Dearest Cowboys Box Set

by Mia Brown

“I didn’t mean that in a bad way. I just meant that you should be putting yourself out there more. It’s been over a year since you had a boyfriend. And before that, it was probably another year.”

  “Again, thanks for telling me,” I said. I was slowly starting to regret asking her to help me today.

  “You’re gorgeous, Cassidy. You just refuse to believe it. And you deserve a good man in your life. And yes, before you say anything, I know that having a man is not the most important thing in the world, but…it’s nice,” she said with the smile of someone who was clearly smitten with her own love life. I resisted the urge to tell her how annoying she was. “You know, you should ask Houston to set you up with one of his friends.”

  “What? Why would I do that?”

  “I’ve seen some of his friends. A lot of them are good-looking.”

  I sighed. I had noticed the same thing myself, but I wasn’t sure if I could go ahead and do something like that. Asking Houston to come with me to a wedding as a friend was one thing, but asking him to set me up with his friends was something else. Anyway, I didn’t want to admit it out loud, but I had never felt great around men. Put me in front of a horse and I shone like a star, but the moment I was in front of a man, I froze up. I promised Nicole that I would ask him when the moment was right, even though I wasn’t sure that I would.

  “Now, can we just drop this? I’m stressed enough as it is. Let’s just try and find me something nice to wear.”

  After the coffee, we made our way to the mall to try on some clothes. Nicole kept making me try on dresses that I would never normally wear.

  “No way,” I said to her as she shoved five into my hands.

  “Just try them on. Come on.”

  “I’m regretting this,” I said to her.

  “Cassidy, you can’t wear overalls and a flannel shirt to a wedding no matter how comfortable they are. You’ve got a gorgeous figure, and it’s about time you showed it off.”

  “But I don’t want to,” I moaned.

  She laughed. “You have no choice. We’re not leaving here until you find something to wear. You’re going to walk away with a dress for the wedding, as well as some other clothes to wear for the weekend.”

  “No, I just need a dress,” I said to her.

  She shook her head. “No, you need more than that. Now, this is the one and only time that your little sister is getting this opportunity. I promise not to make you buy something you hate, and I promise to find something that looks amazing on you. But you’re not going to know until you at least try some of these clothes on.”

  I groaned. “Fine. I’ll try them on. You’re a slave driver, Nicole.”

  “No, I’m your lifesaver,” she said. “Your guardian angel.”

  “A pain in my ass, that’s what you are.”

  She giggled. “You might hate me for it now, but just think about the look on Lara’s face when she sees that not only did you make it to the wedding, but that you arrived on the arm of a handsome man with a knockout dress.”

  I had to admit it. The idea of seeing that look on Lara’s face did actually make the whole thing a lot easier to handle. Suddenly, the thought of buying some new clothes didn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore.

  “Okay, I grant you permission to give me a little makeover,” I said to her. “Just this once, though.”

  She squealed with glee. “I love you.”

  I moaned. “I hate you.”

  Four

  Houston

  I couldn’t believe that I had said yes to a wedding invitation. Weddings were boring when you knew the couple well, and even worse when you didn’t know many people at all. But the very fact that Cassidy had asked me to go with her meant that she was desperate, and I couldn’t let her down. We might not be the best of friends, but we’d always gotten along.

  Also, once upon a time she’d helped me when I’d least expected it, and I had never forgotten that. I wondered if she even remembered the event. It had been when we had just met. We were in our early 20s, fresh-faced and excited about the world around us. There was something special about that time, when you honestly believed that nothing could go wrong. I had been in my car, out driving to some party, when I’d ridden over something sharp. I’d felt the air squeeze out of my tires and knew that it wouldn’t be safe to continue without changing the tire. I’d gotten out and groaned when I saw the state of it. The tire had been literally shredded from whatever it was I had ridden over.

  I stood there for a while trying to figure out what to do. I had always been popular, and I had a group of guy friends who I hung out with all the time. If they knew that I did not know how to change a tire they would’ve never let me hear the end of it. Of course, looking back now, I realize how silly it was, just as much as I realize how easy changing a tire could be. But I was young then, and very impressionable. And that’s when Cassidy came by. She must’ve been around 18 or so, and she was riding by on her bike when she saw me standing there. She got off and came to see what the problem was, and when I told her that everything was fine, she didn’t believe me. Not that she told me that. Instead, she looked at me with those bright green eyes of hers and smiled kindly.

  “You sure you don’t need my help?” she had asked.

  I shook my head. “Nah, I’m good. I’m going to change the tire now. I was just about to start. Uh, thanks for asking.” I remember now how my voice had shaken and how I’d wished she would just go away. It was bad enough making a fool of myself in front of my friends, but to do it in front of a girl was even worse.

  “Actually, do you mind if I do it?” she had asked. “It’s just that I’m trying to learn how to do these things, and the more I practice, the better. I mean, only if you don’t mind. I’ll be careful, and I’ll try not mess it up.”

  In that instant, I knew she was lying, and she probably knew that I knew. I didn’t want to admit it, though. So I told her that I would be fine with her trying it out and to call me if she needed help. Then I stood there dumbly while she replaced my tire with surprising ease.

