Her Unexpected Affair (The Robinsons) (12 page)

“Of course, Mum.” He bent down and kissed her cheek. “You’re beautiful. See you at the altar.”

He extended his arm for Meilin and spoke to her escort. “If you’ll follow me?”

It was the strangest thing pretending he didn’t know her. As she’d given no indication of their acquaintance, he followed her lead and pretended ignorance. But he couldn’t ignore the tingle of awareness that came with the linking of her arm through his.

He saw them to their seats in the last row of the groom’s side of the aisle, barely covered by the shade of the open tent overhead, reluctantly releasing Meilin to sidle over to her chair and make room for Lin. The bride’s side was so full it had overflowed to the right. It didn’t really matter, he supposed. As long as there were butts in the seats, to put it in Birdie’s words.

He returned to the house and tucked his grandmother’s hand around his arm. The imperious old woman stuck her nose in the air without comment and took her time walking up the aisle to her seat. At last, taking his place beside his father, he noted the old man was as fidgety as he’d been at the original ceremony over spring break. “What’s got you worried now?” he asked his father as the music switched to the prelude before the bridal march.

“Not a thing. Just getting hot out here, despite the tent. Thinking about grabbing my bride and jumping into the pool.”

Drew looked down to hide his grin as Birdie, wearing a pale pink dress, sauntered up the silk runner that covered the grass to form the aisle. Bet the bride and groom jumping into the cool water would go over well. Randi might laugh over it, but Bird would probably lay a few eggs in distress.

Once Birdie reached the end of the runner, the music switched to Randi’s chosen processional. The guests rose and turned to watch her approach on her father’s arm. The scene was every bit as moving as it had been only a few months ago in the village church.

“She’s more beautiful now than she’s ever been.” His father actually sighed after making the quiet comment.

Drew glanced at his father then concentrated on Randi slowly walking in time to the music, wearing a short ivory linen sheath and ballet style flats. She looked young with the sun glinting off her hair picking out strands of gold from the red. Lifted off her neck, her hair was adorned with only a large creamy magnolia flower instead of the short veil she’d worn before. She held a giant, pink blossom as a simple bouquet. “You picked a winner. Never seen you so happy as you’ve been since Christmas.”

“I’ve had a few days that pretty much equal this one. The next time I’m this happy will be the day you wed. Choose well.”

“Since you’ve already taken the best woman ever born for a Robinson man to marry, I’m not eager to be looking for one of my own. Randi broke the mold.”

His father snorted. “She’s a tad old for you.”

Drew’s gaze slipped from Randi to Meilin, who watched the procession with a soft smile. “I don’t mind older women. When she’s the right one, she’s the right one. Age doesn’t matter a whit.”

There was no time for an answer as Randi and her father completed the short walk, and the ceremony began when Tuck cleared his throat. As the officiate, he led them through their custom written vows, much differently worded, but making the same promises as the standard wedding service. The vows were spoken with great feeling, and more than a few people wiped their eyes as Randi and Court squeezed each other’s hands tightly. Even Tuck seemed to forget he was a lawyer conducting a ceremony and had to use his handkerchief before they were done.

Finally, he had the final word. “Let no man put asunder what the Kingdom of England and the State of California have granted as a legal state of wedlock. I assure you, the legal mess would be horrendous to separate them, but as in love as these two are, and have always been, it’s not an issue.” Chuckles replaced the sniffs of sentiment. “Courtland Robinson, you may now kiss your bride.”

Cheers erupted as Drew’s father bent his bride over his arm and laid one on her. Birdie met Drew’s gaze and they both rolled their eyes, even as they grinned. Double sealed, they were a family now for all time.

* * * *

Meilin dug into her purse for a tissue. Shan’s left hand appeared in her blurred line of sight holding a square of folded linen while his right arm circled her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she murmured and gently patted under her eyes with his handkerchief.

He bent his head to kiss her cheek. “Do you always cry at weddings? What about funerals?”

“Not always,” she sniffed. “The vows were so beautiful, and beautifully spoken. Those two are very much in love and not afraid to show it.” Much like she wanted for her own wedding, she realized. How had she ever thought she could have a business arrangement for a marriage?

