Walker Bride

by Bernadette Marie

  Pearl watched as Lydia’s eyes followed him from the door to the counter. The woman behind the counter giggled at something he said, then gave her hair a toss, which only made the red in Lydia’s cheeks deepen. She wondered if he even had seen them sitting there.

  He turned from the counter and stopped. She was sure that was when he’d noticed them.

  She could see Lydia’s jaw tighten as he started toward the table.

  “Ladies,” he said nodding toward them.

  Lydia said nothing.

  “Nice to see you, Officer Smythe. Picking up lunch?”

  “Yeah. Working on a case. Can’t stand fast food. Thought I’d rather have a nice meal if I’m stuck behind my desk.”

  He was talking to Pearl, but his eyes were on Lydia, who had diverted her attention from him.

  Finally, he looked at Pearl. “How is Bethany?”

  “She’s doing well. They’re planning their wedding for September. Kent has another book coming out soon, so he’s been preoccupied with that.”

  “I’ll have to pick it up when it’s out. I do enjoy his books.” He glanced back toward Lydia, who still kept her gaze lowered. “Well, you ladies have a nice day.”

  “You as well,” Pearl said before the thought of Sunshine’s wedding pictures popped into her mind. “Oh, by the way, how is your brother?”

  His eyes clouded, and he cleared his throat. “He’s holding on.”

  “I’ve been praying for him.”

  He batted his eyes as if those words meant something to him. “I’ll let him know. He’d appreciate that.” He gave her another nod and left the café.

  Lydia slowly lifted her head. “I hate him.”

  “I know you do. I don’t know why, but I know you do.”

  Lydia’s lips tightened. “What’s wrong with his brother?”

  “Stage four lung cancer. He’s in hospice.”

  Lydia covered her mouth with her hand, and Pearl was sure she could see the shimmer of tears. “How do you know all of this?”

  “I met his niece. Who is his brother to you?”

  “Just someone I know. That’s very sad,” she added, picking up her fork and taking a bite of her sandwich.

  Pearl had enough drama in her own family. She wasn’t sure she wanted to invite more in by asking about Smythe’s family and what he had to do with Lydia.

  She picked up her iced tea and sipped. Perhaps some things were better off not spoken about.

  ~*~

  Tyson pulled up to Eric’s promptly at seven, as instructed by Susan. He was sure Gerald was heading up the bachelor party, so why the call came from the fiancée, he had no idea.

  Pickup trucks were lining the road to the house and parked on the side. It made him chuckle. You knew that was a sign of a good party. The scent of meat filled his nose as he opened the door. It looked as if he were in for a steak dinner. He couldn’t complain about that.

  Dane pulled up behind Tyson, as he climbed out of his truck. “Hey, nice to see ya,” Tyson called out.

  Dane scanned a look at him, which he was used to. These boys needed to get over that Morgan/Walker riff.

  “Thanks,” he said wearily.

  “Just drive in?”

  “Yeah. I got caught up with road construction in Kentucky. Cost me two hours of travel time.”

  “Gotta love that.”

  Dane looked around. “So what’s all this? I thought us guys were getting together.”

  “That’s what I thought. I guess we’ll see.”

  They walked up to the house, which was already lit up and noisy. Dane reached for the door and pushed it open.

  It shouldn’t have surprised Tyson that the house was filled with just relatives, and each of them must have driven their own truck.

  Susan was setting platters of food on the table, and Glenda was carrying around beer bottles and handing them to everyone. She smiled when she saw them walk through the door.

  “C’mon in,” she said handing them each a beer.

  “Mom, what are you doing here?” Dane asked as he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Susan and I are just getting you boys set up. We’ll be out of here shortly. By the way, I’ve missed you,” she said with a wink before walking away.

  Susan looked at them. “Glad you two are here. Eric is out back working the grill.”

  “You’re letting him cook?” Tyson joked as he kissed Susan on the cheek.

