by Wilde, Lori
Who had Savannah become?
* * *
“You’re here awfully early,” Savannah said, her gaze traveling the length of his body.
He wore a maroon-and-dark-green, snap-down Western shirt and a pair of new, sharply creased blue jeans. Not exactly wedding attire, but nothing unusual in this neck of the woods. For a casual outdoor wedding, West Texas informal would pass. Especially when worn by a man as potently masculine as Matt Forrester. His clothing made a statement, proclaiming him a rough, tough cowboy detective.
His dark eyes seized her gaze and held her captive. Savannah wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. Helplessly, she stared at him. Her heart leaped in her chest like a jackrabbit trying to escape a snare. One look, one smile from him and she melted like ice cream in the sun.
“He came to help out.” Ginger beamed. “Didn’t I tell you he would show up?”
“I’ll do anything I can to assist,” Matt said. “Just tell me what to do.”
Savannah nodded. “All right. I accept your offer. I need some tables brought out of the house and set up in the garden before the caterers arrive. I can’t move them all by myself, and Clem seems to have disappeared.”
“Lead the way.”
They all went inside, Ginger flitting off to the bathroom to wash and flat iron her hair. Cody sat in his playpen in the living room, busily stacking alphabet blocks. He saw Matt and grinned, a string of drool dribbling down his chin.
“Da!” he squealed happily, wriggling with delight.
Savannah stopped to wipe her son’s mouth with a corner of his baby blanket, then pointed out a table to Matt. “Let’s move this one first. It’s the heaviest.”
They tugged the table out the door and into the garden where Savannah had him place it strategically beside the flower bed. The florists brought in colorful bouquets of spring flowers and arranged them around the constructed altar.
Savannah stopped to admire their handiwork. The setup was quite attractive. She couldn’t help but compare the elaborate decorations to her own slipshod, hurry-up wedding. There had been no florists, only artificial flowers from Walmart. Gary had desired a fancy ceremony, but she’d nixed the idea. She’d wanted it over and done with the least amount of fanfare. Maybe that was why she’d been so determined to make Ginger’s wedding a special affair.
“I still can’t believe Ginger’s getting married,” Matt murmured, standing so close to Savannah she could smell the heady scent of his cologne.
“Yes,” Savannah agreed, emotions choking her throat. “My little sister’s all grown up.”
“Weddings are kind of sad, aren’t they?”
His sensitivity surprised her. Had he sensed the mixed feelings stirring inside her? She wanted happiness for Ginger, but at the same time, she would miss her sister something fierce.
She glanced at him. “They can bring back sad memories, yes.”
He rested a hand on her shoulder, his touch sending tremors of longing contracting through her muscles. “You know, Savvy, I’d always thought we’d get married someday. Funny how things work out.”
She closed her eyes, clenched her jaw. Why did he have to say that? She carried enough regret in her heart to last a lifetime. Maybe she’d made a mistake when she married Gary, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
Stepping away from his dangerous touch, Savannah opened her eyes and turned to face him. “Have you found my cattle yet?”
The corner of his left eye twitched, and he pressed his lips into a firm, straight line, a sure sign her question upset him. “A few head turned up at an auction in Midland,” he said tersely. “Their brands had been altered.”
“They’re my cattle?”
He nodded.
“That’s great. How many?”
“Six.”
“Where are they?”
His brown eyes darkened. “Still in Midland.”
“How come? Why haven’t you brought them home?” She settled her hands on her hips. Savannah knew he was hiding something. Matt had never been good at keeping secrets from her.
Dropping his gaze, he shifted his weight. “They’re being held as evidence. The cattle are impounded until the investigation is over.”
She frowned and rubbed her brow with her index finger and thumb. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Do you have more tables to move?” he asked.
His evasiveness served to pique her curiosity. What was going on? “Is that your way of saying you can’t talk about the investigation?”
He looked relieved. “Yeah.”
