Wedding at Cardwell Ranch

by B. J Daniels

  The last few days had felt like a roller-coaster ride. Today, she needed calm. Jackson hadn’t tried to contact her after she and Natalie left the restaurant with Dana and family last night and she was glad. She needed time with her daughter.

  Natalie hadn’t slept in her own bed for several nights now. Allie made sure her daughter’s window was locked as she put her to bed. She checked the other windows and the door. Then, realizing that any of the Taylors could have a key to her cabin, she pushed a straight-back chair under the doorknob.

  She and Natalie hadn’t been disturbed all night. At least not by intruders. In bed last night, Allie couldn’t help but think about Jackson. And Nick.

  “Please, just let me get through this wedding,” she’d prayed and had finally fallen asleep.

  Now as she drove into the ranch, she saw that Dana and the kids were waiting for Natalie.

  “We have a fun morning planned,” Dana said with a wink. “You don’t have to worry about anything today.”

  Allie wished that was true. She looked down at the meadow to see that Megan was up early. She was sitting on a hay bale looking as if she were staring at the arch. Imagining her own wedding? Allie wondered as she approached.

  “Good morning,” she said and joined her sister on the bale.

  “It’s perfect. Drew really did do a good job,” Megan said.

  The arch had been made out of natural wood that blended in beautifully with its surroundings. Allie had asked Lily if she wanted it decorated with flowers.

  “There will be enough wildflowers in the meadow and I will be carrying a bouquet. I think that is more than enough.”

  She had agreed and was happy that Lily preferred the more minimalist look.

  “Have you been up to the barn?” Allie asked.

  “Not yet.” Megan finally looked over at her. “How are you?”

  “Fine.”

  Her sister eyed her. “You can lean on me. I’m here for you and Natalie.”

  Allie hugged her, closing her eyes and praying it was true. She couldn’t bear the thought of Megan betraying not only her but Natalie, as well.

  Together they walked up to the barn. Allie turned on the lights and gasped.

  * * *

  JACKSON HAD TOSSED and turned all night—after he’d finally dropped off to sleep. He felt as if he’d let Allie down. Or maybe worse, gotten involved with her in the first place, knowing he would be leaving soon.

  She wasn’t out of the woods yet. She had to know that whoever was messing with her mind wasn’t through. He still believed it had to be Nick. He had the most to gain. It scared Jackson to think that whoever was behind this might try to use Tag’s wedding to put the last nail in Allie’s coffin, so to speak.

  His fear, since realizing what was going on, was that if they couldn’t drive her crazy, they might actually try to kill her.

  He was just getting dressed when he heard the knock at his cabin door. His mood instantly lifted as he thought it might be Allie. She’d said she would talk to him after the wedding. Maybe she had changed her mind. He sure hoped so.

  Jackson couldn’t hide his disappointment when he opened the door and saw his brothers standing there.

  “I found something that I think might interest you,” Laramie said and he stepped back to let them enter.

  “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your wedding?” he asked Tag, who laughed and said, “I have been getting ready for months now. I just want this damned wedding over.”

  They took a seat while he remained standing. From the expressions on their faces, they hadn’t brought good news.

  “Nick and his brother, Drew, took out life insurance policies on each other through their construction business,” Laramie said.

  “That isn’t unusual, right?” he asked.

  “They purchased million-dollar policies and made each other the beneficiary, but Nick purchased another half million and made Allie the beneficiary.”

  Jackson let out a low whistle. “All Allie knew about was the hundred-thousand-dollar policy.” He saw Hayes lift a brow. “She didn’t kill her husband.”

  “Whether she knew or not about the policies, I believe it supports your theory that Nick is alive and trying to get that money,” Laramie said.

  “It hasn’t paid out yet, right?”

  “She should be getting the checks next week.”

  Jackson raked a hand through his hair. Allie was bound to have been notified. Maybe it had slipped her mind. “You’re sure she is the beneficiary?”

  Laramie nodded.

  “Who gets the money if Allie is declared incompetent?”

  “Her daughter, Natalie.”

  Jackson groaned. “Then this is why Nick is trying to have Allie committed. He, and whoever he is working with, would get the money and Natalie.”

  “Only if Nick is alive and stays dead,” Hayes pointed out.

  “If Nick stays dead the money would be used at the discretion of Natalie’s guardian.”

  Jackson looked at his brother, an ache starting at heart level. “Who is her guardian?”

  “Megan Knight. The policy was changed eight months ago—just before Nick Taylor went up into the mountains hunting and a guardian was added.”

  * * *

  ALLIE COULDN’T EVEN scream. Her voice had caught in her throat at the sight in the barn. Last night when she’d left, the barn had been ready for the reception except for putting out the fresh vases of flowers at each setting. The tables had been covered with the checked tablecloths and all the overhead lanterns had been in place along with the decorations on the walls and in the rafters.

  “Oh, my word,” Megan said next to her.

