A Perfect Bride For Christmas (39 page)

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered.” Keeley piped up. “Amelia had me order one from a bakery

downtown. It will be ready in time. If not, it’s those chocolate cupcakes with the little white swirls on top for everyone.”

“That sounds more like Alex as well,” Zoe picked up her purse. “But you better make that white

instead of chocolate. I don’t want the groom sick on the wedding night.”

Alex came through the door with the triplets in tow. “What sounds like me?”

Amelia gave him a sweet, motherly smile.

“Cupcakes.”

****

Who knew it took so much to set up even a small wedding? Sydney’s type of wedding took months of planning but this one should be just stand in front of the judge and say
I do.

But no, Mom had turned the whole thing into a

three-ring circus, and she held the whip.

Finally, he had a moment alone with Zoe. He

leaned back on the couch with her cuddled next to him. The girls were asleep upstairs. “I can’t believe how tiring three kids could be.”

“They’re wound up about the wedding tomorrow.

Usually Cherri is here to help with the madness. She has me spoiled.” She straightened a bit and glanced 313

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up at him with a smile. “Do you want Cherri to

continue on as a nanny?” Zoe ran her hand over his chest. Tired as he was, his libido raced with the power and urgency of a sixteen-year-old kid.

“As long as she doesn’t keep me from chasing my wife around the kitchen table. I think I’ve mentioned how fond I am of that table.” He traced a finger down her nose, over the tender softness of her lips until it came to rest under her chin. Alex couldn’t resist a taste of Zoe’s mouth, the deep, dark luscious flavor of her.

Her arms crept around his neck, drawing him

nearer. His tongue scraped against the roughness of her teeth and stroked the sensitive flesh of her lips.

“Mmmm,” she purred, the sound so seductive he

wanted to take her on the couch with only the light from the fire clothing her body. He started to make a move, but she scooted out of his hold with a smile. “I want to save it for the wedding night. My real

wedding night.”

“Oh, you are evil.” Alex sat back up and

squirmed around, trying to get his dick under

control. “But I guess I have to humor the bride. So we what were we talking about before we got

distracted by the kitchen table?”

“I have a thought about that.” Zoe scooted out of his hold and leaned against the armrest of the couch with her arms around her legs. Her chin rested

against her knees, her eyes sparkled in the firelight as pretty as the tourmaline on her finger. “I’d like make some changes to the house. First, do you want to live here with us, or do we buy something else?”

Alex surveyed the tall ceilings with the original molding, the hominess of the room, and a couple of toys stashed on a shelf next to the fireplace. No, this was the girls’ home, now it would be his.

“Do you have room for some of my things?”

“Of course.” She raised her eyes to his. “I like 314

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the idea of man stuff in the house. Whatcha’ got—an old recliner?”

“Yeah,” Alex had to smile. “That and some

furniture. A couch and a couple of club chairs. But I’m getting rid of the dining room table. The one in your kitchen—”

“Nope,” she interrupted and wagged her finger

at him. “Our kitchen.”

“Okay, then I’d like to live here with you. It

wouldn’t be right to move the girls again. They have a big yard, a park nearby. Everything’s copasetic.”

“Good. Here’s my idea.” She moved to snuggle

against him again. “I’d like to change the back bedroom, add a bath and separate entrance for

Cherri. Make it a real apartment, maybe with a

kitchenette. That way she can come and go as she pleases.”

“How did she take the news?”

“Stunned, happy.” Zoe’s face fell for an instant.

“She asked about Sydney.”

Alex smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. It was his attorney smile. “Lyle packed her off to Europe or Greece. I don’t know, and I don’t care.”

Zoe nodded, “Cherri said she felt sad she won’t be here for the wedding. Now I don’t have a

bridesmaid. Keeley’s helping Amelia, and to tell you the truth, the few friends I have left in the area already made plans for the holiday. This happened way too fast.”

“I think Mom’s afraid you won’t make an honest

man out of me.”

Zoe’s laugh filled the living room. The sound

went straight to his heart, filling him to the brim with love.

“What about Jesse?” Alex asked. “She’s my

friend, but I think you’ll love her as much as I do.”

