Her Gentle Giant, Part 2: Remember to Dance (8 page)

* * * *

Rachel and Grace were the first ones up the next morning. Grace made a pot of coffee, and Rachel joined her out on the back porch. The morning breeze had a slight chill to it, so they sat in their robes enjoying their coffee and a quiet conversation. Grace asked her if she’d managed to sleep last night.

“Yes, I slept well after I talked to Eli. It was good to hear his voice,” she replied softly, her cheeks heating a little at the memory.

Grace chuckled knowingly. “Yeah, the
sound of Jack’s voice
helped me sleep, too.”

“You didn’t talk to Ethan and Adam?”

“Oh, yes. I talked to all of them. This is the first time I’ve been apart from all three of them overnight. I couldn’t sleep if I didn’t hear their voices first, but Jack and I got to have a
little chat
last night. I slept well after we hung up, but I still missed them.” She smiled at Rachel, blushing at her euphemisms. “We can call Carrie and Raquel later if you want.”

“That sounds great. I’d like to get together with them soon if they have any openings.”

“I’m sure they could work that out.”

“How are the wedding plans coming for you and Kelly?”

“Great! Everything is coming together nicely, and your dad’s budget has been easy to work with. He’s a real peach to throw you a nice wedding like this.”

“My dad’s a sweetheart. He’s a tough guy on the outside, with a warm, gooey filling on the inside, where me and my mom are concerned.”

Later that morning, all the ladies climbed into Rachel’s new truck and went with her to Clay Cook’s to order Eli’s wedding ring. The girls browsed the display cases with her mom while Rachel and Clay talked about Eli’s ring and Clay took down her inscription. Rachel complimented Clay on the beautiful workmanship of Grace’s wedding ring, for which he thanked her with a shy, warm smile. While they finished up, Grace stepped outside to make a phone call.

A few minutes later, she stepped back into the door of Clay’s shop and crooked her finger at Rachel. “Carrie and Rachel’s afternoon photo shoot had to reschedule on them. Do you want to run out to Morehead today and take some sexy portraits?”

Rachel was shocked but jumped eagerly at the opportunity. “But what about the others?”

Grace shrugged and grinned broadly. “They’ll have a blast. Maybe we can talk them into posing for portraits, too.”

“If they’re game, I am, too!”

Rachel thanked Clay then said, “All right, ladies, here’s the deal...”

Five minutes later, they were in the truck driving back to the ranch to pick up lingerie and then out of town.

As she buckled up, Kelly said, “That Clay Cook is a cutie pie.”

Grace giggled. “I know. He’s gorgeous with his blond hair and green eyes. So far, he’s resisted my efforts to match make for him. I think he’s rather shy.”

“I got that impression, too. But he’s very handsome,” Kelly said appreciatively.

 “That he is! I haven’t given up yet. Just have to find the right girl to introduce him to.” Rachel noticed Grace turn and wink at Teresa in the back seat and then heard Teresa chuckle.

Two hours later, after a light lunch, Rachel found herself dressed in her black lace nightgown and robe. Raquel carefully applied more eye shadow and eyeliner, giving her a smoky-eyed look, and then she helped Rachel pose seductively for the camera.

“Aren’t you going to change and let me shoot you, too?” Carrie asked speculatively, eyeing the garment bag Grace had brought with her.

“Twist my arm, why don’t you?” Grace laughed, rifling through it, looking for the perfect outfit.

Rachel’s mom had a beautiful portrait made with her daughter as well as a sexy one with a feather boa and dark red lipstick for her father.

Kelly and Teresa were excited to have a portrait taken, as well. Teresa had loosened up and gotten into all the fun but blushed beet red at seeing Rachel and Grace dressed only in lingerie.

While her mom, Kelly, and Teresa took a break and got something to drink and snack on in the waiting room, Rachel allowed Grace and the two photographers to persuade her into posing for a very tasteful nude.

After they were done, Grace was excited, both over Rachel’s enthusiastic approach to this endeavor but also over the nudes she did for her men, as well. Carrie assured them she’d call when they were all ready. They left the photography studio energized and euphoric.

“Am I high?” Rachel giggled as they headed down the highway farther into Morehead.

