Derek sneaked an arm around Claire’s shoulders. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a home-cooked Baker meal.” His eyes scanned the room, and Ashley tensed, wishing she could make herself as small as possible. She shouldn’t have worried though. His gaze passed right over her, moving back to Ben after he’d smiled politely at a few of the Baker relatives.
The noise in the room increased once more, so Ashley was spared having to listen to Derek introducing Claire to Ben. They laughed like they’d all been best pals forever.
“Sure you don’t want to talk about it?”
“I’m sure.” Ashley’s teeth ground together.
“Don’t let a man take away your light, Sunshine.” Her aunt lowered her voice. “Use that anger to make him sorry.”
Ashley jerked her head back to stare up at Aunt Jules. “I’m not angry.”
“Maybe you should be.”
Before she could fully consider her aunt’s words, someone whistled near the front of the room.
“Hey, everyone. Could I get your attention for a minute?”
Ashley looked up to find Ben and his girlfriend, Bella Moody, standing there, Derek and Claire having moved on to chat with Ashley’s dad.
Ignoring them, Ashley waved at Bella, but her friend didn’t seem to see her. Not surprising since she only had eyes for Ashley’s brother at the moment. The two had been nearly inseparable since they’d met last summer at Ben’s inn. She’d subsequently become the manager of the place. Ben liked to tease her about how she’d shaken his world, and she’d reply that that had actually been the earthquake that originally brought her to Walker Beach.
Yeah, they’d turned each other into total cheeseballs, but Ashley loved it, especially since Ben had been devastated by love before Bella came into his life.
Maybe that meant there was hope for the rest of them with broken hearts.
Despite the urge that struck with that thought, Ashley refused to look at Derek.
The group quieted down, and those who’d been in the kitchen slipped into the edges of the living room. Mom caught Ashley’s eye and grinned.
Ben snatched Bella’s hand. Though she wasn’t all that short, next to Ashley’s broad-shouldered brother, the former big-city business executive looked downright petite. “We just wanted to tell you all the good news. I asked Bella to marry me—”
“And I said yes!”
The whole family broke out into applause and exclamations. Ashley shouldn’t have been surprised, and yet a giddy flutter overtook her insides. Leaping to her feet, she rushed across the room and waited for her turn to hug the happy couple. When she finally got close enough, she punched Ben in the arm and then leaned in for a hug. “It’s about time, you big lug.”
Ben chuckled and squeezed her shoulders. “Thanks, sis.”
She turned to Bella. “I hope you know what you’re doing. This guy may seem like a charmer, but he has his super annoying moments too.”
“Oh, I’ve seen some of those already. I’ll take my chances.” Bella wiggled her fingers at Ben, who watched her even as others surrounded him.
Derek slapped Ben’s back. “Congrats, man.”
Ashley pivoted away, slinging her arm through Bella’s. “I must admit, I’m glad to finally get a sister.” Shannon had always been like one, but she had a sister of her own, so it wasn’t exactly the same—even though the cousins were closer than the sisters. Being an only child, Bella could understand Ashley’s sentiment better than most.
“Me too.” Bella tugged at her brown hair streaked with blonde. “It’s not every day you get a sister you also call a friend—which is why I’d love for you to be a bridesmaid.”
Ashley let loose a squeal and hugged Bella.
Her future sister laughed as they pulled back. “Guess that’s a yes?”
“Of course it’s a yes!”
“Good. I hope you will have just as much enthusiasm for my next question.”
Sounded ominous—or much more tentative at least. “What?”
“I know things are crazy for you right now, but we were wondering if you’d help us plan the wedding.”
Why in the world would Bella have hesitated to ask Ashley that? “Nothing would make me happier.” She could already imagine Bella in a gorgeous dropped-waist silk-satin gown that skimmed her hips and flared mid thigh. That style would show off her curves perfectly. “Do you guys have a date in mind?”
“Actually, we were thinking July.”
The noise in the room seemed to reach epic proportions. “Of this year?”
“I know it’s short notice, but your whole family will already be here for the reunion. We thought we could hold it that weekend.”
“That makes sense.” Oh man, what could Ashley say? Her own schedule was already booked to the max. But this was her brother, her soon-to-be sister. She couldn’t possibly say no. “It might be hard to find an available venue so last minute, though.”
“We thought the inn would work nicely. There’s the ballroom we’ve been working on, of course, but I’ve always wanted a ceremony on the beach. And if the weather is nice, the courtyard and back patio would be perfect if we move the furniture off and add a dance floor, tables, and chairs. Plus the entire inn will be filled with family here for the reunion, so we don’t need to worry about disturbing guests. And, of course, there’s the nice plus that we would save money on a venue.”
Hmmm. “I suppose if you’re limiting the guest list to about one-fifty, maybe one-seventy-five, the courtyard would fit everyone. But the Bakers alone would take up the majority of those spots.” They had nearly one hundred coming to the reunion as of her last count.
“That’s not a problem. My family isn’t huge—the ones that talk to me, anyway—and most of my friends are part of your family.” Bella tilted her head, something vulnerable in her normally confident eyes. She placed her hand on Ashley’s arm. “I promise I won’t be one of those bridezillas. My expectations are very low. I want something simple. Just family and friends, gathered together, to watch me marry the man I love. And I can’t think of anyone better to
