I grinned at my reflection. Perfect.
I stepped out, pleased at the girls’ reactions.
“Oh Sandy!” Emmy clasped her hands at her chest. “That dress—Cami! It’s gorgeous!”
“You’re beautiful,” Dee whispered.
Liv grinned. “What a knockout.”
“Reid is going to cry.”
“So is Richard. He is such a sap at weddings.”
Cami dabbed her eyes. “Jordan is going to drag you away and have his wicked way with you. I outdid myself.”
There was a knock on the door, and I turned my head. “Come in.”
Gina entered, carrying a box. She stopped when she saw me. “Oh, Sandy, you are stunning!”
I twirled and she laughed. “My dad is gonna go crazy!”
I smiled at the woman I considered both an adopted daughter and my friend. Jordan had been correct. We became friends the day we met, and our bond had only grown stronger. She was accepting and gracious about my relationship with Jordan, pleased to see her father happy. Warren had taken a while to warm up to me. He had been polite but cool when we met, but seeing me with his father, he had accepted me, and we’d grown closer They both called me Sandy, but I was Nan to Gina’s children.
“You look beautiful yourself.”
She wore a green dress as well, although hers was loose and flowy. No one had been more surprised than she was to discover she was pregnant a few months ago. Now at six months, she was well rounded. She was also exhausted and had begged off the earlier luncheon with the girls.
She chuckled as she set down the flowers. “I feel fat.”
She greeted the girls, exchanging hugs. I had already given her the necklace last night, and it sparkled at her throat.
“You are pregnant, not fat. And you’re glowing.”
She smiled, rubbing her hand along the swell of her stomach. “I’m in good company today.”
I had to laugh. There were a few pregnant guests today. My boys and their families were all growing. I knew about Emmy, but I had noticed another guest only sipping at her champagne, not really drinking it. I didn’t say anything, knowing it was her news to share when she was ready.
I sat down, reaching for my shoes. I held one up, admiring the touch of sparkle on the strap and toes. They were a deep green, matching the sash at my waist and the ribbons woven into my hair.
I looked in the mirror, pleased with what I saw. I turned my head side to side, admiring the intricate braiding. I reached for my earrings, but Gina’s voice stopped me. “Dad asked me to give you this.”
I turned, looking at the small box she offered me. I accepted it, unfolding the small note that was attached.
The sky is blue, the venue borrowed,
The day is perfect, and I am old.
Now, in this box, if I may be so bold,
Is your something new.
I may suck at poetry,
But I ask that you do
Marry me today, my darling.
Jordan.
I opened the lid, smiling and crying at the same time. Jordan always made me laugh with his humor.
Nestled in ivory satin was a set of lovely emerald earrings. Elegant and beautiful, they matched the design of my engagement ring. I hadn’t wanted a ring, thinking I was too old to be “engaged,” but Jordan had surprised me with this ring one day. A classic emerald cut stone, with smaller emeralds and diamonds on the band, it was exquisite. Our wedding bands echoed the design, and now I had earrings to match.
I met the girls’ curious stares and showed the earrings to them.
“They are lovely,” Gina enthused. “I always wondered, why emeralds?”
“They remind me of your father’s eyes,” I admitted. “I never had a favorite stone before.”
She threw her arms around me. “I am so glad he has you.”
I hugged her back. “Thank you.”
She pulled away, grinning. “I think your grandbaby is happy too.”
I laughed, laying my hand on her stomach, feeling the pushing of a foot or a hand. I was excited about this baby—about all the babies. Jordan and I would be surrounded by little ones for years to come.
There was another knock, and Colin came in, stopping when he saw me.
“Nan,” he breathed out. “You are gorgeous.”
“You clean up pretty well yourself.”
“Everyone is here, the boys are in their places, the chaplain is ready, and Jordan is anxious.” He lifted one eyebrow. “What about you?”
