Page 12 of Wedding Whitney (Alaska Blizzard #4.5)

Whitney

It’s been a shitty day, and despite the sweet voicemail from Jake telling me he loves me and the wonderful news about the genetic testing, I can’t help but feel underwhelmed about tonight’s dinner.

This week is supposed to be exciting, romantic, wonderful—all the things leading up to my wedding—but instead, I can’t get my fiancé to talk about what’s bothering him, I don’t understand why my family is making everything so damn complicated, and I barely have any time to spend with my girlfriends.

My mother told me not to listen to anyone or anything except the people I love and the advice that fits, but it’s hard to drown out so much background noise.

Everyone has something to say this week, whether it’s my brother being an ass to Jake, my grandmother trying to play peacemaker, or a plethora of friends telling me to cancel the wedding and elope.

While I’d love to do that, it just isn’t feasible—most of our friends and family from all over the world have already made travel arrangements and flown in.

It’s too late to change anything at this point, so I have to go with the flow. I shower, put on the new dress and heels I bought today, and do my makeup. My hair has grown out over the last year, and for the first time since high school, it’s past my shoulders.

I like it, but it takes longer to dry and curl, and I’ve been contemplating cutting it again. Jake said he loves it long, though, and I promised not to cut it until after the wedding. I think about it again as I stare in the mirror, but a knock on the door interrupts me.

“Babe?”

I hurry to open it, my eyes meeting Jake’s in surprise. “You’re home.”

“Yeah, I knocked on your door earlier, but you didn’t answer. Then I got ambushed by your father and brother.”

I frown. “I must have been in the shower, but what happened?”

“Oh, the usual.” He smiles. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’m going to have a little fun with your family tonight.”

“Okay.” I pause, though, biting my lip. “Is everything okay with us? You disappeared this morning and didn’t answer when I called.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear the phone ring or I was in the shower. I don’t know why I didn’t realize you called until a little while ago. But yes, everything is fine. More than fine. I love you.”

“I love you too.” I watch his face intently, expecting some kind of bombshell, but he merely slides an arm around my waist.

“Shall we go down to say hello to everyone?”

“Sure.”

I’m not sure what caused yet another shift in his attitude, but I like this Jake much better than the one from the last few days. This Jake is the man I love, my fiancé, and I’m so glad he’s back. I’m curious why he asked me to trust him, but I know well enough that I’ll find out soon enough.

We walk into the formal dining room hand in hand, and Gran looks up from where she’s sitting with a smile.

Delilah is on her right, and Brett’s wife, Taira, is on her left.

Gran always sits at the head of the table, and usually, Dad and Brett flank her, but tonight she’s opted to have the women in the family in those places.

She’s also put Jake at the head of the table on the other end, with me on his right and Aaron—who’s been invited despite not being family—on his left. As the best man, he’s an honorary family member.

Some random cousins and great-grandchildren fill in the rest of the spots, and I realize that while I know who everyone is, I barely have a relationship with any of them. I also notice that my father and brother are missing and look around as I lean down to kiss my grandmother’s cheek.

“Where’s your father?” Gran whispers to me.

“I have no idea.”

Gran gazes up at Jake suspiciously. “Did you kill my son and grandson, Mr. Carruthers?”

Jake laughs. “No, ma’am. I’ve wanted to more than once the last few days, but I truly don’t want to spend my honeymoon in jail.”

“There they are.” I motion with my head to where my father and brother are walking in.

“Shall we get started?” Gran asks.

“I suppose we should.” I pause. “Are you going to make some kind of announcement?”

“Of course.” Gran smiles and gets to her feet, lightly clinking her spoon on a glass to get everyone’s attention.

“What did you do?” I whisper in Jake’s ear as we walk around to our seats. “You’re up to something.”

“I didn’t do anything. Your father and brother, on the other hand…” He shrugs. “Well, you’ll see. I told you I was going to have a little fun tonight.”

“Jake?”

“You said you trust me, right?” His eyes meet mine.

“Always.”

“Then don’t worry.” He takes a sip of water and starts talking to Aaron.

Gran hired help for tonight, and several waiters start bringing out bottles of wine and champagne.

I keep one hand on Jake’s thigh, watching the tension in the room grow exponentially with each passing minute.

Despite my trust in him, I feel the need to touch him and keep him by my side because my gut is screaming that something big is going to happen tonight.

“Welcome, dear family and Aaron.” Grand smiles at the handsome blond goalie sitting next to Jake and walks slowly across the room to stand between Jake and me.

“I thought tonight would be a nice, casual setting for family to spend a little time together since Whitney and Jake are so far away in Anchorage most of the year. I also wanted to use this evening’s private gathering to give them their wedding gift since it would be a bit ostentatious to do it in front of strangers. ”

“Jesus Christ, Mom, does everything have to be an ordeal?” Canyon mutters.

She fixes him with an icy stare. “If I want it to be, yes, it does.”

He sighs, leaning back in his chair. “Fine.”

“Great-grandma, may I have a sip of wine?” Brett and Taira’s six-year-old daughter, Sierra pipes up.

“Shush,” Taira says to her.

Gran just smiles, though. “You may not. However, Hildie will bring you the special sparkling juice I keep for you.”

“Yay!” Sierra bounces happily in her seat.

“What’s the gift, Mom?” Canyon is clearly uncomfortable.

“I’m leaving all my stock in the company to Whitney and Jake, equally.”

“What?!” Canyon roars to his feet. “You can’t do that!”

“It’s already done, son.” She levels a gaze at him, then turns to Jake and me with a smile. “So, let’s all toast to the future of Raven Cosmetics.”

Everyone raises their glasses except Brett and Canyon, who glare at Jake.

“This is bullshit,” Brett growls.

“Please watch your language in front of the children.”

“Bullshit!” Brett’s four-year-old son, Canyon Brett Ravenworth, the fifth—who goes by C.B.—pipes up.

Taira leans over and whispers to him as most of those at the table snicker and smile.

Jake takes that opportunity to stand up. “Thank you, Lillian. Whitney and I are so honored to be not just in your life, but your heart. We’ll do our best to make you proud.”

“This is ridiculous,” Canyon says, starting to get out of his seat. “Do you know what he did?—”

“Canyon. Sit down.” Gran gives him a glare, and he sinks back into his chair, though his face is red and he appears to be sweating.

Jake turns to look at my father and brother.

“I have to take a moment to give very special thanks to my future father- and brother-in-law for another incredible wedding gift they gave me just a couple of hours ago. I wanted the family to know just how giving and generous these two men are. A two-million-dollar donation to the Children’s Cancer Academy in mine and Whitney’s names.

Thank you. Children’s cancer is important to everyone, and Whitney and I spend hours volunteering there in Anchorage.

So thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ”

The room erupts in applause and cheers, but Canyon and Brett look shell-shocked, and I stare up at Jake in confusion.

What on earth is he talking about?

When did my father and brother give them money?

“Oh, your young man is something.” Gran is fighting a smile as she whispers to me. “I’ve always liked him, but never more so than now.”

“I feel like I missed something,” I murmur.

“Seems like we both did.” Gran lifts her coffee cup. “And I can’t wait to hear the real story when we’re alone.”