Page 42 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

“Come in…both of you.”

“Goodness…I can’t believe how amazing that dress is and you in it,” Tori burst out, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Geez, here she goes.” Matthew sat the flowers down on the bottom of the bed and grabbed Kleenex from his pocket, handing it over to her. “Your makeup is going to be a mess again.”

Cassie laughed. “She can’t stop crying and I can’t stop laughing. There’s something wrong here.”

“It’s normal. My daughter has given me a crash course on weddings every night. She has bought every magazine on them and the computer is nothing but weddings and all things connected to them. Thanks a lot, Cassie. She was into sports until you had to go and get married.”

“I won’t apologize. It’s a girl thing. All you need to know is to start saving now…for the college fund and for the wedding fund.”

“Is this a private party or can anyone join?”

Their youngest sibling, Thomas, stuck his head around the door and was giving his usual teasing grin at them. All three siblings erupted into shouts.

“You’re here!” Cassie clapped her hands.

“It’s about time!” Tori jerked the door open and grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.

“Fashionably late as usual,” Matthew deadpanned.

“Better late than not here at all. I had to hop on two flights, grab a rental car, and drive most of last night. But nothing was going to keep me away from my sister’s wedding. And a really good wedding cake.”

Laughter erupted again.

He walked up to take Cassie’s hand. He looked her up and down. Then he made his pronouncement. “Wow, you do clean up good.” Then the pair hugged.

Tori spoke up quickly. “Please don’t mess up her hair or wrinkle anything.”

Thomas stepped back and grinned. “Can’t mess up the bride.”

“I hate to break this up but we need to get downstairs and make sure the groom hasn’t snuck out.”

Cassie gave him a hard look.

Matthew held up his hands. “Sorry, sis. Just a joke.”

“Thomas, please take your brother downstairs and watch himandthe groom,” Tori directed.

“Hear that? I am in charge so watch it…I have a gun and handcuffs.”

“So do I,” came the comeback from Matthew.

“But you left yours in the car. I know you. I am packing.”

Cassie shook her head. “I don’t want to know these things.”

Tori opened the door and shooed them both out. And that moment the photographer appeared. “Come in, Artie. I am going to get the girls for a photo and be right back.”

So it began, photos of the bride, photos with bridesmaids, photos of each person, a group photo.

Cassie asked that Tori and Jillie give her a moment with Emmie, who had been very quiet the last couple of days. She took her hands in hers.

“You look beautiful Emmie. We’d sit down but I am afraid to do that just now and wrinkle something that will cause Tori to have a fit.” She coaxed a laugh from the girl.

“I’m very glad you wanted to be in the wedding. I wanted all the people I love to be close by me today.”

“I’m one of them?”

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