Just What the Cowboy Needed

by Teresa Southwick

  But all she said was, “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side and easily climbed in.

  Grace glowed from head to toe and marveled that his fleeting touch could do that and rocked it all the way to Holden House. It was just starting to fade when he parked the truck then came around to the passenger side. She’d opened the door, intending to use gravity this time and just slide down. But he settled his hands at her waist and lifted her to the ground. How often did she get a courtly gesture from a handsome man? Um... Never in her world.

  “Thanks for the ride, Logan. I guess I’ll see you at the wedding.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To see if Tracy or Cassie needs anything. Your daughter might be getting restless with all the standing around.”

  He nodded. “I’ll go check on the groom. See you later.”

  Grace found the suite where the bride and her attendants were getting ready and was instantly swept up in the excitement. She zipped, fetched and fluffed whatever needed fluffing. Then Hadley Michaels, the hotel events coordinator, arrived. That was their signal for go time, so Grace slipped out and headed for the wedding venue downstairs.

  Chairs were set up in one of the conference rooms, and the reception would immediately follow in the room beside it. At the door she was greeted by one of the groomsmen. Tracy had instructed her to tell him that she was to sit in the first row, in case Cassie got fidgety standing for the vows. He bypassed the aisle and took her around to her predetermined place. The room was filled with flowers—roses, star lilies and baby’s breath—and it smelled like a garden. Dark wood trim, a crystal chandelier and wall sconces gave the scene the feel of country elegance. Off to the side a string quartet played soothing background music. As people arrived, she heard a low hum of voices behind her.

  Then everyone went silent and the music changed to the traditional wedding march. Along with the other guests, Grace stood, then inched to the end of her row and was in place just as the double doors at the back of the room opened. One by one the attendants in their strapless, chiffon blush-pink dresses slowly moved toward her. Behind them she saw Cassie, in her princess-length white dress with the embroidered rosebuds and pink satin bow. She walked down the aisle dropping rose petals as if she did it every day.

  The little girl grinned at Grace as she passed, then took her place with the other bridesmaids. When they were in position, the beautiful bride appeared in the doorway in her white strapless, full-skirted gown. But what put a lump the size of Montana in Grace’s throat was Logan walking the mother of his child down the aisle. It was a sign of their sweet, strong friendship and brought tears to her eyes.

  As the two passed her, she caught a whiff of his spicy scent, then he was placing Tracy’s hand into her groom’s. Just when it didn’t seem possible he could be any sweeter, Logan went all protective.

  His voice was muted, but the words were audible to anyone in the front row. “You better take care of her. And I’m not kidding.”

  Grace didn’t have a tissue in her purse, so she used the edge of her shawl to dab at her eyes. After issuing his warning, Logan backed away from the bride and groom and took his place in the reserved chair beside hers.

  He looked down and frowned. “Why are you crying?”

  “It’s a wedding,” she whispered. “Women cry. And I didn’t know you were giving Tracy away.”

  He shrugged. “She asked.”

  “It’s very sweet.”

  Then the minister instructed everyone to sit down for the ceremony. There were religious readings, poems and vows the couple had written to each other. Cassie did get restless, so Grace motioned her over and the little girl sat between her and Logan. Grace’s heart squeezed tight. For just a moment she knew what it felt like to be part of a family. That had never happened to her before. It was lovely. But belonging somewhere was a dream she’d lost hope of ever having, so she pushed the feeling away and concentrated on this wedding.

  The bride and groom repeated promises to love, honor and respect each other, exchanged rings and shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Afterward they walked back down the aisle followed by everyone in the wedding party, including Logan and Cassie. Guests filed into the next room, which was set up for dinner and dancing. Grace waited in the receiving line to offer congratulations to the new couple.

  Tracy gave her a hug. “Thank you for being there. Everything went so smoothly with Cassie.”

  “I appreciate your including me. It was perfect,” Grace assured her.

  “This is my—” Tracy smiled at the dark-haired man beside her. “I’ve gotten so used to saying fiancé. This is my husband, Denver Graham.”

  “That would make you Mrs. Graham.” The love in her groom’s eyes was palpable when he looked at her. Then he smiled at Grace. “Thanks for being here.”

  “Congratulations.”

  She moved away and saw that the majority of guests were sitting down, so she found her seat at the table where Logan and his siblings were.

  “Hello,” Tucker said.

  “Hey.” She smiled at him. “Nice to see you again.”

  “Again?” Logan’s gaze narrowed.

  “We had lunch together,” his brother explained.

  “Is there something we should know?” Jamie Hart was sitting across from her.

  “No. It was my afternoon off and I was shopping. So I missed lunch that day and ran into Tucker at the Harvest Café. We decided to keep each other company.”

  “It was a nice surprise,” Tucker said. “I usually eat alone.”

  “You might want to think about why that is.” Logan was scowling at him.

  “I was buying a wedding gift, actually.” Grace wasn’t sure what was bugging him but decided this might be a good time for a distraction. “It seemed appropriate to do that even though Tracy mostly wanted me here to help with Cassie.”

  Max was sitting beside her. “So you really are here in a working capacity?”

