Texas Bossa Nova (Texas Montgomery Mavericks Book 5) (16 page)

“Okay, guys. Tonight is the bachelorette party. There’s a beef stew in the refrigerator you can heat for dinner. There’s also a couple of steaks if you feel like grilling. I’m headed out about five.” She grinned. “Don’t wait up.”

Reno looked at Darren. “You still have bail money stashed somewhere? I’m thinking we may have to bail some ladies out of jail tonight.”

Magda snorted. “Doubtful, but hey, you never know.”

“You’re not planning on drinking tonight, right?” Reno gave her a look that clearly conveyed he didn’t think she should.

“Don’t be such a prude,” Darren chastised. “You go have fun, Mags. If you are too wasted to drive, go stay with KC and Drake. KC won’t mind.”

“Thanks, Darren. I’m sure I’ll make it home by midnight.” She deliberately didn’t address Reno’s drinking concerns. Her plan, if it worked out, was to pick up a pregnancy test tonight on the way. If it was negative, she had every intention of sucking down her fair share of champagne. If it came back positive, well, then she’d figure out something.

But she was fairly sure this was all a scare about nothing.

By four-thirty, she was climbing the walls to get going. Dressed in a new pair of black jeans, black stretch top, black boots and a black jacket, she felt sexy and dangerous. Since Zeb had insisted that she take his truck—so she’d have a vehicle to drive to his wedding that wouldn’t mess up her hair—she could also wear her cowboy hat. When she bounced down the stairs to leave, she was surprised to find Reno waiting for her.

He whistled and she felt heat flash to her cheeks.

“You look fabulous. Are you sure this is a women-only event? ’Cause you’ll drive men crazy looking like that.”

“Stop it.” She might have said the words, but she didn’t mean them. Nothing like flattery from a hunk like Reno to stroke her ego. “What are you and Darren doing this evening?”

She did not like the grin that beamed from Reno.

“Well, once you talked to Olivia about Blanche and she told Mitch, he decided it just wasn’t right for Zeb to give up years of freedom without the proper farewell.”

She smirked. “Giving up his freedom? You make it sound like he’s going to jail.”

Reno nodded and produced a pitiful pair of sad eyes. “Yes. A life term, I’m afraid.”

Magda giggled and chucked a pillow off the couch at him. “You guys better not get Zeb so drunk he misses his own wedding.”

“Would we do that?”

“Probably, but I’m hoping at least one of you has the sense to…oh no. You didn’t hire a stripper. Tell me you didn’t hire some stripper.”

Those sad eyes came again. “Sadly, Zeb nixed that idea. Said he’d walk out.”

“Whew. Thank goodness.” She checked the time. “I’ve got to scoot.”

“Why so early?”

“Um, I ordered Blanche’s gift, but I need to pick it up.”

A total fabrication. She had ordered Blanche a lovely nightgown from Tina Marie’s and Tina was bringing it with her to the party.

It’d been only a week since she’d told Reno she might be pregnant and so far, he’d been understanding that she hadn’t had time to get a pregnancy test done. She didn’t want to put him on pins and needles by telling him she was going for one now.

“Have fun,” she said, walking out the door. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Well, hell,” Darren yelled from his bedroom, having overheard her comment. “That leaves the door wide open, doesn’t it?”

She was still smiling as she climbed into Zeb’s truck.

When she and Reno had gone to dinner in Tyler, she’d noticed a large chain drugstore on the way. While it was in the opposite direction from where she needed to be going, she felt safer buying a pregnancy test as far away from Whispering Springs gossip as she could manage. Besides, it was only about thirty minutes to the store and then forty minutes back to Whispering Springs. She had plenty of time.

To err on the side of caution, she bought three different brands of pregnancy tests. The girl at the check-out assured her they would all say the same thing, but Magda was taking no chances.

Of course, it would be the pits if she got different results, wouldn’t it?

She pulled the instructions out the minute she got back in the truck. All of them said the same thing.
For best results, take the test first thing in the morning.

Well, damn. She could go ahead and take one tonight, but what if it was negative and she drank alcohol based on that test and then another test in the morning was positive? She couldn’t win no matter what she did. Why did life hate her so much?

She blew out a long sigh, uttered the filthiest phrase she knew and shoved the tests under the seat. Give her something to look forward to in the morning.

Leo’s bar was hopping when she arrived. He had a live country band playing in the main bar with the music piped at a lower volume into the restaurant. He gave her a nod as she entered and pointed toward a closed door marked
Private Party
. She was early, which was fine since she wanted to get a look at the setup. She was surprised and thrilled with what she found.