  “We’ve had a few lessons. I can trust him now.”

  “I’ll go say hello.”

  Tyson headed through the house and out the back door. There were Eric and his father standing over the grill. The sight hit him.

  Tyson’s father had been gone for years. He’d never shared a beer with him. He’d never hovered over a steak on the grill either.

  “Hey,” Eric greeted him. “You made it.”

  “I thought bachelor parties were supposed to be wild bar nights.”

  Both Eric and his father laughed. “I’m not much for that scene. Besides, I think Susan thought if she catered the party and turned on a football game, we wouldn’t think about leaving.”

  “Works for me,” Tyson agreed as he took a long pull from his beer.

  Everett Walker moved toward Tyson, leaning against the railing of the porch. “I hear you bought into your sister’s newest real estate buy.”

  “So much for silent partnership,” he joked.

  “Not much is silent around these parts. She has a good head for business,” he complimented.

  “She does. So does my mother.”

  Everett nodded. “She does as well. Even Constance had a good head for business.”

  Tyson felt the air whoosh from his lungs as Eric yelped.

  “Jesus, that hurts,” he said pulling his hand to his mouth.

  “Burn yourself?” his father asked.

  “Yeah, but I'm all right.”

  Everett gave him a nod and left them alone on the porch, returning to the house through the back door.

  Eric watched his father disappear. “He slid that in there nice and easy didn’t he?”

  Tyson lifted his bottle to his lips and drank down the amber liquid inside. He felt the bubbles hit his stomach as the alcohol rose to his head. “That was a little awkward.”

  “He doesn’t talk about her that much.”

  “I think that was for my benefit,” Tyson admitted, thinking about his birth mother, whom he’d never known.

  “Sure,” Eric nodded as he flipped a steak. “Do you suppose we will ever see each other and not have to remind ourselves, in the back of our heads, that we’re brothers?”

  Tyson chuckled. “It does feel more natural to want to punch you in the mouth.”

  Eric grinned. “You did that already.”

  “Still feels good.”

  They shared a laugh, and that felt nice. They had, in fact, beat the crap out of each other less than a year ago, and now they were celebrating marriages and businesses. Who would have ever thought?

  “You all are okay that I bought into Pearl and Lydia’s building, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t see a problem,” Eric said as he turned a steak over the flames.

  “I didn’t either until your dad brought it up. That’s two Morgans to one Walker.”

  Eric leaned in over the grill. “And she’s Byron’s daughter. That’s worse.”

  Tyson felt himself wince. He didn’t want to think that there was a better Walker to be with. There was nothing about her that made him think she was anything like her father. How could she be?

  There was no reason to talk about business or Pearl. They’d agreed not to say anything about what had happened between them.

  Tyson ran his hand over the back of his neck, then wiped it down the leg of his jeans. “I guess they’ll be putting in the wells soon, over on our land,” he said, changing the subject from their biological mother and Pearl.

  “That’s going to net you a pretty penny.”

&nbs
p; “It’s all my grandfather’s. I don’t want anything to do with that.”

  “You’ll get the land, right? In the end, that is.”

  “It goes to Lydia and me, but still. It doesn’t feel right. The Walkers aren’t the only people my grandfather screwed over through the years. I can’t even imagine what he stole along the way to get the land he has now.”

  Eric pulled the steaks from the grill. “You’re not like him, you know. You’re not vindictive.”

  He wasn’t sure about that. A year ago he would have gladly run Eric off the road, had he known who he was.

  “I see my sister and my mother run legitimate businesses. Nothing under the table or greasing the palms of anyone to get what they want. They just work for it.”

  “Sounds like my father and grandfather. I don’t know where my uncle got his business sense from.”

  “I guess there is one in every family.”

  Eric closed the grill and picked up the platter of steaks. “I suppose there is.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  They had steak, which was what every man in the room was most excited about. Oh, they’d demolished Susan’s well planned out trays, but it was Eric’s steaks that won their hearts.

