Brides at Coconuts (Coconuts Series)

by Beth Carter

  Hope handed Gus a credit card. Alex did the same and they exited Coconuts together.

  Hope fished car keys out of her purse while Cheri waved and climbed into her red Mercedes.

  Both women stared agog as the socialite drove off. “She’s gorgeous, rich, and sweet. Dammit. I wish I could hate her but I can’t.” Alex watched until the luxury car was out of sight.

  “She’s generous too. Remember how she helped the tornado victims near Hilltop two years ago? She furnished three homes anonymously. She had barely arrived in Crystal City.”

  Nodding, Alex said, “She’s amazing. I’d date her if she were gay.”

  Hope doubled over howling. “That would be new and different for you.”

  Alex shrugged. “Well . . . if the cop, limo driver, and a cowboy don’t work out, you never know.” She hugged her friend and stepped into her white Mustang. “See you soon. I’ve got to get my western on.” She paused. “You’re going, right?”

  Hope shrugged. “You never know.”

  Chapter 38

  Hope crunched across the gravel toward her gray Honda. After starting the ignition, she found a country station on the radio. Might as well get in the mood. I hope Tucker wants to go. I can’t wait to see Cheri and Alex’s faces when they see me on an actual date. With an actual man.

  Unable to wait a second longer, she called Tucker at the first red light and got an enthusiastic thumbs up about going to Cole’s party. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest thinking about how it would all unfold with her friends.

  Once home, Hope checked clothing sites for the party. Why am I so concerned about my silly clothes? She Googled “western wear” and scrolled through page after page of denim skirts, boots, plaid shirts, cowboy hats, oval belt buckles, jeans, overalls, and more. I’m going to look ridiculous in any of this. Besides, there isn’t a lot of western-y attire in my size.

  Annoyed, she signed off, closed her laptop, and stepped into the kitchen. Hope grabbed a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips and a Diet Coke, then laughed at herself. I might as well drink the real soda as long as I’m eating chips. And how can I be hungry after that burger and fries? She groaned. It’s no use. After eating a few handfuls of chips, Hope dusted off her hands, and headed toward her closet. Thumbing through her favorite Capris, she decided on a tan pair with a darker brown blouse. My style is so boring.

  Sitting on her bed, she finished her soda and glanced back at her closet. A red and white checkered shirt caught her eye. I don’t even remember that shirt. She spotted white Capris and flat red sandals on the opposite end. That’s more like it.

  Feeling more confident than she had in years, Hope was suddenly filled with energy. She sorted her dusty exercise DVDs until she found one for beginners. Maybe I can lose a couple of pounds by Saturday—if I don’t eat. She giggled, padded back into the kitchen, and threw away the remaining bag of chips along with a gallon of rum raisin ice cream.

  Staring at the trash, she immediately regretted her decision, opened the frosty snack, scooped out two huge spoonsful, devoured each bite, and rinsed the rest down the kitchen sink. I tried—for all of five minutes.

  Chapter 39

  After driving for miles, Alex stared at her GPS and was satisfied she had reached Cole’s farm. She parked on a long, dusty road behind what seemed like fifteen pickup trucks. Wishing Tony hadn’t been working, she locked her Mustang and stepped over potholes, nearly twisting her ankle on a rock. Shit. Where is his fucking house? Haven’t they heard of asphalt in the country?

  Passing truck after truck, she eventually heard country music. Normally, Suzy and Hope would have accompanied her, but Suzy was busy with the twins and Hope never seemed available lately.

  Hearing rowdy party goers, she finally smiled. I need this. I need fun. She noticed a quaint farm house with a wide front porch, a swing on one end, and a hummingbird feeder in a nearby tree. This must be Cole’s house. For the life of me, I can’t imagine a socialite being comfortable here.

  The minute she stepped onto the grass, Cheri spotted Alex and ran across the yard. She embraced her friend. “You made it. Welcome.”

  “Yeah, I made it but it wasn’t easy. Why does Cole live in the boonies?”

  Cheri motioned with her hand toward several cows in a field. “Uh, he farms. He has cows. This is his life.”

