by Elle James
“And I will. We’ll have a lot to do in the next week, so gird your loins and be ready to drink from the fire hose. Sorry for the clichés, but in this case, they fit.” Daisy jumped up from the seat. “Let me get you those drinks and take care of a couple of customers. Then I can go on break, and we can get started.”
Daisy dashed away, smiling at customers. She poured coffee, removed empty plates, sent orders to the kitchen and then returned with coffee and ice-water.
Dallas was tired just watching the younger woman. “Where do you find all that energy?”
Daisy laughed. “I’ve always had more energy than I know what to do with. That’s why I work this job, have a business as a wedding planner and I’m taking online classes to get my business degree. My friends and ex-boyfriend call me an overachiever.” She shrugged. “I just don’t like to sit around when I could be doing something productive.” She leaned across the table. “So? What kind of wedding did you have planned?”
Dallas shot a glance at Viper and back to Daisy. “Type?”
“You know...” Daisy grinned. “Preacher or Justice of the Peace.”
“Preacher,” Dallas said.
“Justice of the Peace,” Viper said at the exact same time.
Daisy chuckled. “Okay then, you don’t know.”
“The setting really doesn’t matter,” Dallas said. “I’m comfortable with either.”
Daisy shot her a narrow-eyed glance. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Dallas said.
“Getting married isn’t something you do every day,” Daisy said. “I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
Heat rose in Dallas’s cheeks. Who could have regrets marrying Viper? He was so handsome it hurt to look at him, knowing she would never have him as a real husband.
“Since we have such a short timeframe, let’s go with whatever is most expedient or available,” Viper reasoned.
Daisy nodded. “Fair enough. We’ll go with whoever is available next Saturday.” She lifted her pen and set it to her notepad. “Besides the wedding dress, rings and tuxedo, have you thought about cakes, reception venue, dinner entrées, music, decorations and most of all, invitations to the guests?”
Dallas wished Daisy would hand her a rifle and ask her to fire expert. She was trained and capable of anything weapon or tactics related. But planning a wedding? She drew in a deep breath. “We haven’t thought of anything other than I’m going wedding dress shopping and Viper—Vince is looking for a tuxedo tomorrow.”
“Wow, you really are behind the curve.” Daisy smiled. “Are you set on next weekend?”
Viper draped an arm around Dallas’s shoulders. “When you know you have the perfect person, you want to start the rest of your life right away.”
Daisy sighed. “I agree. I just wish other people understood.”
“What do you mean?” Dallas leaned forward. “You’ve had couples plan a wedding they weren’t sure of?”
“Some. Not my most recent event with Hannah and Taz.” Her smile faded. “I can’t believe they ran off the road on their way to the airport. I’m glad they made it out all right and continued on to their honeymoon. Have you heard anything about the driver? I heard he was hurt in the crash.”
“He’s banged up, but he’ll survive,” Viper said.
“I’m glad,” Daisy said. “He seems like such a nice man.”
“One of the best,” Viper agreed.
The wedding planner made a few more notes on her pad. “Do you have a venue for the wedding and the reception? It might be difficult to find a place to accommodate you at this late date.”
“Hank Patterson assured us we could have the wedding and reception at his father’s ranch,” Viper said.
“Good. I’ll need the number of guests, type of food you want at the reception and if you would like live music or a DJ.”
“You planned Taz and Hannah’s wedding…” Dallas wondered what about Daisy would inspire someone to want to ruin a wedding the waitress had planned? “We want everything the same. It was a beautiful ceremony.”
“You’re in luck,” Daisy smiled. “They had barbeque and a DJ. Guests?”
“The same number.” Viper laughed. “Probably the same guests, too.”
“You must be a close-knit group of friends.”
“We all served in the military,” Viper said. “Including Dallas.”
Daisy’s eyes widened. “I haven’t met too many women who’ve served. I admire you for doing that. I’ve thought about joining the Army, but I’ve never been farther from home than Bozeman.”
“Bozeman?” Dallas tilted her head.