There was seating for at least twenty-five, fresh flowers on the tables, a champagne fountain—not yet running—and a separate table with iced tea and coffee. Porchia had been here, as evidenced by the mound of
petits fours
, platters of cookies and a tray of cannoli. In the corner was a stack of brightly wrapped presents, most bearing the Tina Marie sticker.

Magda pulled out her phone and started snapping pictures. She couldn’t believe how nice all these women were being to a woman they barely knew.

“Hey. You’re here.”

Magda turned and smiled at Tina. “This is incredible. I was just thinking how nice you gals are to be doing this for a woman you hardly know.”

Tina shrugged. “What can I say? We love a good party, especially if it’s a bachelorette party. Besides, once Olivia and Mitch volunteered to pay for everything, heck, who’d want to miss that?”

The door opened and women began to flow in. Some Magda knew, or had at least met. Some were totally new faces. Olivia brought Blanche, who was giggling and laughing like a young bride. For some reason, that made Magda very happy.

“Have a drink,” said KC, handing Magda a glass of wine.

“Thanks.” She took the glass but had no intention of drinking it. Still, that was easier than trying to explain why she wasn’t drinking.

“You did good,” KC said.

Magda shook her head. “Not me. Tina and Olivia are the ones who pulled this together.”

“Maybe so, but it was your idea.” KC nodded toward Blanche who was laughing with Jackie Montgomery. “She looks so happy, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah, she does.”

“You upset that Zeb is marrying her?”

“What? Oh, heck no. Well, maybe I was a little surprised last week when he announced it, but she seems to really be in love with him. From what interactions I’ve had with her, I think they will go together well.”

“Oh good. Olivia is moving her toward that pile of presents. Let’s get some good seats.”

“Sure. Save me a seat. I need to hit the ladies’ room.”

Magda took her drink with her, dumped it in the toilet and then stopped by the bar.

“What can I get you?” Leo asked, or rather shouted over the music and crowd.

“Club soda with lime.”

He nodded. In a minute, he pushed the drink to her. “No charge. It’s part of the party.”

“Thanks.” She carried the drink back to the party where it appeared she had a gin and tonic, which was exactly the impression she wanted to make.

As the end of the gifts came and Blanche was thanking everyone, the door burst open and a fireman rushed in.

Magda grabbed KC’s arm. “Fire?”

KC snorted. “Not yet, but there will be.”

The fireman removed his hat and Magda almost fell off her chair. It was Max West. From somewhere music started and Max began swaying to the beat.

“I hear I have a single lady here getting ready to make the big jump. I’m here to show you what you’re giving up.”

All the ladies screamed and howled as Max began to remove his turnout coat before he slowly slid his red suspenders off his shoulders to remove his pants. It was all Magda could do to not cover her eyes, but really…who’d want to miss that six-pack he’d just uncovered.

“How in the world…or rather, Whispering Springs has a stripper?”

KC laughed. “Nah. He’s really a model and fitness instructor. Works with the volunteer fire department. He’s a patient of Caroline’s. She talked him into coming tonight.” KC whistled a cat call. “Gotta say he is the model of physical fitness, isn’t he?”

“Drake going to get lucky tonight then?”

“You betcha.” KC hooted and then pushed a ten dollar bill into Max’s speedo, which was as far as he went. But that was far enough. Magda figured there’d be quite a few happy husbands and boyfriends later tonight.

Max pulled a dozen roses from inside the heavy turnout coat and presented them to Blanche. When he kissed her, her face bloomed as red as a ripe tomato, but it was obvious she was having a blast.

It was close to eleven when Blanche’s bachelorette party was invaded by Zeb’s bachelor party.

Reno wasted no time cutting Magda from the herd and getting her off to himself. “Have fun?”

“We did. You missed the stripper.”

“Ah, I’m thinking the gender might have been wrong for me.”

She grinned. “But not for me.” She shook her hand like it’d touched something hot. “Whew, baby.”

“Who was it?”

“Max West.”

“Ah.” Reno nodded. “Did you know him before tonight?”

She gave him a little smile and a shrug. “We’d met.” She wasn’t positive, but she thought she might have detected a smidgen of jealousy on Reno’s face.

“Have you been drinking?” he asked.

“No. Of course not.”

“Have you taken the pregnancy test yet?”

Magda glanced nervously around to make sure no one had overheard him. “Why don’t you just shout it out?”

