Wyoming Sweethearts (15 page)

He was losing the battle to deny his feelings. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold out.

“You have a nice life, Meryl.” He meant it as he hung up, feeling chipper. The tension bunched up behind his rib cage melted away as both boots hit the ground. He jammed his phone into his back pocket, whistling as he crossed the yard and pounded up the porch steps. Buttercup called out, batting her long lashes at him.

“I won’t be long, sweetie,” he called over his shoulder as he swung open the door. “I’ll bring you a treat. How’s that, darlin?”

The cow lit up like a puppy at her favorite word, “treat,” and did the bovine equivalent of a happy dance.

Female voices rang like music as he kicked off his boots in the mud room. He balked at the circle of women at the kitchen table, most likely busy doing something for tomorrow’s wedding. Maybe he could sneak on by before any of them noticed, but Mrs. G. was a sharp tack. She didn’t miss much as he padded stealthily into the room.

“There you are.” The housekeeper looked up from her place at the table. “Guess you’ll be here for supper after all. Frank said not to count on it.”

“Uncle Frank doesn’t know everything.” He tossed her a big grin because he saw her starting to get up.

Probably to fetch him something cold to drink from the fridge. Before he could stop her, one of his cousins did.

“I don’t know. Dad is usually right.” Cheyenne hopped up instead and circled around the island. “Isn’t Eloise with you?”

He saw how deftly she was trying to get information out of him. He wasn’t about to be fooled, so he changed the subject. “Shouldn’t you be at the vet clinic doctoring animals?”

“Yes, but since my sister is getting married I scheduled the afternoon off.” Cheyenne grabbed a trio of pop cans from the fridge. “Don’t ignore my question.”

“Yeah, we know you’re sweet on Eloise.” Autumn made a neat little bow out of thin ribbon wrapped like a noose around a bunch of lavender netting. Wedding favors, apparently.

“Ooh, romance.” Rori smiled as she leaned back in her chair. “Tell us more.”

“I’m down on love, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear all about it,” Addy added.

“Mostly because you’re nosey,” Cheyenne teased as she distributed the cans.

“Sure. Inquiring minds want to know.”

Mrs. G. took a can from Cheyenne, plopped it onto the table and patted an empty chair. “Sean, sit. Make yourself useful. Answer the girls’ question.”

“You’re a romantic, aren’t you, Mrs. G.?” He didn’t miss trouble gleaming in her eyes. “You were a heart-breaker in your day.”

“I still am.” She laughed and the kitchen rang with laughter as everyone joined in.

“Maybe we should be talking about your love life, Mrs. G.” He plopped into the chair, not complaining as
Addy on his left pushed a mound of ribbons his way and Mrs. G. set her pile of the lavender mesh stuff between them.

“Is it my imagination, or is the boy trying too hard to change the subject?” Mrs. G. asked.

“He’s definitely trying to dodge the question,” Cheyenne agreed as she wrapped two cookies with care. “That speaks for itself.”

“Sure I’m sweet on Eloise. Who wouldn’t be? I’m also sweet on all of you and Buttercup.” He popped the top on his can and took a gulp of root beer. Good stuff. “Guess what I saw today? Frank and Cady out on a ride together.”

“Yeah, we know all about it. If Dad isn’t here, where else would he be?” Addy asked with a dimpled grin.

“I’m surprised Cady isn’t here helping out.” He spread out a piece of the mesh stuff and grabbed two cookies from the bowl. “Isn’t this her kind of thing?”

“We wanted to have her here,” Autumn explained. “I was going to invite her but then Dad took off to go riding and I thought that was more important.”

“Cady’s awesome.” Addy fussed until she got the bow just right. “I love her. Anyone who makes Dad whistle is primo in my book.”

“I can’t ever remember him being so happy,” Cheyenne agreed as she snapped open her strawberry soda.

“He seems really serious about Cady,” Rori said.

“I think he’s going to propose.” Addy opened her soda. “Can you imagine? After all these years, we’ll have a stepmom.”

“She will be a great one,” Autumn predicted.

“She sent me care packages when I was at school.” Cheyenne got busy wrapping up more cookies. “Really nice ones.”

“Ooh, me, too.” Addy agreed as she lifted her pop can.

“And she emailed me all kinds of encouraging quotes when I was putting in long hours on my rotations.”

“I got quotes and nice chatty emails.”

