Winning the Cowboy

by Emma St Clair

  It was also like her hope chest, but for Elton. She hoped he would marry, and had prayed for his future wife. She’d felt so sure that she had picked out a ring.

  Of course, his thoughts immediately went to Adele. Women liked jewelry. It was a universal fact. Well. Most women. Cilla didn’t seem to care so much about it. Adele definitely did. But what kind?

  He couldn’t allow himself to think that she might have a preference for the exact ring his mother had picked out for him. That would be too … coincidental. But he didn’t believe in coincidences. Wasn’t that why he had been so angry with God? Elton believed that God had a plan. That he ordered the universe. But to what degree? Would he—could he—be this involved? It felt more like some cosmic tease.

  The question sat on the tip of his tongue for a few long moments as Cilla sat with him, as though waiting for the question he finally asked. It wasn’t the question that burned within him, but it was as brave as he could get at this moment.

  Elton cleared his throat. “Does Adele like diamonds?”

  A brilliant and knowing smile crossed Cilla’s face. Her head shook slowly. “She does not.”

  Elton nodded, and closed the box after tucking the letter inside. The hope that had lightened his chest moments before expanded into a warm tingling sensation. He could feel his fingertips buzzing.

  It didn’t take long for that hope to fizzle out. He turned the box over in his hands. “Well then. Looks like I’ve got the ring. I just don’t know if I deserve her.”

  Cilla touched his hand. She didn’t speak until he raised his eyes to meet her gaze. “I know you’ve been through a lot the past few years. Sounds like you have some things to work through. So, work through them.

  He nodded. Cilla made it sound so simple. But maybe, Elton thought, maybe it was.

  “You’re a great guy, Elton. I think you might be the only one who doesn’t see that.”

  “I’m not—” he started.

  “Nope. No arguments. Get yourself together, Elton. Then get yourself the girl.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Adele

  Adele dusted a final layer of powder over Cilla’s forehead. With the caterers overtaking the house and Pax getting ready there, the women were in Elton’s old office in the barn. Sometime over the last month, he had transformed into a sitting room with a couch, tables, and chairs. Adele wondered if it was for Cilla’s wedding or another reason. She hadn’t talked to him in weeks. Not having Elton in her life made her world tilt on its axis.

  She hated it.

  Taking a breath, Adele tried to steady her shaking hands. The last thing she wanted was to jab a makeup brush in Cilla’s eye on her wedding day. But she couldn’t untangle the knot of emotions that had formed in her stomach. Or the impact they had on her shaking fingers, sweaty palms, and racing heart.

  I’m going to see Elton today.

  Not just see Elton. She would get to touch him, taking his arm as they walked down the aisle at the end of the ceremony. Sure, she had seen him the night before at the rehearsal. She had gotten to place her hand at the crook of his elbow, working to keep her legs beneath her while they walked. As soon as they reached the end of the aisle, he had let her go.

  But today, she wasn’t going to let him slip away so easily. She planned to hold on tightly and pull him aside so they could talk. At least, that was the plan. Unless her nerves got the best of her.

  Everything felt emotionally charged today. Weddings had a way of doing that, bringing sleeping things to the surface. Forcing people to think about commitments, about life choices, about forever.

  “Am I sufficiently powdered?” Cilla asked, and Adele realized that she had been brushing the same spot for much longer than necessary.

  “Oh. Um, yes. You will glow but not shine. You look beautiful, Cilla.”

  Adele put the brush back in her makeup bag while Cilla put on her lipstick with a steady hand. It probably wasn’t normal for the maid of honor to have wedding-day jitters.

  I’m going to apologize to Elton today.

  Adele had already apologized for going off on Elton a month ago. But saying you’re sorry via text didn’t count. And his quick response—also via text—saying “no worries” … what was that about? Elton was not a two-word kind of person. No worries? That text only gave her more to worry about.

  Notably, the way she had treated Elton. And whether or not she had lost him for good.

