Southern Comfort - Fern Michaels [109]
Kate hooked her arm between his. “Let’s go.”
The warm May breeze from the Atlantic greeted them as they made their way to the beach, which Kate’s grandmother had always said would be a “killer spot for a wedding.” And today those words were coming to fruition. Not only were Kate and Tick getting married, but Pete and Sandra were as well.
Never in a zillion years had Kate thought she and Sandy would do something so corny as a double wedding, but somehow it didn’t seem corny at all. It seemed perfect for all.
“Do you think the minister will mind when we tell him there are two extra couples who want to get married today?” Kate asked, as they slowly made their way over to the canopied area where their reception would follow.
“I think it will be just fine, now stop worrying and let’s get this show on the road. I have two beautiful ladies to escort down the aisle.”
While it had taken months to plan, the ceremony would be over in minutes, and Kate wanted this day to last as long as possible.
The minister, a friend of Jelly’s, would be performing the service. As Kate and Tick, Pete and Sandy, and now Lawrence and Nancy formed a semicircle in front of the minister, they each said their vows, and when they all said their final “I do!” the party began.
“Hey, Rush, get your ass over here. I need to ask you something.” Lawrence called out, as she was on her way over to the reception.
“What is it now?” she asked when she raced back over to where he and Nancy were still standing.
“I want to apologize to you. For all the shitty things I’ve put you through. The PMSing, calling you a bitch, and ordering you to go on a stakeout in the middle of that hurricane. Do you think you can forgive an old chum?” Lawrence was so sincere, Kate almost started to cry.
“I’ll think about it,” she said, then hurried back toward the tents where they were holding the reception.
“Wait! Kate, I need an answer now,” he shouted. “Please?”
With that, not only did Kate return to the beach, but Sandy followed her. And Bird. And Tick. And Pete.
“Gather around you guys and listen up, ’cause I’m only going to say this once. Lawrence Tyler, I forgive you for every low-life, meanspirited, uncaring, thoughtless act you’ve ever committed against me.”
“Well, since Kate’s in such a forgiving mood, I guess I can forgive you, too. But you do owe me a new pair of white jeans for making me crawl like a snake under that Mustang to save your worthless hide. Then you puked on me on the plane ride to Miami; that’s a bit hard to forgive, but since I’m in a forgiving mood, okay, you’re forgiven,” Sandy said, grinning from ear to ear.
Kate wore a plain white dress, Sandy wore a cream-colored dress, and Rosita was dressed in the palest yellow. Nancy wore a white silk dress that had belonged to her mother. The three men trailing behind them wore cutoff jeans, flowered shirts, and flip-flops.
Today three marriages had been made in heaven.
Pete looked at his older brother. “You okay, bro?”
“This has got to be the very best moment of my entire life. I’m just tryin’ to drink it all in.” Somewhere from above, Tick knew, Sally, Emma, and Ricky were giving him a big high five.
The three men gave one another high fives and were running toward the canopy when the music began to play.
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