To Marry a Texas Cowboy

by Julie Benson

  “Nothing in particular, why?”

  Guilt stirred in him over his cavalier attitude the night he’d met McKenna. After five minutes with her, how could he have thought he could schmooze her into anything, even a dance? The woman possessed an iron will when she believed she was right. No one would ever pull anything over on her. When she’d met him, she didn’t care if he was Ginny’s grandson. She knew her job and wasn’t out to impress him. “Me, AJ, Ty, and Coop are always betting on something. I thought maybe Grace or Cassie had complained about it to you.”

  “What’s that all about?” she asked.

  “Heck if I can remember. It’s just something fun we’ve always done.” Or at least it had until they’d bet on him and McKenna. What would she think if she found out about the bet? Would she be pissed, or would she laugh it off? After all, he was the one who’d lost. Needing to move off this shaky ground, he said, “How come when you started this job you didn’t learn how to saddle a horse?”

  “I thought about it, but we had Tyler and were busy. Then Ginny’s hip got worse…” McKenna’s words trailed off. “Will I have any problems lifting the saddle high enough to get it on the horse? I’ve got decent upper body strength, but I’m not sure.”

  “Based on those buckets of ice I saw you toting at AJ and Grace’s party, you’ll do fine.”

  He laid out the plan. “I’ll explain and show you what to do when I saddle Chance. Then you’ll saddle Misty.”

  Once inside Chance’s stall, Zane greeted the horse and tried to slip on his halter, but the horse shook his head. “Sorry, pal. I forgot our deal. Treat first.” He pulled a carrot out of his back pocket for Chance.

  “Shoot. I wish I had one for Misty,” McKenna said.

  “Don’t worry. I brought two.”

  After Chance finished his treat, Zane slipped on a halter, led him into the breezeway, explaining he preferred saddling a horse here or outside. That way if a horse got spooked, a person didn’t get slammed against a wall.

  He pulled a brush from his other pocket and set to grooming Chance. “You got to get any dirt or grit off to keep it from irritating his skin. My granddad also said if you didn’t remove the loose hair, when the horse sweats it’ll shake, and you’ll take a tumble.”

  An odd, uncomfortable look on her face, McKenna pulled her phone from her back pocket and started typing.

  “What’re you doing?”

  “Taking notes and videos.”

  Zane shook his head. “Of course you are.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” She frowned, clearly confused. “Since I have no intention of ending up in the dirt, or worse, a client doing so, I need to get this right. If I don’t write everything down, I’ll forget.”

  Yup, detail oriented and determined to do everything to perfection. Heaven forbid she winged anything. “I bet the teachers loved you. Were you one of those brainy kids who ruined the curve for the rest of us?”

  She shifted her weight back and forth. Then she dug her boot toe into the dirt. He’d obviously hit a nerve with his teasing.

  “When I was in school, guys were intimidated by my intelligence. Pair that with being the new kid so often and high school wasn’t too fun. College was a little better, but not much.”

  “Why do people do that? Think a person has to be one thing or the other?”

  “What do you know about that?”

  “You’d be surprised what people think about an attractive person. Look at you and your rule,” Zane said.

  “Oh, please. You’re acting like being handsome is the huge drawback.”

  Yup. That was what everyone thought. Because of his looks, his life had to be wonderful. If only they knew the truth. What would they, what would McKenna, think then?

  *

  Watching Zane demonstrate how to saddle a horse hadn’t gone the way McKenna thought. In fact, as they moved to Misty’s stall, she still hadn’t regained her control. The minute Zane started brushing Chance, she’d lost the ability to remember anything but her name. And all she could attest to was her first name. How could a woman be mesmerized by a man’s hands doing something as simple as brushing a horse? How silly was that?

  Staring at Zane’s tanned hands, all she could think was how those same hands had felt on her hips as he pulled her closer. Of how they’d caressed her when they’d kissed. She remembered how desire had exploded inside her as she imagined what else his hands could do to her body.

  Thank goodness she’d thought of taking notes to help her focus. Otherwise she’d be more than a little embarrassed when it came time to saddle Misty.

