Cook County: Lucky in Love by Crystal-Rain Love

bunnies are now mourning the loss of one Chance Masters, whose boots will permanently be parking beneath my bed forever and ever, ‘til death do us part.”
    Cammie smiled back at her friend, happy that after all the years of having to watch Chance run through his fair share of easy women, Kenzie had finally proven to him that he was in fact a good man and her perfect mate.
    If only Lucky could see his potential as well and let his demons go…
    They rounded a corner and stepped into the kitchen where the bridesmaids and groomsmen awaited. Cammie sucked in a breath as her gaze collided with Lucky’s glossy blue eyes. Glossy and red-rimmed. As dashing a figure as he made in his black suit and tie, there was no mistaking what she’d seen in his eyes.
    Lucky Masters had indeed arrived to his brother’s wedding drunk as the proverbial skunk.

Chapter Six
    “I can’t believe you showed up drunk to your brother’s wedding,” Cammie whispered harshly as she and Lucky stood before the open door of Kenzie and Chance’s kitchen, waiting their cue from Bernie, the owner of Bernie’s Boutique, and good friend.
    The only response she got was a grunt of irritation as Lucky wavered slightly.
    “Good grief,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. What a mess. She wanted to ask if sleeping with her was really so bad that the man had to keep himself in a permanent drunken stupor just to cope, but knew better than to question something like that within range of anyone. Despite being a good friend to her and Kenzie, Bernie was still a woman from Cook County, Colorado, and every woman in Cook County, Colorado was a talented gossiper. If gossip was ever made into an Olympic sport, Cammie was sure they’d take the gold every time.
    “You’re up.” Bernie gestured with her hand for them to proceed, her bright smile fading a little as she glanced at Lucky.
    Cammie could read the fear in her eyes. Everyone would be holding their collective breath during the ceremony, hoping Lucky didn’t cause a scene and ruin the special day.
    Lucky held out his elbow and Cammie reluctantly took it, afraid he would decide halfway down the aisle that he didn’t want her touching him and shrug her off in front of everyone. But Lucky behaved himself as they walked out the kitchen door into the warm sunlight and followed the trail of scattered pink rose petals winding around the barn and toward the clearing where an arched rose trellis and several chairs had been set up.
    Cammie smiled at Chance as he stood next to the minister, anxiously awaiting his bride’s arrival. The former unruly cowboy had turned into a mature, responsible man with a good heart and undying love for a good woman. She eyed his brother and shook her head. Lucky had the potential to be just as good, if only he would learn to put the bottle down and deal with his problems. If only he would allow someone to break down the walls he’d built around himself and help him out.
    The two separated as they reached their endpoint. She joined the two other bridesmaids as Lucky took his place at his brother’s side. Chance glared at him for only a second before the sight of Kenzie coming down the aisle erased all the anger, replacing the cold fury with warm love. Despite her own heartbreak and disappointment, Cammie smiled, truly happy for her friend’s fortune.
    Kenzie approached, holding a bouquet of pink and white roses as she followed the trail that bisected the wedding guests into two sides of forty. Cammie looked around at the guests, noting the awe on their faces as they gazed upon the bride’s beauty. She felt moisture threatening to fall from her eyes as she realized she may never have a wedding ceremony of her own, but quickly blinked back the tears.
    As Kenzie reached Chance and took his hand to stand before the minister, Cammie glanced over at Lucky and caught him staring at her, something sad and lonely in his eyes, before they focused on his brother and soon-to-be wife. She swallowed