by Diana Palmer
He strolled casually toward his own bedroom door, which was past his dad’s. He could hear Veronica talking to the pig, so she wasn’t back on the phone. He paused at his open door and surveyed the rumpled sheets. Should he ask her what was going on, or should he leave things be, and just enjoy being with her? He didn’t want to mess things up, but he also didn’t want to be a complete fool.
The bathroom door opened and he pretended to be busy sorting out the clothes on the floor. He looked up as she came toward him, her cheeks flushed, and her hair falling down around her shoulders. She was wearing his T-shirt, which was too big for her and almost came down to her knees.
Just the glorious sight of her made any questions impossible. He wanted her back in his arms, and if there was trouble coming, maybe he’d just have to deal with it when it exploded in his face, or pray she’d tell him what was going on.
She paused at the side of the bed and looked over at him.
“I’m sorry about that.”
He shrugged. “No worries.”
“I’ve been hoping that Sharon, my neighbor, would let me know if she’d spotted Perry again.”
“Oh, right.” Ted concentrated on sounding neutral. “Did she leave you a message?”
“Unfortunately not.” She sighed and set her phone on the bedside table. “I should just call her, but I’m scared about what she’s going to say.”
Ted felt some of the tension in his shoulders disappear. Whatever was going on, her concern for the momma pig was very like her. Maybe he was overthinking things after all. He set his clothes on the chair and turned to face her, offering her another chance to tell him the rest of it.
“Sometimes it’s better to deal with things head-on than worry yourself to death over them.”
“I know.” She managed a smile. “As I said, it’s complicated. Maybe I’ll call her tomorrow.” She hesitated, her hand hovering over her phone. “Are you still okay with me sleeping here?”
Ted smiled and patted the mattress. “I wasn’t thinking we’d be doing much sleeping, but you’re more than welcome to try.”
Chapter Six
The wedding day started with clear skies and weak sunshine, which settled in, wrapping the small town in a cocoon of white snow and soft light that made it feel almost magical. Veronica leaned against the frosted window, her breath condensing on the glass and allowed herself to imagine living in Morgantown again. Leon wouldn’t be happy, but he’d understand, and what else was there to keep her in L.A.? She didn’t want to be bumping into Jason and his new girlfriend every five minutes. He’d keep on rubbing it in her face if she stayed; he was just that kind of guy.
She could live at her uncle’s place, help him out, and maybe find a job locally. She glanced back at the bed where Ted softly snored, one arm flung out over the pillows as if looking for her. They’d spent the last three days together, and she’d never been happier. She could see Ted every day....
The thought of all that—of having a family again, or being with a man who respected her—was so tempting. But she had to be brave and deal with the mess she’d left behind. At some point today, she was going to call Sharon and find out exactly what was going on.
She grabbed Ted’s soft-lined plaid shirt from the chair and put it on, enjoying the scent of him surrounding her, and went out into the kitchen. It was still early, but she knew Ted had to put in a stint at the gas station before the wedding kicked off at the hotel around two. She’d wait until the wedding was over, when they were curled up together in his big warm bed, and tell him everything. It didn’t feel right him not knowing any more because she wanted them to have a future together.
Veronica let out a long breath. There—yes, she’d said it. She wanted more. And if he found what she’d done unacceptable, then that was okay, too. Except it would break her heart....
“Hey.”
Ted’s sleep-roughened voice came from behind her, and she turned to smile at him. He wore nothing but his boxers slung low on his hips and looked so hot she wanted to jump his bones.
“What?” He cocked an eyebrow at her as she advanced toward him.
“When do you have to be at work?”
He glanced over at the kitchen clock. “In about an hour. Why?”
She hooked her finger in the front of his boxers. “Plenty of time then.”
“For what?”
“This.” She eased down onto her knees, bringing his boxers with her.
He made a strangled sound as she cupped his balls and then went gratifyingly quiet.
* * *
Ted checked his reflection in the mirror and fiddled with the top button of his blue shirt. His new, brown cowboy hat sat on the bed along with his thick winter coat. As transport was being provided up to the ranch after the ceremony, he and Veronica had decided to walk over to the hotel. Ted paused to say a quick prayer that no one would need his services today. Mano was standing by, but Ted was the only one around with the expertise to fix anything complicated. He reminded himself that the whole valley would be at the wedding so they were unlikely to be getting up to any other kind of mischief.
His bedroom door opened, and Veronica came in wearing the pink dress she’d bought at the mall. She’d put her hair up on top of her head, allowing soft curls to tumble down and brush her shoulders.
“I think I’ll bring my shoes in my bag and—” She stopped talking and smiled at him so openheartedly that he couldn’t look away. “Wow, you look so good in that color. It really brings out the hazel in your eyes.”
Ted instinctively stood up straighter and sucked in his gut. “Why, thank you, ma’am. You look pretty awesome yourself.”
She smoothed the velvet of her long sleeve with her fingertips. “For once, I’m not going to argue with you about that. I feel beautiful.”
He gently cupped her chin and brought his mouth down to hers. “You are beautiful, inside and out, and I—” He kissed her before he blurted out the L word. Even he knew it was way too early to go down that path, though he was certain to his soul. “And we need to get going. You know I’ve got to do the groomsman thing so I won’t be with you all the time?”