  With something to occupy her nervous hands, she relaxed a bit. At least until Zane’s ruining the curve joke. His comment plunged her back into school, bringing with it all her pain and embarrassment. Classmates had griped and taunted her because she’d blown the curve meaning everyone else received a lower grade. In high school, guys wouldn’t date her because she made them feel dumb. In college, those one or two who asked her out wanted help with homework and prepping for tests.

  Forget the past. Enjoy today when there’s no risk of getting trampled by women vying for Zane’s attention.

  When they reached Misty’s stall, and McKenna had given her the carrot, Zane said, “I hadn’t finished getting the gear when you returned. Stay here while I get her saddle.”

  After he left, she scratched the horse’s nose. “I want you to know I’ve never saddled a horse before. They say the first is special.” She laughed at her joke and realized how she’d laughed more the last few days than in the year prior. “But I’ll try to do it right.”

  Boots clicked on the cement floor. McKenna turned as Zane strode toward her. Reins tossed over his shoulder, a saddle in his arms pressed against his hip, his biceps bulged from exertion. His faded jeans hugged his thighs. His Texas A&M T-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders. Add a Stetson, and he’d appear the quintessential Texas cowboy. Watching him strut toward her, strong, confident, and beyond sexy, McKenna finally understood what could make a bride choose a western wedding—marrying a Texas cowboy.

  He walked past her mentioning something about taking the gear to the breezeway and he’d be back. As he did, McKenna concentrated on her breathing, hoping to level it. Where had her self-control gone?

  When Zane returned, he handed her the halter. After reviewing her notes, she slipped it on Misty. Then as she’d seen him do with Chance, she led Misty to the breezeway in the center of the barn and tied her. Next, she brushed the horse, checked the blanket for anything irritating, and placed it on Misty.

  Those tasks done, she turned her attention to the saddle. After reviewing her notes and video, she hooked one stirrup over the saddle horn, folded the girth over the seat, and lifted. “Ugh. This is heavier than a bucket of ice.” She wobbled under the unexpected weight. Footsteps echoed behind her. “I got it. Don’t help me.”

  The last thing she wanted was Zane touching her. She’d probably burst into flames and burn down the barn.

  After righting herself and regaining control of her ridiculous feminine hormones, she propped the saddle on her hip as Zane had. Steadier, she moved toward Misty. Now she had to raise the saddle high enough to clear the horse and blanket, while avoiding clunking Misty. She also needed to gently place the saddle. If she let it fall too hard, Misty could get spooked. So much to consider and do all at once.

  Wanting to make sure, she lifted the saddle as high as possible. The awkward movement threw off her balance. She tumbled backward. Strong hands wrapped around her waist, steadying her.

  “I said to lift it high, but how tall do you think Misty is?”

  A nervous chuckle erupted from McKenna. She cringed at the horridly feminine flirty sound. “I was worried I wouldn’t make it, and I overcompensated.” She stepped away from him and her breathing eased. “I’ll try again.”

  When she stepped forward, Zane followed. Why wouldn’t he stay put? When she lifted the saddle again, his arms reached around her. St
eadying and sturdy. His body pressed against her. Oh, Lord, from shoulders to thighs. Shivers of anticipation rippled through her. His strength surrounded her. The smell of soap mixed with a decidedly male scent tickled her senses.

  Together they deposited the saddle gently on Misty. Instead of moving, they stood frozen. She should tell him she could take it from here, but she couldn’t speak. She couldn’t look at him for fear her eyes would reveal how much she wanted this man. Instead, she leaned back against his broad chest, reveling in the feel of him, the comfort, the excitement.

  His hands tightened around her waist, and the evidence of his desire pressed strong and insistent against her. How could he desire her?

  This was such a horrible idea.

  Say something. Say this is a bad idea.

  Instead, she turned in his arms. The desire flaring in his gaze shook her. Hunger pulsed through her veins. His lips covered hers, seeking and tantalizing. She clutched his shirt in her sweaty hands as she molded herself against his hard, lean body. Her mind spun, as desire more intense than she imagine possible from a kiss captured her.