  “Okay, Miss New York. Don’t get defensive. It’s just . . . inconvenient. Where’s T.J. Maxx? Where’s Starbucks?”

  With a pretend pout, Cheri put her hands on Alex’s shoulders. “Try the simple life sometime. It’s very Zen. I love it after the madness of Manhattan.” She put her arm through Alex’s. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”

  Cheri introduced Alex to Wyatt and led her to a guy with tight Levi’s, a white tee, and shoulder-length blond hair. “This is Sawyer. Sawyer, meet Alex.”

  Wiping his hands on his jeans, Sawyer extended his hand. “Any friend of Cole and Cheri’s is a friend of mine. Nice to meet ya, ma’am.”

  “Here we go with the ‘ma’ams’ again. I don’t even have my AARP card and you’re making me feel like a granny.”

  “Sorry, ma’am. That’s how we were raised.” Sawyer shoved one hand in his pocket. “How do you two know each other?”

  Both Cheri and Alex blurted out, “Coconuts.”

  Sawyer scratched his head. “Coconuts? What’s that?”

  Alex and Cheri exchanged glances. Alex spoke first. “It’s an island-themed bar and our girlfriend Happy Hour time. We meet when one of us has a crisis, which is . . . often.”

  Winking, Cheri said, “What Alex said.”

  Sawyer nodded. “I get it. Sort of how we have tailgate parties and beer.”

  Alex grinned. “Exactly, minus the trucks.” As she glanced around, she said, “Cheri, you outdid yourself. I love those red and white checkered tablecloths. Oh, look. The table is held up by hay bales on either side. Inventive.”

  “Yeah, well, the tables had been in Cole’s barn for a while and one leg was broken, so we improvised. I’m glad you like it. Hungry?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll take a chardonnay,” Alex said.

  Sawyer spewed his beer. “You are a city girl. Ever tried moonshine?”

  Alex peered from Cheri to Sawyer. Cheri wrinkled her nose behind his back and mouthed, “It’s terrible.”

  Unable to contain her giggles and curiosity, Alex said, “I’m up for it. In fact, I’ve always wondered what moonshine tasted like.” She stopped in her tracks. “But isn’t it illegal?”

  “Nah. Only if you sell it. Follow me.”

  Alex attempted to keep up with Sawyer’s long strides as she glanced back at Cheri. A small card table topped with red plastic cups and several glass jugs of the clear liquid indicated they had arrived at the party’s liquor corner.

  A burly, shirtless guy in overalls said, “Hey, Saw. How goes it? Want some of my finest white lightnin’?”

  “Yes sir, I sure do.”

  The man with a thick, brown beard halfway down his chest poured the liquor into a plastic cup as he gave Alex a once over. “Does the pretty lady want moonshine?”

  Sawyer opened his mouth, but Alex beat him to it. “The pretty lady can speak and she would love some.” Smiling innocently, Alex reached for a red cup and held it up for the guy to fill.

  The bearded man filled her cup nearly to the rim.

  “Whoa, Bo. That shit is strong.” He reached for a glass. “Only half. I’ve already had some.”

  “Pussy,” Bo said.

  “All right, fill ’er up,” Sawyer said.

  Alex took a tiny sip and tried not to gag in front of Bo. He grinned. “What do you think of my homemade whiskey?”

  “It’s, uh, unique.”

  Bo roared with laughter. “Moonshine is an acquired taste. You’l
l get used to it.”

  After they got their drinks, Alex and Sawyer stepped toward the crowd. The temperature was hot for fall. There wasn’t a cloud in the clear, blue sky. “I’m glad I came,” Alex said.

  Sawyer found a huge boulder in the yard and patted it, indicating Alex should join him. “I’m glad you came too. What do you think of your drink?”

  Alex took another sip and spit it on the ground. “It tastes like shit.”

  Laughing, Sawyer said, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He drank some of the homemade whiskey. “You’ll get used to it.” Winking, he said, “Nah. Not likely.”

  “Damn. I should have brought a bottle of wine. I had a rough day at work and forgot.”

  “Where do you work?”

  Alex rolled up the sleeves of her silky red blouse. It was the only garment remaining from her bank suit. “I work at a bank. Show-Me Bank.”