  The small, newly built house was full of Walker men, Tyson noted as he pulled another beer from the cooler. All four of Eric’s brothers, his father, his cousins, Bethany’s fiancé Kent, and even his uncle Byron—Pearl’s father, he reminded himself.

  He could see the resemblance in the eyes, he thought as he studied him from across the room. Tyson wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her mother. But they’d both lived in the same town their whole lives, it was possible.

  It was obvious, though, that Byron Walker was the outcast among his family. Though everyone was cordial, it was his sons that kept him occupied with conversation.

  “How are the cattle out at your place?” A man’s voice came from behind him.

  He turned to see Officer Phillip Smythe behind him nursing a beer. He looked as uncomfortable as Tyson felt.

  “They’re doing well. It helps when no one is killing them off.” He referenced Douglas Brant, the fellow officer that had been killing heads of cattle, poisoning their horses, and had set fire to Eric’s house.

  “I’m embarrassed that he was part of our department,” Phillip said. “I’m glad everyone is okay.”

  Tyson nodded as he sipped from his bottle. He wasn’t sure why his sister hated the man so much. He wasn’t that bad. Sure, he had a bad rap with the women in town and two ex-wives that had made sure no one thought much of him, but Tyson didn’t mind him.

  “I heard you bought into that building your sister purchased.”

  Tyson chuckled. How did that stuff get around so fast?

  “Yeah, she needed an investor.”

  “Looks like it’ll be a big wedding center.”

  That had him smiling. “She’s referring to it as a wedding mecca.”

  “Mecca?”

  “Yup. Bridal shop. Caterer. Floral. Reception hall. Anything you need for your wedding.”

  Phillip’s brows drew together. “I thought she had the Garden Room for receptions. She needs two halls?”

  Tyson shrugged. “The Garden Room is technically my mother’s. Lydia won’t be outdone by anyone, including my mother.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me.” He sipped from his beer. “Can’t believe Eric is finally getting married. I was sure all of us were washed up.”

  Tyson bit down on the inside of his cheek. Yeah, he’d felt that way until he’d wrapped his arms around Pearl for the first time. Now he wasn’t so sure.

  Phillip looked at him. “Who are you bringing to the wedding?”

  “No plans on a date.”

  “Me either. I’d ask your sister, but she hates me.”

  That was a true statement. “She’ll be there,” he said. “Maybe you can get a dance in.”

  Phillip snorted a laugh. “I doubt it. Not sure I should even ask. No need for a physical brawl at a nice wedding.”

  True enough. The thought then crossed his mind. He’d want to dance with Pearl. If they were going to keep their little affair secret how was he going to do that without letting on? There was no way in hell he could hold her close and not have his emotions show.

  He finished his beer. He was old enough not to have to worry about what people thought in regards to his love life, right? Why worry about it?

  Then he looked over at Gerald and Ben, who were deep in conversation in the corner. He had caught Gerald’s eye before he looked away. More than likely they were having a conversation about him and how he didn’t belong entwined in the Walker family.

  The thought stung, but he didn’t blame them—not one bit.

  He finished his beer. “I think I’m going to head out,” he said to Phillip.

  “Me too. Not sure I belong here much, but it was nice they included me.”

  Tyson ran his tongue over his teeth and thought for a moment. “You off duty?”

  “Yup.”

  “Why don’t we head out to my place at the barn. I have a fridge full of import. I’m feeling the need to tie one on.”

  Phillip chuckled with a nod. “I could go for that.”

  ~*~

  Pearl sipped her wine, her legs tucked up under her, as she turned the pages of the bridal catalog full of next season's dresses. Oh, the necklines and the beading, she gushed over the detail. The budget would allow her to buy fewer top of the line samples this year because of the move. But, the move, in the end, would be worth it. Next season, she’d have more room, and a bigger budget, to buy more dresses.

