Page 31 of The Wedding Toast (The Hamiltons #10)

The rehearsal was much less formal than Jacob had expected. Then again... He chuckled as he watched Darlene making the rounds, laughing and joking and making sure that everyone was okay.

Why had he expected anything to be formal with her around?

He should have known better. And the thing was, he liked it better this way.

He was standing off to one side, watching everyone mill around and chat.

He took a sip of his Cognac. He didn't know if it was just because Darlene loved the stuff, too, or whether she was just that good at details.

But whenever there were drinks to be had, he always found himself with a glass of Cognac in his hand.

"How are you doing?"

He turned and smiled when he saw Grady standing beside him. "Are you all ready? Nervous or...?"

"Not nervous," said Jacob. "Not nervous in the least. At this point, I'm trying not to be impatient. It seems like it's taken forever to get here, but now that we're here, I want to make sure that I enjoy every moment of this."

"Wise man," said Grady.

"Are you sure you don't want to come and join us tonight?" Jacob asked.

"No, it's all good. Thanks. I appreciate the offer, but I really want to be at home with Hannah and Ava."

Jacob looked around for Ava and relaxed when he saw her sitting on Xander's knee, telling him and Tori some story or other. "Is she nervous about tomorrow?" he asked.

"Not anymore. That mean kid from school got into her head for a little while, but Callie turned it all around."

That made Jacob smile. "Callie seems to be good at that. Elena thinks the world of her. So does Darlene."

Grady nodded. "Yeah, she's good people." He winked at Jacob. "Down-to-earth people seem to be."

"You think I don't know that?" Jacob asked with a smile.

"I'm only messing with you."

"I know. But it's not as though Callie’s all that different.

I mean, she's not the only one who didn't grow up here in the wine world.

There's you. And in case I haven't told you lately, thank you for making my sister so happy, and for bringing Ava into our lives.

And, of course, there's Becca. And Slade, too.

I'd say that our group of friends who’ve become family are now more than just wine people, wouldn't you? "

"I would," said Grady. "But at the same time, while I appreciate you inviting me to stay over with you and the guys tonight, I think it's important that you should be with the people you've known all your life.

You and Xander and Slade and Bentley have all hung out together since you were kids. I think that's important."

Jacob grasped his shoulder. "Thanks, but I don't want you to feel left out."

Grady just chuckled and jerked his chin toward where Smoke was talking to Elliott. "And speaking of people you've known all your life, I was having a chat with him earlier. He's a good guy, isn't he?"

"He is," said Jacob. "And if you don't mind, I'm going to have a word with him."

"Catch you later," said Grady.

~ ~ ~

Smoke had been trying to stay on the quiet edges of the gathering. He was glad to be here for Jacob, at least for the wedding, but he really wasn't sure why he and Laura had been invited to come tonight.

He smiled when he spotted Trick standing under the old oak at the edge of the lawn, near the path that led down to the hangar. Trick caught his gaze and smiled as he approached.

"How's it going?" he asked.

Smoke nodded. "All the better for seeing you. Have you guys had a busy week?"

"Not as busy as it might have been," said Trick. "Most of the guests got themselves to San Francisco, and we've just been running a ferry service from there."

"Is everyone here now?" Smoke asked.

Trick held up a glass of wine with a smile.

"Right," said Smoke. "If you're drinking that. You're not flying tomorrow."

"No. And since we'll be flying again on Sunday, taking people back to the airport, I thought I might as well have a glass tonight since I won't be able to tomorrow."

Smoke smiled. "That's why we're staying until Monday.”

“How are things with you?" Trick asked. "I had a chat with Laura earlier. She's a good woman."

Smoke glanced over to where his wife, Laura, was chatting with Becca and her friend. "She's better than I deserve," he said with a smile.

"No," said Trick. "You deserve the best. And I'm glad you found her after everything."

"Me too," said Smoke. "I was relieved to hear that none of the Groves family will be here tomorrow."

"No one had anything to do with them after what went down."

Smoke shrugged. “It’s all ancient history.”

“I’m glad you see it that way,” said Trick. “I know your folks missed you.”

Smoke smiled. “I missed them too, but it’s all behind us now.”

“I’m glad. Have you seen Gene while you’ve been here?”

“Yeah, he’s doing well. He asked after you.”

“I’ve been meaning to give him a call.”

