Wedding Dreams: 20 Delicious Nuptial Romances

by Maggie Way

  “Sure, I’ve got time. Austin is overseeing some contractors at the house.”

  They stowed the bags in Eleanor’s luxury sedan and then headed to the restaurant, arriving just before the lunch rush began.

  They were seated at a table near the window. Eleanor was perfectly at ease at the luxury restaurant, but Cassi was still adjusting to some of the finer things Austin’s family took for granted.

  Eleanor knew just about everyone who entered. She graciously introduced them all to Cassi, who knew she’d have trouble remembering their names.

  While Cassi was looking over the menu, a momentary hush seemed to fall over the diners, followed by an excited buzz of conversation. Cassi turned to see the governor, accompanied by none other than his daughter, Austin’s ex, Annie Mae Ashworth. A zing of jealousy shot down her spine. She didn’t doubt for a minute that Austin loved her and was long over Annie Mae, but Cassi knew she’d never cast a hush over a room like the governor’s daughter just did.

  Annie Mae’s blonde hair was smoothed back from her face with an ice blue headband that matched the color of her eyes. The rest of her curly hair fell loosely at her shoulders. The black skintight turtleneck dress accentuated her considerable assets.

  Cassi turned around quickly. She really didn’t want to have a conversation with Annie Mae in a public setting. Who knew what kind of scene she’d create?

  Eleanor smiled in their direction, and Cassi knew they were headed toward them.

  “Governor, so good to see you,” Eleanor said. “Annie Mae.” She nodded.

  “Please, Eleanor,” the governor said, “we go way back. No need for the formality. I get plenty of that in Frankfort.”

  He had the flash and charm of most politicians, Cassi thought. Annie Mae, all glitz and glam, didn’t fall far from that tree.

  “Have you had the pleasure of meeting my future granddaughter in law?” Eleanor said.

  The governor turned to Cassi. “And you must be Cassi,” They shook hands. “I understand congratulations are in order.”

  “Thank you,” she said. She heard a humph sound from behind him that could only have come from Annie Mae.

  The Governor looked over his shoulder to his daughter. “I understand Donnie will be best man. Those two have been thick as thieves since they both learned how to ride.”

  “Donnie is very nice,” Cassi replied, wishing this awkward moment would end.

  “We’ll let you get back to your lunch, ladies.”

  “Thank you,” Eleanor said.

  Cassi watched Annie Mae and her father walk farther into the restaurant. She exhaled, only then realizing she had been holding her breath.

  “Goodness, I hope that wasn’t too awkward for you,” Eleanor said, staring at her from across the table with a shrewd look.

  Cassi looked up from her menu. “A little,” Cassi said in a small voice. “Nothing like the night at your race party.”

  “Austin filled me in about the event in the den that night.”

  “That was an experience. I was totally in awe of your home, not to mention I was completely out of my element. Since Austin didn’t have time to deal with me returning his horse’s paper to him at the race, he invited me to the party.”

  “And I love you for that.” Eleanor squeezed Cassi’s hand. “You value horses like me, like Austin.”

  “I never understood why Annie Mae would take such a wonderful gift and try to give it away.”

  “I think that’s why you and my grandson wound up together. You’re cut from the same cloth. Annie Mae-” Eleanor signaled for the waitress “-she’s a different breed altogether.”

  That she was, Cassi agreed silently. Yet Austin was used to these society girls, and sometimes, in her darker moments, she worried she wouldn’t be enough for him.

  When Cassi returned home that afternoon, Austin was still helping the contractors. Cassi went outside to refresh the stalls in the barn before the horses came in from the pasture for the evening.

  She hummed to herself as she worked. At least they didn’t have to worry about the zillion wedding details anymore. Even though his mother expected a lavish affair, Cassi hoped the wedding planner, Jasmine, could serve as a mediator between their different ideas.She still needed to go with her best friend, Sandy to pick out her maid of honor gown.