  Allie still couldn’t speak. Someone had ripped the tablecloths from the tables and piled them in the middle of the dance floor. The old boots that served as centerpieces that would hold the fresh flowers were arranged on the floor in a circle as if the invisible people in them were dancing.

  Megan was the first one to move. She rushed to the tablecloths and, bending down, picked up the top one. “They’ve all been shredded.” She turned to look at Allie, concern in her gaze.

  “You can’t think I did this.”

  Her sister looked at the tablecloth in her hand before returning her gaze to Allie. “This looks like a cry for help.”

  Allie shook her head. “It’s someone who hates me.”

  “Hates you? Oh, Allie.”

  “What’s happened?”

  She swung around to see Jackson standing in the doorway. Tears filled her eyes. She wanted to run out the barn door and keep running, but he stepped to her and took one of her hands.

  “I was afraid they weren’t done with you,” he said. “How bad is it?” he asked Megan.

  “The tablecloths are ruined. Fortunately, whoever did this didn’t do anything to the lanterns or the other decorations in the rafters. Probably couldn’t reach them since the ladders have all been packed away.” This last was directed at Allie, her meaning clear.

  “Tag already ordered tablecloths for the restaurant,” Jackson said, pulling out his cell phone. “I’ll see if they’ve come in. We can have this fixed quickly if they have.” He spoke into the phone for a moment. When he disconnected, he smiled at Allie and said, “Tag will bring up the red-checked cloths right away. With their help, we’ll have it fixed before anyone else hears about it.”

  Allie went weak with relief as he quickly got rid of the ruined
tablecloths and Tag showed up with new ones from the restaurant. With the Cardwell brothers’ help, the problem was solved within minutes.

  “I want at least two people here watching this barn until the wedding is over,” Jackson said.

  “I’ll talk to Dana and see if there are a couple of ranch hands who can help,” Laramie said.

  “That really isn’t necessary,” Megan said. “I will stay here to make sure nothing else happens.”

  Jackson shook his head. “I’m not taking any chances. I’ll feel better if you aren’t left alone here. Whoever is doing this... Well, I think it might get dangerous before it’s over.”

  “Why don’t you just admit that you think I’m involved in this,” Megan said and looked sadly at her sister. “Apparently, you aren’t the only one who’s paranoid.” She sighed. “Whatever you need me to do. I don’t want anything to spoil this wedding.”

  * * *

  JACKSON HAD PLANNED to talk to Allie about the insurance policies, but he realized it could wait until after the wedding. Allie’s spirit seemed buoyed once the barn was ready again and a ranch hand stayed behind with Megan to make sure nothing else went wrong.

  He was having a hard time making sense of the insurance policy news. Why would Nick Taylor change the guardian from his brother to Allie’s stepsister, Megan? The obvious answer would be if the two were in cahoots.

  That would break Allie’s heart, but a part of her had to know that her sister thought all of this was in her head. Megan had given him the impression that she was ready to step in as more than Natalie’s guardian.

  Jackson reminded himself that it was his brother’s wedding day. As much as he didn’t like weddings and hadn’t attended one since his marriage had ended, he tried to concentrate on being there for Tag. He couldn’t help being in awe as Allie went into wedding-planner mode. He admired the way she handled herself, even with all the stress she was under in her personal life. The day took on a feeling of celebration; after all it was the Fourth of July.

  At the house, Allie made sure they were all ready, the men dressed in Western attire and boots, before she went to help the bride. Jackson had seen his father and uncle with their guitars heading for the meadow. They would be playing the “Wedding March” as well as accompanying several singers who would be performing. He just hoped everything went smoothly for Tag and Lily’s sake, as well as Allie’s.

  “Look who’s here,” Laramie said, sounding too cheerful.

  Jackson turned to see his mother on the arm of a nice-looking gray-haired Texas oilman. Franklin Wellington IV had oil written all over him. Jackson tried not to hold it against the man as he and his brothers took turns hugging their mother and wishing her well before shaking hands with Franklin.

  His mother did look deliriously happy, Jackson had to admit, and Franklin was downright friendly and nice.

  “Time to go,” Allie said, sticking her head into the room where he and his brothers had been waiting.

  Jackson introduced her to his mother and Franklin. He saw his mother lift a brow in the direction of Laramie and groaned inwardly. She would trust Laramie to tell her why she was being introduced to the wedding planner.

  Allie didn’t notice the interplay as she smiled at Tag. “Your bride looks absolutely beautiful and you don’t look so bad yourself.”

  She was quite pretty, as well, in her navy dress with the white piping. She’d pulled her hair up. Silver earrings dangled at her lobes. She looked professional and yet as sexy as any woman he’d ever known. He felt a sense of pride in her, admiring her strength as well as her beauty. She’d been through so much.

  Hell, he thought as he took his place, I am falling for her. That realization shook him to the soles of his boots.

