A Happy Endings Wedding (Happy Endings Book Club, Book 11) Read online

  She blinked back tears. He was a protector—for her, for all of his younger siblings, for his country for years in the army. He was a fierce warrior and she was his partner, his equal. He always said that about her, and she loved that he thought of her like that, especially the warrior part. She summoned that fighting spirit to battle back the tears. “Okay, thank you. And I will make sure the wedding goes off perfectly.”

  He nipped her lower lip. “I don’t need perfect. I just need you.”

  She twisted her lips to the side. “Are you saying I’m not perfect?” Ha. Add another flaw to the list—she’d accidentally made him get her pregnant. Maybe.

  His dark eyes danced with amusement. “You’re as perfect as I am.”

  She found herself smiling, which astounded her given the shocking turn of events. “What if I am pregnant?”

  “Then I will be the happiest man on earth.”

  She beamed a smile at him. “I’ll be happy too. I’ll need to do a lot of planning though, buy all the latest parenting books. I know nothing about being a mom.”

  “Are you kidding?” He gestured over to Max and Rose, their fur babies happily lying side by side, holding their chew toys close. “Look how good you are with them. They’re happy and well-adjusted.”

  She laughed. “I’m sure it’s just the same thing.”

  He wrapped her in his arms. “And you’re amazing with Owen. You’re a natural.” Owen was their six-month-old nephew. A beautiful baby with blond tufts of hair that stood straight up like duck down and two little pearly baby teeth on the bottom. He was Claire and Jake’s son. Jake was Josh’s identical twin, so they all spent a lot of time together.

  “You’re great with him too.”

  He gave her a small smile. “Thanks. I helped raise my younger siblings. Mad was only one when our mom left.”

  She cupped his stubbled cheek. “I know. She was lucky to have you.”

  His dark eyes were intent on hers. “We’re ready for this.”

  “We are.”

  He grinned. “I was practically dancing at the drugstore just at the thought of it.”

  Her eyes widened. “You? Dancing?”

  “I know. Hard to believe. I almost did a jig.”

  She burst out laughing. Josh was so not a dancer, though he did do a nice waltz. He’d learned it purely for seduction reasons, he’d confessed to her once. It totally worked.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning she met Josh in their bedroom and held up the pregnancy test stick.

  Josh stared at it, let out a victory whoop, grabbed her, and spun her around in a dizzy happy dance. They were pregnant.

  She’d thought she’d be scared or shocked, but all she felt was pure happiness. Hard not to feel jubilant with Josh beaming at her with the biggest smile she’d ever seen on his handsome face. She pulled away to set the test on the nightstand and turned back to him, her own smile so big her cheeks hurt. Everything seemed bright and light and so right.

  Josh threw his arms wide. “Congratulations, new mom!”

  She threw her arms wide too. “Congratulations, new dad!”

  They laughed, and then he grabbed her and hugged her again.

  She wrapped her arms around him, sure it would be smooth sailing from here on out. Look out, world! Here comes the pregnant bride for the wedding of the century! With Josh by her side, nothing could get her down.

  Uh-oh.

  She pulled away, ran to the bathroom, and threw up. Morning sickness. Right on time.

  ~ ~ ~

  Mission wedding, get ’er done. There was nothing Josh would deny his bride. Not even a destination wedding at the royal kingdom of his former rival, Prince Phillip Rourke, the playboy prince. Never mind that Josh was a casual guy who would’ve been happy with a courthouse ceremony followed by celebratory drinks at his bar. When Hailey had said yes to his proposal, tying her life to his forever, he’d made her a promise—to always look out for her happiness. And he never broke a promise.

  He wasn’t one of those sappy whipped men at their woman’s beck and call. No, sir. He was simply a man of honor. Truth was, when he finally did fall for Hailey, he fell hard. For a while there, he’d thought he might be losing his mind, but now things were on an even keel, where he liked them. He and Hailey were partners and deeply in love. She’d do anything for him and vice versa. She already did so much, fussing over him at home and at work, bringing softness to his rough and gruff. She even left little love notes around the apartment for him to discover. Naturally he’d crack skulls to ensure her happiness. That was a no-brainer.

