Cowgirl Coed (Redneck Debutante Series Book 4)

by Jenny Hammerle

  Travis winked at Rachael and she nearly cracked up. There was something about his pants. They were tight in all the wrong places for a wedding- and short. She frowned at him, making a strange face that she knew she needed to mask. She glanced to his right, where Wade stood. His pants were a little loose and sagged around his black dress shoes. Rachael glanced over at Shannah and could see the terse smile on her face. It looked frozen and completely fake.

  The minister continued with the ceremony and Rachael studied Maysie. She was the picture of contentment. Her small round bubble, barely visible underneath the front of her skirt, was so perfectly round and tiny. It was early yet, and Rachael prayed she would have the easiest of pregnancies and happiest of marriages.

  The minister announced the moment when Tristan could kiss his bride and he did exactly that. It was nice that a couple that people thought had too many obstacles in the beginning, the main one being age difference, had overcome it all. Sure it hadn’t been as Mr. and Mrs. Baxter would have planned it, but life seldom went according to plan. Rachael considered her own recent nuptials. She and Travis had decided to spontaneously do it their way, without asking the permission or the blessing of anyone else. And Rachael wouldn’t have it any other way.

  As she and Travis filed out of the church, he squeezed her hand. “These pants are strangling me.”

  “I saw.” She chuckled. “I think you and Wade have each other’s tux pants. His are loose and yours are a bit X-rated.”

  Travis looked back at Wade clomping along behind him.

  “I think you’re right.” He winked.

  “I know I’m right, now go change those things before anyone else snaps a picture of you in those. Forever recording those pants should be illegal.” Rachael whispered.

  Wade and Shannah joined them in the parking lot.

  “Nice pants, Travis.” Shannah stifled a laugh.

  “It’s not my fault your boyfriend has mine.” Travis jabbed Wade in the chest.

  “We figured it out about the time we both were standing on the steps to the altar and people were beginning to fill the church. There was no time to change.” Wade explained.

  “I don’t know. I think my super-tight fitting dress slacks might be something I continue. I look good.” Travis jested.

  “Please tell me you wouldn’t. They’re really very awful and I think Tristan’s aunt in the front row got more than she bargained for. She may be blinded.” Rachael commented.

  “Magic Mike has nothing on those pants,” Shannah giggled.

  “Oh, and you’ve seen Magic Mike.” Wade turned to frown at her.

  “No, just the commercials.” Shannah tapped his white tuxedo shirt. “There’s only one tuxedo wearing cowboy for me.” She leaned up to kiss his jaw.

  “So,” Rachael asked noticing Shannah’s teardrop shaped sparkler, “when’s the wedding and when were you two planning on announcing a date?”

  “As soon as she will set a date. Could be soon- if she would commit to a date.”

  “Three more years.” Shannah grinned and Rachael could tell she was serious. Rachael was proud of her.

  “Shannah,” Travis interjected. “A ton of guys had always told me, ‘don’t do it’, and that sort of thing. But I’ve never been so happy. You can’t put off the inevitable.”

  “What guys?” Rachael was hung up on the ton of guys that had apparently told Travis not to marry her. She’d give them a piece of her mind.

  “That’s not the point.” Travis continued. “The point is, sometimes you just have to do what is right for you.”

  “What is right for me is to finish school. And that’s my plan and I’m sticking to it.” Shannah put her hands on her hips. “Let’s go see that bride.”

  Rachael had never been as proud of Shannah as she was in this moment. She made it clear what she wanted and what her plan was. She would not be deterred. Maysie’s plan and Rachael’s plan didn’t have to be her plan. And while Wade didn’t look happy about it, he’d have to wait. Besides, he hadn’t been a virgin to hear Travis tell it and this little sabbatical from nookie would be good for him. Maybe a chaste girl had been what he needed to commit to a real relationship and pop the question.