“I’ll be sure to tuck an extra hanky or two in my pockets for our wedding.” The softly spoken words stirred a stray lock of hair that had escaped her careful style.

Was it possible their wedding could be as emotionally joyful as this one? Unable to help herself, she looked up into Shan’s gaze. He smiled back at her, seemingly sincere enough, but she wasn’t sure she saw love. Of course, it was far too soon, they didn’t know each other well enough for it to be love. Still, she wondered if it could happen for them. The spark she’d felt only a week ago with a much younger man was lacking with Shan. Was it because they’d known of each other most of their lives, their circles touching, crossing, although they’d personally never circled close enough to touch more than a casual handshake? They were familiar rather than intimate. Was it Drew’s difference, his youth, his foreign origins that sparked with her?

Unbidden, her gaze strayed toward the much taller man who stood out like a sunbeam. The touch of his gaze as they’d approached the house had been as mesmerizing as the first finger of dawn rising above the horizon. Even now, the blue of his eyes reached over the heads of the guests, seeking her out, locking on her for one scorching moment. Breathless, she made herself look away.

“Warm?” Shan asked, his arm slipping around her waist.

“Yes. I’m ready for something cold to drink.” It was a good excuse.

“Hey everyone!” the young woman in pink she recognized as Courtney, yelled out. “Since the next part of this party is the graduation celebration, Mom’s going to toss her bouquet now, so all single ladies please gather in the aisle while the men move the chairs aside.”

“You should join them,” Shan said. He pressed his lips to her temple. “Although we’re engaged. It appears the only single ladies are very young indeed.”

Most of them appeared to be teenagers. Some of them with shades of red hair much like the woman standing next to the officiate.

“No, no. As you said last night, the contract is basically signed. I’m officially off the market.”

“I don’t mind if you do. Chances are one of the young ones will make a leap and snatch it from the air.”

Randi waved at her from the top of the aisle. “You too, Meilin! You’re not married yet!”

And so she found herself standing at the back of a grouping of girls from ten to twenty-five. No one was more surprised than she when the gorgeous pink peony landed in her hands.

Shan’s arms came around her from behind. “It’s beautiful with your dress. Would you like to carry peonies at our wedding?”

Stunned by her capture, overwhelmed with congratulations and friendly pouts from the teenagers, she only murmured, “They’ll be out of season then.”

“Not an issue.”

Of course not. She guessed that what Shan wanted, he generally got. Did that include her? Item—Bride. Bride—Meilin Wu. Check and check. Apparently.

Next they called for the single men. “That means you,” she told him.

“I’m too old for such shenanigans.”

“Not true.” She nodded to Randi’s father being escorted into the group waiting for the garter toss. From the front, the groom, a very handsome older version of Drew, pointed at Shan, then turned his hand over, crooking a finger in a “come here” gesture.

The laugh from Shan was stilted, but he left her side and moved to the back of the group. The groom lifted the bride onto a chair, made sure she was stable, then slid his hand up under her skirt. They stared into each other’s eyes, small private smiles on their lips. The very air around them shimmered with love.

“No feeling her up in front of the kids!” someone from the crowd called out. “Grab the garter, man!”

The garter in question slowly descended until the article made of pink silk and frothy white lace loosened. Carefully it was pulled off over her foot, then the groom placed his hands on her waist and lifted her down, her body sliding the length of his. Meilin’s chest ached with the beauty of their love. What they must have suffered to embrace their feelings so joyously. Not a feeling she’d ever felt for herself in regards to a man unless he was a hero in one of the novels she loved to read at night. How different their new marriage seemed to the one she’d just discussed with Shan. Had they considered all the angles, the repercussions to lives and careers the same way?

“Hands up, gentlemen!” Randi called out. “I want to see everyone’s hands in the air!” Once she approved, her husband shot it like a rubber band into the grouping of men. It seemed the garter was headed for Shan, then a long arm reached out and snatched it from the air.

Drew.

“That’s twice!” Courtney called out, laughing. “You’re doubly in trouble from the matchmakers.”

