The Wedding (The Casanova Club Book 14)

by Ali Parker

  Jackson Lee cleared his throat and turned toward Piper. The moment of silence was heavy and light all at once, and the sniffling of others in the crowd reached my ears. I did not look at them. I didn’t have time. It was slipping through my fingers and all I wanted was to stare at Piper a little while longer.

  “It’s your turn when you’re ready, Piper,” Jackson said.

  Piper’s rich brown eyes danced back and forth between mine. Tears clung to her bottom lashes despite her smile, and she sucked in a shaky breath before she began. “I wish I’d gone first. I don’t know how to follow that.”

  The crowd laughed as one.

  Piper gazed up at me the same way she did when we were lying in bed together. “You say you were lost, Wyatt,” she began, her voice hitching with emotion over some of her words. “Well, I think I was too. I was buried under expectations and obligations and responsibilities. I was smothered by a future that was laid out for me that I did not want. And it was in trying to escape that future that I found you. And after that? Everything changed.”

  I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to gather her up in my arms, steal her away from all these people, and lay her down so I could worship her with kisses and show her just how much I really loved her.

  “You taught me not only how to ranch but how to grow into myself. You challenged me in ways I’ve never been challenged before, and I found a home here. On this soil. By your side. Leaving you at the end of March was the hardest thing I ever had to do.” Her bottom lip trembled. She looked down, collected herself, squared her shoulders, and met my gaze once more. “I was broken in a thousand little pieces of memories. And they were sweet memories. But they weren’t enough. Not really. I needed more. I needed you. And now, standing here, knowing in just a few minutes I’ll be your wife, it makes all that pain and all that not-knowing worth it. Every tear I shed brought me one step closer to being back here with you. And so, with all those tears in mind, I have some promises of my own to make.”

  Piper licked her lips and then rewarded me with a smile that lit up the canopy of leaves all around us. “I promise to always hang your towel up when you’re done with it because I know you hate a damp one but for some reason you always leave it on the floor.”

  More laughter ensued between the tears.

  She carried on. “I promise to tuck your shoes onto the shoe rack so you don’t trip over them like you always do in the early mornings before we go out to start our chores. I promise to build a family with you and cook dinners on Sundays like your mother did for you.”

  I looked at my feet as emotion swelled up inside me.

  Piper ran her fingers over the backs of my hands. “I promise to be just as hard on Boone and Dodge as you are and not to let them put a toe out of line.”

  “Hey,” Boone muttered behind me.

  “Watch it,” Dodge added.

  More snickering whispered through the crowd.

  Piper’s giggle rose amongst it all. “And I promise to love you until our last day together under this sun. And then even after that still. Because if this year has taught me anything, it’s that my love for you is stronger than anything I’ve ever known. And it’s ours. Forever.”

  Chapter 19

  Piper

  As I’d said my vows to Wyatt, I’d become oblivious to the other people in the rows of white chairs. So when Jackson Lee announced us as husband and wife—skipping over the “if anyone has reason why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace” just in case one of the Casanova men had a couple of too many drinks before the ceremony and decided to put their two cents in—the kiss Wyatt and I shared wasn’t exactly rated PG.

  He’d closed the foot of space between us, ran one hand behind my back, dipped me dramatically backward, and held the back of my neck, where his fingers plunged into my hair and tightened as the kiss deepened. As I hovered over the grass in his arms, I smiled into our kiss, and the world came back into focus as all of our guests leapt to their feet and cheered us on.

  My cheeks were redder than ever when Wyatt swept me back up to my feet and pulled me into his side. It was, and had been for a while now, my favorite place to be. He bowed dramatically before turning toward me and holding out his elbow.

  I slipped my arm through his and we set off down the white aisle. Wyatt’s smile was as big as mine and I wondered if his cheeks were hurting too. We still had pictures to get through after this. And then we’d be returning to the barn and our reception as husband and wife.

  Husband and wife.