  His hips ground against her and she groaned. She wanted more. Needed to be closer.

  Chapter Twelve

  Misty whinnied behind McKenna, bursting the sensual haze around her. She jumped out of Zane’s arms. What had she done? Completely lost control again. That was what she’d done.

  “I think with my notes and the pictures, I’ve got this saddling thing down.” Hands shaking, she pulled out her phone pretending to check the time. “It’s getting late. I need to set up for the rehearsal dinner tonight.”

  “Sure. I’ll see to the horses,” Zane said without looking at her.

  Good. If she saw desire lingering in his eyes, she never be able to leave.

  As she tore out of the barn, she vowed to forget what happened between her and Zane.

  Like you were going to forget your first kiss? Good luck with that. You might as well try to forget your name. You might succeed at that.

  Thankfully, after the saddle incident, McKenna stayed busy the rest of the afternoon and at the rehearsal dinner to keep her amorous thoughts of Zane from consuming her. Having a room full of people helped her retain a professional perspective, too. But that didn’t mean working with him wasn’t awkward. Boy was it, especially when he arrived at dinner dressed in a navy suit, white shirt, and maroon tie. Her breath hitched at how handsome he looked.

  Throughout the night, he offered assistance, often before she asked. When she requested he unclog the kitchen sink, he gave her a raised eyebrow look, but never voiced any disagreement. He further shocked her with his reactions to the women vying for his attention. While he flirted, his behavior remained within what she considered appropriate.

  The next day, confident she’d handle working well with Zane today, too, McKenna scanned First Presbyterian Church’s sanctuary looking for anything out of place needing her attention. White and burlap ribbons with a sprig of baby’s breath adorned the pews. The unity candle stood waiting near the altar. Arrangements of white and red roses resided tastefully on the altar. After the ceremony and taking pictures here, the wedding party would head to Lucky Stars for more pictures before the reception.

  Comfortable nothing needed tweaking, McKenna reviewed her iPad wedding checklist again before the couple and attendants arrived. Doing so revealed she hadn’t checked off the singer’s arrival. What? The woman should be here warming up. McKenna grabbed her phone and called. When Jennifer answered, her heart sank. The gravelly, barely audible voice told McKenna everything she needed to know. “Oh, dear, Jennifer, you don’t sound well.”

  “I woke like this. I don’t feel bad, but I sound horrible. I’ve tried everything I can think of. Warm tea with honey. A neti pot. Gargling. Lots of gargling, but nothing’s helped.” Then Jennifer said her phone had died, taking McKenna’s cell number with it. She’d called the office, but feared McKenna wouldn’t get the message.

  “That’s why I sent one with Martin. Didn’t he tell you I couldn’t make it?” Jennifer said, referring to her accompanist.

  “Unfortunately, he’s not here yet.” McKenna made a mental note to contact him next.

  “I called everyone I knew to find a replacement, but they’re either sick, booked, or have plans they can’t change. I’m sorry.”

  McKenna asked who Jennifer had called to avoid duplicating her efforts and told her to take care. Her mind scrambling and already working the problem, McKenna called the accompanist and discovered he’d had car trouble but was on his way. He also assured her he had beautiful piano arrangements of the songs Jennifer was to sing.

  But how would the change impact the brides’ feelings about their wedding? Having “Oh, Promise Me” sung during the ceremony meant so much to Katharine and Rainy. The song had been sung at Rainy’s parents’ and grandparents’ wedding. When her parents renewed their vows on the fiftieth anniversary, the ceremony included the song again. The lyrics had touched Katharine and Rainy so deeply they selected the song as well. How would not having those precious lyrics sung during the service affect them?

  Like other brides, as little girls, Katharine and Rainy dreamed of their wedding day. But somewhere in adolescence they realized their childhood fantasy would never become real. Growing up gay, they feared they’d never be granted the right to marry. Because of that, many of the choices other couples rushed through became poignant for this couple. Every selection and decision became an event to be savored. For McKenna, seeing the couple’s joy as their vision for their wedding develop had been one of the best experiences of her career.