“I didn’t shout,” he said, lowering his voice. “Have you?”

“No. I would have told you. But I got a home pregnancy test today.”

“The minute it’s positive, we’re headed to Arkansas.”

“What? Why?”

“No waiting period. We can get married and be back in one day.” He touched her arm. “I’ll be a good dad, Mags. You don’t have to worry.”

“I’m probably not pregnant, so don’t start packing your overnight bag. We’ll know tomorrow.”

When they got home, Magda asked Reno to stay in his room. She needed to get some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

He wasn’t happy but did as she requested.

The wedding was scheduled for noon, so Magda hit the ground running that morning. Reno was out taking care of the animals along with Zack. Darren had gone to the barn to refill the food and water for the horses. Magda took advantage of the empty house to take the tests.

Luckily for her, all three tests gave the same result, so she felt confident in the answer. Not pregnant. She wasn’t surprised by the outcome, but she was caught off-guard by her emotional reaction. Almost a disappointment mixed with a sense of relief. And that made no sense to her at all.

At least Reno would be off the hook.

Chapter Nineteen

Reno hurried through the morning chores, finally leaving Zack to finish them. He knew Magda had said she would take the pregnancy test this morning and he wanted to get home to find out the results.

When she’d first mentioned that she could be pregnant, his heart had almost skidded to a stop. First, he’d been pissed that fate had thrown a bomb at his carefully arranged life plan. He didn’t have marriage on his schedule for another six to eight years. Then guilt had taken up residence in his gut. It certainly wasn’t Magda’s fault, nor his. As the song said, life happened while you’re busy making plans.

In the week since she’d mentioned the late period, he’d thought a lot about it and had begun to like the idea of Magda carrying his baby. Hell, he loved even more the idea of Magda being his wife. Without the possible pregnancy, he doubted he would be so serious about marrying right now, but damn if the idea didn’t make him happy. If he had to get her pregnant to keep her, so be it. He didn’t mind one bit having a knocked-up wife. The thought made him smile.

“What are you grinning about?” Darren asked.

“What?”

“I said, what are you grinning about? You’re standing in Archie’s crap pile.”

Reno looked down and, sure enough, his left foot was definitely in a pile of horse manure. He laughed.

“Well, I’m not sure what’s gotten into you,” Darren said, “but you’ve been acting strange for about a week.”

“Nothing’s gotten into me.”
Nope, not into him. Into Magda, maybe.

“And there’s that stupid grin again. Something’s up. I know you as well as I know me. Spill it.”

Reno shook his head. “Later. We’ve got to get a move on if we want to get to the wedding.”

“Guess you’re right. I saw Magda fly out of here about fifteen minutes ago.”

“She’s already gone?”

“Yeah. Remember she said something this morning about getting dressed at Olivia’s house or something? I don’t know. I wasn’t really listening. Why? Did you need her for something?”

Yeah. He needed her to tell him that she was pregnant.

“Guess not. You done here? We’d better get a move on.”

Reno looked for Magda as soon as they arrived at the Kicking Bull Ranch. Mitch said he was playing host while the ladies were getting ready. He’d been given strict instructions from his wife that no men were allowed on the second level of the house on penalty of no sex for a month. Reno was sure his cousin-in-law wouldn’t let him upstairs to see Magda no matter what story he gave. He’d just have to wait.

As he walked around and mingled, he thought more and more about marrying Magda. Hell, he didn’t care if she was pregnant or not. He still wanted to marry her. He almost laughed aloud.

He wanted to marry Magda Hobbs. Baby or not, he’d found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He’d always figured he’d get married sometime in his thirties. Marriage at this point in his life may not have been in his plans, but to risk losing her wasn’t going to happen.

In some ways, he would be disappointed if she was pregnant. Marriage was going to be a hell of an adjustment, or at least that was his impression. Maybe it would be better if they were a married couple for a couple of years and could enjoy each other before bringing children into the fold. Right now, the ranch was sucking up so much of his time. What little time he had left he wanted to share with Magda. He didn’t know where he’d get the time or the energy to raise a baby too.

In the end, it didn’t matter. With or without a baby, he wanted Magda.

“You going to stand here all day staring at that flower arrangement?”

Reno’s head snapped up at his brother’s question. “I wasn’t studying the flowers. I was thinking about adding a bull to the herd.”

“You found one you like? If not, I know of one I’ve been wanting to talk to you about. He’s not cheap but…” Darren rattled on and Reno nodded in all the right places, but for all he knew, he was agreeing to buy the moon.

