Page 71 of Beehives and Broken Heroes

Cash clapped a hand to his shoulder. “Welcome to the family, brother.” He walked over to the twins.

Andy’s head whipped from Brandon to Allie and back so fast, it reminded Brandon ofThe Exorcist. “You’re getting married?”

Brandon nodded numbly. In a week, it seemed. Who was supposed to be surprising whom here? He glared at his sunshine of a hot mess.

Cash grabbed Jo’s arm lightly. “Babe, maybe we should let Allie and Brandon discuss dates?”

Both sisters turned their gazes to Brandon, identical looks of surprise like they’d forgot he was there.

Yes, hi. I’m the groom.He raised a hand in a hello/salute motion.

Jo stepped back to Cash, a look of chagrin on her face.

Allie frowned. “I swear I’d walk right off the earth if it wasn’t round.” She marched over to Brandon, grabbed his hand, and pulled him to the side.

He yanked her to a stop and back to him. “This is far enough.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking . . . of course we can’t get married next week. That’d be crazy.”

He tipped his hat up. “Sunshine, I don’t care when we get married—a year from now, a month from now, next week. I want to be with you.”

A wide smile spread over her face. “Really?”

“Really.” He raised his voice and pointed to Andy. “Besides, my best man is already here. Andy, think we can get Pete, Joseph, and Chris here for a wedding in a week?”

Andy grinned. “You bet.”

She threw her arms around his waist. “Thank you!”

He leaned in close, his heart trying to beat its way out of his chest. “You as my wife and a honeymoon in a week? I should be thanking you.” He winked at her and watched as a pretty red blush spread over her cheeks.

Rest of his life? Bring it on.

Chapter 22

June

The week leading up to the wedding was one of the most stressful of Allie’s life. Turned out, transforming one wedding into two was a lot harder than she and Jo had thought. But Allie had managed to keep her cool most of the time. She’d had one meltdown as she realized that getting a dress in time might not be possible.

Brandon had shown up like the angel she was starting to believe him to be, and he’d calmed her right down. One satisfying make-out session later, and she was zooming down the interstate to Charlottesville. She’d remembered the dress she’d tried on at Jo’s fitting, and how perfect it’d been. And luck had to be on her side, because not only was the dress there, but it was also on sale!

She’d done a happy dance right there in the middle of the store.

The days ticked down so fast that the day before the wedding arrived, and she could barely believe it. To keep herself calm in her hours off from Sticky and Sweet and from the final details of planning, Allie had insisted that she and Brandon get started on his new hobby room.

On Monday, he told her what he wanted to do to it, and they taped up what she hadn’t finished the day the barn caught fire. On Wednesday, they applied the first coat, and on Thursday, Diana and Maggie May watched the shop. Between them, Cecilia, Caroline, Jessie, and Kathy, the shop was good to go for the next ten days while the twins were off on their respective honeymoons.

Taking the Thursday off had been a mistake in Allie’s mind. She was a mess of nerves, and by noon, she’d ended up at Brandon’s—her—their place, applying a second layer of paint. He’d been out riding Titan when she arrived. She’d waved to him, and ten minutes later, he was inside helping her paint.

“Everything okay?” he asked, as he came in and kissed her on the temple.

She nodded. “I just needed something to do until my hair appointment at three.”

The two painted in companionable silence until the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” she said, making him grin like the Cheshire Cat. The man loved her in their house, taking ownership of it as she prepared to marry him. And she couldn’t deny that she liked it too. No matter how crazy this “getting married in a week” business was—and she knew it was terribly crazy—she was glad they’d decided to do it. She couldn’t wait to be his wife.

She opened the door, and without preamble, in walked Millie Douglas, glower firmly in place.

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