by L. P. Dover
I turned in my chair so I could face her. “It was strange meeting Bryce’s father for the first time. I was so afraid he was going to hate me.”
She snorted. “Seriously? You should’ve seen his face last night at dinner. Every time you and Bryce whispered in each other’s ears, he had a smile.” She walked over to the window and looked out. “Not to mention, he looks exactly like Bryce, but older. Kind of hot if you ask me.”
That made me laugh. Bryce and his father did look alike. I just hated his brothers couldn’t make it to the wedding. Apparently, there was something huge going on with a case that Ian and Reed were involved in. And Bryce’s older brother Wade would draw in too much attention with the media. It turned out that not only was he owner of Chandler Enterprises, which was huge in itself, but he was also married to the former first daughter of the United States. To keep our wedding low profile, Bryce thought it best not to include him. However, he did tell Wade everything, and Wade had wished us the best.
A quick knock sounded on the door, and my mother rushed in, dressed in a grayish-silver gown with crystal beading, carrying a black garment bag. “I made it.” She laid the bag on the bed, and waved Faith and I over. “It’s time for the dress. I know we’re running out of time.”
I hurried over, and Faith squealed as she held onto my arm. Grinning wide, my mother slowly unzipped the bag, revealing the dress inside. It was a long, white gown with a high neck made out of lace. It was sophisticated, elegant, and simple—just what I wanted.
“It’s beautiful, Mom. I love it.” I hugged her hard, and she patted my back.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now put it on, we’re running out of time. Dominic’s heading up in about two minutes to walk you down.”
She and Faith helped me put on the dress, and it fit perfectly. Faith kissed my cheek and hugged me, her voice low in my ear. “Congratulations, Layla. You deserve this happy day.”
“Thanks, Faith.”
She let me go and smiled at my mother before walking out the door. My mother stared at me with tears in her eyes as she reached for my hands. “You are so beautiful. Everything I went through was worth it, to be here in this moment with you.”
I squeezed her hands. “Thank you so much, Mom. I thought I’d lost this experience forever.”
She nodded toward outside. “Bryce is a lucky man. From what I can tell from his father, and from what I’ve heard, they have an amazing family.”
“That makes me lucky too,” I said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without Bryce.” I looked around our bedroom, and there was a feeling I hadn’t been able to shake for a while.
“What’s wrong?” my mother asked.
I shrugged. “Nothing really, I guess. I mean, I know Bryce is happy here with me, but you should’ve seen him in Wyoming. He was different there, more alive than I’d ever seen him.”
She nodded. “I can see why. His brothers are out there. It’s his home.”
“I feel like I’m keeping him from them. I don’t want to do that, but then, I don’t want to be away from you.”
Shaking her head, she lifted her hands to my face. “There’s nothing to worry about, Layla. If you want to stay in New York, that’s fine. If not, I’ll follow you wherever you go. All I want is for you and Bryce to be happy.”
That was the best news I’d heard all day. “Really?”
“Really,” she repeated, blinking back the tears. “You’re stuck with me.”
“Layla,” Dominic called out as he knocked on the door. “You ready?”
My mother grabbed me a tissue, and I blotted my watery eyes before the tears could fall. “Yeah, I’m ready,” I shouted.
He opened the door, and his face lit up when he saw me and my mother. “My two gorgeous ladies.” My bouquet of pink roses was in his hand, and I took it from him, breathing in their sweet scent.
Our mother hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. “Such a sweet boy.” She started for the door, and glanced at us over her shoulder. “See you both down there.”
Once she was gone, Dominic held out his arm, and I took it. “Thanks for walking me down the aisle today, Dom.” I murmured. “I know it’s been a hard week.”
We slowly walked out into the hallway and down the stairs. “It has, but I’m getting things back on track in the city.”
