An August Bride

by Debra Clopton

  That said, she let them hustle her to the group. She stood on the edge of the growing flock of women.

  Everyone was joking and pushing playfully at each other. When Tiffany turned her back on the group and prepared to toss the flowers, Kelsey looked wary instead of ready and took a step back. Brent wondered if she really wouldn’t reach for the flowers.

  “Reach for the flowers. Really reach,” Esther Mae called, holding her own arms up in the air to show Kelsey how to do it. The redhead looked like she was playing outfield for the Texas Rangers, with her knees bent and hands extended. Kelsey turned to stare in disbelief at her aunt. Tiffany threw the bouquet over her shoulder. It sailed hard through the air and hit Kelsey smack in the face—then fell like a rock at her feet.

  Kelsey stumbled back when the flowers hit her—what were they wrapped with? Someone dove for the flowers and knocked her farther off balance, and she braced herself to land in the sand.

  “Gotcha,” Brent said, catching her in his strong arms and holding her steady. “Are you all right?” He turned her so he could look at her and moved her hand away from where she’d covered her throbbing forehead.

  She squinted at him, wondering if she was going to have a black eye. “I think so. What was that? A bouquet or a rock?”

  “Oh, Kelsey, I’m sorry,” Tiffany gushed as everyone else gathered close. “The stems were wrapped with that handcrafted silver wire and jewel decoration. I didn’t dream it would hit anyone.” She gasped. “You have a lump.”

  “Let’s sit you down,” Brent said, taking charge and leading her out of the crowd and over to a chair. “You need some ice.”

  “Here’s some,” another guest said, and handed him a cloth napkin filled with ice that he placed on the tender spot just above her right eye.

  “Thank you,” she said at last, feeling really ridiculous.

  “Hold that there and let’s see if we can keep you from getting a black eye,” he said gently.

  Who got a black eye from wedding flowers?

  Obviously she did.

  Or at least a lump, she thought, the next morning after church as she drove over the Bay Bridge. As soon as Sunday services ended, Aunt E had herded them all out the door and to the parking lot like cattle. Kelsey forced her eyes back to the road, and thoughts buzzed in her mind like bees preparing for winter as she drove.

  Today was about catering. Every catering option she could imagine shuffled through her mind one right after the other. As they arrived at the Sandbar Ranch, she prepared to be completely professional. It didn’t take much imagination to see that Brent was hoping for more than a working relationship with her. And last night she’d been tempted to go along with the hope she saw in his eyes.

  But she couldn’t.

  That did not stop her heart from teeter-tottering on the edge of some serious—no, she wouldn’t let herself imagine more between them.

  Couldn’t.

  The growth of her business was at stake here. The posse had decided they would be heading home to Mule Hollow after their tour of Brent’s ranch and so Kelsey followed them in her vehicle.

  It was a setup.

  Praying for patience and peace in the midst of turmoil, she tried to think positively. If something she didn’t like happened now, she could hightail it out of there. But she didn’t plan on letting anything get out of hand. She was going to keep this strictly about catering.

  Norma Sue and Adala rode together, and Aunt E and Millie squeezed in with Kelsey. The high-strung ball of black fur had barked at everything they passed. Her shrill, little bark set Kelsey’s nerves on end today—which didn’t take much since Kelsey was feeling extremely high-strung herself. And like a ditz, sporting that lump on her forehead. It was mortifying!

  “This is a beautiful place,” Adela said as they all got out of their vehicles in front of the barn. “Don’t you think so, Kelsey?”

  “Very nice.” And it was. The moment they’d driven through the gate, it was evident from the beautiful upkeep that the Sandbar Ranch was doing well for itself. Colts frolicked in the front pastures beneath the huge oak trees. And in the distant pastures black Brangus cattle grazed as far as she could see. The same kind her daddy raised.

  This wasn’t her father’s ranch.

  Brent came striding from the barn—tall, lean, and rugged in his work boots and faded jeans. He looked like the cowboy he was. The sun-bleached chambray shirt stretched across his broad shoulders looked invitingly soft with age. When he whipped his straw hat from his head and grinned at her, it was enough to throw Kelsey into cowboy relapse.