  What a surreal and glorious thought.

  My mother clasped my hand as we passed and my father closed a large hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. He pulled him in close and said something into his ear, and Wyatt nodded and clapped my father on the back. Then we were off. Little questions buzzed around in my brain. I wanted to know what my father had said that made Wyatt smile like that. And in time, I was sure I would know.

  We passed the rows of guests, all of whom waved and cheered. I smiled at Clarice Cole, who I hadn’t seen since the party at the Doherty ranch back in March. She was wearing the same powder-blue dress and silver shawl she’d worn that night—her dress clothes. In the same aisle as her were some other familiar faces from that night, including Mr. John Doherty and his wife Anne. Their daughters, son, and son-in-law were all there too, but I hadn’t learned their names yet. I spotted their ranch hands Nicky and Jett, as well as Joe Kirby in the aisle behind them.

  Then my eyes landed on the back row.

  The men.

  My men.

  No. Not anymore.

  They were bachelors now. Just bachelors.

  They were all on their feet and they were all staring at me. I felt the heat of their gazes and did my best to keep my chin up as we walked past. I didn’t look over my shoulder to see if they watched me go. It was something I didn’t need to know because they were part of my past. Wyatt was my now and my future, and he was the only man I had eyes for.

  Laurel met us outside the willow tree as the guests under the canopy began collecting their things to head down to the reception for cocktail hour. Laurel ushered Wyatt and me up into the same horse-drawn wagon I’d arrived in, and then she was barking orders at her staff as our photographer hopped up onto the hay with us and began snapping photos as we rolled away into the hills.

  “Thank God for a moment for just the two of us,” Wyatt breathed, cupping my cheek and pressing his forehead to mine.

  I smiled and closed my eyes and let the moment stretch for as long as it could while the camera clicked away at the photographer’s fingertips.

  Laurel was waiting for Wyatt and I inside the barn when we returned after our one-hour photoshoot. She had her clipboard, as per usual, and she was looking a little worn, a little frazzled. I couldn’t blame her. Planning a wedding was a lot of work. Keeping everything running on time, corralling the guests, managing her staff, and handling the rush of food and drinks was a hell of a lot for one person to manage. But she was doing a great job.

  I told her so as Wyatt and I waited to be called into the hall and announced as husband and wife. Janie, Boone, and Dodge were all with us, standing slightly ahead of us in a neat row of three.

  Janie looked back over her shoulder at me and then Laurel. “Yeah. You knocked this out of the park, Laurel.”

  Laurel puffed up her chest like a proud bird. “Thank you, ladies. It’s a lot of stress. But I’m wired that way. At least my mother says that’s the only explanation for how I could enjoy a career like this.”

  I giggled.

  Wyatt fluffed my skirt for me. Then he ran a hand down my back. “How are you feeling?”

  “Wonderful.” I smiled up at him. “And you?”

  “Like I have to keep pinching myself to prove this is real.” Wyatt raked his fingers through his hair and straightened his tie. Then his gaze flicked back toward me. “We’ll get some food in you pretty soon here, Piper. You must be starving.”

  As if on
cue, my stomach grumbled silently. I placed a hand over my belly and nodded. “I hadn’t even realized.”

  Laurel nodded seriously. “Yes. Do make sure you eat something. All of you. Days like this tend to get away from us, and the next thing you know, you’ve gone twelve hours without eating, and then the liquor starts flowing. That’s exactly how you end up with bad wedding photos.”

  “Does that happen a lot?” Wyatt asked.

  Laurel scoffed. “You have no idea. I can’t tell you how many drunken brides I’ve had to contend with before they’ve even had their first dance.”

  I resolved to eat as soon as I could. I didn’t want to be one of those drunk brides. I wanted my first dance with Wyatt and my father. I wanted to put my best foot forward for the next several hours. I wanted to thank all my guests, to share private moments with them, to find out how neighboring ranchers were doing because, as of now, they were my neighbors too.

