Queen of Diamonds

by Sandra Owens

  “No, Annie,” Bri said. “The bride has to walk on them so her feet will smell pretty.”

  “Nothing worse than a bride with stinky feet,” Alex murmured, making his brothers snort and Rand outright laugh.

  Bri managed to get Annie to drop her petals, and when they reached Rand, they surprised him by curtseying. He gave them a formal bow, which made them giggle some more. The girls took the front-row seats that they’d been told were reserved for them. Well, except for Annie, who was tugging on Nate’s pants, wanting to be picked up.

  “Annie,” Bri hissed. “You’re supposed to sit with us.”

  “Don’t want to.” She lifted her arms up. “Hold me, Daddy.”

  Nate’s eyes turned soft, something Rand only saw from him when he looked at one of his daughters or Taylor. Nate squatted and whispered something into Annie’s ear, then kissed her nose. Whatever he said worked, and Annie joined her sisters.

  The Gentry wives stepped out from the tent that had been set up by the wedding planner. Their ankle-length dresses were the same and had all the colors of the girls’ dresses. Taylor, Lauren, and Madison held hands as they walked together toward him. Rand glanced at the brothers to see soft smiles on their faces as each looked at his own wife. The women took their places on the other side of him.

  He was damn lucky, not only in finding and falling in love with Kinsey, but in the family that came along with her. More than just his fellow agents, the brothers were now his family, too, and he couldn’t have found more loyal and honorable men if he’d tried. And their wives were beautiful inside and out. He swallowed hard as it hit him just how fortunate he was.

  The soft music that had been playing changed to the wedding march, and he turned his attention to the tent, his heart doing a dance in his chest as he waited to see his bride.

  And there she is.

  He exhaled a long breath. Beautiful didn’t seem adequate. She wore a long, cream-colored silk slip dress that had thin straps. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, one side pinned up by the silver comb her mother had given her. She held an arrangement of tropical flowers, and in her ears were the diamond earrings that he’d given her as a wedding gift. Her only other jewelry was her engagement ring.

  As Aiden escorted her to him, her eyes stayed locked on his, and a smile of happiness curved her lips. Beautiful, he mouthed. Her smile grew. She’d asked Aiden to walk with her because she said she couldn’t pick just one brother to do it.

  She stopped in front of him, and when he held out his hand, Aiden put her hand in his, then backed away and took a seat behind the girls. It was then that he noticed what her bouquet had been hiding. Wrapped around her wrist was Zoe’s necklace. He’d thought his heart was already filled with love for this woman, but it miraculously expanded, making room for more.

  “My sunshine,” he whispered, then turned them to face the minister.

  “Who is happy to see this woman be married to this man?”

  “We are,” her brothers said in unison.

  Rand grinned. Kinsey had refused the traditional words of who gives this woman, saying that she wasn’t anyone’s to give away.

  If asked later what was said between now and when he was told he could kiss his bride, he wouldn’t have been able to answer. His heart, his mind, his very soul was filled with Kinsey, leaving no room for anything else. They’d been told this would happen, thus the video being filmed. He and Kinsey would watch their wedding video later tonight… among other things.

  He did hear his permission to kiss his bride. He’d meant to make it a brief kiss, but kiss and brief where she was concerned was impossible.

  “Dude, enough tonguing my sister,” Alex muttered, making his brothers chuckle.

  “Yuck, they’re kissing,” one of Nate’s daughters exclaimed, causing every adult in attendance to laugh.

  Rand pulled his mouth away from Kinsey’s, then touched his forehead to hers. “How do we make them all go away?”

  “Time for the last photo ops before the sun is gone,” the photographer said.

  He groaned.

  Later that evening, after a delicious island-themed dinner with their families, Kinsey slipped her hand into her husband’s as they walked onto the dance floor for the bride and groom dance. Their after-wedding party was taking place in a cordoned-off section of the resort’s pool area. The ocean was visible, the moon full, the night magical.