“Fine.” She shrugged. “Let’s finish moving the tables.”
Neither spoke as they worked. One minute he’d been open with her, the next elusive. Two years ago, she could have coaxed him to talk, but now? No way. She knew he wouldn’t confide in her, and honestly, she couldn’t blame him. She’d violated his trust. If only they could erase the past and start over with a clean slate.
Wishful thinking, Savannah.
“Need me for anything else?” Matt raised an eyebrow when they were done moving tables.
“Not right now. I’ve got to give Cody his lunch.”
Matt inclined his head toward the barn. “I think I’ll go have a talk with your ranch hand.”
“Clem? What for?”
“I’d like to question him again about the night of the thefts, make sure he didn’t forget something.”
“Okay.” She was glad for any excuse to escape.
Matt stalked to the barn, and Savannah went inside the house. She blew her breath out through puffed cheeks. Would she survive this day?
Ginger sat at the kitchen table polishing her fingernails. She gave Savannah a weak smile. “Cody’s napping,” she said, “I fed him, and Aunt Pearl just called. She and Cousin Ada are in Rascal. They’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“Oh, boy. I’d hoped the guests wouldn’t start arriving so soon.” Savannah pushed her bangs from her forehead and sat down beside Ginger.
“Vannah, I’m getting nervous.”
Savannah patted her sister’s shoulder. “You’ll be fine, honey.”
“But I hate getting up in front of people, and we’ve got a hundred guests coming.”
“It’s not the same thing as giving a speech, and besides, Todd will be right beside you.”
“Did you have second thoughts when you got married?”
And thirds and fourths and fifths. Savannah wished Ginger would stop trying to compare their weddings. It wasn’t the same thing at all. Ginger was in love with Todd.
“Honey, you’ve just got the jitters. Everything will be all right.”
“Where’s Matt?”
“Outside talking to Clem. Why?”
Ginger wiggled her pearly pink fingernails. “Would you be offended if I asked him to give me away?”
“I... I thought you wanted me to give you away.”
“Well, you have been both mother and father to me, and I love you with all my heart, but I’d feel more proper if a man gave me away, and since we don’t have any close male family members...” Ginger looked at Savannah, a pleading expression on her face. “I mean,” Ginger amended quickly, “if you’d rather I didn’t ask him, I won’t. I know there are bad feelings between you two, and the last thing I want to do is hurt your feelings.”
“Sure, honey.” Savannah smiled gamely. “Go ahead and ask Matt, if that’s what you really want.”
“Ask me what?” Matt opened the screen door and stepped into the kitchen.
Ginger and Savannah looked at each other. Savannah lifted her shoulders.
“I was wondering,” Ginger began, springing up from her chair like a jack-in-the-box. “If you would consider giving me away.”
“Uh...” Matt looked flabbergasted.
“Don’t feel obligated to say yes,” Ginger said. “It’s just that I’ve always thought of you as a big brother, and since I don’t have a father or brothers of my own...” She trailed off.
/> “Why I’d be honored, Ginger, but I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion.” He indicated his attire with a sweep of his hand.
“You look great,” Ginger said. “Just like the Matt Forrester I used to know and love. I wouldn’t recognize you in a suit.”
“Savvy?” Matt looked at her.
“It’s Ginger’s wedding,” Savannah said. “It’s up to her.”
8
Matt shot an uneasy glance in Savannah’s direction. He’d come here today prepared to take Savannah down to the sheriff’s department for questioning, not give her sister away on her wedding day.
“Who was supposed to give you away?”
“Vannah.”
“You don’t mind?” Matt asked Savannah.
Savannah held her arms open wide. “Please, be my guest. One less thing I’ve got to worry about.”
“You could be my matron of honor instead,” Ginger said.
Savannah shook her head. “No, your best friend, Karen, would be so disappointed. I’ll be all right.”
“But I want you to be in the wedding, sis,” Ginger insisted.