  Rachael and Shannah found Maysie, posing for the first series of pictures. Rachael watched and realized she was so glad she’d forgone all of this pageantry. She’d started out as a debutante and somehow morphed into a more laidback country girl. Who would’ve figured? Travis and Wade walked over to join them. Rachael immediately noticed they’d traded pants and couldn’t have been more thankful. The entire wedding party was now being brought inside the church for pictures. Rachael took mental notes for the small ceremony she was planning. She’d have a photographer there to capture dancing, but she would only need posed pictures of her and Travis.

  The photography session was short-lived and everyone was herded along into a limousine. Seated inside, Wade and Shannah sat across from them along with Janet and Alton. Alton looked like he was overwhelmed by Janet’s beauty, speaking very little during the ride over from the church to the golf club where the reception would be held. Maysie and Tristan had ridden separately in a different limo. Rachael hoped she was feeling completely well again.

  Rachael was a little annoyed at Travis, but wasn’t about to let it ruin her evening. He was pushing Shannah into marrying Wade before she was ready. And that was not okay.

  Rachael knew that he could read her like a book and he was talking away to Shannah and Wade, trying to undo the aggravation he’d caused where Shannah was concerned. Shannah was a different breed of girl. And Wade, if he knew what was best, better tread lightly or risk scaring her off.

  At the large clubhouse, the limo pulled through the porte-cochere. Everyone climbed out, careful not to snag their dresses on the heels of their shoes.

  “Don’t be mad at me.” Travis tugged on Rachael’s elbow. “I can’t stand it when you’re mad at me.”

  “Then, quit helping Wade press Shannah. I can read her and she’s not happy about it. She doesn’t want to get married yet. She’s not us.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “We were different.”

  “Different how?”

  “We couldn’t wait.” Rachael blushed, at the thought of putting into words that she thought he was taking her to have sex on that fateful day and admitting she had been okay with it. She still had never admitted as much.

  “Well, I knew that. Why do you think I ended up having to avoid you for two months? It was torture, but seeing you on my feed everyday only made it worse. You’re right, we are different, and I don’t regret the decision we made.”

  “Me neither.”

  “And I promise not to mention or joke with Shannah about it again.”

  “Thank you,” Rachael kissed him lovingly and let him lead her inside.

  The night was a whirlwind of music and dancing, pictures and delectable food. Maysie hung in there like a trouper. Tristan held her elbow, assisting her in greeting their guests. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter looked very pleased. Rachael’s very own parents danced the night away and she’d never seen them look more in love. The time and distance of prison had finally been swept away. Rachael smiled at Michael and Travis’s young cousin, Levi. They were hitting on a few girls that had to be at least three or four years older than them. Rachael didn’t bother rushing over there. The girls were obviously just playing along and talking to them out of courtesy and kindness more than anything else.

  Travis whirled Rachael on the dance floor, spinning her in and out, and around. Shannah and Wade were nowhere in sight and Rachael knew that after earlier they may be fighting somewhere. The feeling in the pit of her stomach told her there was something there. There was something more to the quiet distance she’d seen from Shannah these last few months. Shannah was nervous and unsure. Shannah’s face earlier and the fact that she hadn’t announced her own engagement said it all.

  The evening came to a close and Maysie was ushered outs
ide to the waiting car amidst bubbles being blown by all of the wedding attendees. Rachael spied Shannah across from her and from all appearances she looked happy.

  Maybe I’m being overly sensitive and looking for something that really isn’t there.

  Rachael and Travis finished one final dance. He dipped her low and flipped her back upright. Shannah and Wade came over to say their goodbyes.

  “Staying in town tonight?” Travis prompted.

  “I’m dropping Shannah off at her dad’s place and then off to go stay with Aunt Gwin.”

  “Levi will like that, I’m sure.” Travis winked. “Maybe we could make a few rounds in the morning.”

  Rachael knew the conversation had turned to hunting, and in Rachael’s experience morning meant before sunrise. In this case it had to mean hog hunting since deer season had ended a long time ago.

  “Sounds like a plan. Pick you up, four o’clock?”

  “Yep,” Travis grinned. “Baby, you want to go hog hunting?”

