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“They’re on their way,” Nic announced, sidling up to stand next to him at the giant bowl of homemade eggnog.
Holden nodded, trying for an expression that said it was no big deal. He was having a great time with the guys and their dates. Never mind that his own date might be standing him up.
Date? Did she qualify as his date? They’d agreed to arrive separately since she was getting ready at her sister’s place. So technically, it could be said that they weren’t even coming to this event together.
“So, have you set a date yet?”
Nic’s question pulled Holden from his thoughts. He’d expected his new buddy to saunter away and go back to talking to the other guys. But instead, he was making conversation about a wedding that would never take place.
Lucky’s party had mostly centered on the kitchen and adjoining living room—something he did often, or so his girlfriend Jordan had said. The problem was, everyone else seemed at home here, while Holden felt awkward. Like the guy who’d crashed the party, claiming he was there with Faith.
“Not yet,” Holden said. “It’s all going to depend on where we decide to have it.”
Nic’s eyebrows shot up. “You haven’t chosen a venue yet?”
Holden hesitated. Should he have pretended they’d picked out a place? Was that something an engaged couple would already have done?
“I’ve had the big wedding,” Holden said. “This will be my second. So, I’m leaving it all up to Faith. I’m thinking maybe something outdoors in the spring or summer.”
“Well, you have plenty of spots for it up here in the mountains,” Nic said. “You could even have it here on Lucky’s back patio.”
“Have what on my back patio?” Lucky asked, appearing seemingly from out of nowhere. He walked around the bar and grabbed the ladle in the punch bowl, scooping a generous helping of eggnog into the goofy moose mugs he’d set out for everyone. “I’m game, whatever it is.”
“We were just discussing possible locations for Holden and Faith to have their wedding,” Nic said. “Hey, I know. You own that helicopter business. Why don’t you both rappel out of a helicopter?”
Lucky laughed. “Nowthatwould be an entrance. But seriously, if you want to do it out back here, I’d be more than happy to accommodate you. I don’t know how many it would hold. Come look.”
And that was how Holden found himself standing with Nic on Lucky’s back patio, along with Enzo and Matt. When Lucky rushed inside to activate the waterfall, the rest of the party relocated to the back patio too, gathering around in a cluster in the area with the outdoor kitchen. They were all standing near the cooking area in thirty-degree weather, checking out a venue for a wedding that was never going to happen.
“No doubt, Faith will have Charity and Ana in the wedding party,” Noelle said. “How many groomsmen do you think you’ll have?”
Groomsmen? He didn’t even know one guy well enough to have a best man. He could have his two helicopter pilots in the wedding party, but that seemed a little weird. They weren’t friends. They were just the people he knew best in town.
“I’m not sure yet,” Holden said. “It depends on how many bridesmaids Faith has, right?”
“You haven’t discussed it yet?” Noelle’s eyebrows arched as she glanced over at Lucky’s girlfriend, Jordan.
Jordan gave her a shrug, then shifted her attention back to Holden. “There’s nothing wrong with a small ceremony.” She gestured toward the waterfall. “This location would be perfect for that, but if you want something big, you probably need to go with the church…or a venue that is made for larger weddings.”
“Or a place that hosts weddings pretty often,” Brianna said. “Really, Misty Mountain doesn’t have anything like that.”
“If you get married outside, you have to consider the weather.” Lucky gestured toward the open sky above them. “We could stretch a tarp across here to keep everyone dry in a pinch.”
“What’s everyone doing out here?” Charity’s voice rang out over the small area, and the entire crowd shifted to face the two of them.
Charity and Faith stood just past the door that led out to the patio. Faith closed it before turning to face all of them.
“Just checking out Lucky’s backyard,” Noelle’s boyfriend Enzo said.
“We’re planning your wedding,” Nic announced.
That earned him a swift jab in the ribs from Noelle, who happened to be standing between him and Enzo. Holden saw it out of the corner of his eye. His full attention was on Faith, and not because she was looking around the scene with an expression of bewilderment. She was positively breathtaking in her knee-length dress and dark lipstick. Her hair fell straight around her face, softening her features without taking away from the sophisticated look.
“We should go back inside,” Lucky said, gesturing toward the door. “We’re all out here without our coats.”
“Besides, we can watch the waterfall from the comfort of the couch,” Jordan said. “That’s the best thing about Lucky’s house.”
Lucky’s house—a house that would belong to Jordan too when she married him. They weren’t engaged yet, but marriage was definitely in their future. He did well for himself, which meant he’d be able to provide for the woman he loved.
