Saturday dawned bright and clear. It was the morning of Arch and Tessa’s real wedding, and everyone was busy getting ready. The previous night, the women had gathered at the family home to sleep, and all the men had slept over at Archer’s. Traditional though it was, they were definitely sticking to the notion that the groom shouldn’t see the bride before the ceremony, and it had just seemed natural that Tessa would start out at the Davenport home. She was such a part of the family, Mila was always forgetting that she wasn’t her actual sister and they hadn’t grown up together.
As expected, everyone was excited about this first wedding of a Davenport sibling. Mila found it interesting that they were all calling it the first, as though there would be more, despite all the kids holding out this long. Still, when she saw the happiness glowing in Tessa’s eyes, she couldn’t help but feel wistful that maybe one day she’d be sitting there having Erin do her hair and makeup and chatting nervously about how much she hoped she wouldn’t screw up on her big day.
They’d all suggested she get her hair and makeup done professionally, but Tessa had steadfastly refused. “Nobody does my hair and makeup better than Erin,” she said now, staring at herself in the mirror. “Remember what an amazing job she did for that red-carpet event with Arch? I’ll let some professional make me over in Scotland, but for this wedding, I want everything to be real.”
If it had been her wedding, Mila would have put herself in the hands of makeup and hair professionals, but she had to accept that she and Tessa were very different. Besides, Tessa could show up in a burlap sack and still look gorgeous. She was a beautiful woman anyway, but the glow of love and excitement in her eyes made her almost ethereal. Every time Mila looked at her, she had to smile.
Erin came over and whispered, “It almost makes you believe in love just to look at her, doesn’t it?”
“I know,” Mila replied. “And if she can feel like that about Archer, we can definitely do better than that.”
Erin snorted with laughter. It was still hard for either of them to imagine any woman finding bratty Archer Davenport irresistible, though they’d had a few years to get used to it as he’d blazed across the big screens, making a career for himself as a heartthrob. She figured it was all in the way you saw a person. To millions of women around the world, he was gorgeous, sexy, and strong. To Mila and probably Erin, he was the annoying brother who’d teased them. Still, no matter what, any of her brothers would always have her back. As she’d have theirs. And now Tessa would be part of all that.
Betsy said, “You know Howie would be more than happy to walk you down the aisle.”
Tessa’s eyes filled with tears. “I know. And I appreciate it. But Margaret really wanted to do it, and when you think about it, she’s the one who brought us together. I want to walk down the aisle toward Arch on her arm, just as I did that day on Carmel beach when I first met him. But I’m definitely looking forward to a dance with Howie later.”
Betsy wrapped her arms around Tessa from behind, being careful not to muss her hair, and Mila looked at the two women reflected in the mirror. Her heart hurt with how much she loved them both. It made her think about family. “Are you okay that your sister’s not going to be here?”
A shadow of sadness crossed Tessa’s pretty face. “I hinted that maybe we’d do something small for our wedding, but the minute I started talking about the castle in Scotland, my sister shut down any idea of a small wedding and said that absolutely, since I was marrying a man of so much wealth, I should be sure to spend some of it on a big wedding. So, while I’m a little sad not to have my niece here, they’ll be more than delighted to play a bigger part in the Scottish wedding.” She glanced around and said, “I think of you all and Margaret as my family now.”
Betsy tightened her hold and said, “And you are like another daughter to me. It warms my heart to see how happy you make Archer.” Both women blinked furiously, and Betsy pulled away. “Before we spoil our makeup, let’s get you ready to get married.”
The dress that Betsy had first worn nearly forty years ago hung in perfect condition. The dry cleaner had managed to remove the stain so beautifully that no one could tell it had ever been there.
Mila teased, “So, that’s your something old. Now you need something borrowed and something blue.”
Tessa blushed furiously. “I went out and bought blue satin lingerie. It’s the most money I’ve ever spent on any item of clothing in my life. So that’s new and blue.”
“Sexy blue lingerie? There’s hope for you yet,” Mila said.
“And obviously, the dress is borrowed.”
“No,” Betsy replied, looking surprised. “Honey, it’s a gift from me to you.”
Tessa looked both grateful and perturbed. “I’m honored that you would give me your beautiful dress, but if I don’t return it, then I don’t have something borrowed.” She glanced at the women around her. “Isn’t that bad luck?”
“I’m sure it’s not,” Betsy assured her, “but why don’t I lend you those lovely pearl earrings you wore to the red-carpet event?”
Tessa lifted her hair to reveal the stunning diamond earrings Archer had bought her for a wedding present. They shone like perfect stars. “I have to wear the earrings Arch gave me.”
“I have an idea,” Mila said. “Give me one minute.” She raced to her old bedroom. And, as she’d imagined would happen, Erin followed her.
Her sister was out of breath as she shut the door of the bedroom. “You don’t have any ideas, do you?”
Mila shook her head. “Between us, we must have left something behind she could borrow.”
Erin opened the closet doors while Mila went to her old desk and started opening drawers.
“Cowboy boots?” Erin murmured from inside the closet. “They’d make a strong statement.”
“Cherry-flavored lip gloss?” Mila suggested as she pulled out her top drawer.
“But would you really want it back?” Erin asked.
Obviously not.
And then she found it and cried out with triumph. “Look. This is it.”
Erin came over and gazed at the object in Mila’s hand. “I gave that to you.”
