The Keeneston Roses (17 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Two months later, the three sisters were sitting on Lily’s bed in the house they had grown up in. The sounds of women talking, laughing, and planning traveled up through the floorboards. The women of Keeneston were preparing three dresses and three veils for the wedding. They might have been generously partaking in some of their Rose Sisters Special Iced Tea as well.

“Can you believe after all these years we have found love?” Lily smiled as all three sisters linked hands.

“Together. We found love together,” Daisy said almost in wonder.

“It makes sharing today all the more special. After going through heartbreak together and all the weddings of our matchmaking couples together, we can now start the second part of our lives together,” Violet said with emotion cracking her voice.

“Second part, heck, this is our fourth or fifth part of life!” Lily laughed.

“Whatever part it is, it’s the best part.” Lily and Violet nodded in agreement with Daisy. This was certainly the best day of their lives.

“
Knock, Knock
,” Marcy Davies, the matron of the Davies family, called. “We have your dresses. Are you ready?”

The sisters gave each other one last meaningful look before they opened the door and chaos reigned. Dani helped Lily with her hair, Tammy did Daisy’s, and Katelyn worked on Violet. Kenna did makeup, Paige set the small veiled hats on their heads, and Marcy zipped dresses while Bridget and Annie fussed with jewelry.

“We have the flowers,” Morgan called out as she and Gemma entered the room.

“Oh,” Gemma gasped, “you ladies look absolutely beautiful!”

Lily turned from her corner of the room to see her sisters similarly turning to look at each other. Daisy’s taller, thinner frame was beautifully displayed with a white, knee-length sheath dress finished off with a beautiful pale yellow silk scarf draped across her shoulders and hanging loosely from the crooks of her arms. Violet’s curvy assets were highlighted by a white halter dress that tapered down to a tea-length wispy pleated skirt. Draped across her shoulders was a violet scarf.

Lily finally gave in and looked into the full-length mirror next to her. She stopped breathing. Her white A-line skirt with matching short-sleeved suit jacket was stunning. She couldn’t believe it was her in the mirror. A teary-eyed Paige appeared in the mirror behind her holding a light pink silk scarf.

“I made these for each of you. Something new for your wedding day.” Paige draped the scarf across her back, and Lily looked down to see her initials on one end and John’s on the other. Her sisters each had a similar personal touch.

Marcy stepped forward and held out three silver bracelets with blue charms hanging from them. “These are symbols of love from each of the couples you played a role in helping. Here’s Jake’s and mine—a tractor. And here is Louis and Bernadette—a bicycle. And there are so many more from so many thankful couples.”

Kenna stepped forward. “Mine is the state of Kentucky with a heart in the center. You helped me find a home here.”

“Mine is a crown, because you have taught me how to be gracious, loyal, and a proper princess for Rahmi. I couldn’t have done it without your guidance,” Dani told them, placing a kiss on each of their cheeks.

Paige smiled through her tears. “Mine is this bunch of grapes on the vine. It’s for your leadership of the Keeneston grapevine you wield for the benefit of the community. We never need to worry about support, casseroles, or baby blankets when you three are in charge of the phone tree.”

“I added a wooden spoon for when you taught me how to cook,” Annie said as she pretended to not be tearing up.

“And mine is the spatula. You’re never afraid to do what it takes to flip a bad situation to a good one.” Katelyn stepped forward and hugged each sister.

Morgan grinned. “Mine’s a pot for when you nailed that bastard for me. Even if you didn’t like me, you gave me a second chance. And now you have your own second chance.”

Tammy was still laughing as she pointed to the broom. “This one’s for keeping our men in line and whipping them into shape for us to love.”

“I think we all wanted the one I had made.” Gemma chuckled. “Mine was a pitcher representing your
special
iced tea. I am pretty sure that drink has given way to half the marriages and most of the births in town.”

Bridget pointed to the rectangular-shaped charm with three roses engraved on it. “This is for the café, the heart and soul of Keeneston, just like you three.”

Violet and her sisters rushed forward. These special ladies were the new hearts of Keeneston. Violet wrapped each woman up in a hug as tears flowed. “Kenna, dear, I fear we’ve ruined all your hard work,” Violet cried in dismay as she wiped her tear-stained cheeks.

“You arm yourself with kitchen accessories. I arm myself with makeup brushes,” Kenna joked before blowing her nose. She grabbed her compacts and a large brush. In seconds Violet was all dolled up again and ready to be married.

Violet reached out and took her sisters’ hands in hers. “Well, are we going to get married or what?”

