Page 38 of Silver Sanctuary (The Silver Springs #3)

Twenty-Three

“ W e don’t have to go anywhere. It’s getting late; I’m sure everyone will just want to go back to their own lives.” Lacy wasn’t sure she had the energy to sit through a big celebration.

“What are you talking about? You got married today! You joined our crazy family! We have to celebrate.” Mae held out her hand to Embrie who smiled as she twirled around in her dress.

“Yes, but we could just go back to our place. I can cook something…”

“You aren’t cooking on your wedding night.” Lily placed her hand on Lacy’s arm. “If you don’t want to go here, though, we can find someplace else. I’ll cancel our party table reservations right now.”

“What’s this about canceling?” Nash’s voice wrapped around her as his hand slid over her hip. The touch was exactly what she needed—it grounded her. Reminded her that she wasn’t alone anymore. She didn’t have to fight on her own; Nash would stand up for her.

“Nothing. I just didn’t want to impose on anyone tonight. But now that I know you guys planned ahead and there are reservations to get to, we should go in.”

“Then let’s go, wife .”

A shiver rolled through her at his use of her new title. But as they stepped into Davney’s, the shivers didn’t stop.

“Are you cold?” Nash whispered.

“No,” she squeaked out, praying her nerves would settle. Why was it so hard to walk into that place? She wasn’t there to work, she was there as a patron. All of Nash’s friends enjoyed eating there, so she could too.

“Hey, guys. Wow, everyone looks awfully dressed up. What are we celebrating today?” Rudy asked the second his eyes landed on the group.

Everyone turned to Nash. “We got married.”

Rudy’s eyes went wide, and Lacy wanted to fold in on herself.

“Since the one on your right seems a little young to be getting hitched, I’m taking it your blushing bride is that one ?”

Nash stiffened beside her. “You mean, was I lucky enough to marry the most beautiful woman in this room? Yeah. Lacy Caldwell has such a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

She nodded, smiling, as Rudy shrank back.

“Well, the first round of drinks are on me to celebrate. But just a Shirley Temple for the pipsqueaks.”

Laughter and cheers erupted at the announcement, but Lacy couldn’t settle her nerves. She watched as her husband tracked Rudy’s retreat, her body finally sagging in relief when he made it back to the bar.

“I want to know what that was about, Lace,” Nash whispered into her ear as he pulled out her chair at their table. “What’s going on? Do you not want to be here? Is this too much?”

“Sorry. Just a memory from when I was a kid, that’s all.” She shook her head, peering around Gage to check on Embrie. She was busy chatting up a storm with Seb and Emma’s daughter, Addie.

Lacy could do this. It clearly meant a lot to Nash, and Embrie hadn’t smiled so much in such a long time. “I’m great, just tired. I think all the adrenaline from getting married and meeting with the lawyers is crashing out of my system.”

“That means it’s definitely time for some champagne!” Emma giggled.

“Hand over Sage—you’re hogging her today, and Uncle Hawk isn’t having it!” Hawk reached over to take Sage from Gunner.

“It’s not hogging when she’s my kid.”

“Yeah, well I haven’t seen her in a few days because you’ve been running my ass into the ground with getting shit ready at The Trident for this week. It’s the least you can do to say thank you.”

“You know you have to put ten dollars in the swear jaw now for that adorable rant, don’t you?” Lily smirked.

“Worth it if your grumpy husband actually hands her over.”

“Fine,” Gunner grunted. “But you know the second you take her, she’s just going to slide down and run for the jukebox.”

“And Uncle Hawk will run after her. Chill.”

“Do I get to call you ‘Uncle’ now too?” Embrie asked, her bright eyes focused on Hawk.

He paused for only a second before his face melted into a dopey smile. “Hell yeah you do, Emmy girl! I’ve got another niece!”

“That’s another ten for the swear jar,” Lily mumbled.

“If my straw-for-brains brother gets to be called Uncle Hawk, then I better get to be Auntie Mae!”

“Oh, Aunt Sloane has a nice ring to it!”

“And Aunt Lily. ”

“Uncle Stone.”

“Nah, Uncle Gun is the best.”

“I think what they’re trying to say, Cheese, is that, yes . They are your aunts and uncles now, and they’d love for you to call them that.” Nash’s whole face lit up and Lacy found herself smiling too.

Embrie giggled as she ducked her head behind her menu, clearly overwhelmed by all the attention.