  She looked around at the flowers, elegant china, crystal chandeliers and people dressed up—some in tuxedos. She sneaked a glance at Logan sitting on her other side. “If you can call this working.”

  “Don’t you ever give Grace a night off?” Jamie shot her brother a teasing look.

  “Everything is in her contract,” he defended.

  “He’s right,” she said. “I knew what I was signing up for.” Although it hadn’t been spelled out that he would literally sweep her off her feet and make her heart go pitter-pat. “I don’t mind. And I wouldn’t have missed seeing Cassie in her flower girl dress for anything. It’s a good thing I had an invitation or I’d have been forced to crash the wedding.”

  “No crashing necessary,” Max said. “I’d be happy to have you as my plus one.”

  She glanced at each of them, all single. “Now that you mention it, not one of you is here with a date. What’s up with that?” The four of them stared wordlessly at each other as if she’d asked them the secret to world peace. “Seriously. The four of you are fun and better-than-average-looking. You can’t tell me that no one in this town would go out with you.”

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with the rest of them,” Max finally said, “but I chose to come alone so as not to be distracted from the celebration of love we’re here to take part in.”

  “You are so full of it. If I was sitting closer, I’d punch you.” With all those muscles, he probably wouldn’t even feel it. Jamie’s face took on a wicked expression. “What’s really going on is that the word is out. Hockey players don’t make very good lovers.”

  “Now who’s full of it?” Max’s teasing facade slipped a little. “And I’m retired from hockey.”

  “What about you, Tucker?” Grace remembered him saying he wanted children. Coming stag to a wedding wasn’t helping his cause.r />
  “I’ve been busy,” he said vaguely.

  “He’s got no game,” Logan joked.

  “That is classic pot calling the kettle black,” his brother shot back. “What’s your excuse for coming alone?”

  “I didn’t. I came with Grace.” Logan grinned at all of them.

  That was literally true, but it wasn’t technically a date. She gave him a wry look. “Does carpooling count?”

  That produced a rash of ribbing from the three Harts, but Logan gave as good as he got. These four were pros at this back-and-forth thing. It was good-natured and based on a shared history of hardship, loyalty and love.

  Even when there was nothing they’d had everything because they were together. Watching them made her think about growing up in foster care. No one was mean or abusive to her, but there was no teasing banter, just polite acceptance. Like a duty. She was always on the outside looking in, never quite a part of the family unit. Apparently carpooling with Logan was a metaphor for her life, just going along for the ride. Maybe it was time to be proactive.

  Conversation and joking continued as dinner was served and wine poured. Everyone relaxed and had a good time. Except for having the father of her child give her away, Tracy had opted for traditional in all the decisions. Throwing the bouquet and garter, not to mention the chicken dance. Those pictures were going to be hilarious.

  Because this was an evening wedding, it would go on past Cassie’s bedtime. During the festivities, Grace kept a watchful eye on the little girl, looking for the classic signs that she was overtired and ready to melt down. She’d wandered over and climbed into the sixth chair at their table. Her aunt and uncles had kept her busy talking and admiring her pretty dress. When the server was distributing wedding cake, there wasn’t a single piece on his tray with a flower and he tried to give one of the boring ones to Cassie. The tears started flowing.

  All three men were ready to go track down an icing flower, but Grace stopped them with a look. She got up and circled the table, then picked up the little girl before settling her on her lap. “I’m sorry you didn’t get the cake you wanted, sweetie.”

  “But the flowers are the best.” Her small body shook with sobs that had nothing to do with cake and everything to do with being overtired.

  “I know. But it’s getting late, little one. How about we get you home to bed?” Grace was prepared for push back, but it didn’t come.

  Cassie yawned and curled in a little closer. “Okay. Can we, Daddy?”

  “Ready when you are, baby girl.” He pushed his chair back, preparing to stand.

  “I’ll gather up her things,” Grace said, “and then we’ll—”

  “Hey, Cass,” Jamie interrupted. “How about coming home with me? We haven’t had a sleepover in a long time.”

  “Can I sleep in your pretty bed, Aunt Jamie?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way. And you can wear my lacy nightgown. We’ll play princess.”

  “Awesome.” The child had an energy spurt and jumped off Grace’s lap, then ran to her aunt.

  “You don’t have to do that, Jamie,” Logan protested. “You should stay and have fun.”

  She put her arm around her niece. “I’ve had enough happily-ever-after for one day. It’s making my teeth hurt. Grace should get a night off. You two stay and have fun. I won’t take no for an answer. It’s settled. I’ll just let Tracy know what’s going on.”

  Cassie’s care for the night might be settled, but Grace was not. It wasn’t at all clear what it meant for the two of them to stay and have fun. But if it felt anything like him scooping her into his arms earlier, this scenario had the potential to make her positively giddy. And she wasn’t entirely sure whether or not that was fear or anticipation talking.

  * * *

  There were only a few stragglers left at the reception now, just the hard-core party crowd. Logan wasn’t normally one of them, but tonight was different. He’d been with Grace, and time flew by. He hadn’t had so much fun in a very long time and didn’t want to leave, even though his feet hurt from dancing and his jaw from laughing. He hadn’t done that in a long time either.

