All That Glitters

by Lisa Prysock

  “I’m happy for you, Nicole. I really am. Dan and I will be praying for you as you make your decision. I think it’s a great idea for you and Amy to get away. It was fun bringing her and Madison up to the set to visit you while you were in Montreal, but I think it’d be good for you to have some mother and daughter time. It’s a great idea to think Drew’s proposal over. Marriage is a huge commitment and a big step.”

  “Yes, and I’d prefer to get it right this time. I didn’t make a very good decision the first time around.” Nicole lamented her brief marriage to Lane, Amy’s father. Except for having Amy, they’d been miserable together. In addition, Lane hadn’t been ready for marriage or being a father.

  “So when would you be flying out?” Brooke asked. “I could put Amy’s school lessons together and have them ready for you in a few days.”

  “Sounds perfect. I’m not sure yet exactly when we’d fly out. I need to make reservations and go from there. We might need to buy a few more winter weather items, but I can totally picture us in a log cabin with hot cocoa, a fireplace, and bundling up with warm coats, boots, scarves, and mittens to build a snowman.” Nicole was already a thousand miles away.

  “You’re going to love The Sweetwater, then,” Brooke replied.

  In the days ahead, she’d take Drew and Amy to dinner. They could take a walk on the Santa Monica pier and she’d tell him she needed more time. The thought of meeting with Drew again made her nervous. She couldn’t imagine how he’d react if she said no. Worse yet, most of her acting career was tied to him. He’d produced eighty percent of her movies, and they’d all been box office smash hits. She didn’t need him to remind her he’d helped her to become one of the most popular actresses in the world, and if she said no, Drew might naturally feel angry with her. It was certainly possible he’d stop ensuring she had plenty of roles coming her way. Thankfully, she had an agent who’d be sure she had scripts, but it racked her nerves just thinking about it.

  To top things off, she wasn’t sure she needed a marriage with him, or anyone for that matter, in order for her to be perfectly happy. On the other hand, there were times when Drew swept her right off her feet, and numerous evenings when she felt lonely without him when he was busy. There were times when she longed to have someone steady at her side to share life’s ups and downs. For the most part, Drew filled that role and longing in her heart just by being her boyfriend, but she had to admit, she occasionally longed for something more.

  Somewhere along the way, she’d toughened up having to raise a child in the world all by herself. With her parents and family living back home in Wisconsin, it did get lonely sometimes. However, most of the time, she thought things were going fine exactly the way they were. She didn’t want to visit Wisconsin too often, anyways.

  Chapter 2

  “Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.”

  —Franz Schubert

  Lander, Wyoming, The Sweetwater River Ranch Resort

  “The cake is beautiful,” Jill breathed. “Did you see it has four tiers and a cute little cake topper of a couple riding horses together? Let’s get a picture before they cut it.”

  “No, I didn’t notice how many tiers or the cake top thing. Men don’t gen’rally pay attention tuh stuff like that, but you go right ahead and get us a photo, honey.” Logan’s response caused Buck to chuckle. Buck had stopped by his table to sit and chat for a few. Logan glanced at his watch. “Bronson is about to give his speech for the toast to McGuire and Katie.”

  “Okay, I’ll hurry, but take a look around at this place. It’s beautiful and so much effort has gone into the details.” Jill dashed off to snap a photo of the cake and Buck returned to Ella’s side, leaving Logan to wonder if he’d overlooked finding enjoyment in the little things. It was good to see Ella up and moving around so well after all the months she’d spent in a coma in the hospital down in Cheyenne.

  Logan turned his attention to watch his wife weave through other couples mingling with happy wedding guests. Jill was right. He should take a moment to appreciate the decor. He looked around and tried to observe things a little more closely. Pink, coral, and peach flowers and silk ribbon decorated everything, along with yards of tulle and bunting. Katie, being a fashion designer, had planned and executed most of her wedding decorations. She’d designed the gowns for herself and two bridesmaids, both friends from Boston—with a whole lot of help from Jill; Jill’s mom, Betty Anne Fontaine; his mom, Sadie Haven; their oldest daughter, Jackie; and Meredith Johnston, Jill’s aunt.

