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I held back for the slower members of the team so we could all cross the finish line together. When we did, Grady jumped into the air, letting out a war cry.
My kids ran up to high-five me, avoiding hugs since I was muddy and sweaty, my parents close behind. I was enjoying the moment when I saw Shea walking up, her bright smile making me forget everything for a couple of seconds.
She hugged her brother, not caring at all about the mud and sweat. I felt a tug of something in my chest, wishing she’d hugged me instead. Or even as well.
I didn’t like being ignored by her. Next weekend was the combined bachelor and bachelorette party weekend for Grady and Avon, and I planned to make sure she couldn’t ignore me then.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Shea
“When’s the last time you took an entire weekend off work?” Avon asked me.
“I think...two years ago?”
She took my hand as we pulled up to the sprawling luxury cabin she and Grady had rented for the bachelor/bachelorette weekend.
“Please don’t think about work this weekend,” she said. “Don’t think about anything but enjoying yourself.”
“You’re the one getting married, so I’m here to think about you enjoying yourself,” I said.
“How could I not?” She grinned as she parked her Jeep Wrangler in the horseshoe driveway. “This place is a dream. Grady and I tried it out for a weekend before we booked it and it was heaven.”
“It sure was thoughtful of you kids to include me and Harry,” Bess said from the back seat.
“You’re the matron of honor. Of course you’re included,” Avon said, meeting her friend’s gaze in the rearview mirror.
Bess was an absolute hoot. She and Avon bickered like they were related, but really, Bess worked for Avon at the Sven’s Beard Chronicle. The other bridesmaids were Avon’s cousin Harper and Avon’s friends Mara, Julie, Carmen and Allie. Allie had been added to balance out the wedding party after Holt was added. The other women were arriving in another car, and the men were already here, having come up a couple of hours ago.
I was nervous about Holt being here. Spencer had been spending less time in the kitchen with me and more time with his grandparents, but I still wanted to be a friend to him anytime he needed me.
After three cooking lessons, Holt hadn’t asked for more. I was half-relieved and half-disappointed because I enjoyed the time alone with him. There was an unspoken tension between us, though. I was keeping him at arm’s length and he knew it.
“Let’s go get our drink on,” Avon said with a grin.
She was right; the cabin was a dream. It was huge, the main living area two open stories with a sectional and two other couches. The light gray and white decor made it feel peaceful and welcoming.
The men had brought our bags with them, so all we had to do was walk in and get drinks from the stocked refrigerator. Grady had even made a big batch of margaritas for us, and I poured one each for me, Avon and Bess and the three of us walked out to the sprawling deck that overlooked a shining blue lake.
“There’s my bride!” Grady called, getting up to greet Avon with a kiss.
“Thanks for the margaritas,” she said.
“Thanks for marrying me in a couple weeks,” he said, touching his forehead to hers and kissing her again.
The two of them were ridiculously in love. I was thrilled for my brother, but every time I saw them canoodling this way, it reminded me that I didn’t have anyone who felt that way about me.
I couldn’t help letting my gaze stop on Holt, who was looking at me. He was wearing a Mammoths hat and he had a bottled beer in hand. When he smiled at me, my stomach flipped nervously.
It wasn’t a friendly, welcoming smile but a knowing one, like he knew why I was looking at him and was looking back for the same reason.
I forced myself to look away, paying attention instead to the introductions Grady and Avon were making. All of the groomsmen had grown up in the Beard, so I knew them.
Bess’s husband, Harry, was sitting on a porch swing, looking happy as always. Bess went over to sit with him.
“The hot tub fits sixteen people,” Avon said. “So it’s the perfect size.”
Bess laughed and waved a hand. “Make that fourteen. Harry and I will be in bed by nine.”