  “All done,” she said. “Thanks for letting me do it.”

  “Oh, that was quick. You’re good at that. Uh, I’m Houston Jones, by the way.”

  She’d chuckled then. “I know who you are. I’m Cassidy Thomas. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” And with that, she’d ridden away.

  After that, we’d seen each other a few times, but she never once mentioned the tire incident to me, or to anyone that I knew. I had always felt like I’d owed her something because of that. So, in a way, I was glad that I was getting the chance to repay her by going to the wedding.

  I was out at the local bar now, and I pushed my way to the front where I saw Joe sitting. The moment he saw me, he grinned and pushed a cold beer toward me.

  “Good timing,” he said.

  I lifted it up in cheers and took a swig. “Thanks, man. Good service. A cold beer as I arrive. I like this.”

  “Yeah, I figured I’d get us one before it gets too crazy here. I can’t believe how many people are here already. I almost didn’t find a spot for us to sit. I’ve been eyeing the tables, but nobody seems to be moving. So I guess we have to settle for the bar.”

  I looked around. He was right. The place was busier than usual, and nobody seemed like they were going anywhere for a while. “I don’t mind. We’re closer to the alcohol this way,” I said with a grin.

  “Good thinking. Very good thinking.”

  Joe was a good friend of mine and someone I met up with often. He was a pleasant guy who was always easy to talk to. I had always liked hanging around him because he had a tendency of just saying things as they were, and I had always appreciated that. Some people found him a bit harsh sometimes, but I didn’t mind. I liked that I always knew where I stood with him.

  “So, how’s life? Anything exciting happening with you? Give me something. My life is incredibly dull at the moment.”

  I laughed. “Mine isn’t exactly a party a minute. Whateve
r happened to us partying every single night of the weekend? Remember those days?”

  “We’re getting too old for that now,” he said. “I barely remember them now.”

  “Hey, speak for yourself. I’m only 32. That’s not old. And hey, you’re only 34. You shouldn’t be talking this way. The night is still young.”

  “Does that mean you want to go out and party tonight?” Joe asked.

  “Not really,” I said, and we both laughed. “I’m more than happy just to sit here and drink. Anyway, I do have something coming up this weekend.”

  “You do? A party?”

  “Well, sort of, I guess. I’m going to a wedding.”

  “What? Who is getting married that I don’t know about?” he asked. “Or is this a wedding I wasn’t invited to? Uh-oh, who have I pissed off?”

  I chuckled. For a second I considered making something up, but I couldn’t think of anything with him watching me. He’d know I was joking, too. I was known as the jokester in the group, and because of that, they were getting harder and harder to fool. “Nah, I’m just going as a plus-one. Cassidy invited me.”

  He frowned. “Cassidy? As in, good ol’ tomboy Cassidy?”

  “The very one.”

  “Oh wow, I had no idea that you liked her in that way.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t like her in that way.”

  “But you’re going to a wedding with her,” he said, as if that would automatically make us a couple.

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean anything. Cassidy is a friend, that’s all. Anyway, every man should have a woman like her around. She’s the type of girl you can bounce ideas around with, or just have a good laugh with, and you don’t have to worry about things getting all weird and emotional. You said it yourself; she’s a tomboy. She’s one of the guys. She just needed a favor, and I said I’d help her out. That’s all.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Joe said. “Although, you should probably still be a bit careful. Weddings have a way of messing with people’s heads. One minute you’re sitting there as friends, and the next thing you’re suddenly holding hands. Or dancing with each other and then jumping on each other when nobody is watching.”

  I laughed. “You’re a crazy man. Not everything has to lead to that. You’ve just got sex on the brain. Anyway, I don’t see her like that at all. Not to be rude or anything, but I just don’t see her in a romantic way. I see her like I see you. And trust me, the last thing I want to do is jump in bed with you.”

  He groaned. “Could you keep your voice down? You’re going to start rumors about us.”

  I laughed. “Sorry. I didn’t realize I was talking so loudly. Anyway, nothing is going to happen between Cassidy and me. If something was supposed to happen, it would’ve happened a long time ago. We’ve known each other for more than 10 years already.”

  “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

  “She’s been to so many weddings already. I think she said that this will be her 11th one in two years.”

  “What?” Joe said with surprise. “That’s crazy. Poor girl.”

  “I know. And in all those weddings she has never once become suddenly romantic. So, I really doubt that this one is going to be any different.” I decided not to tell Joe that she had never brought a date to any of the other ones. It didn’t really matter, but I didn’t want him to know. He’d only be more convinced that something was going on.

  “So, who is getting married?”

  “Her cousin Rick. And he’s getting married to some woman that Cassidy can’t stand.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “Apparently the two of them went to school together, and she bullied Cassidy for years. Cassidy said she was awful.”

  “Someone actually bullied Cassidy? I can’t imagine it,” Joe said.

  “That’s what I said. I just can’t believe it. And she seems pretty spooked by the whole thing. Makes me wonder just what kind of a woman his cousin is marrying. I’m interested to meet this woman that picked on Cassidy. I’ve seen Cassidy fall off her horse when it was going at a gallop, and instead of lying on the ground and crying like most people would’ve done, she just got back up, dusted herself off, and got back on. She’s a badass. Crazy to think that someone bullied her.”

