The Wedding Flight

by SJ McCoy

  Piper laughed. “I suspected as much.” She looked at Laura. “I don’t think I’m taking the right seat either, am I?”

  Laura shook her head. “No. That’s my seat for this flight.”

  Smoke raised an eyebrow at Cameron. He hadn’t managed to take his eyes off Piper yet. Smoke didn’t think he’d have too much of a problem spending the flight back here with her.

  When they were settled in the cockpit, Smoke helped Laura buckle herself in. “I hope it doesn’t spoil your dress.”

  She smiled. “Nothing can spoil this day. Do you think I care if the dress gets a few wrinkles? You’ll only be taking it off me as soon as you can anyway.”

  He nodded his agreement. “I love the dress. It’s stunning, but I’ll be taking every last stitch off you just as soon as I can.”

  She smiled and lifted her foot, pulling up the hem of her dress to reveal a pair of sexy-as-hell heels. Smoke sucked in a deep breath.

  “Even the stitches in these?” she asked with a teasing smile.

  He pursed his lips. “Those can stay, but you’d better keep them covered up for now. I have to concentrate. I have to fly. I have to get us to the chapel on time.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Forty minutes later, Laura smiled as the mountains rose up to greet them. “I love this place so much.”

  Smoke nodded. “Me too. I never thought I could settle in a place like this, but that first time I flew you up here, it felt different. The mountains reached up to welcome me back, and it felt like it could be home.”

  She nodded. “And now it is—our home.”

  “Yep.” Smoke brought the plane down to land and taxied off the runway. “The place where we’re going to get married—in less than fifteen minutes.”

  “It’s okay. We’ll make it.”

  Smoke brought the plane to a stop and reached over to touch her cheek. “We already have, lady. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  They both stopped in their tracks when Smoke opened the door to the cabin, and they caught sight of Cameron and Piper. They were all tangled up in each other kissing like their lives depended on it.

  Laura looked at Smoke, and he shook his head in amazement. She’d never seen him look so shocked. He cleared his throat loudly, and Cameron and Piper sprang apart.

  Cameron looked at them apologetically while Piper kept her eyes down and straightened her dress.

  “Sorry to disturb you,” said Smoke with a laugh. “But it’s show time. We’re back, and we all need to get to the church.”

  Once they were inside the building, Laura kissed him one more time. “I’ll see you at the altar—unless you need my help with anything before you get there.”

  He laughed. “Thanks. I think I can take it from here.”

  Jack came rushing toward them. “Are you all okay?”

  “It’s all good, Jack. Panic over,” said Smoke.

  Jack gave him a sheepish grin. “Panic? Me, panic? I don’t know what you mean. I’m just supposed to be giving my cousin away, only she’s not here, and the guy I’m supposed to be giving her to is stuck in Vegas somewhere. No panic.”

  Laura linked her arm through his. “It’s okay. Everything’s as it should be now. All the details are back in place.”

  Jack laughed. “The crucial details are taken care of. You’re both back here and only ten minutes away from the chapel, but we still need to take care of the details of getting you there. I’ll relax once we’re walking down the aisle and this guy is standing at the front waiting for you.”

  “And on that note,” said Smoke. “This is me gone.”

  Laura smiled to herself as she watched her fiancé walk away.

  ~ ~ ~

  When they reached the parking lot, Smoke stopped dead. “Shit!”

  “What? What’s wrong now?” asked Cameron.

  “I don’t have my truck here,” said Smoke. “I didn’t even think.” He stood there staring around the parking lot. How could he have forgotten that? No way was he going to hitch a ride in Laura’s limo.

  They both looked up as an SUV pulled into the parking lot. It came to a stop in front of them and the passenger door swung open.

  “Dad?”

  His dad laughed. “I’m not such a useless old fart as you think. Jump in. I’m going to have to speed if you want to beat the girls to the church.”

  Smoke climbed in the front seat and Cameron scrambled in the back. “How did you know?” asked Smoke.

  His dad tapped the side of his know. “As I said, I’m not as useless as you both think. I’ve been keeping tabs on you. I tracked your plane back to Vegas, and it hasn’t left again since it landed. I tried calling both of you and got no answer, so I knew you were in the air somehow.” He grinned. “When I checked Papa Charlie, it was due to land back here.” He shrugged, looking very pleased with himself. “I thought you might need a ride.”

  Smoke grinned. “You thought right. You’re a life saver. Thanks, Dad.”

  Cameron laughed and they both turned to look at him. “This is awesome,” he said. “First, we were rescued from Vegas by the bride and her bridesmaid, now you’re here to save the day.”

  Smoke exchanged a look with his dad. He didn’t trust himself to speak. They just held each other’s gaze for a long moment. He didn’t know what words could ever express all that he felt.

  His dad found them. “I love you, son.”

  Smoke had to blink. “I love you, too, Dad.”

  ~ ~ ~

  At two minutes to two Laura stood in the entrance to the chapel, holding onto Jack’s arm.

  “Are you ready?”

  She nodded. She’d never been more ready for anything in her life. She hugged Piper, who’d been very quiet since they got off the plane, “Are you okay?”

