The Cowboy's Homecoming

by Donna Alward

  “Of course.”

  He turned to go back down the stairs and she got a good look at him. Black trousers and dress boots, a crisp white shirt and a tie. No jacket, but then he wasn’t in the wedding party either, and it was June. He’d had his hair cut, the hint of dark auburn curls that were usually at his temples and neck clipped off in precise lines.

  He was gorgeous—even if she did secretly prefer the bits of curl that added a roguish look to his rugged face.

  “Ry?”

  He turned around. “Yeah? Did you need something else?”

  She shook her head. “N-no,” she stammered. “I just wanted to say that, uh, you look nice today.”

  “So do you, K. So do you.”

  He threw her a wink and went down the stairs.

  Kailey took a calming breath and opened the door to the master bedroom.

  Lacey was sitting on a little stool in a lovely satin robe waiting to put on her gown. Her mom, Helen, was behind her, hooking a set of creamy pearls around Lacey’s neck. Lacey had the Duggan coppery hair, and right now it was pulled back in a lovely romantic top knot with a simple circlet of white flowers around it.

  “Is there a blushing bride in here somewhere?” Kailey asked, stepping inside.

  God, Lacey looked happy. Her cheeks were flushed but not unnaturally. She was simply radiant, and calm, and so, so sweet looking. Helen couldn’t stop smiling either. “We’re nearly ready. Just the dress and boots to go.”

  “Kailey, you look beautiful. Thank you so much for doing this today.”

  “Of course I’d be here. Don’t be silly.” She put down her flowers and moved to the closet to get the dress. Together she and Helen unzipped the garment bag and withdrew the soft material. Kailey draped it over her arm. “Okay, are you ready? I’ll unzip and you step in.”

  It took no time at all for them to get Lacey zipped and hooked into the simple but stunning dress.

  “Honey, you’re beautiful.”

  “I know I said no to the whole veil thing, but you don’t think white is, well, you know...”

  Kailey gave a little snort. “That whole wearing white thing has been out the window for years. So what if this isn’t your first trip down the aisle? We all know it’s your last.”

  “Amen,” Helen said, taking Lacey’s hands in hers. “You’ve got a wonderful man in Quinn and a daughter to love now, too. I couldn’t be prouder of you, sweetheart.”

  “Even though I’m here at the ranch?” Lacey looked troubled. “I know how you feel about the place, Mom.”

  “Ranch life wasn’t for me, at least not without your father. But the nice thing about being an adult is being able to make your own choices. This is a good one. And I can tell because it’s written all over your face.”

  Kailey’s nose stung a little, the emotion of the day getting to her a bit as Lacey and Helen hugged. She wasn’t sure if it was Carrie marrying Duke or Quinn finding Lacey or what, but Kailey had been chafing against her own life a little bit lately. Wanting more. Particularly since Colt had asked her that important question and then withdrawn it again once he’d understood how things would have to be.

  She loved running the ranch with her dad. But she wanted her own life, too. Maybe... She bit down on her lip. Maybe even her own family. Colt had changed his mind because he’d wanted her to leave Gibson behind, and she couldn’t bring herself to say goodbye to the ranch and the business her dad, and now she, had built. He’d wanted her to choose him. And for Kailey it just wasn’t that simple.

  But it had worked out for Quinn and Lacey, and Kailey was thrilled for them. “You just need your bouquet.” Kailey went to the box containing the flowers and withdrew them from the tissue. “These are so pretty, Lacey. And, Helen, your corsage is in here, too. Maybe Lacey could pin it on you.”

  While Lacey did the honors, Kailey snapped a few pictures with her phone that she’d send Lacey later. Then she handed Helen the boutonniere for David and let her know her ride was waiting to take them to the church.

  It seemed in no time at all and Rylan was back to take them to the ceremony.

  “Wait, I thought Duke was picking us up?” Lacey frowned at the sight of Rylan unfolding his legs as he got out of the car.

  Kailey could tell that Lacey was getting nervous. There was no way she’d mention an emergency of any sort. Keeping Lacey calm and radiant was job number one, so she fudged a little. “I think it’s nice. He doesn’t have a part in the wedding, and I bet Quinn did it so Rylan would be involved, you know?”