They found seats outside with the rest of the wedding crowd. There must have been close to a hundred or more people here. The music started and the minister, Zeb, Mitch and Adam walked out from the side and stood at the front of the group.

After the men took their places, the audience’s attention turned to the closed French doors leading to the house. Both doors opened and Magda walked out. Reno’s world tilted. His gut clenched. His heart sputtered. She was unbelievably beautiful. Her dress was purple, which would look awful on most women, but on his Magda it looked like it was made for her. He loved how it was short in the front and long in the back. Perfect for showing off her shapely legs.

As she walked down the aisle, their gazes met. He couldn’t wait any longer. He put his hand on his gut and raised an eyebrow. She shook her head ever so slightly.

No baby. He had a moment of disappointment. Even though he knew it was for the best and that he and Magda would have fun trying again, he was surprised at the depth of his regret. But he didn’t want to upset her today of all days so he put a smile on his face.

His woman was stunning as she walked down the aisle. Every guy in the room had to be lusting after her.
Well, too bad guys. She’s mine.

His smile got broader and wider. Hell, yeah, losers. That beautiful woman was his. He loved her and, even though she’d never said it, he knew she loved him. And one day in the very near future, she’d be walking to meet him at the altar.

Reno smiled at her. Smiled when she’d signaled that she wasn’t pregnant. Did he look relieved? Yeah, she thought he did.

For just a second, her steps faltered, but she quickly regained her composure and joined the rest of the wedding party. Once in place, she turned toward the house to watch the approach of the matron of honor and bride.

She stared at the house, not seeing the beautiful home that Olivia and Mitch had so generously volunteered for her dad’s wedding. Instead, she saw Reno’s smile. Oh, at first she might have seen a moment of disappointment, but when he realized he was off the marriage hook, it’d been impossible to restrain his feelings about his reprieve from marriage. Now that she thought about his reaction, it was more like his face lit up in glee.

At least she knew now how he really felt about being a father.

The flowers in her hands shook. She looked at Zeb. He smiled and gave her a thumbs up, then he looked toward the house for his bride.

Polly Henry, sister of the bride, made her way down the aisle and took her place next to Magda. Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” began to play. The doors opened and Blanche walked out in a long white bridal gown. Magda chuckled. Sneaky woman wanted to surprise them all.

Blanche’s face radiated so much joy and happiness Magda had to fight against the tears building in her eyes. That’s how a bride should look on her wedding day. Making her wedding vows because she wanted to, not because she had to. The last thing Magda wanted was to trap some poor sucker into marriage.

If she’d been pregnant, Reno would have married her. Not for love, but for duty and honor. He’d made it abundantly clear that he would take responsibility for a child. There’d been no sham proclamations of love. She had to give him credit. He’d been forthright and honest about his obligation. However, for the rest of her life, she would have felt guilty for taking away his right to choose the woman of his dreams.

Sleeping with him was, in some ways, doing the same thing, wasn’t it? He wasn’t dating anyone or going out with the guys, and she was pretty sure that was her fault. Reno was a good guy.

She’d come back for Zeb. Because of Zeb’s health. And now, he appeared to be on the mend, doing great actually. He was marrying for the first time in his life. He was happy and, according to his doctors, healthy.

And even though Zeb and Blanche had assured her that nothing would change, that she would always have a home with them, she was twenty-four years old. She was an adult, capable of standing on her own two feet, although this last fiasco with the pregnancy scare made her wonder.

Zeb kissed his new wife and a new chapter of his life began. This would possibly be the perfect time for her to try again to move on. Not while Zeb was gone on a honeymoon, of course. There was no way that couldn’t be interpreted as hostile toward Blanche and their marrying, and her feelings were far from unfavorable. She was happy for both of them. If nothing else, she’d learned that it was never too late to find the right one.

There was live music for the reception, and as soon as her maid of honor responsibilities were done, Reno claimed a dance.

“You look incredible,” he said. He moved her around the dance area in his smooth manner.

Smooth. Pretty much like he did everything.

“Thanks,” Magda said, wishing she was somewhere other than in his arms. It was just too painful to look into his gorgeous blue eyes and not want to cling to him. “It was so nice of Olivia and Mitch to do this.”

“Zeb has been with Mitch a long time. I’m sure they consider him family.”

“Maybe so, but it’s still incredibly nice.” She waited for him to bring up the non-pregnancy. She knew she wasn’t going to be the one to do it.

