Walker Bride

by Bernadette Marie

  Just hearing that he was coming to see her lit a fire deep in her belly.

  She walked toward the back of the store with him in tow. “It’s unusual for there to be more groomsmen than there are bridesmaids.”

  “I think it’s all crazy to tell you the truth, but this is what Susan wanted. I just wanted all my brothers to be part of it.”

  She turned to look him in the eye. “I think it’s wonderful that you included Tyson.”

  “I spent my life hating him for no reason. The hate and secrets have to stop, and it starts with us. He’s my brother. He should be in my wedding.”

  Pearl turned toward the rack of tuxes quickly. She didn’t want him to see that that had brought her to the brink of tears. He was right. The secrets had to stop.

  She gathered the tuxes for the men whom Eric had listed and then turned to hand them to him. “I’ll be there to adjust if needed. Sewing kit in hand.”

  He studied her. “You live for this, don’t you?”

  “I love to see happy people.”

  “How big will your wedding be? A Royal affair?”

  She chuckled. “I thought of that last night. If I ever get married, I’m running away.”

  He laughed. “I kinda think that’s fitting for you. Do it all your way.”

  She nodded. That would be precisely the point.

  It was going to be an evening of paperwork, Pearl noted, as the door to her store was never closed for long. Lydia had bounced in and out three times, once with Donald. A photographer Pearl worked closely with dropped by to check out the colors for one of the weddings she was shooting. And Gia Gallow had stopped in to introduce herself.

  “I am looking forward to being part of the new location. Your sister Bethany was in my store yesterday, in fact. She was picking up a wedding gift for this weekend. She has been a regular customer,” she said, her Italian accent dripping with exotic.

  “The next few months can’t go fast enough,” Pearl laughed. “So where are you from originally?”

  “Lucca. I grew up inside Lucca, so my family is steeped in tradition.” Gia’s smile radiated though Pearl wasn’t sure what growing up inside Lucca meant. But she figured she’d have plenty of time to get to know her.

  The door opened again, and Dane walked through. “Ah, another tuxedo pickup,” she cheered.

  He merely smiled with a raise of his eyebrows. “Most uncomfortable suit ever.”

  Gia turned and looked him over. “I guess you are the groom?”

  Dane shook his head adamantly. “That would be my big brother. Can’t say I’m anywhere ready to be the groom.”

  “I will bet the tuxedo will look wonderful on you. You have a handsome face.”

  At that moment, the handsome face changed into one of complete surprise. His eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open before he spoke.

  “Thank you.” He held out his hand. “Dane Walker. I don’t think I’ve met you.”

  The feisty Italian beauty jaunted her hand in his direction and took his. “Gia Gallow. I own Treasures from Italy around the corner. I will be in the new building with Pearl when it is ready.”

  Dane didn’t say anything else, he merely held Gia’s hand and stared at her until she pulled back and gave her long black hair a toss over her shoulder. “It was nice to meet you both. I will stop in again soon. Ciao!” She gave them a small wave as she walked out of the store.

  “Close your mouth, Dane. She’s gone now.”

  “This is what I get for moving to Ohio. I leave town and that,” he pointed to her, “moves in. Just my luck.”

  As the day moved toward its end, she was well aware that she hadn’t seen Tyson. He had two hours to pick up his tuxedo before she closed. Was it worth a call to Susan to let her know he hadn’t come by?

  No. That was childish.

  She picked up her phone and texted Tyson.

  I have your tuxedo ready for pick up. When will you be by?

  She set her phone down and moved to her computer to put in her new orders.

  By five, he hadn’t texted, called, or shown up. Seriously? What was this man’s problem?

  This time, she was going to call him. As she picked up her phone and scrolled through her contacts, the door opened and in walked Tyson, full of attitude.

  “I’m here. Where’s the tux?”

  She set her phone down and crossed her arms in front of her. “You’re just going to bust in here and act like that? Where’s my hello? Where’s my I’m sorry I haven’t responded to any of your texts?”

  “Can I just get the tux?”

  It had fallen apart, and she hadn’t wanted to believe that. He’d given her a few good nights, and days, and that was all he could offer.

  Pearl walked to the back of the store and retrieved the tux. “Do you want to try it on?”

  “Pretty sure you got every measurement the first time. Can’t see that it isn’t going to fit.”

  She nodded. “I’m done for the day. Would you like to…”

  “I have stuff to do. I can’t be spending my time in town.”

  And that was it. She had been dumped and hard.

  “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  “Looks like it.” With that, he hung the hanger over his finger, flung the tux over his shoulder, and walked out of the store.

  It would be childish to cry like a baby, but it was coming. She was going to burst like a broken pipe.

  Quickly she locked the door, turned off the lights, and ran to the back room. Pulling a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she let the first tears fall. Soon there was a waterfall of them.

  She sat down at the table and opened the water. She’d thought there was going to be something more between them. She’d become very rusty when it came to relationships, which was sad. Her business was all about making sure everyone else’s day was perfect. She’d forgotten how to have perfect for herself. So what had made her think that Tyson was her perfect?

