Twist of Fate (Taking Chances #2) - Tia Louise Page 0,89
her little knight figure in my other pocket, because that’s who I am, she said.
“Do you, Daisy Kate Sales, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.” Her voice is soft, so serious, and I’m ready to kiss her.
Kind of like every day.
The minister pronounces us husband and wife, tells me to kiss my bride, and I do just that as the small group of friends and family bursts into applause. The ocean breeze rises around us, and our daughter wraps her arms around our legs and buries her face between us.
“Come here, princess.” Breaking away, I scoop her up. She pulls the football from my pocket, creating the perfect photo op and making everyone laugh.
Our reception is steps away at the largest hotel on Oceanside Beach, where a live band plays standards for the first few hours, long enough to allow the older guests to hang out and visit. It quickly shifts to party music interspersed with Olivia Newton-John, of course… and I couldn’t leave off “Red, Red Wine.”
“You are so dead.” Daisy cuts her eyes at me as I lead her to the dance floor grinning.
“You make me feel so fine.”
Melody is dancing on the feet of her cousin Jesse, who’s trying to take my place as her favorite guy. They’ve been inseparable since they met. He’s teaching her to play football and looking out for her when I’m not around.
“Maybe they’ll be the next dynamic duo.” My older brother meets me on the side of the dance floor.
“They are a lot like we were.”
“He wants to know if Sunny can play football when she’s bigger.” He shifts his six-month-old daughter on his shoulder, and I step around to catch her big blue eyes watching everything.
Blonde hair covers her little head like a halo, and she looks so much like Hope—who skips up to us.
“Hey!” She smiles that cheerful, Hope Eternal smile as she tries to take the baby from him.
My brother lifts an elbow. “What are you doing?”
“I thought you might be tired of holding her.”
“I’m not.”
Hope holds up both hands, raising her eyebrows. “Sor-ry!”
That makes me laugh. “If anybody can keep him in line…”
She gives me a hug. “Gorgeous wedding, and that flower sculpture? I could die. I have to have one for the grand opening of Pancake Paradise!”
“Whenever that happens,” I tease her.
“It’s his fault.” She elbows J.R. “I was all set to go last year, and he got me pregnant.”
My brother doesn’t look at all sorry, and I don’t blame him. Sunny is a beautiful baby girl. “We’re going to need an RV for our next road trip if we keep having kids.”
“We’re just so good at it.” Hope wrinkles her nose, then her expression turns serious. “Have you spoken to your dad?”
J.R. makes a noise, to which I concur. “No.”
“Just try. I think he wants to do better. The motivation is inside him.”
“It’s what he’s inside that’s the problem.” Evil Becky.
Hope leans close and whispers, “She’s the worst.”
I kind of love that she never wants to say bad things about my brother’s ex-wife in front of him or Jesse. It’s so Hope.
“Scout!” Lorraine’s voice is louder than the band. “Gorgeous wedding, doll. Thanks for the invite. We need to talk!”
She’s in a mauve suit-dress, and her nails are two-inch scarlet claws. Her bedazzled glasses have slid down her nose, and I’m pretty sure my agent never stops working.
“What’s up?” I put my hand on her back and step away from the infant.
“Cameron Scott has a new pirate movie filming in Charleston, and he wants you in it.” Her foot-long cigarette holder has an unlit cigarette on the tip.
“How much lead time have I got?”
“Two weeks. I’ve been chatting with the casting director for this region. You’re on her list. You’ll get a call for whatever comes to town. I got it in writing.”
“That sounds like above and beyond, Lor!”
“Only the best for my favorite client. The casting guys love you.”
I give her a hug. “Well, I love you.”
“Agh, I’m old! You know I can’t handle such affection.” She pats my cheek. “I’ll call you.”
Daisy is with Sly and Coco’s mom Emberly by the cake table. Emberly made all our cakes, and she’s here with Chad and his wife Tabby.
Coco is now on the floor dancing with Jesse and Melody, and I wonder if they’ll grow up together as friends like we all did. I’m contemplating the prospect when my dad walks up, Becky on his arm.