“It’s endorphins, Rachel,” Grace replied, fixing her lipstick and powdering her nose. “Stretching out of your comfort zone like that releases endorphins in your system, plus you feel beautiful because you’ve been dolled up and had professional portraits taken. You’ll sleep like a baby tonight.” She winked then pulled out her cell phone and sent a text, most likely to one of her men, as Rachel drove them to the large shopping mall in Morehead. Grace’s phone vibrated in her hand. Looking at the display, she started giggling. “Oh, my goodness!”

“What is it?” her mom asked from the back seat.

“The great white hunters are scoring big time,” Grace said. “They’re already planning a pig roast and bonfire next weekend. It’s a good thing we have big deep freezers, girls. We’re going to need them. Don’t worry, Kelly and Teresa, we’re gonna keep you stocked to the eyeballs. Rachel, Adam says Eli bagged one that has to be at least four hundred pounds!”

Rachel’s mouth popped open at that announcement, and then she grinned big. “Yeah, pan sausage!”

“Adam says they are hunting right now and that everyone has already gotten at least one decent-sized hog, some of them two. I wonder how they’re planning to get all that home.”

Her mother supplied the answer. “Allen has a flat bed trailer he’s letting them use. They’ll probably take whatever they kill today to a nearby processor and pick up the meat later. He’s anxious to get those off his property. They moved in the last few years, and the population of white tail deer started dropping off. Plus, they’ve cause a lot of property damage.”

“It sounds like they are definitely going to need that trailer,” Grace replied, and then her phone buzzed again. “Adam says we should come up with them next time. They all have their own rooms, and the lodge is nice.” The phone vibrated again in her hand, and she looked down to read the message and chuckled softly.

“What does he say?” Teresa leaned forward.

“Oh, that he loves me and couldn’t live without me.” Grace sighed breathily, to which she received a chorus of, “Aww.”

“What exactly are they going to do with the pigs they bring home?” Kelly asked, as if the thought of dead animals hanging around the house had just occurred to her.

“They’ll send them immediately to a processor,” Renata replied. “Peter stopped bringing his kills home when Rachel was in college. I couldn’t stand the stench and the gore anymore. Have you ever had wild pig before, Kelly?”

“I don’t think so.”

Rachel glanced at Kelly in the rearview mirror. “Honey, you are in for a treat. Do you think you can come back next weekend?”

“I’d already planned on it. I’m here more than I’m home on the weekends, it seems like,” Kelly said with a laugh.

“Does your husband mind very much?” Rachel asked.

“No. He’s encouraged me to spend time here with you when I can. Chris worries about me at home alone so much. He knows how much I enjoy being with you all and that I’m having fun with Grace, planning your wedding.”

“Good, because we love having you and little Matthew,” her mom said. “He travels so well, and he’s the most easygoing a baby I’ve ever met.”

Grace’s phone buzzed again, and she chuckled softly but didn’t say anything.

“I’m nosey,” Kelly said. “Who’s that from?”

“Jack.”

“What’s he say?”

Grace gazed at the screen. “It was for my eyes only,” she replied with a soft, blushing smile. The others chuckled knowingly. Grace texted back and forth for a couple of minutes with him then sighed dreamily. “He’s so romantic. He said they would all call us tonight.”

At the mall, Grace and Kelly split from the group, in need of some time together to purchase reception decorations. Rachel handed Grace the keys to the Tundra, and they started off. Rachel, her mom, and Teresa went to have a little snack in the food court. The mall was decorated festively for Christmas already, and Rachel wondered out loud what the wedding decorations would look like.

“Well, judging by what I’ve heard Kelly and Grace say, it’s going to be festive and colorful,” her mom replied. “They are using a varied color palette, including the blue from their dresses. I always hoped you’d want to get married at home, out in the pavilion.”

“I used to dream about it when I was little. I told Grace about some of my imaginings as a child, and she got a twinkle in her eye, which means she’s got a little something up her sleeve. I’m so grateful I have two friends who love to plan things like this,” Rachel said with a chuckle. “Where were they going, anyway?”

“We can’t tell you, Rachel,” Teresa said, grinning. “We were instructed to help you find a pair of warm, waterproof boots and a heavy winter coat, plus everything to go with it—hat, goggles, gloves, scarf, and thermal underwear. Whatever you want or need for being outdoors in the cold were Eli’s instructions.”

They took her to an outfitter in the mall and set her up with a heavy waterproof and insulated jacket in the hottest pink Rachel had ever seen.

“Grace will be pleased!” Teresa said, chuckling when Rachel tried it on.

