Until Then (Cape Harbor #2) - Heidi McLaughlin Page 0,136

nodded and pulled her daughter into her arms.

“Don’t either of you start crying,” Bonnie warned.

“We won’t, Grandma.”

Linda stood off to the side, dabbing her tears. “My son is one lucky man.”

“We’re the lucky ones,” Brooklyn told her.

“Okay, let’s get this bride down to the beach to marry her groom.” Simone took charge. Someone had to, or the women would’ve stayed in the room and gushed over dresses all day.

One of the valets waited for the bridal party at the end of the staircase. When he saw them coming, he ran off to the back to signal for the music to start. The group walked toward the back and met Brooklyn’s father, David.

“You look . . . Bonnie, help me out.”

Bonnie put her hand on David’s arm and said, “She’s gorgeous, honey.”

“Yes. Yes, she is.”

Bonnie patted her husband’s arm and then followed Linda and Simi out back. As much as Rennie wanted to rush, to get a glimpse of Graham in his navy-blue suit, she waited until the moms were out of sight.

“Come on, Little B, let’s go do our thing.” Rennie took Brystol’s hand and started for the steps. They had practiced going up and down the stairs a few times because Brooklyn and Bowie decided to make their wedding fit their life. At the bottom of the steps, Bowie waited for his daughter, right along with Luke dressed in his own tux. Once she was down, he walked her down the aisle.

Rennie came down the stairs and paused. She took in the scene in front of her. The white chairs, tulle occasionally blowing with the breeze, and the lanterns with their fake candles glowing. Blush-colored roses marked the aisle, and at the end of it, standing next to the groom, was her man.

Soon, we will have our day, she thought as she took each step toward the altar. When she was close enough, Graham winked at her, and she blew him a kiss. Sometimes, he made her feel like a teenager all over again.

The music changed, and everyone stood. It took a moment before Brooklyn came into view, but when she did, Rennie watched Bowie. He dabbed at his eyes and rocked back and forth on his heels. Her eyes went back and forth between him and her best friend and her niece. Everyone was crying.

When the music stopped, the minister stepped forward and spoke. “Who gives this woman to this man?”

Brystol came out from behind Rennie and said, “Luke and I do.”

Everyone laughed, but it made sense, especially to Bowie and Brooklyn.

Brooklyn stood next to Bowie, holding her blush-colored peony bouquet, which she’d had specially made for her wedding. Rennie wanted to catch it at the end of the night, even though she was already engaged—she was in love with the flowers and wanted them for the houseboat. She had visions of fighting all the other single women at the reception for it, which was ridiculous because she could order her own. But that wasn’t the point, at least not to her.

When Brooklyn handed Rennie her bouquet, it dawned on her she might want to pay attention to the ceremony instead of imagining a battle royal later on.

“When I look at you, it’s hard to remember what my life was like a year ago. I was lost, barely surviving, and then you were here, and it was like everything was right in my world. Once I saw you, I knew I wasn’t going to let you go again. You are the absolute best of me, Brooklyn, and you have given me the best gift I could ever ask for in our daughter. I love you both so much.”

Rennie dabbed her eyes. She couldn’t even think about what Graham would say to her when they had their turn. The minister directed Brooklyn to give her vows.

“Bowie, you’ve seen me at my best and loved me at my worst. When I pushed, you pulled. When I asked you to forget about me, you told me memories never went away. You reminded me what love was and showed me how to live. You’ve guided me through heartache and were there when I was adamant I didn’t need anyone. You’re the best dad, both human and dog; the most amazing partner; and the love of my life. I’m so happy you want to continue to make memories with me. I love you.”

“I love you too, Dad,” Brystol yelled out, causing everyone to laugh.

After Brooklyn and Bowie exchanged rings and promised to love each other no matter what, the minister pronounced them husband and wife. “Bowie, you may kiss your bride.” Bowie took Brooklyn in his arms and kissed her. It took ten seconds until everyone started clapping. Rennie handed Brooklyn her bouquet; she and Bowie turned and held their hands up in the air. All their family and friends stood and clapped as they made their way down the aisle. Once they reached the end, Graham and Rennie stepped forward and linked arms.

“What do you think? Still want to go to Vegas?” he asked her.

“Nah, I want a wedding. I want my parents there. Your parents. Grady. Brooklyn and Bowie. I want our friends there to celebrate.”

They came to the end of the aisle, and Graham stopped. He placed his hands on Rennie’s cheeks and kissed her. Judging by the hooting and hollering going on behind them, everyone approved. When they parted, he looked into her eyes.

“A wedding we will have. I don’t care where or when, just as long as I become your husband.” They stood there until Luke barked, reminding them it was time to party.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to everyone in the Beaumont Daily for the everyday encouragement, laughs, and support. The Whale Spout crew—your conspiracy theories about Austin are the best! I can never thank you enough for your support, encouragement, and love for Cape Harbor. You ladies are the OG crew and will always have first dibs at the bar.

To Lauren Plude, I absolutely adore you. Thank you so much for the opportunity to work with you. Many thanks to the amazing team at Montlake, and Holly Ingram, whose red pen makes everything prettier.

To my agent, Marisa, for encouraging all my harebrained ideas.

And finally, to Madison and Kassidy. I love how brilliant, creative, and giving you are. You girls are my reason for everything. I can’t wait to follow the path you blaze in the future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heidi McLaughlin is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Beaumont Series, the Boys of Summer, and the Archers. Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career in 2012 and now has more than twenty novels to her name. The acclaimed Forever My Girl, McLaughlin’s first novel, was adapted into a motion picture by LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe. It opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, McLaughlin now lives in picturesque Vermont with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.