“I will think about it,” Haylee said.
Haylee, you have your whole life to think about it. Jake’s not going anywhere.
“Until then he totally spoiled you with these lilacs. I mean imagine how many flower shops he must have called to find all these or do you think he went knocking on the doors of people with lilac bushes? He doesn’t even like lilacs you know.”
“What?” Sydney didn’t know that.
“He can’t stand the smell. Don’t you remember that lilac tree you planted beside the entrance at the Cliff House?” Sydney remembered and it was still growing and flowering years later on the edge of the cliff. “He moved it to the cliff so he didn’t have to smell it when it is in bloom.”
Sydney gasped. “He said it needed direct sunlight to give it full bloom potential.”
Haylee laughed. “He didn’t want to hurt your feelings since you were in love with it.”
“I put lilacs in his office every month they bloom.” Thinking back, she thought his flowers always died a little quicker than most, blaming the dark room. She had the growing feeling he might have been pulling them out of the water for an early death.
Haylee shrugged. “Yeah, I guess that backfired on him.”
Sydney and Haylee laughed then.
“See what happens when you’re not honest,” Haylee added, a little snip directed at her and Jake, then she grinned. “He’s paying for it now. He’s probably standing out there ready to throw every last bouquet out the window.”
Sydney could envision that. But instead, she envisioned a man who loved her so much, he suffered through summers of lilacs in his office and a wedding so completely surrounded with them that the air smelled like a wonderful summer day...no matter where you stood or how far away from the purple flowering bunches.
The loud knock on the door was followed by her three sisters piling inside the small room in the basement of the church at Hastings Heritage Museum.
“Oh, Sydney.” Kate covered her mouth, taking in the bride. “Gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful.” Kate pulled her into a hug, and then touched the vintage lace shoulder of the wedding dress Sydney had purchased at Howard and Audrey's antique warehouse back in Willow Valley. “Only you could pull off this amazing gown and to think you didn’t even need alterations. Amazing.”
The vintage dress from the fifties was delicate from top to bottom completely covered in antique cream lace and fit her body like it was made for her with a little train at the back.
“Your makeup and hair look amazing,” Peyton said next in line. “If I do say so myself.” She was biased since she'd styled Sydney’s hair to the side with her blonde curls cascading down the front of one of her shoulders. “I kind of always figured you would get married before me and I didn’t realize how wonderful marriage with family was.” She sighed. “Almost makes me wish I hadn’t eloped.”
Peyton waited for them to send her yeah right looks then sent them a mischievous grin. “I said almost, I definitely wouldn’t want to lose my mile high club membership that wouldn’t have happened if you had all boarded with us.”
Kate slapped Peyton’s arm. “Come on. Stop telling us where you two are always doing it.”
Abby pulled Sydney into a long, tight hug and she found her sister more quiet than usual not jumping into the playful banter. Possibly ditching her regular black attire for the satin cream knee-length strapless bridesmaid dress that suited the vintage wedding theme had softened her.
“I'm so happy for you and Jake,” she said against her hair, her grip not faltering and the sweet smell of a new scented body cream making Sydney curious to what Abby’s latest combination was. Its floral smell was enchanting. “And Haylee too. She is so lucky. Jake will take good care of you both.” Was it just her or was her younger sister beginning to get soft-hearted? Maybe even, dare she think it, beginning to grow up?
“Abby are you going to cry?” Peyton teased her youngest sister with a pull at her lose blond hair.
Abby pulled away and glared at her sister, straightening her hair. “No,” she said defensively.
“What’s this?” Peyton reached for the water gathering in Abby’s eyes.
Abby swatted her hand and blinked the tears away. “Get lost or I won’t help you lose the baby weight after you push those two monsters out of your...”
“Ear muffs!” Haylee screeched, covering her ears. “Seriously, mile high clubs, babies pushing out of...way too much! Way too much!”
Everyone laughed.
Sydney took a deep breath, looking around at her sisters and daughter. It seemed like since the moment the twins returned everything in their lives fit together perfectly. The soap store, Kate reunited with Marc and Rosemary, then Peyton found true love with Colt and now finally, after all these years, Sydney was marrying the only man she ever loved. Her senses today were amplified to the extent that if Abby had started crying, Sydney would have followed suit.
“I love you guys,” Sydney said.
Another round of hugs followed before they all took deep breaths and straightened their gowns.
“They're waiting for you,” Kate said.
He was waiting for her. Jake. He was all she needed.
“He’s waiting for you,” Peyton said pinching her arm as she had done only a couple weeks ago when Sydney hadn’t known what Peyton had known all along...they were meant for each other.
“Apparently this place is booked solid for weddings,” Kate was saying as they headed up the stairs. “And I hear Jake paid a couple very well for this date.”
Sydney laughed. She had wanted to get married quickly, but it was Jake that had surprised her with the location...only one week after he'd proposed at the cabin.
“If Jake was any other man and had only proposed without even being together a week I would object,” Kate continued.