  So the day after Hailey came to him with the wedding gown problem, he’d parked his ass in that uppity bridal boutique with his pregnant teary bride until he was sure the job would be done on time and to Hailey’s satisfaction. Did he secretly bribe the designer to work overtime with a promise of future work for his famous sister-in-law Claire Jordan? Maybe. Did he charm the worker bees? Definitely. Did he scare away a few patrons to neutralize the threat to mission wedding gown? Damn right. His bride wanted a designer original and that was exactly what she’d get. No time for beadwork, but whatever. When she tried on the dress the day before they were scheduled to leave, it was beautiful and Hailey was happy. Mission accomplished.

  Hailey was doing fantastic now, much calmer about the wedding as her focus shifted to the baby growing inside her. The men in his family had strong swimmers. He’d been fairly certain he’d get her pregnant quick. He loved seeing her glowing and happy, talking to her belly on a regular basis as she filled the little one in on the world. The wedding was almost here, only two days away. They’d just spent several days enjoying Paris, gorgeous in the June sunshine. He loved seeing the city through Hailey’s wide blue eyes. She was a romantic at heart and Paris was everything she’d hoped. It had been especially nice to enjoy the time with her without their constant furry companions, Rose and Max. Claire and Jake would be bringing them later by private jet, along with Hailey’s wedding gown.

  Now they were on the ferry to Villroy Island. He looked over as Hailey came up from the lower enclosed deck, where she’d spent a good amount of time in the ladies’ room. She was seasick and morning sick. Her face was pale and strained, her lips drawn into a grimace, strands of her strawberry blond hair whipping in the wind, most of her long hair in a scraggly ponytail. And she’d never looked more beautiful, his pregnant bride.

  He closed the distance, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and guiding her to the rail. “You okay?” He’d mostly stayed on top of the morning sickness, keeping her supplied with crackers and French baguette pieces, but the ferry’s motion had proven too much. The ferry ride was close to two hours.

  “I feel like I’m going to barf up a lung.” She hung her head over the rail. “Honestly, I have nothing left in me.”

  He rubbed her back. “We’re almost there. Half an hour more. Come on, it’s best to keep your eyes on the horizon.” He guided her to a bench seat, and they stared at the choppy ocean and sky. He pulled a bottled water from his backpack and handed it to her.

  She pushed it away. “I can’t. I’m too nauseous.”

  “Just small sips.” He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and whispered, “It’s not good for the baby if you dehydrate.” They were keeping the baby news quiet until after the wedding. She was nine weeks along, according to the doctor, and not showing yet. In any case, the doctor had said hydration was important with her morning sickness and traveling.

  Hailey dutifully took a sip of water. She was a trooper. “I can’t wait to get off this boat. I just want to brush my teeth, get into pajamas, and curl up in bed.”

  “It’s afternoon.”

  She stared at the horizon, holding herself very straight and still. “I’m exhausted. You try heaving for hours while a baby sucks what little energy you have left out of you.”

  He cupped her head and kissed her cheek. “My warrior princess, you got this.”

  She took another sip of
water, grabbed his hand, and squeezed. She loved him. He got the message every day in every way—her affectionate gestures, her words, her smile full of warmth, her eyes full of love.

  He stood to see if they were getting close. The island came into view. He and Hailey had been here last July for Princess Silvia’s wedding. (The princess had had both a stateside and island wedding.) Villroy Island was untouched by modern times for the most part, though they did have cell phones and internet. The coastline was rugged with cliffs. Inlets with fine sand beaches nestled between the cliffs overlooking turquoise water. Port Axel was the main commercial base for fishermen, the traditional basis of the economy. The seafood was incredible—tuna, bass, monkfish, shellfish, and more. There was an old lighthouse with a red top, tons of white boats bobbing in the water, and nestled close to the port were white buildings with red roofs. Farther inland and along the road to the palace were cottages, white with blue trim. On the far side of the island were dunes and wetlands that they hadn’t had time to explore.