“Really, Ginger, it’s okay. I’ll sit in the front row with Cody and act as the mother of the bride.”
“I don’t want to come between the two of you,” Matt interrupted. “Savannah can still give you away.”
“Matt, nothing would please me more than for Ginger to come down the aisle on your arm. Both of you, it’s all right.”
“Well, if you’re sure... But I’m going to run home and get a suit to wear. I want to do this up right,” Matt said.
“Oh, thanks,” Ginger exclaimed, hugging Matt with her palms held out so that she wouldn’t muss up her freshly painted fingernails. “You’re special.”
And an idiot, he thought.
Why did he persist in getting personally involved with Savannah? Hooking up with her again was flat out stupid, especially if she was involved in the disappearance of the livestock.
“Thank you,” Savannah said, gratitude on her face.
Cody awoke and started squalling from the bedroom at the same time Savannah’s relatives arrived on the front porch.
Time passed in a blur as Matt found himself reintroduced to people he’d met briefly years before. The ensuing hubbub provided a decent cover while he dashed home for a change of clothes.
When he returned, Matt pitched in where he was needed—running errands, toting parcels, directing traffic. The whole time he worked, he couldn’t forget the reason he’d come to the Circle B and the ugly task that awaited him as soon as the wedding ceremony was over.
If the suspect had been anyone other than his ex-girlfriend, he would have taken them in right away, but his affection for Savannah prevented him from doing so. He recognized his weakness, acknowledged it with shame. A good lawman didn’t show favoritism.
Face it, Forrester. You’re between a rock and a hard place.
How could he drag Savannah away from her sister’s wedding, particularly when he’d been invited to give the bride away?
* * *
By the time four o’clock rolled around, Savannah was a basket case. What with getting herself and Cody dressed, offering moral support to Ginger, and herding a houseful of relatives and taffeta-draped bridesmaids, she desperately needed to stop and take several deep breaths. Yet somehow, she’d managed to pull the whole thing off.
She found herself sitting in the front row under the white awning, Cody clutched in her lap, friends, and family seated around her.
Although she was reluctant to admit it, Matt had been a big help. He’d joked with Ginger, charmed her relatives, doled out words of manly wisdom to a pale-faced Todd. He’d acted as a gofer, a butler, and even stepped in to usher guests to their seats. He was indispensable.
The weather cooperated, issuing a slight breeze and plenty of sunshine. The fragrant odor of flowers hung in the air—honeysuckle mingled with roses, orchids complemented daisies, snapdragons enhanced marigolds. The garden was beautiful in shades of red, purple, blue, yellow, and pink. Nature heralded the festive, happy occasion in exotic splashes of color and intoxicating smells.
The guests dressed accordingly. The women were decked out in bright, cheerful finery. The men sported suits or Texas tuxedoes, the children clad in patent leather and ribbons.
Over to one side, the caterers stood by the tables, ready to set up for the reception once the ceremony ended. Todd’s family sat in the aisle across from Savannah. They smiled, nodding their heads in greeting. She swallowed a lump in her throat, sorry that her mother hadn’t lived to share this joyous day with her daughters.
She clutched Cody tighter.
Lilting music rose and fell as the guitarist strummed a soulful tune of love and sacrifice. The minister assumed his position at the front of the altar. The crowd rustled. Heads turned as the bridesmaids started down the walkway, delicate as mauve swans.
Todd and his best man were in place. And as the strains of the wedding march began, Savannah’s palms grew cold and sweaty with anticipation.
Earlier they had decided Ginger and Matt would enter from around the side of the house and walk down a path of green carpeting rolled out for the occasion. Savannah’s hands trembled, and she clasped them firmly around Cody’s to gain control. She rose to her feet, the congregation following her lead.
She caught her breath as Matt and Ginger stepped into sight.
Her sister looked so beautiful.
