Brooke squeezed Jordan ’s arm, smiling and nodding in the direction of her brother as steel drum music wafted softly in the distance. “I can’t believe you two are speaking, much less that Jefferies Brothers and Garrison, Incorporated are officially merging. And to have Parker in the wedding, too, I’m thrilled—and still a little stunned.”
Jordan set aside his fork with a clink against china. “It was worth it to see the shock on his face. It’s not often anyone can render that guy speechless.”
Parked arched a brow as he silently finished the last of his Bahamian rock lobster.
Anna stroked her husband’s shoulder. “No brawls today, dear.”
“Don’t worry.” Parker captured his wife’s wrist to kiss her palm. “I wouldn’t risk upsetting you or my sister in your delicate conditions.”
Anna rolled her eyes, eyes that held a definite twinkle of excitement as she smoothed both hands over her expanding waistline. “There’s nothing delicate about me right now.”
“You’re all the more gorgeous.” Parker placed his hand over hers on her stomach and directed his words to her pregnant swell. “Right, John?”
Jordan took in the spontaneous family moment with an inward grin. Well, hell, the guy had a softer side after all. And what a sign of how far they’d all come in a month for Parker to name his child after the deceased patriarch who’d stirred so much turmoil for his children.
For that matter, having a serenely sober Bonita sit at the same table with Cassie was an event even Jordan had doubted could happen. Bonita had completed her four-week program at the rehab clinic and now attended A. A. meetings at least every other day. Brooke’s mother had even approached them with her hopes to stay sober and be a healthy grandmother to her grandchildren. She radiated a quiet determination that boded well for her and her family.
Anna broke the long, affectionate look with her husband and shifted her attention to Brooke. “Have you two chosen a name for your little guy?”
Jordan slid an arm around his wife’s shoulders. Wife. Damn, that had an amazing ring to it. “I think I have the perfect name picked out, but I’ll need to run it past Brooke first.”
No more unilateral decisions when it came to their future. He’d found a real partner in this quietly determined woman who’d been smart enough to make them explore their feelings for each other before committing.
She elbowed him gently in the side. “About the name thing, I’m not going to agree with Uncle Fester no matter how nicely you ask.”
“I think you’ll like this one better. We can talk later.” He reached to the sprawling centerpiece and pulled an orchid free. Gently, he tucked the flower behind her ear, wondering if she recalled their time here together when he’d teased her naked flesh with a similar blossom.
From the warming of her brown eyes, she most definitely remembered.
Brooke tipped her face to kiss him while the family applauded. The cheers and clapping faded and Brooke eased back.
Their kiss may have been short but it was powerful. His body heated in response to her unspoken promise of the pleasure they would enjoy once they reached the yacht, anchored in the harbor. He stared into her eyes, tempted to leave now, until chuckles from around the table pulled him back to the moment.
Blushing, Brooke turned to Cassie next to her. “Thank you so much for arranging such a lovely dinner—” She stopped abruptly and clasped her half sister’s wrist.
“Hey, is that a wedding band I see along with the engagement ring?”
Cassie exchanged an intimate grin with her fiancé—or rather apparently her former fiancé. “Brandon and I eloped. We had a secret wedding two weeks ago. We just got back from our honeymoon.”
Squealing, Brooke threw her arms around her sister as Brittany rushed from her chair to join in the hug. The genuine emotion between all three women couldn’t be missed. In spite of the havoc John Garrison had brought to them, they’d managed to forge a bond and find peace.
Brooke finally pulled back to reclaim her chair. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
Brandon clasped Cassie’s hand in his. “We didn’t want to take away from your special day.”
“Take away?” Brooke waved aside the notion. “This only adds to the joy. I’m so happy for both of you. This should be a double reception. Right, Jordan ?”
“Absolutely. Congratulations!” Jordan lifted his glass of sparkling water to toast the new couple. “To Brandon and Cassie.”
Brandon lifted his crystal glass, as well. “And to Jordan and Brooke.”
Little Jade jumped up to stand on her chair. “And to my new baby brother or sister on the way!”
Laughing, Stephen wrapped an arm around his blushing wife, Megan, while patting Jade on the shoulder.
After everyone replaced their drinks and the catering staff began clearing away the china, Cassie led the way to the three-tiered wedding cake being served outside. The warm night and scent of the ocean beckoned. Beyond the sets of French doors, torches on the beach led down to the water.
“ Jordan , wait just a moment.” Brooke stopped him just shy of the open door and tugged him behind a decorative potted palm.
He braced a hand on her back. “Is everything all right?”
“Totally.” She leaned forward, her body brushing his. “I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful wedding—and husband.”
He cupped her face for a kiss, this one far longer than the one at the table as he made the most of even this brief private time together. A prelude to more they would enjoy soon. Not soon enough.
The sweet sweep of her tongue teased his senses along with the scent of the flower in her hair.
She nipped his bottom lip as her hand slid inside his tuxedo jacket. “So tell me more about your idea for a baby name. I’m too curious to wait.”
“I like it when you’re impatient.” He skimmed his knuckles along the side of her breast before addressing her question. “What about naming our son Garrison?”
Jordan waited for her verdict while Brooke’s eyes took on that soft brown mulling expression. God, he loved how he understood her.
“Garrison Jefferies.” Brooke tested the combination, a smile slowly spreading over her face. “I like it, I love it. I love you.”
He gathered her close again, a pleasure he looked forward to pursuing further throughout their honeymoon. Thanks to Brooke, he’d learned the importance of enjoying life along the way. Already, he could imagine making a lifetime of memories, filling their house with photographs, turning his place into their home. “I love you, too, beautiful.” He curved a hand over their growing child.