Walker's Run (32 page)

“I will if that’s your wish,” Donovan said bowing his head.

Braedyn felt the phone buzz in his pocket and slipped it out. He smiled and held it to his ear. “Back to normal yet?” The throaty laugh through the phone brought a smile to his face.

“About close to normal as I can get, so I felt I should call and see if you needed any help,” Amber said.

“We’re getting ready to move Elan to the Parrish house, but you need to get over to Zander’s for a gown fitting.” He grinned at the growl that erupted from the phone.

“You’re sure I can’t give you a hand?”

Braedyn laughed. “We’ve got it under control. You head over to Zander’s. Both you and Dean need fittings.”

She groaned. “Fine. Call me if you change your mind.”

He shook his head and slipped the phone back into his pocket, knowing the other men in the room with their keen hearing had heard the entire conversation.

“So we’re really going to see Amber in a dress?” Tim asked with a shocked expression.

Braedyn grinned. “Casey seems to have a way with her.”

Braedyn tapped his fingers on the banister of the porch at his mother's. The nervous jitters began the night before. Last night had been the worst night of sleep he could remember. Spending the night away from Casey had been the hardest part of it all, but she and his mother had been firm on following that one tradition.

Amber laughed stepping out onto the porch to stand next to him. “I'm guessing you didn't sleep very well.”

“Is it that noticeable?”

Smiling, she nodded and leaned against the railing. “It just goes to show how much you do love her, that's all.”

Braedyn smiled and nodded. “I do.” He sighed looking at her. “You’re the last person I thought I'd be having this conversation with.”

“I think it has to do with the Maynard's in general, to be honest with you. Of course I still haven't been able to get my thoughts in order yet. I don't even know if I'll be able to do that any time soon.”

Braedyn patted her on the shoulder. “You don't need to rush it, Amber. It isn't something that can be gone into lightly. You'll know when it’s time.”

“Even if I already know who I want to be with?” She looked up in Braedyn's eyes.

He leaned against the railing next to her. “You already know how you feel, but you just aren't ready to settle down. Dean is willing to be patient and wants to relocate to be closer to you. Take your time. He's not going anywhere.”

She ran a hand down her face. “You're right. I'm getting all out of sorts when all everyone is telling me is to take my time and calm down. I'm just so used to keeping everything locked up so tight, not thinking about stuff like this.”

“Just going through the motions,” Braedyn agreed. “I know, and it’s been one of the reasons I’ve tried to keep you so busy. You needed to numb your mind for a while. Maybe now I should slow down your duties...”

Amber turned to him and shook her head. “No. I can handle it. I'll come to you when it gets to the point where I can't. But don't take it away from me right now. Please?”

“Okay. I won't change anything right now. I’ll talk to you when or if I plan to, all right?”

She stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I have to go to your place now and help Casey get things squared away so we can meet you at the church later on.”

He grinned and looked over at her. “So I finally get to see you in a dress?”

“Shut up. You know she threatened me right? I had no choice, other than style and color. She stood firm on the dress.”

“Casey feels the same way about a dress you do, apparently, and decided she's wearing one. Since she’s going to, you have to as well.”

“Whatever,” Amber growled, pushing away from the railing.

He laughed and shook his head. “You'll be all right, I promise.”

“Hmm...Well if I didn't respect you and give half a damn about you or her I wouldn't be doing this, you know?” She continued to grumble under her breath until she was out of ear shot, disappearing into his mother's house.

Braedyn laughed and shook his head, staring off into the trees surrounding the rear of his mother's property.

“Braedyn!” his mother called from inside. “You'd better get yourself ready, son!”

“I will, Mom.” He smiled and walked in the back door. “I was just getting some fresh air. Peyton and Dean will be on their way soon. We'll keep each other in line.”

His mother walked over. Reaching up, she patted his face and gave him a big smile. Her eyes were dancing with joy. “This is the happiest day of my life, son.” She hugged him, and then breezed out the door behind Amber.

He sat down in his mother's rocker and waited for the others to show up. Surprised, his nerves weren't bad. A smile played around the edges of his mouth. Twenty years ago he’d briefly dreamed of this day when he had first laid eyes on Casey in the woods. Today it was going to become a reality.