  When she had thought back over her words that morning before church, she realized how they sounded. She had told Elton that she didn’t need him. After he had tried to stand up for her. He had done something kind. And she had turned around and thrown it in his face. She was the worst kind of jerk. Oh, and then she went and let his brother kiss her.

  No wonder Elton had pulled away from her over the past month. Whether because of her words or because of the kiss, she didn’t know. All that mattered was that Elton was simply gone. Adele hadn’t realized how much space Elton occupied in her life until he was gone, leaving her feeling cold.

  A few weeks ago, she had broken down and texted him again, trying to recapture the light-hearted banter they usually had.

  Adele: Everything okay? I haven’t seen you around or at any of the wedding things Cilla is forcing me to do. Frankly, it doesn’t seem like you’re doing your share of the work.

  His response had been quick but cool.

  Elton: I’ve been busy. But I’ll see you on the big day.

  In other words: I won’t see you until the wedding, when I’m forced to be around you. His meaning felt perfectly clear to Adele. She had pushed Elton too far, and now he was gone. Her heart ached with longing of what she’d lost and at losing something she hadn’t yet known.

  But today she would apologize in person. A real apology. She would tell him how much she missed him. And, if she could find the courage, she would confess that she had feelings for him. Very strong feelings for him. That she suspected those strong feelings might be love. Not that she’d ever known it. But somehow, missing Elton suddenly made so many things clear.

  Why couldn’t she have seen them when they were right in front of her?

  Why hadn’t she seen him when he was right in front of me?

  Cilla touched Adele’s wrist. “It’s bad form to be more nervous than the bride on her wedding day.”

  “I’m fine.” Lie.

  “It’s going to be okay.”

  Adele studied Cilla. She hadn’t told her best friend that she was planning to talk to Elton today. But Cilla had a knowing look on her face. Adele dropped her gaze, wanting to hide her trembling lip. “Is it?”

  Cilla slipped her hand around Adele’s and squeezed her fingers. “Yes,” she said firmly. “It is.”

  Adele thought back to the rehearsal the night before. Being around Elton almost did her in. Just pulling into their newly-paved driveway had made her breath catch. That had been the longest stretch of time she could remember away from the Boyd farm.

  There were so many changes, from the paved driveway to the new sidewalks, the flower garden and archway for the ceremony. Adele had actually cried when she saw that one of the twins had planted new Knockout rosebushes along the sides of the house, just as their mother had kept them. It made her miss Mama Boyd, miss Elton, and of course, think of that note and the too-perfect engagement ring. The one she should stop holding out hope that she would ever see.

  The night before, Elton had only spoken five words to her: Good to see you, beautiful. Perhaps the most important five words of her life so far. They settled deep into her chest, a hope she clung to. She needed to believe that Elton meant them as more than just a passing compliment.

  The rest of the night, Adele had obsessively repeated the words in her head, watching Elton play gracious host and excellent best man. All while keeping a good distance from her.

  Adele would have completely fallen apart at the rehearsal if Kat had not stepped up in the past month and become almost like her assistant. Kat could
n’t say her speech for her, so Adele had fumbled through the whole thing, one breath away from tears the whole time. In contrast, Elton brought the whole room to laughter and then tears as he toasted Pax.

  But he did not speak to Adele again. Other than a few smiles that threatened to take her legs out from under her, Elton pretty much ignored her the whole night.

  What did that mean? Was he still angry with her over her careless words? Was it about the kiss? Did he even care? Or maybe he was mad she slapped Easton?

  And does he really think I’m beautiful?

  Cilla squeezed her hand again. “You alright?”

  “I’m not going to ruin your wedding,” Adele said, biting her lip.

  Cilla’s brow furrowed. “Ruin it? Of course, you aren’t. I’m marrying Pax. And as long as that happens, I don’t care about everything else. Not even this stupid weather.”

  After an unseasonably warm winter, the temperature had dropped to just above freezing a few days before. Which meant scrambling this week to rent things like portable heaters for the barn. Kat had the brilliant idea to buy a bunch of soft white blankets for the guests during the ceremony. Thankfully, Pax and Cilla opted to keep things short. It would be bitterly cold in their dresses.