“Friendly,” Cheyenne agreed. “She didn’t have to do that. She was busy getting her inn off the ground, but she took the time to really care.”

“That’s it. She’s genuine. I’m glad Dad has someone like that to care about him.” Addy took a sip of her soda. “Ooh, this is fizzy. Cheyenne, did you shake my can?”

“No, but it was tempting.”

Laughter filled the kitchen again, the conversation steered well away from Eloise, but that didn’t stop him from thinking of her. Knowing she would be at the wedding made him peaceful, as if a great calm were settling inside him. He couldn’t wait to see her.

M
aybe she wouldn’t run into Sean. Maybe she could safely avoid him. Those thoughts were what got Eloise up the church steps when she wanted to go back to the car. Yesterday’s outing with him remained at the forefront of her mind. The million little reasons she cared for him tormented her as she stepped through the doorway and into the sanctuary. Everyone had showed up for Autumn’s wedding. The aisles were packed, the pews stirred with folks settling in, visiting, calling out howdy to friends and neighbors.

No sign of Sean anywhere. Major relief. Maybe she could scoot into an aisle and become part of the crowd and when he arrived he would never spot her. Avoiding him was the only plan she could think of to keep her heart safe from the torment troubling her. If she didn’t see him, then she didn’t have to fight for control of her heart.

“Excuse me, dear.” Doris, the minister’s wife, bustled by glancing at her watch. She’d been organizing the town’s weddings for the last thirty years. She disappeared down the aisle and into a throng of more guests crowding through the doorway.

Eloise gripped her cane and took one step. She didn’t get any further before the air changed. She knew he was close even before her gaze found him striding down the lane looking like a Western movie hero come to life in a dark jacket and trousers. All that was missing was his Stetson.

“Eloise.” The way his voice warmed around her name made little bubbles pop in her midsection. “I was hoping I might find you here.”

Joy inexplicably burst inside her. She tried to stop it, but she couldn’t. Her emotions tumbled in a freefall because of the man who strode toward her with his long-legged, confident gait. The afternoon brightened. She became fully alive as if for the first time at his slow, dazzling smile. It was as if she took her first breath.

“I think everyone on this half of the county is here.” She feared he could hear the strain in her words. Tension coiled through her, making her feel awkward and anxious.

“The church is packed,” he agreed amicably, at ease. “Let’s go find a place to sit while we still can. Come sit with me.”

Say no, she told herself. Make an excuse. Find Gran. Escape him while you still have your heart. But when he held out one hand in silent invitation, she was helpless to say no. Her hand automatically met his and the drone of conversations faded. At the twine of his fingers through hers, her spirit quieted. Peace permeated her, soul-deep.

Don’t start wishing, she thought. Not one wish.

“The house was crazy this morning.” Amusement vibrated in the low notes as he shortened his stride to match hers. “There were women, lace, dresses and flowers
everywhere before I left. It’s too much for a bachelor. I barely survived it.”

“You do look worse for the wear,” she quipped.

“Thanks. You look amazing.”

“Now you are fibbing. You better be careful as you’re in a church. Lightning could strike.”

“Well, it wouldn’t hit me.” He’d never seen anything more stunning than Eloise in her summery pink dress. The swingy hem swirled with each step, and her golden hair tumbled in soft bounces to frame her incredible face. She’d blushed at his compliment and the light pink stealing across her nose and cheeks only made her more amazing. He had no clue how she managed to get any more beautiful.

Time to accept he couldn’t win the battle. His heart was full of feelings he could not stop.

“What’s the latest word on the little mare we rescued?” he asked.

“She settled in just fine. Jenny named her Princess. I think those two are going to be close.” She glanced toward the middle of the church. Midway down a row Mrs. Tipple gave him a two thumbs-up.

Poor Mrs. Tipple had way too high an opinion of him. She was the most hopeful one of all. “I’m guessing Nate turned up to give her a good exam?”

“He did. She needed some care, but she will be fine. She needs to be reshod, so the farrier is dropping by on Monday.”

“Excellent. While I hope there isn’t another horse in need anywhere, if there is we can ride to the rescue. It’s been rewarding. I’m glad we’re doing this together.”

“Me, too.” She did her best not to let her adoration show. Tiny wishes kept threatening to rise to the surface
that he would look at her and think, wow, and that his feelings were changing, too.

Of course they weren’t, but her stubborn hope would not die. No matter how much she knew it had to.