  Logan set a glass of white wine down on the table in front of Grace. He’d volunteered to get her one when the last-call notice was given. She thanked him, then took a sip of the golden liquid.

  “Things are winding down,” he said, sitting beside her.

  “Yeah. I’m getting that feeling.”

  “I think the bride and groom want to go to bed.”

  She had another drink, then set the long-stemmed glass on the white tablecloth. “Well, of course they do. They just got married.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I wonder where they’re spending their wedding night.”

  “Here at Holden House. In the bridal suite.”

  Grace put her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her palm. “And you know their intimate plans...how?”

  There was intimate and then there was intimate. It was a no-brainer they would be having sex, what with their taking vows that made them husband and wife. The location of that sex he knew for another reason. “Renting the bridal suite for their wedding night was my gift to them.”

  “That’s really sweet.” She smiled at him a little tipsily. “I just got them a silver photo frame.”

  “And very thoughtful of you to do that.”

  “Yours is better.” She looked at him for a moment, then took another sip of wine. “They only have to go up in the elevator to do the wild thing.”

  He really wished she would talk about flowers, rocks or the weather and quit mentioning sex. Tracy’s new husband would get lucky tonight, but Logan would not. All evening there had been long chunks of time when he forgot he was paying this woman to care for his daughter. As badly as he wanted Grace, he couldn’t afford to overlook the fact that he signed her paycheck.

  “Finish your drink, Cinderella.”

  “I thought I was Mary Poppins.”

  “Not tonight. It’s past midnight, and the pumpkin is waiting.”

  She had one swallow left in the glass and did as instructed. After standing, she picked up her purse and pink wrap. “We need to say goodbye to the happy couple.”

  “Okay.”

  The music stopped and the DJ said good-night after wishing the bride and groom congratulations one last time. They walked onto the dance floor and up to Tracy and her husband, who had finished the last dance but still had their arms around each other.

  The bride smiled. “Logan, I can’t thank you enough for giving me away today.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy, Trace. Hope you really didn’t mind that Cassie went home with my sister.”

  “Not at all. She was very excited to spend the night with her aunt.”

  Logan held out his hand to her groom. “Congratulations, you’ve got yourself a great girl. Don’t blow it.”

  Denver laughed. “There were a lot of witnesses when I promised to love, honor—and yes—obey. An easy vow to make. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  Grace shook his hand and hugged Tracy. “I’m sure you’ll be very happy. Have a wonderful honeymoon trip. I will take very good care of your daughter.”

  “I know. Thanks.” The bride stifled a yawn. “Sorry. It’s not the company. Just been a long, stressful, yet joyous day.”

  “And we have an early flight tomorrow,” her husband reminded her.

  “That’s code for, ‘Please, can we go now?’” Logan grinned at the other man before glancing around the room. “Do you need any help here?”

  “No. The hotel will clean up, and my bridesmaids are loading up the gifts to keep for us. I know this is really late for you, Logan. I’m going to take that as a sign that you had a good time.” Tracy glanced at Grace, and a speculative twinkle slipped into her eyes. As if she knew
why he’d had a good time.

  The woman knew him pretty well and had probably figured out how he was feeling about Grace. Time to go before she decided to share her insight.

  “Okay, then. Have a great trip. Don’t worry about Cassie. Good night.”

  There was a tender look on Tracy’s face when she said, “It’s you I worry about.”

  “No need. I’m good.”

  She looked at Grace, then kissed his cheek. “Not yet, you’re not. But I have hope.”

  At least one of them did, he thought, walking out of the banquet room with Grace beside him. Lately he was having a devil of a time keeping his inner demons under control. It was anyone’s guess whether or not he even deserved hope.

  The truck was in the lot where he’d left it under one of the lights in the parking lot. He hit the button on his key fob to unlock the doors, then opened the passenger side. Looking down at Grace, he mumbled a curse. Whatever had possessed him to offer her a ride? The problem of her tight dress and climbing into his truck hadn’t changed. Picking her up was the only solution, but it wasn’t so simple this time.

  After dancing with her tonight, he knew how good she felt in his arms. How perfectly she fit against him. This must be what hell felt like, he thought, as the flames of temptation licked through him.

  “What’s wrong, Logan? You’re looking awfully intense about something.”

  “Nothing. It’s just—I have to pick you up again,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “Or, you could turn your back and I’ll hike my skirt up to my waist and climb in.”

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake—” This would be quick.

  He bent and lifted her but wasn’t fully prepared when she slid her arms around his neck. He knew what a “come-hither” expression looked like and had even experienced it more times than he could count. But he’d never felt the power of it before Grace. He didn’t think she even realized how she was looking at him. As if she wanted him, too.

  This was big trouble.

  It would be so easy to touch his mouth to hers. Only a couple of inches separated them, and he ached to know if she tasted of wine, cake and some magic that was all her. Somewhere close by he heard the chirp of an unlocking car. The sound snapped him out of the sensual trance, and he moved over to the truck, setting her gently in the passenger seat. It was just a beat too long before she stopped touching him.