Wild Iris Ridge (Hope's Crossing) by RaeAnne Thayne Read Free Book Online

Really? You’re a brave woman, Ms. Beaumont. No offense, Dermot.”
    He laughed cheerfully. “None taken. Believe me, I know exactly how brave she is to take on this particular son.”
    He hugged Genevieve again, who seemed to light up with happiness. Lucy was aware of a sharp pang of envy that Genevieve apparently had been absorbed into the huge, boisterous, loving Caine family.
    “Which brother?” she asked. “Let me guess. Aidan.”
    The tech genius had accrued a fortune in Silicon Valley and was worth millions, which would probably suit the elegant Genevieve. She had met him a few times over the years at various business functions.
    Because of their shared connection to Hope’s Crossing, he always found a few moments to speak with her, earning her jealous snake-eyes from some of her female associates, who tended to go a little out of their heads for Aidan’s brilliant mind and his sexy-nerd good looks.
    “Good heavens, no,” Genevieve exclaimed. “I barely know Aidan. I think I’ve only met him two or three times. He terrifies me, if you want the truth.”
    “Jamie, then?” She never would have thought the sexy charmer of a helicopter pilot would settle down, even for someone as lovely as Genevieve.
    “Wrong again,” Charlotte said with a grin.
    Lucy did a few quick calculations. She knew the older two of Charlotte’s brothers were married. Surely not...Brendan. Impossible.
    Why was it impossible? she asked herself. Jess had been gone more than two years. Did she really expect him to hold on to her memory forever? But still. Picturing Genevieve Beaumont as stepmother to Faith and Carter left a cold, tangled knot in her stomach.
    “So you’re marrying...”
    “Dylan!” Genevieve said, with obvious relish, as if Lucy couldn’t have made any other guess.
    Just like that, the sickly feeling eased. “Dylan! Wow. That’s...terrific.”
    And wholly unexpected. Last she heard, the youngest Caine brother had nearly died while fighting in Afghanistan and had been left with lifelong scars.
    He seemed an odd pick for a woman who was obviously very aware of her appearance and who was starting an interior design business. But what did she know?
    Nothing in Hope’s Crossing was turning out as she expected.
    She couldn’t doubt the woman was deeply in love with Dylan, not when she saw the joy bloom on her lovely features.
    “We’re having a quiet sunrise ceremony this summer in a meadow near his house in Snowflake Canyon.”
    “Followed by a huge blowout bash that’s going to take over the entire ski resort,” Charlotte added dryly.
    Genevieve beamed. “It has to be huge!” she protested. “What else do you expect from a double reception? Half of that is from your side.”
    “Who else is getting married?” Lucy asked, feeling a little lost.
    Charlotte waved her hand, which Lucy now saw sported a tasteful princess-cut diamond.
    “Oh, congratulations. I hadn’t heard.”
    “Thank you.”
    “She’s marrying Smokin’ Hot Spence Gregory,” Genevieve said.
    “Spence? Really?”
    “Yes. Spence.” Charlotte’s joy was softer than Genevieve’s but every bit as genuine.
    Though Lucy had lived in Seattle, she had been a big fan of the Portland Pioneers and had even driven down a few times to watch Smoke Gregory’s amazing fastball. His fall from grace as a Major League Baseball pitcher a few years before had been a personal blow—and the way he had clawed his way back from a dark place just as inspiring.
    Maybe she should learn a few things from him.
    “They’re getting married at the church the night before Dylan and I are tying the knot. We’ve decided on separate ceremonies and a combined reception. Doesn’t that sound fabulous?”
    “It really does. Wow. A girl leaves town for a decade and everything changes. Congratulations, both of you.”
    “Thank you! We’re meeting people for breakfast. You look as if you have nearly finished eating, but we would love to have you join us for coffee and