Montana Cowboy

by Jillian Hart

  He fell silent and shook his head. A muscle jumped along his jaw. “Dad got out of federal prison not too long ago. He’s made bad choices in his life, and one of them is how he treats people. We’re praying he doesn’t show up today.”

  “Nothing can hurt like family.” She reached out to squeeze his hand, meaning to let him know he wasn’t alone, she knew exactly how that felt, but a snap of awareness jolted through her at the first brush of her skin to his. His strong fingers curled around hers, holding on, and the snap deepened. It became an emotional hook that dug into her heart.

  Really weird, she thought. What was happening? Before she could analyze it, Luke released her hand, unhooked her heart and the snap of awareness faded.

  “You say that like you know.” Luke hiked up his shoulders like a man determined to handle a tough situation. “I thought you were good with your family.”

  “No family is perfect, although mine tries to be.” She glanced down the aisle to where sunshine gleamed on the wood floor. On the other side of the open double doors, Jerrod sat hunched over his player, sitting on the front step as promised. Did she really want to talk about her past? “I don’t miss that, but I miss them.”

  “I always wondered if there was more to your story than you were telling me. You didn’t come to Montana to work just because Mrs. Lambert is your mother’s friend, right? There’s another reason.”

  Too personal, she wanted to tell him. She’d been careful during their correspondence to keep things safe. That’s how she wanted life these days—safe, predictable and level. But one look at the caring on his perfectly chiseled face, and she knew why he had been so easy to chat with online and why she looked forward to his emails. Luke McKaslin was a caring man. She’d been with him in person for less than ten minutes and it shone through as clear as daylight.

  She felt comfortable enough with him to admit the truth. “We had a disagreement over whether or not I should give my boyfriend back his engagement ring.”

  “Your b-boyfriend?” He stumbled over the word. “Now that’s something I didn’t know.”

  “I didn’t mean to keep it from you. I simply didn’t want to talk about it.” She gave a little shrug. “Too painful. Besides, he’s my ex-boyfriend now, which is the reason my family is disappointed in me.”

  “And that’s why you left California?”

  “Mrs. Lambert was looking for a tutor, she was moving to their summer home and I thought, perfect timing. Why not?” She’d been substituting and the offer had been the chance for a steady paycheck. “God seemed to be nudging me along, so I packed up and came.”

  “I’m glad you did, otherwise we never would have met.”

  “Ditto.” She liked his smile, she decided. It was his most impressive feature, and there were many of those to choose from. “I can’t say that I’m glad I’m stuck in Montana, but something good has come out of this.”

  “Maybe after you have fun with us and get in your social time, you’ll change your mind about Montana?” He arched one eyebrow in a challenge.

  “It’s going to take more than that. I’m not sure it can be done,” she quipped, taking a step backward, moving away from him. “But I’m liking the chance to actually make new friends.”

  “Good. I’m going to change your mind.”

  “Is that a warning or a threat?”

  “Depends on which one will work.”

  “Neither.” She tipped back her head and laughed. “I’m not going to change my mind. I’m a California girl. I miss the beach. There’s no beach in Montana. No ocean.”

  “True, but we’ve got riverbanks.”

  “So not the same.”

  They laughed together. He liked Honor as much in real life as he had online. His throat tightened, making it hard to swallow as he watched her walk away. A swirl of her blue dress’s hem, a clip of her fancy shoes and a flip of her sleek honey hair and he was hooked just a little bit more.

  It’s never going to happen, he told himself. Did that stop him from liking her more?

  Not a chance.

  “Honor, there you are!” Brooke popped her head out of the inner door. “Don’t think I’m going to let you out of your offer.”

  “Good, because I was beginning to worry you were starting without me.”

  “Not a chance.” Brooke shone with happiness. She’d had some tough times, but God had turned those hardships around. He’d brought Liam into her life, and for that Luke would always be grateful. Brooke deserved true love and a happily-ever-after.

