Page 185 of Mad As Hell

Her expression softened and she came around to sit beside me on the couch. “Okay, then let’s find you a dress.”

Ryan and I had gone back to the house and announced our plans to the group. He’d gone off with Mrs. Beechum to plan everything we’d need for a quickie wedding. I insisted I’d be fine wearing jeans, but he’d refused and said just because the wedding was happening fast didn’t mean it was going to be anything less than I deserved.

He’d ordered me to find a dress, even saying he’d have it flown in tonight by personal courier from wherever I wanted. I was fine with looking at dresses from the stores in the town a few miles away from Brookfield. Bex and I could get it in the morning.

But the dress was my only responsibility. Ryan said he would handle everything else. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was terrified or even more in love with him for that.

Bex and I were debating the merits of strapless or off the shoulder when Linc appeared in the doorway of the sitting room.

“Do you have a preference for cake flavors?” he asked suddenly.

“Are you planning on baking it?” I returned, tilting my head.

He rolled his eyes. “No. Ms. Flounders is planning the menu and needs to know what kind of cake. I was sent to find out, since everyone else is busy.”

“Busy doing what?”

He started ticking off fingers. “Ash is handling the last-minute marriage license and tracking down the local pastor. Court, Bishop, and Knight are making sure the grounds are prepared for the ceremony—flowers and an altar and shit like that.”

“Of course,” I said with a serious nod even though I was beyond amused. “That shit is very important.”

Bex giggled while he just grinned and continued, “Royal is on Cori duty. He took her to the stables to see the puppies again. Ms. Wallace will take Cori out in the morning so she isn’t here.”

“Cori won’t be here for the ceremony?” My face fell. I’d kind of hoped she’d be my flower girl.

Ryan appeared at Linc’s back. “I wish, but we can’t risk my dad finding out about what we’re doing. Cori wouldn’t mean to, but she could slip and blow up our plans.”

“We can trust Ms. Wallace?”

He nodded. “Absolutely. I was actually the one who hired her to work with Corinne. Her parents worked at Brookfield, and she helped take care of my mom. She’s loyal to my grandfather’s side of the family.”

“Okay,” I agreed reluctantly. “But I demand a vow renewal at some point where she’s part of the wedding party.”

“Deal.” He flashed me a smile that heated my insides. “Did you decide on the cake?”

“It’s cake,” I whined. “Chocolate, vanilla, red velvet… I’m good with whatever.”

“Aren’t brides supposed to be super demanding and have had this shit planned since they were five?” Linc grumbled.

“When I was five, I was throwing away my mom’s dirty needles and trying to find something edible in the fridge. Not a lot of time to daydream about a wedding,” I pointed out.

Ryan’s eyes flashed, pissed at the mention of how I’d grown up. “Your mom is—”

“Sick,” I finished for him, a warning edge to my tone as I gave him a pointed look.

He snorted, but wisely didn’t say anything else. “Okay. I told Grandpa what we’re doing. He asked if he could talk to you.”

“Is he up for that?” I asked, concerned because he’d gone to bed less than an hour earlier.

Ryan shrugged, tight-lipped. “He’s in his room. Do you remember which one it is? I need to take care of something.”

I eyed him suspiciously. “What?”

“A wedding present,” he answered vaguely, his expression unreadable.

I stood up, tossing my hands in the air. “No presents. I can’t get you anything.”

His eyes gleamed. “Sure you can. You can—”

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