“I need to sit with my family.” The words rushed out, more strained than she’d intended. She wanted to come across as unaffected. She wanted to seem like a cool, casual and independent woman who didn’t need a man’s affections. He would never know how much she wanted him, how he was the man of her dreams.

“Sean, the ceremony is about to start.” A man in his sixties moseyed down the aisle, Stetson in hand. “Howdy, Eloise.”

“Hi, Scotty. You clean up nice.” She’d known the Grangers’ ranch hand since she was a small child, although it was rare to see him out of a T-shirt and jeans. “Don’t let me keep you. I’m going to sit with Gran.”

“Sure.” Surprise flashed across Sean’s handsome face but it fled quickly. “I’ll see you after.”

“Sounds great.” That came across as breezy and easygoing, didn’t it? Pleased with herself, she headed down the row, refusing to give in to the need to glance over her shoulder. She knew better than to fall in love again.

“Hold still, Dad.” Cheyenne leaned in to fuss with his tie.

Frank Granger scowled. He wasn’t fond of monkey suits, as he called the black tux, but it was his oldest daughter’s wedding. He could survive the insult to his rancher’s dignity for a few hours.

The room in the church’s basement reverberated with excitement. He gazed around, proud of what he saw. His beautiful daughters were dressed up and as
grown-up as could be. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but his daughter-in-law, Rori, appeared a bit peaked as she fussed with Addy’s hair do. Maybe it was from the excitement, but he suspected it was more than that.

Autumn shone like the happy bride she was, wearing one of her mother’s diamond necklaces and decked out in a white lace and pearl dress with some designer label that had taken a chunk out of his savings account—not that he minded. All he’d ever wanted in life was for his children to be happy.

“Doris gave me the two-minute warning.” Cady bustled into the room, tall and slender and as pretty as a magazine picture. She was elegance in an understated, dark emerald-green dress to match her eyes and tapped crisply on her coordinating heels. Her soft bouncy locks were tamed into a fancy do that only enhanced the beauty of her oval face. “Are you ready, Autumn?”

“Ready? I was about four minutes ago. Now I’m mostly really nervous. Look, I’m shaking.” She held out one hand, which wobbled somewhat terribly.

“Remember how nervous I was when I married your brother?” Rori took Autumn’s hand in her own and they leaned together, talking away.

“Ooh, I’m not happy with this,” Cheyenne muttered and went to loosen his tie. “Dad, you’re not holding still.”

“This is good enough. I’m an old man. There’s only so much improvement anyone can make with me.” He gently tweaked her nose, as he’d used to do when she was small. He could still see her freckles and pigtails, trailing after him when he doctored an animal.

“You aren’t so old,” Cheyenne quipped gently as she picked a tiny dab of lint off his collar. “Addy! Dad’s ready for his picture.”

“Ooh, goody!” His littlest bounced up in a swirl of silk, prancing across the room with a contraption in hand. “Dad, you look fab. Gather up, everyone. Group picture!”

It was too late to duck out the door. Cheyenne had a hold on him. That girl wasn’t just good at barrel racing and doctoring animals. She was sharp-eyed and she had a strong grip. But he wasn’t born yesterday; he knew how to handle a pack of women.

“Addy, give me that camera. I get to do the honors. You all cozy up together so I can get a picture of my girls.” He flashed a grin at them because he knew how tough it was for his daughters to say no to his dimples. “C’mon, make your dad happy.”

He watched with love in his eyes and a catch in his throat as Rori and Autumn joined Cheyenne and Addy. With the bride in the center and her bridesmaids surrounding her, he positioned his camera. Although his attention was on his girls, he was aware of the other woman in the room, hanging back and quietly watching. Cady had an effect on him, one he couldn’t deny. “Alright, big smiles. Say cream cheese.”

“Cream cheese,” they chorused as he clicked. “Cady! Come join us.”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t.” She was blushing. He forgot anyone else was in the room as she leaned one shoulder against the wall. “I try to avoid cameras at all costs. I take terrible pictures.”

“No one here believes that.” Autumn floated around him to take Cady by the hand. “I’m the bride. It’s my day. You have to indulge me.”

“I can’t say no to you, sweetie.” Cady patted Autumn’s cheek. It was a gentle gesture, one of caring that a mother might give a daughter.

His throat tightened up. He knew Autumn and Cady had gotten close over the last year. His daughters pulled Cady into their circle, fussed with her and showed in little ways of tone and gesture that they cared for her. Truly cared. It meant so much to him his vision went a little fuzzy as he snapped the picture. He took a second one just in case. He wanted to make sure to capture this moment in time.