Before we got to the back door, I stopped and stood in front of him, so he’d have to look me in the eyes. “Promise me you’ll do things the right way. I don’t want you turning out to be like our father.” He and Marco were going to work together and try to transform the Corsino name. They’d already disbanded the underground casino at the Chateaux Hotel, which was a good start. I just hoped and prayed it stayed that way.
His gaze saddened. “I promise, Layla. You can trust me.”
Satisfied with his answer, I stepped out of the way, and he led me outside to the field. The sun had started to disappear in the distance, giving off a golden and pink glow against the clouds in the sky. My eyes instantly found Bryce, and my heart pounded relentlessly. He kept his eyes on mine, and I knew without a doubt that marrying him was going to be the best decision I ever made.
Bryce held out his hand, and Dominic handed me over to him while Faith quickly took my bouquet. He grabbed my other hand and pulled me close.
“You sure about this?” he asked, grinning slyly. “Though it’s a little too late to back out now.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course I’m sure.”
“Good, because I wasn’t going to let you leave anyway.”
The pastor chuckled and cleared his throat, grinning at us both. “Are you two ready now?”
Bryce and I looked at each other and smiled. “Yes,” we answered at the same time. I was way past ready to say I do.
The pastor turned his attention to the crowd. “All right, let’s get started then. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Bryce
Layla and I decided to head to the Turks and Caicos the morning after our wedding. Being at the airport made her nervous, but luckily, nobody seemed to recognize her. She had on a Hawaiian shirt and denim skirt, with a floppy straw hat on her head. We sat down in our terminal, and she took off her hat so she could snuggle up to my side.
“I’m so tired,” she said, yawning. “You kept me up all night.”
I smiled. “Hopefully, you enjoyed it. I know I did.”
She giggled and smacked my arm. “Not so loud. People can hear you.” My phone rang, and Layla sat up so I could get it out of my pocket. “Who is it?” she asked.
I’d been waiting for a call from Ian. Last I heard he was shit-deep in Grace’s case. It killed me, not being able to help him. “It’s Ian,” I said. I pressed the button to answer it, hoping like hell everything was okay. “Hey, brother. Everything okay?”
He chuckled, which wasn’t what I was expecting. “Fuck, no. You’re a married man, and I didn’t get to see it. Who would’ve thought it’d happen to you before me?”
That was the fucking truth. “I’m sorry we did it without you. Dad told me about all the shit that went on with Grace’s case. I hate I couldn’t help you.”
Layla’s gaze saddened, and I pulled her in close. It bothered her that I didn’t have my whole family at our wedding, but I was fine with it. All I wanted was for her to be officially mine. I didn’t care who was there.
“Yeah, it was a fucking nightmare,” Ian said, “but it all turned out fine in the end. It’s over. Guess it worked out for both of us.”
I wrapped my arm around Layla’s shoulders. “Yes, it did.”
“So when are you coming back home? All Dad told me was that you got married. I’ve already seen the news about Corsino.”
Layla laid her head on my chest, and I rubbed her back. It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep. “It’ll be a while, brother. With everything going on, I need to get Layla out of town. We’re at the airport and about to board a plan to the Turks a
nd Caicos. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone.”
“I see,” he replied, sounding disappointed.
“But Layla and I will be visiting Wyoming as soon as we get back.”
“Visiting? Don’t you miss it here?” he asked.
Words couldn’t describe how much I wanted to be back in Wyoming. “Of course, I do, but it’s not just myself I have to think of now.”
Ian blew out a frustrated breath. “Yeah, you’re right. I just never thought we’d be living on opposite sides of the country.”
“Me either,” I said quietly. The boarding announcement for our flight sounded over the intercom, and I sighed. “I have to go. We’re about to board.”
“All right, brother. Keep in touch, and have fun on your honeymoon.”
“Thanks. We will.”
We hung up, and Layla shifted under my arm. “You know, we can always move to Wyoming,” she said matter-of-factly. She sat up and looked right into my eyes. “I know how happy you were when we were there. I miss that side of you.”
I didn’t know what the hell to say to that. “What about our home here?”
