their matching black cowboy hats, boots and tuxedos, but all the standing around
in heels and not moving was getting to her. The photographer needed to finish up already.
Emma leaned toward Jace. “Someone should supply us with some alcohol for this part.”
One sandy-colored brow rose beneath the brim of his hat as he patted his pocket. “I’ve
got a flask. Want some bourbon?”
She’d been thinking more of a glass of champagne, but she was in so much pain, Jace’s
offer was tempting. Emma dismissed the notion. There was no way she could take a swig
out of a flask here and now. Not in front of her parents, Tucker’s parents, Becca
and the preacher. Besides, bourbon wasn’t her drink of choice, but if this thing went
much longer, it might become so.
Emma shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ll wait.”
Jace nodded just as the photographer put the camera down and said, “I think that’s
it for here.”
Thank God. Emma released the frozen smile and realized how sore her jaw was. At least
with the photo session done, the families and the wedding party were starting toward
the vehicles. They’d make their way to the Jenkins house and Emma could sit down.
She turned to Jace. “Shall we go?”
“Uh, would you mind very much riding to the reception with your parents?” he asked.
She frowned. “Why?”
“Um, uh, I just realized the front seat of my truck is filthy. You’ll ruin your dress.
It’s not a big deal, is it? I’ll meet you there.”
“All right. Sure.” Hell of a date this was turning out to be. Sober, with a sore back,
and now, hitching a ride with her parents like she was twelve and going to the middle
school dance. Oh, well. She’d just have to drown her misery in wedding cake.
Emma wasn’t sure how it had happened that she ended up in her parents’ rental car
for the trip, rather than in her date’s truck, but that was fine with her. Jace was
acting so strange as it was, he was starting to piss her off. There was enough pressure
on her today. She didn’t need to babysit him, too.
When they arrived, she slid out of the backseat and stepped into the driveway. She
could see guests were already milling around on the lawn, enjoying cocktails and appetizers
served up by the black and white clad caterers.
In a little while there’d be the official introduction of the new bride and groom,
followed by the first dance and then dinner. Until then, Emma had a second to breathe
and take in the transformation that had taken place, turning the Jenkinses’ peaceful,
private property into a reception venue bustling with over a hundred guests.
Emma swept her gaze toward the long buffet table. It was laden with chafing dishes
filled with so much barbecue, it looked in danger of collapse. The smell of the smoked
meats permeated the tent set up in the yard. She had to admit the aroma alone was
making her mouth water. Of course, that could also be from the sight of all these
cowboys in their tuxedos, even if her date was missing.
A waitress plodded past Emma carrying a bowl so heavy with coleslaw she nearly didn’t
make it all the way to the table. It was an interesting reception menu choice her
sister had made.
Becca stepped up to her. “Phew. I’m glad the official part is done. Now we can have
fun and eat . I’m starving.”
Emma cocked a brow and glanced at Becca. “Yeah, about the food . . . I always thought
you’d serve something like, I don’t know, salmon in dill sauce with haricot vert at your wedding. Or maybe a nice surf and turf selection of lobster tail and filet
mignon.”
“You’re right. That probably would have been the menu if I’d married Jerry.” Becca
glanced toward the buffet the waiters were still setting up.
“Jerry. Ugh. Thank God you didn’t marry him.” Emma screwed up her mouth in distaste
at even the thought of Becca marrying that ball-less asshole of an ex-boyfriend of
hers.
Becca let out a
in heels and not moving was getting to her. The photographer needed to finish up already.
Emma leaned toward Jace. “Someone should supply us with some alcohol for this part.”
One sandy-colored brow rose beneath the brim of his hat as he patted his pocket. “I’ve
got a flask. Want some bourbon?”
She’d been thinking more of a glass of champagne, but she was in so much pain, Jace’s
offer was tempting. Emma dismissed the notion. There was no way she could take a swig
out of a flask here and now. Not in front of her parents, Tucker’s parents, Becca
and the preacher. Besides, bourbon wasn’t her drink of choice, but if this thing went
much longer, it might become so.
Emma shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ll wait.”
Jace nodded just as the photographer put the camera down and said, “I think that’s
it for here.”
Thank God. Emma released the frozen smile and realized how sore her jaw was. At least
with the photo session done, the families and the wedding party were starting toward
the vehicles. They’d make their way to the Jenkins house and Emma could sit down.
She turned to Jace. “Shall we go?”
“Uh, would you mind very much riding to the reception with your parents?” he asked.
She frowned. “Why?”
“Um, uh, I just realized the front seat of my truck is filthy. You’ll ruin your dress.
It’s not a big deal, is it? I’ll meet you there.”
“All right. Sure.” Hell of a date this was turning out to be. Sober, with a sore back,
and now, hitching a ride with her parents like she was twelve and going to the middle
school dance. Oh, well. She’d just have to drown her misery in wedding cake.
Emma wasn’t sure how it had happened that she ended up in her parents’ rental car
for the trip, rather than in her date’s truck, but that was fine with her. Jace was
acting so strange as it was, he was starting to piss her off. There was enough pressure
on her today. She didn’t need to babysit him, too.
When they arrived, she slid out of the backseat and stepped into the driveway. She
could see guests were already milling around on the lawn, enjoying cocktails and appetizers
served up by the black and white clad caterers.
In a little while there’d be the official introduction of the new bride and groom,
followed by the first dance and then dinner. Until then, Emma had a second to breathe
and take in the transformation that had taken place, turning the Jenkinses’ peaceful,
private property into a reception venue bustling with over a hundred guests.
Emma swept her gaze toward the long buffet table. It was laden with chafing dishes
filled with so much barbecue, it looked in danger of collapse. The smell of the smoked
meats permeated the tent set up in the yard. She had to admit the aroma alone was
making her mouth water. Of course, that could also be from the sight of all these
cowboys in their tuxedos, even if her date was missing.
A waitress plodded past Emma carrying a bowl so heavy with coleslaw she nearly didn’t
make it all the way to the table. It was an interesting reception menu choice her
sister had made.
Becca stepped up to her. “Phew. I’m glad the official part is done. Now we can have
fun and eat . I’m starving.”
Emma cocked a brow and glanced at Becca. “Yeah, about the food . . . I always thought
you’d serve something like, I don’t know, salmon in dill sauce with haricot vert at your wedding. Or maybe a nice surf and turf selection of lobster tail and filet
mignon.”
“You’re right. That probably would have been the menu if I’d married Jerry.” Becca
glanced toward the buffet the waiters were still setting up.
“Jerry. Ugh. Thank God you didn’t marry him.” Emma screwed up her mouth in distaste
at even the thought of Becca marrying that ball-less asshole of an ex-boyfriend of
hers.
Becca let out a
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