With a final glance in the mirror, I picked up my bouquet and the extra roses I had requested.
“Ready.”
The girls stood. “That’s our cue,” Emmy said. There was a flurry of hugs, kisses, and a few tears, then they left.
Gina smiled. “I’ll see you at the altar.”
She would stand beside me, and Warren would be beside Jordan. We were keeping that part simple.
I turned to Colin. He grinned and tugged his sleeves, showing me his cuff links. “We all loved them.”
“Good.”
He stepped forward. “I want today to be perfect for you, Nan. I want you to be happy.”
“I am,” I assured him. “And today has already been amazing. Now, I get to marry Jordan, so it will be perfect.”
He kissed my cheek, then crooked his arm. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
The music played softly, the small gathering in front of me all friends and people I considered family. We were getting married in a beautiful ballroom where we often danced on the weekends. Situated by the waterfront, it was romantic and beautiful, with huge crystal chandeliers that glittered and sparkled in the sunset. The wooden floor was polished to a high gloss and the walls draped in yards of gleaming satin. It was set up for the ceremony on one side, and after we were married, we had space for a catered dinner and dancing on the other end. It was elegant, simple, and everything we wanted for our day.
Then I had a surprise for Jordan waiting.
The aisle was wide, a thick runner under my feet, and strewn with flowers. There were seven rows of chairs and on the left-hand side of each row were the men I thought of as my sons.
They had all wanted to give me away, even calling me into the boardroom to present their arguments.
Bentley’s was short and succinct. “She was mine, first.”
Maddox insisted he would be the best dressed for the occasion.
Aiden had a PowerPoint ready, which mysteriously failed to work.
Reid never got to give his thoughts since Aiden chased him out of the office, yelling that he’d been sabotaged. All Reid managed to get out was “She loves me best!”
Richard sent a text.
It should be me, just so you don’t have to choose between the BAM boys.
Van laughed, sipping his coffee. “I just wanted to see this spectacle, Sandy. Carry on.”
Once I stopped laughing and got Reid out of the headlock Aiden had him in, I explained it would be Colin, but shared my idea for the day, and they were all fine.
Each man stood in the aisle, tall and handsome, waiting for me to pass. It was the longest, most emotional walk down the aisle I could have asked for. Van, Richard, Reid, Maddox, Aiden, and finally, Bentley were all demonstrative, the gruff and stern businessmen fading away and the loving, wonderful men they were inside, present and waiting. As they bent for a kiss and a quiet word, I gave them a rose and told them why they were so special to me.
Bentley—his leadership and loyalty to those he loved.
Aiden—his strength and the protectiveness to the people he called family.
Maddox—his wisdom and sense of humor.
Van—his innate goodness and the depth of his love for his family
Richard—for the bond he had with my boys and the tenacity he possessed.
Finally I got to Reid. I could barely speak as I met his eyes. I leaned forward and kissed his cheek, whispering three words, “My favorite son.”
; He kissed me back, tears in his eyes. “My mother.”
They all made sure I saw their cuff links, all eager to make me smile. Each of them was extraordinary to me in a different way, and I loved them all dearly. I was grateful for waterproof mascara as I made my way toward Jordan, who waited patiently, tears glimmering in his eyes as he watched me with the boys.
Finally, we reached the front row, and Colin wrapped me in his arms and kissed my forehead before he took his place at the end of the row. “I love you, Nan.”
I pressed my final rose into his palm. “I love you.”
I swept my gaze across the small gathering. All my boys sat with their wives, their hands clasped together, the love and happiness for me evident on their faces. Aaron beamed at me from his place, sitting beside Jennifer and Colin. Jennifer had only arrived today, coming straight from the airport, so she’d declined to be part of the ceremony, electing to sit with her dad and brother. But her smile was wide and open, and I knew she was happy for me. Around her throat was the necklace I had given her, and Aaron had a rose pinned to his lapel and cuff links in his sleeves.