  Looking around, he noticed many western and rustic touches for the centerpieces and other wedding displays. The bridesmaids wore cowboy boots and dresses in a cheerful shade of peach. Everything looked nice as far as he could tell; though he wasn’t all that great with details, he could appreciate the hard work and preparation for the celebration. He remembered the loads of time and planning his wife had put into their wedding.

  Jill returned to his side as his cell lit up and rumbled on the linen tablecloth. He was glad he’d remembered to silence it before the wedding. Since he’d been the preacher marrying them with his new preaching license in the chapel at The Sweetwater, it was important to be professional.

  “Chase! Good to hear from you, cousin. What’s up?” Logan rose to his feet from their table and drew Jill aside towards the kitchen, away from the announcements, knowing the dancing and loud music would be starting momentarily.

  He noticed more details as they left their table in the library and passed along the open hallway around the perimeter of the sunken living room. Everything at the dude ranch main house had been transformed into an amazing venue for the event, reminding him of his own wedding to Jill since they’d held their reception in the same location.

  Peeking around the corner as he entered the kitchen, he could see it was quiet for the moment and pulled Jill along past three refrigerators. Corky and Mrs. Wright, the husband and wife team he’d hired to do the cooking for the ranch, were still in the library serving guests slices of wedding cake. The other kitchen staff were tending the buffet tables and gathering plates from the round tables covered in white linen cloths they’d set up in the library and the living room.

  He nuzzled a kiss on Jill’s shoulder while Chase talked through the phone and she attempted to smother a playful giggle in reaction. Nearly eight months into her pregnancy, she looked radiant in an off-the-shoulder, periwinkle, sheath gown that traveled to the floor. Her neckline and wrists beckoned for his kisses, the sequin and beading trim of her gown shimmering and sparkling with her every move.

  “Is this a bad time? Sounds like music in the background.” Chase Haven paused as the DJ began playing the song for the couple’s first dance.

  Logan kissed Jill’s ear thinking that wasn’t all that was in the background, and then, while she pushed him away coyly, answered, “No, no, it’s fine. We’re at McGuire’s wedding reception, but I’ve got a moment.”

  “McGuire’s one of your Sweetwater wranglers as I recall. Tell him Philomena and I send our congratulations from The Broken J. You still need another cowboy up there at The Sweetwater? Is McGuire staying on?”

  “Yep, we sure do and yeah, McGuire’s one of the wrangler’s who’s been with us since the beginning. He designed our log cabins.” Logan pulled Jill toward the farthest corner of the kitchen. He was hoping they’d hear each other better over the popular country western songs and top forty hits which would soon begin drifting in from the D.J.’s booth set up in the sunken living room not too far from the big stone fireplace. “He just married a Senator’s daughter from Boston named Katie. She’s moving her fashion design business here, but they plan to spend summers and most holidays in Kentucky. That leaves me shorthanded at least almost four months of the year and we’re growing so fast...”

  “Summers in Kentucky? That’s you’re busiest time of the year.” Chase sounded surprised.

  “Yeah, and don’t I know it. Long
story short, Katie inherited some land that’s been in her family for generations. They’re going to turn it into a horse farm for kids to visit who are in the foster care system.” Logan offered the basics quickly and then dropped a kiss on Jill’s lips, causing her to smile up at him.

  Chased continued. “That sounds like a worthy cause! So you’re definitely going to need another wrangler around, right?”

  “Sure am.” Logan shook his head when he looked down to see the coral lipstick smudges Jill left on the back of his hand after she’d kissed him. It crossed his mind he might now be wearing some of her lipstick on his jawline where she’d also kissed him, but his considerate wife was already wiping it away while giggling softly.

  “I’ve gotta friend who’s been ridin’ the circuit with The Cowboys of the Cross for the past two years. He’s tryin’ to move closer to your neck of the woods since his folks live in the Lander area and need a hand with their ranch now and then. Jack Colten. He can start right away.” Chase added, “Hard worker and one of the best when it comes to horses and ranchin.’”