  And lastly, I didn’t want to make an ass of myself in front of the other men, who I knew would be watching me like a hawk. And if the time permitted, I wouldn’t mind getting a word in with some of them just to see how they were doing.

  “All right,” Laurel said, nodding for Janie to go ahead and leave the barn. “We’re right behind you, Janie.”

  Janie stepped out from behind the rolling barn door as the music roared on the other side. The crowd welcomed her, and I pictured her waving as she strode across the dance floor to her seat beside mine at the head table. After her went Boone and Dodge, who, to no surprise to me and Wyatt, had the crowd laughing with some of their antics that neither of us could see. By the time the laughter settled down, it was mine and Wyatt’s turn to enter.

  The DJ spoke into the microphone. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, please, let’s give a warm welcome for our newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Brewer!”

  “Go ahead.” Laurel smiled.

  Wyatt and I laced our fingers together and strode around the barn door. The crowd under the tent erupted in cheers. Wyatt walked me through the tents and across the dance floor, which was right in front of our head table, where he stopped to twirl me around, indulging me and our guests as my dress fanned out all around me like something from a princess fairy-tale book.

  Then we took our seats. Guests mingled and waiters filled wine glasses. Our MC announced that dinner would be served in less than ten minutes. People took advantage of their window. Some popped up to our table to congratulate us. Others went to the bar, to the bathroom, or outside for a cigarette.

  By the time the food was served, everyone was back in their seats and a comfortable hush fell over the place. Acoustic music played and Wyatt and I held hands under the table while we ate. Janie nudged me and told me the food was spectacular.

  I had to agree.

  Things moved along almost too quickly for me to grasp what was happening at each and every turn. Our meals were cleared away and speeches began. I’d told Laurel I didn’t want anything long-winded and mushy. Speeches were my least favorite part about weddings. Sure, I wanted to hear the speeches from the people I loved, but I didn’t want them to take up too much time that our guests could spend socializing and dancing.

  Janie went first.

  She got to her feet and turned toward me, offering me a warm smile before she faced the room. “What can I say about Piper that all of you don’t already know?”

  I groaned. “Oh God.”

  Janie smiled wickedly and the room chuckled along with her. “Well, I could tell you all she had a huge obsession with boy bands when she was a little girl. Oh yeah. Justin Timberlake was her be all and end all. Better watch out, Wyatt.” The room and Wyatt laughed. “In all seriousness though, Pipes, I just want to say I love you. And I respect the hell out of you. And for a long time, I didn’t think this Casanova Club was going to work because I didn’t think there was any way in hell any of those men would be good enough for you. No offense,” she added, looking up toward the table in the far-right corner that was full of all my bachelors. “But it’s the truth. I was sure you’d have so much to offer them and they’d have nothing to offer you but fast cars and flashy gifts. But Wyatt, you’re worthy of her. And you make her happier than I’ve ever seen her. So thank you for taking her off my hands. She’s your problem now.”

  Janie lifted her glass in a toast to Wyatt, who sipped his wine in unison with her. The room continued to shake with laughter when Boone and Dodge got up to make their shared speech, which was, for lack of a better expression, a complete and utter disaster.

  They bickered like schoolgirls, poked fun at Wyatt, and praised me.

  When it was all said and done, Wyatt scolded them for taking up so much time, but that only egged them on, and soon, they were up on their feet again, going for round two. By the time the second speech subsided, the room was buzzing with conversation. People were up out of their chairs and mingling, and I had the sudden urge to get up and stretch my legs.

  Wyatt planted a kiss on my cheek. “I’m going to go thank everyone for coming.”

  “Me too,” I said. “Meet you soon?”

  He nodded and took off with Boone and Dodge. Janie told me she was going to find my brother to do some shots, and I slipped away to weave through the crowd to get to the bar, where I ordered myself my second glass of white wine for the evening.