I turned to face Jordan, who held out his hand. I slipped mine into his and we moved forward together, one final step in our journey toward each other. His grip was warm and sure, the look in his eyes leaving me no doubt of his love. I inhaled deeply, a sense of peace and wonder filling my body.
“Dearly beloved…”
* * *
Bentley stood, tapping the side of his glass. We had kept things informal, very little in the way of speeches. Jordan and I had thanked everyone for coming, and there had been the usual lifting of glasses and brief moments of seriousness, but other than that, it was casual.
I looked at Jordan, confused. He bent close. “He asked, my darling. They all did. I couldn’t refuse.”
I sighed and sat back, even more confused when Aiden, Maddox, and Reid all stood as well.
Bentley tugged his sleeves, then met my eyes.
“Good evening. My name is Bentley Ridge.” He indicated the small group around him. “These are my business partners.” He was formal as he introduced each of the men standing beside him. I tried not to laugh since I was certain everyone in the room knew who they were.
Bentley cleared his throat. “Sandy works for my company. Technically, I am her boss.”
“Except we all know who runs the place.” Aiden leaned in with a wide grin as he spoke into the microphone.
Everyone laughed, including me. Bentley elbowed Aiden out of the way. “Move it, Tree Trunk. I’m talking.”
“You always are,” Aiden shot back.
Bentley rolled his eyes. “As I was saying, Sandy works at my company, but she is so much more to me—to us—than an employee.” His voice lost its cool tone, instantly warming. “She is our family.”
I felt the tears begin. Jordan pulled me close, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. He pressed a kiss to my head. “Steady, my darling. I don’t think you’re going to make it, otherwise.”
“Sandy met me, Aiden, and Maddox many years ago—”
Aiden interrupted again. “Don’t worry, Sandy, we won’t say how many years.”
A chuckle erupted from my lips, and I shook my head in amusement, grateful for the reprieve.
Bentley rolled his eyes and continued.
“As I recall, we were having a debate about how to do the laundry properly. Apparently, none of us got it right, and Sandy slipped through the bushes to correct us.” He smiled at me. “Since then, she has charted our course, guiding us through a lot of rough waters.” He winked. “That one was for you, Jordan.”
Jordan laughed and waved. “Got, it, Bentley.”
Bentley became serious. “At BAM, we hold family dearer than anything. And none are as dear to all of us as Sandy is.” He looked at Jordan. “We wish you all the best. Nothing but smooth sailing and sunny skies.” He held up his finger. “We are entrusting the woman we all consider our adoptive mother to you, Jordan. Take great care of her, as she means the world to us.”
I heard Jordan catch his breath, and he nodded. Tears threatened again for me.
“You have always been part of our family, Jordan, but now those bonds are even tighter. Welcome to the BAM clan. I suppose if Sandy is the matriarch, you are now the patriarch.”
Aiden leaned in, once again providing comic relief. “I’d like to discuss my allowance.”
The room broke into laughter again.
Maddox stepped forward, pushing Aiden out of the way. “We know Sandy well and thought we would share a few of our insights with you. Since you’re a newly married man, we thought you could benefit from our experience.”
“Oh boy,” I muttered, knowing the serious part of the speech was done.
Jordan threw back his head in laughter. “I’m listening, boys.”
“Never tell her what to do. Let her think it’s her idea. It’s best that way,” Maddox deadpanned.
“Because it usually is,” I called.
“She hates lettuce on any hot sandwich,” Aiden advised. “She gets really ornery about it.”
“I’ll remember that,” Jordan assured him.
Bentley grinned. “Never try to sneak in the lights with the whites. You do not want to have to listen to that lecture. My ears burned for days.”
Jordan nodded sagely.
“Always make sure she has coffee before asking her to make a decision.”
“For the love of god, don’t put cream in her tea,” Reid instructed.
“If she asks you about a dress, a blouse anything—the answer is perfect. You look perfect.”