“Okay, I’ll call her in the morning.”

He pulled her close, taking in the wondrous feel 315

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of her in his arms, the scent that belonged to her alone, and the soft hair tickling his nose.

Alex thanked God for the long winding road that brought Zoe back into his life.

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Zoe dialed Jesse’ number and waited for her to

pick up. She hoped Jesse wouldn’t think her forward for asking such a big favor but Alex seemed to think Jesse would be delighted.

“What?” Jesse’s tone didn’t sound too promising.

She hesitated for a second, debating whether to forget about the whole thing. “Jesse?”

“Oh. Zoe. Sorry.”

Jesse sounded tired and a little sad. “You okay?”

“I had a long night.”

It sounded like more than a long night. Zoe

recognized that timbre of voice. There had to be a man involved but she didn’t want to prod. Maybe when she knew Jesse better. “I’m sorry if I woke you up, but I didn’t know who else to call.”

“Is everything all right?”

“No. Yes.” She paused, then in a near squeal,

she gushed, “I’m marrying Alex tonight. Again. At the house. I need a bridesmaid. You’re so close to the family, I’d like you to stand with me.” Zoe barely paused long enough to draw breath. She waited for a response from Jesse. The few seconds seemed like years. “Jesse, I know it’s short notice. I understand if you can’t. It’s Christmas Eve. I’m sure you and Ethan have plans.”

Jesse finally let out a heavy sigh. “I’ll be there. I need to find something to wear. What do you want me in?”

“I really don’t care. Something pretty. I’m not picky. Alex pulled some strings at the courthouse, so 317

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it’s small.” She took a deep breath, held it. “Oh, Jesse, I’m so happy. The girls will have their father.

I have Alex. This is like a dream come true.”

“I’m happy for you, Zoe. Really happy.”

“And the girls are bouncing off the walls. I’ve never seen them so excited over something.”

“That’s great, Zoe.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Zoe heard the forced enthusiasm. “You sound… off.”

“I’m fine, but I need to get on the search for a dress. I don’t have anything here. What time do you want me there?”

“Amelia said around four thirty. She’s got a

dinner planned for the reception. She took

everything out of my hands, except for the food I’d already prepared. Oh! And she wanted me to ask you if you’d still be willing to help with the cleanup.

She’s going to keep the girls, and Alex and I are going back to my place.”

“Sure.”

“Oh, Jesse, thank you! Thank you, so much!”

“Anytime. I’m going to go now. I’ll see you later this afternoon.”

The rest of the morning and early afternoon

zoomed by, directed by Hurricane Amelia. Clint

showed up long enough to growl and help set up a few tables before he left to look in on his mare. The same bug that infected Jesse had gotten up his butt as well.

Jesse showed up, dressed in a gorgeous, beaded

blue dress and a smile plastered on her face. Zoe stood in Amelia’s wedding dress and looked at the clock. In less than a half hour, she’d be Mrs. Alex King. Nerves fluttered in her stomach. Her heart raced.

Three fairy princesses danced around the room

waving sparkling wands with whips of white tulle and fluttering pink ribbons.

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“Look, Mommy.” Mia laughed with glee.

“I see.” Zoe tugged at the long lace sleeves. They reminded her of dresses from the medieval period, coming to points that hung down in graceful folds.

Jesse adjusted the flowing lines of Zoe’s lacy

dress, smoothing it down for the hundredth time. “I can’t believe Amelia’s dress fit you. She’s shorter and a thinner in the bust, but somehow, it works. You look beautiful.” Jesse’s eyes were over bright as she straightened up.

Zoe ran her hand over the scoop neckline,

tracing the delicate line of pearls and sequins.

“Amelia said she was a little bustier when she

married. I feel so—beautiful.”

“Amy Taylor did a great job with the alterations, didn’t she?”

“I could say the same to you.” Zoe looked at

Jesse’s blue beaded dress. “That dress does wonders for you. I’ll bet Clint went crazy when he saw it.”

Jesse turned away too quick, her face like stone.

Zoe frowned. Had she said something wrong?

“Are you okay?” Zoe hadn’t known Jesse long

enough to ask personal questions, but she sense her husband’s best friend hurt. “Alex said you were getting close to Clint.”

