Page 81 of Family Bonds: Carter & Avery

Avery knew Duke Raymond owned two restaurants on the island. One on each end. She’d yet to try either but wouldn’t mind taking Josie one night. Maybe to the pub since it’d be more up to an eight-year-old’s taste.

It didn’t take long for them to get to The Retreat.

“I’m sure you’re used to it,” she said.

“Not really,” he said. “But since the last wedding there had been several babies born and a few engagements. So I might have timed this right to dilute the news.”

She started to laugh at how serious he was when he’d made that comment.

“There is always that. But I’ll get to meet your immediate family other than Grayson,” she said. She’d talked to Grayson a few times and things were coming along smoother than she thought.

“My mother is looking forward to it,” he said.

That dry tone again and she shook her head.

She was going home for Thanksgiving next week and her mother had wanted her to bring Carter with her, but he’d said he was open on Friday and Saturday and was busy so she didn’t bother to ask. No reason to when she knew he couldn’t walk away from his business.

It’d been easy for her to tell the staff not to schedule people on Friday and nothing after one on Wednesday. She and Josie were going to be on the two o’clock ferry and then drive the two and a half hours back to Danbury. She missed her mother and her grandmother.

She knew Josie was looking forward to going back too. She’d promised the little girl they’d go see Colleen in the cemetery also.

“I can’t wait to meet her,” she said.

They parked and got out, then made their way inside. She tried not to gasp at the white marble everywhere. The place was the oldest resort on the island, the biggest in terms of sprawling, and a wedding destination featured in magazines.

Celebrities had been married here, she knew. Professional athletes too. A little slice of heaven on the East Coast.

They walked through the hotel lobby and toward one side that she assumed was where the wedding and reception were taking place.

“This way,” he said.

“You’ve been here before for weddings?” she asked.

“Yes. A good handful. Hunter, who owns the place with his father and grandfather. Drew, who is Bode’s brother. Ava, who you know, and now Bode. They all got married here.”

“Hailey didn’t get married in her family’s resort?” she asked.

She heard laughter behind her and turned to come face to face with the lady in question.

“No,” Hailey said. “I should have considered it, but both Rex and I have large businesses and clients in Boston. When the numbers were down on paper we were over four hundred guests. Considering the logistics of getting people here on ferries before or on time with that large of a group, it was decided it was going to be too difficult. Besides, I grew up in Boston. It didn’t hurt my parents’ feelings any.” Hailey leaned in close. “The hotel I got married in is a Bond hotel and restaurant. Just owned by Scott and Mitchell, only it doesn’t have the Bond name on the front. One of their many acquisitions over the years.”

“Sorry,” Avery said. “I shouldn’t have voiced that.”

“No reason to be sorry,” Rex said. “You weren’t the first nor will you be the last that was shocked by it. I told Hailey it was her choice and to just tell me where and when to be there.”

“Isn’t he wonderful?” Hailey asked, batting her eyelashes at her husband.

“Happy wife, happy life,” Rex said, putting his arm around Hailey and pulling her close.

“Speaking of happy, Carter,” Hailey said. “Look at you with a smile on your face and not even a dog in sight causing it.”

Avery laughed when Carter almost blushed over that. “Guess a woman can do that to a man,” he said.

Hailey grinned. “Carter cracked a joke. Keep that attitude, you’re going to need it today.”

Avery smiled and they moved into the room, found their names and table and went to sit down. Grayson was already there with an older couple. She was assuming it was Carter’s parents.

“Mom, Dad,” Carter said. “This is Avery Keegan. Avery, my parents, Joe and Vanessa Bond.”

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