A flurry of activity erupted as the flowers were passed to the sisters. Bouquets containing roses, daisies, violets, and lilies were tied in ribbons that matched each sister's scarf. As suddenly as they had invaded, the women hurried from the room, and the sisters were once again left alone.

“It’s time,” Daisy said, and she let out a deep breath.

The sisters looked at each other. They knew it was time for things to change, but the one thing that would never change was their love for one another.

Daisy was the first down the stairs. When she looked outside, she gasped. “Girls, I think our plan of taking our cars to the ceremony has been changed.”

Violet stepped around where Daisy stood on the porch and looked in awe. She heard Lily gasp next to her. In front of the house was a black-lacquered open carriage adorned with flowers and hooked up to six white horses. Nabi’s new trainee, young Nash, was at the reins. The men of Keeneston lined the walkway.

Will stepped forward and held out his arm for Lily. “Let me escort you to the carriage, Miss Lily.”

Lily looked around as Cade took Daisy’s arm and Ahmed took Violet’s to lead each to the carriage. Lily choked up, and all she could do was give Will a nod of agreement as he placed her hand on the crook of his arm and led her to the carriage.

When the sisters were seated in the carriage, Nash lightly flicked the reins and off they went. The men and women who helped them get ready were ahead of them in their cars, driving across town to Desert Farm.

“Oh look!” Violet pointed to the balloons, ribbons, and lanterns lining the drive of Desert Farm.

“It’s beautiful,” Daisy said softly.

“Look at all the cars! I swear the whole town is here.” Lily stared at the field packed with cars and finally started to feel nervous. When they were younger, they had all dreamed of their father walking them down the aisle and their mother sitting in the front row dabbing her eyes, smiling up at them. No one could have foreseen it taking them almost ninety years to find true love.

Nash pulled the carriage to a stop in front of Mo and Dani’s mansion. The four tents formed a giant square behind the house in the gardens. Even from here, Lily could hear the string quartet playing music as the guests waited for their arrival.

“Our men will be lined up, waiting for us,” Violet said with a wobble in her voice.

“In a couple minutes, we’ll no longer be Roses,” Daisy gulped.

“We’ll always be Roses, just like we will always be sisters. Now, are you ready to walk each other down the aisle?” Lily asked. She linked arms with her sisters.

“I’m sorry, ladies. There has been a change of plans,” Will said from behind them. The sisters turned to see a wall of men. Will, Mo, Cole, Cade, Marshall, Miles, Pierce, Cy, and Ahmed stood smiling at them.

“What’s going on?” Lily asked as she looked to each man.

“We’re here to escort you three down the aisle,” Cade told them as he came up to kiss each sister.

“But . . .” Lily was speechless. And since her sisters stood next to her looking from man to man with a dumbfounded look on their faces, she guessed they were, too.

“Girls,” Mo called out. The front door of the house opened as Mo and Dani’s twelve-year-old daughter, Ariana, Cole and Paige’s twelve-year-old daughter, Greer, and Pierce and Tammy’s nine-year-old daughter, Cassidy, came running out.

Ariana’s dress was the same pale pink as Lily’s scarf. Greer’s was the same yellow as Daisy’s. Cassidy’s the same purple as Violet’s scarf. Each little girl held a basketful of pink, yellow, and purple rose petals.

“We’re ready. We’ve been practicing,” Cassidy said before the three girls took their places in front of their designated Rose sister.

“Then lead the way, our beautiful flower girls,” Violet said and dabbed her eyes again. “Hurry before I turn into a watering pot.”

The sisters followed the young girls around the side of the house. They stopped short of the tents, and Lily leaned forward to see Jake Davies, Nabi, Zain, and Gabe, Mo’s nineteen-year-old twin boys, and Ryan, Cole and Paige’s twenty-year-old son, busy ushering the last of the guests to their seats.

“I can’t see our grooms,” Lily whispered, peeking around the corner.

“You’ll see them soon enough.” Ahmed grinned and sent a message on his phone before sliding it into his pocket. A second later, the sound of the wedding march began to play.

Lily took a deep breath and reached for her sisters only to be stopped by Will, Miles, and Cade. “We are escorting you, Miss Lily,” Will told her as he took one of her arms and Miles took the other. Cade followed close behind them as they moved toward the tent and toward her future.

“You boys . . .” Lily started but lost the ability to speak when she entered the tent. The town of Keeneston rose to their feet, but she didn’t see them. She only saw John standing at the other end of the aisle, smiling at her.

“Miss Daisy, are you ready to get hitched?” Cy asked and took her arm.

