Sweet on You (The Bridesmaids Club Book 4) (18 page)

Steve put the metal frame on the ground. They’d taken the wheels and leg braces off the chair. The only thing left was the seat and the metal frame surrounding it.

The woman who’d ridden the four-wheeler off the trailer grinned at Jacob. “Hi, I’m Angela, Marsha’s sister. We added special clamps to the four-wheeler so that Doug’s seat sits on top of the rack at the back.”

Jacob looked between the four-wheeler and the frame. “Does it work?”

“You bet,” Steve said. “We’ve tested it in town and on a couple of hiking trails. It should get down to the lake easily.”

Jacob had to admire their design, but he wasn’t convinced it would work. Most off-road trails were easier to navigate than untouched pasture. The trick would be to find a path that had the least amount of obstacles in their way.

Molly stuck her hands in her jacket pocket. “Let’s get started. It’s only going to get colder the longer we stand here.”

Steve walked back to their truck, while Mike and Angela attached the seat to the back of the bike. Mike pulled a socket-wrench out of his pocket, ratcheting the bolts tightly against the four-wheeler’s rear rack.

Steve returned with two light-weight frames that he attached to the side of the bike. “Looks like we’re ready to go.”

Doug moved across to the bike and his brothers lifted him into the seat. With a five-point harness clicked into place and his legs in the frames either side of the bike, Doug wasn’t going to fall out of the seat anytime soon.

Marsha went back to their van and took two helmets out of the vehicle. She passed one to her fiancé and the other to Steve. “If this doesn’t work, we’ll change to plan B.”

“You worry too much,” Doug said with a smile. “Steve’s not the best driver in the world, but he’s been using four-wheelers for most of his life.”

“I don’t know whether that’s an insult or a compliment,” Steve muttered. “Seen as I’m doing the driving, it might pay to keep your observations to yourself and concentrate on the navigating.”

Jacob nodded at the lake. “The best way down isn’t the most direct path you could take, but there’s less chance of getting stuck. When you get to the edge of the yard, turn right. I’ll meet you about one hundred yards down the track and show you where to go from there.”

Steve looked over his shoulder. “Are you ready to roll, Doug?”

“You bet.”

Steve started the bike and drove away from them.

Jacob glanced at everyone else. “If you want to stay here, you’re more than welcome to wait inside the house.”

Marsha shook her head. “I’ll go with you.”

With Molly, Angela, and Mike saying the same thing, they all left the yard and headed down the track. The four-wheeler had almost reached the turn-off point. Steve cut the engine and waited for them to catch up.

“You go first,” Steve said to Jacob. “Doug and I will follow you.”

From that point forward it was almost plain sailing. There were a couple of moments when Jacob thought Steve wouldn’t have enough power to get out of the sudden dips in the ground, but he did.

Thanks to the safety harness, Doug wasn’t tossed around too much. If anything, he looked as though he’d enjoyed every minute of the ride.

“That wasn’t so bad,” Doug said when they arrived at the edge of the lake.

Steve frowned. “It was all right today, but I’m worried about the weather. If we get snow between now and your wedding it could be completely different.”

Jacob was pleased that at least one brother knew what they were talking about.

Marsha looked at Jacob. “Are you still okay with us getting married in your home? It would only happen if we couldn’t get to Emerald Lake.”

All eyes swiveled toward Jacob.

“That’s fine.”

Molly smiled at him. Anyone would think he’d found the cure to a life-threatening disease with the way he responded to her. A surge of adrenaline shot through his body, made him forget everything else that was going on in his life and focus on the woman beside him. What he felt wasn’t normal. They hadn’t even had a proper date yet.

Marsha looked along the shore of the lake. “Now that we’re here, where are we going to have the wedding ceremony?”

Molly moved away from the group. She hopped between some large boulders, then headed back to them. “The view is spectacular wherever you choose to stand. I think it’s a matter of making it as easy as possible for Doug to get from the four-wheeler to his wheelchair.”

