The Country Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 4

by Lucy McConnell

  “I doubt that very much.” Paige brushed off the idea of a bunch of strangers following her through the dining room. It was the idea that Cody had told Gabe he found her attractive—well, her hair attractive—that caught her attention. All this time she thought he’d disliked her, and he’d been saying nice things about her to other people. And tonight, he’d said nice things to her …

  She thought back to his comment that morning that things were changing all around them. What if he was talking about his feelings for her? What if having dinner with Gabe and MaKayla was his way of showing her they could have more, be more?

  At the end of the evening, while waiting for the valet to bring their cars around, MaKayla offered Paige her cell number and email address. “I’d like to keep in touch, and maybe we can go out without the boys.”

  Paige saved the info in her phone. “I’d like that.”

  Paige often fought against her dad’s beliefs that those with money would place themselves above those without. Tonight’s dinner, and Gabe and MaKayla’s obvious acceptance of her, went a long way to defeat the voice in her head that told her she wasn’t good enough. Being a BMB bride wasn’t an act of desperation, as she’d first perceived the title. If Pamela considered Paige in the same class as MaKayla, then maybe Dad was the only one who thought their family was lower than others.

  The thought made Paige sad for her dad. She didn’t know what had happened to make him that way, but she ached for his pain.

  The other thing that weighed heavy on her mind was the possibility of something more than a year, more than a contract, from a BMB marriage. Paige didn’t miss the way Gabe’s thumb stroked MaKayla’s knuckles tenderly. She longed to ask more questions about the two. To find out how they had gone from their BMB arrangement to what they had now. Where did the love come from, and how did MaKayla ask to stay—or was it Gabe who had asked her?

  Paige truly felt like Addison was hers, but she didn’t want to live in a loveless marriage. Of course, she’d have Addison’s love, but a woman’s heart needed more than the love of a child. She needed the love of a good man.

  Cody was a good man. He obviously cared for and loved his first wife, and he’d put his life on hold to take care of Addison. Selfish men didn’t do those things. Paige sighed. Tonight did feel like a date. An honest-to-goodness date with Cody. Would he be different when Addison was around, or would he still wink and touch her shoulder and share long, knowing looks her? She’d have to wait and see if Cody’s behavior remained consistent. That would be the deciding factor.

  Chapter 30

  At work on Monday, Cody checked his phone a dozen times, hoping for one of Paige’s pictures or texts to come through. Unfortunately for his nerves, it had been radio silence all morning.

  At eleven o’clock he dropped his phone in his shirt pocket with a grunt. There was no sense hanging around the dealership when all he could think about was Paige and her day camp. It was supposed to be over at noon. He decided to get there at eleven-thirty and check things out. Then he thought of the mess in the kitchen and wondered if it wouldn’t be better to wait a few hours.

  Shooting from his chair, he hurried out to his car. Mess or no mess, he wanted to be there. To be with Paige. He prayed she was happy with the morning, that the kids behaved, and that the parents were kind.

  Cody pulled down his drive and found four trucks and four horse trailers parked in front of the barn. Little girls in jeans and belts with jewels all over them seemed to be everywhere. The yard hadn’t seen this much activity since … since Serenity Stables was in full swing. Cody pressed his hand to his chest, ready for the ache and the pain to hit as he took in the scene.

  Two ponies and three horses bounced their riders around the arena as Paige called out instructions and encouragement. A couple moms were in camp chairs, watching between the fence posts. Badger made his way from group to group, getting as much attention as he could. Two small boys played with shovels and buckets in the sand, off to one side where the horses weren’t kicking up dust.

  Instead of pain emptying him out, Cody felt pride fill him up. That was his bride out there, expertly leading children through a drill. She had them flapping their arms like birds and using their legs to direct the horses. Cody’s heart dropped when he saw Addison atop Paige’s horse, Kitty. She looked so small and inconsequential up there—so vulnerable. Or maybe it was him who was vulnerable.