“I know. That’s what makes it so special.” To her surprise, Mila felt tears gather as she touched the silver bracelet with the secret message Erin had had engraved on the inside. You’re stronger than you know. She’d given it to her after the accident, when she’d struggled so hard to get her life back. “I wore that every single day while I healed. And then, one day, I didn’t need it anymore.”
“And as Tessa starts her life married to a movie star and with a fledgling painting career, it’s perfect for her.”
The sisters hugged and then ran back to Tessa. As they told the story of the bracelet, every one of them got a bit teary. Tessa held out her wrist, and Mila slid the bracelet in place.
With the bride ready, it was time for her bridesmaids to get dressed.
Tessa had been the easiest bride as far as choosing bridesmaids’ outfits went. Mila and Erin were the only attendants, and they’d each chosen a dress in a turquoise color that reminded them of the ocean on a sunny day. Erin’s dress had a flared skirt and a full bodice that really suited her petite frame, while Mila, more on the statuesque side, had gone with a silk sheath with a deep V-neck. She wasn’t one to hide her assets. She couldn’t wait for Herschel to see her in it.
She heard a commotion outside and glanced out the window to see Howie and his sons, save for Archer, putting up the awning in the backyard. The awning was for two reasons. One, it would shield the guests from any strong sun, but two, it would keep prying eyes and drones from seeing what was going on. Mila was glad she wasn’t a big enough celebrity that she had to worry about reporters buzzing her in helicopters on her wedding day. However, Crystal and her team were doing an excellent job of throwing everyone off the scent.
She’d seen the reports on TV and online about Archer Davenport’s big wedding in Scotland and had watched Tessa become more and more comfortable under public scrutiny and the glare of the spotlight. She was impressed at how Tessa managed to keep her dignity intact, even when she was asked the most intrusive questions. When she thought of some of the women Archer could have ended up with, she was so glad he’d chosen someone so sensible and down-to-earth. And, even better, somebody who fit in with their family so well.
As she had the thought, she noticed there seemed to be an extra brother down there in the garden. It was Hersch. Without even turning her head, she said, “Mom, what’s Herschel doing down there? Has Dad put him to work?”
Betsy joined her at the window. “I think since Archer wasn’t available and Herschel already knew about the ceremony today, your dad decided he could use the extra pair of hands.”
She did not believe that for a second. It was her dad’s way of bringing Hersch into the fold. She couldn’t deny the fact that he was pretty handy with a hammer as he banged in tent pegs to secure the awning. As she watched the way his muscles bunched and flexed, her mouth went dry.
She made sure her hair and makeup were perfect and then slipped out to the garden. Herschel had a rivulet of sweat running down one side of his face as he straightened to face her. A slow grin transformed him from tired laborer to sexy date.
He took a moment to really study her. “I have never seen you look so beautiful. I thought you were pretty damn hot when you were covered in chocolate icing. But I had no idea.”
Delighted by his compliment, she gave him a quick kiss. “I’m sorry my dad’s put you to work already. I should have warned you, if he sees a strong pair of arms, he tends to find a job for them.”
He chuckled. “I don’t mind at all. I like your dad. I like your family.”
Her voice caught a little bit as she said, “And they like you too.”
He said, “This is such a high-tech security operation that I had to bring my suit disguised in a gym bag. It’s hanging inside somewhere, and I’d really like a shower before the festivities begin.”
“I think I can help you with that,” she said.
She waited until he’d secured the last peg and tested his work thoroughly. That tent wouldn’t come down in a hurricane. He put away the tools, and then she led him inside to the bathroom that she’d always shared with Erin. Fortunately, Erin was busy with the wedding party. She stepped in with him and, shutting the door behind them, locked it.
His eyebrows went up, and another slow grin spread across his face. “Are you planning what I think you’re planning?”
“I was all ready for the wedding, but just seeing you out there made me all hot and sweaty. Want to work up another sweat before you shower?”
He came forward and kissed her slowly and deeply. His moustache brushed her lips. She could smell the heat on his skin and the healthy scent of perspiration. Then he said, “Better not crease that beautiful dress.” With his gentlest touch, he helped her out of it and the underwear that cost at least as much as Tessa’s wedding lingerie.
He said, “I want you so bad I don’t think I can be gentle.”
She grabbed him and kissed him. “Good.” He took her up against the bathroom tiles. It was hot and fierce and exactly what she needed.
Afterward, she took even more pleasure in watching him soap up and then rinse off. Rubbing himself dry with a fluffy white towel, Hersch said, “I don’t even know where my suit is.”
She grinned at him. “It’s hanging in my closet, of course.”
Wrapped in towels, they scooted across the hall to her old bedroom, fortunately unnoticed. Hersch ran a comb through his astronaut-short hair and, to her delight, even combed his moustache. When he put on his suit, it was her turn to tell him how good he looked. She’d never seen him formally dressed, and she liked what she saw.
Once she’d dressed herself again and fixed her hair and makeup, she was ready.
When she went back downstairs, it was to a scene of organized chaos. Crystal took center stage, her instructions crisp and calm. With only an hour before the wedding, everybody chipped in, putting up decorations and balloons and making sure everything was perfect, from the teal tablecloths to the floral arrangements on each table. Mila’s job was to put out the tiny gifts that Arch and Tessa had chosen for their guests. They were locally made candles. While Archer could have bought everybody something from Tiffany’s, Mila loved that they’d gone with something simple and local. It was perfect.