Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
There wasn’t a dry eye in that garden. Even Ava dabbed at her lashes, and when she looked at Ransom, she swore she saw a glimmer of moisture in his gaze too.
Then the minister declared them husband and wife. “You may kiss the bride.”
There were all sorts of kisses—she’d seen enough chick flicks to know—but Gideon and Rosie’s kiss was one of the most beautiful. Cupping Rosie’s face in his big hands, Gideon tipped her face up to his, tasting her lips as if she were a precious elixir. As if he would never let her go.
And Ava knew he wouldn’t.
Everyone rose to their feet then, and the smiling couple, hands joined, walked together down the aisle to hoots and hollers and cheers and laughter and love. Ari and Matt followed, hands clasped, eyes only for each other. Grinning, rolling their eyes at all the mushy stuff, the boys followed.
When Ava turned to see the two couples reach the end of the aisle, she found Ransom right there. Instead of watching the bride and groom, he was looking at her, and something in his gaze dragged her in.
The urge to go up on tiptoe and press her lips to his was almost too powerful to resist. But resist she must, because that way lay epic disaster.
She pushed him into the aisle. “You’d better go. You’re on now.”
Before the crowd pulled him away toward the bride and groom, he mouthed, I’ll catch you later.
His words seemed dangerously prophetic.
Chapter Fourteen
Ransom watched Ava flit from group to group, saying hello to anyone she’d missed during the pre-ceremony cocktail hour. The eye-popping burgundy gown she wore clung to every mouthwatering curve, the color complementing her dark-cherry hair.
He wanted to trail after her like a panting puppy. But of course that wouldn’t do with all the Mavericks and Harringtons looking on.
The rolling bar cart was out again, along with another offering of canapés, though nothing in excess. He wanted his guests to enjoy the meal without being overly full. A mistake many caterers made when preparing for a sit-down meal was to provide too many appetizers, which took away from the pleasure of the meal creations.
Clay Harrington waved him over. He’d never known the man to have a full-time girlfriend, and his dates never seemed to say much, but Clay’s choice for this event was certainly eye candy.
Sebastian Montgomery, who’d been speaking with Clay, stuck out his hand as soon as Ransom joined the small group. “We heard you’d stepped in at the last minute to take over the catering. Fantastic job, Ransom. Thanks so much for saving the family’s butt.”
That was Maverick thinking—that he’d saved the family unit. They were so close-knit that if you did a favor for one, you did it for them all. “It was my pleasure. Anything to help out a Maverick. And Gideon and Rosie deserve the best.” The couple were off now for the obligatory photos.
“Speaking of the best,” Charlie, Sebastian’s gorgeous redheaded fiancée, raised a champagne flute. “This champagne is the most delicious I’ve ever tasted.”
“Yeah,” Sebastian agreed. “It’s excellent. I was never a champagne fan until I tasted the good stuff.” And the man had plenty of opportunities to taste the very best.
Charlie said with a cheeky smile, “Talk about champagne problems. I used to drink champagne that wasn’t even from Champagne.”
Sebastian laughed, lifting her hand to his lips. “I’ll always give you the real thing.” Then he, too, raised his glass. “This is better than just about anything I’ve had.”
Ransom simply said, “I’m glad you like it.”
Gideon and Rosie had been on a budget, but when he saw the bubbly they’d chosen, he knew it wouldn’t cut it. He’d thought about Dom Perignon, but he’d come across a champagne on his last trip to France that he thought would be perfect, though he’d never tell Gideon or Rosie it was four hundred dollars a bottle. It just wasn’t in him to cut corners for this special wedding. He needed the libations to complement the flavors of the creations he’d designed.
“A perfect choice,” Sebastian said.
Ransom wondered if the man knew that it couldn’t possibly be within budget. Gideon was a good man, and he was going places, but he wasn’t yet at the level where he could afford the best of everything. Ransom was well aware that the Mavericks would never force their help on him, not wanting to one-up him on his special day with Rosie.
But Ransom could still provide the bride and groom with the best champagne without their even being aware of it.
Clay introduced his date, then added, “Charlie, I haven’t had a chance to say that your work is absolutely amazing.”
Charlie Ballard was a metal artist, having made the sculpture that adorned Sebastian’s headquarters up in the city.
“Thank you so much,” Charlie said, her face aglow.