“I don’t have that kind of power.” She smiled. “Let’s go check out the spa and see about that massage for you. Pretty soon it’ll be time to meet the others for lunch, and then we need to get ready for the wedding.”
Sounded good to me.
Ten minutes later we arrived at the spa, and sure enough, they had two openings. Ruby suggested a hot stone massage for my muscles, and I wasn’t about to argue. She chose a traditional Swedish massage for herself.
“You’re going to be feeling great soon,” she promised.
* * *
The massage, along with the ibuprofen, helped, though I was still sore. For now, though, I had to get dressed and wish my brothers well. The wedding would begin in about fifteen minutes.
Talon and Joe both wore white shirts and pants, as did Bryce and I, though they had white orchid boutonnieres while Bryce’s and mine were bluish-white. I had no idea what the women would be wearing. All I knew was that Ruby would look gorgeous.
“Nervous, guys?” Bryce asked Joe and Talon.
Talon shook his head. “This is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
“Ditto,” Joe said.
“I’m just glad it isn’t me,” Bryce laughed.
“Thought you and Marj were hitting it off,” Joe said.
“Are you kidding? Your kid sister? I’m not taking on the three Steel brothers.”
“Not that I like thinking about you bopping my baby sister,” Joe said, “but Marj couldn’t do any better than you, man. Plus, she loves Henry.”
Bryce scoffed. “Marj is gorgeous. I can’t deny it. But we’ll see. I’m not really in the market right now. Plus, I’ve got my hands full with a soon-to-be toddler. I miss him.”
“How could you? You call him ten times a day.” Joe laughed.
“Hey, guys,” I said, checking my watch. “We need to get out there. The ladies are waiting.”
Bryce and I followed Talon and Joe out to the makeshift altar on the beach. Brian Ro
berts, Jade’s father, had flown in early this morning. Other than that, we had no guests except ourselves. Our parents were both dead, and Melanie was estranged from hers. Jade’s mother, Brooke Bailey, wasn’t recovered enough for travel, and they didn’t have a great relationship anyway.
We took our places next to the officiant at the altar.
A string quartet started playing, and I looked up to see my sister walking down the makeshift aisle covered with a white runner. She looked beautiful in a light-blue sundress, carrying a bouquet of orchids that matched my boutonniere.
And then—
I nearly lost my footing.
Ruby. My Ruby.
Well, not my Ruby…
Not yet, anyway.
She was following my baby sister down the aisle. Her dress was the same color as Marj’s but a slightly different style. Hell, I knew nothing about style, but it was spaghetti-strapped and silky, and her nipples poked through.
God… Didn’t need a boner now.
She also carried a bouquet of orchids, but another small orchid had been entwined in her hair behind her ear. Her hair was pulled back from her face, and the glossy locks tumbled down her back.
So beautiful.