  I drummed my fingers on the bar and gazed at the way my wedding ring sparkled under the lights strung up in the tent above my head. I’d never get tired of that sparkle.

  As I waited someone came and stood beside me. I didn’t look up until I heard him order his drink; a dirty martini. Recognizing the voice, I turned to Christian.

  He was already looking at me. He wore an uncomfortable smile and his white shirt was undone at the collar. He had his black suit jacket draped over one shoulder and his hair was a bit rough from running his fingers through it which he did once more as he looked me up and down.

  “Hey, Piper.”

  “Hey,” I said.

  He cleared his throat and looked at the ground between our feet. “I’ve been trying to muster the guts to talk to you all night. But the timing felt off. Until now.”

  “It’s good to see you,” I said. I wasn’t sure if I meant it. Our little confrontation on the patio at the Casanova Club had thrown me for a loop. He’d been the only man I broke down with when I was with him last year and been honest with. I’d told him I was probably taking the money.

  What must he think of me now? Did he think I was a liar?

  Christian rubbed the back of his neck. “I owe you an apology, Piper. I should’ve reached out and offered it sooner. But things have been... well. You know. Complicated.”

  “Of course.”

  He looked me in my eyes. “I’m sorry for being a jerk. I had one too many drinks that night and my jealousy and insecurity got the best of me. You didn’t deserve that.”

  I swallowed and searched for the right thing to say. Nothing came, so I said, “Thank you, Christian. I appreciate that. But it’s all water under the bridge now.”

  Christian turned his back to the bar and gazed out at the wedding. Everything was still in full swing and his stare settled on Wyatt. “Everything worked out as it was supposed to, right?”

  I licked my lips. “Right.”

  He hung his head and turned back around as the bartender set his dirty martini on the bar. He took a sip and then surprised me with a smile. “I’m happy for you, Piper. Truly. Wyatt is a good one.”

  Tension I didn’t realize I was holding in my shoulders evaporated. “He is.”

  Christian pushed off the bar. “Well. I won’t keep you any longer. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Oh, and by the way,” he paused as he turned from the bar and reached out to rest his hand lightly on my elbow. It wasn’t a romantic touch or an affectionate one, but rather a kind one. One that I appreciated. “You look absolutely incredible tonight, Piper. Wyatt is a very lucky man. Maybe one of these days I’ll find it in myself to be happy for him, too.”


  Christian left. I didn’t have time to offer him any other words, but even if I had I doubted there would be anything I could have said other than ‘I forgive you’. Because I did.

  I sighed and leaned heavily against the bar. I wished this upon no woman. Having eleven very recent exes at one’s wedding was an emotional roller coaster, and I had a feeling tugging at my gut that I wasn’t going to catch a break until well into the morning when Wyatt and I finally stole some time just for the two of us.

  “I thought you preferred red,” came a deep, familiar voice to my right.

  I smiled at Camden. He was draped haphazardly against the bar with a glass of whiskey in hand. On his other side was Max, who was smiling weakly at me as he too sipped something dark and stormy out of a short glass.

  “Hey, Piper,” Max said.

  “Hey,” I said as the bartender handed me my glass of wine. I took a sip and then nodded at my glass. “You’re right. I do prefer red. But not when I’m wearing a wedding dress.”

  “Ah,” Camden said, straightening up. “Obviously.”

  I looked back and forth between them and suddenly felt tight pressed for words and like the world was closing in slowly around me. How was I supposed to navigate this? The guilt was still there over rejecting all of them, but this was part of the process. This was the ending they’d all been expecting. They had a one in twelve shot with me. Surely, they’d braced themselves for this finale.

  “It’s good to see you both,” I said.

  Max flashed me a smile. “It’s good to see you too, Piper. You know, despite the circumstances.”

  “Right. Of course.” My cheeks burned. I wished I could disappear into the rolling fields until they left. “How are you doing?”

  Camden shrugged. “Getting by.”

  “Surviving,” Max said.