Love After All
Page 18

Logan laughed. “Oh, who doesn’t do all that much drinking? I think your gullet is all sensitized by that fine wine you and Emma partake of these days.”
“Now I’m insulted. And it’s on, brother.”
Bash couldn’t wait for tonight.
Chapter 9
Des hadn’t wanted an out-of-town bachelorette party because of the possibility of paparazzi following her around, but she was still determined to have a party anyway, so Chelsea and the other women decided the best place to do it and do it up right was at the ranch, where they were assured of privacy.
After all, this was where Des and Logan were going to have their wedding next weekend, which was going to be locked down tight. No one got on the McCormack ranch without the ranch hands and Logan knowing about it.
Not that he was going to be here tonight, but he had made sure the gates were secure, and several of the hands were on tap to provide security for Des.
They wouldn’t need it. With Des’s master plan in the works, Chelsea hadn’t seen a sign of photographers on her way out to the ranch.
Martha had prepared all kinds of fun food, and Chelsea had arrived early to make several signature drinks, including Bellinis. Emma and Jane were in charge of costuming. Samantha and Molly were bringing decorations, and Megan was bringing awesome confections, courtesy of her bakery.
This was going to be a fun party.
“Martha,” Chelsea said, pulling her attention away from her drink concoctions to note that Martha had quite the array of food piled up. “Have you been spending your free hours watching the Food Network again?”
Martha beamed a wide grin. “Let’s just say I wasn’t going to serve fried chicken for Desiree’s bachelorette party. We’re doing it Hollywood-style tonight.”
Chelsea knew Des loved Martha—and her cooking. She wouldn’t have cared if fried chicken had been on the menu for tonight.
But from the looks of things, Martha really had been spending some time broadening her culinary horizons.
“Is that caviar?” Chelsea asked.
“It is. I had to drive all the way into that fancy store in Tulsa to find it, too. Which was fine, since I had to pick up crab and lobster there.”
“I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with the seafood.”
“Something magical, no doubt,” Des said as she came into the room. She pressed a kiss to Martha’s cheek, then hugged Chelsea. “Everything she cooks is magic.”
“Don’t I know it. Martha, you should give cooking lessons to the rest of us poor mortals who can only dream of whipping up those delicious meals you fix.”
“Oh, that’s nonsense, Chelsea,” Martha said, opening up the oven, which emitted aromas that made Chelsea’s senses go haywire with food lust. “You’re a good cook as well.”
Chelsea laughed. “Oh, sure, if you like brownies. Out of the box.”
Des snickered. “Some of my favorite desserts come from a box.”
“I think you two are too hard on yourselves. I know for a fact you’ve brought amazing pies to potluck dinners before, Chelsea.”
Chelsea shrugged. “Maybe. When I’ve taken the time and effort to work at it.”
“That’s all cooking is about, is taking the time. And doing it with love.”
Des put her arm around Martha. “Aww. Thank you. Considering the amazing smells in here, I feel very loved right now.”
The front door opened, and Emma, Jane, Megan, and Samantha spilled in, all carrying bags and boxes. Chelsea and Des rushed to help them, and suddenly it was pandemonium, everyone trying to talk at once.
Fortunately, Martha was organized and commanded attention, and she knew how to direct the troops. She sent everyone who didn’t have food into the living room to set up—and sent Des and Chelsea with them, with meant Martha and Megan stayed in the kitchen for food prep.
“Wait ’til you see what we got,” Samantha said, pulling feather boas and tiaras out of a bag, along with a fancy white sash that had the word Bride emblazoned on it.
Chelsea braced herself for Des to say those were the corniest things she’d ever seen. Instead, Des squealed with delight. “This. Is. Awesome. It’s what I’ve always wanted for my bachelorette party.”
Des held still while they put the sash and tiara on her, then twirled around. In her hot pink dress and high heels, she was one hell of a sight.
“I need a picture of this.” Chelsea fished her phone out of her purse, then snapped a couple of quick shots.
“Oh, take some with my phone, too,” Des said, handing her phone to Chelsea. “I’m going to text them to Logan.”
“Shouldn’t you wait until you’re mostly drunk to do that?” Jane asked.
“I promised him I’d send him photos all night long. That way he can watch the progression of the debauchery.”
Emma grinned. “Sweet.”
“I also told him I intend to get totally trashed tonight. One of you will have to hold my hair when I throw up.”
“I volunteer Emma for that duty.” Chelsea cast a sweet smile Emma’s way.
Emma blinked. “Me? Why me?”
“You’re a vet. You deal with blood and guts all day long. What’s a little vomit?”
“I think Colt should totally be here with us. He is, after all, the man of honor and your best friend, Des.”
Des nodded at Samantha. “This is true. And he would have loved to come, but he’s stuck filming. He’s flying in on Wednesday.”