  Piper grinned. “A little ashamed of myself, but I’m so happy for you, Laura.”

  Laura laughed. “Then get your ass down that aisle and let them know I’m coming.”

  All heads turned as Piper began her walk down the aisle ahead of them and the music began to play.

  Laura felt as though she was walking on air as she and Jack made their way past all their friends and family. She tried to blink away the tears as she smiled at them all. This place, these people, they’d become her life in the last couple of years. She squeezed Jack’s arm. It was all because of him. She spotted Emma, trying to wipe her eyes and hang onto baby Isabel. If she and Jack hadn’t met, Laura wouldn’t be here now. Michael winked at her as she went by. He was a good guy; he’d helped her and Smoke on their way, too. Dan held her gaze for a long moment. Her quiet, shy cousin who’d built such a great life for himself here, with Missy who stood beside him grinning at her and nodding. There were so many more smiling faces. Ben and Charlotte, Holly and Pete, April and Eddie, Kenzie and Chase, Nate and Lily—they all merged into one big happy blur.

  As they got closer to the front, she finally let herself look at Smoke. He met her gaze and smiled, and she wanted to run the last few yards and fling herself at him. He was everything. He jerked his head toward the front row where her mom was dabbing at her eyes. Aunt Christine stood beside her and next to her was Aunt Cindy. Laura blew her a kiss—she may not have seen her for years, but like the people here at the lake, she was a friend who had become family. She’d come all the way from San Antonio to be here today for her.

  She looked at the other side of the aisle and smiled at Madeleine and Cole. She’d grown to love them in the time she’d known them. Chelsea stood beside them and gave her a little wave. Laura smiled through her tears. She hoped that Chelsea would become a sister in time. Behind them stood Hope and Chance with Seymour. Pete’s parents were there, too. She smiled when she spotted Lawrence and Shawnee. Clay met her gaze and nodded, and for one wild moment she wondered if she’d attend his wedding someday.

  She watched as Piper reached the front and stood off to one side. Cameron hadn’t taken his eyes off her
the whole way.

  A couple more steps and she was there. Jack reached down and kissed her cheek then placed her hand in Smoke’s. Smoke held his gaze for a moment. Then looked down at her. This was it. She couldn’t help it. She laughed.

  ~ ~ ~

  Smoke stared into her blue eyes. He’d known on the day he met her that those eyes were full of fun. He loved that whenever he looked into them now, he saw love. He was one lucky guy, and he knew it.

  She laughed, and he had to laugh with her. They were finally here.

  He cast a quick glance at his parents. He’d never thought he’d see this day. He hadn’t thought he’d ever marry, not after what happened with Anabel, and he’d never thought he’d be reunited with his family. Now, thanks to Laura, it was all happening.

  The chaplain looked at them both and smiled. “Glad you could both make it,” he said with a smile.

  Laura laughed again and muttered, “Not as glad as we are.”

  Smoke couldn’t take his eyes off her as the chaplain led them through their vows. She looked so earnest as she promised to love honor and obey him for the rest of her life.

  She gave him a wicked smile when he made the same vow, raising her eyebrow as he said the word obey. He smiled through pursed lips. He’d get her back for that.

  It was over so quickly. Cameron handed him the rings. They slid them onto each other’s fingers, and then the chaplain was telling him he could kiss his bride. He did. He closed his hands around her waist and pulled her against him. Her hands closed around the back of his head pulling him down to her, and they kissed as if they were alone in the world. When he finally lifted his head, a round of applause broke out, and he grinned at the crowd who got to their feet.

  Laura smiled up at him. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure we get to the reception.”

  He scowled at her. “You’re not going to let me forget about this morning, are you?”

  Her eyes danced as she shook her head. “Never.”

  He laughed. “In that case …” He bent down and wrapped his arm around her legs.

  “Smoke! Don’t you dare!”

  It was too late. He’d already thrown her over his shoulder and started to make his way down the aisle.

  ~ ~ ~

  Laura smiled at Smoke when Jack tapped his spoon against his glass to get everyone’s attention.

  “Ladies and gentlemen. I won’t keep you long.”

  The hum of conversation died down. “Don’t believe him,” called Pete. “We’re going to be here for a while.”

  Jack laughed and shook his head. “Not this time. I like making speeches. I think most of you know that, but tonight, I think fewer words will mean more.” He turned to Smoke and Laura. “I just want to ask you all to join me in congratulating two of the very best people I know.” Everyone cheered at that. “I’ll be honest,” Jack continued. “I warned both of them off the other when they first met.” Laura smiled, remembering that. “But I was wrong. I couldn’t have been more wrong. These two were made for each other. They’ve made each other’s lives better.” Jack nodded at Smoke’s parents. “They’ve healed each other’s wounds and made each other happy. They’re an example to all of us that you don’t have to give up who you are in order to make someone else happy. When it’s right, you make someone else happy just by being yourself.” He smiled at Smoke. “I was afraid for each of you that it wouldn’t work out that way, and I couldn’t be happier to have been wrong. Here’s to a long and beautiful marriage. I love you guys.”