  “A banker? I’ve never met a beautiful banker before. What do you do?”

  Surprised she felt herself blush, Alex said, “Marketing. I’m head of marketing.”

  “I don’t exactly know what marketing is,” Sawyer said.

  “It’s a huge umbrella encompassing media relations, community relations, public relations, advertising, and—”

  Holding up his hand, Sawyer said, “I’m a simple country boy. No need to give me the encyclopedia version. I probably wouldn’t understand it.”

  Alex grinned. “Basically, I write television and radio commercials, create ad campaigns and billboards, promote our lenders and financial services, and plan big events for customers. Stuff like that.”

  “That makes sense. I just thought bankers handled money.” Sawyer chuckled.

  “We do plenty of that and make loans, but we need to stay current. There have been many bank mergers creating mega banks. We’re small potatoes compared to them. I’ve got to make sure potential customers know we’re a viable option.”

  “Sounds like an important job.” Sawyer stared into his moonshine.

  “What do you do?” Alex asked as she braved a second taste.

  Sawyer tossed his long hair over his shoulder. “I farm.”

  “That’s succinct.” Alex studied his calloused hands and deep tan. “You must work outside a lot.”

  “Can’t beat it. Love the fresh air. If I’m not milking cows, I’m on the tractor cutting grass, baling hay, or planting crops.”

  Alex’s mind wandered to how different her life was from his, yet here they sat enjoying hideous moonshine together. “Are you from a family of farmers?”

  Sawyer nodded. “Yep. My brothers, granddad, and others before him. It’s all I know and all I care to know.”

  “Nice to keep it in the family.” Suddenly at a loss for what to say next since they were from two different worlds, Alex again wondered how Cole and Cheri made their relationship work. “I’m getting hungry, are you? I think I’ll make my way over to the food table.”

  “I’m always hungry,” Sawyer said. “I’ll go with you unless you’d rather be alone.”

  “No, it’s fine. I want to talk to Cheri again.” As they got to their feet, Alex noticed Sawyer threw his moonshine behind a shrub.

  “Good plan.”

  Chapter 40

  Alex tossed her moonshine and stepped across the lawn with Sawyer. The food table was laden with hot dogs, burgers, chips, dips, and every casserole dish known to man. Hand in hand, Cheri and Cole stepped toward them.

  “Cheri made gourmet hot dogs, if you can believe that.” Cole rubbed his belly. “They’re real tasty.”

  Beaming, Cheri said, “I also made chili burgers with green peppers and onions.” She slipped her arm through Cole’s. “My man is a pro griller.”

  Alex shook Cole’s hand as Sawyer rubbed his belly. “I’m starving. I think I’ll try one of those gourmet hot dogs unless—” He turned to Cole. “Got any squirrel?”

  Alex stopped mid-step. Her mouth opened, and then closed. “Did you say squirrel?”

  Sawyer nodded. “Yup. Squirrels are good eatin’.”

  “Are we talking about the same thing?” Alex cocked an eyebrow. “As in tree rats?”

  Obviously amused by her reaction, Sawyer said, “Squirrels are real tender if you cook ’em.” Sawyer returned with a plate overflowing with a hot dog, burger, baked beans, and grilled corn on the cob. He obviously noticed Alex’s stare and said, “I might have gotten carried away. I couldn’t make that juicy watermelon fit on my plate.” Chuckling, he said, “I’ll tell Cole to get bigger plates next time.”

  “You could have gotten two plates,” Alex said.

  Tapping his head, Sawyer said, “And that’s why you’re a banker. He took a big bite of baked beans, followed by a hot dog oozing with relish. Next, he dipped his burger in a pool of barbecue sauce. Alex found herself watching a little too intently as the handsome, long-haired country boy licked barbecue sauce off his fingers, one by one.

  Chuckling, she asked, “Want me to bring you a bowl of that stuff? And maybe a napkin?”

  “Huh?” The cowboy stared at his red-stained fingers. “Oh. My mama would be so mad at me for lickin’ my fingers in front of”—he eyed Alex—“in front of a pretty, sophisticated woman like you.”

  “You think I’m sophisticated?”

  “And pretty.” He eyed her from head to toe.

