Page 73 of The Wedding Toast
“Never say never,” said Ollie.He glanced over at Callie, who was now laughing with Becca, and added, “I don’t plan to.”
Chapter Seventeen
The rehearsal was much less formal than Jacob had expected.Then again...He chuckled as he watched Darlene making the rounds, laughing and joking and making sure that everyone was okay.
Why had he expected anything to be formal with her around?He should have known better.And the thing was, he liked it better this way.He was standing off to one side, watching everyone mill around and chat.He took a sip of his Cognac.He didn't know if it was just because Darlene loved the stuff, too, or whether she was just that good at details.But whenever there were drinks to be had, he always found himself with a glass of Cognac in his hand.
"How are you doing?"
He turned and smiled when he saw Grady standing beside him."Are you all ready?Nervous or...?"
"Not nervous," said Jacob."Not nervous in the least.At this point, I'm trying not to be impatient.It seems like it's taken forever to get here, but now that we're here, I want to make sure that I enjoy every moment of this."
"Wise man," said Grady.
"Are you sure you don't want to come and join us tonight?"Jacob asked.
"No, it's all good.Thanks.I appreciate the offer, but I really want to be at home with Hannah and Ava."
Jacob looked around for Ava and relaxed when he saw her sitting on Xander's knee, telling him and Tori some story or other."Is she nervous about tomorrow?"he asked.
"Not anymore.That mean kid from school got into her head for a little while, but Callie turned it all around."
That made Jacob smile."Callie seems to be good at that.Elena thinks the world of her.So does Darlene."
Grady nodded."Yeah, she's good people."He winked at Jacob."Down-to-earth people seem to be."
"You think I don't know that?"Jacob asked with a smile.
"I'm only messing with you."
"I know.But it's not as though Callie’s all that different.I mean, she's not the only one who didn't grow up here in the wine world.There's you.And in case I haven't told you lately, thank you for making my sister so happy, and for bringing Ava into our lives.And, of course, there's Becca.And Slade, too.I'd say that our group of friends who’ve become family are now more than just wine people, wouldn't you?"
"I would," said Grady."But at the same time, while I appreciate you inviting me to stay over with you and the guys tonight, I think it's important that you should be with the people you've known all your life.You and Xander and Slade and Bentley have all hung out together since you were kids.I think that's important."
Jacob grasped his shoulder."Thanks, but I don't want you to feel left out."
Grady just chuckled and jerked his chin toward where Smoke was talking to Elliott."And speaking of people you've known all your life, I was having a chat with him earlier.He's a good guy, isn't he?"
"He is," said Jacob."And if you don't mind, I'm going to have a word with him."
"Catch you later," said Grady.
~ ~ ~
Smoke had been trying to stay on the quiet edges of the gathering.He was glad to be here for Jacob, at least for the wedding, but he really wasn't sure why he and Laura had been invited to come tonight.
He smiled when he spotted Trick standing under the old oak at the edge of the lawn, near the path that led down to the hangar.Trick caught his gaze and smiled as he approached.
"How's it going?"he asked.
Smoke nodded."All the better for seeing you.Have you guys had a busy week?"
"Not as busy as it might have been," said Trick."Most of the guests got themselves to San Francisco, and we've just been running a ferry service from there."
"Is everyone here now?"Smoke asked.
Trick held up a glass of wine with a smile.
