Page 42 of New Year, New Guy
‘I’m used to giving people difficult news if you want my help?’
He pushed the laptop towards her. ‘Have at it. Maybe together we can come up with somethin’ not completely lame.’
‘Let me have a try.’ She frowned at the screen and started to type. ‘How about that?’
Hunter scanned through the letter she’d put together. ‘Awesome. You’re a genius. Can I print it off here?’
‘Handwrite it. Much more personal.’
Laura pushed the chair back. ‘I’m going to get changed into some comfy clothes and scrub this junk off my face.’
‘Whoa, not so fast.’ He caught her by the door. ‘I lean towards the natural look usually but . . .’ One hand traced the curve of her hip. ‘We sure aren’t wasting this.’ Hunter explored further and a wicked smile lit up his face. ‘Oh boy, you never mentioned these.’
‘What?’
‘Stockings.’
‘They were Polly’s idea.’ Her argument that they were uncomfortable hadn’t cut any ice.
‘I think I love your sister.’
So do I, she thought.
‘Remind me to thank her tomorrow.’ Hunter’s lingering kiss awakened every nerve in her body until they all screamed and vied to be touched first. ‘You can thank her too.’
‘What for?’ Laura’s flirtatious reply made his eyes darken.
‘I’m about to show you.’
She struggled to recall why she was off men and weddings but failed when Hunter swept her into his arms and made for the stairs as fast as he could.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hunter waved Laura off in a taxi to help Polly get ready for the wedding and hurried back upstairs to sort himself out. The ‘Enforcer’ had left strict instructions for him to be at the church no later than quarter to twelve. Because he hadn’t intended to stay for the wedding the only half-decent clothes he’d brought with him were a pair of black cord trousers, a matching shirt and black leather hand-tooled boots. It had been a challenge to find a jacket in Plymouth that fit him but he’d tracked down something and worked his charm on the shop’s seamstress to get it altered in record time.
Laura appreciated the touch of flamboyance his long hair gave him so for her sake he’d leave it loose today. Hunter finished dressing and checked his appearance in the mirror.Yeah, blendin’ in wouldn’t happen in this. When he walked outside the taxi driver’s smirk told him all he needed to know. Thankfully the weather had done a complete turnaround and they were basking in what he suspected was a rare rain-free, sunny January day.
‘Here you go, mate.’ The driver laughed as they drew up outside the church. He nodded towards the other guests walking in, the women in hats and elegant dresses and all the men wearing traditional dark suits. ‘Their invitations must’ve forgotten to mention it’s fancy dress.’
His three-quarter length black silk coat with ornate silver embroidery, wide black leather belt with a massive silver belt buckle and narrow black tie with a diamond encrusted silver clasp would be par for the course in Nashville. Not so here. With a quiet smile he gave the driver a generous tip and levered himself out of the car.
‘Mr McQueen?’ The grinning usher checked out Hunter then his list. ‘You’re at the front.’
‘I don’t—’
‘—Johnny got overruled by the women.’ The man chuckled. ‘You were supposed to be sitting on his side of the aisle but Laura claimed you instead.’
Hunter’s embarrassment deepened.
‘Follow me.’
Oh well, as the Brits say – in for a penny, in for a pound.
* * *
‘You were right.’ Laura peeped in through the heavy oak door, opened ready for the bride’s entrance. Pale sunshine streamed in through the stained glass windows and brought out an intoxicating fragrance from the abundance of flowers decorating every corner of the ancient church. Her sister’s vision of a winter wonderland had come to life exactly as planned and no destination wedding could have topped this.
‘How could you ever have doubted me?’ Polly’s light tone didn’t cover the underlying seriousness of the question.