  “No, thank you for asking. My feet are throbbing and I think I’d like to sleep in a little.” Rachael yawned. “Shannah, want to go to the beach?”

  “I’d love to.” Shannah winked.

  “Whoa, whoa. You guys are going to the beach?” Travis’s interest piqued.

  “Yep, it’s a girls only beach day.” Rachael admonished.

  Wade looked like he was contemplating canceling hunting to tag along with Shannah, while Travis looked like he wasn’t sure if they were up to something.

  “Can this be like when we were just friends and I’d stage an accidental run-in with you? Like I just happened to be there?” Travis teased her.

  “You better not,” Rachael swatted his butt. “Goodnight you two, see you tomorrow Shannah.”

  #

  Rachael felt Travis sneak out of bed around four in the morning and kiss her cheek. He covered her back up, tucking the blankets in around her. She felt him sit down on the edge of the bed and pull on his boots. He clomped as quietly as possible to the closet and grabbed his camo jacket.

  “Bye, Travis.” She whispered.

  “Bye, baby. See you this afternoon.”

  He quietly closed the door and was gone. Rachael worked hard to fall back asleep, but it was hopeless. She crept out of the Baxter’s guest house and across the backyard towards the barn in the distance. Horses whinnied and she spied Mrs. Baxter outside feeding them.

  Rachael wrapped the blanket she’d worn outside more firmly around her. Mrs. Baxter scooped feed into buckets and carried them towards each stall.

  “Morning, Mrs. Baxter.”

  “Good morning, Rachael.” She went about her work, placing a heaping scoop of vitamins in each bucket. “I have gotten so used to Maysie doing this. I never even considered that it would become exclusively my job. She moves into her house with Tristan when they get back from the honeymoon.” Mrs. Baxter carried the first of six buckets and dumped it into the horse’s stall. Rachael picked up each of the others and began hanging them from clips on the inside of each additional stall. “Thank you, Rachael. You must think I’m crazy not letting Maysie and Tristan move in together. They’re pregnant, I realize that it doesn’t make a difference, but it at least gives them something special to look forward to. I was pregnant with Travis and Maysie when I got married. About one month along. I’d suspected as much, but had it confirmed when twins came along eight months later.”

  “I see your point. Travis and I waited to live together.”

  “You waited for more than that. He told me. And I’m proud of y’all. It’s not easy.”

  “Now if I can hold him off from wanting a child.”

  “It’ll be a long time before he asks for a baby. Travis has grand notions of the million things he has to accomplish before you two have a family of your own.”

  This was all news to Rachael. She didn’t want to let on to Mrs. Baxter that she didn’t know what she was talking about and decided to talk to Travis about it later. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t planning on starting a family anytime soon either. This announcement that Travis had already discussed with his parents came as a shocker, yet a relief as well. Rachael and Mrs. Baxter worked in the quiet barn until the sun popped over the horizon. Birds sang their glorious tune and the smell of gardenia blossoms filled the air.

  “Wade and Shannah broke things off last night.” Mrs. Baxter offered while casually filling the water trough behind the barn with a hose.

  Rachael knew they’d been fighting, but breaking up? Why would you go and do that? She guessed she and Travis had done that recently. And in the end, everything turned out all right.

  “Gwin called me early this morning. Said you should go check on Shannah. I guess Wade broke things off with her.”

  “What?”

  Rachael couldn’t have been more stunned by the fact that he’d broken up with her. What was Wade thinking?

  What a jerk…

  “He did. It wasn’t easy, but he made the decision.”

  “But they just got engaged. Like a month ago!” Rachael realized she was yelling.

  “I know it’s upsetting, but these things happen. Look at you and Travis. His stupid let’s put things on pause idea. Guys do stupid stuff all the time, darling. And that’s that.”

  “Well, I hope she kept that ring.”

  Mrs. Baxter laughed. “Go on, honey. Go over and check on her.”

  Rachael sprinted to the guest house and it dawned on her that Travis probably knew it was coming. He seemed off last night. Maybe his comment to prod Shannah along in the marriage department wasn’t as random as it had appeared. He and Wade really talked. More than cousins- they were best friends.

