Page 23 of Island Guardian (Brookwell Island #7)
Chapter Fifteen
Later that afternoon, dressed for the sunset wedding ceremony, Trina and Rhett met Ilsa and Max downstairs, where a courtesy car waited to take them to the marina. After a quick round of hugs, Ilsa assured her the special details, including rings and flowers, were already in the trunk of the sedan.
Trina had deliberately chosen for them to ride together. She hadn’t wanted to get caught up in any bridal jitters or superstitions by taking separate cars or trying to avoid Rhett seeing her in the dress until the last possible moment.
This wedding was real in some important ways. And it was still a charade in many others. Legally, no one could argue the validity of the marriage—and that was her first priority.
“The photographer will meet us there,” Ilsa explained from the front seat as Max drove. “It will be a short cruise and then we’ll come back here for the party. Nothing too big, I promise. If either of you need anything tonight, just let me know.”
Rhett’s hand rested on the seat between them. “Thanks for pulling this together at the last minute. Thanks to both of you.”
“Yes,” Trina chimed in. “We appreciate everything you’re doing for us.
” She laced her fingers through his, pleased with herself for making such quick strides on the affection scale.
Sometimes she reached for him before she realized what was happening.
It was a lovely experience the way he accepted her touches.
He didn’t fuss or resist or act as if she was coming on too strongly.
It helped tremendously that his first reaction to her in this dress was fresh in her mind.
When she’d stepped out of the bedroom, ready to go, his jaw had dropped.
For a moment, he’d been speechless—in a good way.
The best way. She planned to pull out that memory whenever she needed a boost of confidence.
There in that space halfway between the living room and the bedroom, she’d done a happy spin for him—letting the skirt twirl—and caught the flare of heat in his gaze.
She couldn’t recall anyone looking at her the way he had in that moment. His blue eyes had blazed with desire. “You look gorgeous,” he’d said, his voice rough around the edges.
Gorgeous .
Rhett Ellington had told her she was gorgeous on their wedding day.
Was there anything better?
She pulled the moment close and wrapped it around her heart. It would be a true highlight of this entire experience. But then she started to worry because she found herself completely smitten with him. It was rooted in his kindness, warmth, and steadiness.
He was always pulled together, but tonight was different, for so many reasons.
Impeccably dressed, his crisp white shirt was open at the collar and topped with a vest in a blue that matched his eyes.
His dark, nearly-black slacks and deck shoes completed the look.
He might’ve stepped right out of a bridal magazine.
She couldn’t remember what she’d said to him, only that he’d smiled, and her heart started spinning happy pirouettes.
Everything about tonight felt surreal. To prevent a giddy meltdown, she was pretending they were just headed out to a fancy dinner with friends. It worked. Mostly. Right up to the point when the captain welcomed them aboard the sailboat.
Ilsa and Max carried a tote and the boxes of flowers, and as soon as the photographer arrived, they were underway.
Once Ilsa added a floral headband to Trina’s hair and a boutonniere to Rhett’s vest, the photographer started taking candid shots. Trina sat next to Ilsa on one side of the catamaran as they cruised away from the harbor.
“Excited?” Ilsa asked.
“Yes,” Trina replied. She was thrilled to be marrying Rhett, even if it was destined to be a short-term arrangement.
“You both look fabulous.” Ilsa handed her a bottle of sparkling water. “And so happy.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. “We did more sightseeing today.”
He’d truly gifted her with a wonderful day, she realized.
Through their conversations and reconnecting, she was delighted with how much they had in common beyond their work.
The very normal relationship discovery warmed her from head to toe.
If she’d been normal, if this situation had been normal, she would be eager for their next date.
Ilsa glanced out at the horizon. “Your pictures are going to be amazing.”
“Thanks to you,” Trina said. “You nailed all of this from style to color. I owe you big time.” Although it couldn’t possibly be difficult to style Rhett in anything.
“It’s a pleasure.” Ilsa chuckled. “I’ve never seen Rhett grin quite so much,” she said. “I’m thrilled for both of you. ”
“You’ve made this so easy. I appreciate that more than words can say.”
“Are you kidding? I live for this. The reception is going to be a blast, I promise. The two of you only need to enjoy yourselves, the moment, and the memories you’re making together. Day one of forever, right?”