Jesse gave her a wry smile. “I’m sure he didn’t put it quite like that. If I know Alex, he said I was boinking his brother.” She pulled a matching lace veil from the dry cleaner’s bag. “I’m fine, really.”

She looked anything but fine, however, Zoe

didn’t press her further. Clint had frowned all morning long, and if the alcohol fumes rolling off him were any indication, Clint had gone on a real bender last night. Zoe expected it had to do with Jesse. She hoped Clint would be in shape to stand up with Alex as best man.

Zoe turned over her shoulder to check out the

back of the dress. Jesse was right; it was perfect.

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Small, delicate curls framed her face instead of her usual wisps. Her eyes appeared large and green in the mirror. Today, she seemed every inch a bride.

Jesse used special crystal-decorated pins to

fasten the veil so Zoe’s curls peeked out.

“You look pretty, Mommy,” Michaela said as she

tried to sword fight with Macy, using the wands as their weapons.

“So do you, but ladies don’t do that with their wands. Macy.” She turned to her eldest who gave her wand one last flourish. “Do you want me to take away the wands?”

“No.” Macy quickly put the wand behind her

back.

“Good, because you don’t want to break them.”

Zoe pointed to a small settee in Amelia’s bedroom.

“Sit over there. I want you to keep your dresses pretty for Daddy.”

Macy and Michaela sat down as instructed but

whispered behind their hands and giggled. Mia stood quiet as a mouse.

Amelia came into the room, excited and flushed

with exertion. “Oh my, the dress is beautiful, and so are you.” Today she used her crutches, but the girls had decorated them with the same pink ribbons as on their wands. “Jesse, could you hand me the holly wreath?”

Jesse picked the small wreath from the white

box sitting on the bed and gave it to Amelia.

“I remember by future mother-in-law doing this

for me.” Amelia touched the wreath gingerly. The sharp little points gave Zoe a moment of trepidation.

The green and red of the holly looked more like a crown of thorns as Amelia raised it over Zoe’s head.

“Cassie King scared the bejesus out of me. I just knew she hated me for being
that
hippie chick.”

Zoe couldn’t imagine Amelia as a hippie. The

shock must have shown in her eyes.

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“I’ll bet you didn’t know that about me, did you?”

Amelia’s reflection smiled back at Zoe. “She said the King brides wore the holly to remind them that love can cause pain, but its evergreen like the holly.”

“That’s beautiful.” Tears welled in the corners of Zoe’s eyes

“And can hurt like hell,” Amelia chuckled. “You can take it off as soon as you say your I do’s.”

“Mommy.” Mia wriggled up and down. “I gotta

go potty.”

Amelia turned to Jesse. “Could you take Mia to

the bathroom down the hall?”

“Sure.” Jesse held out her hand to Mia. “Come

on, sweetie.”

Zoe watched her daughter leave with Jesse. “Is

the judge here?”

“Yes, he and Alex are thick as thieves.” Amelia gave Zoe a once over and nodded with approval.

“Alex will be stunned when he sees you come down the stairs.”

Zoe grabbed a tissue from the bureau to wipe

her sweaty palms. “I’m nervous.”

“Why? We have a ton of food, a few choice

guests, the judge, a bride and groom…” Amelia shot a glance at her giggling granddaughters. “Not to mention three of the prettiest maids of honor I’ve ever seen.”

“Heath is going to give me away.” Zoe stood

straight, careful not to jiggle the holly wreath on her head. The less blood the better, unless she wanted to look like the bride of Dracula. “I asked him

yesterday if he would do the honors.”

“It’s just about time.” Amelia looked at the small clock on her bedside table.

As if on cue, Heath knocked. “I’m here to collect a bridesmaid and the bride,” he called. She opened the door, and Heath stood there looking almost as handsome as Alex.

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“Where’s Clint?” Zoe asked.

“He can’t be here. His mare is foaling.”

Zoe looked over at Amelia. Her face tightened,

but she said nothing. Zoe furrowed her brow. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

Amelia held out her hand to the two little girls on the settee. “Come on, girls. Walk your old