Cowboy Rebel--Includes a bonus short story
Page 31
He trusted her.
That one thought stopped him momentarily in his tracks. His heart was more easily won than his trust, but it appeared that Claire had captured them both.
He continued walking to his office and opened his computer to scan his email. There was already a message waiting for him from Ken Martin:
Loved having dinner with you and Claire last night. Evelyn and I both love your plans for the mother-in-law suite we want to add on. We were unanimous in our agreement that you are the right man for the job. We’d love to work with you. We’d also love to have you and Claire over for dinner at our place again sometime soon. She’s a keeper. A wise man wouldn’t let her slip away.
Ken
Bo pumped a fist into the air. The deal was done. Success! He reread those last two lines.
It was good advice, and he planned on taking it.
Chapter Five
Claire was taking her time getting ready to go to Lavender Hill this morning. When she’d agreed to this business arrangement, she’d resolved not to let herself fall for Bo again. And who fell for a guy after only a few days anyway?
Apparently, she did. She wasn’t in love with him, no. But she was long past lust.
Claire gave herself one last glance in the mirror. She hadn’t put on the beautiful dress she’d purchased at Sophie’s Boutique a few weeks back just yet. She still had work to do at Bo’s house. Speaking of which, she guessed it was time to go.
She headed to her car, got in, and then, continuing to procrastinate, veered off toward the Sweetwater Café for a strong cup of coffee.
A few minutes later, Emma smiled up from the counter as a little jingle bell rang over Claire’s head.
“Good morning, Claire,” Emma said with all the warmth of one of her delicious hot cocoas. “You have a big event this afternoon.”
“I do.” Claire gave a nod. On the morning of a special event, she was usually buzzing with so much energy that she didn’t even need to stop by the Sweetwater Café, even though she always did anyway. “Are you going to be there?” Claire asked.
“I wouldn’t miss it. Rebecca is one of my favorite customers. I’m so happy for her.”
“So you’re not against the marriage because of the age gap?”
“No way. Not if she’s happy, and I wholeheartedly believe she is.” Emma was already preparing a cup of coffee for Claire per her usual specifications.
Claire fished her debit card out of her purse as she waited.
Turning back to her, Emma narrowed her eyes. “And you’ve been holed up for the last couple of days with Bo Matthews, I hear.”
“Because the wedding is at his house,” Claire clarified, handing her card over. “Not for any other reason.”
Emma swiped the card and handed it back. “I wouldn’t blame you if there was. He’s hotter than that cup of brew you’re holding. Don’t tell him I said so though. He’s not really my type.”
Claire grabbed her cup of coffee and took a sip. Bo was her type. “No? What is your type?”
Emma shrugged. “I dunno. Chris Hemsworth, maybe.”
“You do realize that he’s a world-famous movie star, and that it’s very unlikely he’ll walk into your coffee shop, right?”
“Yeah, yeah. Just a technicality. It could happen,” Emma said with a soft giggle.
Yeah, and Bo could realize he was falling for Claire too. Which would never happen.
Claire started to turn and leave, but Emma grabbed her forearm.
“I have to warn you,” she said, biting down on her lower lip. “Your mom is here.”
“What?” Claire looked over her shoulder, and sure enough, there was Nancy Donovan. How had she missed seeing her when she’d walked in? And why hadn’t Emma warned her sooner? Not that it would’ve helped. There was only one way out and it was past her mom.
Claire turned back to her friend. “Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll see you tonight.” She took her cup of coffee and turned to leave. As she headed toward the exit, her mom’s gaze flicked up and stayed on her. Her mouth curved just slightly in a sheepish smile. Then she lifted her hand and waved.
Crap. If Claire kept walking, she’d be the bad guy here, and that wasn’t fair. Growing up, Claire was always the one trying to help her parents. She was the one victimized by their lack of attention and their shaming of her family’s name.
Forcing her feet forward, Claire walked over to her mom’s table and slid into the booth across from her. “I can only stay a few minutes,” she prefaced.
