Page 92 of It Happened Duo
“It was all Rex’s doing. And, honey, we all love you so much and want the best for you both, so this was a labor of love.” Mom cupped my cheeks and gave me a kiss on the forehead.
Uncle Doug, standing in the middle of the gazebo, clapped his hands to gain everyone’s attention. “Chelsea and Rex, if you’d please join me, and everyone gather around. If you all don’t mind, I’d like to read for you a favorite passage of mine from the Bible, 1 Corinthians. Love is patient…”
Rex squeezed me into his side. Laughter and love filled the evening, as Uncle Doug presided over our second wedding, and we recited our vows to each other once more.
“You may now kiss your bride…again,” Doug finished, looking very much like Santa, with his whitebeard grown out and even a twinkle in his eye. My wishes certainly came true.
“Everyone, follow me to the diner. I have at least a dozen different pies and a hot cocoa bar waiting for us all to celebrate,” Mom cried out, walking off arm in arm with Maisy and Colt.
I pulled Rex to the side and threw my arms around his neck, thick with a scarf. “This was everything I wanted, right down to the pie and cocoa. How did you do all of this in such a short time?”
“You said money doesn’t buy happiness, but it sure bribed many people to make this happen.”
“Rex! You didn’t.”
“Kidding. Everyone here was more than willing to make your dream come true because of you, Chelsea, and all the love you bring into everyone’s lives. Besides, you’re a Buchanan now, and what a Buchanan wants?—”
“A Buchanan gets. Every time.” I laughed, and we continued hand in hand down the street to Flora’s Diner, where we ate pie until our bellies were full, and spent time with the people we loved.
My journey really started years ago after my father died, when I set aside my dreams, staying home and helping Mom with my siblings and her restaurant. Several years later, here I stood, with fresh dreams, a man to love, and new memories to make together.
EPILOGUE ONE
IT HAPPENED IN PARIS
Richard Buchanan
“What do you mean, no cake?”I scowled at Rex. Ever since I heard there’d be fifty flavors of cake—well, more like ten—it was the one thing I looked forward to other than roasting my brother during my Best Man speech.
“The Cupcake Cottage delivery van broke down on the way. Vivian’s stuck somewhere between Holly Creek and the city in a place called Middletown. Mother’s having a fit that her friends will only have pies to eat and no cake.” He shook his head. “Chelsea texted me, not too upset, only disappointed that her friend won’t get the exposure she deserves for her incredible cake business.”
Rex had raved about these cakes for the past few months. My mouth already watered having perused the reception setup with him and read through the cake menu card. This wouldn’t do. I sprang into action.
“No cake? Not on my watch. I can have my helicopter in the air within the hour. Can you text me where she is?” I had my phone out already, dialing the heliport I co-owned with a buddy of mine to put them on notice and get my chopper ready.
“You’d do this? I mean, it’s only cake. Not to mention that if you’re not back in time, we’ll have a greater problem with Miriam being pissed if she’s missing a son at the nuptials.”
“It’d be cutting it close, but…” I looked at the time and estimated how long this journey would take. Not usually the hero type, I hoped I wasn’t being too optimistic. “I can do this, and I will for you, little brother. Your happiness today means the world to me.”
He slapped my shoulder with a goofy grin. “Okay then, Operation Cake it is. Me, Chelsea, Mom, hell, the entire guest list is counting on you. No pressure.”
“You just be ready to smash cake into Chelsea’s face. I got this.”
“Ah, well, I’m under strict orders by Miriam that there’ll be no cake smashing.‘There’s nothing more tacky at a wedding than seeing a poor bride’s face ruined with icing.’”
He used an excellent imitation of Mom’s voice, and I rushed away, chortling.
An hour later, I was airborne and heading north to Middletown. Nothing I loved better than flying my chopper. I tried flying small aircraft long ago as well. In fact, I still owned a private jet rental company that served high-end clientele, like CEOs and celebrities. But sitting in a helicopter with a stick between my legs controlling the tilt of the craft was almost better than holding my cock.
My ex-fiancee hated me flying, claiming it terrified her to fly with me. I used to think she got scared worrying about me crashing, but only after I found out what a money-grabbing bitch she was did I realize she was only worried about her own neck.
What a mistake she was. Three years of my life wasted with that woman. About two-point-nine of which I was foolishly in love, unaware the entire time of her scheming behind my back for my money with the idiot she was cheating with, including their plotting to kidnap me and take my life. Miriam didn’t know that part of it, though, and Rex vowed not to tell her.
Because of Janet—a name I hated even saying in my head, with a passion—I’d never trust another woman again.
Except Chelsea; I trusted her, of course. Somehow, I believed she and Rex were perfect for each other. I doubted I’d ever find something like they had, not that I was looking.
These days, the playboy life suited me fine, fucking around, leaving before things got complicated. I was getting too old for dating nonsense, anyway. Since walking away from my CEO position at Buchanan Energy, I travelled the globe, investing in businesses and people, and my reputation grew. Recently, a news investment show hailed me as investor of the year and one to watch.