Steve grinned. “Damn. There goes my idea of leaving Doug on the four-wheeler.”

Doug shoved his brother’s shoulder. “You want to be careful what you say. Marsha might think it’s a great idea.”

Marsha frowned. “At least it’s not as bad as going white-water rafting for Doug’s bachelor party. I couldn’t think of anything more dangerous.”

The three brothers kept their mouths shut. Jacob had a feeling that a day on a glacier might be closer than Marsha thought.

He jumped into the uneasy silence settling on the wedding party. “So, it’s settled. You have the marriage ceremony here. Steve brings Doug down to the lake on the four-wheeler. Everyone else comes by foot.”

Mike looked around the area they’d settled on. “I’ll follow Doug and Steve on another four-wheeler. There’s plenty of room to park. We could have Doug’s wheelchair ready for him.” He stood beside Marsha. “The minister could be here, you and Doug in front of him, and our families standing around us.”

“And if that doesn’t work, we can direct everyone to Jacob’s home when they arrive,” Marsha said. “Could we look at your living room to see how it might work?”

Jacob nodded. “I’ll put the coffeepot on. You’re welcome to stay and enjoy the view.”

The smile on Marsha’s face was captivating. “Thanks, but I’ve got other plans for Doug today.”

Doug didn’t look impressed. “It’s not as exciting as Marsha thinks. We’re having a final fitting for our suits.”

“You all look so handsome in your dinner suits,” Marsha said with a grin.

Mike stuck his hands on his hips and scowled. “Like penguins going to a party.”

A loud squawk filled the air and everyone watched a flock of geese rise into the air.

Marsha sighed. “Molly said you’re selling your property, Jacob. I don’t know how you could leave such a beautiful setting.”

Jacob watched a stray goose join his buddies. He frantically flapped his wings and hooted his annoyance at being left behind. “I’ve seen another building I want to buy in New York.”

Steve tightened the strap on his helmet. “I dated a girl from Manhattan, once. She couldn’t stand the peace and quiet out here. I couldn’t stand the noise and pollution in New York. I guess everyone has different ideas about what makes them happy.”

Jacob shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve lived in New York before. It’s not that bad once you get used to it.”

Steve looked at the lake and the mountains, the land that held so much promise. “I couldn’t give up what you’ve got here for a concrete jungle. But you’re right, everyone’s different.”

Molly’s gaze settled on Jacob. He knew what she was thinking.

“Let’s go back to the house,” he said. “You can have a look around and see if it will work.”

Steve settled back on the four-wheeler. “Sounds good to me. It’s freezing out here.” He started the bike and turned around. “We’ll meet you back at the yard.”

Jacob pointed in a different direction. “We’ll walk this way. It won’t take as long.”

As everyone hiked back to his house, Jacob thought about the appointment he had this afternoon. He was going to meet John Fletcher, the owner of one of the biggest security companies in America. John had relocated his head office to Montana. He was looking for a parcel of land to build a new home on.

John had already been out to the property he was interested in, and he’d liked what he’d seen. This time, he was bringing an engineer and an architect with him. It was looking good for a sale, but Jacob knew not to count on something happening until the offer went unconditional.

He had less than four weeks to sell the land he’d subdivided. After that, it didn’t matter whether he liked New York or not. If he hadn’t sold his ranch, he wouldn’t be moving anywhere.

And if that didn’t happen, he’d have to find his own plan B.

***

Molly didn’t know who to look at first when Marsha and Doug came into Jacob’s home.

After seeing the view from his living room, Marsha kept telling Jacob how crazy he was to sell his property. Doug tried to curb her enthusiasm for what Jacob should be doing, but she wasn’t listening.

“It’s such a pretty place. Could you keep your home and sell the other three parcels of land?”

Doug wheeled his chair over to his fiancée and sent Jacob an apologetic smile. “Marsha tends to get carried away when she sees something she likes.”

