McKenzie Cousins Box Set 1

“Calm down. I’m joking.” She chuckles, leaning over to pat me on the back.

“I’ll be careful.” She adds and looks to her notebook. “So, wedding arrangements. I need to finalize the food for the buffet.”

And my mind drifts with the list she’s giving me.

25

Garrett

Fastening the cuffs of my button down while heading downstairs, I glance up and let a grin spread across my face.

“I never thought I’d see the day,” Derek Jackson, one of my oldest friends drawls. We’d met at college so many years before and no matter the distance we’ve always stayed close friends, which is why he’s here today. No one else would do as best man.

Laughing, I hug him and realize just how much I’ve missed having him around. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“No way in hell would I miss your wedding.” He chuckles.

“He left in the middle of a business deal,” Tanner, his son, my godson adds. “Never known him to that before.”

“Garrett’s like a brother,” Derek says, wrapping an arm around his son. “Garrett, you haven’t seen Tanner in while.”

“No, I haven’t.” I step forward and exchange a quick hug with the young man. “You’ve sure grown up.”

Tanner laughs. “That’s what happens when you have a ranch to work.”

As Tanner smiles, I try and remember his age. Twenty-six, I think—only a year younger than Charlotte.

Wondering about how wise what I’m about to do is, I say to Derek, “Give me a minute.” And then to Tanner, “I have someone that I’d like you to meet.”

Surprise shows on his face but we’re both distracted by a female voice, “Garrett,” she calls from over my shoulder. I turn and face the woman that I was about to look for.

“Charlotte,” I take her arm. “I’d like you to meet my godson, Tanner Jackson.” I glance at Tanner and notice the interest in his eyes before he replaces it with a blank expression. “Tanner, this is Sirena’s sister, Charlotte McKenzie.”

They exchange greetings before Tanner looks around. “If you’ll excuse me.” He walks away leaving disappointment on Charlotte’s face.

She shakes her head. “I was coming to tell you to be in place in ten minutes.”

“Okay,” I mumble, distracted.

Once she’s disappeared, I turn back to Derek. “Is everything alright with Tanner?”

Derek frowns and watches his son as he steps outside. “He’s engaged.”

“Hell! I should have asked if he was single first before introducing him to Charlotte.”

“Between you and me, he isn’t acting like a man in love, and that bothers me.”

“You think there’s something else going on?”

“I’m not sure, but if you were to see them together, you’d know exactly what I’m talking about . . . It’s a sore subject with him.”

“That doesn’t sound promising.”

“No it doesn’t . . . Anyway, I think you’re supposed to be somewhere right about now.”

“I am. I’ll introduce you around later,” I say leading him outside.

“I’ll introduce myself around.” He laughs. “You have a bride to be with.”