by Dale Cadeau
Gathering Laura to his side, he read the note. It was from the team.
“This is for the best member of our team. We wanted to do something for both of you, but not interfere. So you will notice that this suite has two bedrooms. Knowing Clay as we do, we know you will only need one. But for now, one is for Laura and the other for you, Clay. Inside you will find an assortment of clothes needed for your next step. I have the chapel on standby and the limo will be waiting for you when you are ready.” It was signed James, Avery, Angel, Cyn, Grant, and Brad.
Laura looked at Clay with tears in her eyes. “You do have the best bunch of friends going, don’t you?”
Clay was touched also. “All of them must have scrambled to make this happen in so little of time. Shit, this explains why it took the jet so long to fuel up and start off.” Gathering Laura in his arms he held her tightly within their circle. “Yes, they are the best, and you can count on them to have your back. What do you say we heed their advice and find out what they left us and make this official?”
Laura put both of her hands on the side of Clay’s face and looked deeply into his eyes. She could see the possessiveness in their depths. She probably reflected the same look back at him. “I say that we get this show on the road and get to the good stuff faster. I have plans for you later.”
“I thought that was my line.” Clay laughed as he released Laura and took her hand and they walked up to the bedrooms. One door had Clay’s name on it and the other Laura’s.
“Do you want me to come in with you? Knowing the guys, anything could be waiting.”
Laura put her hand on the door handle. “I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise. I got to know Avery and Cyn pretty good and I’m not worried. They wouldn’t let the men get out of hand.”
Laura opened the door and closed it on Clay with a shoo of her hand in the direction of his door.
Walking to the bed, Laura was stunned. Lying on it was the most beautiful gown she had ever seen. It looked knee length, off-white, and with lace so fine that it appeared to be gossamer. Beside it was some very reveling lingerie, and shoes stood on the floor that matched the dress.
Sitting on the bed, Laura took in the dress and lingerie. She felt the tears come to her eyes and wiped them with a hand. She had never had this kind of friendship from anyone. She was so used to looking after herself and staying in the background that this overwhelmed her. Taking her other hand, she felt the material of the dress. It was a dress that all little girls dreamt of wearing when they got married. How did they know? Laura felt the tears fall and swiftly got off the bed so they couldn’t reach the dress.
If only she had her mother’s pearls that were at home on her dresser. Clay had hurried her so much that she had just grabbed the bare essentials. And with her head filled with only thoughts of him, she hadn’t remembered them. Knowing Clay would probably not wait too long to barge into the bedroom if he heard her crying, she started to make her way to the bathroom. Passing the dresser on her way, she notice a white piece of paper attached to a bouquet of orchids. Going over she picked up the paper and read. The note was from Avery and Cyn.
“We saw that you forgot these so we had them couriered. We want your day to be perfect.” Laura looked on the dresser and there was her mother’s old, blue, velvet case that housed the pearls. Laura just lost it and broke down sobbing.
Next thing she heard was Clay knocking on the door. “Are you OK in there? Do you need me?”
“Everything is fine, Clay. I always need you, but not right now. You go get prettied up.”
“Well, you might be disappointed if you expect me to pretty up.”
“Clay you’re the most handsome man I know, so go and get ready.”
“OK, as long as you are fine.”
“Yes, Clay, I just need a few more minutes.”
Clay walked back into his bedroom after he knew Laura was OK. He was just as stunned as he thought Laura probably was. Waiting for him was a black tux with all the trimming laid out on the bed. The guys had went all out to deck him out. Pulling his T-shirt over his head, he made his way to the bathroom and a quick shower.
Drying off back in the bedroom, he went to the dresser to see if there was a comb. On the dresser was a note. James was at it again, he thought. Picking up the note he noticed it covered a small box.
Grabbing the box and the note, Clay sat on the bed. He was surprised when he opened the note and found that it was from Angel.
Clay, you and the guys made my day the greatest, when I married Cyn. I couldn’t have asked for more, so I’m just returning the favor. We all had the same idea when Cyn found the diamonds in the garden, but you beat me to the punch. So here is the one I took and hopefully it is mounted the way you would want. Cyn gave me some input and we wish you the best.
Clay put the paper on the bed and opened the box. In it was a shiny diamond in a gold-and-platinum twirl design. Clay felt his mouth almost gape open when he first saw it.