  In the meadow, his father and uncle began to play the “Wedding March” at Allie’s nod. Compared to most, the wedding was small since Tag and Lily knew few people in Big Sky. But old canyon friends had come who had known the Cardwells, Savages and Justices for years.

  As Lily appeared, Jackson agreed with Allie. She looked beautiful. He heard his brother’s intake of breath and felt his heart soar at the look on Tag’s face when he saw his bride-to-be. For a man who had sworn off weddings, Jackson had to admit, he was touched by this one.

  The ceremony was wonderfully short, the music perfect and when Tag kissed the bride, Jackson felt his gaze searching for Allie. She was standing by a tree at the edge of the meadow. She was smiling, her expression one of happy contentment. She’d gotten them married.

  Now if they could just get through the reception without any more trouble, he thought.

  * * *

  AT THE RECEPTION, Jackson watched the Taylor family sitting at a table away from the others. Mildred had a smile plastered on her face, but behind it he could see that she was sizing up everyone in the room. Her insecurities were showing as she leaned over and said something to her daughter.

  Whatever her mother said to her, Sarah merely nodded. She didn’t seem to have any interest in the guests, unlike her mother. Instead, she was watching Allie. What was it that Jackson caught in her gaze? Jealousy? Everyone at the wedding had been complimenting Allie on the job she’d done. Sarah couldn’t have missed that.

  Nor, according to Hud, had Sarah ever been married. She had to be in her late thirties. Was she thinking that it might never happen for her? Or was she content with living next to her mother and basically becoming her mother’s caregiver?

  Sarah reached for one of the boot-shaped cookies with Tag and Lily’s wedding date on them. Her mother slapped her hand, making Sarah scowl at her before she took two cookies.

  He wondered what grudges bubbled just below the surface in any family situation, let alone a wedding. Weddings, he thought, probably brought out the best and worst of people, depending how happy or unhappy you were in your own life.

  As happy as he was for Tag, it still reminded him of his own sorry marriage. What did this wedding do to the Taylor clan? he wondered as he studied them. It certainly didn’t seem to be bringing out any joy, that was for sure.

  But his side of the family were having a wonderful time. He watched his brother Tag dancing with his bride. Their mother was dancing with her new husband, both women looking radiant. It really was a joyous day. Dana and Hud had all the kids out on the floor dancing.

  Jackson thought the only thing that could make this day better would be if he could get the wedding planner to dance with him.

  * * *

  ALLIE TRIED TO breathe a little easier. The wedding had gone off without a hitch. Lily had been exquisite and Tag as handsome as any Cardwell, which was saying a lot. Allie had teared up like a lot of the guests when the two had exchanged their vows. She’d always loved weddings. This one would remain her favorite for years to come.

  When the bride and groom kissed, she’d seen Jackson looking for her. Their eyes had locked for a long moment. She’d pulled away first, a lump in her throat, an ache in her heart. The wedding was over. There was nothing keeping Jackson and Ford in Montana.

  Whoever had been trying to gaslight her, as Jackson had called it, hadn’t succeeded. Maybe now they would give up trying. She certainly hoped so. If Nick was alive, then she should find out soon. The insurance check for the hundred thousand would be deposited into her account next week. She’d already made plans for most of it to go into an interest-bearing account for Natalie’s college.

  Allie wondered what would happen then. If Nick was alive, w
ould he just show up at her door? Or would the media be involved with reporters and photographers snapping photos of him outside the cabin as he returned from his ordeal?

  All she knew was that the only way Nick could get his hands on the insurance money would be if he killed her. That thought unnerved her as she surveyed the reception. Belinda was busy shooting each event along with some candid shots of guests. Allie had to hand it to her, she appeared to be doing a great job.

  Everything looked beautiful. Megan had taken care of the flowers in the boot vases, put the attendees’ gifts on the tables and made sure the bar was open and serving. Appetizers were out. Allie checked to make sure the caterer was ready then looked around for her daughter. Nat was with the other kids and Dana. Allie had bought her a special dress for the wedding. Natalie looked beautiful and she knew it because she seemed to glow.

  Her tomboy daughter loved getting dressed up. She smiled at the thought. She was thinking that they should dress up more when Mildred Taylor let out a scream at a table near the dance floor and stumbled to her feet.

  Allie saw that she was clutching her cell phone, her other hand over her mouth.

  “What is it?” Dana demanded, moving quickly to the Taylors’ table.

  “It’s my Nicky,” Mildred cried, her gaze going to Allie, who froze thinking it was already happening. She was so sure she knew what her mother-in-law was about to say, that she thought she’d misunderstood.

  “His body has been found,” Mildred managed to say between sobs. She cried harder. “They say he was murdered.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Pandemonium broke out with Mildred Taylor shrieking uncontrollably and everyone trying to calm her down.

  Jackson looked over at Allie. All the color had bled from her face. He moved quickly to her. “Let’s get you out of here,” he said, taking her hand. “You look like you could use some fresh air.”