How interesting that she was going back to Costa Rica. She had a flight scheduled for tomorrow later in the morning.
Unless Aiden convinced her otherwise.
Her shoulders slumped. That didn’t seem like it was going to happen. It didn’t seem like he’d even try.
She and her family walked onto the gorgeous slope of lawn above the Deltas’ glistening mountain lake. The lake was so blue. It reminded her of Aiden’s eyes.
She looked around at the towering mountains decorated with pine and aspen trees and breathed in the clean mountain air. It was so beautiful here, but she’d seen many gorgeous settings throughout the world. Costa Rica and Jamaica had been the most beautiful of all, because she’d been with Aiden and the scenery had been only a backdrop. No scenery could beat his handsome face, blue eyes, and perfect body.
There were Deltas rushing around and some chatting or greeting guests, but she didn’t see Aiden. All the Deltas were incredibly good-looking with those bright blue eyes. She supposed that was why Thor and Aiden could tease each other mercilessly about being ugly, because they both knew how handsome they were. Had Aiden only been toying with her? Was he like the sailor who had a girl in every port? He romanced women wherever he was stationed and then easily moved on? It didn’t feel right, and she’d instinctively trusted Aiden, but maybe she had been bewitched by his protection, his ability to tease and make her feel incredible, and his handsome face and body.
She and her family walked to the rows of white chairs, each tied with a pale blue ribbon. They found seats in the back and Melene was between Gramma Larue and Abigail. The groomsmen started forming a line to the right of the preacher in front of the arched lattice work draping with pale blue ribbon and white roses, lilies, and daisies. Shelly had a simple classic style and Melene liked it. The setting was so gorgeous it needed little decoration.
No Aiden yet. Melene clutched her hands together and cast glances around.
Two men strode from Papa’s house and across the grass. Thor and Aiden. Two incredibly handsome men, but one who made her heart stop. Melene gripped the chair underneath her so she wouldn’t run at him and fling herself into his arms. He hadn’t called. It was definitely a kiss off and she needed to not desperately run to him.
“Ooh, those Delta men are so hot,” Abigail whispered, staring at the lineup of well-built men in tailored, dark-gray suits, white shirts, and pale blue ties. “I have to know if you got any alone time with Aiden while he was protecting you. Please, please tell me the truth.”
Abigail had begged and begged for details about Aiden and whether Melene had kissed him. Melene had given her nothing, schooling her face and praying she’d stop asking. She had admitted to Jessica privately that she’d kissed him and fallen in love with him. Thankfully, Jessica could keep a secret from the boy-crazy Abigail. Her youngest sister needed to stop drooling over the Deltas, most of all Aiden.
Thor’s face was split in a grin. Aiden was smiling happily too, but his gaze was darting around as they approached the wedding party. Unfortunately, the crowd was huge. The entire Summit Valley was probably here, and then there were Thor and Shelly’s rodeo friends and some military higher ups if the stars on their uniforms meant something.
Aiden moved into his place right next to Thor, but his gaze kept searching. She wanted to stand up and scream, “I’m here, I’m here.” But what if he wasn’t even looking for her?
It was an impressive lineup of handsome Delta men. As far as she knew, Colton, Thor, and Greer and were all attached now. Aiden, Chandler, and Hudson were the only Delta men without a match. Could she be Aiden’s match, or did he even want one?
He kept searching faces until his blue eyes settled on … her. Melene couldn’t hide the smile that spread across her face. Their gazes got entangled and held, and she was lost in the man she loved. Loved. Really?
Was she that far gone?
Yes, she was.
She had no idea why he hadn’t come for her, but somehow he could explain that away. After the ceremony and dinner, they could dance and talk and then sneak away and hug and kiss and plan … a future? Could they really have a future? Maybe but it would be tough and take a lot of faith, work, and commitment on both of their parts, but she would give it her best effort. Was Aiden interested in that? In her?
“What’s up with Aiden?” Gramma Larue said too loudly as the crowd settled into their seats to await the bridesmaids and the bride. “I think you left a few details out of your time together.”
Melene’s face and neck burned. She said nothing, managing a weak smile when far too many people turned around and stared at them. Sadly, that also broke her concentration on Aiden. Music started and the gorgeous bridesmaids sauntered down the aisle. They were all wearing fitted pale blue satin dresses. Melene’s dress was the exact same color, but luckily a different fabric and cut. She hoped nobody thought she was trying to worm her way into the Delta family by dressing in the wedding colors.
A beautiful brunette Melene didn’t know walked down the aisle first. Abigail informed her it was Colton Delta’s fiancée Bailey. Another gorgeous brunette seemed to bounce happily down the aisle. Melene recognized her from Greer’s picture—Emery Reeder, the woman who’d come to avenge her brother’s death and fallen in love with his killer. Crazy story, but what an incredible ending. If Emery and Greer could find happily ever after with obstacles like that, couldn’t Aiden and Melene? She snuck a look at him. He caught her eye but quickly looked away. She sighed. Maddie, Jessie, and Alivia Delta came next, and finally Esther, Aiden’s sister. They were all so beautiful and the wedding was picture perfect.
The music changed, and they all stood up for the bride. Shelly Vance seemed to glide up the aisle on the arm of her tall, dark-haired brother Klein. She was exquisitely gorgeous in a very simple white satin dress with capped sleeves, a scooped neck, and a long train. The white satin contrasted with her tanned skin and dark curls. She was a radiant bride. The hemline of the dress scooped up to the knees in the front to show off some teal-colored cowboy boots. It was a fabulous personality touch.
Shelly and Thor could obviously only see each other. It was so sweet and made Melene long even more for what she couldn’t have.
Aiden seemed to be focused on Shelly, too. That was the way it should be, but how Melene wished he couldn’t tear his gaze from her.
The ceremony and dinner went by quickly and everything was beautiful and perfect, and Melene wished Aiden would look at her. She wished even more he’d leave the wedding party and run to her, tell her he couldn’t be without her.
The dancing started as the sun set over the mountains. Melene was accosted on all sides by friends of all ages. People she’d known and loved her entire life. It was wonderful to catch up and hug so many people and get so many compliments and blessings and love bestowed on her. But where on earth was Aiden?
She spotted him across the floor, dancing with his cousin Maddie to a fast country song. They were laughing, and he was a pretty great dancer. He had moves that made her mouth go dry. Him dancing reminded her of doing water aerobics in the pool in Jamaica. She wished she could rewind to that time, even with the million-dollar bounty on her head.
“Clamp your jaw. You’re droolin’,” Gramma Larue said at her elbow.
Melene closed her eyes and her mouth, clutching a drink of juice in her hand. “Was it that obvious?”
“Sadly, yes.” Gramma Larue said hi to someone, then directed Melene away from the crowd. It was growing dark, and they got out of the circle of light as they walked closer to the lake. It was still light enough to see her grandmother’s concerned face. “What’s going on, love? Did you fall for that handsome military man?”