He picked up the ring and looked it over carefully. It was beautiful and classy just like Laura. He couldn’t have done better. Clay almost felt the tears come to his eyes as he thought over the team and what they had gone through to be where they were today.
Clay carefully put the ring back in its box and laid it on the bed. After he was dressed and presentable, he stepped back and looked in the mirror. Well, he wasn’t as pretty as he thought Laura wanted, but he would have to do. She was stuck with him now, or would be shortly.
Picking up the ring box, he put it in his pocket and opened the door to the living room. He hoped that Laura was ready, too. He was getting antsy to make her his.
This time his mouth did gape open. Laura was waiting in the middle of the room. She took his breath away. She was standing there in something that looked like shiny cobwebs and holding a bouquet of orchids. She looked an angel just come down to earth for him.
Clay finally closed his mouth when she turned and walked toward him and looked him up and down.
“God, Clay, you are a handsome devil. I can’t wait until we get back here.”
Clay laughed. Laura looked like an angel, but looking into her green eyes, he could see a bit of the devil shining back at him.
He just wetted his lips and took her hand and turned it palm side up and licked it. “I think I can safely say today that we are on the same page.”
Clay didn’t want to break the spell they both seemed to be under, so he just tucked Laura’s hand in his elbow and escorted her out of the room and down to the limo.
The ride to the chapel was short and Clay was surprised that he wasn’t nervous. He always thought when and if this day arrived that he would be a nervous wreck. Looking at Laura as she took in the sights outside the window of the limo, he felt complete. James and Angel were right. There was a soul mate out there for everyone.
The limo stopped at the front step to the chapel and Clay got out and helped Laura from the car. As they took the first step up to the chapel, the double doors opened and James and Angel were standing there decked out like he was, with wide grins on their faces, holding the doors open. Clay stopped for a moment. He was stunned. Laura just clutched his arm and was stunned also.
“Come on, man, can’t chicken out now,” James told him as he made his way to Laura’s side and took her other arm and led them both into the small vestibule leading into the church.
Angel closed the front doors and just as Clay was going to ask what was going on, Angel took his arm and opened another door shooing him into the church. James stayed in the small hallway with Laura, who didn’t say anything but was wide eyed.
Angel kept a tight hold on Clay’s arm when he made a move to go back to Laura.
“Clay, we got this handled. Just go with it.” Angel led him to the altar, where Grant and Brad were standing off to the side.
“What’s going on? I thought your part was finished?”
James looked down at Laura. “We couldn’t let him get married alone. We all love the
guy like a brother. He has been with us through thick and thin. So on this special day, we just couldn’t think of not being here for him. I promise that you will have him all to yourself shortly.
“So what do you say that I escort you down the aisle to the big guy? I know he will be back here shortly if we don’t leave now.”
“I agree. He’s not the most patient person I know.” Taking his arm, Laura laughed as she allowed James to open the door to begin their walk up the aisle.
Laura gave another gasp and stopped James from proceeding when she got a look at the small chapel. It was decked out with orchids and red roses all over the pews and altar. She could see Clay at the front with Angel, Grant, and Brad beside him. On the other side of the altar waiting were Avery and Cyn. Both women were standing, wearing stunning red dresses, holding small bouquets of white roses, and smiling back at her.
Laura looked up at James. “You don’t do things halfway do you?”
“You and Clay deserve the best.” James patted her hand and gently started walking her down the aisle toward Clay. Clay stood by the altar, looking like it was Christmas morning and he was getting everything he ever wanted.
The ceremony was short and elegant, with Laura mopping up tears with the handkerchief that Avery had slipped to her. She was so happy that she almost missed her part, until Clay leaned down, kissed her nose, and told her it was her turn.
Laura turned red as she looked at the preacher and the others smiling at her. Taking a deep swallow to clear her voice, she recited her vows. After that, all she could remember was Clay giving a whoop and throwing his arms around her and kissing her senseless.
After Clay let her lips go, she felt the others surrounding her and Clay. Clay kept a tight hold on Laura’s hand as James put an arm around his shoulder and led them both out a small door leading out of the chapel and onto the lawn.
Outside was a small tent with a cake and a few champagne buckets around it.
James stopped them in front of the table and proceeded to pour the ice-cold champagne into glasses for everyone. Handing Laura and Clay both a glass, he made sure everyone had a glass and put his hand out to Avery, pulling her close to his side. Raising his glass, he looked around at their friends surrounding them.
