A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(44)

Jax groaned before tugging her arm. “Come on. You need to get up to the house before the women show up or they’re going to catch you coming out of the woods.”

Caroline let Jax lead her, but kept turning around looking at the clearing until they turned the bend and she couldn’t see the beautiful wedding setup anymore. They stayed to the side of the white runner the brides would walk on along the trail.

Trevor and Steve met them, keeping clear of the white runner since Caroline threatened bodily harm if they stepped foot on it.

“Cars are hidden.” Steve gave her a thumbs up.

“And let me tell you it wasn’t easy,” Trevor grumbled but smiled. “Although, that Mustang GT was freaking awesome. I think I parked that one farthest away.”

“Dude, that’s Damon’s car,” Steve said as they headed down the trail where everyone was. “You better hope nothing happens to that car ‘cause that mean son of a bitch decapitates people who piss him off.”

“Ah, come on.” Trevor snorted.

“I shit you not...” Steve’s voice trailed off as they disappeared around the bend.

Caroline grinned, shaking her head. “Okay, well, I guess I’ll see you later.”

Jax nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.

“Ah, well, okay.” God, she sounded like an idiot, but Jax Wheeler in a tux could make any woman act like a complete fool. She turned, started toward the house, and then stopped. “Oh, I’ll text you when we’re ready for the ushers.”

Again Jax nodded, but this time, a small grin tugged the corner of his mouth.

“Yeah, okay.” Caroline turned back around, rolling her eyes at herself. She could feel his eyes on her as she made her way across the yard and prayed she didn’t trip. Secretly, she hoped her ass looked good in her jeans. “Jesus, Caroline. Stop being such a slut.” The deep chuckle behind her sent a burning flush up her neck to her face. Lord, she just needed to keep her mouth shut around that man.

Opening the door to the house, Caroline headed upstairs where she knocked on Jill’s door. “Come in.”

Jill sat in front of a mirror while her mom styled her hair. Caroline really didn’t know how she felt about Ruth Nichols. The stories she’d heard about her and Jill’s relationship didn’t sit well, but Jill seemed happy and that was what counted, especially today.

“Is everything ready?” Jill turned to look at Caroline, excitement and a strange sadness in her eyes.

“It’s perfect.” Caroline replied, praying that Jill would think so. “All the guys are there, know what to do, and are ready to go.”

“Are the girls here yet?” Jill stood, hugging her robe tightly against her body. She stumbled as she stood, then sat back down quickly.

Looking away from Jill, Caroline checked her watch. “No, but they will be any minute. I’m going to run and get dressed before they get here.”

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done.” Jill again stood, this time without stumbling. She walked up to Caroline hugging her tightly. “If it wasn’t for you, this never would be happening.”

“Ah, the guys did most of the work.” Caroline hugged her back before pulling away. “I just ordered them around, which I have to admit, I’m very good at.”

“Is Slade here?” Jill asked, a slight blush spreading across her cheeks.

“With the biggest grin on his face.” Caroline smiled, then rushed to the door. “Now finish getting more beautiful than you already are while I go change and get the girls ready.”

Running to the room next door, Caroline rushed to get dressed, then applied a little makeup and fluffed her hair. Loud knocking from downstairs had her grabbing her high heels before running down the steps to open the door.

Nicole, Tessa, Pam, Lana and Angelina all stood in the open doorway looking a little confused. “Hey!” Caroline opened the door wider, inviting them in.

Lana stepped inside, her eyes narrowing on Caroline. “What are you doing here?” she whispered, already suspicious.

They all held presents and Caroline suddenly didn’t know what to say, her eyes shooting upstairs then back to the ladies. “Ah, you can just set the gifts on the kitchen table.”

Nicole looked around with a growing frown. “Are we too early?”

After all the presents were set on the table, they all turned to look at Caroline. “This isn’t a bridal shower.” Caroline began wringing her hands together. “Jill asked that you all come.”

“So if it’s not a bridal shower, then what is it?” Tessa asked.

“Don’t make me interrogate you, Caroline.” Lana narrowed her eyes. “Because I will and you’ll blab like you always do.”

Caroline cringed, knowing her sister was right, but not this time. “Jill has planned something special for all of you.” Emotions threatened to overwhelm Caroline, but she held it back. “Follow me.”

“Caroline,” Lana warned in her cop voice.

“Please don’t question me,” Caroline said, but not just to Lana, to all of them. Thankfully, they remained quiet and followed her into a bedroom downstairs. Walking to the closet, Caroline grabbed two white dresses handing one to Angelina and the other to Tessa. She continued to pass out the dresses until they all had one, not looking at any of them in the eye. She was going to see this done. Bending down she grabbed the shoe boxes next, handing one to each of them that had their names on it.