My eyes trail over my sister and McKenna as they climb out of my sister’s SUV. They look fine, and both are wearing smiles a mile wide. Now it’s clear that they’re both safe, I lock my eyes on McKenna. She looks more relaxed, and even though I know that it’s more than likely because the exams are over and she’s had time with her best friend, I still puff out my chest a little, hoping my spa surprise helped that relaxed smile find its way to her lips.
“Colby James,” my sister calls out.
Not that she needed to. Colby’s feet are already hitting the steps, making his way to my sister. I watch as he pulls her into his arms, lifting her feet off the ground. They whisper to one another, and my heart squeezes. McKenna ascends the stairs and stops next to me. I can’t seem to help it. I put my arm around her, pulling her into my chest.
“Miss you, Kenna,” I say. My voice is husky as I whisper the greeting just for her.
“Let’s go inside. I have some news,” Laramie announces. Colby releases her but still keeps one hand on the small of her back as we all file back into my house and find seats in the living room. I lead McKenna to the love seat and pull her down next to me. Corbin takes the recliner while my sister points to the couch, nodding for Colby to sit, even though she remains standing.
“Thank you all for coming.” She looks at Corbin, then back to Colby. “Mac and I had such a good time in Dallas.” Her eyes flash to McKenna, who gives her a subtle nod. “I’ve missed my best friend,” Laramie says, her voice cracking. “Anyway, Rip sent us to an afternoon at the spa… thank you, big brother.” She smiles, and I nod. “We went to several bridal shops and just spent time together. I didn’t realize that this trip was exactly what I needed for clarity.”
“Lara, babe, what’s going on?”
“Corbin, can you go sit by your brother?” She must see the panic on his face. “It’s nothing bad, I promise. At least I hope not. I just… this will be easier if you two are sitting closer.”
“Sure thing, Lara,” Corbin says. He stands and moves to sit next to his brother on the couch.
“Babe?” Colby says again. There is a slight quiver of worry in his voice.
Laramie looks to McKenna again. “You’ve got this,” McKenna tells her softly.
“Guys, I’ve thought a lot about life and the future, and if the offer still stands, I’d love to come and work for you at James Construction.”
“What?” Colby jumps up from the couch. “Are you for real? You’ll do it?”
Laramie nods, tears shimmering in her eyes. Colby embraces her again before passing her off to Corbin, who is now standing next to them. They hug it out before I stand and take her into my arms as well.
“Love you, little sister,” I murmur.
“I love you too.” She pulls away and wipes at her eyes. “Okay.” She laughs. “I’m not done yet.” She looks over at McKenna. “Which part should I do next?” she asks with a nervous laugh.
“Definitely the wedding.” McKenna grins at my sister.
“Right, the wedding,” Laramie repeats. “About that.” She turns and locks eyes with her fiancé. Colby sits up straighter, and the fear is evident in his expression. “McKenna and I went to a dozen different dress shops. I tried on some gorgeous dresses, and so did she.” My sister winks at McKenna, and she shrugs.
“You tried on wedding dresses?” I ask, not bothering to keep my voice quiet.
“She needed moral support,” she says with another shrug.
My mind pulls up images of her in a white gown, and I shake off the thought as my sister commands me to focus. I nod, letting Laramie know that I’m listening, and she turns back to face Colby.
“I love you, Colby James. I don’t care about the dress, or the venue, or flowers, or invitations. I just don’t.” She shrugs.
“Fuck, Lara, you scared the hell out of me.” He stands and goes to her, wrapping her in his arms.
“I’m sorry.” She kisses him quickly before pulling away. “I just want to be your wife.”
“Whatever you want, babe, you know that,” Colby tells her.
“I was hoping you would say that.” She gives him a smile, then turns her head to wink at McKenna. What are these two hiding? “I was thinking we could get married here, on the farm.”
“Done.”
“In two weeks.”
My mouth falls open. Two weeks? I turn to look at McKenna, and she has tears in her eyes. What in the hell am I missing?
“Two weeks?” Colby clarifies.
“Yes.”
“You sure this is what you want?” he asks her.
“I don’t want to wait.”
“Then we have a wedding to plan.” He picks her up and spins her in a circle, both of them laughing.
“Oh, one more thing.”
“Anything,” he says, and I know he’s willing to give her the world.
“I think we should all take a trip.”
“Where to?”
“Well, McKenna could use a break from all the college and studying, and we could also say it’s our bachelor and bachelorette parties.”
“Vegas, baby!” Corbin shouts. He’s been quiet, which is unlike him.
“You read my mind, brother-in-law.” Laramie grins at him.
“What?” McKenna asks.
“Did I forget to mention that part?” Laramie asks her.
“You kinda did,” McKenna replies, smiling with a shake of her head.
“When?” Colby asks, only having eyes for my sister.
“A few days.” She shrugs. “I wasn’t sure if you, Corbin, and Rip could get the time off work.”
“We’ll make it work,” Corbin assures her.
“What he said,” Colby agrees.
“What do you say, big brother? You coming to Vegas?”
I look at McKenna. “You coming?”
“She’s my best friend. Of course, I’ll be there.”
“I’m in,” I tell the room, only my eyes stay on McKenna.
“Oh, and, Corbin, you can invite Sara,” Laramie says nonchalantly.
“We’re not—”
My sister cuts him off. “You are. Invite her. Everyone look at their schedules, and I’ll make it happen.”
Just like that, my baby sister is getting married a hell of a lot sooner than we thought, and we’re headed to Vegas. Normally the unexpected trip would irritate me, but I have to admit, getting to spend some time with McKenna in Sin City sounds like a fun time to me.
Chapter 14
McKenna
“Do we really have to split up? I didn’t even want a bachelor party. We should all just hang out,” Colby suggests. There’s tension in his voice.
We’re all sitting in Colby and Laramie’s suite in Vegas, making plans for our first night here. Our plane landed two hours ago, and we came straight to the hotel to check in. Currently, Colby is in freak-out mode that we girls are going to be walking around by ourselves. It’s sweet, but we’re big girls, and none of us plan on getting completely trashed. Well, maybe Laramie, this is her bachelorette party after all. Sara and I talked about it on the plane, and she needs to have a good time.