  “That’s great news!” Logan trusted anyone who’d worked with The Cowboys of the Cross. To be recommended by Chase was another bonus. He’d hardly have to do more than a brief interview. While Jill tried to remove the lipstick on the back of his hand and dabbed at his face with a paper towel, still laughing and giggling, he added, “I’ll be glad to give him a chance. Business is booming. We can hardly keep up with things. Send Jack Colten our way. We’ll welcome him gladly and make him part of The Sweetwater family.”

  “We’d keep him here in Tipton if he didn’t need to get to Lander.” This statement by Chase was even more reassuring. Finding good help kept Logan preoccupied nearly every day. He’d lost count of how many cleaning ladies and extra kitchen help they’d hired since the ranch had opened. With McGuire planning to spend time in Kentucky renovating the plantation Katie had inherited from her grandmother, they’d still need at least one more wrangler—even if Jack Colten proved himself.

  “Thanks for thinking of us.” Logan planted another kiss on Jill’s nose. “How soon can he get here?”

  “Is Monday soon enough?” Chase asked.

  “Monday’s awesome!” Logan paused to hear Jill relay a question and then turned back to the phone. “Say, Jill’s elbowing me to ask if you, Philomena, and your dad are still comin’ up for the Haven family pre-Christmas celebration, uh, the second weekend in December, right?”

  “Yep. We’re lookin’ forward to it, Logan. Tell Jill, your mom an’ dad, an’ the kids we said hello. I’ll let you get back to the wedding.”

  “Thanks, Chase. I’ll tell them, and if you’d mention to Jack Colten to come on up to the main office at the barn house on Monday morning, we’ll get the details ironed out.”

  “Will do. Say, it’s getting kinda close to when the baby is due, isn’t it?” his cousin asked.

  Logan grinned. “Sure is. Can’t wait to see you and Philomena. We can catch up on all the news.” He covered the phone with his hand and whispered to Jill, “Remind me to spend some time chatting with Senator Andrews, Katie’s dad, before it gets late.” Jill nodded and Logan turned his attention back to the phone call.

  “Sounds good,” Chase said. “We’re happy for ya, man. We have a lot to celebrate this year. The good Lord done blessed both of our ranches. Take good care of Jill and all them little ones. See you in December, cousin.”

  “We’ll give Colten a chance and see you in December, cousin.” Logan waited for Chase to disconnect the call and then followed his flirtatious wife to the dance floor.

  As they exited the kitchen, Jill giggled. “Do you know what I’m craving?”

  “Well, let’s see.” Logan thought back to the last few cravings. “It was hot fudge sundaes yesterday and Bubba’s cheeseburgers the day before. No tellin’ what it might be this time.”

  “Fried pickles.” Jill grinned.

  “Do you want to cook them, or do you want me to make them, or do you want them from a particular restaurant, or do you want Corky and Mrs. Wright to make them?” His question should cover all the possible bases. No sense in making his wife cry. He had to keep trying to avoid potential arguments.

  Chapter 3

  “I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.”

  —Tammy Faye Bakker

  AMY SLID THE FUCHSIA pink hat on over her head, leaving her two braids hanging down. She flung one end of the matching scarf around her neck and struck a pose by planting one hand on a hip. Holding up coordinating mittens, she grinned. “How do I look, Mom?”

  “You look great! How do I look?” Nicole flung one end of a fashionable brown scarf over her shoulder. An afternoon of shopping at the mall had put them both in a fun mood. Over a light lunch of grilled chicken fiesta salads, her daughter had been delighted by the idea of celebrating Christmas in Wyoming and having her mom to herself for almost two months.

  “You sure you don’t want to try this neon lime-green color?” Amy asked.

  “I’m sure,” Nicole laughed. Then she eyed the scarf a second time. “Well, maybe.”

  “I knew you would,” Amy insisted as she handed the colorful scarf over. “Oh look, Mom! Here’s the matching hat in pink and green.”

  “What color gloves would match this bright green?”

  “Well, since there’s hot pink in the hat, I’d say hot pink gloves.” Her daughter quickly located a pair of hot pink gloves. “Then we’ll kind of almost match.”