The boys went on, making everyone laugh—especially Jordan. As we’d lived together for a while, he already had discovered all these things about me, but I knew the boys wanted to make me smile.
Bentley took control again. “I think we’ve covered it all, except this.”
Richard and Van joined the boys, a solid wall of men staring at Jordan, no doubt trying to intimidate him.
Bentley met my gaze across the tables with a subtle wink. “Sandy is a queen to us. Treat her that way. Or you’ll answer to us. All of us.”
The guys all flexed, and I had to smother my laughter.
Aiden finished it off. “We know how to get blood out of a carpet. Sandy taught us.”
Jordan’s shoulders shook with mirth.
“Of course she did.”
* * *
“Happy, my darling?” Jordan’s voice murmured in my ear.
“Very much so,” I responded.
“Quite the speech from your boys.”
“I hope you’re scared.”
“Frightfully so.”
“Good. Such sage advice for the newly married man.”
We both chuckled.
The boys had followed up their “speech” with hugs, laughter, and a lot of back slaps.
“Have I told you how exquisitely beautiful you are?”
“Not in the past ten minutes, no.”
“Remiss of me. Your beauty eclipses the sun today, Sandy.” He chuckled, running his fingers over my cheek. “There’s the color I love.”
I shook my head, pretending to be exasperated, while secretly thrilled. He could still make me blush. I hoped that never changed.
After our brief but emotional ceremony, we’d had pictures taken while our guests sipped champagne and nibbled on canapés. There had been many “family” pictures. Of us with Jordan’s children and grandchildren. Colin, Jennifer, and Aaron. My boys, their families, large group shots. All of which I planned to put on the walls in the condo.
I had moved in with Jordan a few months ago. Aiden teased me mercilessly about living in sin and demanding Jordan make an honest woman of me whenever he could. Reid gave him a hard time as well, and Jordan took it all in stride with his usual good humor. He surprised me with a proposal on Valentine’s Day and the request we get married soon. He kept the ring as another surprise, extending our celebrations for days.
I
gave Colin the house the way Max and I had planned. He had been grateful and excited, surprising me when he asked if he could keep some of the furniture. He kept Max’s den exactly the way it was, and after adding some pieces of his own, made it into his place. He was still seeing the pretty nurse he had brought to meet me. Miranda was lovely and suited Colin well. She understood his drive and dedication, her own personality much the same. I was certain they would be living in the house together before long.
“Are your feet sore?” he asked, drawing me closer.
I had danced all evening. All my boys, and Jordan, kept me on the floor. Even Reid had practiced and moved me around with far greater ease than at Van’s wedding.
“A little. I added an extra gel cushion on the bottom, so not as bad as last time.”
“Good plan. I don’t want you sore.” He lowered his mouth to my ear. “At least not yet. That dress is driving me crazy, my darling. I can hardly wait to get it off of you.”
I shivered, loving the deep tone to his voice. Jordan was a passionate lover, and I looked forward to being alone with him soon and seeing exactly how much he liked my dress.
He lifted our hands which were clasped together on his chest and kissed my knuckles. “Am I going to find out your surprise soon, my darling? It’s highly unusual for the groom not to plan the honeymoon. I’m getting more curious every moment.”
“Soon.” I grinned.
“What are you up to?”
“I want to enjoy every moment of tonight with our loved ones. Then the next two weeks you are mine. Utterly mine. Only us—alone.”
He pulled me closer. “I love the sound of that, but I’m going to go mad with speculation. You didn’t even allow me to pack a suitcase. One suit and a bag of toiletries isn’t much for two weeks.”
I hid my grin by laying my head against his shoulder. I had bought him everything he would need, and it was already waiting for him. My things were there as well. I had planned this honeymoon out to the last detail. Jordan had been surprised when I’d informed him that I was taking care of the honeymoon, but he’d finally agreed when he saw how much it meant to me.
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 89