  “Luke? What are you doing standing there?” Brooke flashed her smile his way. “Guests are arriving!”

  “Wow, I guess so.” He glanced over his shoulder at the familiar faces of his cousins coming up the steps. A photographer waved at him from the back, setting up. He had things to do, but he stole one moment longer to take in the sight of Honor Crosby as she hurried up to Brooke. The two women talked low, their voices a ring of merriment. Honor’s gentle alto stood out above the other sounds in the church. His heart gave a little lurch.

  She slipped through the doorway and out of his sight. He raked a hand through his hair, wishing he didn’t feel anything at all for her. Just wishing he was in control of his emotions.

  “Hey, Luke.” Cousin Spence McKaslin ambled up and clapped him on the shoulder. “We’re glad this day has come for Brooke. No one deserves happiness more.”

  “That’s the general consensus. Glad you could make it. Hi, Lucy,” he greeted Spence’s blond-haired, sunny wife. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “We wouldn’t miss this wedding for the world. I didn’t see a table set up for gifts anywhere.” She held up a beautifully wrapped box. “Where can I put this?”

  “That was on my to-do list. Sorry.” He dug in his pocket for the paper Lil had written out for him. Best get to it. “I’ll take that for you.”

  “I’ll seat them.” Mac, Bree’s fiancé, ambled up in his suit and tie. “Spence, I was just in your bookstore the other day…”

  As the trio headed up the aisle, Luke’s thoughts turned to Honor. How was she faring being stuck in a room with his sisters? And what exactly were they talking about?

  He thought of Lil, dear Lil, and hoped his name didn’t come up because he knew what the subject would be.

  Chapter Three

  “Poor Luke. He has been single for so long.” Lil held out the gossamer bridal veil. “Ever since Sonya.”

  “Sonya.” Brooke shook her head, obviously disapproving of this former girlfriend. “She led him on and then let him down.”

  “That’s too bad,” Honor said sympathetically, trying not to sound too interested. It would only prolong the discussion, the one that would extol all of Luke’s virtues as a possible future boyfriend.

  A boyfriend she didn’t want. No way, no sir. She was a happily single woman these days and that’s the way it was going to stay. She grabbed the comb off the built-in dresser.

  “He’s the sweetest guy.” Brooke ducked, awaiting her veil.

  “The sweetest,” Cousin Katherine agreed as she took the veil carefully from Lil.

  Brooke nodded. “I never thought he would get over what that woman did to him.”

  “Neither did I,” Colbie agreed.

  “Us, too,” the twins chimed in.

  What did that woman do? Honor wanted to ask, but she was afraid to. The women surrounding her might see it as a sign of interest. Romantic interest. She doubted they understood the friend thing she and Luke had going on. Maybe a change of subject was in order.

  “Aren’t you nervous, Brooke?” she said the first thing that popped into her head. “Do you have cold feet? A jittery stomach?”

  “No, not a bit. Everything is calm and my feet are warm.” Brooke stopped to check her reflection in the mirror. “I�
��ve never been so sure of anything in my life, and stop trying to change the subject.”

  “Hey, a girl’s gotta try.” She held up her hands in a what-can-I-do gesture. “You look stunning.”

  “It’s the dress. Colbie and Lil made it for me.” Brooke brushed at the delicate satin of the princess-cut gown, which showed off her willowy figure adorably. “I never thought I would be the one to marry before you, Bree.”

  “You know I want a spring wedding,” the twin in blue answered dreamily. “Now that I’m engaged and Brooke is getting married, I wonder who will be next?”

  “Not me,” Colbie announced as she stepped back to check the drape of the wedding dress and gave a single, satisfied nod. “It’s the single life for me.”

  “Me, too!” Finally, a comrade in arms! A like-minded ally.

  “Oh, you two.” Lil shook her head. “I’m disappointed in you. Love can be the greatest adventure. You have to keep your heart open for it.”