  Still, her pulse skittered crazily. Went berserk, was more apt.

  “I’m glad you like it,” he said, not stopping until he was close enough to dance with her again. Looking down at her, he gently touched the lump above her right eye. “It’s looking better. And not bruised like I thought it would be.” The suntanned skin around his eyes crinkled. “I guess you showed that bridal bouquet.”

  Goodness, Brent smelled of man and leather. She leaned into his touch even as she was trying to keep herself upright. She smiled, she couldn’t help it—the man sorely tested her willpower. “I guess I did.”

  Norma Sue snorted. “If her aunt hadn’t distracted her, she might not be sporting a goose egg today.”

  “It wasn’t Aunt E’s fault. I wasn’t going to catch the bouquet.”

  “You could have at least deflected it,” Norma Sue pointed out.

  “A-hem,” Kelsey said dramatically. “Did we or did we not come out here to look at Brent’s ranch?” She stepped away from Brent, away from his gentle touch and the warmth of his laughing eyes. Away from the nearly overpowering need to touch him back.

  She was grateful that he’d come to her rescue immediately last night—that he’d caught her and kept her from falling—but she did not need to keep thinking about being in his arms.

  “I’m glad y’all are here,” he said. “I’ve got everything ready.”

  Norma Sue’s smile burst across her face beneath the shadow of her white Stetson. She slapped him on the back. “This here is going to be a great day.”

  “Oh, it is,” Esther Mae gushed. Her red hair matched the bright red blouse that she’d worn with her jeans and boots—they were red too. “I can’t wait to see everything. Especially the beach area where you told us you like to ride your horses. In Mule Hollow we have plenty of lakes and rivers to ride beside, but no beach. A beach is so romantic, don’t you think, Brent?”

  Brent chuckled. “You and I think alike.”

  Kelsey had to admit that the thought of riding on the beach was nice. With Brent, romantic, even. She wasn’t thinking about romance! Yeah, right. No, she was thinking about how much a group renting the venue would enjoy the experience. This was all about the venue. The catering. And what the Sandbar Ranch and Sunflower Bistro could do together.

  The fact that her gaze kept lingering on Brent was a little aggravating and distracting. She could ignore it, though. She could.

  As it turned out, Brent had two magnificent palomino horses hitched to a fancy white carriage that would carry them around the ranch. More points for chivalry on his part.

  He did know how to make a woman light up. The carriage had two wide-cushioned benches that faced each other and then a narrow seat up top for the driver.

  Of course, Aunt E immediately spoke up, “You young people ride up there in the driver’s seat. That way you can talk business ideas. I think the two of you putting your heads together on this catering and ranch setting for parties and weddings is a fantastic idea.”

  “I do too,” Norma Sue added. “Just brilliant.” “Absolutely,” Adela encouraged, then followed Norma Sue and Esther Mae into the carriage, leaving Kelsey with no graceful way of getting out of sitting beside Brent. And really, it would give them more time to talk business.

  Though Brent looked too pleased with the seating arrangements, which made her worry that she was encouraging him when she really wasn’t meaning
to. She wanted to believe he was just thinking about how much more they could talk about business, but she knew better. She could see it in the sparkle of his smoky eyes.

  She was being ambushed, no doubt about it.

  He climbed up to the driver’s box and offered her his hand. She hesitated, wanting to say she could get in by herself, but then that would just be rude.

  His muscled shoulders bunched beneath his shirt as he leaned farther down, arm outstretched, eyes inviting. Her pulse rushed like the Brazos on a flood day, pounding in her head as she looked at up at him.

  She was not interested in a cowboy.

  She was not interested in a cowboy.

  She was not.

  Dragging in a ragged breath, she slipped her hand into his. “Thank you,” she said, climbing up beside him.

