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“I believe that’s Presley Wellington. And no, we aren’t talking about it.” Cage cleared his throat.
“Right. Because it’s no big deal that the love of your life’s world has just imploded. Why would we talk about that?” Brinkley raised a brow.
“Oh, I heard.” Georgia shoved her head into our little circle and whispered, “What a douche potato. How do you cheat on Presley Duncan? She’s the whole package. Smart, beautiful, and she was the only person who could ever put Cage in his place.”
“For the last time, her name is Presley Wellington. Let’s not refer to her as the love of my life because that makes it sound like my life is over. I’ve got Gracie and Maxine. I’m doing just fine.”
“Ah, a five-year-old and a pig,” I teased. “And I don’t know that she’ll be going by that last name with the scandal around her husband. I’m guessing she’ll be taking her maiden name back and leaving that—what did you call him, Georgie?”
“A douche potato.”
“Don’t ruin the potato by putting a douche in front of it. This conversation is over.” My older brother hissed just as Lila walked over.
“Are we talking about Presley Duncan?”
We all started laughing because Cage threw his hands in the air and groaned.
“Yes, baby,” Hugh said as he stroked the hair away from her face.
“Well, Mrs. Runither came into the restaurant right when I was leaving, and Hugh was loading the car with all the food. She told me Presley’s dad is in the hospital. He had a stroke. When it rains, it sure does pour, huh? I feel terrible for her. We’ll drop some food off for the family tomorrow.”
I glanced at Cage and noticed the way his jaw clenched. The way his shoulders stiffened. He could deny that he cared all he wanted, but we all knew that he still did. Even if they’d had a horrible breakup and completely cut one another out of their lives.
I knew my brother.
He was worried about her.
“Keep me posted on Frank, please.” Cage cleared his throat.
Reese came in, carrying Gracie in her arms. She was wearing a white dress covered in little flowers that ran down to the floor with her boots beneath it. She had her cowboy hat on her head, and her gaze locked with mine.
“You ready to do this, Chewy?”
“I love when you call Uncle Finny Chewy.” Gracie’s head fell back in laughter as she jumped down to her feet.
“All right, we have a little surprise for everyone before we eat. Come on outside. It won’t take too long. Bring your jackets if you’re cold.” I sent a quick text to Father Davis, who was waiting for us down by the water, before sending a text to my cousin Everly, because I had a few surprises for everyone today.
With Reese’s hand in mine, we led our families down through the field and into the pines. The timing, well, it was perfect.
Just the way we wanted it.
The sun was getting ready to go to sleep, and we were going to say our vows right before it did.
Under the last bit of citrine-colored sunshine.
“Look how gorgeous that sunset is,” Georgia said as she and Maddox walked beside us.
“It’s something.” Maddox glanced over at me like he was trying to figure out what I was up to.
My parents and Reese’s parents were talking a mile a minute and never questioned why we were all going for a walk.
Brinkley, on the other hand… She never missed a beat.
“What’s going on, Finny?”
“You know what, Brinks? You’re going to have to wait to find out.”
“That is never okay with me,” she huffed, and Lincoln wrapped his arms around her from behind and chuckled as we made our way through the pines.