Daisy’s lips twisted. “That’s right. I stayed here in Eagle Rock after high school because my father was sick. When he passed, I stayed for my mother until she was stable enough to be on her own. And here I am, still in Eagle Rock. But I have plans. I won’t be here for much longer.”
“No? Where are you going from here?” Viper asked.
Daisy drew in a deep breath and let it out on a smile. “I’ll start in Helena. I want to go to school to become a nurse. After caring for my father, I discovered I liked doing that.”
“Nursing is an honorable profession and there seems to be a high demand.” Dallas remembered all the nurses and doctors had done for her when she’d lost her leg. “Once you have your license, then what? The military could use good nurses.”
Daisy smiled. “I hadn’t thought about that option. I would love to help our men and women in uniform. I’m so ready to get out of Eagle Rock and explore the world. I don’t understand those who can’t see past this town or Montana.”
Viper’s mouth twisted. “As a native of Montana, getting out of the state was great, and even better coming back.”
Daisy nodded. “I get that. I just want the chance to see something besides the Crazy Mountains. I’ve always wanted to go to Europe. But first, I have to finish school. I’m working the diner and my wedding planning business to pay for school. But the way things have been going, I was afraid I wouldn’t get any more business. I’m starting to think I’m a jinx.”
“Why’s that?” Dallas asked, knowing the history of Daisy’s wedding planning fiascos. Having Daisy go through the details might reveal information that could lead them to the one causing the problems.
“My past four weddings have had problems. One had an arbor collapse on the bride and groom. Another had the tent stakes pull up from the ground. The entire wedding party was caught beneath. And then last night my bride and groom nearly died when their limousine went off the road.” Daisy’s brows wrinkled. “Are you sure you want to hire me? I’ll completely understand if you don’t. Hell, I wouldn’t hire me with a track record like mine.”
“We’re not superstitious,” Dallas assured her. “Sadie highly recommended you. Plus, I don’t have the first clue how to plan a wedding.”
“We’ll take our chances,” Viper concluded.
“Okay, then.” Daisy grinned. “This job will put me that much closer to my financial goals before I leave for Helena in the spring.”
“Have you already been accepted into the university?” Dallas asked.
The younger woman tilted her head. “I have. And I’ve been taking courses online so I’ll be applying for the nursing program as soon as I can.”
“Congratulations.” Dallas was truly happy for this bright and gregarious woman. “I wish you all the luck.”
“And I wish you two all the happiness. Now, let me get back to work. I’ll make some calls on my next break to set up appointments for you to choose wedding cakes. And I’ll do all the arrangements for seating, tables, decorations, etc.” Daisy touched a finger to her lips. “Oh, Dallas, what’s your favorite flower?”
“Mountain laurel,” Viper answered before she had the chance. “They remind her of home back in Texas.”
Her heart warmed. He hadn’t forgotten.
Daisy frowned. “I doubt we can get some here in time for the wedding. I believe the
plant’s pretty seasonal.”
“Her second favorite is daisies,” Viper said. “Because they’re so cheerful.”
Daisy laughed. “I hope I live up to my name.”
“You do,” Dallas said.
“Thanks. No matter what flowers you love, to see them in a bridal bouquet arrangement helps with the final choice. I suggest you stop by the florist shop in town and look through the books to decide what you like. You might want to do that next, since the type of flowers could determine how long ordering them and getting them in will take.”
“I have to choose an arrangement?” Dallas asked then looked at Viper and shrugged. “I’m not good at this.”
“I’d go with you, but I have to work.” Daisy looked to Viper.
Viper smiled, picking up his cue. “I’ll help her choose.”
Daisy glanced toward the kitchen. “I’d better get back to work before my customers get restless.” She leaned across the table and clasped Dallas’s hands. “Thank you for the opportunity.”
“No, really,” Dallas assured her, “thank you for helping us pull together this event on such short notice.”
