Wedding Dreams: 20 Delicious Nuptial Romances

by Maggie Way

  Out in the paddock, Cassi put Foolish Gamble through his morning exercises. While working out with the other horses later, she heard tires crunching on the gravel drive. She turned to see a white Mercedes sedan she didn’t recognize.

  The driver, she realized when he got out, was Don Ashworth. Don was Austin’s best friend, and the brother of his almost-fiancée. But while he and Annie Mae had the same big, blue eyes, his were warm and friendly, not icy. Cassi liked Don. He was all affability, from his boyish face to his sandy brown hair, and she’d never once sensed any guile in him.

  He began walking to the stables.

  “Good morning, Don,” she called out in greeting. Taking off her work gloves and stuffing them in her back pocket, she met him in the middle of the barn.

  “Good morning,” he said, taking her hand and kissing it just like he had the first time they met. It made her smile.

  “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” Cassi asked, leaning her hip against a stall.

  “I think you know exactly why I’m here.”

  She nodded.

  “Well, my best bud is head over heels in love with this lady, whom he just infuriated by bringing up the pre-nup he was having me draft.”

  “Sounds about right.”

  “Well,” Don spread his arms out, “I’m here to answer any questions you might have. And I can also give you some insight on why Austin wanted to do it. I think he felt if it came from me, you might be more receptive. After all, I was the one who suggested having one.”

  She nodded. “Go on.”

  “Maybe we can go inside? I’ve got the documents so you can read them and then ask me any questions you might have.”

  “Sure. Be forewarned that the place is still a work in progress. But Austin just finished the kitchen, so we can sit there.” Just saying his name nearly choked her up. And looking at the island reminded her of his touch.

  “Okay.” Don agreed, walking beside her.

  They walked quietly together to the house. Once inside, Don pulled some papers from his jacket, placed them on the black granite, and slung his jacket onto the back of the stool.

  “Want a cup of coffee or something?”

  “Sure. Straight up black would be great,” Don replied.

  She put on a fresh pot of coffee while Don complimented the new kitchen design. Once brewed, she poured a cup and set it in front of Don. Pouring a cup for herself as well, Cassi slid onto the stool beside him.

  Cassi unfolded the papers on the countertop where she and Austin had so recently made passionate love. Now the granite seemed cold to her touch.

  Don cleared his throat. “Pre-nuptial agreements are like a contract. I think you might have gotten scared thinking it would put a ceiling on the amount you would might get in a settlement if there were a divorce. Like some of the Hollywood stories you hear about. But that’s not the case here.”

  Cassi looked down at the papers, but her eyes were blurring with tears again, and she couldn’t focus enough to read.

  “Austin wanted a contract that would spell out how your joint assets would be divided in case there was ever a separation. Cassi, this isn’t about limiting you to a certain amount, or about Austin wanting to conserve what he’s bringing with him to the marriage. He wants to set a 50/50 split of whatever assets there’d be in case of a separation. This is intended to make things easier on both of you, if worse comes to worst.”

  Cassi sniffled. “The terms of the contract aren’t what bother me.”

  “Then what is?” Don asked, not unkindly.

  “The fact that he thinks it’s possible we might not last forever.”

  “Ah, Cassi, that’s not what this is about.”

  She sniffled, “Sure it is. It’s about breaking up, not making the long run.” She wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. “He doubts we can last. Or maybe he doubts his love for me—or my love for him.”

  “That’s not it at all.” Don pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her.

  Cassi dabbed at her eyes.

  “I’m his lawyer and his best friend. He helped me cram for the bar and he knows almost as much about the law as I do. And he’s seen how his mother’s re-marriage has marginalized his part in the Keller family farm. That’s what motivated him to consider getting a pre-nup.”

  Cassi patted her eyes with the handkerchief again.

  “Cassi, I can tell you that man loves you with all his heart. And I don’t for a minute doubt that he plans on spending the rest of his life with you. I’ve seen him through all the women he’s dated, and none of them...” Don leaned closer until Cassi looked at him. His voice quieted. “None of them ever had the effect on him that you do. He loves you.” Don squeezed her hand. “You’re the one.”

  Cassi gulped back a sob. Don’s statement meant a lot to her considering he was including his own sister in that statement.

  “Are you sure you’re not saying this because Austin asked you to?” She knew better than to ask—she knew Don was open and honest-and Austin would be too proud to ask his friend to run interference for him. Still, she needed to know.

  “He only asked me to see you and explain the pre-nup. He didn’t ask me to make a case for him. I think you know he wouldn’t have done that.”

  She nodded her head, still unsure of her voice.

  “Even though Austin wants this document to protect both of you, and to make things easier if there was a separation, if you don’t want to sign it, it’s not a show stopper.”

  “Thanks, Don.”

  “Anytime, Cassi. You okay?”

  “Sure. You don’t need to worry about me.”

  “I’ll leave these here so you and Austin can talk about them tonight.”

  Again, she nodded.

  Don stood up, pushing the stool backward. He leaned over and squeezed her shoulders. “I’ll see you later.”