  Cody leaned against his car to watch the rest of the activities. He was amazed at Paige’s patience with the kids and her command of the group. The way she cared for them was reflected right back, and each girl wanted to do her best. How could one woman be full of so much love that it flowed out to envelop those around her so easily? She just gave it away and it multiplied—her source never running out.

  At noon, Paige hustled the group to the fence.

  “You promised!” Addison called to Paige.

  Paige laughed. “Do you really want to see her run?”

  “Yes!” the girls shouted.

  “Okay, but just this once. And remember, you promised not to try this unless your parents say it’s okay.”

  There were solemn nods and bright eyes all around.

  Paige trotted Annie May around in a circle a couple times and then yelled “Hi-yah!” and dug her heels into the horse’s flanks. Annie May shot toward the first barrel like a boomerang. Paige made a clean turn and headed for barrel number two, her legs flapping as she encouraged Annie May to sprint. This time Paige’s toe nicked the barrel, and it tottered but did not tip. She thrust her hand forward and gave Annie May her lead into the third turn. Annie May’s rear end slid, but she recovered quickly and she thundered home. The girls squealed, and even the parents clapped and hollered. Paige waved her hat, her smile as big as the sky.

  Cody’s breath caught. With the sun behind her, Paige lit up like an angel. Her skin glowed and her hair burned. She was amazing, and he wanted her for his own.

  Paige caught sight of Cody and waved as she dismounted. He trotted over to take the reins. “I’ve got this. Go see the kids off.”

  “Thanks.” She threw the word over her shoulder as she jogged away.

  Addison walked by, taking Kitty to her stall.

  “Do you need any help?” he called after her.

  “Nope.” Addison continued on. She was growing up so fast this summer, it made his stomach hurt.

  Cody patted Annie May’s neck. She brushed her head against his chest, shoving Cody back a step. “I see how you are. You want to push me around, huh?” Cody moved back so he could lean his shoulder into her side, and soon felt the whip of a tail on his arm. He laughed. “You’ve got spunk; I’ll give you that.”

  He turned and rubbed under the bridle. Annie May held perfectly still, enjoying the respite from the leather. “You’ve got speed, too. Man, you are fun to watch. I’ll bet you’re fun to ride, too, aren’t you?” Cody took his time getting to know the horse. He hadn’t been this close to her since she was four months old.

  The familiar smells of dust and sweat brought back a piece of Cody’s life that he’d tried hard to put behind him. This time, he opened the door and just relaxed into the moment. He finally understood what Paige meant when she said there were some things better left between a girl—or in his case, a man—and a horse.

  Once the trailers had pulled away, Paige came back and reached for Annie May’s lead. “I’m surprised to see you. We weren’t expecting you until dinner.”

  “You have been so excited, I had to see this for myself.”

  They made their way into the barn. Paige checked in on Kitty and Addison and gave Cody a thumbs-up. “Did you see Addison? It’s like she was born in an arena or something.” Paige winked, silently asking Cody to jump in and build up Addison’s confidence.

  “I had no idea she was such a good rider.”

  “I was a little nervous about loaning her Kitty, but she did everything she was asked to do and she’s taken really good care of her. I think th
ey can finish out the week together.”

  There was a gasp from Kitty’s stall, and Paige gave Cody’s arm a little squeeze, indicating that he’d done well. Her eyes grew moist, and she whispered, “I just love that girl.” Moving into the stall with Annie May, Paige unhooked the tie-down and cinch before pulling the saddle off the horse.

  Cody leaned against the wall, content to watch.

  “So Brenna’s mom said there is a summer junior rodeo circuit that starts in two weeks. They have three rodeos a year—one per month—and there’s a banquet in the fall. I think it would be a good place for Addison to try competing.”

  The blood that had been coursing hot through Cody’s veins as he watched Paige’s elegant movements suddenly went cold. “I don’t think so.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “I don’t think she’s ready,” replied Cody. Though he knew it was a lie. Addison was more than ready to compete, and that’s what scared him the most.

  “I disagree. She has more control than most kids her age. Rodeo’s in her blood, Cody.”

