But hell, she’d look good in a sack, especially with those big brown eyes smiling up at him, open admiration in her eyes as she looked him up and down.
“My, don’t you scrub up well.” Then, going up on tiptoe, she surprised him by placing a kiss on his cheek in front of everyone.
The barest brush of silken lips, the softest touch of skin to skin, her faint floral scent swimming through his senses.
He had the sudden insane desire to grab her, pull her against him, feel those lush curves and taste those sweet, sweet lips.
Sweet woman, sweet smell, sweet smile, sweet clothes. Sweetness overload, yet never overload enough. Definitely never enough.
With effort he stamped down the insane desire, for now was certainly not the time to dwell on decadent thoughts. Resting his hand on the back of her waist, he drew her close and kissed her with admirably sedate gentleness on the cheek. “Looking gorgeous, Sunflower.”
Maybe he hadn’t hidden his desire as well as he’d thought. Her cheeks were definitely pinker when he straightened, but her smile was firmly in place, the pleasure at seeing him unfaded.
Another car swung in beside them, and Jason muttered. Izzy said something quietly and he sighed.
Blue knew exactly why his cousin had been slightly disturbed. His mother - Blue’s Aunt Lora - had arrived in the company of Jim, her boyfriend. Her big bruiser of a boyfriend who was an ex-prize fighter with a cauliflower ear, broken nose, and an old scar through his left eyebrow down to his left ear. By no means could he be called handsome, or even passably good-looking, the smaller scars pocking his face ensuring that. Big, swarthy, with a trim, muscular figure going a little soft, Jim now drove a delivery truck which included flowers. He’d met Aunt Lora where she worked as a florist.
Jason had a smile on his face - faint, a little pained, a little forced - as he shook Jim’s hand. Considering what he and his mother had gone through with his father, it was no wonder he viewed suspiciously any man with the slightest interest in his mother. Regardless that Jim could have beaten him to a pulp with one hand behind his back, Jason had fronted him up and threatened him with dire consequences if he so much as breathed wrong on Aunt Lora. Jim respected that and remained unfazed by Jason’s forced friendliness.
Besides, if Jim had done one thing to upset Aunt Lora, it wouldn’t be just Jason fronting him up - he’d have the four Wells men breathing fire as well.
Still, as time had gone on, it became clear Jim was besotted with her, and his gentleness was a true indication of his nature. Strangely at odds with his previous profession, but nevertheless his background with women, children, animals and anyone smaller than himself was impeccable. Aaron had quite shamelessly had him investigated without his knowledge - or Aunt Lora’s.
Blue would have yanked Jason’s chain for amusement except that he knew how hard it was for his cousin to step back and let his mother make her own way. His childhood had left definite scars.
Blue greeted Jim pleasantly, gave his aunt a kiss on the cheek, introduced Charley to Jim and then stepped back to wait while everyone exchanged pleasantries.
“Is Jason okay?” Charley whispered.
“He’s fine. Just a little overprotective of his Mum.”
“Oh. Okay.”
He squeezed her waist slightly. “Another day.”
“It’s fine. Not really my business.”
But it would be if she was going to be part of their family.
Before Blue could even contemplate the words that had formed unbidden in his mind, other cars started to arrive. From there it was a whirlwind of Mikki’s numerous family members. Brothers and sisters piled out of cars, happy chatter and the scents of perfume and aftershave filling the air. After the initial greetings everyone went into the church, automatically going right or left.
By the time they were seated, Blue gave Luke an encouraging grin. His brother appeared calm, Aaron obviously having worked some Zen magic on him. Even his tie was straight.
“I’d have thought that with so many sisters, Mikki would have had more than one bridesmaid,” Charley whispered.
“Mikki detests big events,” Blue murmured. “Mrs Horton, her mother, wanted a big wedding with the works but Mikki refused. Said it was her and Luke’s wedding and if they couldn’t have it their way, they were going to elope.”
“Ohhh, bet that made waves.”
