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Autumn shook her head. “This weekend is all about you and Kelby. No sad, depressing talk allowed.”

Summer came and slipped her arm around her twin. “Agreed. Let’s get West something to drink.” She led Autumn away.

Kelby joined him, and he gave her a sweet kiss. “Hey. Everything going okay?”

“I went in the kitchen once. Chef shooed me out. But it smelled marvelous.”

His mother came over. “We’re eating outside. I hope that’s okay. The weather is just too nice not to do so. And Chef Marceau brought a long table and chairs. One of his people just finished setting out all the china and glassware. They brought flowers, too.”

“Let’s go see,” Kelby urged.

They stepped outside, and he saw a long table dressed with white linen. Several low floral arrangements were scattered down it. Kelby took a few pictures.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “I’m glad you asked Chef to prepare the rehearsal dinner. That was thoughtful of you.” She grinned. “And he’ll probably stay a customer of mine for life now.”

“I’ll make sure he gets some tickets to a game next season.”

“He’d like that,” she agreed.

Chef Marceau came out and said, “Everything is ready. Have your guests take a seat, and we will pour the wine and begin serving.”

“The table looks terrific, Chef,” West said. “I’m eager to dine on more of your food.”

“I hope you will be happy with what we have prepared for you.”

“I know everyone will love it,” he guaranteed.

Once everyone was seated outside, wine was poured by the sous chefs.

West, who sat at the head of the table, tapped a spoon against his glass to gain everyone’s attention.

“I want to say thank you for coming tonight and to tomorrow’s wedding. I know some of you came from a long way and had to juggle things to be here. Kelby and I appreciate you doing so. We wanted this special time in our lives to be a quiet, intimate affair, celebrating with those we love the most.

He looked at Kelby, wanting to acknowledge her dad. “And thinking of those who aren’t with us anymore. Big Jim’s presence is definitely missed.” West paused. “Thanks for being so special to the both of us.” He glanced over. “Chef, any words about tonight’s meal?”

Marceau came closer to the table. “Good evening. I am Chef Marceau, a big fan of West’s and a client of Kelby’s.

My sous chefs and I are delighted to have prepared tonight’s rehearsal dinner for you.

We shall start with a classic French onion soup and crusty bread, followed by rabbit with mustard sauce and bacon, a duck cassoulet, and steak au poivre.

For dessert, we shall serve both apple tarte tatin and crème br?lée. Bon appétit!”

He reached for Kelby’s hand. “Hope you like the menu. I gave Chef the freedom to prepare whatever he wanted.”

“I think he could make a paper bag taste appetizing. Thanks for thinking about using him. I’m surprised he came all this way, especially on a Friday night.”

His mom, who sat on West’s left, said, “They were in the kitchen all day. I crept in a few times, just to inhale how wonderful everything smelled.”

Though the fare was simple, it turned out to be one of the best meals West had ever eaten.

He was only able to take a few bites of his dessert because he was so full from everything else.

As everyone lingered over coffee, he made his way back into the house to talk to the bistro owner and his small staff.

“I wanted to thank you again for such a special meal. I know you came a long way to prepare it, and everyone enjoyed it so much. Can I give you my credit card number now so you can bill me?”

“There will be no charge,” Marceau declared. “This meal is my wedding gift to you and the beautiful Kelby.”

“No, we can’t accept something so lavish from you, Chef.”

Marceau’s thick brows rose. “You will do as Chef says and graciously receive this gift I give to you. And perhaps come and celebrate your first anniversary at Bistro Beauvais.”

“You are very generous, my friend. We would be happy to do so. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing one another many times over the years.”

West had everyone move inside so that the crew of three could clear the table and pack up for their trip back to Dallas. Kelby also went to thank Chef after West shared the meal had been a wedding gift.

With the group, he talked about what his hectic week had been like, including a couple of visits to see Coach Markham at the hospital.

“He’s actually looking pretty darn good for a man who almost bit the bullet. I know he wants the stress of coaching off his plate, but he’ll be a good resource to me. He also left everything is such good working order, I’d have to be an idiot to screw things up.”

“Will you have time for a honeymoon?” asked Summer, ever the romantic.

“I’m tied up through the end of the school year,” West said. “Fortunately, I’ll have the first two weeks in June free for us to take a honeymoon.”

“Where are you going?” Darby asked.

“We haven’t decided,” Kelby said. “We’ve both been so busy with work. Thankfully, Tammy and Meg have planned the wedding for us.”

“I advise going to a beach somewhere and taking it easy,” Chance said. “Maybe an island in the Caribbean. Or Hawaii.”

“Says the man who’s never been to a beach other than Galveston,” Kelby quipped, elbowing her brother in the ribs.

“Just go somewhere,” Autumn said. “I never got a honeymoon. You need that time to yourself so you can start making memories.”

Chance said he was ready to call it a night, mentioning he usually got up at four every morning. Darby, who was staying at the ranch, also said she was ready to leave, along with Sawyer and Tammy. His parents said goodnight and went upstairs to bed.

Kelby kissed West goodbye. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the ranch, Sutherland.”

He walked her to her car, leaning in for a longer, better kiss. “I can’t wait for you to become Kelby Sutherland, Blackstone.”

Her fingers grazed his cheek. “I’m eager for that myself.”

He opened the car door for her, waving as she drove away. Then he went into the house again, knowing his sisters would want to talk about Kelby.

“We really are pleased that you’re getting married, West,” Autumn said.

“And that it’s Kelby,” Summer added. “We’re really happy about that.”

“What, you didn’t want me marrying some famous model or singer or actress who’s in all the supermarket tabloids?”

“You upped your game when you pursued Kelby,” Summer declared. “Autumn and I think you are perfect together.”

“I think so, too,” he said. “I never could see myself getting married. Not until Kelby came back into my life. This is a second chance for us both, and I intend to make the most of it.”

They talked another half-hour, Summer an open book as she spoke about work and her life in New York, Autumn closed off, not mentioning her soon-to-be former husband or anything about nursing.

“We better call it a day,” he told the twins, yawning. “You’ve both traveled to be here. I’m like Chance and have been up since before the crack of dawn.”

West kissed each sister goodnight and returned home. As he climbed into bed, he thought of Kelby being in it this time tomorrow night as Mrs. West Sutherland.

He couldn’t wait to slip his ring on her finger and start their forevermore.