  “I hope I’m not overdressed in this blouse and white jeans.”

  “You look hot. But be careful about the barbecue sauce on them jeans. I’m going back for seconds soon. Want me to get you some?”

  “Thanks.” She held her moonshine in the air. “I’ll just drink this for now.”

  “Better sip it. That white lightning will bite you in the ass.”

  “Maybe I will get something to eat. This moonshine is making me a little woozy.” Alex excused herself and noticed Cheri continually refilling bowls on the food table while Cole grilled.

  Cheri perked up when Alex approached. “I’m glad you made a friend. Where’s Tony?”

  “At work, as usual.” Alex sighed. “I thought Hope was coming.”

  “Me too. I’m surprised you didn’t ride together.”

  “I asked her but she was vague. She’s acting weird lately, don’t you think? She’s always busy when I call or text. That’s not like Hope. Of all of you, she was the friend who was always available.”

  “I’ve been so busy with my chef issues and Cole that I hadn’t noticed.”

  Alex fanned herself with her hand and put her long, blond hair up in a ponytail. “I should have worn shorts. It’s surprisingly hot.”

  Cheri pointed to Cole’s house. “I have some denim cut-offs inside. Want to borrow them?”

  Reaching for a paper plate, Alex said, “Thanks. I’ll try to tough it out. What do you recommend, chef?”

  Cheri grinned. “My famous baked beans, gourmet hot dogs, and mustard potato salad. I’ve had it on ice, so no worries about the heat.”

  “Good. I’m not into salmonella.” Alex scooped the baked beans and potato salad on her plate and added a hot dog. “This looks delicious. Maybe you should put it on the menu for Fifth Avenue Catering.”

  Winking, Cheri said, “Barbecue isn’t hugely popular in New York, but if someone requests a western-themed party, I might do that.”

  A rooster and several chickens paraded by. Alex jumped when they got too close and spilled the baked beans on her white jeans. “Shit. I’m not used to animals.”

  “Bring your plate and follow me.” Cheri winked. “My shorts are in Cole’s bedroom.”

  “Well, now.” Alex grinned, as she studied the red stain. “I just bought these jeans. Dammit.”

  “I’ll buy you a new pair,” Cheri said.

  “Why? It wasn’t your fault. That’
s generous of you, though. I think I will change into your shorts. It’s a good thing I haven’t eaten all day or they’d never fit.”

  As they made their way across the lawn, the sky darkened and Cole ran toward the band. He hollered to Cheri as he passed by, “I’m going to ask them to set up on my front porch in case it rains. No need to ruin any instruments.”

  “Good idea, babe.”

  Alex stared at Cheri. “Babe? I guess things are going well.”

  Holding the creaky screen door open, Cheri winked and said, “After we got past the rough patch about the magazine article, everything is going very well.”

  Chapter 41

  Hope squeezed Tucker’s hand while he drove to Soggy Bottoms. “Do you realize this is our first outing as a couple where my friends will see us?”

  “I wondered why you were hiding me.” Tucker winked.

  Beaming, Hope said, “You know that’s not true. I-I just wasn’t ready, I guess. They only know me as a friend, counselor, and a woman who never dates. As in never, ever. This will be weird for them.”

  ~ ~ ~

  As Cheri replenished the side dishes, Alex searched the fridge and found some cold beers. “Thank God you have something besides that nasty moonshine.”

  Cheri giggled. “It’s dreadful.” She pointed with her head while she worked. “I bought a bottle of chardonnay for you. It’s in the back.”

  “You’re the best. My whole attitude will change now.” Alex placed the beers and wine in a tote to take outside. While they worked, she said, “That cowboy’s really cute.”

  “Sawyer?”

  “I meant Cole. Sawyer is easy on the eyes, though.” Alex set the heavy tote on the counter, and said, “I see the way you two look at each other. You’re both in love. It’s as obvious as, what do they say in the country?”

  Cheri snorted. “I think it’s something like dandelions in the spring.” Alex noticed her neck flushed. “I’m— We’re not rushing into anything. We’re from two different worlds. He’s never even been to New York City.” Turning to face Alex, Cheri said, “Cole’s never been on a plane. Can you imagine?”