She put all the confidence she could muster in those two words, praying she’d made the right decision.
Cole slipped the antique ring onto Brooke’s trembling finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” His tongue felt like sandpaper as he repeated the words his uncle spoke. Why did saying the vows make him feel so guilty? Even though they both knew the marriage would be temporary, his objectives were noble. And he intended to keep every promise he made, except for the part about as long as we both shall live. He hadn’t had the guts to suggest his uncle leave that section out of the vows.
Brooke’s voice was so quiet he barely heard her as she mumbled the identical phrase and pushed the white gold ring onto his finger. It felt thick and heavy, and would probably be harder to get used to on his right hand, since he used it so much.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Cole, you may kiss your bride.”
The face she lifted toward him was full of fear, and when he held her arms to pull her closer, he realized she was shaking from head to toe. He forgot his own distress, knowing hers was even worse.
“I won’t leave your side,” he whispered in her ear before he moved his lips to hers. He could only hope she understood his words of encouragement, since the group erupted with whoops and hollers. Though stiff at first, her sweet mouth responded to his tender kiss, stirring something deep in his gut… something he needed to ignore.
The next two hours passed quickly, but he kept his promise. The wedding coordinator had arranged dinner in a private meeting room. Toasts were made, with plenty of laughter. True to their word, his buddies made no mention of the pregnancy, but he suspected Brooke was dying from having kept the secret from her parents.
In a rare, private moment he bent close and asked, “Do you want to tell them about the baby now?”
“Not today.” Her eyes were wide, and he saw her gulp. “Next week.”
Before he thought about what he was doing, he leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Okay. Good plan.”
Rosy spots bloomed on her cheeks. Clearing her throat, she stood up. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. Be right back.”
He felt a tap on his arm and turned to find Mariah sitting beside him, with one eyebrow arched high. “Platonic relationship, huh?”
“Shhhh!” His face burned as he scanned the area, relieved to see that his mother, seated at the adjacent table, didn’t appear to be listening. “Keep your voice down.”
“Don’t worry. Mom’s thoroughly convinced the two of you are madly in love.” She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, one corner of her mouth kicking up. “In fact, so am I.”
“What are you talking about?” he hissed.
“I’m talking about you, acting all sweet and protective, and Brooke, who looks at you like you hung the moon. I want to know what’s really going on here.”
“Nothing is going on.”
“Even Mack thinks it’s more than nothing.”
“Mack? When did you talk to him?”
“We ran into each other out in the hallway. By the way, don’t you think Mack ought to be invited to eat dinner? He’s more than just an employee, after all these years, isn’t he?”
Her cheeks flushed bright red. Why was she so angry about Mack being on duty during the wedding?
“Mack’s not offended,” said Cole, “and there’s no one else I trust with security. This isn’t an easy job.”
Her lips blanched as she squeezed them together. “Back to the subject at hand… I think you feel more for Brooke than you’re admitting. Isn’t it possible you’re falling in love with her? Would that be so bad?”
“Listen,” he said, grinding his molars. “Brooke is doing me a huge favor. She’s really stressed out right now, so yes, I’m being protective. That’s all that’s going on.”
He would never let himself fall in love. He’d be a fool to be that vulnerable. If there was one thing he’d learned in life, it was how to make sure no one could ever hurt him again. Except for his family and a few select friends, he kept everyone at a distance. He might’ve shared more of his personal feelings with Brooke, but only in her role as a counselor.
“Keep telling yourself that.” Mariah chuckled, rising to her feet.
“Mariah…” He used his best big-brother-warning-tone to no effect as she sidled away, still laughing.
Another feminine chuckle sounded behind him. He jerked his head around as Harper slid into Brooke’s chair. With a conspiratorial look, she propped her chin on her hand, resting her elbow on the table.
“Sisters can be such a pain, right?”
“They can be.” Remembering Brooke’s insistence that Harper was in love with him, he scooted his chair back to put a comfortable distance between them. She was an attractive woman, though somewhat lacking when compared to Brooke. Harper projected an air of availability, while Brooke did the opposite. And while he regularly got lost in the depths of Brooke’s deep brown eyes, Harper’s pretty green ones did nothing for him.
“I didn’t hear what she was saying, but it sounded like she knows how to get you riled up.” Harper said.
“She does, and she did,” he admitted. “I love my sister, but she makes me crazy. I guess you and Brooke aren’t like that. She’s never complained about you… at least, not to me.”
“You mean, she hasn’t complained once, in all the time since you met?” Harper gave an exaggerated wink. “How long has it been now? Maybe a week?”
Relaxing, he chuckled. “We talked a lot in a week.”
She lowered her voice. “I’m not trying to give you a hard time. I appreciate what you’re doing for Brooke. She deserves a break after everything she’s been through, and that money will be life-changing for her.”
Her assessment annoyed him. She made it sound like Brooke was a gold-digger.
“She’s saving me even more.”
“Oh, I know. She told me.” Her hand reached out and brushed his arm for the briefest of seconds. “No explanation needed. What I want to talk to you about is your dog.”