  But before doing that, Cassi had to select the color scheme for the wedding. Since it would be in December near Christmas, she was torn between red or dark green. Cassi also didn’t want her friend to have to pay some outrageous amount for a gown or dress that would just hang in the closet. She wanted it to be something Sandy could wear again. Cassi toyed with the idea of a cocktail length dress that could be worn to someone else’s wedding in the future or out to a nice dinner with her husband. Maybe it should be a black dress?

  Dusk was falling and Cassi brought the horses in for the evening. Foolish Gamble and Bella Donna came in first. After she got them into their respective stalls, she brought in each of the horses that were being boarded there. With Austin part of the farm now, all the stalls were full except one, which was being reserved for Bella Donna’s foal.

  Cassi couldn’t wait to find out if it would be a colt or a filly. It really didn’t matter, though. The most exciting part was that she and Austin had been able to breed their two horses to create their own yearling bloodstock.

  Securing the stable doors, she made her way back to the house. The contractor vehicles were all gone, but the kitchen lights were blazing. She could see Austin through the window still working.

  Entering the house, she stood for a moment, admiring the sight of her fiancé at work installing backsplash tile. It still took her breath away that this handsome man was hers. She closed the front door and called, “Honey, I’m home.”

  He turned toward her and flashed her a grin that made her knees weak. “Hey, babe. I was just finishing up.”

  Cassi went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  “I’m dirty,” he said, “You might not want to get so close.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” Cassi grinned and continued leaning into him, enjoying his masculine scent.

  His hands slid down and cupped her butt, pulling her closer to feel his developing arousal. “You might want to consider taking a shower with me.”

  “Hmm, tempting.”

  “Oh, it’s more than tempting. It’s guaranteed to be the highlight of your day.” He leaned in and nuzzled her neck.

  Cassi had never been aware a neck could be such a sensitive spot until Austin. There were a lot of things she hadn’t known about or experienced until she met him.

  Angling his head, he kissed her long and deep. His hand fisted her long hair as the desire and heat they created together surged between them.

  “If we don’t stop this, I’m going to start ripping your clothes off and take you where we stand.”

  “Is that a threat or a promise?” Cassi giggled. Her eyes locked with his, and his tawny gaze looked like molten pools of gold.

  Austin held her arched back close to him while his other hand began undoing the buttons of her blouse. He inhaled when he saw the dip and curve of her full breasts straining at the lacy bra encasing them. He splayed his hands out over her chest, sliding his palms over one breast, then the other.

  It was Cassi’s turn to gasp at his touch. His erection pressed hard against her, making her ache for fulfillment.

  He backed her into the new kitchen island. With one hand, he scattered the protective cardboard from the granite surface. His thighs had her secured against the cabinet, and she felt his hardness grow as he undid the remainder of her blouse’s buttons. With both hands, he pulled her shirt down around her waist, then, with one experienced flick, undid her bra. Pushing it aside, Austin helped her kick off her jeans, grabbed her by her hips and lifted her onto the granite, laying her flat on the surface.

  The cold countertop couldn’t quench the heat that was coursing through her. Austin hoisted himself
up and leaned over her, and it was her turn to pull off his dirty T-shirt and toss it aside. Her hands glided down his bare, toned arms and then over his back before wrapping around his neck.

  With one knee, he nudged her legs apart, and together they fumbled with the belt and zipper of his jeans until his arousal was free.

  Cassi pushed her hips against him and fought to slide her panties down enough to be able to guide him inside her. She wrapped her legs around his hips and once he was inside, she bore down on his shaft. The fullness of him inside her was almost more than she could bear.

  Together they bucked and rode each other until they came down the backstretch together as one, crying out to each other as their passion erupted into its completeness.

  Once she caught her breath, she whispered to Austin, “I think this was only the first course.”

  He laughed heartily, and as he pulled himself up into a sitting position on top of her, she squeezed him tight inside her.

  “Come on, babe,” he offered her his hand, “I think the next stop is the shower.”

