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“Just the family, or does that include other guests?”
    â€œOther guests?” Mitch frowned. “What other guests? Since Maggie’s parents decided not to fly in from Hawaii after we informed them we’d stop by on the way to our honeymoon, the only other guests are employees and a few local residents.”
    â€œAnd Hannah.” Justin kept his voice free of inflection, other than a slight hint of disinterest.
    â€œOh, yeah, Hannah.” Mitch pursed his lips. “Hmm…you know, I don’t have a clue as to her plans. Maggie hasn’t said a word. I’ll have to ask her.”
    â€œIs it important?” Justin had to focus to retain his near-bored tone. “I mean, does Hannah come under your no-shock edict?”
    Mitch pondered the question for a few seconds, then said, “I haven’t given it a thought. Does it matter?”
    â€œOnly if it’s going to cramp my style. Such as it is.”
    Mitch shook his head. “I wasn’t aware that you had a style. I thought you just jumped the first woman that appealed to you.”
    â€œOnly if she’s willing.”
    Mitch raised his eyes, as if seeking help from above. “You are not to be believed.” His lips twitched. “My very own brother, a philanderer, of all things.”
    â€œHey,” Justin objected. “I am not a philanderer. I’m a normal male, with a healthy sexual appetite. And do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve appeased it?”
    Mitch let rip a deep, rich laugh. “I don’t think I want to know anything about your sex life, thank you.”
    â€œSex life? Who the hell has a sex life?” Justin chuckled. “I talk to horses most of the time, and most of the time I don’t mind. But, every now and again, a man needs a woman. And in my case, buddy, it’s been months.”
    â€œOkay. Okay.” Mitch held his hand up in surrender. “I give up. Have your R and R, but try not to lose the ranch at the tables downstairs.”
    Justin didn’t bother to respond. Mitch knew damn well he wasn’t stupid; he would set a limit, a fairly low one, and stick to it. He hid an inner smile. “If things break my way, I’ll be too busy with more important—and a helluva lot more interesting—things than gambling.”

Three
    F riday arrived much too soon to suit Hannah. Although they talked almost nonstop, there hadn’t been nearly enough time for her and Maggie to catch up with each other’s lives. Not once had either one of them run out of things to say.
    The rehearsal was scheduled for five in the small church just a few blocks from the big Victorian house. Dinner would be at the Bullock Hotel immediately following the rehearsal.
    By four o’clock Maggie was a nervous wreck.
    â€œAll this over a rehearsal?” Hannah said, tryinghard to contain a laugh. “I can’t wait until tomorrow. You’ll probably be a basket case. Instead of walking in front of you, Karla and I might have to walk behind, in case you collapse on the way down the aisle.”
    â€œNot at all,” Maggie said, giving a dainty but superior sniff. “Don’t forget, I’ll have Mitch’s brother Adam to walk me down the aisle.” She no sooner had the words out, when she burst out laughing. “And believe me, friend, Adam’s big enough to handle delicate little ol’ me.”
    â€œShall we be off?” Hannah asked.
    â€œI suppose we’d better,” Maggie agreed.
    Giggling like two teenagers, they clattered down the stairs and out of the building to Hannah’s rented SUV.
    The streets had been cleared of snow and the short jaunt to the church took only minutes. That parking lot, also cleared, already contained several vehicles.
    â€œIt looks like we’re the last to arrive,” Maggie said, her voice quavery with tension.
    â€œYes, it does,” Hannah agreed, tossing