Her mom nodded. Soft lines formed at the corners of her eyes and mouth as her smile wobbled. “I’m just happy to get to talk to you. How are you?”
Claire swallowed, wondering if she should answer that question truthfully. And if so, what was the honest answer? Work was great, but her personal life was all screwed up because she’d once more allowed herself to have feelings for Bo. “Swell. And you?”
“Better these days.” Her mom molded her hands around her own cup. “I’m working on things I wish I’d worked on a long time ago.”
“Hindsight and everything,” Claire said, hating how sarcastic she sounded. She blew out a breath as she looked around the shop and shook her head. Then she turned back to her mom. “Look, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so rude.”
“It’s okay,” her mother said. “I deserve it. I was hoping that we could work toward having some sort of relationship again though. Even if it’s only five minutes every now and then over coffee.”
Claire stared at the woman in front of her. Time hadn’t been kind, mostly because of the way Nancy had chosen to live her life. “How’s Dad?”
“Jail has helped him sober up. He’s going to stay dry once he gets out next month,” she told Claire with a hopeful lilt to her voice. “We’re going to get a second chance to do right by each other. That’s what we both want.”
Claire sucked in a deep breath and let it go. It was hypocritical of her to expect Bo to believe his dad could change and settle down with Rebecca when she couldn’t do the same with her own parents. It was easier said than done though. “I hope that happens, Mom.”
They spoke for a few minutes more, and then Claire pushed back from the table and stood. “I really do have to go…But maybe we can do this again.”
Her mom’s brows lifted. “Really?”
“I’m usually here on Saturday mornings”—Claire shrugged a shoulder—“so maybe I’ll see you next weekend.”
“Yes. Maybe you will.” Her mom reached for Claire’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze, the closest to a hug that either of them was ready to give. “Thank you.”
As Claire walked out of the coffee shop, she felt lighter. Maybe her mom would let her down again. But there was also the possibility that she wouldn’t this time. Claire had always been an optimist. She never wanted to lose hope that things could change for the better.
There was no hope for Bo changing his mind about love and romance though. No matter how much her heart protested that maybe, just maybe, there was.
* * *
Claire had drained her cup of coffee by the time she pulled into Bo’s driveway. She was surprised to find him outside setting up the chairs.
“Wow. You’ve been busy,” she said, walking toward him. She kept her shoulders squared. Kissing him last night didn’t change anything. She wasn’t going to let it affect the task at hand.
Straightening, he looked at her. He was all hot and sweaty, with the same ball cap on that he’d been wearing at the coffee shop a few days before. “I promised to help, so I am. Ken Martin emailed this morning and offered me the contract, by the way.”
Claire’s smile was now sincere. “That’s great, Bo. I thought he would. Last night went really well.” Except for that last part.
Judging by the look in his eyes, he was thinking about that too.
“I’m, um, just going to call Halona and Brenna and make sure everything’s on track. I’ll use your kitchen for that, if you don’t mind.”
It was official. Emma could have Chris Hemsworth, because he had nothing on Bo Matthews.
* * *
Claire was obviously ignoring him. Bo wasn’t sure how to make things right, but he knew he wanted to. He wanted a lot more than that, and he was ready. Seeing Liz and Mike together last night at the restaurant had barely stung. In fact, he almost felt happy for the two of them. Yeah, they’d hurt him, but he knew they hadn’t meant to.
Love didn’t let you choose. He understood what Claire had meant by that now, because he was falling hard and fast for the sweet, smart, gorgeous event planner. How the hell am I going to fix things with her?
A delivery truck pulled into his driveway with SOUTHERN PORTA-JOHN written in large black letters on the side. Bo guided the guys toward the back of his house, where the porta-johns would be available to guests but not readily seen during the ceremony. After that, Halona Locklear showed up in a navy SUV with all the flower arrangements in the back. Claire came out of the back door to help her set things up.