Shan returned to Meilin’s side never noticing her gaze was locked with Drew’s. “See, the Fates, or whomever are in charge of such things, already know I’m blessed with the next beautiful bride.”

Tearing her gaze from the tall, young Englishman, she smiled faintly at Shan’s hubris.

Now if only they’d serve the champagne.

Drew endured the pounding that served as pats on the back. It was a silly custom, but if one believed it, then he was supposed to marry the woman who caught the bouquet. In this case, Meilin.

The thought of marrying Meilin left him short of breath.

Scared the hell out of him as well. Lord, he wasn’t ready for marriage, not to anyone. He was leaving California soon and had at least three to four years of concentrated work ahead of him to secure his place in the family business. By then he’d be ready to think about his personal future. The time to date and get to know Meilin would be long past. She might very well have a couple kids by then.

How many months until her wedding? She’d probably told him while dancing. If she had, he couldn’t remember a damn thing about it.

Jack would know. Or Randi would ask. That was the key, watch for when his new mother got Meilin aside, then find a way to be near enough to eavesdrop. He wasn’t above eavesdropping. It was how a guy found out things. Like when his father had presented his mother with divorce papers and demanded custody of Drew. The very argument that had sent his mother rushing from the house in a rainstorm where she’d wrecked her car on slick roads. No divorce. No custody fight. From that dark day it had been just him and his dad until they’d found Randi and Birdie. Talk about Fate taking a hand in things. Now if only Fate would take an interest in his desire to get closer to Meilin.

He felt a sense of hopelessness that the opportunity would never appear. The man with her certainly displayed possessiveness, keeping a hand on her waist or hip. Drawing her close to kiss her temple. Drew had a brief fantasy of Lin reaching for her breast and Meilin decking the knobhead. Pretty much what he wanted to do, given an opportunity.

Drew did notice Meilin didn’t return the signs of affection a woman might have for her fiancé. She didn’t turn into his arms or nuzzle close. Erect and proud, she held her spine straight, a polite smile on her perfect Cupid’s bow mouth. A mouth he knew tasted of exotic honey. Like her dress, her skin shimmered in the sun, reminding him of the way she’d swayed and shimmied on the dance floor, laughing at the antics of her friends. Supple as a willow in a breeze. Not like an unbending flag pole, so polite and calm.

Drew let Martin and the photographer bully him into his place for pictures. First with his parents and sister. Then just his dad. Then with Randi. Then with Birdie. Then with the grandparents from both sides. The only time he felt his smile was genuine was when they made him pose with Meilin, him displaying the garter on his arm, her holding the flower she’d caught. Especially when he’d tipped her backward into a dip to the shrieks of laughter around them. It took great restraint not to kiss her, although he allowed himself a few seconds to stare into her startled eyes. Just long enough to see the jade green warm and a flush wash her cheeks. It took even more strength to let her go and watch her return to her glowering fiancé.

At last the photos were done and he could see relief on the faces of the guests hovering in the shade of the trees and the umbrellas set in the tables now scattered about the yard as the catering staff set up. A small dance floor was being laid on the ground under the open sided tent. Drinks were being handed out and food trays set on serving tables. Cases and cases of bottled water filled tubs of ice, all within easy reach of the guests. Buckets of ice held bottles of beer, wine, and soda supervised by a bartender. How he wanted a couple of those. He stared at Oswald, the third candidate in line for the top spot at Lynford, definitely envying the cold one in the man’s hand.

While the photographer consulted with Martin, Randi patted Drew’s arm. “Nice finish there. I think you embarrassed her and annoyed him.”

Unrepentant, he merely grinned at Randi’s mild chastisement. She huffed out her exasperation with him. “Oh you. Get out of that jacket and tie. Go mingle. Get Oswald to relax a little. Your friends should start showing up soon.”

“At last.” He heaved an exaggerated sigh and tugged on the tie. Although getting Oswald to relax wasn’t so easy. Birdie liked to say the man had been born with a stick up his arse. She wasn’t far off. Not a bad guy, just formal. Stiff. Drew had no problem with the man, but Birdie, now there was a different story. As he watched, she eyed the man in question before blowing out a huff and purposely turning her back on him.