“That’s okay.” She patted his shoulder. “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“I’m sure you’ll be too busy talking to everyone you haven’t seen in Morgan Valley yet to miss me much.” Ted made a sad face as he picked up his hat and coat.
“Oh, I’ll miss you.” Veronica swatted his butt as he went past her. “You can count on that.”
They put on their boots, scarves, and gloves before opening the door and going down to the garage where Ted checked in with Mano who had his cell number for emergencies. The town was quiet, and the snow lay relatively undisturbed, giving the place an old-time vibe. A lot of the shop owners, including Yvonne at the café, Daisy at the florist’s, and Gina at the pizzeria, had closed up for the afternoon to attend the wedding.
Veronica slid her arm into the crook of Ted’s elbow as they crunched through the foot-high ridges of snow, her breath condensing in the freezing air in puffy white clouds.
“It’s beautiful here.” She sighed. “I’d forgotten how much I love this time of year. You don’t get much of a snow season in L.A.”
“Sunshine and heat will sound really good after a couple of months of this,” Ted reminded her. “But by then it’s too late to get out.”
He guided her up onto the planked walkway, which someone had cleared of snow and salted.
“So practical.” She grinned up at him. “Just let me enjoy my little fantasy, okay?”
Ted grimaced. “Sorry, I’m a real Debbie Downer, aren’t I? My dad is always getting at me for it.”
She stopped, turned to face him, and placed her palm on his chest. “It’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with being a realist. I haven’t lived here for years so I have forgotten the bad things. I don’t mind you pointing them out to me.”
“But I don’t want to be that person,” Ted exhaled. “I d
on’t want to be the grumpy old guy in the corner.”
She met his gaze head-on and raised her eyebrows. “Then stop. That’s on you, okay?”
He nodded and she turned around again, took his hand, and walked forward. He followed as meekly as a besotted calf. Was it really that simple? Was it time he stopped weighing up every issue and exploring every possible outcome before he dared take a step?
“I had to be cautious when I took out the loans for the rebuild.” Ted couldn’t quite believe he was still yapping, but there it was.
“I totally get that.” She nodded, but didn’t slow down. “Financial decisions that affect your whole family and your business deserve a lot of thought.”
“But that’s why I didn’t borrow enough money to build my own house and ended up living with my dad.” Even as he said the words, Ted realized how he’d held himself back. “I didn’t want to take that risk, and I could’ve afforded it.”
“You can always refinance,” she said gently.
“Don’t be nice to me,” he grumbled. “I’m trying to be honest here.”
That earned him a laugh and a squeeze of his hand. “They say confession is good for the soul.”
“I’m so not feeling it.” He paused at the end of the walkway to study the bright lights of the Hayes Hotel. “Here’s where all the action definitely is. The place is lit up like a Christmas tree!”
“Marley’s really going for it,” Veronica said in awed tones. “The whole front is a mass of lights, and there’s literally a red carpet running from the street into the hotel.”
A battered truck pulled up, and a bearded cowboy got out and came around to open the passenger door. He handed his keys off to the valet and paused to chat as he helped his female companion step down.
Beside Ted, Veronica went still. “That’s—”
“Ben Miller’s girlfriend.” Ted gave the couple a casual wave. “They’ve built a new house out on the Gomez Ranch, which Ben is managing.”
Veronica poked him in the side. “That’s Silver Meadows!”
“Yeah, I know.” He frowned down at her. “They probably got here early to avoid any gawkers.”
“She’s one of the biggest film stars in the world!” Veronica squeaked, almost jumping up and down with excitement.
“So what?”
Veronica shook her head and started down the steps, her mouth still open. “This place is nuts. Tech millionaires, rodeo stars, Navy SEALs. . . .”
“Always has been, always will be.” Ted followed her onto the red carpet where they paused to allow a photographer to take their picture. “Now, I feel like a movie star.”
* * *
The inside of the hotel was still relatively quiet because the ceremony wasn’t due to start for almost an hour. A sign directed them to a large room where they could shed their outerwear and change their shoes. Settling his hat under his arm, Ted turned to Veronica. “I’ve got to go upstairs and find Ry. Will you be okay?”
“I’m pretty sure I will,” Veronica kissed his mouth, which was much easier in high heels. “I’ll save you a seat?”
“That would be awesome.”
She watched him leave, aware that in his wedding garb he looked more like a cowboy than a mechanic. She wondered if she’d spot him again in the crowd of ranchers. She had a feeling that she’d be able to find him anywhere now, and that he’d make sure he was there to be found. How could she have come to care for him so deeply in such a short space of time? Was she just not used to a man being a decent human being anymore? She reminded herself that she had dated a few guys since her divorce, and that none of them had made her feel like Ted had.
“Hey, you.”
She was jerked from her thoughts by the appearance of Tucker Hayes looking very smart in a three-piece suit. He bowed and offered her his arm.
“May I escort you through to the wedding venue?”
She found a smile. “That would be lovely, thank you.”