  Cody shoved away from the wall. “That’s exactly why she won’t rodeo.”

  “I want to!” Addison was suddenly in the stall, staring up at him with her big brown eyes.

  Cody brushed her hair off her face. “My answer is no.”

  “You’re so mean!” Addison took a step back. “You never let me to do anything fun!” She turned quickly.

  “Addison.” Paige spoke with a calmness Cody couldn’t come close to. “Is Kitty taken care of?”

  Addison stopped, but didn’t turn.

  “I know you’re upset, but you can’t leave your horse saddled. No matter how angry you are, you have to take care of her. Understand?”

  Addison nodded and stomped back to Kitty’s stall.

  Cody gave Paige a questioning look. Paige shook her head. They heard grunting, a couple sniffs, and the sound of a saddle hitting the floor.

  “I’ll go.” Paige moved around him and entered Kitty’s stall. Her voice was like oil over a bubbling pot with Addison and Cody. “I’ll take your saddle to the tack room while you brush her down, okay?”

  “Okay.” Sniff.

  Paige passed the door and smiled at Cody. Before she got back, Addison had hung the brush on the peg and dashed to the house without saying goodbye. He hated having her mad at him, and she’d never yelled—never. Where had his quiet, reserved child disappeared to? Or was this spirited thing the true Addison?

  If she was this passionate, it was all the more reason to keep her out of rodeo. Cody fought against the building frustration. Why couldn’t anyone see that he was just wanted to keep his little girl safe?

  ***

  Paige heard Addison’s distinct clump-clump as she left and shook her head. Addison had matured since her exposure to horses, and even today the girl had been relaxed with the other campers. She’d gravitated toward Brenna, a sweet little thing with blond hair and a ready smile. When Maria came into the picture, it was like the three musketeers had finally found one another. Their giggles and whispers warned of sleepovers and late nights. This was the environment Addison was comfortable in—not dance class or piano lessons or art studio. The barn was her natural habitat. Cody had to see that.

  She slipped into Annie May’s stall and found the saddle thrown over the high wall and Cody brushing down the mare. “I didn’t know you knew how to unsaddle a horse.”

  Cody kept his chin down. “I used to love to go riding.” His voice was deep with memories.

  “Used to?”

  “Once Kylee died, there didn’t seem much point in it.”

  Paige moved beside him. “I can imagine there didn’t seem much point in anything after that.”

  Cody gave her that look. The one that asked, How did you know?

  She shrugged.

  “There wasn’t—except for Addison. She became my sole purpose.”

  Paige slipped the bridle off of Annie May. “She’s pretty upset at you right now.”

  Cody moved around the back of the horse, his shoulder brushing against her so she knew he was there and wouldn’t spook. He didn’t respond.

  “Ya want to tell me why you won’t let her rodeo? I mean, I can guess, but I’d like to hear it from you.”

  Cody turned his back to her so he faced the saddle. He ran his hand down the stirrup. “Kylee was on her way to a rodeo when she was hit by a trucker who had fallen asleep at the wheel. They said she died on impact. Not even a chance to fight for life. May June was in the trailer. Her neck broken, just like Kylee’s.”

  He shuddered. “Addison was just getting over a cold, and I wanted to ask Kylee to skip the rodeo and stay home. Just this once. But I knew how much she loved it and I wanted her to be happy, so I encouraged her to go. I told her, We’ll be fine.” He snorted. “Rodeo was as much a part of her as Addison and I. If she hadn’t had to compete—if she didn’t love it so much—she might still be here.” He threw the brush against the wall, and Annie May snorted and pranced. “Why? Why didn’t I ask? Why didn’t I give her the choice?”

  Paige moved beside Cody and placed her hand on his shoulder. She’d ignored her intuition to offer him physical comfort all week, but at the sight of his anguish, she couldn’t hold back any longer—even if it meant losing a part of her heart. “She always had a choice, Cody.”

  His shoulders rose and fell, swelling like a balloon. “She didn’t choose to die.”

