying to stir up trouble."
"Don't do this, Grey. I saw Giselle kiss you on the cheek. If you want her instead of Carrie, stop this wedding now."
"Are you insane? Shut up!" Grey gripped his brother's upper arm.
Carrie swung the door to her room open, just in time to see and hear Grey attempting to silence his brother. She stood there, pain gathered like a lump in her throat. Her mouth fell open a little but for a moment, she couldn't breathe. Struggling for air, she gasped as her eyes filled with tears.
"I told you," Janice whispered. "Thank God it isn't too late."
Grey looked up, his mouth fell open.
"It's not what you think, Carrie. Please, believe me."
Carrie pushed her mother into the hall, shut the door and locked it. Stunned she stood still for a moment until she heard the doorknob rattle.
"Go away!"
"Honey, it's me. Come on, open up. You don't believe that, do you?"
"What else can I believe? Colin saw you at the Davenports when you were supposed to be in Boston?" Carrie leaned against the wall.
"I know it looks bad. Please let me explain." Grey's plaintive voice came through the door.
"Drop dead." Anger flared up in her chest.
As quickly as it came, her anger turned to sadness. I love you so much. How can you do this to me? Destroy everything we have together? Carrie slumped down on the bed and began to cry.
"Oh, honey…Carrie, don't cry, baby, please, don't cry. You're killing me. You know how I hate to see you cry…"
"You're responsible." She spat out, reaching for a tissue.
"Please listen to me."
"No!"
There was silence only for a moment before the sound of whispering and footsteps drifted through the door. Her heart sank. He gave up that easily? Did he ever love me?
A moment later, a throat cleared.
"Carrie? It's me, dear," a voice came through the door.
"Mary?" The surprise stopped her tears.
"Please open up, dear. Grey is telling the truth. I know all about what was going on and it was totally innocent. Please let him explain."
Carrie reached for another tissue then blew her nose, loudly. The silence that followed grew heavy as she contemplated Mary's plea.
"I swear…after you hear me out, if you still hate me, I'll let you hit me with a baseball bat." It was Grey again.
She chuckled in spite of herself. "What if I want to stop the wedding?"
There was a pause. She thought she heard a sigh.
"There'd be nothing I could do, honey. I can't force you to marry me. But you'd break my heart. Just hear me out."
Silence again as Carrie pondered opening the door. She waited but not a sound emanated from the other side of the door. She padded over and turned the lock. Still no sound At least he still respects me enough not to barge in. The metal doorknob was cold in her hand as she turned it.
"Five minutes. You have five minutes." She stepped back to swing the door open all the way.
Grey strode in, wrapping his arms around her. She resisted the urge to fall into his embrace and be comforted. Instead she pushed against his chest. Colin, Mary, Leah and Janice shuffled in quickly right behind Grey. They lined up against the wall, giving the couple some space but no privacy. Delia barged in.
"Hey! What is he doing here? Carrie's been crying? You'll look all puffy for the pictures. Where are your shoes? You're not dressed? What is going on? The judge has arrived and we're supposed to have a wedding in fifteen minutes!"
The Dating List Page 19