“Ted’s really sweet on you,” Tucker said conversationally as they went back through the lobby and toward the connected rooms that ran the length of the hotel. “I hope you’re going to stick around.”
“I’m definitely thinking about it,” Veronica confessed, and was rewarded by a delighted grin. “And I promise I won’t mess him around.”
“Good to know.” Tucker paused near the row of seats. “He’s a great guy who sometimes needs a kick in the pants to get going. I think you’re just what he needs.”
Veronica sat down and allowed herself to take in the amazing floral arrangements and classic Christmas decorations themed in silver and red that covered the dining room and adjacent drawing room. Even the chairs had garlands of scarlet ribbon with silver bells entwined across their backs. There was a table set at the front of the room next to a large fireplace where Veronica assumed the pastor would stand. Marley really had done the Hayes family proud.
As Veronica sat, taking everything in and just enjoying being back in her hometown, the rows started to fill up with the residents of Morgan Valley in their best formal Western wear. She recognized some of the women she’d met at Avery’s party, and was touched when several came over to speak to her, and make her feel welcome.
As the murmur of conversation grew to a muted roar, a trio of musicians started playing quietly in the corner, and the front seats containing the Morgans and Hayes family were gradually occupied. Veronica received a wave from Ruth Morgan, and a wink from Roy, the ancient ranch manager who accompanied her to her seat.
Eventually, there was a stir at the back, and everyone craned their necks to watch Ry Morgan, the groom, accompanied by his identical twin brother, HW, walk down the aisle. Ry looked his usual, calm self, but HW was grinning and yakking away like he was still trying to wind his brother up. It occurred to Veronica that people didn’t really change that much after all.
Ted was the same kid who’d looked out for his sister and her friends, and worked hard to support his family business, but was Veronica the same girl? Despite everything that had happened in her life so far, she liked herself better now. She was a resilient woman who had been tested and emerged stronger than ever.
The music paused, and then started again, this time with a country tune from a star Veronica knew Avery loved. Everyone stood, and HW Morgan took the opportunity to elbow his twin in the side. There was a very long pause, and then Chase William appeared, a furrow on his brow as he delved into his basket, crouched down, and carefully placed one rose petal on the center of the carpet before moving another six inches forward and doing it again.
January, who was Avery’s matron of honor, bent to whisper in his ear, and made a hurry-up kind of motion, which didn’t go down well with her son. After another consultation, he scowled, shoved his hand in the basket, threw out a whole load of petals, and stomped up the aisle scattering them everywhere. Behind him, January laughed, hoisted her daughter, Elizabeth, higher on her hip, and followed him up to the front where she handed the baby over to her husband, and grabbed hold of the collar of Chase William’s blue-checked Western shirt.
The maids of honor, accompanied by the groomsmen, progressed at a more regular pace. Veronica spotted Ted accompanying Marley Hayes at the back. The blues and greens of the bridal party offered a soothing contrast to the silver and red of the décor, like a promise of spring after a hard winter.
There was another pause, as Ry Morgan stared straight ahead, and then a gentle sigh of appreciation as Avery Hayes and her father came down the aisle. Avery wore a simple, white, high-necked dress that finished just below the tops of her white and red cowboy boots. She also wore a white hat with a vivid silver and red sash that trailed down the back.
Veronica gave a shaky sigh as Ry Morgan spotted his bride. His whole face lit up with such adoration that Veronica knew her friend would never have a moment’s regret in her choice of husband. He worshipped her, and had waited patiently for her to decide when she was ready to marry him without a word of complaint, or expectatio
n of anything. Veronica was truly happy for her friend.
She sniffed and a tissue appeared under her nose. She looked up to discover Ted had slipped into the seat next to hers.
“Here you go,” he whispered. “I knew you’d cry.”
“So did I,” she whispered back, and pointed at her purse. “I have a whole packet of tissues in there.”
“We’ll probably need them before the end of the ceremony,” Ted murmured. “I’m getting a little misty-eyed myself.”
She wiped her eyes and reached for his hand when the pastor asked them all to sit. Whatever happened between her and Ted, she knew that true love did exist; she was watching it happen in real time.
* * *
As the wedding progressed, Ted couldn’t help wondering how it would feel if it was him up there saying vows to Veronica. He’d never imagined finding someone he could stick with for the rest of his life. What was funny was that the idea of it didn’t even scare him. He knew he was getting dangerously ahead of himself, but for once he wasn’t prepared to put the brakes on.
Veronica just fitted right: with the town, with his family and friends, and, most importantly, with him. She was everything he wasn’t, and somehow that worked. And she was beautiful with her dark hair, her olive skin, and that breathtaking smile.
After the ceremony, there was champagne and tiny little sandwiches and cakes that just made Ted hungrier. He stopped himself from downing too many, and focused on re-introducing Veronica to everyone she hadn’t yet met who was attending the wedding. They all knew who she was, so it was mainly a remember-fest, and a hope that she would stick around that Ted could only silently echo.
Eventually, Ry and Avery reappeared looking radiant. Tucker stood at the bottom of the main staircase and cupped his hands.
“Transport up to Morgan Ranch will be arriving shortly out front! I suggest you all wrap up warm if you want to use it!”