  “No, but you can’t carry this. This one isn’t on you.”

  Cody flipped around, his face contorted with pain. “Do you know what the pastor said at the funeral? He said God called Kylee home. How could a loving God do that us, to her? How could He possibly think He needed her more than Addison and I do? Tell me. You always have the answers. Tell me: what’s God’s purpose in this?”

  Paige closed her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his middle and clung to him, wishing her arms could hold him together as he was falling apart. After a moment, his hands trailed across her back and he pulled her close, his gasps slowing. He buried his face in her hair and held on.

  Paige swallowed. “I don’t know the mind or will of the Lord, Cody. Any more than you do.” She paused, and a thought popped into her head. “But I do know life isn’t a contest in longevity.”

  “What?” His voice was muffled by her hair, and he nuzzled deeper, his breath warm and tantalizing on her neck.

  “We don’t come to earth with the goal to stay the longest. We come, we do our work, and we return home. This life isn’t the destination; it’s the journey to get us to heaven. Some people have shorter trips than others. Kylee was so good, so good-hearted when I knew her, I can’t imagine she’d have much more to learn from this life.”

  ***

  Cody felt Paige’s words burn into his soul. He’d been so focused on the here and now that he hadn’t taken the time to look up, to see the horizon, to consider an eternal perspective. “What about me and Addison?”

  Paige’s hands made soothing circles on his back, and Cody felt himself relaxing into her. The love that he’d seen earlier with the girls, that openness, the fearless gift Paige shared with the world, saturated the atmosphere. That was what had filled in the holes in Cody’s heart and soul; that was what inspired Addison’s boldness. Paige was a conduit for love.

  Paige put her hand on Cody’s cheek. His skin, so sensitive to her touch, sent shock waves through his body. “Trust in the Lord, Cody. He will provide.”

  Caught up in the burning in his chest and the pounding of his heart, Cody moved his hands onto Paige’s hips and leaned back. He gently brushed her hair over her shoulder, loving the softness. “I think He already has.”

  Paige’s eyes grew warm.

  “I’ve been so caught up in what was taken that I haven’t paid attention to what I’ve been given.” He fingered her hair. “You’ve brought light into our home.”

  Cody didn’t need to glance at Paige’s lips to know where they were; every part of him was
attuned to every part of her. Without hesitation, he pulled her close and covered her mouth with his own.

  With the touch of their lips and the soft moan in the back of Paige’s throat, Cody felt their souls uniting. He’d been so wrong to believe Paige wasn’t for him. She had been made for him. They were created from the same material and formed by the same hand. God had provided for him, for both him and Addison, in one beautiful copper-haired angel.

  Chapter 31

  The next night, after a frustrating dinner where Addison refused to speak to him, Cody decided to head out to the barn to watch Paige work with Annie May. She hadn’t missed a night with the horses, except for Sundays and the evening they’d spent with Gabe and MaKayla. Cody admired her work ethic. Even more than that, he admired her skill. Annie May would be an even better runner than her mother had been.

  As he made his way across the parking area, he heard “Are You Lonesome Tonight” coming from the barn and decided to investigate. He found Christopher in the tack room, oiling a saddle.

  Cody turned the radio down a few notches, and Christopher’s head jerked up. He lifted his shoulder defensively, but said, “Hey, boss.”

  Cody squinted and could make out Addison’s name on the saddle. He found himself drawn close enough to run his fingers over the leaves and stitching. The saddle was an exact duplicate of Kylee’s competition saddle, and suddenly Cody could feel her there. Unlike his wedding day, he didn’t see Kylee, but she was there nevertheless.

  Her essence flooded his being, and he felt the love she had for him and for Addison and for rodeo. It was all mixed up into what she was made of, and Cody knew she would be incomplete without it. He hung his head, understanding that by denying Addison the chance to ride, he was stifling her soul. He nodded once to let Kylee know he understood her message.

  She wasn’t quite done, though. She nudged Cody to remember Christopher—she knew he was lonely and needed family. Cody agreed.