  The knock at her door came as quite a surprise. However, the kicked up thumping of her heart when she realized that she hoped it was Tyson at the door was more of a surprise.

  She unraveled herself from the couch, stood, and walked toward the mirror on the wall. Giving herself a quick primp, she decided it wasn’t much hope, but then again, he’d seen her tousled and wet with sweat. The thought gave her warmth that spread throughout her body.

  Pearl moved to the door and pulled it open swiftly. She could feel the smile that formed on her mouth. Equally, she could feel it fade when she saw Lydia standing on her front step.

  “Lydia, I wasn’t expecting to see you. Is everything okay?”

  Lydia’s grin was large. In one hand she held up a bottle of champagne and in the other a roll of paper fastened with a rubber band.

  “I have the final drawings from the architect for the outside of the building for our approval, partner. And some bubbly to celebrate. Interested in looking at it?”

  The smile was back. “I’d love to.” She stepped back and let Lydia through. Still holding on to that small shred of hope that Tyson was there too, she looked out the door, but no one else was around.

  Pearl closed the door and walked back to the living room where Lydia had knelt down in front of the coffee table and rolled out the plans.

  Pearl knelt down next to her and looked at the plans spread out on her table. “This looks complex.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Lydia beamed. “Here’s your storefront,” she pointed to the cornerstone of the building. “You’ll have the most windows. Lots of natural light.”

  The building was two stories, and the plan was, in time, to rent out the private offices on the second floor. Lydia explained the updates that would be made to the building. There would be parking in the rear of the building, which would lead to the reception hall. On-street parking would accommodate the store fronts. She had already signed Gia Gallo to a lease for the smaller store two doors down from Pearl’s store. Susan had signed a lease to use the kitchen that was attached to the reception hall. Next week Lydia would meet with the florist and discuss a possible lease.

  “It’s coming together.” Lydia sat back on her heels. “Within six months, we will have everything brides need. They won’t have to go anywhere else.”

  “I like it.”

  Lydia grinned. “So
do I. How about that champagne?”

  Pearl stood, picking up the bottle as she did. “I have some strawberries we could have with this.”

  “Oh, that sounds classy,” Lydia said, following her into the kitchen.

  Pearl pulled down two flutes from the cupboard and set them on the counter as Lydia began opening the bottle.

  “I think Tyson is going to be impressed with the designs,” Lydia reached for the kitchen towel and placed it over the top of the bottle before pulling the cork out. “I think we’ll be able to buy him out within a year.”

  “Buy him out?” Pearl asked as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out the bowl of strawberries. “Is that the plan?”

  “It is for me. He doesn’t want to be part of this. He’s got other things to think about. Besides, he’s not an in town guy. I think it makes him crazy to drive out here.”

  Any exciting buzz that might have been zipping through her had fizzled. “Well, if that’s the plan.”

  “Are you taking anyone to Susan and Eric’s wedding?”

  Pearl set the bowl of strawberries on the table and sat down as Lydia did the same. “I’ll be too busy making sure all the dresses and tuxes fit just right. The last thing I need is a date.”

  Lydia plucked a strawberry from the bowl and bit into it. “I figure there will be a wealth of Walker men in tuxes to choose from. Which of your brothers should I ask to dance,” she laughed.

  Pearl lifted her glass. “You can’t go wrong with any of them,” she said believing wholeheartedly that the statement was true.

  “That would be a hoot, wouldn’t it? Me and one of your brothers?”

  Lydia laughed, but Pearl drank down her glass of champagne. It was innocent banter, but did Lydia even hear what she was saying? Tyson had said she didn’t want him seeing Pearl, but she was sure Lydia didn’t know anything about them. And, her brothers weren’t involved in their business. However, she ached to tell her that just that very morning, Tyson had awakened in her bed.

  Lydia sipped from her glass. “I think Tyson should take a date. Maybe it would make him more comfortable. He’s feeling a little out of sorts being thrown into the Walker clan.”