  “I’ll keep mine closed, thank you very much.” Colbie’s violet eyes sparkled with humor. “I prefer to be closed-up. It keeps the troublemakers away.”

  “And men tend to be troublemakers,” Honor agreed.

  “I can’t argue there.” Katherine finished pinning the veil and stepped back to admire her work. “When I first met Jack, disaster. Trouble of the highest magnitude. His teenage daughter had shoplifted from the bookstore and I had to march out into the parking lot and tell him so while he was in his uniform sitting in his cruiser.”

  “I mistook Brice for a burglar,” a voice added cheerfully as a door swung open. A blond beauty stood in the doorway. “Hysterical. I’ve never lived it down. I’ve been sent in to tell you everything is ready out there. The guests are seated. The minister is ready to go. The quartet is playing.”

  “Wonderful. We’ll bring the bride right out, Ava dear.”

  “Okay! Don’t worry, Brooke. No need to be nervous.” Ava propped the door open before she left. “Getting married is the most amazing feeling. I’m so happy for you.”

  “She’s our boss at the bakery,” the twin in the lavender explained.

  “She’s also our cousin,” the blue twin added. “Are you ready, Brooke?”

  “Absolutely.” Brooke looked ethereal with bliss as she took one final look in the mirror. “I’m breathless.”

  “You’re a princess, my dear,” Lil enthused. “Just perfect.”

  “Flawless.”

  “Beautiful.”

  The McKaslin sisters chimed their compliments, gathered around the bride, clearly about to line up for the procession. Time to find Jerrod in the church and settle in for the ceremony. Honor slipped out the door, unable to look away as the sisters embraced the bride, their happy voices echoing down the hallway.

  That never would have been me, she thought as she tripped into the vestibule. She never would have felt joyful marrying Kip. Just the proof she’d needed to know she made the right decision.

  “Honor.” Luke offered her his arm, the consummate groomsman. “May I escort you to your seat?”

  “I would love that.” As she slipped her arm through his, emotion fluttered in her heart. Light, sweet and full of peace, that feeling stayed with her as she stumbled forward at his side, her feet barely touching the ground.

  This is what I get for skipping breakfast, she thought as she seemed to float down the aisle. Light-headed, shivery, quick, swooping pulse. Those were definitely signs of low blood sugar and not romantic interest, and they were easily remedied. Big relief there.

  “Don’t believe a single word they said about me,” he advised.

  “You mean you’re not nice? You’re not a good guy?”

  “Okay, I sure try to be.” A grin carved into his features, softening the rugged planes of his face and bringing out those swoon-worthy dimples. “But I’m sure that wasn’t the gist of the conversation.”

  “How did you know you were even mentioned?”

  “Uh, cuz my sisters meddle. Lil is the worst.”

  “They did happen to mention you were single and available, but don’t worry, I thwarted them at every turn by changing the subject.”

  “Did it work?”

  “Eventually. I’m persistent. Others see it as stubborn, but that’s not entirely a bad thing.” A little breathless, she was glad when Luke stopped at the end of a row. “I finally steered the conversation back to the bride. She looks beautiful, by the way, so prepare yourself.”

  “I have no doubt.”

  Luke’s eyes had little flecks of gold in them, stunning against the violet-blue, so stunning she couldn’t seem to look away. Definitely strange, too, she thought, more light-headed, still. Perhaps she’d break into the candy she kept in the bottom of her purse. That ought to chase away her symptoms. She slipped her arm from his. “Thank you for escorting me.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Oh, but those dimples could dazzle any woman. Good thing they didn’t have an effect on her. No way, no how. Her shoes tapped against the floor as she scooted into the row. “I’ll see you after?”

  “I’ll hang back so you can follow me,” Luke said as he pivoted, talking over his shoulder. “I drive a white truck. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye out for you in the parking lot.”

  “Thanks,” she said, but he was gone, hurrying to seat a latecoming guest.