  “Have you ever wondered if she became a badass because of this woman? Maybe that’s why she’s the way she is. I mean, Cassidy comes across as super-friendly, but it’s pretty obvious that she’s closed off. Maybe that’s why.”

  “Hey, maybe you’re right; I’ve never thought of it that way.”

  “Well, what can I say?” Joe said. “I should go into psychology. I know the human mind.”

  I groaned. “You know the human genitals, that’s what you know.”

  He laughed. “You’re a disgusting man, my friend, but you are very right indeed. So, are you going to get in the middle of some vicious catfight between the two of them? If you do, I want photos. Or video evidence.”

  I chuckled. “I highly doubt it. I have a feeling that Cassidy is going to stay well away from her. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the most boring wedding I have ever been to. If this woman is half as bad as Cassidy makes her out to be, then I have a feeling her wedding is going to be dull, dull, dull.”

  “Better you than me, then,” Joe said. “Who knows, maybe this woman will fall while walking down the aisle or something. Trip on her dress. That will give you both something to chuckle at.”

  I laughed. “That is exactly what I said to Cassidy.”

  “Great minds. Well, if anything romantic does happen between the two of you, let me know. Like I said, my life is very boring at the moment.”

  I sighed and shook my head. “You’ll be waiting a very long time. But, hey, maybe there will be some hot woman at this wedding. And some hot men for Cassidy, of course. I can’t just leave her on her own.”

  Joe laughed. “Yeah, you can find another two people who have come as friends and you guys can just switch partners. Now there’s a way to make the wedding worth your while.”

  Five

  Cassidy

  The closer it got to the wedding, the more uneasy I felt about the whole thing. I almost wished that I had turned it down, but it was too late for that now. Also, I knew that I would end up regretting it if I didn’t go. The idea that I had let Lara win would’ve played on my mind. I wanted to surprise Lara by just showing up at the wedding, but in the end, I just sent my cousin a message to let him know that I would be coming.

  I knew what a big deal it was to plan a wedding, and I couldn’t do that to him. I might not like Lara, but Rick was family, and he wasn’t a bad guy. He didn’t reply, so I wasn’t even sure if he got the message, but he’d always been terrible with communication. With the big wedding looming ahead he probably had more important things to worry about anyway.

  I simply wanted the whole thing to be over with. I wished they were getting married here instead. I would’ve liked to have attended the wedding for a few hours and then quickly made my way home. The thought of spending the entire evening there on top of it all made me feel ill. A weekend of Lara was not what I wanted. I wondered who her bridesmaids were going to be, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. I was sure that she would be a bridezilla, barking orders to everyone. What my poor cousin saw in her I had no idea.

  I spent the week working hard on the farm, just like I always did, and attending to the horses. I always hated being away from them, even if it was only for the weekend. I had a ranch hand who was coming to help while I was away, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was leaving my responsibilities. I knew the horses wouldn’t mind, and I was sure they probably wouldn’t even notice that I was gone, but I felt bad anyway.

  They were like children to me. I couldn’t imagine how it was going to feel when I one day had a real child. I would be a nervous wreck all the time. Although, chances were I was never going to actually have a child. In order to get pregnant, I was going to have to have sex, and that was
in very short supply for me these days.

  I’d once considered just going out and having a fling just to get it out of my system, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Especially not in a small town, where something like that would get out for sure. Most people didn’t care, but I didn’t want everyone talking about me. Things like that were private. Anyway, there wasn’t anyone I really wanted to sleep with. Was it so bad to want love? To meet a man that simply swept me off my feet? Nicole would tell me that I would never meet anyone if I wasn’t prepared to go out and find them, and she was probably right. But where would I go? And anyway, who would want to date me?

  I had to get out of this funk that I was in. Ever since I had gotten that wedding invitation, I had felt drowned by the weight of my depression. And I wasn’t a sad sort of person. I didn’t usually let things get me down, and I always tried to remain positive in any given situation. I had always been a fighter and a go-getter. I wasn’t sure why this was getting to me so much, anyway.

  I mean, I always figured the two of them would end up getting married. I knew that wedding invitation was only a matter of time. Maybe I had secretly hoped that something would break the two of them up. Maybe I’d hoped that I would’ve found love too by the time the wedding came around. I wasn’t sure exactly what was making me so depressed, but I couldn’t wait to shake myself out of the mood. At this rate, I was not going to be any fun to be around, and I didn’t want poor Houston to regret coming with me.

  On the day that Houston was set to arrive to get me, I began wondering if he was going to come at all. He had promised to be my plus-one, and we’d set a time for him to come get me. But what if he didn’t come at all? What if he changed his mind? Once I was all packed, I paced the house with nervous energy, hoping and praying that he would be there.

  But, of course, Houston arrived on time. He was one of the good guys, and I should’ve known that he wouldn’t let me down. I was sure that he regretted saying yes, but I was glad that he was there. At least I would have someone by my side to help me through this. He jumped out of his truck and grinned at me.