Nick Of Time (Blue Ridge Romance 2) by Allison B. Hanson

“Beautiful,” he finally said.
    “Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.”
    He held the door open for her so they could leave. “It’s the tie.”
    It wasn’t the tie. It was everything. It was the fact that he’d shaved and fixed his hair so it looked more professional banker than performer. She found herself liking this look as much as she missed his other one.
    She also liked the way his broad shoulders looked in his jacket, and she remembered rubbing her hands over them without anything in the way.
    She swallowed and walked out of the room with him following behind.
    “God, I love eights,” he murmured, causing Nichole to hide a smile.
     
    “I’m cold,” Tucker said behind her as they stood at the front of the aisle under the arbor. She shivered, but not from the cold. Having his breath at her ear made her tingly.
    “Stop whining. It will be over in twenty minutes, and if you’re good, I’ll get you a hot cocoa.” She smiled at him as Cooper turned to them.
    “Damn, it’s cold,” Cooper said, making her laugh. “I hope Roslyn’s dress is thermal.”
    “She’ll be fine. So will you. Just wait until the ceremony starts. You won’t even notice.”
    “It’s a good thing she’s already pregnant. I think my sperm are dying,” Coop said.
    Nichole snickered as Tucker leaned up.
    “What’s wrong with his sperm?” he asked.
    “They’re dying.”
    “Ah.” Tucker nodded as the music shifted and the last of the guests took their seats. “Here we go.”
    Nichole stood a little straighter and smiled as Lexi started down the aisle. Lexi spared a glance to her husband, Ian, who was beaming at her like she was the only woman on the planet.
    Then came Riley, who looked even more perfect and doll-like with her pale blond hair falling in curls down her back. She was already teary, and she swiped at her eyes with a lace handkerchief.
    The music shifted once more, and there was Roslyn. Despite Cooper’s worry that she would be cold, she looked perfectly rosy in her long-sleeved lace dress.
    Nic glanced over at Cooper to see his face as he looked at his bride.
    Sheer joy.
    Nichole’s smile grew bigger, knowing this was how everything should be. Even though Tucker’s hand was resting on her right hip.

Chapter 8
    H is big brother looked so happy Tucker thought he might burst.
    The wedding had gone off without a hitch. Well, the forbidden maid of honor caught her heel in the aisle runner and almost fell, but she’d made an elegant save and life had gone on.
    Now they were all back at the lodge, greeting guests as they arrived.
    The ceremony itself had been simple and just for immediate friends and family. He’d overheard the mothers say there were over two hundred people coming to the reception.
    Tucker wondered if he even knew two hundred people. Real friends, not acquaintances.
    “Good job,” Nichole said as she stood next to him in line beside Cooper. She was rubbing her arms, still cold from the ceremony. He wanted to put his arms around her and warm her up but was certain that would not be acceptable.
    She had chosen to wear a feminine version of a tux: the fitted jacket with the pleated shirt and bow tie, but instead of pants she wore a black pencil skirt and some awesome black heels. The moment he saw her, he’d envisioned the entire ensemble scattered around his suite. Her long red hair was loosely secured in a bun, giving her that sexy, rumpled flight attendant look. He wanted to free her hair and put his face in it. Breathe her in.
    “I stood there, Nic. It wasn’t like I could have done a bad job.”
    “You walked all of us girls up the aisle.” He had the maid of honor and the bridesmaid on each arm while Nichole walked ahead of them. Alone. All he could think of was how nice her ass looked, wondering if she was wearing more of that crazy flesh-crushing underwear.
    When the line of guests turned from a flood to a trickle, they moved into the main room and took their seats.
    The DJ made