* * * *

Casey took a deep breath and smiled, looking at Dean. She watched the tide of emotions cross his face. They were in the wedding hall and he’d crept back to check on her. His eyes softened when he saw Amber and Casey noticed the sly smile lift the corner of her friend’s mouth when she dropped her gaze from his.

His eyes slowly took in the beautiful maroon dress Amber had chosen. Zander had talked her into choosing a color that would compliment her skin tone and body without over shadowing the dress he'd specially made for Casey. The brunette's hair was pulled up in the back, but a few of her curly locks were down, framing her face. Her dark, almond shaped eyes were expertly made-up. Casey watched Dean swallow and his nostrils flare. While her brother may not have been an animal, arousal seemed to share many common tells in the varying species.

Casey cleared her throat, and Dean's attention snapped to hers. He gave her a sheepish grin. She laughed when he neared. Straightening his bow-tie and the folds of his lapel, she smiled. “I forgot how good you look in a suit,” she said when he hugged her.

“You're gorgeous, sis,” he said with a smile. “You're going to make that man very happy out there.”

“Hopefully as happy as he'll make me.” She smirked when Dean stole another glance at Amber.

Dean cleared his throat. “I just came back to check on you and wish you luck. I'll see you out there in a bit.”

Casey smiled and watched Amber stare after him when he left the room. “You know he’s moving here, right?”

“Braedyn mentioned it this morning.” Amber gave a nervous smile.

Casey caught her reflection in the mirror once more. The oyster-silver wedding dress Zander had specially made was gorgeous. The men wore black and silver tuxes. The bouquets they carried Aquene had made with white orchids and white Oriental lilies and half a dozen Tobago peach Peruvian lilies for color. Casey's bouquet had one budded red rose in the center.

“You look great.” Amber walked over to her and smiled. “I feel about as comfortable as a tomboy in a dress ever could.”

Casey laughed and shook her head. “You’re not alone in that feeling, I assure you. You'd never know by looking at you, though. You look very comfortable and very sure of yourself.”

Amber laughed and shook her head. “Hardly! I never was one for playing dress up, though I have to admit I do feel kind of sexy in this.” She grinned, looking at herself in the mirror. “It’s one thing to feign self confidence, self assurance, and tease when needed; it’s another entirely to feel that way.”

Casey smiled and took a deep breath. “I have a plan for you and me.”

Amber glanced back at her and raised her brows. “A plan?”

Nodding, Casey looked back in the mirror, making sure that her blond curls were in the right place. “I've got one last photo shoot. It’s something which was already in motion before my vacation. A little bit of traveling is necessary. I want you to come along to keep me company and for protection.”

“Traveling, huh?” Amber nodded and smiled. “I think I could handle that. I could definitely handle that.”

Casey grinned. “I thought you might.” She heard the sharp rap on the door, and her father peeked in the room.

“Hey beautiful, are you ready?”

Taking a deep breath, Casey stood up and smiled. “Ready as I'll ever be.”

He walked into the room and smiled, looking her over. “I never thought I'd see the day where I’d give my daughter to another man.” He took her arms in his and stepped back to look at her again. Clearing his throat, tears shimmered in his eyes. He sniffed. “You're gorgeous, baby-doll. Braedyn is one lucky man.”

Casey laughed and sniffed, knuckling away a tear before it ruined her makeup. “You can't do this daddy. You can't make me cry until after the pictures.”

He smiled and hugged her. “It’s just a shame it takes your own wedding to put you in a dress for the first time since Prom.”

She couldn't help but laugh, pulling back from him and dabbing at her eyes again. “I wouldn’t have worn one then if you hadn’t made me.”

“Okay, Baby-doll. It’s time for Amber to go take her place.”

Amber laughed. “It’s official, I’m the maid of honor, and Dean is standing in as best man, right?”

Casey nodded. “Yes. Is everything taken care of with Elan?”

“Yes.” Amber nodded. “Donovan Parrish is playing the babysitter for the proceedings. There is nothing to be concerned with. I’ve taken care of it. Relax today. Everything will go smoothly.”

Casey closed her eyes and took a cleansing breath. “Okay. I just have the feeling today won’t go off without a hitch or two.”