And Matt…handsome didn’t begin to describe him. He wore a gray three-piece suit and a crisp white shirt. A smart red tie was knotted at his throat. With his dark hair combed off his forehead and the sunlight dappling over his face, he was utterly gorgeous. He’d gone beyond the call of duty by agreeing to walk Ginger down the aisle. The generous gesture reminded Savannah of why she’d fallen in love with him in the first place.
Ginger and Matt moved forward, and Savannah couldn’t take her eyes off him. Her sister’s elbow crooked through his, her bouquet grasped to her chest.
Pride swelled inside Savannah. She’d vowed she wouldn’t cry, but that had been a stupid promise. Tears ran down her cheeks as she watched her sister head for the altar on the arm of the man who should have been her husband.
This is how her wedding should have been—full of hope and promise. The joining of two people who truly loved one another embarking on life’s greatest adventure together instead of a sad, brittle marriage of convenience. She should have married Matt instead of Gary. But cancer had had other plans.
Savannah caught Matt’s eye. He seemed to read her mind. An expression of pure longing crossed his face. That yearning look gave her hope. She’d made so many errors. Was it too late to undo them?
The music reached a crescendo at the same time Matt and Ginger arrived in front of the minister. The preacher raised his hand, and the music stopped.
“Friends! Family! Welcome!” the man began enthusiastically. “We have gathered here today to witness the union of these two young people in holy matrimony.”
His words blurred as he continued the ritual. Savannah didn’t hear him. She focused on Matt and Ginger, her pulse thumping so hard and fast she feared she might faint.
Cody squirmed, and she absentmindedly patted his back.
“Who gives this woman to be wed?” the preacher called out, glancing directly at Matt.
“Her sister and me,” Matt said, his voice rumbling so deep and resonant, it created a quiver in Savannah’s stomach.
Her sister and me.
As if she and Matt were together.
Matt stepped back to join Savannah on the front row.
“She’s breathtaking,” he whispered.
“Thank you for giving her away,” Savannah whispered back. “It was definitely above the call of duty.”
They stared forward, every eye on Todd and Ginger as the minister led the couple through their vows.
Cody tugged at Savannah’s hair, and she shifted him into her left arm. Before she knew w
hat was happening, Matt reached over, grasped Savannah’s right hand, and squeezed it.
His touch suffused her with warmth. His nearness sent her emotions spinning out of control. His fingers twining with hers had her pulse skittering a frantic beat. Goodness gracious, was she falling in love with him all over again?
The thought terrified her. She twisted her hand away just as the couple pledged their troth.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Matt’s jaw stiffen.
The minister pronounced Todd and Ginger husband and wife. After a memorable kiss, the newlyweds turned and started down the carpeted path, followed by their attendants. The guests watched them disappear into the house, then they dispersed about the lawn to wait for the reception.
Anxious to distance herself from Matt, Savannah allowed Aunt Pearl to hold Cody while she went to oversee the buffet setup. Matt positioned himself out of the way, his arms crossed over his chest, his eagle-eyed gaze missing nothing.
Various friends and relatives came up to Savannah to offer their congratulations, and she used the opportunity to ignore him.
Ginger and Todd returned to the gathering, flushed and beaming. Savannah suspected they’d exchanged some heavy-duty kissing while in the house. A trace of lipstick clung to Todd’s collar, and her sister’s hair was attractively mussed.
They formed a receiving line, and to Savannah’s dismay, Ginger tugged Matt over to join them. Sandwiched between Matt and her sister, Savannah plastered a smile on her face and endured.
“I’m not enjoying this any more than you are,” Matt mumbled out of the corner of his mouth.
“What do you mean? I’m thrilled,” she growled, low and gruff so only he could hear.
“Liar.”
“Why did you come here today?” she asked through clenched teeth, forcing a smile as she shook a guest’s hand.
He slid a sideways glance in her direction, then nodded at the row of people extending their hands in congratulation. “Soon as these folks leave, Savannah, you and I are going to have a serious discussion.”
His reply and the look on his face alarmed her.
