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“You look absolutely gorgeous.”Maureen clasped her hands together and gushed over her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.“Milena, you are truly the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
“You say that to all of the brides,” Milena protested, but Maureen didn’t miss the pink glow on her cheeks.
“Maybe I do.”Maureen laughed.“There’s just something about love that lights a woman up.And you, my dear, are positively radiant.”
She gave the bride one last hug and, along with the other girls, left Milena in her father’s very nervous hands—the poor man looked like he might pass out with the role of giving his daughter away—and they moved into the hallway.
Because it was such a small and private wedding, Cal and Milena had organized it at Mitch’s big house on the lake.The same place Mitch had held his surprise wedding to Jade.It was very romantic, especially with the pine boughs and pops of red holly berries that had been draped on every open surface.
It might be a small wedding, but Cal had spared no expense.
“Speaking of women in love…” Chelsea slipped her arm through Maureen’s.She wiggled her eyebrows and laughed.
“Oh, definitely,” Gwen added as she appeared on Maureen’s other side.“You are glowing, Maureen.”
She didn’t bother trying to deny it.They were right; she was completely, head over heels in love with Adam.
“And don’t worry about the boys.”Jade lifted an eyebrow.“They’ll come around.”
The “boys” she referred to were Mitch and Ian.
Although most of her children and their partners had been very accepting and welcoming of Adam when Maureen surprised them all the day before by returning to Cedar Springs with him after their extended stay at the Merry Falls Inn, Maureen’s oldest two sons had been less thrilled, and they hadn’t done an excellent job hiding it.
“They’re just being protective,” Chelsea added.“Trust me.Once they got overwhoI was, they took their big brother roles very seriously.”
Maureen chuckled.She knew all about when Chelsea had first come to town to stay with Ian and the growing pains they’d had.She also was well aware of how protective her two oldest could be with the women in their lives.
“Well, they better get used to it soon,” Maureen said as they reached the living room, where a few rows of chairs had been set up for the very few people who’d been invited.She scanned the small crowd and found Adam in the second row.“Because he’s not going anywhere.”
“Good.”Gwen squeezed her shoulders.“I love seeing you so happy.”
“We all do,” Jade added.“But we better take our seats.I think it’s supposed to start soon.I’ll get the guys.”
“Let me.”Maureen put her hand on her daughter-in-law’s arm.“I’d like to say a few words to Cal first.”
“Of course.”
The women headed into the living room to take their seats, and Maureen made her way to the kitchen, where the men were huddled around Cal.
She paused in the doorway, taking in the sight of all her sons together.There had been a time when she wouldn’t have been able to imagine all of them like this, here in this place.Now, she couldn’t imagine them being anywhere else.Her heart swelled with love for all of them.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, boys.”
“Mom.”Declan turned around and saw her first.He held out an arm and beckoned her closer.
Happily, Maureen joined her sons in their circle.
“We were just giving Cal some last-minute advice.”Ian chuckled.
“Is that right?Odd, since only one of you has managed to get married so far.”
“Boom!”Cal howled.“She’s right, brothers.Get it together.”
They all laughed, but Maureen knew it was all in fun.All her sons were equally committed to the women in their life.Wedding ceremony or not.
“I do think we should place bets on who’s next,” Mitch said.
Declan let out a low whistle.“My bet’s on Mom.”