  “Mrs. Stevens, I believe this dance is mine,” he said, stopping them in the middle of the floor. They’d only taken a few steps when he slid his hand to her wrist and wrapped his fingers around the necklace. “Thank you for this. You have no idea what it meant to me when I saw you wearing it. It felt like she was here with us.”

  “I think she was.” The idea had come to her when she’d been going through her jewelry box, deciding what pieces to bring with her. She’d debated wearing it, then decided because of the sapphire stone in the heart, it would be her something blue. When she’d put it on her arm after getting dressed, she’d told her sisters-in-law the story behind it. With tears in their eyes, they’d each agreed it was a perfect way to honor Zoe’s memory.

  “If I told you that I have one more wedding present for you, what would you guess it was?”

  She leaned her head back and looked up at him. “You already gave me a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings. That’s more than enough.”

  “You’re going to love this one even more. I’ll give you a hint. It’s something you once told me you’ve never done but wanted to.”

  After a moment of thinking, she said, “We’re going to skydive?”

  “Actually we are.” He smiled at her. “I’ve made arrangements for us to do that this week. But that’s not it. Guess again.”

  There was only one other thing she’d said the day he’d asked his question, and she gasped. “No way.”

  “Yes, way. We’ll be attending the Paris Fashion Week.”

  “That is a very pleased-with-yourself smile on your face.” And oh God, she was really going to the biggest fashion event in the world.

  “I’ll admit to that. Are you surprised?”

  “Stunned might be a better word.” She trailed the tips of her fingers across the back of his neck, thrilled when she felt him shiver. “I’ll have to find a way to thank you later.”

  “I might have some ideas about that.” He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “How lucky am I to have the most beautiful bride in the history of the world? That dress is gorgeous on you, Sunshine, but I’m dying to take it off. When can we blow this joint?”

  She laughed. “Patience, husband. They’re all leaving in the morning. We’ll have a whole week to ourselves. You can spend it taking off the clothes I put on.”

  He chuckled against her neck, sending shivers of pleasure down her back. “Trust me. I plan to keep you naked for the next seven days.” He stepped back, spun her under his arm, then pulled her back to him. “And that’s a promise, Mrs. Stevens. One of many I plan to keep.”

  “Kinsey Stevens,” she said. “I love how that sounds.” A year ago she’d been alone. Now she had a husband, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews… a whole new amazing, wonderful life. In her deepest desires she’d never dared to wish for so much.

  “What are you thinking?” her husband asked.

  “That I’m blessed.”

  Epilogue

  Nate Gentry leaned against the entrance to his living room and smiled at seeing his brothers and Rand try to keep the children’s attention off the pile of presents under the Christmas tree. At the moment Annie was attempting to sneak past Alex, her eyes glittering as bright as the shiny foil wrapping paper and sparkly bows.

  “Oh no you don’t, Annie girl,” Alex said, snaking an arm around her little waist and then holding her up in the air, causing her to giggle.

  Michael bounced on his feet as he lifted his arms up, wanting his daddy to hold him in the air, too. Max, Court and Lauren’s son, was amusing himself by gumming
his cousin Michael’s toy fire truck.

  “Where’s Hemingway? Here, kitty, kitty,” Oscar, Kinsey’s bird, sang. Nate glanced over at the macaw that never seemed to stop talking. He was hopping around on top of his cage, stopping every few seconds to peer down at their cat. Hemingway sat on the arm of the sofa, his gaze fixated on Oscar. Hemingway meowed back at the bird. Oscar hopped down next to the cat, who immediately began to lick the bird, giving him a bath.

  “Crazy animals,” he muttered.

  He looked down at the baby sleeping in his arms. He and Taylor had begun the process to adopt Elena. At three months she’d been left on the steps of the police station. Apparently being deaf made her unwanted. Taylor was learning sign language and teaching the rest of them so they’d all be able to communicate with her. He was impressed with how quickly the children were catching on to signing.

