Authors: Robin Kaye
Chapter 21
Hunter watched Toni sleep, her left hand thrown over him, her ring shining like fire in the morning light. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t spend the day watching his fiancée sleep—plans needed to be made for their wedding. Hunter realized that he didn’t even have a suit with him, but his mom could probably pick one up at his house and bring it to Vegas with her.
He slipped out of bed and jumped into the shower, wishing he’d brought a change of clothes and a razor. After looking through Toni’s medicine cabinet and tossing a trash can full of expired cold and flu medicines, Hunter found an unused toothbrush.
Pulling on his jeans, he scrounged around Toni’s drawers until he found an extra large T-shirt. Hunter hoped to hell it wasn’t one of her old boyfriend’s, but he figured he didn’t have much choice. As he dialed Gramps, he gathered his underwear, shirt, and Toni’s clothes and started a load of laundry.
“Joe Walsh.”
“Gramps, it’s—”
“About time you got your fool-self out of bed and called your grandfather. So when’s the weddin’?”
“Tomorrow in Vegas.”
“Damn, boy, you certainly don’t waste any time.”
“It was Toni’s idea. She didn’t want to give Clarissa time to plan a big wedding, and as far as I’m concerned, the sooner the better. We have to be out in LA Monday anyway, so we thought we could stop in Vegas and get everyone together. Fisher, Trapper, Karma, Toni’s best friend, James, her old boss, and the models she worked with are all in Stanley. I thought if you wouldn’t mind, you could fly Mom, Ben, and Gina to Hailey and pick up anyone who wants to come.
“I’ll take care of it and the hotel and limo arrangements.”
“You mean your secretary will do it.”
“Of course. You want it done right, don’t you? You’d better call your mama. She’ll tan your hide if she finds out she wasn’t the first to hear. I’ll talk with Clarissa. She’s right here.”
“Where’s that?”
“In the vicinity of none of your damn business, boy.”
“Nice place, Gramps. Just be careful. That’s my future mother-in-law you’re talking about.”
“Ah hell, son. I’m eighty-two years old with two hip replacements and a bum ticker. How much trouble can I get into?”
“More than me, that’s for sure. Gramps, you call Shamus, and I’ll call Mom. Let me know when Toni and I should meet you and Clarissa at the airport in the morning. And thanks for everything.”
“My pleasure. You just take care of my newest granddaughter.”
Hunter called his mother, and Kate picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hunter? Are you okay, sweetheart? I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m fine, Mom. I’ve got great news. Toni and I are getting married.”
“Well, that is a surprise.”
“Mom, the wedding is tomorrow in Vegas. I know it’s quick, but practically everyone we know is out in Stanley. So you, Ben, and Gina can just jump on a plane in Boise, fly to Hailey, pick the rest of the crew up, and then meet us in Vegas.”
“Hunter, are you certain about this?”
“Sure, Toni and I have to be in LA on Monday for Emilio’s hearing anyway, and Toni doesn’t want her mother, Clarissa, going off half-cocked and planning a big wedding. Shamus is working on transportation and the hotel reservations for everyone. All you have to do is run by all our houses and get dress clothes for us.”
“I’m not talking about convenience, Hunter. I’m talking about the rest of your life. Are you sure you’re ready to marry Toni? She’s a lovely girl, but you’ve only known each other a week. Don’t you think that’s a little fast, even for you?”
“No, Mom. I don’t. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”
“Hunter, I can’t help but be concerned. I love you, and I just want you and Toni to be happy.”
“We are. We might be rushing the wedding a little bit, but we’re not rushing anything else. Mom? Do you think you and Karma could do that something old, something new deal for Toni? I don’t want her to miss out on anything important.”
“I’d be happy to.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you. See you tomorrow.”
***
“Wake up, sleepyhead. Time to shop.”
Toni rolled over to find Hunter standing next to the bed holding coffee. Smart man. “I hate shopping except for shoes.”
“Good to know, but we’re getting married tomorrow, and you’ll need something to wear. I don’t suppose you have a wedding dress lying around?”
“No.” She took a sip of coffee. He looked like he was serious. “Maybe I can have James call his friend in the Garment District. He might be able to help me find something…”
that
wouldn’t make her want to run screaming from the room
“…appropriate.”
“Good. You can buy shoes too, so it won’t be a total loss.”
He made her smile even before her first cup of coffee. He was pretty perfect.
