Page 56 of The Wedding Toast
Hannah leaned her head against Grady’s shoulder and pointed to where Jacob was dancing with Becca.
“I didn’t think we’d ever get our big brother back like this.”
“Me neither,” said Xander.“I’m glad we did though.Glad that it’s Becca, too.She’s good for him.”
“She’s lovely and …” Hannah sat up and turned to him.“I love that she gets to be part of our family, and I love that we get to be part of hers.”
Xander laughed.“I know what you mean.Darlene’s awesome.Have you seen her bossing Jacob around?”
Hannah laughed with him.“Isn’t it wonderful?I think he needs that sometimes.”
“He does,” Xander agreed, “and neither of us was ever going to do it.And there’s Chuck.I have a lot of respect for that man.”
“Oh, I love him.He’s quieter, but he’s just like this steady presence.He doesn’t need to say much.You just know he’s there, and you feel like when he is, that all’s right with the world.”She looked over to where Tori was sitting talking to Trick and Elliott.“Is everything as perfect as it seems in your world?”
“It is,” said Xander.“And you’re going to have to come to Summer Lake soon so that you can see just how great things are.And you know Tori wants Ava to be part of the wedding.”
“And Ava’s excited about it,” said Hannah.“I can’t believe that both my brothers will be married before me.”
“I can’t either, but I’m not complaining.How about you guys?”Xander grinned as Grady came back to sit down.“Are you finally ready to make an honest woman out of my sister?”
Grady laughed.“I’ve been ready for years.It’s just figuring out all the details.”
Hannah turned to him, and he pressed a quick kiss to her lips.She spotted Delaney over his shoulder and got to her feet.
“There’s Delaney.I just need to …”
Xander laughed.“You might just need to reassure your man before you go – he kisses you and you get up to leave.”
She looked back down at Grady, but she knew he didn’t need any reassurance.That man knew how much she loved him, and she knew right down to her bones how much he loved her back.
He squeezed her hand and said, “Go check on your friend.Xander’s only teasing.”
By the time she reached Delaney, Mary Ellen had gotten to her first.Of course, Hannah had forgotten that they knew each other from the times when Delaney had done work for Hamilton-Groves.When it came to luxury branding, Delaney was one of the best in the business.
“Hey!”Hannah greeted her old friend with a hug.“It’s good to see you.”
“You too.”
Mary Ellen smiled.“I forgot that the two of you go way back, don’t you?”
“We do,” said Delaney.“All the way back to when we used to work together in LA.”She made a face at Hannah.“To the days when this one used to photograph people and not just wineries and grapes.”
Hannah laughed.“Believe me, wineries and grapes and even wine people are so much easier to deal with than models.”
Delaney sighed.“Tell me something I don’t know.I used to think you were crazy for leaving it all behind, but these days I’m wishing I could follow you.”
“You could,” said Mary Ellen enthusiastically.“You could move here to Napa, hang out your shingle, and have more business than you know what to do with by the end of the week.”
Hannah grinned.“She’s right, you know.”
“I am.Cam would probably bring you on staff if you wanted to work it that way – we have so much work to put your way just as soon as you can fit us in.Hamilton-Groves is ready for a makeover.”
“And I know that Jacob would love to bring you in again,” added Hannah.
Delaney pursed her lips.“You’re making this sound appealing, ladies.”
They all turned when Antonio appeared beside Mary Ellen, bringing Becca’s friend with him.He wrapped his arm around Mary Ellen and kissed the top of her head as he drew her to his side.