“A bit. But she got her Aunt Elspeth on-side.” Blue nodded to the thin, sprightly woman sitting beside Mikki’s mother and father in the front row of the bride’s side. “Elspeth might look airy-fairy, but the woman has a mind like a steel trap. Mikki’s her favourite, so what Mikki wanted, Mikki got. Elspeth rolled right over Mrs Horton’s objections and before you knew it, Mikki and Luke planned the wedding their way.”
“Good on them.” Charley’s expression was admiring.
Blue glanced down at her. “You want a big wedding?”
“No way.”
“I thought all girls wanted a big wedding. Frothy dress, fancy cake, all the trimmings.”
“Mikki’s a girl and she didn’t want all that.”
“True. But Mikki’s odd, we all know that. You do know she goes ghost hunting with her aunt, right?”
“I bet Aaron and Jason didn’t have big weddings.”
“Well, no.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Does that mean the Wells men are all odd, too?”
Blue thoughtfully scratched his jaw. “I guess so. Worried now?”
“Nah. I reckon I can handle weird.”
“Good to know.”
“I’ve already had practice with you.”
Amused, Blue bumped her shoulder with his. “Cheeky chit.”
She bumped him back. “Weirdo.”
He had to bite his lip to stop the laughter.
The organ music started, Luke looking suddenly alert, his gaze going towards the church entrance. As one everyone stood, turned, and there was a collective sigh of appreciation.
Mikki walked slowly down the aisle on her father’s arm. Mr Horton looked as proud as punch while she smiled through the thin veil. She looked beautiful. The bodice was fitted, the dress flowing down from her waist to trail behind her, the simple neckline accentuating her breasts without being vulgar. The veil was held in place with a small, elegant tiara. The thick red hair was piled up in some kind of elegant knot on the back of her head, little tendrils curling onto her cheeks.
Luke looked, well, stunned. His gaze was fastened on her, the love and pride plain to see. He didn’t seek to hide it, wasn’t ashamed, and the protective way he took her hand from her father’s, the way he looked down into her upturned face, left no one in any doubt how deep his love was for her.
Blue couldn’t help but grin when he saw Luke mouth, “Looking good, Red.” Mikki winked back up at him.
The service was simple, sweet, and it didn’t seem to be long before Mr and Mrs Luke Wells were leaving the church.
Outside was a whirlwind of noise and laughter, the photographer and his assistant organising everyone and snapping off shots. Photos of family, photos of several close friends, mixed photos, and it wasn’t only Blue who made sure Charley featured in some of them. Mikki dragged her into place and Shea laughingly steered her beside Blue.
“Sorry, honey.” Blue flung an arm around her shoulders, pressed a kiss to her temple. “This is what it’s like to be part of the Wells family.”
A little flustered, she mumbled, “But I’m not family.”
“Sure you are. Via me.”
Aaron quirked an eyebrow knowingly while Shea murmured, “It’s in the stars.”
“What does that even mean?” Charley queried.
Shea winked. “I know things.”
“What kind of things?”
“Come to my shop during the week, I’ll tell your fortune.”
“You’re a psychic? Really?”
Aaron and Shea shared a warm glance before Shea replied, “Never doubt the mysteries of beyond, Charley.”<
br />
Aaron’s eyes twinkled.
The wedding was lovely, no doubt about it, but Blue was glad when the photos were finished and everyone left for the reception. Standing around being arranged wasn’t his idea of fun, though he’d enjoy looking at the photos later.
But the reception, this was fun. The hall was big enough to fit family and friends for dining and dancing. Tables were set around the room, the bride and groom’s at the head. One of Mikki’s brothers was in charge of the music, and Aaron and Mikki’s bridesmaid each gave a toast. Mr Wells followed, as did Mr Horton, and Luke gave a very short toast because, as he plainly put it to everyone’s amusement and agreement, he was buggered when it came to speeches.
From then on the atmosphere relaxed. Music played softly, a buffet was set at the back of the room, and the room was filled with laughter and warmth.
