Chapter 28

28

R eagan took a last look at The Inn at Lost Creek before starting her car to drive to her wedding at the winery. The B&B was now hers. She and Tucker had met with Merilee Stone, and the attorney had said that everything Jean Bradford owned had gone to her niece.

After talking over things with Tucker, she decided she would keep the inn open. Her new role in Lost Creek would have her stepping into her aunt’s shoes. She would fill them her own way, something she knew Aunt Jean would approve of.

The B&B only had two bookings between Thanksgiving and Christmas and none in January. Reagan called both couples who had made reservations, explaining how the innkeeper had passed away suddenly, and that they would be closed for the next month. She offered to book both for a weekend in February when she was reopening, and they were happy to take her up on the offer of a free weekend to make up for the cancellation.

She was giving the place a new lease on life and had already had all the floors sanded, bringing out the beauty of the original wood. Finley and Ivy both had great eyes for design and had walked through each room with her, helping make notes on the changes Reagan wanted to implement, from hanging different curtains to choosing new comforters and pillows for the beds.

For now, Tucker was keeping the cottage as a writing retreat. Its first booking wasn’t until the beginning of March, so he had a bit of time to decide if he wanted to write music from the main house after that time or find somewhere in town, as Ivy had for her art. Ivy was also overseeing the construction crew who would come in and work during the next two weeks on the updates. Modernizing the bathrooms. Painting the entire inside and outside. Placing the antiques Reagan had found in the attic in various rooms. All that would occur while she and Tucker were on their honeymoon.

Aunt Jean’s funeral had gone smoothly. Not a dry eye had been found in the house by the time Tucker finished with his touching, humorous eulogy. She was grateful her groom had gotten to know Aunt Jean and that her aunt had approved of their match. They had celebrated her life with a grand party at Blackwood BBQ after the burial. Dax and Tucker had brought along their guitars, playing music for the crowd to dance to. There had been food, fun, and laughter as they had danced the night away.

Another celebration now lay ahead. Her wedding. The first one had been pushed aside by Arch’s death. She hadn’t been able to even look at her wedding dress and put it on consignment. Reagan chose to sell her engagement and their wedding rings, marriage being the last thing she thought she would ever consider.

But a different man waited for her now. One who was kind. Strong. Caring. Talented. Tucker wasn’t anything like Arch, and she supposed she wasn’t much like Josie. Still, they had learned they made magic together. They still held their first loves dear in their hearts, but their everlasting love for one another would be the foundation for what they built in the years ahead.

Reagan pulled into the winery, not as a worker, but as the bride. Quickly, she was swept up into getting ready in the bridal suite. Paula brought in a tray of champagne flutes, and Harper lifted a glass high. Her mother was keeping Beau today so she could kick up her heels at Reagan and Tucker’s wedding.

“To Reagan. Our wonderful friend whom we all feel as if we’ve known forever,” Harper declared. “Here’s to a happy life with Tucker!”

“Hear, hear,” the others called, and she drank the fizzy liquid, which lifted her spirits even higher.

How her friends had thrown together a wedding in such a short amount of time amazed her, but Harper had said it was what Weddings with Hart did. Finley was photographing the event. Emerson had baked the wedding and groom’s cakes. Harper had personally chosen the flowers and dressed the tables herself. Ry and his parents were catering the reception. Dax was serving as their DJ.

Her only attendant would be Emerson, and Ry would stand beside Tucker as his best man. Judge Grady, who married many of the couples at the event center, was waiting at the front, ready to begin. Reagan felt herself floating along, seeing a sea of happy faces, her heart light and filled with gratitude for those who had turned out to see her and Tucker speak their vows to one another.

She walked to him now, wishing that Aunt Jean had been on her arm. That was the only shadow on this happy day, but Reagan knew her aunt watched from heaven and cheered her on as she took Tucker’s hand.

They spoke their vows to one another, their eyes never wavering. Tucker had told her he wrote a love song for their wedding, but he was afraid he would become a blubbering fool if he tried to sing it to her. He promised he would play it for her when they reached their honeymoon, a destination she had planned, based upon a remark he had made to her when they first met. She had even packed for him since he still didn’t know where they were headed. Easy-going as ever, her groom had gone along with her plans without question.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Judge Grady declared to the cheers of those gathered.

Bride and groom walked up the makeshift aisle, Finley snapping away, capturing every moment for them. They gathered different groups, taking more pictures, with Finley handing off her camera to get in a few photographs herself, then the party truly started. A wonderful meal of savory Hill Country barbeque. Luscious cakes to die for. Dancing until sheer exhaustion overwhelmed her.

“Time to go change,” Harper said in Reagan’s ear as she finished a slow dance with Tucker.

“You might have to undress and redress me,” she murmured. “I can barely move.”

With Harper’s help, she was soon in her going away outfit, winter white pants and a bright red blouse. Ivy assured her she would send only a few texts regarding the updates so that the honeymoon could be enjoyed. Finley said she would send wedding pictures soon.

Then she and Tucker were leaving the event center, people lined on both sides, waving sparklers at them in the dark of night. Laughing, they climbed into Holden’s car, their driver to San Antonio.

“That was a fun night,” Holden said, looking over his shoulder as they cuddled in the back. “And with that, just pretend I’m not here for the rest of the way.”

An hour later, Holden helped them with their luggage, and they checked into their hotel. Champagne awaited them in their room, and Tucker opened it, pouring them each a glass, before offering a toast.

“Here’s to the life we’ve led which brought us here. The life we have this very moment. And the life which will unfold and play out in the years ahead.”

Reagan tapped her glass against his. “To us. To our lives. To our family and our future.”

They finished the champagne and undressed one another slowly, savoring each kiss. Each touch. The feel of bare skin. The caresses and whispers of love.

As they lay together in the afterglow of making sweet love, Tucker asked, “Are you going to tell me now where we’ll be tomorrow at this time?”

“Hawaii,” she said. “You once told me you’d visited forty-nine of the fifty states, but you had yet to visit Hawaii. We’re going to Maui and Oahu.”

“Hot damn,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “I hope you packed one of those string bikinis.”

“I did. Why?”

His wolfish grin said it all. “Because I look forward to untying those strings. With my teeth , Mrs. Young.”

Her skin grew hot at his words. “Why, Mr. Young. You are a devil in disguise.”

He slipped his arms around her. “I’m your devil, Reagan Young. For years and years to come.”

Tucker kissed her again.

And they went, once more, to the stars.