They found a beautiful imitation fur hat that matched the fur that lined the hood on her jacket. Her snow boots were warm and comfy inside, and most importantly, insulated and waterproof. They found socks and silk thermal underwear at a great price, so she was able to get several pairs.

Several hours later, as it drew close to suppertime, they met Grace and Kelly, who now had the back of the Tundra loaded with sealed boxes.

Rachel yelped when she saw the stacks. “Dang, Grace! What have you been up to?”

“You’ll see in four weeks.” Grace snickered as she popped Rachel’s hand when she tried to lift the flap on a box. “Absolutely no peeking. You’ll see when it’s time. How’d you do finding your coat, boots and other stuff?”

Kelly clapped her hands happily. “We lucked out and found lots of great deals and saved Eli a lot of money shopping the sales.”

 “Good, then we’re done here. It’s suppertime, and we have girls’ night reservations,” Grace announced happily.

Rachel looked in the bed of the truck. “What about the boxes?”

“Don’t worry. Where we’re going they’ll be fine,” Grace replied.

Grace directed her to a country road on the outskirts of Morehead. Rachel saw the restaurant tucked back amidst the trees and gasped happily when she saw the diminutive sign. “You’re taking us to
Tessa’s
?”

Chapter Thirty-six

 Rachel looked over at Grace and arched an eyebrow, the question in her mind answered as they all squealed in unison, “Surprise!”

Grace laughed. “This is your lingerie shower, Rachel! There’s a small party room reserved for us.”

Rachel parked and noticed two other cars were pulling in next to them. Rosemary Piper and Charity Conners jumped out and crowed, “Surprise!” They all climbed out of the Tundra, laughing and hugging.

“Happy bridal shower!” Charity cackled, giving her a big hug. She opened her trunk and removed a large, heavy looking gift bag from the interior. Rosemary hugged her, too, looking particularly radiant and happy.

Grace said, “Come on. Tessa has a special room all set up for us.”

Rachel noticed that Grace and the others weren’t carrying anything. Grace really was a planner. Tessa greeted them at the door, hugged Grace and welcomed then all graciously. She was supermodel tall and gorgeous, but had an easy openness to her that was refreshing, not haughty at all. She sauntered down a dimly lit hall and led them to a small, intimate dining room. Candles and festive decorations, which perfectly blended the holiday season and the romance of a wedding, adorned the table as well as the antique sideboard and buffet.

“Tessa, it’s perfect,” Grace commented. “Thanks for all your help.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll step out and send your servers in to you. They’re the best. Enjoy,” she murmured before excusing herself.

Gaily wrapped presents were arranged artfully on the buffet, to which Charity and Rosemary added theirs.

Rachel gestured to the decorations and gifts. “How did you...”

“We set this up in advance. The men dropped everything off for me yesterday after they left.”

“So Eli knows about this?”

“Oh, yes, honey. We have his full knowledge and blessing. There may even be a surprise or two there because the men knew in advance what we were doing. As you’ve discovered, our men are just as adept at buying gifts as we are,” Grace said with a chuckle. “Come sit, so we can get started.”

Grace glanced over Rachel’s shoulder and smiled mischievously. Rachel sat down in the chair Grace indicated and looked up into the clearest, greenest eyes she’d ever seen.

“Good evening. I’m Paul. I’ll be one of your servers this evening.”

As he assisted the ladies in seating themselves, Paul shared the list of culinary offerings for the evening. Bless their hearts, Rachel didn’t think any of the women heard what he said. Paul was not merely handsome, he was…celestially handsome, a wondrous spectacle of masculine beauty. He had tousled, shoulder-length blond hair, beautiful green eyes, high cheek bones, and a nose that looked like it had been chiseled by Michelangelo’s own hand. He had wonderful full, kissable lips and a
sexy-as-freaking-hell
soul patch below his lower lip. He was dressed in cowboy boots, blue jeans, and an untucked white dress shirt, which he had not bothered to button all the way up.

Guiltily, Rachel noticed her mouth was watering as she looked at him. He took their barely coherent drink orders. A couple of them switched to alcoholic drink orders midway through the process. When he strode from the room, Rachel could have heard a pin drop to the floor.

Kelly broke the silence. “Hot. Holy. Hell. Is he for
real
? Is he a waiter? Grace
,
is he a
stripper
you hired, pretending to be a waiter?”