Sitting at one of the tables with Shea, Cole, Charley, Jason and Izzy, Blue looked around. Family, a few close friends, everyone sharing in a happy time with the newly-wed couple. It was a million miles away from the Iraqi base, a million miles away from dust and sweat and nerves, the rumble of male laughter, cursing, jokes, camaraderie, quiet times missing home. A million miles from his Army mates.
So much happening here, so much happening there.
As if Charley could sense his suddenly pensive mood, she patted his knee comfortingly. Smiling, he rested one arm along the back of her chair, liking the way she leaned slightly towards him.
“Times are changing,” Jason murmured.
“They sure are,” Blue agreed.
“But in a good way,” Shea said. “Time can’t stand still.”
“Deep,” Cole said.
“What would you know about deep?” his sister asked. “You go through girlfriends like a revolving door, and your idea of a fun time is hacking.”
“Which Aaron won’t let me do anymore.” Cole sighed.
“No, but he lets you do things on the computer for him that I wouldn’t have the faintest idea of.”
“Yeah.” Cole’s face brightened. “Oohh, look. Mikki’s sister is pretty cute, huh? Wonder if she needs a hand.”
Jason slanted him a look.
“A nice hand,” Cole amended. “I’m nothing but a gentleman, I assure you.”
“Because you have such good examples to follow in the Wells men.” Izzy winked at Jason. “And the Dawson cousin.”
He winked back.
“It sounds like the Wells never had fun,” Cole said. “But…”
“But is right.” Blue laughed. “Man, I remember shoving Luke head-first into a mud puddle when we were arguing about who got the most scores in football.”
That got Cole’s attention. “Luke said it was you who got shoved into the mud puddle.”
“He’s lying.” Blue took a mouthful of crayfish. “As usual.”
“Really? Because he was really into the detail.”
“Of what? The state of the grass after the winter rain?”
Shea laughed.
“He said he’d beaten you by five points,” Cole stated.
“I beat him by six points.”
Jason studied Luke at the wedding table. “I remember Aaron telling me about this.”
Blue calmly kept eating. “Just remember, Luke goes on honeymoon and I’m still here.”
“I’m pretty sure it was Luke who went headfirst into the mud puddle.”
Cole looked suspiciously at Jason.
“Scout’s honour.”
“You weren’t a Scout.”
“And there you go.”
Cole shook his head, smirking.
The evening drew on, the food being cleared away. Luke stood and held out a hand to Mikki, drawing her up out of the chair and leading her to the dance floor.
“Mikki said he was worried about this waltz,” Charley commented. “He doesn’t look worried.”
“For good reason.” Leaning back in the chair, Blue rested his hand atop Charley’s on his thigh. “Luke has something special up his sleeve.”
Privy to the secret, Jason nodded.
“What is it?’ Izzy asked.
“Ah, you’ll have to wait and see. Trust me, you’ll love it.”
“Trust me,” Blue repeated, “every woman here will love it. He’s setting a new standard.”
Mikki’s brother took the microphone. “All righty! Everyone ready for the bridal waltz?”
There were some whoops and clapping.
Mikki’s attention was on Luke waggling his eyebrows at her as he took her in his arms. She didn’t look so certain then, whispering something to which he nodded seriously.
“I think Mikki’s more nervous than Luke,” Izzy whispered.
“Because she knows how nervous he was,” Shea whispered back. “But there’s something going on here…”
“What?”
“Look at the way Luke’s standing, his posture. He’s full of confidence.”
Charley shot a curious glance at Blue but he didn’t give out Luke’s secret. She and everyone else would soon know.
“Now I know you had the music all picked out for the wedding waltz, Mik, old cheese,” her brother announced cheerfully, “but Luke changed it to something else.”
Mikki’s groan was so loud that a ripple of laughter went around the room.
“Trust me, Red.” Luke winked at her.
“Bit late now not to,” she replied ruefully.
Placing his mouth close to her ear, he whispered something that made her smile dreamily and look up at him with so much love.