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It hurt more than Tyson could have imagined. He’d waited until the very last moment to go in and see Pearl. It should have been a warm feeling that crept over him, but it was ice that had squeezed at his heart.

  He should have told her he wasn’t someone to be played. If she was going to have a relationship with him, then it was supposed to be only him. But he knew her ways, so why had he gotten involved?

  He took his time on the drive back home. What was there to hurry for?

  His grandfather had, in fact, noted that he’d moved out to the barn. He was his crotchety old self when he’d read Tyson the riot act over it. Seriously, if he didn’t make a living on the property, he’d just pack up and leave. As it was, his grandfather gave his opinion. Tyson had given his. Now he lived in the barn permanently. Right where his grandfather said he belonged—with the horses and their crap.

  Lydia’s truck and another car were parked outside the barn when he pulled up. Certainly she hadn’t brought her horse home. Maybe she was as unhappy with the Walkers as he seemed to be .

  That wasn’t fair, he thought as he turned off his truck. He was only unhappy with one of the Walkers. No need to start a feud over one woman—again.

  Either way, he wasn’t in the mood for company. Not even his sister’s.

  Lydia’s laughter filled the room as Tyson opened the door.

  “Oh, good. You’re finally back. I have to head to town for pedicures. Did you get your tux?”

  “It’s in the truck.” It was then the man with Lydia turned so he could see him. It was the same man Pearl had been kissing in the restaurant. What in the hell were they doing?

  “Come here. I want you to meet Donald.”

  Was it PC to kick the crap out of a man who was a guest in your house, he wondered.

  “Hey,” he gave him a curt nod and his sister obviously noticed, by the way her eyes lit in irritation toward him.

  “Tyson, Donald is an interior designer. He’s working with Pearl on the design
of her store, and now he’s working with me on the reception hall. I wanted to show you the drawings.”

  “I’m kinda tired. Why don’t I…”

  “No, no, no.” Donald waved his hands in the air. “You must see what I’ve done.” He slapped his hand to his chest. “You’ll make me cry if you don’t look.”

  Tyson stopped in his tracks. Had the man just batted his eyes at him and winked? Oh, dear Lord! Had he been throwing a hissy fit over some man who was more interested in him than he was in Pearl?

  Hesitantly, he walked toward the table where they had pages spread out. There, in vivid color, was Pearl’s Bridal Boutique.

  “Has she seen these?” He looked up, and both of them nodded. “They’re nice.”

  Donald stomped a tempered foot. “Nice? They are brilliant.”

  “Brilliant. Yes,” Tyson agreed in a hushed voice. “When did you meet with Pearl to discuss these?” It had to be asked.

  “I took her to dinner the other night. That was when I met our Lydia.” Donald put his arm around her. “She’s delish too.”

  Tyson cringed. Not at the gay man standing in his kitchen, but at his lack of trust when it came to Pearl. He’d completely written her off because she’d kissed this man. He’d dismissed her without asking questions.

  God, he was a moron.

  Donald cocked his hip and placed his hand on it. “Our Pearl hinted that she’d been seeing someone. She refused details, and I love juicy details.” He winked at him again. “You’re not our hot man are you?”

  He took a breath to protest, but Lydia let out a hard laugh. “He is not seeing Pearl. Pearl is much too much woman for him.”

  “Hey,” he responded in equal childlikeness. “No woman is too much for me.”

  But his sister’s eyes remained light. “He promised me he wouldn’t see her. We’re all business partners, and pleasure doesn’t mix with business. And I’m much more important than any cute woman. So he wouldn’t dare go behind my back.”

  Donald gave a high hum. “I wonder who he is then.”

  “I’ll have to find out. She didn’t tell me she was seeing anyone,” Lydia chirped with equal enthusiasm. “This is all news to me.”

  Tyson walked past them and to the refrigerator for a beer. Shit was about to hit the fan, and Tyson wondered how he was going to get as far away from it as possible.

  ~*~

  The Haven was quiet on Thursday night as the members of Susan’s bridal party filtered in. There were only three pedicure chairs and two nail stations, so they were dividing their times.

  Susan waited for Pearl by the door and greeted her with a glass of wine. “Your sister was beginning to wonder where you were. I assured her you were on your way.”

  “I was ordering some flowers for a funeral.”

  Susan rested her hand on Pearl’s arm. “Who passed?”

  “Officer Smythe’s brother.”

  “I didn’t know. I’ll make sure to send a card.”

  She imagined that Susan would probably deliver a meal to the family’s home as well.

  “It’s about time,” Audrey walked toward her. “You’re ten minutes late.”

  “I’m sorry. But I’m here.”

  Her sister huffed out a breath and waved her toward the pedicure throne where Rachelle waited for her.

  She climbed into the seat of the pedicure throne as Lydia rested her hand on her arm. “Everything alright?”

  “Yeah, just had a stressful day. This will be a nice treat.”

  “I heard Phillip Smythe’s brother passed away.”

  It was the first time she’d heard Lydia call him by his name, and without the hateful tone in her voice. “I heard that too. I sent flowers to the family.”

  “I should do that too. What else happened in your day?”

  She wasn’t about to tell her that her brother pissed her off, but that would certainly make her feel better. “It was just a busy day.”