Grace chortled happily. “You know our men, right? Strippers we don’t need. That, dear hearts, is Tessa’s younger brother, Paul. Isn’t he positively luscious? He’s a chef here, but for this special occasion, he was willing to serve us personally from the kitchen while the other chefs pick up the slack. He
and
his brother, Peter, will be serving us tonight.”

“He has a brother?” Renata asked incredulously.

Grace grinned crookedly. “Mmm-hmm. And it gets even better.” She paused for effect, waiting to be asked how.

“How could it get any better? Did you see those beautiful green eyes?” Kelly sighed.

“Paul and Peter are…
twins
.”

“Oh, no. Oh, yes...oh,
boy
!” Charity whispered as both handsome men entered the room carrying their drinks.

“Hello, ladies. I’m Peter. I’ll be helping my brother serve you tonight. Can I suggest an appetizer?”

Grace and Charity glanced at each other and Rachel, who grinned then felt her cheeks grow hot at their knowing smiles.

Grace turned to him and said, “Good evening, Peter. I think Rachel would enjoy your
shrimp
cocktail
. I’ve been craving one, too. How does that sound, ladies?” At their assenting nods, Grace turned back to him and murmured, “A large shrimp cocktail?”

Paul left the room to turn in the order while Peter reiterated the evening’s selection. He took their individual orders and then added, “The bakery delivered the cake, Mrs. Warner. As you requested, we haven’t cut it but will wait for word from you. I’ll turn in your order, and please don’t hesitate to page either of us if you need anything at all. We’re at your beck and call this evening,” he said with a crooked little grin, “and we’ll be right down the hall in the kitchen.”

He leaned forward and handed Grace a small black cell phone, kissed her hand, then did the same for Rachel. “It’s always a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Warner,” Paul added then excused himself.

They sat at the table, in shock for a moment. “They’re so pretty they make my eyes hurt,” Charity said.

“Exactly how often do you come here,
Mrs. Warner
?” Rosemary asked with a snicker.

“Her men spoil her rotten and bring her here at least
once a month
,” Charity butted in.

“Wow,” Teresa said softly. Everyone’s attention turned to her. She burst out laughing, and they all laughed with her.

“Yeah,
wow
,” Rachel agreed.

“Well, let’s get started, shall we? They’ll let me know before they bring anything else.” Grace rose from her chair and went to the buffet. Touching this gift and that with a well-manicured fingertip, she lifted a square box wrapped gaily in blue paper with a frilly bow. She placed the gift in front of Rachel. “Why not start with your beautiful mom’s gift?”

Rachel smiled at her mom and blew her an air kiss. She tore open the paper, lifted the lid, and gasped. From the box, she lifted a pair of high-heeled platform slides with clear acrylic heels. The first of many risqué giggles rippled around the room. She lifted out another tissue-wrapped package. The tissue revealed a filmy red babydoll nightie and matching G-string.

“Thank you, Mom! Wow!”

“I was shopping for a granny gown to keep you warm, and Grace suggested something more fun that might inspire
Eli
to keep you warm.” Her mother laughed when Rachel gave her a goggle-eyed look and felt her cheeks heat up.

“Mom! This is a side of you I’ve never seen before! I like it! I love the nightie. Thank you.” She would never have imagined her mother buying her sexy lingerie.

Grace placed another gift in front of her and passed the heels and babydoll nightie around to the others to see. “This is from Teresa.”

Rachel smiled at Teresa, glad to know this demure friend of Grace’s. They’d had a few chances to get to know each other since Grace’s wedding and Rachel had visited with her on several occasions at Stigall’s. Teresa once commented to Rachel that she appreciated her involvement in protecting Grace from Patricia. That confrontation hastened Patricia’s expulsion from Angel’s life, which was an added bonus for Teresa.

Rachel opened the gift and the women cooed over the sheer black mesh and lace gown, robe, and thong panty. “That’s beautiful, Teresa, thank you so much.”

Everyone commented appreciatively on how diaphanous it was. Rachel wondered what Eli would think of the sheerness and had a pretty good guess.

“You’re welcome, Rachel,” Teresa replied, smiling back at her.

“Kelly’s is next,” Grace said, placing it in front of her.

Rachel grinned at her tiny friend and future sister-in-law. Inside the gift-wrapped box was a pretty royal-blue satin nightie. It had a drawstring opening at the deep V-neck, and the sides were crisscrossing satin strings which held the front and back together, waiting to be untied. Inside was also a matching long, blue satin robe with flowing sleeves. The slithery fabric slipped and slid over itself as she lifted it from the box with a soft sigh.