“This is for the best team member that we could ever ask for. The brother that we didn’t know we needed and the greatest friend a person could have. Let’s have a toast to Clay and Laura.”
Clay took a sip and looked around at his family. That’s what they had become to him. “Where’s Chase, our younger brother? I thought he would be here, too. It’s not like him to miss anything.”
“Don’t know where he is. I tried to get in touch with him, but couldn’t. But I did receive a message from Sam that she had things covered. So I’m not worried,” James told him as he took another sip of his champagne.
Angel and Cyn made it to their side as James with Avery moved a few steps away.
“I wish you all the best. I can see that Laura is your soul mate. Don’t ever forget it. She is your equal and better half,” Angel told Clay as he grabbed him for a hug. Letting him go, Cyn hugged Clay as Angel gave Laura a hug and a kiss.
“Kiss your own soul mate, Angel, this one’s mine.” Clay laughed as he brought Laura even closer to him.
Grant and Brad took their places as they moved over to where James and Avery stood.
Grant held out his hand. “Well, big guy, I’m glad for you. Hopefully one day we can all be happy like this.”
Brad pushed him out of the way. “Well, big guy, how does it feel to have a woman beat you at your own game?”
Laura gasped. Clay looked stunned. “What do you mean, Brad?” His voice now had a hard edge.
James walked up behind Brad and cuffed him on the side of the head. “He doesn’t mean anything, Clay. You know Brad, he’s kidding around all the time.”
Clay looked at James. “No, he’s not. Don’t try and pull that. What aren’t you telling me?”
He could feel Laura releasing his hand and stepping away. Clay turned to her and he could see the guilty look in her eyes. Now Clay was starting to get pissed as he looked around at all their guilty expressions.
Stepping back from them, he put his hands on his hips and gave them the most intimidating look he could manage.
“Fess up, James.” He narrowed his gaze to just James.
James swallowed the last of the champagne in his glass and looked Clay directly in the eye.
“Well, it’s like this—”
Cyn broke in before James got any further.
“It was all our plan. And you can thank Lance, too. He couldn’t get away to come today. But he was worried about you moping around VSP and scaring the customers. So he called and we all got together and came up with this plan. It shouldn’t matter to you now. After all you ended up where you want to be, with Laura. And I will say it took some convincing to get Laura on board with this.” Cyn stopped when Angel put a hand on her arm.
“Stop, Cyn. It’s more us guys’ fault than you girls. It was us that came up with the elaborate scheme.”
“And what scheme was that?” Clay asked in a hard voice.
James broke back in. “Well, we set up Laura being snatched with help from Lance and two of his new bouncers. We also set up a false wife for Private Jones and her flower shop.”
“I think I get it, James.” Clay turned beady eyes on all of them.
Everyone was silent for a moment. Laura had backed away more and was trying to disappear under the tent that covered the table with the cake and champagne.
Clay reached out a hand a grabbed her before she could completely disappear and pulled her to his side. When James went to prevent him, he just gave James a look that told him to back off.
Pulling Laura to him, he turned her back to his front, hugging her tightly around her waist and looked over her head at all his friends.
He gave them all an evil look then broke into a wide smile. Kissing the top of Laura’s head, he laughed at all the startled faces looking back. “I could be pissed and rightly so for all of you putting me through the wringer of untangling your clues and finding Laura. But I know where it’s coming from. And you’re right. In the end, it did get me what I most wanted and that was Laura. Now I have legally claimed her. She’s not getting away. I’ll have to thank you all one day. Just remember payback is a bitch.” Clay turned Laura in his arms and kissed her deeply, showing her all the love he had to give.
The others just gathered around them, raised their glasses, and toasted the happy couple.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dale was brought up in Port Severn, Ontario, in the Georgian Bay area. The area was and still is barely a dot on the map and did not have the conveniences like a big city. One thing lacking was television stations. With only one station you had to learn to read early in life to ward off boredom. Her mother, an avid reader of good romance, passed on to her the love of good books. Many years later and now living close to the city of Toronto, with all kinds of TV stations that still have nothing on, she still spends her time reading (when not working at her other day job) and has accumulated a huge collection of paperback books. The best thing for her was when e-books came on the market. Now her Kindle stores the numerous books she reads each week. Married with one daughter who also writes in this genre under the pen name Jade Belfry, she lives with her husband and two very spoiled Chihuahuas.
For all titles by Dale Cadeau, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/dale-cadeau
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
About the Author