  Business. Strictly business, she reminded herself again as their hips nearly touched on the narrow bench. Other than hanging off the edge, she had no room to move farther away from him. Each time he moved, his shoulder bumped hers and friction sparked—if it had been night she was certain the sparks would have been visible to the naked eye.

  “I’m glad you came.” His smile grew.

  “Thanks,” she growled as an unwanted urge to add “me too” hit her.

  He chuckled and leaned in close. “I know you got rooked into riding up here, but it’s okay. Relax.”

  Kelsey fought the temptation to lean into him.

  Behind them, Aunt E sighed. “This reminds me of the way they used to court in the old days.”

  Kelsey shot a warning glare over her shoulder. Her aunt just winked. Norma Sue gave her a thumbs-up. And Adela wore her serene, angelic smile that she hid behind a wispy hand.

  They’re out of control.

  Those poor people in Mule Hollow. Surely women didn’t move there to get their lives meddled in like this?

  “Hey, boss, where do you want these?” asked a cowboy leading two striking saddled horses from the corral.

  “Just tie them to the back, Toby. Thanks.” Brent turned to the ladies. “I thought I’d bring two horses, and if any of y’all want to ride on the beach after we eat, then you can do so.”

  Aunt E’s joyful squeal said it all.

  “Way to grab those brownie points,” Kelsey muttered. She cleared her throat. “I mean, that’s really a great idea to advertise for the venue.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, it is.”

  She wasn’t sure if he meant that for the brownie points or the business. “Brent, remember this is about business today,” she said, then looked straight ahead as he started the carriage moving toward a stable that sat down the road a little way.

  “Sure it is. But you can’t fault a guy for trying to impress a beautiful woman.” The carriage rocked along to the rhythm of the horses, and her insides dipped at the thought of him trying to find ways to impress her. She was such a sap.

  Is that your stable?” Kelsey asked. “I’d love to stop and see what you have to offer in the way of horse rides for events that might want them.”

  “I thought you might. I’m raising a quality horse here on the ranch. I’d like y’all to see the new crop.” He also wanted to let Kelsey reexperience ranch life in hopes something would rekindle good memories.

  Her reaction looked promising so far. As soon as he pulled to a halt, she scrambled down from the seat to the ground before he could assist her and hurried inside the large stable. The soft nickers of the horses greeted them as they entered the building.

  “Hi, pretty lady,” Kelsey was saying as he entered. She had chosen one of the soon-to-be mothers, so large she could drop her foal any moment.

  While the posse spread out looking the place over, he stepped up beside Kelsey as she rubbed the mare’s silky white star between her velvety brown eyes.

  “Delta likes you,” he said.

  “Horses always did love her,” Esther Mae offered. “Isn’t that right, Kelsey?”

  “Yes, it’s just because I used to enjoy them and they could tell.”

  “Horses have a keen sense of people,” Norma Sue added from where she and Adela were checking out a couple of twin foals a few stalls down from Delta. “They know if you care or if you’re indifferent.”

  Brent watched emotions play over Kelsey’s expression.

  “Oh, there’re more out back,” Adela said, walking gracefully out the back of the stable with Norma Sue and Esther Mae hurrying behind her.

  Suddenly he and Kelsey were alone.

  “Did your dad raise horses? Or did you just have a few for the ranch?” he asked, spying a wishful expression in her eyes as she looked at Delta.

  “We raised a few.”

  Yes, wishfulness was definitely in her tone. “That was a part you really enjoyed.” It wasn’t a question. He could see it in her face.

  Her hand stilled. “I . . . I loved it.” She lifted bright eyes to his. “Birthing foals was just a joy to me. It was like Christmas each time a new one was born. I was always involved. I can’t tell you how much time I spent cleaning stalls and brushing down horses after a ride.” She smiled. “I am actually startled at how welcome the memories are to me.”

  Brent could barely breathe looking at her. How badly had it hurt when her dad had lost his ranch?

