Page 80 of The Wedding Toast
Alara seemed to catch her breath as she stared at them for a moment.Then she smiled and picked up a box.
It didn’t take long for them to get everything where she needed it, and to get Zia’s car seat set up on the back seat of Reaves’s SUV.He felt dumb that he hadn’t known she couldn’t go in the front seat – he would have sat her up there with him.
Alara gave her daughter last-minute instructions through the open window about listening to Reaves and calling if she wanted her.
Reaves felt bad, almost as though he was taking her daughter away from her.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”he asked.“I can hang out here with her if…”
She shook her head.“It’s fine, honestly, more than fine.It’s so kind of you – and your father.”
“Alara?”
She rolled her eyes at the sound of someone calling her.“I’d better go.Bring her back as soon as you like.”
“She can stay as long as you need.Want to call when you’re ready?”
“Okay.Thanks again.Love you, Zi.”
“Love you, Mom.See you later.”
~ ~ ~
Jacob stood in the kitchen at the cottage, watching Slade fry bacon and Xander scramble eggs.Bentley winked at him.
“You know you’re going to be fed well today,” he told them.
Slade laughed.“We know that, but you have to have a good breakfast – set you up for the day.”
“What’s up, brother?”Xander asked.“Are you nervous?Don’t want to eat too much?”
He laughed.“I’m not nervous in the least.”
“Not even about the logistics?”Bentley asked.“I have to say that when my turn comes, I’m not so sure I’ll be as relaxed as you seem right now.There are people all over the estate – setting up chairs and tents, and others taking care of food and flowers and…” He shuddered.“I’d need to keep an eye on them all.Need to feel like I was in control.”
“Ah, but when your turn comes, you’ll know why I was so relaxed this morning.”
Bentley gave him a puzzled look, but Slade turned and winked at him.
“What do you know that I don’t?”Bentley asked.
Slade grinned.“Jacob has a secret weapon.”
Jacob had to laugh.“Don’t look at me like that.He’s talking about Darlene.She’s amazing.I wish I’d met her years ago.I would have hired her as my COO – we’d probably have taken over the world by now.”
The others laughed.
“I’m glad you get along with her so well,” said Slade.
“Me too.She’s not someone I’d like to get on the wrong side of.”
“You don’t need to worry about that,” said Xander.“She thinks the sun shines out of you.”
“Only because she can see how much he loves Becca,” said Bentley.
“Oh, I know,” said Xander.“I think it’s great.Even if I am a little bit envious.Do you think Darlene might want to come when Tori and I get married?”
Jacob laughed.“Want to come?Try and stop her!You need to get used to the idea that she’s claimed you as family.She’d be heartbroken if you didn’t invite her.”