  Elena opened her eyes and grinned at him, and Nate’s heart melted as it did each time she favored him with a smile. She was such a happy baby, and he’d never understand how her mother could have abandoned her.

  Although they’d agreed that six was their limit, he hadn’t been able to say no to Taylor when she came home one day with Elena. She swore Elena was the last one. Nate hoped so, but he didn’t quite believe her. If he didn’t keep an eye on his wife, they’d run out of room and be house shopping again.

  “Dude,” Alex said, his back on the floor and children climbing on him. “You just going to stand there making goo-goo eyes at your daughter while these little monsters gang up on us?”

  “Duuude,” Michael yelled.

  Nate laughed. Dude had been Michael’s first word and remained his favorite one.

  “Stop eating the fire truck, little man,” Court said, picking up his son and then moving from the floor to the sofa. “The kid eats everything.” He pulled a pacifier out of his shirt pocket and stuck it in Max’s mouth.

  The scene—him holding his seventh child, Alex covered up by a mob of giggling kids, Court carrying a pacifier around in his pocket—was so far from anything he’d ever thought possible that he wondered if it was real. Maybe he was having some kind of bizarre dream.

  And then there was the sister they’d never known about. What a surprise that had been, but a good one. Kinsey was an amazing woman, and he and his brothers had gotten to know their mother again through her stories.

  After some trial and error of trying to play protective big brothers and mostly getting it wrong, he and his brothers were learning to pick their battles where she was concerned. And he had to admit that if he’d been given the choice of picking her husband, it would have been Rand. But he didn’t regret the hard time they’d given the man, even if Kinsey hadn’t quite forgiven them for that. How else were they supposed to know for sure that Rand loved her and wouldn’t hurt her? Rand got it and didn’t hold it against them.

  They’d add another member to the family in about two months when Rand and Kinsey’s little boy was born. Nate thought it was probably good that their first child would be a boy, that it would be easier for Rand.

  Rand grabbed Annie as she headed for the tree again. “This little girl has a one-track mind.” He tickled her stomach, making her giggle.

  The only one missing was Rosie. She’d recently announced that it was her turn to have some fun. The surprise, and it had been a big one, was that her new boyfriend was Spider. They’d hired him to do some work around the house, not abscond with their nanny, but the two were so ridiculously cute together that it was hard to be mad at Spider. And the children loved him, which wasn’t surprising as he was as much a kid as they were. He and Rosie had decided to spend Christmas on a motorcycle trip to Key West. Nate shuddered at thinking of the two of them loose in the Keys.

  “We’re ready to feed the kids,” Taylor said, coming to stand next to him.

  Nate slipped an arm around her shoulders. “I was standing here thinking that if you’d told me a few years ago I’d have seven daughters, my brothers would marry and have kids, and that I’d find a long-lost sister, I would have laughed in your face.”

  “It’s the seven daughters you’re having trouble believing, isn’t it?” She smiled up at him, laughter dancing in her beautiful blue eyes.

  He glanced down at the baby cradled in his other arm. “Yeah.” He met his wife’s gaze. “I still don’t know if I deserve it, but I’m blessed.”

  “If anyone deserves to be blessed, Nate, it’s you.” She lifted onto her toes and kissed him. “Love you, babe. Gather up the kids and let’s get them fed and to bed. Us ladies are wanting that romantic evening you guys promised us.”

  “Alex, you set the table,” Rand said. “Court, you can start grating the cheese for the scalloped potatoes. Nate, you’re in charge of peeling the potatoes.” He handed Nate a recipe that included a picture. “Slice them like this.”

  The deal they’d made with their wives was that if the girls got the kids fed and to bed, the guys would cook Christmas Eve dinner. They’d drawn straws, and Rand had picked the short one, making him head chef and meal planner.

  It was quiet now compared to earlier in the evening, and Nate missed the children’s noisy laughter. Who would have thought it?