  “I’ll never forget the night before my wedding . . . ” She paused, and he wasn’t sure she’d keep on, but she gave a quiet huff of a laugh, then looked back at Delta. “Anyway, my favorite mare, Morning Star, was due, and Daddy and I worked all night to save the baby. I ended up not making it to my own bachelorette party.” She smiled at that and it warmed Brent’s heart to see it.

  “Wow, you were dedicated.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it. Tulip made it into the world healthy and beautiful, and . . . and Daddy and I shared a wonderful experience together.”

  She turned from Delta, then, wrapping her arms together, blinked hard. Tears glistened in her eyes.

  “You okay?”

  She waved a hand and gave a quick grin that was far from joyful. “Yes, I just haven’t thought of that in a while. It’s a hard memory.”

  He draped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her in for a sideways hug. “I’m sorry your dad lost his ranch.”

  She cleared her throat and moved away. “Me too. He loved it. It nearly broke my heart to watch him lose it.” Before he could say anything, she pinned him with a pointed stare.

  “I’ve left that part of my life behind. I could never go through that again. You know, becoming a part of that life.” She took a deep breath and her eyes brightened. “To cater the experience of others for a few hours I can definitely do, though.”

  “But you love it.”

  “I love my life now. I don’t want to look back. I’m sorry, Brent. I don’t.” She headed toward the entrance and he followed.

  That hadn’t gone as he’d hoped.

  He followed her out, and they found the posse waiting beside the carriage. Once they were all loaded up, he drove the carriage down a dirt road that crossed the ranch and led toward the beach. It was a nice stretch of beach, a lonesome, undeveloped spot.

  Kelsey was quiet most of the ride, clearly lost in thought. She had been completely up front about why she was here from the very beginning. Was he hoping for too much? Was he wanting something out of his reach? Something that wasn’t right for Kelsey?

  Or could he help her be brave enough to reclaim a part of her life that she’d loved? Because she might say she didn’t want to go back, but the emotion in her voice had said something different.

  He was grateful for the opportunity to get her to his ranch. Today was about more than business, and he didn’t care what Kelsey called it. And he didn’t plan to waste a single moment.

  The instant he pulled to a halt beside where the grass and the sand met, the ladies were climbing out.

  Norma Sue pushed her Stetson off her forehead, causing her bushy gray hair to spring out at her temples. “We’re going to see your beach, Brent.”


  Esther Mae was grinning. “That’s right. Y’all stay here, take your time.”

  Adela shielded her gaze with her hand, looking so dainty he was afraid the wind might blow her over. “We’ll be back. I just have to see your beach close up. The windswept beauty of this area is God’s perfect handiwork.” And then she left them with a twinkle in her iridescent blue eyes.

  “Sure, take your time.” Brent chuckled and watched them wander over the sand dunes, through the beach grass, talking as they went.

  He turned to Kelsey.

  She smelled of sugar and cinnamon, and he leaned in close—again. Though it defied logic, he was unable to get enough of her. “You baked some delicious pastries for lunch, didn’t you?” he asked, moving the conversation away from the ranch. “You smell good enough to eat.”

  Her eyes flared. They were close enough that if he leaned in a little more, he could kiss her.

  And probably get himself slapped in the process.

  She sat straighter. “I wanted to show you what I have to offer. I start out about five thirty every morning to have them fresh each day. I did the same this morning in order to make it to church too.”

  He grinned. “We keep the same hours. I start exercising my horses about that time. They work better for me in the cool of the morning. Especially in August with all these scorching days we have. Suits me fine, though.”

  She frowned. “Not me. I drag myself out of bed for work because I have to.”

  “Yeah, right. You know that’s not true. You wouldn’t have opened the bistro if that were the case. Wanna help me set up lunch? I was thinking lunch on the beach would be good.” He moved out of the wagon, needing to move away from her before he hauled off and got himself into hot water.

  “I’d love to,” she said, taking his hand when he held it up to her. He grabbed the blanket and the big hamper she’d packed and started toward the beach. Kelsey followed. “You like sunrises too,” he called over his shoulder, unable to stop teasing her. “Standing on the beach watching that sunrise peek over the horizon makes you smile.”