  “I met with Donald, and we came up with some brilliant plans for the reception hall. He showed me what he’d been working on with your store too.”

  “He’s very talented.”

  Lydia sipped from her wine glass. “Donald also said you’d hinted to having some man on the side.” She raised her brows and grinned over her drink.

  Pearl stared at her. “Why would he say that? I didn’t tell him that.”

  “He seems to know something. So what are you hiding?”

  Susan stopped as she was passing by and her eyes grew wide. “You’re dating someone?”

  “No. I didn’t say that,” Pearl argued. “Seriously, where is everyone getting their information?”

  Glenda, who was in the third chair, groaned. “Rumors aren’t kind things to pass around girls,” she said as if they were twelve. “If Pearl has a man in her life that’s her business, not ours. Though,” she said lifting her wine glass, “if she wants to talk it through, she should.”

  Every one of them burst into laughter, except for Pearl. She most certainly didn’t want to discuss it, especially now that he’d turned into some huge ass. But Glenda’s mocking of the situation seemed to have defused the tension and suddenly they were talking to Susan’s mother about essential oils, and Pearl’s love life was forgotten.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The Walker house was designed to entertain. Tomorrow it would play host to a grand wedding and tonight to a rehearsal.

  Pearl stood in the garden and looked at how it had been transformed into a beautiful sanctuary for Eric and Susan. They deserved to have such an elegant setting.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Tyson’s voice came from behind her, but she didn’t turn around. She was afraid to. He was just going to be a jerk, especially since they were going to be surrounded by his family.

  “It’s lovely,” she said still facing the altar.

  She heard his footsteps. A moment later she could feel his closeness.

  “I owe you an apology.”

  She swallowed hard and pushed down the tears that threatened. “You do.”

  He took her hand and turned her to face him, but it took her a moment before she raised her head and looked him in the eye.

  Tyson let go of her hand and tucked his hands into his front pockets. “I was a jerk to you yesterday. I had no right to be like that.”

  “Thank you. I don’t know what happened, but it hurt.”

  “It was designed to.” He rocked toward her, but she knew he was keeping his hands in a safe place. “I was hurt, and I didn’t know how to deal with it.”

  “You could be more cordial. Besides, what did I do that made you so angry?”

  Tyson took a deep breath. “You kissed Donald.”

  “I did?”

  His eyes opened wide. “You most certainly did. I saw you do it. You cupped his face in your hands and kissed him right on the lips.”

  “When?”

  Now his hands flew from his pockets and into the air. “At the restaurant the other night. I was there. I saw you kiss him.”

  She began to laugh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t remember kissing him, but yes. I did that.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “Donald is gay.”

  “I know,” his voice had raised, just as hers had. “I know,” he said softer.

  “Why didn’t you say hello?”

  “Because when I saw you it ripped through me. I couldn’t stand it.”

  She licked her lips and took the slightest step forward to close the gap between them. “You were jealous.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be? You’re seeing me.”

  The smile was automatic. She couldn’t have fought it off. “I am?”

  He rocked back on his heels again as if to distance himself. “Are you playing games with me?”

  “No. I just want to make sure that you mean it.”

  “Would I have said it otherwise?”

  “No.” She wanted to reach up and touch him. She wanted to plant a kiss on his lips and cup h
is face, but she fought the urge. “We’re okay?”

  “I want to be,” he offered. “I really like you. I mean really like.”

  Now she chuckled and held her hands to her chest where her heart fluttered uncontrollably. “I really like you too. And I mean really.”

  “Whatever happens this weekend, just forgive me for it now,” he offered as he took a step back from her as if to provide space.

  “As long as on Sunday we can have a long talk. I know how Lydia feels about us.”

  “She’s very adamant about it,” he said. “I don’t see it being a problem, but she is my sister.”

  “Family means a lot. I understand that too,” Pearl said, clenching her fists at her side, so she didn’t accidently touch him.

  They’d managed a few feet between them, and no one seemed to notice as Susan, her sister, her mother, and Glenda walked into the garden. Just then, Dane, Gerald, Ben and Russell entered the garden from the gate behind the garage.

  There was laughter and talking. Staging and restaging. By the time Lydia walked outside, Pearl and Tyson were nowhere near each other.

  But she couldn’t take her eyes off of him.

  He liked her.

  He really liked her.

  Susan and Eric’s house was packed with family—and only family after the wedding rehearsal. Somehow Pearl had found herself in the corner with Dane as they drank beer and ate Susan’s food on sturdy paper plates.

  “I’m sure she would have rather had a sit-down meal for her rehearsal dinner,” Dane said as he looked around the crowded room. “Glenda didn’t want her to have to clean the night before her wedding.”

  “Susan wouldn’t have it any other way.” She leaned in closer to him. “Her dad is quiet, but her mom is very social.”

  “She gave me a salve for my dry hands. It fixed them in one day.”

  They both laughed. “It’s nice to have us all together. I’ve missed us doing this.”

  Dane nodded. “You’re right. I think when grandpa was sick and dying we had a different focus. I wasn’t sure the family was going to survive what happened with your father.” He winced. “That was insensitive. I’m sorry.”