He maneuvered them into a less crowded area. “So, no baby.”

“Yeah. Nice to finally have an answer anyway.”

Giving her a little hug, he said, “At least we know.”

As the song came to a close and she was trying to figure out how to gracefully run away, Darren—bless his heart—saved her.

“My turn.” Darren snatched her hand and pulled her into a fast number.

His dancing was spastic and wild and Magda loved it. He let himself move and sway to the beat without any regard for what anyone else might think. She loved Darren’s confidence, especially given that he was dancing with one leg in a cast. She wished she had more of his self-assurance. Hers was all bluster and hot air, a skill that’d kept her alive in dozens of foster homes and years on the street.

To her surprise, Max West claimed the next dance.

“You look surprised to see me,” he said, whirling her around the floor.

“I am. I didn’t think you knew Zeb and Blanche.”

He shook his head and gave her a heart-stopping grin. “I didn’t until last night. Blanche asked me to come today. Said she’d seen me looking my best and it was only fair that I saw her looking her best.”

Laughing, she nodded. “Sounds like the Blanche I’m coming to know.”

“At least I know you weren’t just blowing me off when I asked you out. You really did have something you had to do this weekend.”

“Hey. Honest Magda. That’s me.”

“What about tomorrow night? Dinner somewhere?”

She shook her head. “Sorry, but when this wedding is over, I’m going to sleep the rest of the weekend. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks.”

“Another weekend then.”

“Sure. I’ve got your number.” Magda had kept the card he’d given her this week. It wasn’t a conscious decision to hang on to it. More like it was probably still in her jeans pocket and she hadn’t emptied them yet.

He pressed his cheek to hers. “Call me. I’d really love to see you again. So the ball’s in your court.”

Sure, she was flattered by Max’s attention. Who wouldn’t be? He was tall, dark and sexy. And a fireman to boot.

And yet her gaze kept sliding to Reno. When she’d seen him on the dance floor with Delene, her heart had dropped like a rock. Delene was tall, blonde and, as they say, built like a brick outhouse. What the hell was going on in the Whispering Springs female pool? Why were they all so attractive and able to make her feel like a mouse?

But damn if Reno and Delene didn’t look perfect together. Dark and light. Power and sexuality all rolled into one couple.

“Got time for a dance with your old dad?”

Magda mouth broke into a wide smile. “Absolutely.”

Zeb held out his arms and Magda stepped into them.

“I wanted to thank you for what you did for Blanche last night. I can’t begin to tell you how much it meant to her.”

“Aw, Zeb. Every bride deserves a naughty shower and a bachelorette party.”

“And a male stripper?” He tried to give her a disapproving look but in the end he chuckled.

“So you’re not upset about Max? I didn’t know. I swear.”

“Of course I don’t mind. Blanche thought it was a hoot. And she told me that she’d invited him. Which one is he?”

“The guy I was just dancing with.”

“Handsome fellow.”

“True. Look, Zeb—”

“You’re leaving,” he said.

“Maybe. It’s time I grew up. Found out what I want to do with my life, don’t you think?”

“You seem to be doing just fine.”

“Right now, sure. But I want more control. I think I want to go back to school.”

His eyes widen in surprise. “Really? To do what?”

“I’m not sure. I thought maybe I’d take some time and do a little online research.”

“So have you told the Montgomery boys you’re leaving?”

“No. Not yet.”

“Blanche and I will be gone a couple of weeks. If you need somewhere to stay, you still have a key to my place.”

“I do, yes. Thanks.”

“One more favor?”

“Sure. Anything.”

“Can you call me Dad instead of Zeb?”

She nodded. “I think I can do that.”

The rest of the reception went by in a blur. When Blanche threw her bouquet, it hit Magda in the head and bounced into Delene’s hands, who promptly shoved it back at Magda.

“No, ma’am. I don’t want that,” Delene said with a laugh.

Since it was a day wedding, the reception broke up by six. Exhaustion wrapped around Magda like a boa, squeezing any energy out of her. Nothing sounded better than her bed.

On the drive home, a sharp abdominal cramp racked her gut and drew a gasp. By the time she pulled into the D&R drive, she was almost doubled over with cramps. So it was no surprise when she went to the bathroom to discover her late period had arrived, bringing its sisters, cramps and fluid retention, along for a visit.

Swell timing, ladies
, she thought.

Since Nadine Montgomery had been the one to hire her, Magda felt it was only right that she let Nadine know that she would be leaving.