  “Stop trying to hide the fact that you’re obsessing over Elton. I already know. Might as well talk about it.”

  “I’m not obsessing.” Adele forced herself to smile, but it felt wrong on her face, and Cilla wrinkled her nose.

  “If you smile like that in my pictures, I may kill you,” Cilla said, as Kat stepped into the room.

  “No killing on Cilla’s wedding day. Cool it, you drama queens,” Kat said, bumping Adele out of the way with her hip to examine Cilla’s makeup. “I’ll finish up.”

  “I’m done,” Adele said.

  “And I’m done being poked and prodded,” Cilla said. “Can I please get married now?”

  Kat laughed. “We’ve got about twenty minutes. And I’m pretty sure your mom is getting twitchy that you relegated her to the house.”

  Cilla rolled her eyes. “She was just so … emotional.”

  “It’s your wedding day. Everyone gets to be emotional. Especially your mother. Deal with it.”

  Kat had a way of bossing Cilla around that never quite worked for Adele. It was impressive. Without Kat, Adele wouldn’t have made it through the last month. Not only the wedding things, but the emotional support. She had moved from simply an assistant to a good friend. Adele would need one, considering Cilla would be moving to Pax’s house in Dallas, at least until the draft. And then, who knows? The likelihood that he would get picked up by the Houston Roughnecks was low, though they all held out hope.

  If Adele hadn’t been obsessing over Elton—because, yes, she totally was—she would have been more emotional about her best friend moving away.

  “Fine. You can send my mother back in here. In five minutes!” Cilla shouted the last part as Kat ducked out of the office. She turned to look at Adele. “Who has Jem?”

  Adele couldn’t help but smile at this. “Ben.”

  Cilla’s brows shot up. “Are he and Kat dating?”

  “No. I just think that Kat gets a kick out of how freaked out Ben gets. Jem loves him, but he can’t seem to figure out what to do with her. It’s pretty hilarious.”

  Cilla grabbed Adele’s hand suddenly. Her face had grown serious.

  “What’s that look for?” Adele asked.

  “Look. Things are going to work out.” Cilla squeezed her hand. “Stop being so nervous.”

  Though Adele had pumped her friend for information in the past month, Cilla had been tight-lipped about how the twins were doing. Vague, infuriating answers about how they were doing fine. Cilla now had a look on her face that Adele recognized. It was the same look she had back in high school when she had a juicy bit of gossip but was holding out.

  Adele narrowed her eyes. “Tell me.”

  “Tell you what?” Cilla blinked her eyes, feigning innocence.

  “That!” Adele pointed. “Whatever you know, tell me. Now.”

  Cilla opened her mouth, just as the door swung open and Mrs. Worthington swept in, looking gorgeous in a navy gown. Her eyes glistened as she stared at Cilla, who gave Adele a wicked smile. “Saved by the mother of the bride,” Cilla muttered.

  “You look beautiful, darling! Let me just smooth your hair in the back. I can’t believe your big day is finally here!”

  Adele gave Cilla a look that said, This isn’t over. But it really was. Because as she stepped out of the room into the main part of the barn, Kat walked over with Jem in her arms.

  “I’ve got to go sit. But the wedding coordinator is on her way. It’s time.”

  Nerves and butterflies both swirled in Adele’s stomach. Her best friend was about to get married. And she needed to make it through this day without having a breakdown over the man she only realized she loved when it was too late.

  Time passed in a flurry of activity until Adele was standing beside the house, waiting for the coordinator to give her the go-ahead to walk down the aisle. Adele couldn’t see from where she stood, but waiting for Pax’s sister, Jazz, to make it halfway down the aisle seemed to take forever. And then, with a last look at Cilla that she knew communicated best wishes and a cry for help, Adele went around the corner and began the slow walk toward the front.