“More than you can ever know, young man.” Daisy patted his cheek and ignored the gray hairs gracing Cy’s temples before his brother, Pierce, took her other hand. Their brother-in-law, Cole, stepped behind Daisy and the little group started to walk toward the aisle.

Daisy closed her eyes as they paused at the entrance of the tent. She took in a deep breath and then opened her eyes. She watched Greer throwing petals in front of her. But then her eyes were drawn to Charlie, standing proudly at the end of the aisle.

“Okay, boys, get me to my groom.” Daisy smiled, and the men she’d seen grow up, marry, and have children of their own escorted her down the aisle.

“My dear, you’re ravishing. Anton is a lucky man. But you tell me if he ever displeases you, and I will take care of it,” Ahmed said smoothly as he raised Violet’s hand to his lips.

Violet grabbed Ahmed and brought him down for a hug against her push-up-bra-enhanced bosom. She grinned to herself. Every bride was allowed one last thrill, and who wouldn’t want dark, dangerous, and sexy Ahmed’s head against their breasts?

Violet finally released him. As he sucked in air, she sent him a wink. “Let’s go, boys.”

Ahmed took one arm, Mo the other, and Marshall walked behind her as they guided her to the tent. Cassidy enthusiastically threw the petals in the air as she walked ahead of Violet and her escorts. In front of her stood Anton. He smiled at her, and she had never felt more beautiful than she did right then.

The Rose sisters stood with their grooms between them. Together they had entered this world. Together they’d had their hearts broken. Together they’d endured the pain of losing their parents. And together they’d eventually found peace in matchmaking. But today was the ultimate ending to their story. The Rose sisters were each getting their own happily-ever-after . . . together.

Father James cleared his throat. “And who gives these women to be married to these men?” His voice rang out across the tent as the sun began to set.

A warm orange glow was cast on the townspeople as they stood as one and said, “We do.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

The sun set as the couples said their vows. Cheers erupted from the guests as the brides and grooms were showered in rose petals. In a blink of an eye, the chairs were removed and a dance floor appeared. A band heralded the arrival of the three five-tier cakes Violet and Anton had made together. Violet and Anton stood arm in arm as everyone
oohed
and clapped.

“The cakes are gorgeous. This is the best gift you could give us.” Lily leaned over and kissed Violet and Anton.

“I love the flowered toppers!” Daisy clasped her hands together and looked at the three cakes. “I’m guessing the one topped with daisies is mine,” she teased as she hugged her sister and brother-in-law.

The three cakes were set on tables in front of each couple as cameras flashed. One by one, each couple cut their own cake. Amongst cheers, the band struck up a slow song.

“Shall we dance, my bride?” John asked. He held out his hand for Lily.

Lily took his hand, and he guided her onto the dance floor. Violet and Anton joined them, and Daisy and Charlie followed as well.

“I’ve never been happier,” Lily said, smiling at her new husband. “But, have you seen Ryan and Sienna? There’s trouble there, and I have plans for those two.”

John chuckled. “My dear wife, they are still so very young. Give them time to grow up. They’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t know about that.” Lily saw Sienna staring longingly across the floor to where Ryan stood. Just a couple months ago, Ryan was the one staring longingly at Sienna. And who wouldn’t? She was smart, tall, and curved in all the right places.

“We’re not seventy anymore. And look at them all.” Lily glanced over to the children. Well, some of them were already adults, standing with their parents. “I still have a lot of work to do before I leave this earth.”

“Don’t you mean
we
have a lot of work to do?” John asked, gesturing to her sisters and their husbands dancing around them. “We’ll just take a little honeymoon while they grow up. Then we'll play matchmaker.”

“A honeymoon? Aren’t we too old for that?”

John ignored Lily’s question and nodded to Charlie who nodded to Anton. Each man reached into the pocket of his tuxedo and pulled out an envelope. Lily took hers and with a quick glance saw that each of her sisters was holding the same envelope.

“What’s this?” Lily asked. She stared at the envelope in her hands.

“Open it and find out,” John urged.

Lily tore open the white envelope, letting it drop to the ground in shreds. She stood frozen, staring at the ticket in her hand. “You’re giving me the world,” she gasped.

“You always said how much you loved Keeneston but had never had the chance to see the world. So we are all going on a world cruise. And before you say anything, we already have the bed-and-breakfast and café covered for our journey. And when we get back, you’ll be fresh and ready to play matchmaker again. Let’s just start with someone a little older that Ryan and Sienna.”