“Thank you for not planning on objecting.” Not that it mattered, Sydney was without a doubt certain Jake was the man for her, forever.
“I would have wrestled her skinny ass to the ground for you,” Peyton said. “I knew this was meant to be...”
Sydney laughed, cutting her sister off. “Alright already! You were right. Jake and I were destined to be together. We know already!” Sydney wished she had scooped her true love up and listened to her sister sooner.
There was a crowd at the top of the stairs waiting. Sydney was lucky to not only have Rosemary as her flower girl but also had the pleasure of her newest nieces Mia and Lucy as their adorable light purple lace dresses accented the wedding party. Plus, an adorable ring bearer, Benji, who was nuzzled in his momma’s arms like he was never letting go again.
Adalyn smiled when she saw Sydney. Adalyn had Jake’s mysterious blue eyes and dark hair. The form-fitting dress she wore was loose on her too slim body, the result of not taking care of it for the last half year. Sydney was sad for all she had gone through, even if she was yet to get the details. For the first time, she didn’t feel like she needed to know in order to move on. Jake was hers, and he would tell her when he was ready. Adalyn was lucky to have a brother who loved her and looked out for her and even through Adalyn’s haunted eyes, Sydney knew things would get better, and easier for her too.
“You look beautiful,” Adalyn said. “Jake is a lucky man.”
“I’m the lucky one.” Sydney hugged her again feeling the tiny stick body under her embrace. “It would have been an honor to have you as one of my bridesmaids,” she told her again.
Adalyn smiled, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes but appreciative of the offer. “Thank you. But I really want to stand back and watch my brother’s happiness.”
Sydney suspected there was more to it than that and she couldn't help but glance in the church where Julian was sitting near the front. It had been a happy reunion for the children and Julian when he arrived at Jake’s cabin where they were all staying, but Adalyn and Julian themselves weren’t having the same happy reunion.
“As long as you're here, happy and safe, you
r brother will always be happy,” Sydney told her.
“I think it's you we have to thank for his happiness.”
“How about we agree on family because that's what makes him happy.”
“Sydney, you are amazing and I'm glad your minutes away from being a part of my family. I can't thank you enough for watching my children.”
Sydney stopped the thank you speech that unfolded every time they were together and reassured her, squeezing her hands a little tighter. “That's what family is for.”
Before the music started, Sydney stole a glance at her soon-to-be husband standing at the front of the church, handsome as always in his tux, hands folded in front. He was chuckling at something Colt and Marc were saying but his eyes kept darting at the door until they caught hers spying. Then his handsome shoulders relaxed, the underlying nervousness only she would notice vanished, but his feet began to move and for a moment she thought he was going to leave his position and walk directly to her. No patience left for a man who had been patient all these years.
Kent touched her arm and Sydney cast a loving smile at her father. He looked so handsome in his black suit and purple tie. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Are you ready Sydney?”
Sydney nodded and kissed her dads cheek, not wanting to break her connection with Jake but knowing only minutes from now they would be connected for life.
Her heart belonged to Jake Stow forever.
***
AS THE MUSIC began, Jake straightened his nervous self and watched as his beautiful bride made her way up the aisle. She stole his breath away. The lace dress trailing behind her clung, dipped and swayed with her every curve with each step she took. His body had never been more anxious about anything and he’d been through scary times, but nothing compared to waiting for Sydney to walk down the aisle. To him.
Catching her loving smile through the double wood doors that eased his racing heart knowing she was about to unite with him was nothing in comparison to when Kent gave her hands to Jake. Gave her to Jake to love, protect and cherish for the rest of their lives. He had never been more ready for anything in his life.
“Hey,” she said and the word nearly caused him to scoop her into his arms and run away with her all to himself. He didn’t...they had their whole lives together.
“Hey.”
Her smile widened and shared that private moment back at her house when those two words were traveling down a road of lust.
Jake couldn’t take his eyes off her as their vows were read and when he bent down to kiss her, he knew he was the luckiest man alive.
The church of only close family and friends cheered them right outside into the gorgeous summer day.
Jake went through the formalities of shaking hands with the gents and hugging the ladies, but he was anxious to have a moment with his bride.
When he was able to find a free moment to hug Haylee he whispered, “I love you kid.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
Jake’s heart almost burst through his chest as those two tiny words he’d never heard before had the impact of a shaken bottle of wine. He had his wife on one side and his daughter on the other.
“Dad, you’re squeezing hard,” Haylee giggled and Jake loosened his grip, but didn’t let go. She let him hold her for a second longer before patting his back and saying, “I love you and everything, but you’re kind of embarrassing me in front of...”
Damien.
Jake let her go and she rubbed his arm supportively before shaking her head and walking to her friend. Male friend. Damien. He quickly overlooked the kid again. He was tall, skinny, scrawny, a little nerdy, just like Haylee, which relieved the protective side of Jake...a little.