  Chapter Five

  The next morning Cassi met her future mother-in-law at the Lexington Ladies League house to attend her first meeting. The group was as old, or older, than the city. It was founded by the wife of the first mayor to hold various fundraisers to help families in need. Because she was marrying into the Keller family, it was expected she become an active member.

  And she was nervous. Thanks to her shopping spree with Eleanor, she was dressed in an outfit that should fit in just fine—cream pants and a peach twin-set sweater—but she still worried she’d ventured too far out of her comfort zone. But as the future Mrs. Keller, she was determined to make Austin proud.

  She entered the foyer that was filled with about a dozen women all seemingly speaking at once. Scanning everyone’s outfits, Cassi was relieved to see her attire was a good choice for the occasion. Not that she thought for a moment Eleanor would have steered her wrong.

  She spotted Bonnie near the back and made her way toward her, smiling in acknowledgement at the women she passed. Bonnie had explained that she would nominate Cassi as her member recruit; Eleanor would provide the second nomination needed.

  “There you are, Cassi,” Bonnie smiled warmly at her and linked her arm with hers. “Everyone’s so excited to meet you.”

  Cassi simply smiled, not knowing what she should say.

  “Ladies, this is Austin’s fiancé and my future daughter-in-law, Cassi Whitaker.”

  Cassi heard a slight lull in the conversation at the mention of her name. Everyone turned toward her and she suddenly felt deeply self-conscious.

  “Hello, everyone. I’m so excited to be here.”

  Several of the women welcomed her as Bonnie escorted her around the foyer, introducing her to everyone. There was no way she was going to remember all their names, let alone the details about them that Bonnie was sharing.

  Then a gavel knocked in the adjacent room and everyone rushed to their seats like horses bursting from the starting gate. The historic room was beautiful with its high ceilings, tall narrow windows, and walls richly painted a deep green that enhanced the warm wood finishes of the crown molding and trim.

  Mrs. Nicholas Frantz, wife to one of the largest realtors in Lexington, opened the meeting. The treasury report was given, prior meeting minutes were voted upon, and other monthly business was addressed. Next on the agenda was new business, and then Bonnie stood to nominate Cassi as a provisional member. Applause scattered through the room and she was inducted into the Lexington Ladies League.

  Cassi understood she would need to volunteer at least ten hours a month at one of the Lexington Ladies League’s community events or fundraisers. She would also need to donate a certain number of used items to their consignment shop or donate $1,000.

  She inquired about the annual equine event the group hosted and decided she could use some of her talent there.

  After about an hour, the meeting adjourned. Cassi made polite conversation with several of the members who were around her age and then took her leave.

  Between remodeling the house, starting a new business and planning a wedding, Cassi couldn’t see how she’d manage to fit one more thing on her plate. All the same, she knew what was expected of her.

  While driving home from the meeting, Cassi’s cell phone kept buzzing. She couldn’t imagine who could be texting her so urgently—Austin was more likely to call if he needed to talk to her. Not wanting to risk an accident, she waited until she got into the drive to stop the truck and see what was so important.

  The posts looked to be from just about everyone she knew. The subject lines were OMG and WTH, which was concerning to say the least. Opening the first one, Cassi gasped.

  It was a photo of her. In the bridal shop. In her wedding gown.

  “No, no, no,” she hit the steering wheel several times. “How did this happen?”

  “Austin.” Oh, my God, she had to get to him before he saw it. It was bad luck. Not to mention it would ruin the moment when he would see her walking down the aisle.

  Grabbing her purse, she hopped out of the truck and sprinted to the house. His Jag was parked there with the other contractor vehicles. If he was busy working, he might not have seen it yet.

  “Oh please. Oh please. Oh please.” Cassi muttered the words like a mantra. She yanked the screen door open and rushed into the house, dropping her purse at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Austin,” she shouted to be heard over the sound of various electronic tools being used. “Austin!”