Steve laughed from behind him. “And that’s exactly why she’s marrying you.”

Doug didn’t pay any attention to his brother. “Let’s concentrate on where we’re going to put everyone if it’s too cold outside.”

Marsha looked around the open plan area, assessing every spare inch. “We could stand by the stone fireplace for the wedding ceremony. That would leave enough room for everyone to see what’s going on.” She turned to Jacob. “Would you mind if we brought some fold-out chairs with us if we get married inside? That way everyone will be more comfortable.”

“You’re welcome to bring anything you’ll need.”

Molly glanced at Jacob. He didn’t realize what he’d just said. Marsha’s eyes did another thorough inspection of his living room, and a smile lit her face.

“We could do so much,” she said a little wistfully.

Angela stepped forward with a notebook and pen in her hands. “Tell me what we need and I’ll write it down.”

“You’ve done it now,” Steve muttered. “Marsha’s the home decorating queen of Montana. You should see what she’s done to Doug’s place. It’s not a bachelor pad anymore.”

“His house had a good layout. It just needed a little color and some accessories.”

Jacob looked as though he was beginning to understand what he’d let himself in for. “I wouldn’t go to too much bother. This is only temporary and plan B.”

Doug wheeled his chair over to Marsha. “I know how much you enjoy making things look good, but Jacob’s right. We may not even be inside.”

Marsha’s enthusiasm wasn’t dimmed. “Angela and I can make a list of what we need. If the weather isn’t looking great the day before our wedding, we’ll go shopping.”

Doug glanced at Jacob.

“I’ve got a question,” Jacob said. “What were you going to do after the wedding ceremony?”

“Doug’s parents offered to take us to a restaurant for lunch.” Marsha smiled at her fiancé. “We still can’t agree on where we’re going.”

Jacob crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Unless you don’t want the hassle of bringing food out to my ranch, why don’t you have your wedding reception here? If you do manage to have the ceremony by the lake, it’s not far for your guests to go.”

Marsha’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Jacob nodded. “You’ll just have to make sure everything is clean and tidy before you leave. If anyone wants to view my property, I’ll make the appointment for the next day.”

Marsha launched herself across the room and threw her arms around Jacob’s neck. He stumbled back a step before finding his balance.

“Thank you. This will be so much better than traveling back into town.”

Doug looked at Marsha and Jacob. “Are you sure? There’ll be more than twenty people in here?”

Jacob shrugged. “I’ll leave you to work out if everyone will fit. If it turns out that my house is too small, then it doesn’t matter. The offer is there if you want to take it.”

“I think it could work,” Marsha said excitedly. “Do you have a measuring tape we could use?”

Doug laughed at the worried look on Jacob’s face. “Don’t worry. She won’t demolish any walls. By the end of the day, Marsha will have a scale-model of your living room finished.”

Steve rolled his eyes.

Angela sent a withering look Steve’s way. “It’s the best way to make sure there’s enough room for everyone.”

Molly admired the way Angela stuck up for her sister. It reminded her of Becky’s stubborn streak when anyone tried to say that Molly was wasting her time in Bozeman. She glanced at Jacob and watched the unreadable expression on his face soften. He knew what Angela had done and he admired her for it.

Jacob might have more money than anyone Molly knew, but there were a lot of things his money couldn’t buy. The first one was the way families looked after each other through thick and thin. The second, was kindness.

Offering Marsha and Doug the use of his home had been one of the kindest things she’d seen him do. He must have guessed that it would make Doug’s life a whole lot easier. She knew how important selling his property was, but he’d put that aside and offered his home to more than twenty strangers.

Jacob walked over to his kitchen and opened one of his drawers. “One measuring tape. Do you need more paper?”

Angela shook her head. “Not at the moment.” She took the measuring tape out of Jacob’s hands and smiled at him. “Thank you.”