“That’s a very sweet offer, but I can’t accept. You’re already doing so much, considering we’re springing this on you at the last minute.”
“Here’s the thing. Your Aunt Lilith makes my blood boil and it would calm me considerably to see you two looking amazing in the pictures you send her. While I suspect Rafe has enough squirreled away to rent an appropriate outfit, I doubt you can afford the sort of dress I have in mind. Please let me get it for you.”
Ben chuckled. “Run up the white flag, Kate. When Henri takes that tone, it’s best to just go along.”
“Okay, I will.” Kate faced her. “I want to look amazing, too, and you’re right about my budget. But I’ll be delivering brownies to your doorstep for the next year.”
“And I’ll gladly accept them. Then that’s settled. One more detail. Are you going to have anyone stand up with you?”
“Oh! I didn’t think of that. Rafe? Should we?”
“I guess so, but… maybe just a best man and maid of honor.”
“That works,” Henri said. “It’s a small, intimate wedding, so a best man and maid of honor are plenty.”
“Then I’ll ask Nick.”
“And I’ll ask Millie. She could wear her dress from Matt and Lucy’s wedding. She looks fabulous in that pale green.”
“I’ll need to contact the tux rental place in Great Falls in the morning.” Rafe’s head was spinning. Should he have suggested next weekend, instead? No. The sooner this was over with, the better… for everyone.
“Since Kate and I will be in Great Falls, anyway, let us take care of the tuxes for you and Nick. I’ll bet they could pull up the data from Lucy and Matt’s wedding. If you’re okay with what you wore then, we could bring it back with us.”
“That would be great.” He reached in his hip pocket. “Let me give you some—”
“We can settle up later.”
“Okay.” She’d try to pay for those outfits, too, but he wouldn’t let her. This wasn’t the time to hash it out, though.
Henri glanced at Kate. “Do you want someone to walk you down the aisle?”
She hesitated. “I suppose I could just go by myself.”
“If that’s what you want. But if you’d like me to—”
“Oh, yes, please! That would be so special, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Henri’s gaze was tender. “I’d be honored.”
“So would I.” She took a shaky breath.
She had to be as bush-whacked as he was. He caught Henri’s eye. “How about we leave the rest of the details for tomorrow?”
“Sure thing.” Her expression filled with sympathy. “There’s not much more. We’ve covered the main points.”
Kate stood, which prompted everyone else to do the same. “I don’t know how to thank you, Henri.”
“Hey, that’s what families are for.”
“That’s what Rafe said.” She sent him a look of gratitude. “I haven’t been here as many years as he has, and I suppose I didn’t quite get it.” Her voice trembled as she faced Henri. “Now I do.”
“Aw, sweetheart.” Henri gave her a hug. “I’m glad we could be here for you.”
“M-me, too. And we’d better head home. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”
“Yeah, let’s vamoose.” Rafe met Henri’s gaze as he touched two fingers to the brim of his hat. “Thank you.”
She smiled, although the tiny crease between her eyebrows remained. “Anytime.”
Turning, he followed Kate down the hill and caught up with her in a couple of strides. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m going to call Millie tonight.”
“Thought I’d call Nick, too. When will you notify your aunt?”
“I can take a picture of the marriage license tomorrow and text that. I’ll let her know the ceremony is Saturday and I’ll email pictures to confirm it. I want the money to start flowing to Ginny ASAP.”
“When are you going to tell Ginny and your mom about the wedding?” He walked with her past the trucks and kept on going. Might as well see her to her door.
“I’ll call Sunday. I’ll tell them how much fun we all had outwitting Aunt Lilith. And that we can’t wait for Ginny to start living her dream.”
Regret tightened a fist around his heart. “I’m sorry I acted like a louse when you first asked.”
“You acted like what you were—a wounded bear.” She reached the door and turned to face him. “No more recriminations, Rafe.”
The porch light created the halo effect again in her short blond curls and her eyes had turned a soft gray, which they did whenever she was over-tired.
He’d let her down yesterday. Not one of his finer moments. “I just wish I’d—”
“I mean it. You’re about to do me a favor I can never repay.”
“I don’t get brownies?”
“As many batches as you want, for as long as you want, but there aren’t enough brownies in the world to equal the sacrifice you’re making for me.”
“Now who’s into recriminations?”
She sighed. “You’re right, but I—”
“Kate, I’m doing this because I want to. I’ll admit it’s a freaky situation, but we’ll handle it.”
Her jaw firmed. “Yes, we will.”
“I have a question about your mom and Ginny, though. Clearly you have no intention of having them at the wedding.”
“There’s no reason. When I explain why we did this, they’ll understand why I didn’t include them. They don’t have money for a flight and it’s a two-day drive to Apple Grove.”
“Will they come out eventually?”
“Probably, when they can work it out, so they can express their gratitude to you. It’ll be fine, though.”
“Okay.” It would be weird as hell, but no reason to debate something that would be far in the future. “Guess I’d better let you go in so you can call Millie.”
“Right.” She didn’t move. “I just need to say something.”
“No more recriminations, remember?”
“I remember.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I admire the hell out of you for stepping up to do this. I’ll never forget that you came through for me in the clutch.” Her voice softened. “You’re awesome, Rafe Banner.”
He sucked in a breath and clenched his jaw against the response he wanted to make. He’d told her two months ago what was in his heart. No point in repeating it now. “Thank you.” He tipped his hat. “Have a good night.”
On the drive home, he almost called Nick. Changed his mind. That call would go better if he had a cold bottle of cider in his hand. Leo and Garrett might have turned in by now. No problem. A little peace and quiet would be—
Holy hell. He stared at the row of pickups in front of the bunkhouse. He barely had room for his. And he’d never been so happy about that. The Brotherhood had gathered. For him.