“I think he’d like that. Although, you’ll be able to catch up with him in person tomorrow.”

“He’s coming? I didn’t realize.”

Smoke nodded. “Seems to me there’ll be a few faces from the old days.”

Trick looked away.

“Have you seen her yet?”

Trick nodded slowly.

“I heard she’s moving back here – taking over the estate. I thought Philip had sold the place, but apparently she got it as part of the divorce settlement.”

Trick blew out a sigh. “So I hear.”

Smoke cocked an eyebrow. “I thought you’d be pleased – thought the two of you might finally…”

Trick took a drink of his wine.

“Sorry, it’s none of my business, is it? Is she ancient history to you?”

Trick met his gaze for a moment before looking away again.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t honestly know.

It was a shock when I saw her name on the passenger list for this week – even more of a shock when I learned that she’s not just here for the wedding.

She’s not visiting; she’s moved back here. ”

“I guess that means you can take your time to figure out how you feel about it all, then, can’t you?”

“I guess.”

Smoke didn’t want to push. He couldn’t imagine how Trick must feel.

He sure as hell didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.

If Smoke had a hero when he was a kid, it would have been Trick.

The guy wasn’t much older than him, but he’d seemed it back then.

He’d helped Smoke when he wanted to learn to fly, helped him get his first job as a flight instructor.

Of course, Gene – the pilot who worked for his family – had encouraged him, but Smoke hadn’t wanted him to stick his neck out since his parents had been far from thrilled with his career choice.

As the oldest son, he’d been expected to step up and run the company.

He tensed a little when he spotted Ria coming toward them. She was another one who’d always been in his corner, but he knew a lot of people found her… difficult. “How do you feel about Alexandria these days?” he asked in a low voice. “If you want out, I can—”

Trick chuckled. “No, it’s all okay. I never had a problem with her. Always respected her.”

"Yeah, me too," said Smoke. "Me too."

"Ria," he greeted her when she reached them.

"Yes, Smoke?" she asked. "What can I do for you?"

"Not a thing. I thought you were—"

She laughed. "Well, you thought wrong. I see you almost every day back at the lake. I can catch up with you anytime." She reached out to touch Trick's arm. "It's you I'd like to talk to."

Trick grinned at him when Ria said, "If you want to make yourself useful, Smoke, you could check on Russ for me, if you like."

Smoke had to laugh as he said, "Yes, ma'am. I know when I'm not wanted."

~ ~ ~

Becca slipped her arm through Alyssa’s. “I feel like I’ve hardly seen you at all.”

Alyssa smiled. “That’s hardly surprising, is it? You’ve got so much going on. Everyone wants a word with you. And of course, there’s your family.” She met Becca’s gaze. “How’s that going?”

Becca glanced over to where Dawn and Dean were sitting by themselves, then looked back at her friend with a shrug. “It’s all okay, I think.” She laughed when she spotted Danny and CJ talking to Xander and Slade. “Those two are enjoying themselves — but then they’d enjoy themselves anywhere.”

Alyssa laughed with her. “I like them. I was having a chat with them earlier. They’re real characters, aren’t they?”

Becca rolled her eyes. “You could say that, yes, but at least they’re fun. But what about you? I bet it’s nice having your dad around, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Alyssa agreed. “I love getting to spend time with him.”

“Are they staying for long?” Becca asked.

“They’re here for the week,” said Alyssa.

“I didn’t know how comfortable Dad would be staying with Madeleine and Cole Hamilton, but he seems to be getting along well with them.

I’ve told Bentley, though, I’m going to ask again if they’ll come and stay at the house with us for at least a few days before they leave.

Ria doesn’t like to impose. She wants us to feel as though it’s our place now.

But what she doesn’t get is that we already do feel that way — and we’d like to have them around a bit more. ”

“Aw. I hope you get to spend some time with him while they’re here.” Becca felt bad for her. Alyssa had only known Russ for a few years. Well, she’d known him until she moved to the States for college, but she’d only found out that he was her dad after her stepdad died.

“I’ll make sure I do,” said Alyssa. “But never mind about me. How about you? Are you excited?”

“I am. And at the same time, I just want it to be here now. All this build-up, all the hard work everyone’s done…

” She let out a short laugh. “Everyone except me, it seems. But now I just want it to be here. I want to stand up in front of all of you and say our vows, and then finally be married. That’s the thing. ”