  Their wives had taken themselves off to the living room with two bottles of wine. “I can hear them giggling,” Nate said.

  “They’re probably laughing at how they conned us into cooking for them. What happened to the badass men we used to be?” Alex cheerfully said as he walked by with plates in his hands.

  Court snorted. “Speak for yourself, baby brother. I’m still badass.”

  By the time they had dinner on the table—roasted pork loin with a raspberry sauce, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, and crusty French bread—the girls, with the exception of Kinsey and only because she was pregnant, were a little tipsy. And a lot funny.

  “Did I ever tell you about the time Alex kidnapped me?” Madison asked Kinsey.

  “No. This I have to hear.”

  “Yeah, he stole me right out of my bedroom.” She glared at Lauren. “With the help of my roommate.”

  Lauren smirked. “Didn’t hear you protesting any.”

  “That’s beside the point. I’m your best friend. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

  Alex put his mouth next to Madison’s ear. “I seem to remember you getting naughty with your abductor,” he stage-whispered, making Madison blush.

  “That’s also beside the point.” Then she snickered.

  “Come to think of it, Court kidnapped me.” Lauren glanced at Kinsey. “I was trying to run away, but the sneaky man caught me and brought me back.”

  Taylor frowned at Nate. “I’m feeling left out. How come you never kidnapped me?”

  “Want me to?”

  Her eyes lit up. “Hell, yeah.”

  “When you least expect it, Tiger.” He smiled at her when she put her hand on his leg and squeezed.

  Nate ate his dinner—which was surprisingly delicious—listening to his family talk and laugh. A contentment like he’d never before felt settled over him. I hope you’re looking down on us right now, Mama, so you can see how happy your daughter and sons are.

  Dessert was a pinwheel of assorted fancy cheesecakes that a chef friend of Rand’s had made for them. Before they dug in, Nate stood and held up his glass of wine.

  “A toast. To Taylor, Lauren, and Madison, who tamed three wild boys and taught us how to love.” He turned his gaze on his sister. “Kinsey, I know Court and Alex will agree with me on this. If we could choose a sister, she would be you. We’re just sorry that it took us so long to find you.”

  “Amen to that,” Court said as Alex nodded.

  Nate looked at Rand. “I know we gave you a hard time, but we’d do it—”

  “All over again,” Rand said without bitterness in his voice.

  “Damn straight. We’ve never had a sister to protect before, and maybe we went a little overboard—”

  Kinsey snorted. “A little?”

 
; “Point taken.” Nate smiled at her. “But we had to make sure he was good enough for you.”

  She smiled back at him. “I’ll never admit this again, but it was nice having big brothers who thought it was their job to take care of me.”

  “But just don’t do it again?” Alex teased.

  “Exactly.” Then tears filled her eyes. “I wish Mom were here. She’d be so happy to see us all together.”

  Nate blinked away his own tears, not missing that his brothers were doing the same. “I think she knows,” he softly said. He lifted his glass again. “Merry Christmas.”

  What’s next for Sandra?

  * * *

  I have a new series coming out that I’m excited about. The first book, Just Jenny, in the Blue Ridge Valley series will be out June 26th, so only a few weeks to wait!

  * * *

  Series Blurb

  * * *

  The small mountain town of Blue Ridge Valley, located between Asheville, North Carolina, and the Tennessee state line, is the home of three best friends, Jenny Nance, Autumn Archer, and Savannah Graham. Each woman believes she has her life perfectly planned out, but there is a saying in the mountains… If everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

  * * *

  Jenny, Autumn, and Savannah are about to find out how true that is. Surrounded by quirky mountain people who are as nosy as they are loyal, the women will embark on individual journeys, discovering love where they least expect it. Since the people of Blue Ridge Valley cherish a happy ending, they see nothing wrong with lending a helping hand to ensure their hometown girls find their happily ever afters. If that means locking the couple in a basement until they come to their senses or conniving to strand them in a cabin during a snowstorm, they figure all’s fair in the name of love.