Trina gulped the water and changed the subject. “How is Annie?”
Ilsa tapped an app on her phone screen. “There she is. Already napping.” She tilted the phone so Trina could see.
The dog was curled up in a deep fluffy bed.
“She makes me feel guilty whenever we leave her behind, but we have cameras now that prove she settles almost the minute we’re out of her sight. ”
“Such a sweetheart.” Trina listened, though her gaze kept slipping to Rhett.
The wind ruffled his hair, making her fingers itch to do the same thing.
Maybe she should chalk up the unusual reaction to the equally bizarre situation.
Her persistent urge to touch him flummoxed her.
For so many years, she’d only allowed herself to have these tingly feelings for handsome celebrities who were well out of reach.
No one who might actually call her out for shying away from a physical connection.
With her parents sending “good boys from Italy” to meet Trina, Harper hadn’t been shy about pinning down Trina’s ideal man. Though she didn’t want to ruin her friend’s fun, the answer had been simple: men she would never meet in person.
Now Trina had to adjust the definition to one specific man: Rhett.
The four of them sipped sparkling water and chatted companionably until the captain and photographer agreed they were in precisely the right position.
With the sun sinking low and painting the sky with swaths of pink, gold, and indigo, Trina’s stomach filled with butterflies.
Holding a bouquet of blue hydrangeas and white roses, she exchanged vows with Rhett in a ceremony that went by in a blink.
When it was time for her to say “I do”, she almost giggled, recalling their earlier conversation at the Hemingway House.
To her surprise, the moment felt utterly perfect. Nothing awkward or insincere. The joy in her heart was bright and real. There was only happiness in his gaze as he held her hands and smiled back at her.
The ceremony didn’t just feel real, it was real. And a good thing too. This was most likely the only wedding she would have. Gratitude filled her up that he hadn’t allowed her to settle for a brief few minutes at the courthouse.
When they kissed for the first time as husband and wife, she was so glad they had practiced last night. She didn’t stiffen up. She didn’t get scared or lean away from him. She let his lips brush hers and she kissed him back as the tenderness flooded through her.
Eventually, she heard Ilsa and Max cheering.
The photographer staged them for several formal pictures at the railing, near the wheel, and in front of the incredible sunset.
By design, their bodies were close together and by some magic that only Rhett possessed, she wasn’t cringing inside.
She was remarkably relaxed and content. Probably the happiest woman in the world.
Her heart overflowed with hope and affection.
Rhett had done more than step up to do her a favor, he’d truly given her an experience she could treasure.
Possibly an experience she could build on. Eventually.
The crew served prosecco and refreshments as the catamaran glided over the water and back to the marina. The photographer directed them together for a few more casual photos and Trina leaned close. “Thank you for going above and beyond for me. ”
He ignored the photographer’s direction and touched his forehead to hers for just a moment. “Always. It’s an honor and a pleasure, Trina.”
She basked in those words, a little overwhelmed by the warm intensity gleaming in his eyes, until Ilsa surprised them with tiny wedding cake petit fours—a perfect bite for each of them.
“Open up,” Rhett held the treat to her lips.
It was the most natural thing in the world to take the cake from his fingertips and feed him a bite in kind. She was married to Rhett Ellington. She kept glancing down at the wedding band, a perfect fit under her opal ring and the matching band on his hand.
She couldn’t stop smiling.
Since her parents set all this nonsense in motion, Trina had dreaded marriage. Of all the feelings she anticipated on her wedding day, effervescent joy hadn’t been one of them. No, she’d been braced for crippling anxiety when the day was finally forced upon her.
But that was back when she’d been resigned to tying the knot with a groom chosen by her parents.
Max drove them back to the Cove and Trina practically floated into the reception party Ilsa had arranged. The ballroom was decorated to perfection with more hydrangeas and roses, soft lighting, a dance floor, open bar, buffets filled with savory and sweet goodies, and too many guests to count.
They kissed again in front of everyone when the DJ announced them, and then mingled, never wandering too far apart. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve thought Rhett was truly in love each time she caught him watching her. She hoped she was radiating the same sort of affection toward him.