  She ran into the dining room. Relief washed over her when she found Austin there, busily running a buffer over the wood floors.

  The second he saw her, he turned the noisy machine off. “Hey, I wasn’t expecting you yet.”

  Before he could do or say anything else, Cassi asked, “Tell me you didn’t see it.”

  “Are you kidding me? My phone has been blowing up for the last fifteen minutes.” He wiped dust from his T-shirt and jeans and approached her. “And can I just say, wow.”

  Cassi covered her face with her hands, fighting back tears. Her throat got tight and sore.

  Austin pulled her hands away from her face. “Hey, what’s this all about?”

  Her face crumpled, and she nestled her head against his shoulder. “I didn’t want you to see it. Why would someone have posted that picture? Who even took it?”

  “Shh, it’s okay.” He gently patted her back.

  Cassi tried not to let her disappointment get the better of her.

  “It’s bad luck for you to see my dress before the wedding.”

  “It’s not the day of the wedding, so it doesn’t count.”

  “Yeah, but I’ll never get to see how you would have looked at me when I walked down the aisle.” Cassi sniffed.

  Austin pulled her back from his shoulder and looked into her eyes. “You will. It’s the same way I’m going to look at you every day for the rest of our lives.”

  Cassi wiped the moisture from her eyes with the back of her hand. “I know I’m being silly. But I really wanted that moment.”

  “You’ll still have it the day of our wedding. It’ll be different than this photo. Our family and friends will be there for our first day as man and wife. That day, that photo, will last for the rest of our lives.”

  He kissed her gently on the lips. Pulling away, he wiped the dampness from her cheeks with his thumbs. “You okay?”

  She nodded. “I just...I wanted everything to be perfect.”

  “It will be. That gown is stunning on you. Besides,” he grinned, “I’m more concerned with taking it off later that night.”

  Cassi swatted at him playfully. “Maybe we should save ourselves until the wedding night.”

  “Hey, now you’re taking things too far. I’m all for making it a special day, but there is no way I can go a month or two without having you.”

  “You better get back to work or we’ll never get this place fixed up b
efore the wedding.”

  “You know, we can move into my mom’s house until this is finished.”

  “I like being here together. And we’ve got the horses to take care of.”

  “Okay.”

  Before Austin could get the machine turned back on, there was a persistent loud knock at the front door.

  Cassi opened it and Bonnie Keller stomped inside.

  “Did you see this?” Her cell phone was raised in the air. “Of all the nerve.”

  Austin came up behind Cassi and put his hands on her shoulders.

  “We saw it,” he confirmed.

  “Well, I’ve called the salon and they assure me it was none of their staff. But I just don’t understand how someone got a photo.”

  “Well, Mrs. Keller,” Cassi began.

  “Call me Bonnie. Mrs. Keller is my mother-in-law.”

  “Okay Bonnie,” Cassi started again, “Everyone’s cell phones take pictures, so anyone could have done it. Some other bride who was in the salon the same time we were.” She shrugged.

  “Still, it’s an invasion of privacy. How are you holding up?” Bonnie squeezed Cassi’s hand.

  Cassi was touched that Austin’s mom seemed so upset. Most of the time she wasn’t sure how Bonnie felt about her, but this had to mean she cared. “I’m disappointed that Austin won’t be surprised on our wedding day. I wanted to see his reaction when he saw me in my gown for the first time.”

  “And you shall. The salon promised me that we can exchange it for another gown.”

  Cassi could feel her heart swelling in her chest. She hoped it would be possible to exchange the gown, but she hadn’t wanted to cause any trouble. After all, Eleanor had bought it for her.

  “But who’s to say the same thing might not happen again?” Austin asked.

  “You raise a good point,” Bonnie said. “Maybe we should go to Louisville to find another one.”

  “I think I have something better in mind,” Austin came around and put his arm on his mom’s shoulder. “Cassi and I still need time to decide on a few more things about the wedding.” He was silent for a moment. “Mom, did you get in touch with the wedding planner?”