  And in the center of it all on a hill stood the royal palace, also called Amalie Palace. He knew the palace from the princess’s wedding and the numerous pictures Hailey had referred to during her planning. It had once been a stone circular fortress in the time of the Vikings. That crumbling structure stood to one side and a newer palace had been built next to it. Fire had taken a few of those palaces, the current one built in the eighteenth century and renovated many times. Now it looked more like a fairy-tale castle. Made of sandstone with copper roofs, it reached five stories, six stories in the two towers, with multiple spires. Two long wings stretched on the sides, forming an enormous courtyard that opened onto manicured gardens. Most of the royal family lived there, except for Princess Silvia, who lived in America with her husband.

  Half an hour later, the ferry finally docked, and he let out a breath of relief that Hailey had made it without getting sick. He stood again, surprised to see a huge crowd waiting at the dock—photographers and cameramen, along with a shit-ton of people holding up their phones to get pictures. There were also three black Mercedes with tinted windows that he knew belonged to the royal family; he’d ridden in one last time. His eye caught on a huge banner: Congratulations Josh and Hailey!

  He quickly sat down next to Hailey. “They’re giving us a royal welcome. It looks like the whole island showed up. Cameras, video, the works.”

  She gaped at him. “I didn’t plan this part. There’s supposed to be a welcome reception at the palace tomorrow. Look at me, I’m hideous!”

  He winked. “Don’t worry, I’m handsome as ever.”

  She laughed and then got serious. “What am I going to do?” She looked down at herself in a casual loose white tunic, pink leggings, and strappy tan sandals. “I’m not dressed for this.”

  He gestured to himself in a gray T-shirt, faded jeans, and sneakers.

  “You always look like that. They’re looking at me as a wedding planner. I have to set a professional tone.” She was probably right, being the bride and the best wedding planner in the world, in his opinion. Maybe after this wedding, the world would agree with him.

  He worked the hair band out of her scraggly ponytail and smoothed her hair down. “Just brush your hair out. The rest of you looks great. You never take a bad picture.”

  She grabbed her purse and headed to the lower deck. One of the crew members brought out their wheeled luggage. Josh arranged their backpacks on top.

  Hailey emerged only a short while later, looking glossy and made-up right down to her pink glossy lips. She’d tied a sheer pink scarf around her neck, which made her outfit look dressier. Honestly, she could wear a sack and make it look good. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to her beauty. She was a former beauty queen; the pageant winnings had helped put her through college.

  She crossed to him. “What do you think? Am I picture ready? It’ll probably be in the bridal magazines.”

  “I think you look stunning as always.” He palmed her hand and gave her a ginger candy. They were supposed to help with nausea. “Suck on this.”

  She unwrapped the hard candy, a smile playing over her lips. She raised her brows suggestively. “Now where have I heard that before?”

  He chuckled. “After you.” She walked ahead of him on the gangplank, and he pulled their wheeled luggage behind.

  They arrived on the dock, and Hailey smiled and waved enthusiastically at the warm welcome from the crowd. No one he recognized. Their friends and family must be waiting at the royal palace. He kept pace with her, giving the cameras a small smile, his focus half on her, half on their destination at the waiting cars.

  Prince Phillip emerged from the back seat of the center car and strode toward them, bodyguards flanking him. He was a little shorter than Josh, fit, with casually rumpled dark brown hair, chiseled cheekbones only seen on male models, and a ready smile. He had a huge internet following as a royal hottie. Barf. Hailey used to say Phillip was her go-to fantasy and she pictured him when she read a “swoony romance.” Josh made sure he imprinted himself on her so thoroughly she now had no need for fantasy lovers.

  “Welcome to Villroy!” Phillip exclaimed with a wide smile.

  Hailey sped up. “Phillip! So good to see you!”

  Josh caught up to her just as Phillip went for the double kiss on both of Hailey’s cheeks. He waited patiently. Not a jealous bone in his body now that Hailey was his.

  Phillip offered him a hand. “Josh, good to see you again.”

  Josh shook his hand. “Quite a welcome.”

  Phillip smiled tightly. “News spreads fast.” He smiled indulgently at Hailey. “How was the trip? How’re Rose and Max?”

