“Oh. That’s very logical. What kinds of qualities?”

Chelsea explained her list of attributes to Penelope and Des’s mother.

“It’s a good list. You know what you want and you aren’t willing to settle,” Penny said. “Now me, I’m not even looking. I’m married to my job and I prefer it that way.”

Des sighed. “Penny, you’re smart and you’re beautiful. I want you to be happy.”

Penny looked over at Des and smiled. “I am happy, Des. I don’t need a man to fulfill me. My life’s work does that.”

“You know what?” Des said. “I do believe you. And I’m happy you’ve found the love of your life in biology.”

Penny grinned. “Thanks.”

“I miss the days when men and women just … met each other and fell in love,” Cynthia said. “Now it’s dating sites and careers and lists. No offense, Chelsea.”

Chelsea laughed. “None taken.”

“Hey now, Mom,” Des said. “Logan and I just … met each other. It was kismet. The old-fashioned way.”

Cynthia cast a loving smile at Des. “Yes, you did. And we’re so happy for you.”

Chelsea was so glad to see Des bonding well with her family. She knew her relationship with them had been strained for a while. But Logan had facilitated a reunion of sorts, and Des was happier now than ever.

Especially this weekend. It was like beams of light were shooting from her pores. She practically glowed with sunshine.

As it should be for a woman about to marry the man she loved.

Chelsea sighed. She wanted to feel that way someday. About someone. Right now all she felt was that there was some imaginary guy in her head that would zap her right between the eyes as soon as she met him.

Which could be this weekend.

She always had hope.

After their nails were done, everyone went upstairs to get ready for the rehearsal. Chelsea wasn’t even the bride, and still she felt the thrum of excitement fluttering through her as she got ready for tonight’s events. She was sharing a bedroom with Megan and Samantha. Neither was in the wedding party, but Sam was doing the flowers and Megan had made the wedding cake, which was currently well put away in one of the refrigerators downstairs. Des still considered both Megan and Sam a huge part of her wedding. Tomorrow night they’d all stay over at the ranch.

Chelsea was looking forward to all of it.

They changed clothes and got ready for the rehearsal. Chelsea had bought a new dress and shoes for the occasion. As she looked in the mirror, she admired her fantastic, fitted blue dress that would show off her legs—and her awesome sparkly shoes. Gorgeous, and she’d bought the entire outfit for less than seventy dollars.

One of her favorite things was bargain shopping. Everyone thought she had an unlimited budget for expensive clothing. Ha. Not on a teacher’s salary. She did a lot of online shopping at great sites that offered designer clothes and shoes at discount prices. She could look expensive without actually being expensive. She knew how to manage her money—and how not to waste it.

They made their way outside and to the barn, where Des—who looked amazing in a short, beige dress and killer sparkly heels—was holding Logan’s hand. They were talking to the minister, and Des’s wedding planner was there with her ever-present notebook.

She spotted Bash standing with Carter, Luke, and Evan.

She’d purposely blocked out her last interlude with him out of sheer mortification. She’d had a great time the night of the bachelorette party. She’d also had more than a little too much to drink, but not enough that she didn’t remember kissing Bash after he’d so gallantly carried her up to bed.

Or the way he’d so sweetly turned her down. A lot of guys would have taken what she’d so blatantly offered.

Not Bash. And it wasn’t because he wasn’t interested. She knew better. He’d offered sex to her when they’d had dinner that night. She’d turned him down then. Yet when she’d propositioned him the night of the bachelorette party—oh so drunkenly—he’d said no.

She had no idea what that meant.

Nothing. That’s what it meant. He probably thought she was a flake. Saying no one minute then trying to seduce him the next.

She hadn’t seen him since the night of the bachelorette party, and she’d prefer to never see him again.

But since at that moment he happened to look her way and smile, she supposed the whole idea of never seeing him again wasn’t going to work. So she smiled back.

Not at all awkward.

Much.

Pepper motioned them all to move down to the front of the walkway leading toward the altar.

“Okay, everyone. Let’s get this started. I’m going to get all the participants in place in the back, then Reverend Solis will let you all know how the ceremony will happen tomorrow. So if the bridal party can follow me, we’ll get into positions.”

Des hadn’t yet decided who was going to be paired up, so it was going to be a surprise to Chelsea who she was going to be walking with. She was super thrilled that Des had asked her to be in the wedding party at all, but Des had told her she considered them all friends now, and she didn’t have a lot of friends.

Chelsea had been touched. She, Molly, Emma, and Jane had grown close to Des in the past several months. Des was as down-to-earth as the rest of her friends, and she was so happy for her.

“Okay. First up will be Molly, and you’ll be paired with Carter.”