  Determined to find a replacement and give this couple their perfect day with the song they’d chosen, McKenna called her wedding singer contacts. Five minutes later, she’d come up empty, having run into the same issues Jennifer had. In desperation, she even called the reception band’s lead singer, but he wasn’t familiar with the songs.

  Out of options and time, she texted Zane to join her in the sanctuary. When he arrived, her heart pitter-pattered faster at the sight of him. She’d thought he looked amazing last night, but today? What described way beyond amazing? His dark charcoal suit paired with a black shirt buttoned completely accentuated his tanned, blond good looks, making her light-headed.

  “You need help?”

  She sure did. She needed help keeping her mind on the wedding details.

  Shaking herself mentally, she focused on the problem at hand and shared the bad news. “I’ve called everyone I can think of. Singers are booked, sick with the virus that’s going around or have other plans.” She handed him her tablet containing her singer contacts. “Can you think of anyone else?”

  After scanning the list, he said, “I can think of one.”

  “Wonderful. Who is it?” She waved her hand through the air in dismissal, excitement surging through her over the hope of not disappointing Katharine and Rainy. “I don’t care who it is. Call.”

  “I don’t need to. She’s standing right here.”

  McKenna collapsed onto the nearby pew. “No. You can’t mean me.”

  He nodded.

  “I can’t. I’m not a professional singer. I haven’t sung since I was in an a cappella group in college.”

  “Do you know the songs?”

  “Yes, but it doesn’t matter because I can’t sing in front of people.”

  Zane pointed behind them and up. “This is an old church with a balcony. You’d be singing in back of everyone. No one would see you unless they turn around.”

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” she snapped, frustration over his sarcastic response filling her voice. She paused, inhaling and exhaling slowly as she counted to ten. “I can’t sing in public where people can hear me.”

  “You have an incredible voice. When I heard you, you were singing a cappella. That’s more difficult than with an accompanist. You can do this.”

  Too bad Erin didn’t get your beautiful voice. With her looks and your
voice, she could’ve been a star.

  McKenna cringed at the memory of her father’s words when he and her mother had come to hear her a cappella group performance. Uncertainty and anxiety tore through her, making her heart race and clouding her vision. “I wish I could, but I can’t. Katharine and Rainy will have to settle for an instrumental version.”

  “What if they won’t?” Zane sank onto the pew beside her and flashed her a mischievous grin. “I’ve been told brides can be very particular about wedding details.”

  “No fair using my words against me.”

  “You’re saying that because it’s right.”

  Singing wasn’t her job. If she sounded like a cat with its tail caught under a rocking chair, no one would expect her to step in. Why should she be expected to because she had a decent voice?

  The large double church doors opened behind them. While she and Zane couldn’t see who entered, feminine voices and laughter floated toward them. They’d run out of time.

  She’d hold a bride’s dress out of the way while she peed. She’d clear debris from the outside ceremony area after a storm blew through. She’d run to an ATM for cash when a couple forgot money to pay the minister, but she refused to fill in for a singer.

  McKenna turned to Zane. “I’ll lay out the situation with Katharine and then Rainy, explaining how Jennifer and I called every replacement we knew, and unless they know of someone, our only option is Martin playing piano arrangements. Hopefully, they’ll understand there is nothing more that can be done.”

  His right eyebrow crooked upward at her last statement, as if to say there was something she could do.

  “Stop saying that.”

  “I didn’t say a word.”

  “But you were thinking I could fix this problem, but I can’t.” She reached out to him, her hands fluttering before she placed them on his forearm. “I need you to support me on this. Please?”

  He nodded. “You’re in charge.”

  She jerked away and glared at him. “That is so not funny.”

  When she and Zane stepped into the narthex, rather than jumping into the singer problem, McKenna commented how lovely Katharine’s hair looked in the upswept style she’d chosen. She asked if she had gotten a good night’s sleep, and if there was anything she needed. Then McKenna asked if she and Zane could speak to her alone.