  “Do you think?” Lacey looked so pleased that Kailey knew she’d taken the right tack.

  Kailey couldn’t take her eyes off him. “Sure I do. Now your whole family has a role to play in your big day.”

  Rylan had borrowed Helen and David’s sedan for the occasion, so that Lacey didn’t have to get in and out of a half-ton truck in her gown. Sunglasses shaded his eyes as he held the car door, first for Lacey, and then the other side for Kailey, once she had finished tucking the mini-train in around Lacey’s ankles.

  “Forget what I said about you looking nice,” he said in a low voice, his hands resting on the window. “You look beautiful, Kailey. Really, really beautiful.”

  Surprise and pleasure had her throat tightening. “Thank you, Rylan,” she murmured.

  “You’re welcome,” he answered. Then he shut the door behind her and went around to the driver’s side as if he’d done nothing more important than comment on the weather. The compliment had gone straight to her heart, though, because she knew it had been sincere.

  It was a perfect day for a wedding. The early summer sun was warm but not too hot, and a light breeze ruffled the hems of their dresses as they got out of the car at the church. Duke was there, holding Amber’s hand. Kailey grinned when she saw Amber’s face. She was as proud as anything in her white flower-girl dress with a sash that matched the color of Kailey’s. A little basket was in her hands, and once more, the brown-and-blue boots on her feet. She was adorable. Even more so when she ran forward, pulling her hand out of Duke’s grasp.

  “Lacey! You look like a princess!”

  Ignoring her hem, Lacey squatted down to Amber’s height. “So do you, pumpkin. You ready to do this?”

  “Heck yeah.”

  Kailey burst out laughing at the slightly inappropriate answer from a five-year-old. Confused, Amber looked up, but then Duke bade them goodbye as he went to meet Quinn at the front of the church, and Rylan sent her one parting look before giving his arm to Carrie—they’d sit together with Helen and David throughout the service.

  They were waiting in the vestibule, nearly ready for the walk up the aisle when Lacey spoke. “Amber, do I have bride brain? I thought we got you a yellow and white bouquet like Kailey’s. Not a basket.”

  Amber turned troubled eyes on her nearly new stepmother. “Oh. Um. Well.”

  “Um well?”

  “Molly and Ranger ate them.”

  The dogs. Quinn had taken both puppies to his house so that they’d be away from the bridal trappings. But apparently flower-girl flowers weren’t immune to their antics.

  “They what?” Lacey’s expression was horrified.

  Amber’s lip quivered. “I’m sorry. I just put them down for a minute. Daddy put the dogs on the porch and Uncle Duke went to the store. That’s why Uncle Rylan came to get you. Duke was getting me new flowers.”

  Lacey raised an eyebrow in Kailey’s direction and Kailey tried to adopt an innocent look. “I see,” she said, and Kailey shrugged.

  “I think they’re pretty,” Amber continued. “Don’t you like them, Lacey?” Her big eyes were worried.

  Kailey had to admit that they were lovely. For a rush job, the sunflowers, daisies and baby’s breath were a pretty close match to the other bouquets.

  Lacey smiled down at Amber. “Don’t worry. I think they’re very pretty. Maybe prettier than the ones we ordered. Now, are you ready for your walk up the aisle?”

  Amber nodded. “Lacey,
I’m glad you’re going to be my new mommy.” She wrapped her arms around Lacey’s hips for a quick hug, and Kailey saw Lacey’s eyes mist over.

  Moments later Kailey watched from the front of the church as Lacey walked down the aisle to where Quinn was waiting. For the first ten steps she had her gaze locked on Lacey, looking so happy and stunning in her dress. But then she looked at Quinn and her heart turned over. He was watching his bride walk toward him with pure, naked adoration written all over his face. She’d seen him happy with his first wife, Marie, had seen him devastated when Marie died. No one she knew deserved a second chance at happiness more than Quinn.

  But more than that, she wondered if anyone would ever look at her that way. As if she was the entire world. As if she was the sun that brought all the light and warmth to his life. Because that was exactly how Quinn was looking at Lacey. And for the first time, Kailey wanted that for herself.