She shrugged. “We can still keep it and visit when we feel like it.”
“What about your family?” She’d just gotten her mother back, and I didn’t want to come between that.
A wide grin spread across her face. “My mother said she’d follow us wherever we go. I was going to surprise you with this when we got to the Turks and Caicos. I loved Wyoming, and I’d move there in a heartbeat. Surely Jackson Hole could use another lawyer.”
I’d never felt so fucking happy in my life. “You’d seriously move?” I asked, helping her up by the hands. Another boarding announcement echoed over the speakers.
She lifted up on her toes and kissed me. “I figured we could search the internet for homes while we sip fruity drinks on the beach. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
I held her tight. “Sounds fucking amazing, minus the fruity drinks.”
“Okay, fine, a huge glass of whiskey,” she said, giggling.
We both laughed, and I looked around our terminal, which was almost empty, as everyone had boarded. “I don’t know what to say, other than thank you.”
She stepped out of my hold and grabbed her bag and hat off the floor. “Just tell me you love me.”
I slung my bag over my shoulder and held her hand as we joined the end of the line to board the plane. “I do love you, Lemon Drop. More than anything. I wish you knew how much.”
She winked. “I have a good guess, but you’re more than welcome to show me all you want.”
I pulled her to me and nipped her ear. “Don’t worry, I will.” And I planned on it
Chapter Thirty-Six
Layla
THREE MONTHS LATER
We were back at home after a three-month-long honeymoon, and it was good to be home, even though it wasn’t going to be for much longer. The kitchen smelled like pot roast and mashed potatoes, which made my stomach growl. I walked into the kitchen, and there was a note on the counter.
Thought I’d make you dinner. Enjoy!
Love, Mom
Bryce joined me in the kitchen and set down our luggage. “Is your mom going to do this when we all move?”
Grinning wide, I shrugged. “Don’t know, but I love it.”
He walked over to the crock pot and looked inside. “I do too.”
I’d talked to my mother every day we were gone, and for the last two weeks of the honeymoon, she came down with Michael, so they could spend it with us and plan out their own move to Wyoming. She’d taken care of Charger while we were gone, but hired someone to do it for the last couple of weeks. I felt terrible for moving Charger yet again, but I knew he’d be happier in Wyoming with more land to run free on.
Bryce and I had found the perfect house, a four-bedroom ranch with twenty acres of land and a barn. It also happened to be close to his brothers. We planned on being completely moved in a month, and I’d never felt more ecstatic.
I grabbed two plates out of the cabinet and scooped out some pot roast and carrots onto each one, with a heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes. Bryce took his plate, and we sat down at the kitchen table. Just as we were getting ready to eat, his phone rang.
He placed it on speaker and set it on the table. “Hey,” he answered.
His father’s voice came over the phone. “Hey, son. You and Layla back already?”
Bryce took a bite of his pot roast. We were both starving. “Yep. Stepped in the house a couple minutes ago.”
“Good, because there’s something I need to tell you. Your brother didn’t want to bother you on your honeymoon, but I felt you should know.”
Brows furrowed, he stared over at me, and even I was curious. “What is it?” Bryce asked.
“Ian and Grace are getting married in a couple of weeks. Do you remember the Meadow Creek Lodge?”
Bryce nodded. “Yeah. It went out of business a long time ago.”
“Not anymore,” Glenn said, sounding happy. “Chandler Enterprises bought it, and I gave it to them to fix up. They did an amazing job on it. I know your brother would love for you to see it…and to be there.”
We hadn’t told anyone in his family about our move, but it seemed like the right time. Bryce lifted his brows, and I nodded. “Go ahead and tell him,” I whispered.
Glenn chuckled. “I heard that. What’s going on?”
Bryce looked down at his phone. “Layla and I will be there. In fact, we plan on being there permanently. We were going to surprise Ian and Reed in a couple of weeks.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Glenn said, laughing. “That’s good news right there. Your brothers will be thrilled. Wade and Brina will be at the wedding, too, and I know they’re dying for you to meet your niece.”
