“So how is this set up?” Archer asks from his spot next to me as I lead him toward the ballroom.
“The one large ballroom where the wedding will take place has an automatic wall divider. It’s already been expanded, or so my grandma tells me. Honestly, I didn’t look when I got here, and I should have. I guess she was right to send someone to check on me.”
“It wasn’t like that at all.” He comes to my grandma's defense. “I was at my parents’ place, dropping Blakely off for Declan because he had to run into the shop for a customer of his who needed a tire changed. Anyway, Maureen called and said there was a lot of work to do, and she felt guilty for leaving it all up to you. I heard her talking to Mom since the call was on speaker, so I spoke up that I would stop by and help. I was just planning on lounging around with Blake until it was time to be here anyway.”
“Well, thank you.” I step into the ballroom and feel my way around the wall until I find the lights. Just as Grandma had said, the divider is in the room. With it stretched all the way across, going floor to ceiling, it turns the double entryway into a single for each area.
“Nice,” Archer says, standing behind me.
“Let’s check out this side first, but I’m certain they're the same.” I step through the left door and survey the room. There are tables set up with table covers and centerpieces, and then along the far wall is where I assume the finger foods from the caterer will be. There is even a large refrigerator with clear glass doors on wheels that was brought out to place next to the food tables.
“How is that she’s laid up but still managed to pull this off? She doesn’t need me here,” I tell Archer.
“She might not need you here, but something tells me that she wants you here.”
“Are you the philosopher of the family?” I tease.
“Nope. That title goes to our dad. He’s definitely a man of wisdom, or at least he likes for us to think that he is. He’s always coming off with these snippets of life advice that he dishes out to my brothers and me.”
“You can’t just drop something like that on me and not give me a sample,” I tell him.
He starts to reply but his phone rings. He reaches into his pocket and glances at the screen. “Let me take this one sec.” He holds up his index finger with one hand while the other accepts the call and places the phone to his ear. “Hey, Dec.”
“Yeah, I dropped her off with Mom and Dad. I ended up coming over to the manor early. Maureen said that her granddaughter needed help.” He pauses. “Yeah, Kennedy. I’m with her now.” He listens again. “Nah, we got it covered.” He chuckles and then says, “See you soon.” He ends the call, sliding his phone back into his pocket. His eyes are sparkling with mischief.
“What?” I ask when he just grins at me.
“Which of my brothers have you met?” he questions.
I don’t know why he’s asking, but I answer him anyway. “I met Brooks at the hospital. He stopped in to check on my grandma, and then I met Declan and Blakely later that day.”
He nods. “Damn, we’re dropping like flies,” he mutters.
“What are you talking about?” I chuckle.
“Nothing. Don’t mind me.” He waves me off. “Is there anything we need to move or adjust on this side?”
“I don’t think so. Looks good to me. Let’s go check on the other side and make sure it’s good as well.”
Together we make our way to the other side, and it’s set up the same way. “Looks good.” Archer nods.
“Agreed. Now, what should we do?” I ask.
“This is your show, Kennedy,” he reminds me.
“Actually, I’m just my grandma’s puppet. She had this handled. Other than being here to unlock the door, I don’t think I’m needed.”
“How long are you staying in town?” he asks, pulling out a chair and motioning for me to sit.
Knowing we have a lot of time to kill, I do, and he takes the one right next to me. “She’s going to be in a cast for at least eight weeks. I plan to stay until she’s completely back on her feet again.”
“It’s nice that your job gives you that flexibility.”
“I am lucky. What is it that you do?”
“I’m a mason. Which is basically a fancy way of saying I lay brick and block all day long. It’s good money and hard work, but I enjoy it. You?”
“I’m a fiction editor.”
“Nice. Beauty and brains.”
I don’t get the chance to tell him that he doesn’t need to blow smoke up my ass when we hear the front door open. It’s still a little early for the caterers, but they might just like to be early. Archer and I turn toward the doors when he comes into view.
Declan.
He peers into the room next to ours and then peeks his head into ours. “Brother,” Archer calls out. “That might be a new record,” he jokes.
Declan glares at his brother before his eyes land on me. In long strides, his legs carry him to us. He stops beside my chair, smiling down at me. “Kennedy.”
Damn, his voice is sexy. “Declan.”
“I told you we had it covered,” Archer tells his brother. I have to turn my head to look at him because I can hear the humor in his voice.
“Didn’t want to just sit at home and wait,” Declan tells him.
“Uh-huh,” Archer replies. “I was just getting ready to tell Kennedy here a few of our dad’s words of wisdom.”
“Don’t bore her to death, Arch.” I can hear the affection in his voice for his father and his words of wisdom.
“What?” Archer feigns offense, placing his hand over his chest. “Don’t let Dad hear you say that.”
“Come on.” I look between the two brothers. “You can’t hold out on me like that.”
“There are too many to repeat.” Declan chuckles.
“Except there is one that he has repeated over and over again. It’s almost as if it’s our family mantra.”
I rub my hands together in anticipation. “Let’s hear it.”
“Work hard. Love harder,” Declan tells me before his brother has the chance.
I nod as the words begin to take root in my mind. “You know, those are good words to live by. However, sometimes no matter how hard you love, it’s just not enough. Eventually, that love disappears.”
“You talking from experience?” Archer asks.
“You don’t have to answer that,” Declan tells me.
He seems agitated, so I place my hand on his arm to soothe his ruffled feathers. “It’s fine.” I drop my hand and turn to address Archer. “I was married, recently divorced.” I don’t bother telling them we got the official notice this week.
“Damn, Kennedy. I’m sorry. He’s an idiot, though,” Archer replies.
I smile. “Thank you. Our marriage was over a long time ago. To be honest, I’m no longer sure we should have even gotten married in the first place. We were good friends, and then we were more, and now we’re divorced.”
“Well, that clears things up. You’re drinking with us tonight.” I turn at the sound of the new voice and see a woman about my age walking toward us. She stops when she reaches me and offers me her hand. “I’m Ramsey, best friend to the bride and cousin to these lugs.” She points at Declan and Archer.