“I can’t believe we’re doing this in just five days.” As Daisy rose from her seat, a young man entered the restaurant. “Great,” Daisy muttered. She turned back to Dallas and Viper. “Sadie gave me your cellphone numbers, I’ll contact you with information, meetings and when I need you to make decisions.”
“Thank you,” Dallas said.
The young man spied Daisy and made a beeline toward her.
She met him halfway across the floor and pressed a hand to his chest. “Tyler, what are you doing here?”
The young man covered her hand on his chest. “I don’t like where we left off last night.”
Daisy’s usually smiling lips firmed into a straight line. “I told you, I’m not staying in Eagle Rock. Nothing you can say or do will keep me here. Can’t you leave it there?”
Tyler’s face hardened, his hand curled around her fingers and held tight. “No, Daisy. I love you. I want you to be my wife.”
Dallas didn’t like the way Tyler was holding onto Daisy. It appeared Daisy didn’t like it, either. Trapped inside the booth by Viper, Dallas couldn’t help.
“I’m not ready to settle down. I’ve spent the last four years taking care of others. I want to take care of me and do what I want, without anyone holding me back.” She pushed past him. “Now, go away. I have work.”
Tyler grabbed her arm and jerked her around.
Viper was halfway out of his seat when another young man, wearing a white apron, burst through the swinging doors of the kitchen. “Tyler, you need to leave.”
Still holding Daisy’s arm, Tyler faced the other man. “Back off, Billy Joe. This matter is between me and Daisy.”
Daisy glared at Tyler. “It was, but it isn’t anymore. I’m not marrying you. I’m going to school.”
“Then I’ll come with you,” he insisted.
“No, Tyler. I need to do this on my own.” She stared down at his hand. “I care for you Tyler, but I’m not ready to settle down. Now, please let go of my arm. I need to get back to work.”
Tyler refused to drop her arm.
“You heard Daisy. Let her go,” Billy Joe said, his voice low and tight.
“Sir, release the woman,” Viper said in a deep, resonant tone that brooked no argument.
“I’ll do whatever the hell I want. She’s my fiancée.”
Dallas slid out of the booth, ready to take on Tyler in defense of Daisy.
Daisy jerked her arm free of Tyler’s grip. “You are not my fiancé. You aren’t my boyfriend anymore. Last time we broke up, you didn’t even wait a day before climbing in bed with another woman. I forgave that and took you back. But your temper is the last straw. We’re done.” She pointed her finger at his chest. “Do you understand? D.O.N.E.” Then she pointed to the door. “Leave.”
Tyler’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t dump me after we’ve been dating for five years.”
“Seems like she did.” Billy Joe leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest.
Tyler took a step toward Billy Joe, raising his fisted hand. “Stay out of this, busboy.”
“We haven’t dated five years straight,” Daisy said. “I broke up with you a couple times because you couldn’t control your temper.”
Tyler stiffened. “You went out with that Brandon guy. What did you expect?”
“You and I weren’t together.” Daisy flung out her hand. “I’d broken up with you. You had no right to tell me who I could or couldn’t date when you were dating someone else.”
“You’re my girlfriend,” Tyler insisted, his stare hard.
Daisy shook her head. “No.”
“You heard her,” Billy Joe said in a low, steady voice.
Tyler’s lip curled back in a snarl. “Shut the hell up.”
Viper stepped between the two young men. “This show is over.”
Tyler’s glare shifted from Billy Joe to Viper. “Stay the hell out of my business.”
“You need to leave,” Viper warned, his jaw tight, his brows low and menacing.
Tyler tilted his head back to look up into Viper’s eyes. “Or what?”
Dallas stepped up beside Viper. “Or we’ll call the sheriff.” By now, they were the center of attention in the diner. Dallas wouldn’t back down. If Tyler grabbed Daisy again, Dallas wouldn’t wait for the sheriff. She’d take his ass down.
Tyler’s eyes narrowed as he stared from Viper to Dallas, and back to Daisy. “Go ahead. Call the sheriff.”
Daisy dug in her apron pocket and pulled out her cellphone. She punched the buttons for 911 and raised the device to her ear.