  Everyone got to their feet and joined him as he raised his glass to them. Laura felt the tears prick her eyes again.

  Smoke leaned over and kissed her cheek. “He’s right you know. You make me happy by being you.”

  She smiled. “I thought I just made you happy because I let you be you.”

  “Nope. I love the freedom to be me, but I love you more.”

  “I love you, Cole Alexander Hamilton. I love you for being you. I love that you let me be me. I love our life.” She smiled up at him. “I love that you’re now my husband.”

  “I love that you’re finally my wife.” He smiled and waved his arm out at the room full of people. I love that this is our life and these are our friends. I love that we live here.”

  She nodded. “I think there’s something magical about this place. I really do.”

  Smoke smiled. “There has to be. It must’ve been magic that turned Nate from a manwhore into a devoted boyfriend.”

  Laura laughed as they watched Nate and Lily get up from their table. He put his arm around her shoulders as they went over to talk to Gabe and Renee. “That must be the same magic that worked on you, right?”

  Smoke shrugged. “I guess so. I think there’s more of it in the air, too.”

  “I think you’re right.” Laura followed his gaze to where her mom was sitting with Clay McAdam. She shook her head. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what develops there.”

  “Yep, and with Chris and Seymour.” He jerked his head to where the two of them were standing talking.

  Laura laughed. “There’s magic everywhere you look. I think Cam and Piper have finally tapped into it.”

  Smoke pursed his lips. “I think we’ll have to wait and see with them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He smiled. “I don’t know if that one will be long-lasting magic or just a quick bang.”

  Laura laughed. “You thought that’s all we were going to be.”

  “So did you.”

  “Yeah, I did. I’m glad we were both wrong.”

  Smoke smiled as he slid his arm around her shoulders. “Me too. For once neither of us gets to gloat.”

  She reached up and planted a kiss on his lips. “Today I think we can both gloat. We finally got what we wanted.”

  “And now we get to live happily ever after, right?” he asked with a grin.

  “We do.”

  He got up and took her hand, pulling her to her feet to join him.

  “Where are we going?”

  He snaked his arm around her waist. “To our room, to get started on that happily ever after.”

  She laughed and looked back at the room full of guests.

  “They’ll still be here when we come down,” said Smoke.

  They would. The friends and family in that room would be around for the rest of their lives. She knew it, and she loved it. Right now, what she wanted most was to go and make her husband a happy man;

  A Note from SJ

  I hope you enjoyed this return visit to the lake and finally seeing Smoke and Laura tie the knot. Please let your friends know about the books if you feel they would enjoy them as well. It would be wonderful if you would leave me a review, I'd very much appreciate it.

  There are so many more stories still to tell and don’t worry—I will be writing more stories set at the lake. There are still some couples waiting to get married, and I’ll be sure to invite you back for their weddings. The pilots are growing impatient to get the Summer Lake Flyers series started and, as you may have gathered in this story, there are some older couples who would love to have their stories told, too.

  The next book I’m working on is Cameron and Piper’s story. Smoke’s family have been waiting a long time for a spinoff series set in wine country. If he gets his way, Oscar will be getting his own book early next year, and his brothers don’t want to be left out.

  In the meantime, be sure to check out my Remington Ranch series, if you haven’t already. You can get started with book one, Mason, which you can download for FREE here.

  If you’d like to keep in touch, there are a few options to keep up with me and my imaginary friends:

  The best way is to Sign up for my Newsletter. Don't worry I won't bombard you! I'll let you know about upcoming releases, share a sneak peek or two and keep you in the loop for a couple of fun giveaways I have coming up :0)

  You can join my readers group to chat
about the books on Facebook or just browse and like my Facebook Page

  I occasionally attempt to say something in 140 characters or less(!) on Twitter

  And I’m always in the process of updating my website at www.SJMcCoy.com with new book updates and even some videos. Plus, you’ll find the latest news on new releases and giveaways in my blog.

  I love to hear from readers, so feel free to email me at AuthorSJMcCoy@gmail.com. I’m better at that! :0)

  I hope our paths will cross again soon. Until then, take care, and thanks for your support—you are the reason I write!

  Love

  SJ

  PS – Project Semicolon

  You may have noticed that the final sentence of the story closed with a semicolon. It isn’t a typo. Project Semicolon is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love and inspire. It’s a movement I support with all my heart.

  "A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you." - Project Semicolon

  This author started writing after her son was killed in a car crash. At the time, I wanted my own story to be over, instead I chose to honour a promise to my son to write my ‘silly stories’ someday. I chose to escape into my fictional world. I know for many who struggle with depression, suicide can appear to be the only escape. The semicolon has become a symbol of support, and hopefully a reminder – Your story isn’t over yet

  ;

  Also by SJ McCoy

  Summer Lake Series

  Emma and Jack in Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt FREE!

  Holly and Pete in Work Like You Don't Need the Money

  Missy and Dan in Dance Like Nobody's Watching

  Smoke and Laura in Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded

  Michael and Megan in Laugh Like You’ve Never Cried

  Kenzie and Chase in Sing Like Nobody’s Listening

  Gabe and Renée in Smile Like You Mean It