“Mikki, this song is from Luke, and it tells you everything, tells everyone everything. This is his song for you, sis. Listen closely.”
The music started as the lights dimmed, bathing the couple in soft illumination.
“She’s Everything” sung by Brad Paisley filled the room as Luke swept Mikki into a slow waltz, his steps effortless, guiding her, sweeping her around the dance floor.
“Oh my,” Charley breathed. “I think I’m going to cry.”
Jason pulled his chair close to Izzy, his arm around her shoulders drawing her against him as he whispered something in her ear, something that made her kiss him softly before resting her head on his shoulder.
It was a romantic country song, no doubt about it, and watching the couple dance around the floor, Luke’s protective stance, the love on his face, the wonder in Mikki’s, the glimmer of a tear in her eye as she was swept past them, the beautiful gown billowing around her ankles, Blue knew that Luke had made the perfect choice for his public declaration of love.
Luke might be a right drongo at times, always cracking jokes and making fun of his fiancée’s - no, now his wife’s - ghost hunting, but he loved her with all his heart, all his soul, and the song was perfect for them.
There weren’t many dry eyes in the room when the music stopped, the lights staying dim for several seconds while Mikki and Luke hugged, kissed, before they broke apart, Luke holding her hand to whirl her away and back into his arms before they both took a bow to a thunder of applause.
“Can’t believe it.” Blue grinned at Jason. “The dork actually did it with style.”
“Should do,” Jason replied. “He made me practise with him this morning for one last time and I had to be the woman.”
“What? Why didn’t you ring me?”
“You’d have done it instead?”
“Are you kidding me? No. But I’d have given anything to see it.”
“It was so romantic,” Charley sighed.
Shea and Izzy agreed.
“Come on.” Standing, Blue held out his hand to Charley. “Let’s hit the floor.”
“Umm…I’m not the best dancer,” she parried, getting slowly to her feet.
“Neither are most of the people here, but you don’t see them holding back.” Leading her out to the dance floor, he swung her into his arms as the music changed tempo, pounding out a rhythm. “Just follow my lead, Sunflower, we’re going to burn up some shoe leath
er.”
She glanced around at the laughing couples throwing themselves enthusiastically into the beat. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
It surprised him that she really was dubious, the uncertainty in those big brown eyes very real. “You don’t dance much?”
She shook her head.
“Really?”
“That surprises you?”
“You’re pretty confident in some things. Most people dance.”
“I’m one of the group that doesn’t.”
“Any particular reason?” He tapped his foot to the beat.
“I have two left feet and no sense of rhythm.” Uneasily, she took a deep breath.
The uncertainty touched him, the vulnerability on her face as she squared her shoulders. At least she hadn’t refused, but he guessed that was more good manners. “Leave yourself in my hands, Sunflower. I’ll have you dancing like a pro in no time.”
“Unless you’re a magician, I sincerely doubt that.”
He grinned. “Let’s go.”
“Your funeral.”
“No. Luke’s wedding.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, not the right thing to - whoa!”
He didn’t give her time to think, sweeping her into a rousing dance step, expertly guiding her between the couples, giving himself up to the beat of the music.
He loved music, liked dancing, and having the woman of his heart in his arms was just perfect. Even though he soon found that she had spoken truthfully.
The woman couldn’t dance.
At all.
He burst out laughing the first time she trod on his foot, kissed her horrified expression away, and kept right on dancing, bringing her with him. With dexterity he avoided her wayward feet, used his arm around her to keep her close to him, guiding her with his body even when her body apparently had other ideas and her legs couldn’t figure out which direction to go in.
“Oh my God!” She cringed as he pulled her away from Mr Wells and Aunt Elspeth dancing beside them, just in time to avoid a collusion. “I told you!”
“Do I look mad? Upset?”
“You’re laughing. I’m not sure what you - eek!” She whirled away at the end of his hand, whirled back as he pulled, slammed against his chest.
The Wells Brothers: Blue Page 20