  The area that the twins had created for the wedding was truly beautiful. They had planted a small flower garden at the end of the paved sidewalk, mostly Knockout roses, which were hardy and easy to grow. Plus, Mama Boyd had loved them. Easton had built a wooden trellis at the front with climbing vines over top. Pax stood under it, looking eager as his eyes slid over Adele, waiting for a glimpse of his bride.

  Don’t look at Elton. Don’t look at him. Don’t look.

  But Adele couldn’t keep her own eyes from Elton. The look on his face almost made her stumble. Because she could have sworn that he was looking at her with more heat and desire than she had ever seen in a man’s eyes before. Her feet held steady, but her heart took a hard fall.

  The cold air ceased to matter because every inch of Adele’s skin heated as Elton’s eyes moved over her, finally locking on hers.

  He did not smile. Instead, his jaw clenched, as though he were grinding his teeth. What did that mean? His eyes didn’t leave hers though, even when she took her place next to Jazz at the front. Adele didn’t—couldn’t—look away until the music changed, and the small gathering of guests stood to watch Cilla and her father make their way down the aisle.

  For a few moments, Adele’s thoughts parted from Elton. Cilla had never looked so beautiful. It wasn’t the makeup Adele had applied or the dress with its sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, and layers of tulle that almost completely eclipsed her wheelchair from view. What made her so beautiful was the radiant glow of her smile as she rolled toward Pax. Her father walked beside her, his hand on her back. Adele heard him tell her to slow down as the drew closer.

  A wave of soft laughter moved through the guests at her father’s words, but Cilla did not slow down. She practically raced down the aisle until she was in front of Pax. Normally, at weddings, Adele liked to watch the groom’s face as his bride walked toward him, but she had been so enraptured by Cilla that she hadn’t. Now, she saw that tears ran down his cheeks and over his strong jaw as he beamed down at Cilla.

  Just behind them, Elton was smiling. But not at Pax and Cilla. His smile was for Adele. Nodding, as though to confirm it, Elton’s grin widened as their eyes met.

  It was so distracting that Adele almost missed Cilla handing her the bouquet after her father gave her away. The whole ceremony passed in a blur as Adele watched Elton. Trying to decipher the looks he gave her. Craving his touch. The warmth of his presence. Wondering if his playfulness would return, if she would get to hear the sound of his laugh.

  Thinking of Elton almost made Adele forget her freezing fingers, which she was convinced might have to be amputated if the ceremony
didn’t end soon. Pax had taken off his tux jacket and draped it over Cilla’s shoulders when a cold wind picked up. The temperature felt like it dropped another ten degrees as gray clouds thickened overhead.

  “Hope you got all the photos you wanted of the back of my dress,” Cilla said, as the too-big jacket settled over her shoulders, making everyone laugh again.

  Adele didn’t know if she had ever been to a wedding that felt so real, full of such raw joy. She had never seen Cilla look so happy or be so free with showing her emotions.

  When the time came for their first kiss, Adele managed to break her gaze away from Elton’s. Pax dropped to his knees in front of Cilla. He was such a big guy that this put them at eye level. It was a touching and tender move that made tears pool in Adele’s eyes.

  Taking Cilla’s face tenderly in his hands, Pax paused, as though drinking in Cilla’s beauty. Until she grabbed the front of his shirt and dragged his lips to hers.

  The whooping and cheering drowned out the sound of the string quartet, and Adele knew that as happy as everyone was for Pax and Cilla, the guests also wanted to get inside the barn with the space heaters.

  Pax scooped Cilla from the wheelchair, causing her to squeal, and carried her down the aisle, still kissing her as they went. He must have planned it to be a surprise for her, because they hadn’t practiced at the rehearsal. Elton shot Adele an apologetic look and, instead of letting her take his arm, he folded up the chair and carried it down the aisle as she walked behind him. Alone.

  Her disappointment was like a yawning pit inside her stomach. Adele did her best to force a smile, following Elton to the house, where the bridal party was to converge until they took pictures.