It wasn’t a good time to talk to her right now. Not when she had so many things to get done before tonight’s wedding.
The next few hours were a blur of activity going on in and around his house. Brenna showed up with trays full of food. He helped her set up tables to display it all. A DJ showed up and set up a place to play music for the reception. The entire Ladies Day Out group showed up after that and helped Claire with a host of other things that he never would’ve considered. They set out tablecloths and large baskets full of party mementos for the guests. Pearson’s and Rebecca’s names and the date were written on little paper hearts attached to each favor.
“Aren’t these the cutest?” Lula Locklear asked as she walked up to peek inside one of the baskets. “The ladies and I were up all night making these.” Lula was Halona’s mom. She was often involved in the community, increasing awareness about her Cherokee Indian culture.
“They are,” Bo agreed, unable to resist lifting his head and looking around to see where Claire was. He spotted her laughing with Kaitlyn Russo, the owner of the Sweetwater B&B. The sight of Claire happy and enjoying herself made his heart skip a beat. He longed to be the kind of guy who put that smile on her face.
“You are a man with the look of love,” Lula said with a knowing nod. She followed his gaze to where Claire was standing. “She’s such a nice girl. She needs someone who will treat her well.” She gave him an assessing look as if trying to decipher if he was capable of being that kind of guy. Was he? “Maybe there’ll be more weddings on Lavender Hill in the future,” she said.
* * *
As the sun started to creep toward the mountains, the sky darkened, and guests started to arrive. Claire slipped on the beautiful satin dress she’d purchased from Sophie’s Boutique and then headed outside to turn on the lights. The aroma of the food wafted in the air along with laughter and casual conversation.
Pearson and Rebecca would be on their way at any moment. Rebecca’s obstetrician had okayed her to leave for two hours. That was enough time to greet guests, walk down the aisle, say their vows, and maybe even have a dance under the stars.
Claire sighed dreamily, imagining Rebecca getting the wedding of her dreams tonight.
Bo stepped up beside her, scrambling those happy thoughts and feelings. “I need to talk to you. There’s a problem.”
She whipped her head around to face him. “What kind of problem?”
“Rebecca is in labor. The wedding has been called off.”
“What?” Claire’s lungs contracted as if the wind had been knocked out of her. “But she wants to be married by the time the baby comes. She needs to get here.”
Bo frowned. “I just spoke to Dad. Rebecca’s water broke when she was putting on her wedding dress.” He grimaced. “It’s not going to happen tonight. They can do it after the baby is born. She can buy a new dress and have it anywhere or any way she wants.”
Claire shook her head. “The only thing she really wanted was to exchange vows before she gave birth.” Claire looked around at all the guests, seated in wooden fold-out chairs. The scenery was perfect. There were even hundreds of stars speckling the clear night’s sky.
Her shoulders slumped as she blew out a resigned breath. This was out of her control, and she knew it. “I guess we’ll tell the guests the news and send them all home.” She hesitated before looking at Bo. Disappointment stung her eyes. She didn’t want him to know that all she really felt like doing was sitting in one of those chairs and having a good cry on Rebecca’s behalf.
“You stay here. I’ll take care of the guests,” he said.
“You don’t have to. That’s my job.”
“You did your job already.”
“Not really. The wedding is off. I’ve never let a client down before. Ever.” And now she wanted to cry on her own behalf.
There was something gentle in his eyes when she looked up at him. “Stay here,” he said again.
She watched him walk off toward the crowd; then she turned to face the garden. She wasn’t sure exactly how long she stood there collecting herself before Bo came up behind her. When she turned, he was standing there with Pastor Phillips.
Claire started to apologize to the older man, but Bo patted the pastor’s back and narrowed his gaze at her.
“Pastor Phillips is ready to go to the hospital.”
Claire scrunched her brows. “What? Why?”
“Because there’s a wedding to be had, and we don’t have much time. If Rebecca wants to be married before my baby brother gets here, then that’s what we’ll make sure happens. Assuming we beat the clock.”