  “Oh, they’re wonderful, thanks. The trip was great. Josh and I really enjoyed Paris. Thank you again for that generous wedding gift.”

  Yup, Phil was so glad they’d agreed to be the first wedding here that he’d covered first-class airfare and the five-star hotel in Paris. He was a generous guy and loaded, though the island kingdom itself was faltering as young people left in droves for better work opportunities.

  “My pleasure.” Phillip gestured them over to the photographers. They stopped for pictures.

  A reporter put a microphone in front of Hailey’s face. “Any comment on the furries?”

  “What?” Hailey asked, her brows scrunching together.

  “No comment,” Phillip said. His guards barricaded the press away from them.

  They followed him into his Mercedes. The cars in front and back of them must’ve been for security. As soon as the door shut behind them, Hailey asked, “What did he mean furries?”

  “Maybe he meant our ring bearer and flower girl,” Josh said. Rose and Max would be the flower girl and ring bearer respectively. Not like he didn’t have a four-year-old niece, his brother Alex’s daughter, Viv, who could’ve been flower girl. And his brother Ty’s son, T.J., maybe could’ve been ring bearer with some assistance (he was eighteen months old and already running). Probably just as well that Hailey wanted their fur babies closely involved. Viv was a wild card and had run up, down, and sideways through the church aisle during her last time as a flower girl for Alex and Lauren’s wedding. And T.J. was a typical Campbell kid, basically hell on wheels.

  He checked that Hailey had a seat belt in the middle seat, pulled it from under her, and handed it to her. “You have to admit they’re a little unusual.”

  Hailey did her seat belt and turned to Phillip, who was awfully quiet.

  Josh narrowed his eyes at Phillip, an uneasy feeling coursing through him. “Problem?”

  Phillip swallowed visibly. “There’s been a small mix-up, but I’m sure once we’re all settled in and have a nice sit-down—”

  “What is it?” he and Hailey asked in unison.

  Phillip grimaced. “It would seem our new wedding planner has double-booked the venue.”

  “Double-booked?” Hailey echoed. “But we’re the inaugural wedding.”

  “What is it, a dog wedding?�
�� he asked since they were talking about furries. “Kick them out.”

  Phillip jammed a hand in his hair. “They’re not dogs. They’re people who refer to themselves as furries. They enjoy dressing in stuffed-animal suits.” He cleared his throat. “There’s a good number of them who came all the way from Australia. I’m afraid we can’t get rid of them. They’re quite entrenched and paid twice our fee for the privilege. I thought they would be here next week, but the wedding planner entered the dates wrong. I’m sure we can work something out for Saturday.”

  Hailey turned to him, her pale blue eyes wide in alarm.

  Josh spoke through his teeth. “I will fix this.”

  “Lord knows I’ve tried,” Phillip said.

  And that was the difference between a prince and an ex-soldier. Josh would get the job done. On his watch, Hailey’s dream wedding would come true.

  Chapter Three

  This was a living nightmare! Hailey would’ve cried if she wasn’t so horrified. Wasn’t it enough that she’d battled nausea for hours just to get here? Now she couldn’t relax at all. She had to power through on her queasy stomach. How could this even happen? She hadn’t known Phillip had already hired a wedding planner for Villroy. Why in the world had he done that? Hailey’s wedding was the inaugural wedding, and she was her own wedding planner. Would it have been easier for her to have her wedding at Ludbury House in Clover Park, where she worked? Of course! But after having the honor of planning Princess Silvia’s stateside wedding to an American, business had poured in. It only made sense to agree to have her wedding on Villroy Island after all the royal family had done for her.

  Phillip had gotten ahead of himself. Maybe he assumed her wedding would be so fabulous that the venue would take off. But Hailey never counted her brides before they were hitched. Grrr…

  Josh was ramrod straight, walking by her side along the long path to the palace entrance. He was more of a laid-back ambler, so he must be furious too. He’d raise hell on her behalf, but that wasn’t always the best way to get things done, especially where bridal things were concerned. Emotions ran high over such a big occasion. It took finesse, it took tact, it took—