“Gorgeous!” Her mom said as she stroked the silky fabric.

The phone Peter had handed to Grace vibrated on the table. She checked it and texted back then took her seat after she placed the opened gifts back on the buffet.

“Paul is bringing the shrimp cocktails now,” she said moments before their lovely waiter tapped on the door and entered, carrying a tray.

After serving them, he refilled their drinks and took orders for refills on their cocktails. They chatted while they waited for him to return. “Your entrees will be ready in twenty to thirty minutes, Mrs. Warner. We’ll let you know and wait to hear from you.”

Grace thanked him, and he excused himself quietly. Grace rose again from the table and returned with another wrapped gift. “This is from Rosemary.”

Rachel tore off the paper and lifted the lid, then opened the tissue. Momentarily puzzled, she lifted the delicate strips of fabric from the box and found the picture label that had been attached to the lingerie. “I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like this. Wow, would you look at that?”

“Do you like it?” Rosemary asked uncertainly.

“I love it, but I can tell you Eli will absolutely
flip
for it. He loves a good mystery. I’m going to wear this under an outfit and let him wonder all evening.” She lifted it up and passed the card around so they could see it.

It was a silky spandex chemise that could be worn four different ways. Forward, backward, upside down to the front and upside down to the back, strapless or with shoulder straps. It was a series of clingy straps and strategic cutouts that revealed curves but strategically hid or revealed other parts depending on which way it was worn.

Charity handled it. “Oh, yeah! If I know Eli, he will totally flip for this. Keep that card, Rachel, so you can wear it a different way every time and keep him guessing. I think I need one of these. Where did you find it, Rosie?”

“Oh, this great website, maybe you’ve heard of it? Hips and—”

 “—curves.com?” Grace, Rachel, and Charity all laughed outrageously.

“That’s the one! I
love
their lingerie!”

“We do, too!” Grace chuckled and handed Rachel another gift to open while the girls tucked the picture card back in with the chemise in its box and passed it around. This one was two boxes tied together. She opened the smaller box first and giggled in delight when she found a butter-soft front-lacing leather corset in it.

“Ooooh! That is
awesome
!” Kelly said. “I’ll bet you get a lot of use from that. Eli loves that biker babe stuff! That’s perfect for you, Rachel.”

“See, it zips up the back, but you can tighten the laces in the front. It’s a lot less work for you than reaching behind you to tie laces, and he can get you out of it in a hot second if he wants to,” Grace said. “Look at what else is in there.”

Rachel lifted out a leather throat collar with a large silver ring attached to the front of it, and all the women giggled uproariously. She laughed and unbuckled it then slipped it around her neck. It was thick but softly lined. She could not hide the pleasure she had at the thought of wearing it for Eli as her cheeks heated up. Laughing softly, Rachel thanked Grace for it, trying to not betray how much she
really
liked it. Her mom was in attendance, after all. No point going there. Rachel looked at Grace, and Grace spoke up for her.

“I’m sorry, Renata. The gifts kind of degenerate from this point,” Grace said with a grin.

Rachel’s mom batted her hands and said, “Oh, don’t, Grace. I’m having so much fun. I’m a little more
liberated
than my daughter knows. Don’t worry that you will shock me. Let me see that, Rachel. Is it lined? Oh! That’s nice and soft.” She rubbed her thumb on the lining.

Grace exchanged a relieved look with Rachel.

Rachel opened the larger box and found a truly kinky pair of high, chunky-heeled, black patent platform lace up boots. “Oooh! Hot mama! Look at these!”

Laughter erupted around the table when she lifted it out of the box.

Grace brought Charity’s gift to Rachel and sat the gift bag in front of her. “This is from Charity. Guaranteed to be
adult eyes only
, if I know my sister!” She giggled and then added, “And we love you for it, sis.”

Rachel reached into the bag and pulled out a…feather duster? Only, the duster was small.

At Rachel’s confused look, Charity snickered and said, “It’s a tickler. Keep digging. Eli is going to thank me.” Rachel lifted out a bundle of red satin. She unfolded them and looked at Charity in confusion. “Those are eight-foot-long bondage sashes for Eli to
tie
you up
with.” Charity grinned as all the ladies giggled and Rachel’s cheeks turned red hot.