Ten minutes later, their table was louder and filled with more laughter than ever. Sage had run right to the jukebox, just like Gunner predicted, but she was now back safe in Lily’s arm, chomping her little heart out on a breadstick.

Lacy didn’t recognize the server who came to take their orders, but he smiled brightly at her and waited patiently as she finished looking at the menu.

“I’ll have the Cobb salad with grilled chicken and the avocado lime dressing. It doesn’t have any sesame or peanut products used in it, does it? I’m allergic.”

“No, ma’am. I’ll double check with the chef, but that should be fine for you to eat.”

“Okay, that will be perfect then. Thank you.”

Lacy handed the menu back and folded her hands in her lap. Luckily the group was happy to carry the conversation, so she let her mind wander, resting for a few minutes before she felt Nash wrap his hand around her thigh.

“This is so nice. Our friends are actually letting us be a part of their wedding day,” Hawk jabbed at Gunner and Lily.

“Hawk—”

Oh, Gunner was definitely about to lay into him.

“It’s okay, handsome.” Lily smiled and turned back to Hawk.

“How many times do I have to apologize for being a million months pregnant and needing Gunner’s help?

You know we couldn’t wait. We had to be married for him to go on Sage’s birth certificate.

And I had all those complications afterwards.

If we weren’t married and I didn’t have the insurance Seb has for all of you, I would be drowning in medical debt. I mean, is that what you want for me?”

The color drained from Hawk’s face. “Lily, no. Never, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean?—”

Lily’s laughter washed over the table and Hawk sat frozen.

“Serves you right to have to apologize to me. Quit trying to make Gunner feel bad for stepping up and being the most incredible husband and father. It’s going to come back and bite you in the butt one of these days.”

“Damn, Lily.” Hawk held his hand over his heart. “Christ, I thought you were really upset with me.”

“You’re an idiot,” Mae groaned.

“Besides.” Gunner took Sage from Lily’s arms and situated her on his lap. “Lil and I have been talking about doing a little ceremony here. We actually found some land that would be perfect.”

“Land?” Sebastian smiled. “To get married on? Or to build a house on?”

“To get married on, and then to raise our family on.”

“Oh my GOD!” Emma squealed. “Oh, you guys. That is so exciting!”

“We had an offer accepted last week. It’s going to be a while before we get a house up, so don’t go thinking about moving into our apartment or anything, Mae.”

“Girl, what?! Like I’d be able to walk in there and not cry my eyes out over missing you! Where is this land? Please tell me it’s not far!”

“No, it’s not far…” Lily stood up and walked around the table until she was closest to Emma and Lacy as Sloane and Mae made their way over too.

Her cell phone was out as she scrolled through a bunch of pictures.

“It’s just outside Silver Springs proper.

We love it so much. Look at this field! I’m hoping Gunner will let me plant a big garden right th ere. ”

They spent the next few minutes looking at the pictures, the girls all giving their opinions about what features needed to go in the house and giggling over all the projects Lily already had lined up for her husband.

The server came back right as the women all took their seats again, the chatter dying down as everyone dug into their meals.

Nash had gotten a steak that looked absolutely divine.

He must have seen her sideways glances because as soon as he had the first slice cut and on his fork, he raised it to her lips.

“What do you think, wife? How is it?”

Lacy opened her mouth and tenderly removed the steak from his fork, acutely aware of their friends watching the exchange.

She chewed for a second, the flavor dancing across her taste buds and the peppery seasoning igniting something deep in her belly.

Of course, that could also be from the way Nash was currently looking at her.

Like he wanted to devour her instead of his own meal.

“Delicious, husband.” Her whispered response set off fire in his eyes. He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers, his tongue licking along the seam. Then he pulled back, humming in agreement.

Someone cleared their throat, and the women all laughed.

“Careful, you two.” Stone grinned. “You’ll have a kid on the way before you even get a chance to book a honeymoon.”

Lacy stabbed her fork into her salad and shoved far too many leafy greens in her mouth to try and drown out her embarrassment.

The conversation quickly turned away from them, thanks to Gage and Sloane talking about a trip they were planning to take in a few weeks.

Lacy tried to focus on what they were saying, but her ears were starting to buzz, and an unfamiliar itch had her clearing her throat in an effort to stop it.

But it wasn’t working. She set her fork down, taking a shaky inventory of her body.

It was odd—nothing tasted off about her salad.

Lacy’s eyes dropped, inspecting the dish in front of her.

It looked just like a regular Cobb salad, but her tongue began to tingle all the same. She didn’t want to believe it…