  She wanted to matter. She wanted to be more than Kailey Brandt, rancher. Kailey Brandt, friend.

  She wanted to be Kailey Brandt, everything.

  She turned and focused on the minister and what he was saying as the ceremony got under way. And she definitely didn’t sneak looks at Rylan, sitting with a very pregnant Carrie in the second pew. Because Rylan Duggan was the last man on earth who would ever want her to be that person.

  * * *

  THE RECEPTION WAS held at a golf course just north of town. Tents were set up outside the club house, and guests mingled around sipping punch and nibbling on snacks as the wedding party arrived after pictures. Kailey hadn’t minded the photos much. The photographer had been efficient and funny, and in no time at all they’d been on their way. Now they were at the country club where there’d be a sit-down dinner and a dance. It still all added up to a long day.

  She was already tired. Haying would start in a few days if the weather held. What she really wanted to do now was get out of this dress, put on some pajamas and get a good night’s sleep.

  The bride and groom began mingling with the guests in the minutes before the meal was served, and Kailey found herself at the punch bowl, filling a cup and hoping the cool drink and sugar hit might perk her up. She’d taken a cautious sip when Rylan came up behind her.

  “Is it any good?”

  She looked up at him. “Is it very bad of me to say it would be improved by a shot of vodka?”

  He chuckled, his gaze warm. “You look like you’ve put in a full day. Everything okay?”

  She nodded. “I swear, I could spend a whole day working on the ranch and not find it as exhausting as this.”

  “Who knew getting pretty could be so tiring, huh?”

  She made a face at him. “Smart aleck.”

  Rylan poured himself some punch. “It’s a crazy time to have a wedding, but I don’t think they wanted to wait. It all came together pretty fast.”

  “Don’t I know it.” She smiled a little. “And I’m happy for them. You didn’t know Quinn before, but he’s had a rough time. They’re good for each other.”

  “How come you’ve never gotten hitched?” They’d moved away from the punch bowl and were now ambling around the fresh-cut grass. The scent of blossoms from the tidy flower beds perfumed the air.

  “Me?” She tossed him what she hoped was a saucy grin. “Why, sir, no one would have me.” Despite the light tone, it was the absolute truth.

  “I’m surprised.”

  And that surprised her. “You are?”

  “Sure,” he replied. “You’re pretty, smart, strong and successful...”

  “Gee, Rylan. I never knew you thought so much of me.” She couldn’t resist teasing him a little. Things had been a little easier since their talk at the swimming hole. Not that she didn’t still notice him. A blind woman would notice those bedroom eyes and that muscled body. But their chat had cleared the air considerably. They both knew what and what not to expect.

  “I take it back. I know why you haven’t been asked.”

  “Why?” Intrigued, she stopped and looked up at him.

  “Because you’re pretty, smart, strong and successful. I bet most of the guys around here are intimidated as hell. You make them look bad, sugar.”

  Her temper flared so quickly she wondered if puffs of steam were coming out of her ears. “So, what, I should dumb myself down to snag a husband?” Or perhaps abandon the business she’d put her heart and soul into so her husband’s pride wouldn’t take a dent?

  Hmm. Maybe it wasn’t really Rylan she was mad at. Maybe she was still furious with Colt for giving her such a ridiculous ultimatum.

  Rylan looked appropriately horrified, and his lips twitched as he tried not to laugh. “Absolutely not. You keep those standards right up high where they belong.” He lifted his hand and twined a finger inside one of her long ringlets. “You need someone who’s able to go toe-to-toe with you, Curly. Or else you’ll be bored to death.”

  Funny how she seemed to go toe-to-toe, as he put it, with him quite regularly. But he was not the man for her. Rylan Duggan went where the wind blew him and certainly wasn’t looking to be tied down.

  She stepped back, aware that she could get sucked into his charm without a whole lot of effort on his part. “There’s something to be said for boredom,” she replied tartly. “At least you know where you stand.”

  Damn man, he just grinned at her, his blue eyes sparkling. “Touché.”

  “Maybe we should talk about something else.”

  “Good idea. I think Crooked Valley needs a stud.”

