Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Because things had to work out for her.
Gabby made a moue. “Sadly, though, Noble seems to think the only thing on a plant-based menu is salad.” Gabby’s bronzed skin above her colorful block-patterned bikini top reminded Michaela that she had said she took daily walks along Carmel-by-the-Sea’s beaches.
They were seated at the Harrington table. Though there was no seating chart, the Harringtons had gravitated together, since the head table was filled with Mavericks. The babies and children, of which there were plenty, had their own tent with kid food. Walter and Noble had also provided a bouncy house, face-painting, and a clown who made animal shapes out of balloons, keeping the children entertained—and cared for—while the adults enjoyed themselves.
“You did an amazing job with the venue,” Dane said.
“And you did an amazing job as the couple’s officiant,” Walter replied.
Troy’s older brother seemed to flush above the collar of his Hawaiian shirt.
Still grinning, Walter said to Troy, “You made it so much easier with the loan of your yacht for the ceremony. Thank you for that.”
The red carpet had been rolled up, the chairs moved out of the way. Bistro lights were strung around the parquet-covered deck and crisscrossed overhead. Once the sun went down, dancing beneath the lights would be lovely.
She couldn’t help noticing what a handsome lot the Harringtons were. Even more, how much in love each sibling seemed to be. Statuesque Ava gave her beau, Ransom Yates, a bite of some exotic Hawaiian delicacy. Michaela was sure the celebrity chef was taste-testing to see if he could replicate the recipe. Dane leaned over to kiss Cammie’s cheek for no reason other than he wanted to.
Directly across from Michaela, Clay kissed Saskia, quick but passion-filled, and Michaela felt it all the way down to her belly. The reminder of Troy’s luscious kisses was almost too much to bear. As if he felt the same thing, Troy put his hand on her leg, sliding up her thigh, stopping before it turned naughty.
The only one not paired off was Gabby. Michaela got the feeling she didn’t want to be matched, merely humoring Troy with that bet by letting Michaela send him out on his date. No one Michaela had selected for her piqued Gabby’s interest, which Michaela felt sure was by design.
But, being a matchmaker, she wouldn’t stop trying.
Troy pulled her attention back. “I have to tell you, before you arrived, Gideon and I cornered Matt and Will.”
“You did?” For a moment, she didn’t get where he was going with that. “Why?”
“Remember those kids, Nathan and Connie? That night at Gideon’s center?”
“Oh yes. Nathan wanted to build race cars, and Connie was interested in robotics.”
He smiled. Gosh, that smile. It did something to her. His smiles always did, making her giddy and breathless.
“Both Will and Matt have agreed to be mentors to the teenagers.”
She squeezed his hand. “That’s wonderful.”
“Not that it was a hard sell,” Troy added. “Will wants to involve Jeremy as well. The kid loves cars just as much. It’ll be good for him. Good for all of them.”
He was such a caring man, going to bat for two youngsters he barely knew. Yet another thing to admire. This seemed to be a Maverick and Harrington trait, a willingness to help those who were less fortunate.
The toasts and roasts began, each of the Mavericks threatening violence if Cal didn’t take care of their sister properly, as well as a couple of jibes about the fact that Cal was almost twenty years older than their pretty sister. But Michaela thought he was a handsome, fit man, and the way those two gazed at each other, it was truly a match made in heaven.
She couldn’t have done better herself.
That became especially apparent when the couple took their first dance to Taylor Swift’s “Lover.” They dipped and swayed, Lyssa’s sarong flaring out. The late afternoon sun was like a beam of light spotlighting their love. Then Bob and Susan Spencer joined them. Finally, the full wedding party swept onto the floor in a melee of dancing.
As the music changed to the fast beat of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Let Me Move You,” they all switched partners, Lyssa dancing with her father, Cal with Susan, Jeremy rushing onto the floor to dance with his sister Harper and her handsome husband Will Franconi. Jeremy broke everyone up with his bouncing robot moves.
Not to be outdone, Jorge and Noah dashed onto the floor, and suddenly Gideon, Rosie, Matt, and Ari were all dancing with the two boys. Rosie had told Michaela the children were the best of friends, especially since Gideon and Ari were brother and sister.
Maybe that was the Maverick way, to bring everyone into their fold with love.
When a new slow number began, Etta James singing “At Last,” Troy stood and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”