“Did you talk to anyone?”
Ava smiled. “I talked to Andrew. He told me everything. Bought me condoms. And said I should never feel pressured to go further than I was comfortable with.”
“He never told me that,” Kennedy said, once again beyond grateful for her best friend.
“Because I asked him not to. I didn’t want you to worry about me. And don’t say you wouldn’t have, because that’s a lie.”
“I knew he looked out for you, but not quite that much.” Making it much easier for Kennedy to focus on her studies.
“He’s the best big brother a girl could ask for.”
“We owe him dinner.”
“We owe him, like, fifty.”
“He drove home today. Picked me up at the hospital.”
Ava gave a closemouthed smile. “I know. He texted me. He’s got a thing for us Martin girls.”
“That he does.” She laid her head back, her eyelids suddenly too heavy to keep open. She did have an amazing man in her life, and maybe one was enough.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The day of the wedding
Maverick arrived back on the ranch a little later than planned. Already dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt, he parked his truck at the inn and hurried to the gazebo to catch the tail end of the wedding ceremony.
He stood at the rear and watched the bride and groom inside the elevated wedding gazebo ensconced in lush greenery and decorated with colorful floral arrangements and ivy. A white runner divided rows of folding chairs, and at the end of every aisle stood slender planters overflowing with more flowers.
Maverick searched the backs of everyone’s heads for Kennedy. Today had been difficult, and he couldn’t wait to see her. She soothed his nerves and got his blood pumping at the same time. They had one more night together. He didn’t want to waste a second.
Someone in the wedding party chuckled, drawing his attention back to the main attraction. The bride looked stunning in a white off-the-shoulder gown with a train that trailed down the gazebo’s three steps. The groom and groomsmen wore dark suits with white shirts and blue ties that matched the tropical ocean blue of the bridesmaids’ dresses. The man of honor’s blue shirt and white tie set him apart from the others.
The setting sun cast the special Owens Ranch glow over the ceremony. They’d done enough weddings over the years to know the exact time to schedule vows for optimum photo opportunities. Speaking of which, the photographer took Reed’s picture as he apologized for messing up his vows—earning more chuckles—before resuming his speech.
“I vow to trust and value you today and always,” Reed said. “You’re everything to me, Elle, and I cherish you with my whole heart…”
Maverick listened with half an ear, the love between Reed and Elle evident in the devotion on their faces and the way they leaned toward each other. He didn’t know the details of what had transpired between Kennedy and Reed, but Maverick’s gut told him her being here had influenced the couple in the best possible way. She’d made a difference in their lives. He smiled, thinking back to her crashing into his chest and her heels sinking into the grass and the look of determination on her face when he’d guessed she didn’t have a wedding invitation.
Unable to find Kennedy among the guests now, Maverick closed his eyes for a quick nap on his feet and recounted the day: his last visit with Nicole. He’d never talked so much in his life and had a feeling Kennedy was the reason for that. She’d gotten him to open up more this past week than he had in a long time, and the floodgates had remained open while he sat beside Nicole’s gravestone.
He shared the letters, what he could remember of them. He told Nicole he was sorry for pushing her away when they first met because she reminded him of Kennedy. He confessed to caring for Kennedy much more than he realized and never acting on those feelings. Not wanting to make the same mistake again, he’d changed his mind and let her in.
In hindsight, he should have gone all-in with Kennedy sooner. His heart had called to hers, but he’d been too stubborn—and proud—to admit it back then. That fate had brought them back together now was a gift he wouldn’t take for granted. He’d been incredibly lucky to spend four years with Nicole, and he wasn’t about to blow this second chance at a possible future with Kennedy.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Maverick opened his eyes to witness the happy couple’s kiss and walk down the aisle to the traditional wedding music. He’d enjoyed being part of the ceremony more than he thought he would, a peaceful mood replacing any lingering doubts about attending with Kennedy. He’d expected a stab or two of regret over his past with Nicole and wishing he’d had the chance to call her his wife back then, but instead he felt only anticipation. He couldn’t wait to lay eyes on Kennedy.
Guests stood and cheered, and he once again searched for her without any luck. The bridal party followed behind Reed and Elle, then the rows of attendees filed out.
He waited off to the side to snag Kennedy’s arms, to pull her against his chest and tell her he’d missed her.
But she never appeared.
Neither did Andrew.
Maybe they’d changed their mind about the ceremony. Maybe she was waiting for him back at his house so they could go to the reception together.
He hurried to his truck and drove home. Was her long blond hair up or down? Was she wearing those ridiculously high-heeled shoes she loved so much? A new dress that hugged every beautiful inch of her?
“Hello,” he called out, entering the house. A quick peek at Barley and the puppies told him they’d been well taken care of by Cole and Jenna and didn’t need anything from him. He headed to the kitchen next to check for Kennedy there. She had a nose for doughnuts, and he’d bought some to have tomorrow morning. She looked at her glazed doughnuts like they were a work of art, and she had a similar look in her eyes when she glanced at him after they kissed. So, a win-win, in his mind.
“Hey,” Hunter said, when Maverick rounded the corner into the kitchen.
Not the person Maverick wanted to see. “Hey. What are you doing here?” His brother sat at the kitchen island eating one of the glazed doughnuts, damn him.
“Did a quick check on Barley and the pups.”
“And then decided to eat my breakfast?”
Hunter stopped mid-bite. “You want it back?”
Maverick gave him a look. Hunt smiled and continued eating the pastry. Dressed in his Sunday best, his brother’s presence clearly had more to do with checking on him than the dogs.
“How was your day?” Hunter asked.