“You can’t think that way,” her father admonished.

Casey raised her brows and looked at him. “You can’t honestly tell me you don’t feel something is going to happen, can you?” She turned to Amber. “Just please, give Donovan a call before you and Dean take your places. I’ll feel better knowing Elan is safely out of the way.”

“I will.” She walked over and picked up the small bouquet Aquene had made for her. Pulling her cell phone from her purse, she dialed a number. After a few rings, the call was answered. Amber thumbed the button to put the call on speaker. “Everything all right?” she asked.

“I gave him one of those shots you told me to about half an hour ago. He’s sleeping like a baby, just like you said he would,” Donovan said.

“Good. Call me if anything changes.”

“I promised I would.”

Amber disconnected the call, put the phone on vibrate, slipped it into her bouquet of flowers, and winked. “There.”

“I feel better now.”

Amber smiled at Casey. “It’s time. Are you ready for this?”

Casey nodded and swallowed, her throat felt tight.

Amber reached out, took her hand, and squeezed it. “It’s going to be fine, Casey. This is the next step in your life. Your friends are here, and your family is here. This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. So…I had better go…and…walk down the aisle with your brother.” She laughed and shrugged, her cheeks reddened when she glanced over at Casey’s father.

He laughed and cleared his throat. “I think I like looking forward to walking you down that aisle to Dean just as much when the time comes.”

Amber’s blush deepened. She glanced back at Casey. “I’ll see you out there in just a few minutes.”

When her friend slipped from the room, she turned to her father. “Are you really, all right with this?”

He smiled, looking her over again. “Are you happy, Casey?”

“Yes.”

“Is this what you want? To marry this man and live here in Walker’s Run?”

“Yes.”

“Are you happy with him?’

“Yes I am, Daddy.”

He grinned at her. “Then I’m fine.” He placed an arm around her shoulders and hugged her once more. “I’m always going to be your father, and you’re always going to be my daughter. This is one of the biggest turning points in your life, and I’m here with you. How can I not be okay, with it?”

Casey smiled when Canon in D Minor began. She slipped her arm into her father’s. They made their way to the door.

Braedyn’s heart beat speed up when the music began. He turned and watched Dean and Amber make their way down the aisle toward him, knowing in a moment, he would see his beautiful soon-to-be bride. His gaze flickered around the decorations his mother had created. The mingling scents of jasmine, a variety of lilies, and orchids. She had done a wonderful job. It wasn’t just merely visually appealing, but bearing in mind all the Weres, she’d made sure to use flowers that weren’t too overpowering for their heightened sense of smells.

By the time Amber and Dean neared the end of their walk down the aisle, Braedyn felt the uncharacteristic shake of his hands and pretended to adjust his cufflinks. The Alpha wasn’t supposed to be nervous.

The shy smile that curved Amber’s lips while she walked down the aisle, her arm linked in Dean’s, warmed his heart. Braedyn had always known Amber was a beautiful young woman, but today she was absolutely breathtaking. Though whether from the dress and makeup, or the fact she was walking down the aisle with the first man she’d ever let into her heart, he wasn’t sure. Possibly, it was a powerful combination of the two. The young woman absolutely radiated.

Amber gave him a grin when they took their prospective places.

The hushed, surprise affirmations ran through the room when everyone got a good look at Casey. Braedyn was barely able to register the sounds when his gaze locked on hers. For this moment in time, everything faded away but her.

* * * *

“Slow down or we’ll tumble down the aisle, Baby-doll,” Peyton whispered under his breath.

Casey gave a small, nervous giggle, but slowed to match her step with his.

“I’d like to take my time making this walk with you. These are the last few moments you will be all mine.”

She dug her nails firmly into his arm. “Please don’t make me cry before I get there, Daddy.”

Her father grinned and patted her hand until she retracted her claws. There were only a few feet remaining between them and Braedyn.

Casey’s eyes filled with tears. She struggled to hold them in. They stopped just short of Braedyn, and her father reached for his hand. She was barely aware of the movement until her hand touched Braedyn’s, then warmth seemed to spread through her upon contact. It was a warming sensation which seemed to grow into a mild burning flame that affected her from head to toe.