Hunter sat and kissed her before resting his hand by her hip. “Scott’s is closed on Saturdays, but I guess we can go to Tiffany’s and get wedding bands.”
“Tiffany’s?” He gave her that look again. She drank more coffee and decided to pick her battles. If he wanted to go to Tiffany’s, that was just fine with her. The sooner they finished shopping, the sooner they could be together.
“I did some laundry, hung up your clothes, and made a pile for the dry cleaners. You’re going to need to pack enough for a few weeks.”
“I am?”
“I’m not sure when we’ll be able to get back. We have a lot of decisions to make. We haven’t even talked about where you want to go on our honeymoon. River Runners is booked through the second week in September. Then I’m free through the second week in November, unless we get some killer snow. Castle Rock usually opens on Thanksgiving Day. So where do you want to go?”
Toni’s mind was still fuzzy, and he was bombarding her with questions and information. “For what?”
“Our honeymoon.”
She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Can we just stay at home and get settled in?”
Hunter rubbed her back. “Sure. We can always take a trip in the spring.”
“Where is home, by the way?”
“Home? Boise, Stanley, and here, I guess. Where do you want it to be?”
Toni put her coffee down on the table and breathed in the scent of Hunter. “Anywhere you are.”
He pulled away and looked into her eyes as if he could read her mind. “Are you doing okay, babe? Are we moving too fast for you?”
She kissed him and held on to him for a minute more before shaking her head. “I’m a little overwhelmed, a little scared—after all, I’m going to be moving. It’s a lot to think about and even more to plan. I’m excited about our wedding, but I’m more excited about marrying you. I love you.”
“I love you too, babe, but if you change your mind about tomorrow, we can always get married in September.”
God, she really loved him. “You’re not trying to get out of it, are you?”
“Not a chance. I don’t want you to feel as if I dragged you down the aisle either.”
“Hunter, this was my idea, remember? It will be fine—better than fine. It’s going to be perfect.” She hoped. She gave him another sloppy kiss, ending in a fit of laughter. She guessed the book worked after all. She was getting married!
Toni jumped out of bed and took a shower, wishing Hunter had come in with her. He made showers much more fun. After she finished, she toweled off. When she stepped into her room, she heard voices. God… Clarissa and Gramps were there. Fabulous.
Toni dressed quickly in a skirt and a T-shirt knotted in the back. She was careful to wear decent undergarments since she’d have to try on dresses. She did take a last desperate look through her closet to see if she had anything she could get away with. Since Clarissa would have a fit if she wore black, she was out of luck.
“Hunter, you and Joe should go buy the rings, and Toni and I will buy the wedding dress,” Clarissa said as she stepped into the living room from the kitchen. Clarissa wore her usual disapproving look as soon as she spotted Toni.
Toni tugged on the T-shirt’s collar. “Mom, I want to make sure my wedding band will work with my engagement ring. And since I’m not taking my ring off, I’m going with Hunter.”
Hunter strolled over to Toni wearing an apologetic look. He’d eventually learn never to open the door to her mother. There was a reason doors in New York had peepholes. Unfortunately, Toni was going to be the one to suffer the consequences until he did.
Clarissa wore yet another perfect linen suit with matching Chanel spectator pumps and quilted purse. “Toni, that’s just silly.” She took Toni’s left hand to inspect the ring. “It’s lovely, but do be serious and stop acting like a child. Give the ring to Hunter, and he’ll make sure it works. Where is the box, Hunter?”
“In the trash—it got a little wet, but Toni’s right. Shopping for rings won’t take long, and since she’s going to wear it for the rest of her life, I think she should pick it out.” He pulled Toni against his chest and kissed the top of her head.
Clarissa walked by the mirror to check her ’do. “Toni, if you insist on buying the rings, then you’d better hurry and get dressed so we can leave. We don’t have all day.”
“What am I wearing, the emperor’s new clothes?”
Her mother shook her head. “How do you expect to get into the best stores if you’re dressed like a hoodlum?”
“I’m not going to the best stores. I’m going to the Garment District. Mom, if you want to hit the shops don’t let me stop you. Go right ahead. I’m sure Marcello, James’s friend, will have a wedding dress that will be just perfect.”
Her mother’s nose twitched as if she’d smelled something rancid. “Darling, I simply can’t let you pick out a wedding dress by yourself. God only knows what you’ll come up with.”