Bryce and his father finished up the phone call, and I bubbled with excitement. Even though I hadn’t met Ian, Reed, or Wade, I couldn’t wait to see their faces when they saw Bryce.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Bryce
It was hard being in Wyoming and not seeing my family, but Layla and I had our hands full with the new house, which took up every second of our time. In the end, my goal was to surprise Ian on his wedding day. It’d been over a year and a half since I’d seen my family, with the exception of my father, and the time I saw Ian when I wanted Charger.
“Are you ready for this?” Layla asked.
I looked over at her, sitting in the passenger seat, and smiled. She had on a dark green gown that looked so fucking hot with her tanned skin and blonde hair. It was hard to believe she was mine. However, in just a few minutes we were about to be at the Meadow Creek Lodge, watching Ian and Grace get married.
I brought her hand up to my lips and kissed it. “Way past fucking ready. You’ll love my brothers.”
She smiled. “I have no doubt. Will Logan and Kassie be here too?”
“Yep.”
Squealing with excitement, she clapped her hands. “I can’t wait to see them.” I knew that would make her happy. We pulled down the road to the Meadow Creek Lodge, and Layla gasped. “Wow. This place is gorgeous.”
It’d been years since I’d seen the place, but it was basically a large log cabin with acres of flowers gardens and a pond. With Grace being in the hotel business, I could see why Ian wanted to give it to her.
We got out of the car and looked around. “Where did your father want you to meet everyone?” Layla asked.
I nodded toward the front entrance. “Right in the lobby.”
Heart racing, I took her hand, and we started on our way. The second we walked inside, they were there, talking and laughing together. My father saw us first, and when he smiled, they all turned our way. Reed was only a couple years younger than me, but I could see a change in him. He’d grown up a lot since I’d been gone, but he still looked just like our mother, with his lighter brown hair and green eyes. Then there was Wade, Brina, and my little niece, Cameron, who was only a little over a y
ear old, on her hip.
With a big grin on his face, Reed held out his arms and hurried over to me. “It’s about damn time you got back.”
Layla let my hand go, and I closed the distance. I hugged him hard and slapped his back. “Fuck, it’s good to see you.”
Still grinning, Reed stepped back and turned his gaze to Layla. “This must be your wife.”
He held out his hand, and Layla shook it. “I’m happy to finally meet you,” she said. Wade, Brina, and my father joined in. “All of you,” she added.
Wade shook her hand and smiled. “Thanks for bringing our brother home.”
Brina moved little Cameron to her other hip and held out her arm, side-hugging Layla. “Welcome to the family, Layla. I’m glad I’m not the only girl anymore.”
Cameron cooed at her, and Layla grabbed her heart. “She’s so cute. Do you mind if I hold her?”
Brina handed Cameron over to Layla, and she lit up. I’d never seen Layla around kids before, but she was a natural. Reed chuckled and elbowed me in the side. “Better watch out. She’ll get baby fever.”
I’d never really thought I’d have kids, but I could see it now. Wade glanced down at his watch and nodded toward the door that led out to the gardens. “Ian’s going to be down any minute. We have to go.”
I looked over at Layla. “You okay?”
Cameron kept touching her face, and she giggled. “I’m fine. Go. I’ll sit with Brina and your dad.”
My father patted my arm. “I can’t wait to see your brother’s face when he sees you.”
I hugged him quickly and took off after Wade and Reed. Instead of going out the door, I hid around the corner at one of the side doors until Ian was in place in the gardens with them, dressed in his black tux. Watching him from a distance, I thought about how we’d both changed…for the better. He was happier than I’d ever seen him.
Taking a deep breath, I crept out the side door, hoping Ian wouldn’t turn around and see me. Wade glanced over his shoulder and smiled, motioning for me to get up there behind Ian. Several people in the crowd gasped, which caught Ian’s attention, but he never looked back at Reed and Wade.