  When Austin arrived home that evening, Cassi stood in the barn, exhausted after a long day of taking care of the horses and thinking about the pre-nup issue.

  She watched as Austin popped the car trunk open and got several boxes out. Even from a distance, he drew her in. His tall frame stood ramrod straight, his dark hair curled around his collar, and his strong hands carried the two boxes to their front porch.

  Their front porch.

  That word—“their”—reverberated in her head. She and Austin had created a life together already. They belonged together. Whether he was offering her his staunch support or infuriating her over some small idiosyncrasy of his, he was hers and she was his.

  Cassi made her way into their house.

  Chapter Ten

  Cassi found him in their bedroom. His back was to her as he finished putting the boxes in the closet. He closed the door, and when he turned and saw her, stopped dead in his tracks.

  “Cassi,” he said.

  “Austin.”

  Neither moved for several moments. Finally, Austin took one step forward, then two, and before she knew it, he was standing right in front of her. “Are we okay? He whispered.

  “Oh, Austin. We’re just fine.” She wanted to just collapse into his arms. “I wouldn’t be upset about it if I didn’t want you anymore. I–I just couldn’t believe you were so unsure about us that you wanted a signed contract.”

  “Cassi, you know how it’s been since my mother re-married. How her husband has essentially taken control of our family farm. Well, I just wanted to make sure we’d be protected if anything happened. That you’d be protected.”

  Austin shifted his stance. “I understand the idea of this took you by surprise. But I never meant to make you feel like I didn’t think we’d last. I love you...more than I thought was possible.”

  “And I love you, too,” Cassi said and walked into his arms.

  “So, can we forget that I ever mentioned a stupid pre-nup? I just want to be with you.”

  She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. Austin hugged her tight.

  “
I’ve been miserable all day,” Austin confessed. She could tell from the lines on his face it was true. “The fact that I upset you enough to make you cry, well, I never want to do that again.”

  “I think if we plan on being married forever, it might occur every now and then.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “But we just need to remember to talk it out, and no matter how mad we are, we can’t lose sight of how much we love each other.” Cassi wrapped her arms around Austin’s waist, leaning her head against his chest. His arms wrapped around her waist. “Maybe when we get mad in the future, we should look at our wedding pictures and remember that day. Remember how much love was in our hearts.”

  “You might be on to something. Maybe instead of the stupid pre-nup idea, I should have come up with that.”

  Cassi giggled. “Maybe.”

  She luxuriated in being wrapped up in his arms again, his chin propped on her head while he held her.

  “Not to be a mood buster,” Austin said, “but speaking of the pre-nup.”

  “I’ll sign it,” Cassi said.

  “No, you can’t,” he replied.

  “But you think it’s a good idea.”

  “It was a terrible idea. Besides, I already ripped it up.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive,” Austin said while he stroked her hair. “We’re going to be married until we’re ninety and have ten kids and thirty grandkids.”

  She pulled out of his embrace, “What?!”

  Austin laughed, and the sight of his smile warmed her.

  “Seriously, we’re going to be together forever, Cassi. I would never let you go.”

  “Yes, we are.” Cassi agreed. “We still need to decide some things for the wedding.”

  “That’s what Jasmine’s for.”

  “True, but she said we should pick out a cake. I was kind of looking forward to it.”

  “You had me at cake.”

  Cassi grinned. “And the rehearsal dinner.”

  “Let’s deal with that tomorrow. In the meantime,” Austin grinned. “I think there’s something more important to deal with.”

  “Like what?” Cassi backed toward the bed.

  “I think you know what I’m talking about.”

  She lay down on the bed. “I sure hope we’re talking about the same thing.”

  Austin got on the bed and pinned her beneath him. He started showering her with kisses. “Let’s never go to bed mad at each other again.”

  Cassi’s eyes misted. “I think I like that idea.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  And then he kissed her long and hard and deep, and she knew she was home.

  The next day they arrived at the bakery appointment Jasmine had arranged for them. It was a quaint little shop in an old part of town.

  The sweet smell of fresh baked cookies and cakes greeted them when they entered. The cake designer led them to a table set up with dozens of small samples of fillings, icing, and cake.

  There was a photo album on display to view different cake designs. She and Austin had a few good laughs over some of the more outrageous cakes. One almost looked like a castle with multiple layers and fountains.

  Even funnier were some of the cake topper options. There was one where the bride was dragging the groom behind her. Cassi and Austin decided to go with a simple silver horseshoe for their cake topper since it was representative of both their lives.

  The delicious samples made it difficult to choose, but after tasting every delectable morsel, they decided on two flavors that would be alternated by tiers: moist red velvet cake with a splash of almond flavoring that Austin swore tasted just like how his grandmother made it, and a traditional white cake with just a hint of lemon.

  Austin favored the off-white butter cream icing, and Cassi requested that they decorate the cake with a variety of scrolls in the same color. They would also put fresh red roses on each tier.

  Once they finished at the bakery, they met with Jasmine at the Keller house, along with Austin’s mother and grandmother. Jasmine had come prepared with dozens of photos and samples, and they made final selections for the invitations, floral arrangements, food for the reception, and even a local top forty cover band known to get guests up and dancing.