Hunter’s arm tightened around Toni. “Clarissa, Toni will find a dress that’s perfect for her. When it comes down to it, that’s all that matters, isn’t it? After all, it’s our wedding.”
Clarissa opened her mouth and then closed it.
Toni had never seen her mother shut down like that. Of course, if Toni had told her the same thing, Clarissa would have scoffed. She didn’t scoff at Hunter. Interesting.
Gramps took Clarissa’s arm and shot a wink at Toni. “Clarissa, I know you wanted to go shoppin’ for your mother-of-the-bride dress. Why don’t I give you the limo for the day, so you’ll have no problem gettin’ around town weighed down with all your packages? We’ll pick you up here by seven and head to Teterboro. Takeoff’s at 8 a.m.”
***
Hunter paced the suite at The Bellagio as he, his cousin Ben, and his brothers waited for the sun to hurry its way across the sky. A sunset wedding sounded nice, that was, until he got out of the limo at the hotel after obtaining their marriage license, and Toni was whisked away.
Clarissa had said something ridiculous about not seeing the bride before the wedding. At least Toni had his mom, Karma, Gina, and James with her—whether to protect Toni from Clarissa or the other way around, he wasn’t sure.
He’d heard Gramps had put James, Bianca, and all the models up for the wedding and even supplied the trip to Vegas. Having James here had meant the world to Toni. Gramps certainly put a smile on her face.
Trapper stepped right in front of him, forcing him to stop his pacing. “We can get out of here and do a mini-bachelor party, since we didn’t get to last night.”
“No. Thanks anyway.” Hunter turned and paced toward the window, wondering what the hell was going on with Toni. He’d been texting her, and she hadn’t responded in the last hour. He stuck his finger into the too tight collar of his tux and yanked. He’d asked his mom to bring his suit. Of course, she didn’t listen and brought them all their tuxes.
“Are you getting cold feet?”
“Hell, no. I’m just worried about Toni. She’s not answering her texts.”
Ben tossed his keys in the air, caught them, and dropped them into his pocket before throwing his arm around Hunter. “She’s probably having her hair and nails done. Wet nails and texting don’t mix. This I know.”
The three of them stared at Ben who shrugged. “My wife told me, okay? You learn all sorts of things you really don’t want to know when you’re married. Believe me.”
Fisher shook his head. “We can go hit the craps tables. Maybe you’ll win enough to pay for that honkin’ ring you bribed Toni with.”
“It wasn’t a bribe.”
“Sure. Whatever you say. Still, it looked like it set you back ten year’s poker money. Since this is your lucky day and all, maybe you can win it back.”
“You guys go on ahead. I’ll just meet you at the limo at six forty-five.”
Trapper laughed. “Like we’d leave you in your time of need. Personally, I find watching you sweat more entertaining than that time I dressed Fisher up and played Pin the Tail on the Jackass.”
“Yeah, and you wonder why I didn’t make you my best man.”
“Hey, I hooked Fisher up with the wedding chapel. My old friend, Judge Winston, retired out here and set up shop. He always said weddings were the best part of the job, so now he does them all the time.”
Fisher looked very pleased with himself. “I planned the whole thing. He’s giving us a great deal—the deluxe package for the price of the standard. It has video, live music, a wedding organizer, and all the flower arrangements—the works.”
Hunter was beginning to get nervous. Fisher was good at planning keg parties and weekends with wild women, but weddings were uncharted territory. “What’s this place called?”
“Lasting Impressions Wedding Chapel—Memories to Last a Lifetime.” Fisher handed several cards around.
At least it wasn’t written on a napkin. “Thank God it’s nothing hokey like The Elvis Hound Dog Package or The Naked Wedding—Bow Ties Optional.”
Trapper laughed. “No worries. From what I recall, Judge Winston is very conservative. I don’t think we’ll see anyone running around with rhinestones and muttonchops.”
Fisher winked and grinned. “Or naked. Unless of course, Yvette shows up, and then all bets are off.”
***
Toni sat on a chair in her underwear and a robe while some lady, whose name she’d forgotten the moment they’d been introduced, added the rhinestone-and-seed-pearl-encrusted tiara to the complicated up-do she’d created with hair bands, bobby pins, and an entire bottle of hair spray, most of which Toni had inhaled. Who knew her hair could look so good? Her makeup was done, a little too heavy-handed if you were to ask her, but then she’d been overridden by Clarissa, who thought there was no such thing as too much money, makeup, or jewelry.