Tyler slapped the cellphone from her hand, sending it flying.
It bounced against Viper’s chest and clattered to the floor.
Viper took another step toward Tyler.
Tyler swung at Viper’s chin.
Viper caught Tyler’s fist in his hand, twisted the man’s arm up and behind his back. Without hesitation, he shoved him toward the exit.
Dallas hurried ahead and opened the door.
As Viper pushed him out into the parking lot, a sheriff’s deputy pulled up, climbed out of his vehicle and hurried around to take charge. “What’s going on?”
“This man attacked me!” Tyler shouted.
“The hell he did,” Daisy said from behind them. “And we have a dozen witnesses who will verify. Tyler swung at Mr. Van Cleave.”
The deputy snapped one end of a set of cuffs on Tyler’s wrist. “Sir, do you want to press charges against Mr. King?”
“No,” Viper said. “But you might ask Miss Chadwick if she does.”
The deputy’s brows furrowed as he glanced from Tyler to Daisy. “Did he attack you, Daisy?”
“Yes, he did.” Daisy rubbed her arm where bright red fingerprints stood out against her pale skin.
The deputy jerked Tyler’s other arm around behind him and snapped the cuff on his wrist. “Do you want to press charges?”
“Not at this time.” She narrowed her eyes at Tyler. “But if you try anything again, I’ll file a restraining order against you faster than you can say we’re through.”
Tyler glared at her. “We’re not over, Daisy.”
Daisy crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes. We. Are.”
The deputy hooked Tyler’s arm and led him toward his service vehicle.
Tyler jerked his arm free and turned back to face Daisy. “You can’t just toss me out like trash. We had a good thing going.” When Daisy didn’t respond, Tyler’s lips pulled back from his teeth. “You’ll regret it, bitch.” He looked past her to where Billy Joe stood in the doorway beside Dallas. “And you…I’ll get you.”
“The hell you will,” the deputy said. “Maybe you need some time in the pokey to cool your heels. Let’s see what the sheriff has to say about you disturbing the peace.” He opened the rear door of his vehicle, placed a hand on t
he back of Tyler’s head and guided him inside.
When Tyler struggled, the deputy gave him a stronger push, sending the angry young man sprawling across the back seat.
Tyler landed with a grunt and pushed himself awkwardly to an upright position.
As the vehicle pulled away, Tyler glared at the crowd standing outside the diner, witnessing his departure.
“That man has anger management issues,” Dallas said softly.
“You’re telling me?” Daisy snorted. “That’s why I broke up with him.” She turned and forced a tight smile to her lips. “I’m sorry for the drama. You two shouldn’t have to deal with that when you have a wedding to think about.” She clapped her hands at the crowd of folks. “Show’s over. Can I get anyone a refill on their drinks?”
And just like that, she had the guests back in the diner in less than a minute.
Viper took Dallas’s arm and ushered her back to their seats. Once again, he sat beside her.
Dallas scooted across the seat to the inside corner of the booth. No matter how far she slid, she couldn’t go far enough to keep Viper’s thigh from touching hers. Heat spread from the point of contact throughout her body.
She cleared her throat. “Do we need to stay? Or can we go on to our next stop?”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.” He waved Daisy back to their table.
“Thank you so much for sticking up for me. I’m afraid you’ve made an enemy out of Tyler.”
Viper’s jaw tightened. “He shouldn’t manhandle any woman. You don’t have to put up with that kind of behavior.”
“I know. But he was right. We were together. I can’t discount that.”
“But you aren’t now,” Dallas leaned forward and touched the waitress’s hand. “No man has any right to treat a woman that roughly.”
Daisy nodded. “I just don’t like making a scene at work.” She smiled. “Anyway, thanks. Now, what can I do for you? Are you ready to order?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Viper ordered a hamburger and fries.
Dallas ordered a hamburger as well. “With extra pickles.”
“Make mine the same,” Viper said.
When Daisy left with their order, Viper shot her that wickedly handsome grin. “One more thing we have in common.”