  The reception dinner would start with the traditional Kentucky burgoo soup, a cross between a stew and soup consisting of several types of meat and country vegetables. The main dish would consist of filet mignon with a choice of shrimp scampi or vegetable lasagna. Cassi happily left the menu details to Bonnie who entertained on a regular basis.

  It was decided the rehearsal dinner would be catered at Cassi and Austin’s home. And since it was to be a small, intimate gathering, even Bonnie agreed they could have a more casual meal. They would go with the traditional Kentucky ham and biscuits with a bourbon pecan pie for dessert.

  After most of the time sensitive details were covered, including selecting their wedding invitations, Jasmine said Bluegrass Style magazine wanted to feature them in the January edition. She explained that Austin, Cassi and she would be interviewed about the details of the wedding. Jasmine assured them it would be published after the wedding, and they wanted to use a few photos from the ceremony.

  Bluegrass Style’s coverage wasn’t limited to Lexington or the state of Kentucky—it encompassed many other states, including Tennessee and Virginia.

  Bonnie couldn’t be more thrilled, but Cassi felt a little uncertain about the whole thing. This aspect of the Keller’s lifestyle still felt unreal to her.

  Austin finally convinced Cassi it would be a good opportunity to talk about their upcoming business venture. Cassi agreed, with the condition that they have final say on which photos were chosen. Jasmine, who felt certain they’d agree, said she would handle setting up the appointment.

  The wedding was beginning to feel real. Cassi’s heart raced a bit at the thought of all the events yet to occur. But what excited her more was her future with Austin.

  Chapter Eleven

  Cassi crossed out her “one day left” on her pocket calendar countdown until the wedding. Today was the day she would finally become Mrs. Austin Keller.

  Austin’s grandmother, Eleanor, had insisted that Cassi and her maid of honor, Sandy, stay at the Keller family home the night before the wedding.

  This morning they were all scheduled for a bit of pampering at a spa to get their hair and make-up done. Austin’s mother, Bonnie, had arranged for a limo to take them there. The gesture touched Cassi.

  When she had first met Austin’s mother, she didn’t think she approved of her. But after spending time with her at Lexington Ladies League meetings and throughout the wedding planning, Cassi now felt Bonnie accepted her and was happy at how far their relationship had come.

  Sandy knocked on the bedroom door and came in.

  “Hey, how are you doing?” she asked.

  “Just fine. Not nervous at all.”

  “Good. We’re going to have so much fun at the spa. Have you decided on French tips?”

  “I think so,” Cassi demurred. “My nails are so short from working with the horses that I think it’s that or just a blush pink or ivory polish.”

  “I’d go with French tips if they can do it.”

  Cassi sank back into the comfortable couch that faced the bed. “A girl could certainly get used to such luxury.”

  “Amen to that.” Sandy replied, sitting down beside her.

  “Did you ever for a moment think that you or I would be sitting in a bedroom in the Keller house?” Cassi said softly.

  “Never in a million years,” Sandy said, reaching out and squeezing her hand.

  “I mean, I nearly pinch myself every day.”

  “You certainly did get the man of every girl’s dream.”

  Cassi nodded. “Do you think we’ll last?”

  Turning to look at her, Sandy said, “Of course.”

  “Seriously, don’t just say what you think you’re supposed to s
ay as my maid of honor or my best friend. I want your honest opinion.”

  “My opinion doesn’t matter, Cassi. It’s what’s in both of your hearts that matters.”

  “I am still astounded he fell in love with me.” She looked down as she said it, not able to meet Sandy’s eyes when she revealed her vulnerability.

  “Really? You’re honest, down-to-earth, and kind to everyone around you. What’s not to love?”

  “You don’t think at some point he’ll regret marrying me? I mean, I’m not from his circle. All of this stuff”—she gestured to the opulent guest room around them— “I’m not used to it.”

  “Nope. He had plenty of chances to fall in love and marry one of them. He’s marrying you because you’re special. You care about people more than you do the latest fashions or social event. You work hard for what you have, you took care of your brother and got him loans and a partial scholarship to go to college. You live in the real world, and I think Austin respects that.”

  Cassi leaned over and hugged her friend. “Thanks.”

  Sandy hugged her back. “But I am so happy I’m your best friend and get to be pampered like this!”

  They giggled together.

  After they returned from the salon several hours later, their hair styled and nails sparkling, it was time for them to don their gowns. Sandy helped Cassi into her dress, careful not to mess up her hair, which was styled in a curly up do, with several tendrils and strands hanging down to frame her face. A small silver hair band served as her headpiece.

  “Eleanor wanted to come in and help you get ready after I get this gown on you.”

  Cassi’s pulse was picking up a bit of speed now that the moment they’d been waiting for, preparing for, was here. It was almost time to head to her house for the ceremony. Once Sandy had Cassi dressed, she gave her an air kiss. “I’ll see you in the limo.”

  Cassi squeezed her hand. “Thanks for being my maid of honor.”

  “You were there for me when I got married. Now I get to be there for you.” She opened the door and left. Eleanor entered the room a moment later.