  It was then she realized she didn’t have a car! She’d ridden home with Travis. She’d have to borrow a vehicle. She changed quickly, not bothering to shave her legs. As her mother told her once before- if anyone gets that close they’ll be in trouble. Rachael passed the tennis courts and pool cabana on her way to the back porch. Mr. Baxter stood outside as she approached and merely held out a set of car keys. He sipped his coffee and didn’t say another word.

  Travis…

  It would be just like him to leave a note asking his parents to loan her a car.

  Out front Rachael climbed in Mrs. Baxter’s SUV and peeled out of the driveway. She took a few familiar backroads to the dirt road that led to Shannah’s doublewide at the back of the orange grove. Seven o’clock was a little early to head out to the beach, but Rachael had the feeling that Shannah needed her now more than she realized. Rachael pounded on the door, and when no one answered she knew where to look next.

  The barn…

  Rachael stormed out to the barn. There, in the middle of the pole barn, Shannah practiced Taekwondo. She sparred with the punching bag, landing kicks and punches. Methodically she worked through each step and the final series was an all-out assault that Rachael was sure could be powered by rage and anger.

  Rachael stood motionless. Shannah had seen her. She knew she had. In an open pole barn it would’ve been impossible not to. Shannah stopped moving abruptly and whirled to face her.

  “He broke up with me. Out of the blue. Who does that?” She cried. “Who proposes only to dump you a month later?” Shannah slumped to the floor and sobbed. She curled up into a ball on the mat and shook with the force of it.

  Rachael wasn’t sure what to do. In all of her years as Shannah’s friend, she’d never needed or wanted consoling. Here, laying on the floor, in the fetal position Shannah conveyed a vulnerability she’d never witnessed. Rachael rushed over and crouched down beside her.

  “It’s okay. It’ll all be okay. Guys do these things. These stupid, not well thought out, things. Travis did it to me.”

  “Travis hit the pause button. That’s entirely different.” She sniffled, her face still buried in the mat. “He didn’t break things off with you. Tell you he thought it’d be better if you never saw each other again.”

  “What happened?”


  “I don’t know.”

  Rachael rubbed Shannah’s back and hushed her. “I even gave Travis back his ring. He was playing strip poker with guys and some hotties. I lost my shit.”

  “I didn’t know about that. That I could’ve handled. I might have even enjoyed beating some butt, but this? Breaking up with me out of the blue? If he pulls that crap Travis pulled- and goes hunting and then comes back- and wants to get married.”

  Rachael could’ve taken offense, but she didn’t. She and Shannah were different people. She wanted to marry Travis and move things forward. Her gut told her that Shannah wanted things to never change. She didn’t say it though, instead she just let her talk.

  “I wouldn’t set a date. Does it have to happen now? Does it have to be set in stone? I think he read that as a reluctance to marry him, but it wasn’t. I just didn’t want to set a date yet. Is that so wrong?”

  “No, it’s not wrong. It’s not wrong.”

  “He graduates this May and I have three years to go. He’ll go home to Lake City and I’ll be off at college. He doesn’t like that situation. Said he’s not a fan. Something about you and Travis and how bad it went for y’all. And that was with Travis right there at the same university.”

  Rachael’s blood boiled. Her and Travis’s relationship and its nuances were their own, not Wade’s to broadcast around to other people. Yes, they’d had problems but they’d sorted them out. It was no one else’s business and furthermore, it was absurdity for Wade to make major life decisions over what could and would happen.

  “Do you love him?”

  “I do, but sometimes love is not enough. He doesn’t truly love me or he would’ve wanted to work things through.”

  “Or maybe he is truly confused. He doesn’t know what to do. So, he’s taken a page out of Travis’s playbook for goobers and hits pause. It really is all the same thing. It’s linguistics. Or is it semantics?”

  “Not sure, but you’re right. What do I do?”

  “Well, if you love him you fight for what you want. You let him know how you feel. And in time, if it’s meant to work out it will.”