“Calling all bridesmaids!” Doris charged in like a general preparing for a siege. “It’s time to go! Follow me. Frank, are you all right? You look a bit overwhelmed.”

“I’m the father of the bride. It’s my prerogative.” He held out Addy’s camera, hoping no one noticed he’d managed to avoid getting into the picture.

“Frank.” Cady’s caring alto and her gentle touch drew his attention. She took the camera before Addy could reclaim it. “Let me take a picture of you and your daughters.”

He could read the unspoken understanding in her eyes. She knew what his kids meant to him. He didn’t have to say a thing nor did she, but with the comfort of her touch a current zinged between them—a bond of connection and emotion that defied words.

“I’ve got the music cued, Frank Granger.” Doris, whom he’d known since grade school, gave him a scolding look that didn’t stymie him any. One flash of his dimples had her reconsidering. “All right, but make it quick, Cady. Autumn, are you ready, honey?”

“Now I am.” Her arm hooked into his. Frank gazed down at his little girl and he knew he had to give her away. Not that she was going far. The construction on her house was finished, and it was less than a quarter of a mile from his driveway to hers, proof life was
changing. He thanked God for it, but it hurt to know this fork in the road would take her a little away from him.

Cady clicked the shutter, Addy confiscated the camera and Doris steered the bridesmaids out of the room, straightening bows and handing out bouquets as they went.

“This is it, Dad.” Autumn’s arm tightened in his. “I’m steady now. Whew, glad those nerves are gone.”

“Perfectly natural. Same thing happened to me when I married your mom.” It was bittersweet to remember that day when his hopes had been sky-high. The road had been tough. In the end Lainie hadn’t been a good fit with ranching life, but many of his other hopes had come true. Five perfect children, grown up to be five good people. And as he sensed Cady step from the room to give him and Autumn privacy, he was thankful for a new dream that had come to him in the middle of his life. “Good things are on the way for you and Ford, Autumn. Don’t forget. Always be loving and enjoy the journey.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She went up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, his sweet little girl.

God was good, he thought as he led her from the room. Never had there been a man more blessed than he.

Eloise stood in the church hall listening to the string quartet. The lilting notes rose over the dozens upon dozens of conversations. So far, she’d succeeded in her latest mission of avoiding Sean at any cost.

“Dad has a hidden ballroom dancing talent. Who knew?” Cheyenne sashayed up in her bridesmaid’s dress
and doled out the three cups of lime punch she carried. “Look at him go.”

“I would give him a perfect ten,” Addy declared as she took a sip. She studied her father over the rim of the cup. Frank Granger with Cady in his arms sailed modestly around the dance floor as if all he could see was Cady, as if she were the only person in the entire world.

If only, Eloise wished. She could not hold it back. If only Sean would look at her like that.

“They make a handsome couple.” She managed to clear the wistfulness from her voice and took a sip of punch. It rolled over her tongue, sweetly tart. Cady deserved a fine man like Frank Granger. “I’m happy for them.”

“We are, too,” Addy answered for her sister.

Happy couples were everywhere. Eloise spotted her parents toward the back, waltzing rustily. Silver-haired Hal and Velma Plum waltzed as if they were fifty years younger. The bride and groom gazed into each other’s eyes, cocooned in their happiness and love for one another.

“I have to say Autumn and Ford make a beautiful couple,” Eloise heard Martha Wisener comment in the crowd behind her. “The town finally found a sheriff who will stay.”

“About time, too,” Sandi Walters added. “He might be a city boy, but he fits in around here like a stitch in a seam.”

“That he does,” Arlene Miller concurred.

“Aren’t you glad this is not going to happen to us any time soon?” Cheyenne asked with a grin.

“Or ever,” Addy concurred. “All that lace and ruffles and being tied down. No thank you.”

“Who needs it?” Eloise found herself saying to cover up the sadness of the truth. Romance was not going to find her again. Gerald’s words remained like a thorn in her soul she could not pluck out.
No man is going to want that kind of burden. I’ve tried as hard as I can, and I can’t do it. I don’t want to marry you now. You’re not what you used to be.

“I am thankful Autumn found a great guy. Those don’t come around every day.” Cheyenne ran a fingertip along the etched pattern of her glass cup. “They might be much rarer than first thought.”