  Nicole slid the hat over her dark tresses, flung the neon green scarf around her neck, and pulled the mittens snugly over her hands. “For an eight-year-old, you seem to know your way around the stores pretty well.”

  “And, I have great taste,” Amy stated. “Brooke said so.”

  “She did, did she?” Nicole chuckled.

  “Yes, she did.” Her daughter stared into the mirror at her hat and scarf set and then spread her fingers out wide to see how the mittens fit.

  “Ready to go look at coats?” Nicole asked. “I’m thinking we each need one of those down-filled ski vests and a couple of winter coat options.”

  “Sure, but we already tried on coats in the last store.” Amy rolled her eyes and threw her one of those looks which said, not again.

  “You don’t want to be freezing cold in Wyoming, do you?” Nicole gathered their selections into her arms and they began making their way toward the cashier. “It snows there.”

  Amy thought about the question as they walked toward the register and mumbled, “I guess you’re right about that. Okay, we’d better try on more coats.”

  Nicole noticed she didn’t seem too excited about more shopping. “You’re a good sport. How about we catch a movie at the theater after we find our coats?”

  “With extra butter on the popcorn?” Her eyes grew wide and a smile slowly spread across her face, her jet black braids framing big blue eyes and long black eyelashes.

  “With extra butter on the popcorn,” Nicole promised as she placed their items on the counter. A kind, elderly lady smiled at them and began ringing up the purchase.

  “Can I help pick the movie?” Amy’s bright blue eyes widened as she waited for her answer.

  “Yes, you may help choose the movie.” She chuckled. Amy had learned the art of bargaining and was generally easy to please. It was hard to say no to those darling blue eyes. “Maybe that new Disney movie you were telling me about?”

  “Now you’re talking my love language.” Amy grinned.

  “Your love language?” Nicole laughed again and then shook her head. Her daughter was full of surprises for her age, but she’d always been on the advanced side since most of her friends were other adults. Thank the Lord for Madison being a part of their lives.

  ON THE FOLLOWING EVENING, they dined with Drew at a new restaurant called Tallula’s, but he barely spoke two words all evening to Amy. She disappeared into her own zone for the duration of dinner, humming, restlessly fidgeting, and interrupting them w
ith questions every five minutes before and after her meal arrived.

  After dinner, Nicole found herself relieved when Drew agreed on a drive to the pier for a walk. At his suggestion, they’d ridden the Ferris wheel together, the night lights glimmering on the ocean waves as the wheel climbed up higher and higher, and then circled back down again. Amy had loved it, though Nicole had never enjoyed heights. While they were on the ride, Drew asked Amy if she’d like it if they became a family.

  “You mean, like you marry my mom?” she asked after a long hesitation while she fidgeted with the zipper for her light jacket as the Pacific breeze blew over them from time to time.

  Drew nodded. “Yeah, I’d marry your mom.”

  “I’d have to think about it,” Amy replied sensibly. Nicole had to smother a chuckle. At least her daughter had been honest. Then Amy added, “On our trip to Wyoming.”

  Nicole was immediately thankful for Amy’s simple words. They’d been brilliantly spoken, paving the way for her to let Drew know she needed more time to think about his proposal on a getaway vacation with her daughter.

  “Wyoming?” Drew sighed, looking at her with a little confusion in his eyes. When she finished explaining their plans, he nodded, appearing to accept the truth that she needed more time.

  A little while later, he looked out at the ocean with a contemplative look. “I don’t blame you for remaining undecided about the idea of marriage.”

  When the ride finished, he smiled and pulled Nicole and Amy into his arms. “All right, group hug. Let me know what you think about becoming a family when you come back from Wyoming after Christmas.”

  The ride on the Ferris wheel and the group hug had made Amy smile for a while, and they’d all hugged tightly on the breezy pier.

  Nicole purchased their airplane tickets the next morning. In the afternoon, Drew called her up insisting he would pick them up on the day of their flight to personally drive them the eight miles to the airport. He wanted to escort them and be sure they safely boarded the plane. He’d offered one of his private jets, but Nicole had been firm when she declined. She didn’t want to impose in case things didn’t work out between them.