  She coughed, felt the sting of the punch in her nose. She bent over a little and her eyes watered as she had the unholy urge to laugh. Why was it he seemed to be able to do that to her without even trying? A napkin appeared in front of her face and she took it, dabbed her lips and eyes, the whole time aware that Rylan was standing there with a smirk on his too-handsome face.

  “You did that on purpose,” she accused.

  “Maybe. But I am serious, you know. Can you breathe now? Everything okay?”

  “Besides you driving me nuts? Perfectly fine.” She offered an angelic smile. With teeth.

  “Okay, so back to business. I’ve been thinking about what you said a few weeks back at the diner.”

  “About your program.”

  He nodded, and she noticed he looked semi-serious now. Rylan pretty much always looked as if he were privy to some sort of inside joke, but she was starting to realize it was just who he was. Part of his innate charisma.

  “We’ve got some solid stock, but nothing spectacular, nothing that’s creating any buzz or fuss. Not like you. You’ve built up your breeding program so that you’ve got some great bloodlines running through yours. It’s been smart.”

  “You’ve checked?”

  “Of course I have.” As if oblivious to her surprise, he continued on. “Crooked Valley doesn’t have that. According to Quinn, about five years ago Joe took it in his head to dabble with the idea.”

  “Yeah. He came to my dad for advice.”

  “And he made a decent start, I’ll give him that. But it’s not growing and it needs to. Right now it’s costing Crooked Valley far more than it’s making.”

  She agreed with him. “But where are you going to get this stud savior?” she asked. “I can’t see Duke signing off on that kind of purchase. To get what you’re looking for...we’re talking a minimum of ten grand. Probably more like fifteen or twenty.”

  “I’m working on that. I guess my question to you is would Brandt consider using our stud in your program? If we had one?”

  She stopped and looked up at him. He was dead serious now. Was he really taking that big of an interest in the ranch? How much did he have at stake?

  It was easier to talk to him with her work hat on. “Rylan, you know as well as I do that it would depend on the horse, and what you’d charge.”

  “But if you did like what you saw, you’d consider it?”

  “I consider everything.”

  “That’s all I needed to
know.”

  The guests were called to dinner then, and Kailey and Rylan parted ways. He sat with his parents and Quinn’s mother while Duke, Carrie and Kailey sat with Quinn, Lacey and Amber. Throughout the meal Kailey thought about what Rylan had said about Crooked Valley. He didn’t talk like a man who wasn’t invested. Instead, it sounded very much like planning for the future.

  Then again, he was one-third owner, at least technically. She supposed making the bucking stock operation profitable would pad his bottom line, too. Help fund his expenses. She’d seen his results. The NFR was a definite possibility this year if he kept on the way he’d begun. Shoot, he’d said that he’d been in the money on the last rodeo. He didn’t say that he’d won top spot. She’d only seen that when she’d checked the standings.

  She looked over at him, saw him laugh at something Quinn’s mother said. Something in her heart softened. This wouldn’t do, not at all. She couldn’t be starting to like him. Not after he’d been such a jerk.

  Which he’d apologized for. Sincerely.

  Maybe she should be better at holding grudges.

  After dinner the tables were cleared to make room for the dancing to come later. Lacey and Quinn cut the cake and fed each other while people snapped pictures. The band tuned up and they had the first dance, then David danced with Lacey while Quinn danced with his mother, and then Lacey danced with Duke while Quinn danced with Helen. Once the family dances were out of the way, Kailey was called upon to dance with Duke. Finally the slow songs ended and the band sped up for some boot stomping music. Kailey wondered how much longer she had to stay.

  Then she felt guilty for wanting to leave. How often did she get to dress up and party? A year ago, heck, even six months ago, she would have really cut loose at something like this. Danced until last call.

  At some point she’d changed. Decided life should hold more meaning than the daily grind. She’d...grown up. Problem was, she hadn’t yet found that extra meaning and it seemed as if there was a big hole where it was supposed to be.

  It was around the time that Lacey was going to throw the bouquet that Kailey realized she hadn’t seen Rylan in a while. The girlfriend of one of the ranch hands caught the flowers, and the evening began to fade into purply twilight. Still no Rylan. Had he gone home?