“They’re only thirteen,” Sydney whispered to him, catching him analyzing the kid.
“We were only sixteen.”
“That’s three years away,” she blew it off with a wave of the hand.
“You know what else happens in three years...” He was referring to the big license.
Sydney slapped his chest. “Alright, stand here and terrify the poor kid with your stare.”
“Thank you.”
Sydney laughed and when Adalyn stopped in front of them, she moved onto a conversation with her sisters to give them privacy. His wife was amazing. Wife. It sounded perfect.
“Come here.” Jake pulled her into a hug. She was so tiny in comparison to her healthy self when he had left all those years ago. “How are you?” he asked, when he let her go.
She smiled but it was so forced it hurt Jake. She was suffering and she wouldn’t talk about it, not with him, not with Joan and he was under the impression she was definitely not talking to Julian. Jake knew what it was like to keep things inside and he would be there for his sister when she was ready to talk.
“Good. The kids are happy. They have their Mom and Dad. Mia is none the wiser and will never have to know about Drake.” She frowned. “Thanks to Mom.”
Jake nodded his head understanding. “She saved Mia from him.”
Jake nodded. “That was the best thing Mom has ever done for any of us.” They both looked over at Mia, who since her mother’s return, smiled brighter like Lucy and Benji.
“Julian loves Mia like his own blood daughter and as far as Mia knows he’s her Dad. He asked to keep it that way.”
Jake liked Julian. He didn’t know much about him, but his first impression was he was a man of his word and a man who loved family. He hoped Adalyn and Julian would work through the difficulties that lie ahead.
“You should get back to your wife.” Wife, yeah he sure did like the sound of that.
Jake hugged Adalyn again and kissed her head before interrupting Sydney, Joan and her new friend, Chester.
Joan grabbed Jake’s side and patted his chest. “Doesn’t he just clean up so handsome?” Jake, Joan and Adalyn had sat down and had a conversation that bettered all their relationships and even though it wasn’t said, he knew Joan hadn’t been in the dark about Haylee either, even if she wouldn’t come right out and say it.
Joan moved on to laugh and giggle with her date, Chester. Chester. He seemed like a nice guy, but if he hurt Joan that man would have to deal with Jake.
“Jake?” Sydney said, as just the two of them climbed in the horse drawn carriage.
“Yes my wife.”
She laughed. “You're being cheesy.”
“I can't get enough of you, my wife.” She laughed again. “You were saying?”
Her bottom lip caught between her teeth and with the flicker of tantalizing in her eyes, he knew that her mind was going down a naughty road. “Now that we’re married there's something I've been wanting to do.”
Jake kissed the side of her head, ready to do everything with his wife. “Anything for you.”
That flicker lit and she lowered her voice in a seductive bedroom tone he didn’t know she possessed. “I want to know all the surprises you hide in your closet.”
It was his turn to laugh at her forwardness. He liked this new side of her, the provocative side of Sydney.
“I guess after our honeymoon we can make a quick stop there before we head home.” Home to her house, home to their house. He never wanted to spend another night away from Sydney.
“I kind of always wanted to make love in your bed too.”
He laughed again, her boldness was turning his body on fire and they were supposed to be heading to the reception, not the honeymoon suite. “I think we can arrange that.”
“Also in your office.”
Another rumble of laughter. The effort she’d put into their love making locations thrilled him into wanting to skip the reception and head straight to the honeymoon suite. He had to admit, making love with Sydney in his office had gone through his head a couple of times. It was hard not to, when they used to eat most their lunches together in that small area.
“Anywhere else?”
She nodded. “The shower in Joan's boat.”
Here he had believed hi
s wife didn’t enjoy risqué plays of words...he was learning something new about her every day. “That was a most recent one of mine as well.”
“Do you think they would leave us with the boat and take the hotel?”
“I think it's worth a try. But, Wifey, we have to stop talking about this when I can’t have you for the next four hours during the reception.”
She smiled that provocative smile and he felt her hands touch his leg. He jumped at the hot contact and she laughed.
“Your bike is right over there. It will take us anywhere.”
Jake called up to the driver to head toward his bike before he caught her mouth with his.
“Wifey, you are full of surprises,” he said against her lips.
“Wait until you see what’s in my closet.”
Jake laughed at her boldness and kissed his wife again.
His wife. As cheesy as she thought the title was it was what he'd always wanted, Sydney as his wife, and he was planning on spending the rest of his life loving her like she deserved.
The End
Coming Soon:
Lakeshore Candy
The McAdams Sisters
Book Three, Abby McAdams
By The Lake Series
Shannyn Leah
Collect them all!
By The Lake Series
The McAdams Sisters
Lakeshore Secrets (Book One)
Lakeshore Legend (Book Two)
Lakeshore Love (Book Three)
Lakeshore Candy (Book Four)
Lakeshore Shadow (Book Five)
Lakeshore Love: The McAdams Sisters (By The Lake Book 3) Page 24