Pastor Phillips chuckled. “My wife was in labor for twelve hours after her water broke with our first child. I think we’ll be okay.”
Bo reached for Claire’s hand. “You’ve never let a client down, right? Why start now?”
“You don’t even believe your father and Rebecca should be together. Why are you doing this?”
“Maybe I see things differently now. Because of you.”
Chapter Six
Claire grabbed the wedding bouquet before climbing into Bo’s car. It was an assortment of purple irises and white lilies—exactly what Rebecca had requested. In fact, aside from wanting to marry before her baby was born, the flower preferences were the only other thing Rebecca had asked for.
After a short drive, Bo parked in front of the labor and delivery wing, and they hurried inside. Claire clutched the arrangement tightly as she walked beside him toward the elevator. Pastor Phillips had driven separately. Hopefully he wasn’t far behind.
“What’s wrong?” Bo asked. “You were talking as fast as I could drive on the way here.”
Claire shook her head. “A hospital isn’t exactly my favorite place. I watched my grandmother die here.” And ever since, Mount Pleasant Memorial had carried nothing but bad memories for her.
They stepped inside the elevator, and Bo reached for her hand. He didn’t let go once the door opened on the second floor. The feel of his skin against hers distracted her from the repetitive beeping sounds and the smells of disinfectant as they walked.
“Let’s make a few happy memories here today, shall we?” he asked, giving her a wink that short-circuited all the negativity in her mind.
“There’s nothing more joyful than a wedding. I’ve always thought so.”
His smile wobbled just a little as they walked.
“I’m sorry. I guess weddings hold as many bad memories for you as hospitals do for me.”
“I used to think I never wanted to go to another wedding again. But there’s nowhere I’d rather be tonight than at this one with you.”
Her heart fluttered. “Same. Even if it is at a hospital.”
They stopped behind Rebecca’s door, and Claire knocked softly.
A moment later, it cracked open, and Pearson Matthews peeked out at her.
Claire had seen him many times over the years. His presence was always confident and commanding. Now he looked like a man juggling half a dozen emotions: excitement, fear, anxiety, exhaustion, confusion, joy.
“How is Rebecca feeling?” Claire asked.
In response, they heard Rebecca groan in the background.
“The baby is coming fast,” Pearson said. “What are you two doing here?”
“You couldn’t come to the wedding so we brought the wedding to you,” Bo answered. “Do you think Rebecca is up for it?”
Pearson smiled at his son, a dozen new emotions popping up on his face. “I think that will probably make her really happy…Thank you, son.”
Claire’s eyes stung just a little as she watched the brief father-son interaction. “Great. Can we come in?”
Pearson swung the door open wider. “Becky, look who’s here!”
Rebecca looked between Claire and Bo and then to Pastor Phillips, who stepped up behind them.
“Do you still want to get married before the baby arrives?” Claire asked.
“Yes.” Rebecca shifted and tried to sit up in bed. She was wearing a hospital gown instead of a wedding gown. Her hair was a little disheveled, and the makeup she’d put on for tonight’s ceremony needed a touch-up. Even so, she was as beautiful as any bride Claire had ever seen.
Rebecca flinched and squeezed her eyes shut, moving her hands to her lower belly. “But we better do this fast,” she gritted out.
Pearson went to the head of Rebecca’s bed as Pastor Phillips opened his Bible to read a short passage. Afterward, he looked up at the bride and groom and read off vows that they repeated.
Bo never let go of Claire’s hand as they stood witness to the happy union. It was quick, but no less perfect. A tear slid off Claire’s cheek as Rebecca said, “I do.” Then Pearson dipped to press his lips to Rebecca’s—their first kiss as man and wife.
Claire would’ve wiped her eyes, but one hand still carried the bouquet and the other was held by Bo. He squeezed it softly as he glanced over. There was something warm in his gaze that melted any leftover resolve to resist this man.