Lily didn’t have to say a thing—Daisy was screaming in excitement loud enough for all of them. Lily looked down at the ticket and back up at her husband. She was about to embark on a wild adventure. She thought she should be nervous, but she wasn’t. Exhilaration with this new chapter of her life filled her.

“Lily Rae,” her sisters shrieked in delight. “Can you believe it? All of us together, exploring the world!”

Lily held out her arms, and her sisters were there, hugging each other in return as their husbands slyly high-fived each other. The band struck up a fast dance, and the dance floor filled with couples.

“We will miss you while you’re gone,” Gemma said as she hugged the sisters and their husbands. “But, I’ve set up an email account for you and will keep you updated on all the latest happenings.”

Lily took her hand. “Gemma, you’ll have to go back to your tabloid reporter days. I want pictures, and I want gossip.”

“I won’t let you down,” Gemma said seriously before the sisters and their husbands were swarmed by well-wishers.

Abigail Mueez rolled her eyes as she danced around the floor with her younger brother, Kale. It was so embarrassing to be stuck dancing with her brother. Nolan, her first real boyfriend, was out of town. Eww, double barf. Her father, Ahmed, and mother, Bridget, were dancing way too close.

“You don’t have to dance with me. I promised Ariana and Greer I would dance with them,” Kale tried to say nonchalantly.

“You can dance with them next. I don’t want to be the loser with no one to dance with for the first dance.”

“Jackson would dance with you, but then you would turn pink and stammer like an idiot. So I guess I can see why you made me dance with you.”

“Just because you’re almost as big as I am now doesn’t mean I can’t still beat you up,” Abby shot back to her brother.

“Please, your days are limited. And besides, if you do that I’ll just hack your computer and send anything embarrassing on it to Jackson. Dad would flip if he knew you liked someone who was seventeen.”

Abby punched her brother in the stomach hard enough to make him bend over, but light enough for him to laugh it off. “Or maybe you have something on there about Dylan. Maybe you like bad boys? At least he’s your age, and he totally likes you.”

“He does not.”

“Does so.”

“Does not.” Abby let out a breath. “Okay, enough. I have no plans to date my friends. I turn sixteen in two days, and then I’m just two years away from college. I can’t wait to leave town and find someone without you and Dad and, most importantly Mom, spying on me.”

“Whatever. I’m going to dance with Ariana now.”

The music ended and Abby watched her brother ask his best friend to dance. She didn’t know why, but she had a feeling the equilibrium of Keeneston had shifted. Only time would tell if it settled back down.

Sienna Ashton saw her father, Will, coming toward her. He and her mother, Kenna, had just danced the first dance together. She had to tell him what she’d done. She hadn’t told anyone yet. She was sure her parents would be supportive. They always were, but it was her dad she was most worried might think her a kook.

“You look beautiful tonight, sport,” her father said as he kissed her cheek. “I still have trouble looking at you and not seeing my cute redheaded baby girl. And now you have a college degree and work in the real world. I guess I will have to admit you’re all grown up.”

“Daddy,” Sienna said as she hugged her father, “I’ve been grown up for years.”

Will placed a kiss on the top of her head. “You’ll always be my baby girl. Now, are you too grown up to dance with your father?”

“Never. And there is something I want to talk to you about,” Sienna told him with false bravado.

“What is it? Is it about your job with Lexington’s new NFL team?”

Sienna nodded her head. “You know I love football, and basketball, and hockey.”

“You sure did take after your ol’ dad.”

Sienna swallowed hard. Her father had been a quarterback in the NFL before he took over her grandparents' horse racing farm. Which is how she probably got her job at the newly formed Lexington NFL team. She wasn’t naïve. She knew her father was an investor, and that got her foot in the door. But she was going to work hard to deserve her job.

“Well, I’ve already talked to the front office, and I am going to be working part-time in the front office for the next—”

“Part-time? Why?” Will almost stopped moving, but she urged her father to continue to dance.

“I’m going to work weekends and some evenings. During the day, I am going to earn my doctorate in sports psychology. I want to help athletes.” Sienna grimaced as she looked up at her father.

“Sports therapy, huh? Could be a great fit for you. You understand the demands on professional athletes, as well as amateurs. Your years of being around football and then playing collegiate tennis will be a big help. How did you think of it?”

Sienna let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and suddenly felt foolish for ever thinking her father wouldn’t approve. “You don’t think I’m a kook?”

“A kook? You? No way. Other so-called professionals tried to have my receivers carrying around eggs like babies to help with their catching. Now those are a different story. But you’re a professional like your mother. You will take it seriously, and I will be happy to hand out your card to every athlete I know. I’m proud of you, Sienna. I always will be. Your mother will make you buy more suits, you know.”

