Cider Brook by Carla Neggers

Author:Carla Neggers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2013-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

The rehearsal at Carriage Hill was brief and to the point, and no one freaked out—not even the bride’s mother, which was saying something, because a year ago, Louise Frost would have turned ashen, started sweating and had to leave early. Having Samantha to focus on helped distract her. Louise had pulled Justin aside and told him how much she enjoyed meeting her, how different she was. “You’ve always wanted someone different, Justin.”

He didn’t get into it with her. He couldn’t explain what was going on with Samantha to himself, much less to anyone else.

No regrets about kissing her, though. None. Stupid or not, there it was.

The rehearsal dinner was intimate, elegant and exactly what Jessica and her fair-haired, rangy, easygoing fiancé wanted ahead of the ceremony. They were happy, and that was what mattered to Justin—but his mind kept drifting to Samantha and whether she would be there when he returned to the sawmill.

As usual, Eric was the designated driver for the evening. He edged over to Justin and Mark as they headed outside. “I can make multiple trips if need be. Wouldn’t want anyone careening off the road on the dark drive home.”

“We’re meeting back at the Frost mill,” Mark said. “Beer and stories by the campfire. Works for me. I’m not sleeping tonight, anyway.”

“I’m fit to drive,” Justin said.

His brother grinned at him. “Resisted sampling Scotch from Samantha Bennett’s flask?”

“I should never have told you about that.”

“I wonder if her grandfather had that flask in Antarctica.”

“Feel free to ask her.”

“I will,” Eric said, oblivious to his younger brother’s mood.

Eric collected the rest of his brothers and a few other guys while Justin took Mark—who wasn’t fit to drive—in his truck. As they drove out to the sawmill, Justin decided to clear Samantha’s presence at the wedding with his friend.

Mark shrugged. “Samantha Bennett? The treasure hunter you rescued?” He seemed vaguely aware of her. “Yeah, sure. No problem.”

Justin grinned at him. “I could bring an orangutan tomorrow for all you’d notice or care at this point.”

“Wait—she’s an orangutan? I thought she was a treasure hunter.”

“Forget it,” Justin said. “You’re too far gone. You’re thinking about your bride-to-be and only your bride-to-be. As you should be.”

“I’m getting married tomorrow, Justin.”

“Yes, you are.”

“To a Frost.”

“To Jessica.”

“Yeah. Jess.”

Justin could hear the nervousness in his friend’s voice, as if the reality of his imminent marriage was just hitting him. “It’s going to be a great day tomorrow, Mark.”

He nodded, staring out the window into the dark. “I used to think you’d end up with Olivia. Imagine that. If the two of us had married the Frost sisters. Liv and Dylan—they’re good together. You, though, Justin. Hell.” Mark shook his head as if he didn’t get it. “You could have your pick of almost any single woman in Knights Bridge and probably a few of the married ones—”

“Tonight is your night, Mark. Beer and a campfire. Then a wedding in the morning.”

Mark fell silent, for which Justin was grateful. When they

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