  The other groomsmen were lined up at the front, the groom a calm, content-looking man who joked with his best man. The low rumble of their laughter blended with the din of the crowd and the rise and fall of notes from the quartet. Finally the crowd hushed as the minister took his place and the processional music began.

  “Are you sure the cake will be good?” Jerrod whispered to her as he put his iPod on pause. Apparently he knew where his priorities were.

  “Positively.”

  As quietly as she could, she unlatched her handbag and dug out a roll of candy. She offered it to Jerrod first, who happily took a few, ripped the paper farther down on the roll and popped the sweet-tart lozenge into her mouth. Flavor exploded on her tongue. Take that, low blood sugar.

  An adorable little girl with bouncy brown curls paraded down the aisle, tossing rose petals from her fancy white basket. She looked like a cherub with angelic cheeks and sweet button face. Her snowy lacy dress swung around her knees. Completely adorable.

  “That’s Madison, my niece,” whispered the woman who’d visited the dressing room. The baker, cousin Ava, leaned over the back of the pew, eyes wide with curiosity. “Isn’t she adorable? I hear you are dating Luke?”

  “Not dating,” she corrected way too fast and way too defensive. Best to blame that on the low blood sugar, too. “Everyone has the wrong idea. Luke and I are just friends.”

  “Sure. I know what you mean. That’s the best place to start.”

  Not sure how to argue with that, she held her tongue. The little ring bearer strode down the aisle, a cute little boy sure of his duty.

  “My nephew, Tyler,” Ava informed her.

  The bridesmaids came next, strolling down the aisle carrying bouquets of daisies. Each dress was a different color—blue, lilac and gold. When they reached the front, Honor noticed Luke standing alongside the best man, shoulders set, back straight, striking in his dark suit. Incredibly fine-looking.

  Her heart gave another swoop, so she popped a second candy into her mouth. That was absolutely the last time she was skipping breakfast.

  * * *

  Exultation flitted in the air like the scent of roses from a nearby border row as friends and family descended the church stairs and streamed toward their vehicles, buckled in and zoomed off. Honor beeped the remote, her car door locks popped and Jerrod dropped into the passenger seat. She went up on tiptoe, looking around for a sign of Luke. White pickup, he’d said. She frowned, seeing at l
east ten white trucks gleaming in the lot. Now what?

  “Over here!” called a familiar voice.

  She whirled around, shading her eyes with her hand as she squinted into the hot noon sun. “There you are. Did you know there are at least a dozen white pickups in this lot?”

  “Sorry.” He eased behind the wheel, leaving the door open so he could holler across the roof of a departing car. “I’d planned on finding you in the crowd, but you made a fast dash toward the exit.”

  “It was hard not to. It was like being a salmon in a river current. I decided to go with the flow.”

  “The McKaslins and friends are a desperate bunch when we get hungry.”

  “I know, right?” She slipped into the leather seat, scorching from sitting in the sun. Yikes. Her fingers seared when she touched the steering wheel. “Is it very far?”

  If so, she’d likely melt.

  “Not too far. Follow me.”

  She eyed the mad dash of vehicles toward the exit. “I’ll try.”

  “Not to worry. I’ll keep my eye on you.” He winked. Why did the man have to have a dazzling wink, too? His door closed and his truck’s engine roared to life.

  “I’m dying,” Jerrod commented. “Air conditioning. Quick.”

  “I doubt it will help in time. We may be a puddle of carbon-based goo before we reach the street.”

  “No kidding.” Jerrod fanned himself, not that it would help, and whizzed down his window. The instant the engine turned over, he took charge of the a/c controls.

  “So, not too bad so far, right?” She buckled up.

  “At least we’re out of the house.” Jerrod frowned at the hot air spewing from the vents. “You’re sure there’ll be kids my age here?”

  “That’s the word.” She checked her mirror, saw the grill of Luke’s truck lumbering closer and smiled in spite of herself. “You miss your friends back home.”

  “You know it.” Jerrod leaned forward to catch the tepid air from the vents.