“I know. She has a thing for them. I think she’s been a lawyer for too long,” Sienna said dryly.

“Not too much longer. She wants to retire in a couple years. After your brother graduates from college.”

“Really? Mom? I don’t know what she would do if she wasn’t the town prosecutor.”

Her father smiled. “We are going to travel like the Rose sisters, and I’m sure she will inappropriately interfere with your love life. Carter has been horse-crazy since birth. I’m sure he told you he’s making equine business his major. Last night he even mentioned getting his MBA. I’m sure when we decide to retire, your brother will take good care of the farm.”

Sienna agreed. Her brother had been working on the farm since he could walk. He rode like the wind, had some way to communicate with the animals through touch that amazed the whole family, and was a good leader with the people who worked on the farm.

“Oh, there’s Mo and Ahmed. I need to talk to them about something we're working on.” Her father leaned forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. “I’m proud of you, sport.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Sienna watched her father join his friends and decided to head to the bar.

“Oh, there you are, dear.” Miss Lily and her sisters appeared out of nowhere to surround her.

Sienna gave each bride a hug. They’d been like great-grandmothers to her, and she loved seeing them so happy. “Congratulations to the brides! You ladies look lovely.”

“Thank you, dear.” Lily patted her hand and smiled to her sisters. “We wanted to see how you were doing. Here, have a drink.”

Daisy shoved a glass of punch into her hand. “A toast! To men. They have some good points.”

The women all raised their glasses, and Sienna took a drink. Oh crap, it burned. She coughed and the Rose sisters looked momentarily concerned. “Did we put too much lime in it?” Violet asked.

“Does lime burn?” Sienna asked as she cleared her throat.

“Oh, dear. You don’t like it?” Daisy said sadly. “We made it ourselves.”

Sienna looked at the three disappointed faces and took another sip. It still burned, but not as badly. “No, it’s excellent,” she choked out.

The three faces lit up in smiles. “Good, have some more.” Lily filled her cup to the top. “So, what’s going on with you young people?”

Sienna took another sip. Hmm, not so bad after all. “I’m going back to school. I’m going to get my doctorate in sports psychology.”

“That’s wonderful, dear. Cheers to that!” Violet held up her glass and the four of them clinked their glasses and took a drink.

“And your brother has gotten so big. I can’t believe he’s almost nineteen. He’s so tall already. Looks just like your daddy,” Daisy told her before looking around the room. “Oh, and there’s Abby. Isn’t she lovely? Poor Ahmed is really going to have a problem when she goes away to college and he can’t scare her potential suitors.”

Sienna looked to the beautiful dark-haired, blue-eyed girl. “And she’s smart and full of confidence. Her father won’t have to keep the boys in line. She’ll do it herself. But I don’t really know what everyone was up to over the summer. I was so busy working. While it doesn’t seem like much, there’s a big difference between twenty-one and fifteen. That six years isn’t much when you reach your mid-twenties, but it is right now. So I really feel bad I’m not up on the current gossip with the younger kids.”

“Oh, well, then you know about Ryan. He’s your age.” Lily smiled innocently as Sienna choked on her drink.

“That’s right. He just got back from his summer with the FBI and DEA. I heard they both want him to join after graduating. Such a handsome man. Don’t you think? I hate to think of him in harm’s way.”

Sienna risked a glance across the tent toward Ryan. He was the boy who’d always had a crush on her. He snuck kisses while they played hide and seek or Marco Polo as kids. He always made an effort to open doors at school for her or to walk her home—because he was a gentleman who respected women, and he believed no one should walk home alone when he could walk with her. Not that Keeneston was a crime center, but what had been annoying as a teenager suddenly shifted earlier this summer.

They had been helping Nabi and Grace find love when he had surprised her. To stop her from screaming, he wrapped his hand around her mouth and pulled her tightly against him. Suddenly Ryan wasn’t so little anymore. When she turned and really looked at him—his desire to go into law enforcement, his respect for women, his kindness to his younger siblings, and, okay, the smoking hot body he’d developed—didn’t hurt either. But add these all together, and Ryan Parker was a catch.

And when all six foot two inches of broad chest, muscled thighs, and bone-melting hotness kissed her that night, Sienna realized Ryan Parker was a game-changer. Unfortunately, she’d missed the game. He claimed to be over her and left her flushed and breathless from their kiss. Since then, he hadn’t so much as given her the time of day.