The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy

by Robin Bielman

  “Not yet,” he told his mom.

  “Well, keep us posted and have a great time.” She hugged him tightly. “I love you so much.”

  “Love you, son,” his dad said next, embracing him with the same strong hold.

  He hugged Cole and Bethany, then Hunter, who held on longer than necessary and said, “I’m gonna miss you, you jerk.”

  Nova came last. She squeezed him and whispered, “Don’t forget to send Kennedy postcards.”

  “I won’t.” He wouldn’t forget about Kennedy ever. Their last kiss was forever imprinted on his brain. Her smell and taste. The way she’d looked at him with love in her toffee-colored eyes. Whether he would follow through with the postcards, he didn’t know. He’d left her a note and she hadn’t replied. No call or text. She’d always been the smarter one, and she’d obviously decided to cut ties completely. Save them further pain.

  A good thing, considering he’d fallen in love with her.

  He’d realized it on the drive to see her. The second he’d laid eyes on her, he’d almost said it. Upon leaving, he’d almost said it again. Fear had stopped him both times.

  A mix of regret and longing seized his stomach now. Maybe he should have texted her to check in. Ask about Hugo and her interview.

  Leah’s SUV pulled up beside him. She had a flower show in the city and had offered to drive him to the airport. He put his suitcase and backpack inside the vehicle, hugged his mom one more time, and they drove away. If he’d been in the driver’s seat, he would have looked in the rearview mirror to see his family for as long as possible.

  “You good over there?” Leah asked.

  “Yeah, how are you?”

  “Grateful for the chance to escape to the city.”

  “Sounds like there’s a story there.” He’d be happy if she talked the entire drive so he didn’t have to.

  “Jackson’s been in the flower shop every day this past week hoping to, I don’t know what, but I keep telling him to leave me alone. We broke up for a reason and nothing is going to change that.”

  Jackson and Leah had dated for a few years before rumor had it he cheated on her.

  “If only you’d liked me as much as I’d liked you back in high school, we could be married with kids right now,” she said, a joking tone to her voice.

  He shifted uncomfortably. Leah had never hidden her crush on him, and she often talked openly about what-if, but it was all in friendly understanding now. He thought of Leah like a little sister and had told her as much.

  No, what made him uneasy was where his thoughts immediately raced to. Or rather, to whom. Kennedy. Did she want to get married one day? Have children? He pictured a miniature Kennedy running around, long blond hair and pale brown eyes, freckles, challenging anyone who so much as looked at her wrong. He chuckled.

  “Thanks for laughing,” Leah said lightly, bringing him out of his musings.

  “Sorry. I was thinking of something else.”

  “Just what a girl wants to hear when baring her soul.”

  He gave her a headshake at hearing the humor in her voice. “You were always too good for that asshole.”

  She slapped the steering wheel with her palm. “Thank you! My grandmother thinks he deserves another chance, and I told her when they build airplanes while flying them at the same time, I’ll consider it.”

  “I like those odds.”

  “Me too.”

  They drove in silence for a few minutes before Leah glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “It looked like there was something going on between you and Dr. Martin.”

  “There was.” He didn’t plan to deny anything that concerned Kennedy. Besides, the whole town knew they were more than friendly. Apparently someone even took a picture of them kissing that night in the rain. Thankfully the grainy quality of the photo didn’t reveal too much, at least according to Hunter. Maverick hadn’t seen the evidence himself.

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “No.”

  She shrugged. “For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you looked at her. Not even Nicole.”

  He turned his head to stare out the passenger-side window. “How did I look at her?”

  “Like you’d go to the ends of the earth just to see her smile.”

  “She has a nice smile.” It was more than that, but he didn’t need to share his deepest beliefs on the matter.

  “Oh my God!”

  “What?” He looked at her with raised eyebrows.

  “I have never heard you sound so moony over a girl before.”

  “I did not sound moony.” Whatever that even meant.

  “You absolutely did. Are you going to see her again? I hear she’s headed to Boston.”

  He sat taller. “She got the job?”

  “Um, I have no idea. I know only what I heard before she left. But from your reaction, I’m guessing you have mixed feelings about her living on the other side of the country.”

  “Not mixed,” he stated, hoping he sounded convincing. “It’s reality. And she’s a damn good doctor who deserves to land the job, so I’ll be happy for her wherever she is.”

  “How polite of you.”

  “My mom raised me to have good manners.”

  “She also raised you to go after what you want. Let that sit for a while, Mr. Diplomatic.”

  Right now, what he wanted was to fulfill his promise to Nicole. To land a partnership with Marco. To live away from his normal life so he could forget about a certain gorgeous doctor.

  Life might be about going after what a person wanted, but life was also about knowing when to let go.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Five days since they said goodbye

  It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

  When Kennedy got on the plane to Boston five days ago, she’d left Hugo in good spirits and smiling in his hospital bed. He’d laughed at her corny jokes and told her he had a new magic trick to show her after he was released. He’d sat up with ease and coordination, devoured the chocolate chip muffin she’d snuck in for him, and said he’d felt fine.

  Kennedy closed her eyes. She needed a minute—or a million—before she exited the car.

  She’d arrived in Boston late in the evening. The first thing to pop up on her new phone when she’d switched off airplane mode was a text from Maria saying Hugo had had a good day and was sleeping peacefully. The news heartening, she’d taken a taxi to her hotel and fallen asleep within minutes of her head hitting the pillow.

  The next day she woke, made the in-room coffee (which tasted bleh compared to California coffee), ordered room service for breakfast, and pumped herself up for her interview. You’ve got this, she’d told herself. Good luck texts from Ava and Andrew bumped up her confidence.

  Composed and dressed for success (with the glass ladybug from Mary Rose and heart-shaped rock from Maverick in her pocket), she’d arrived at the sleek, modern hospital early for a look around on her own. Five minutes before her appointment time, she sat down in a small conference room and greeted Dr. Weaver and the other higher-ups with a firm handshake as they entered. The conversation flowed effortlessly. Kennedy felt she aced all their questions and concerns. Moving across the country would be a big change, they said. She assured them the opportunity to work in their distinguished facility outweighed any personal downsides. She was single, eager, loved a challenge, and ironically when she tried to joke around with a New England accent, sorta pulled it off.

  She’d tucked that little surprise away to share with Andrew later.

  On a tour of the hospital and emergency room, she met lovely staff members. Something about their accent actually made her feel like they were already friends. And the aura of determined chaos in the ER reminded her of long days side-by-side with coworkers she could count on. Her body hummed with excitement, the
prospect of working in Boston taking deeper root.

  Lunch across the street at a favorite restaurant of Dr. Weaver’s proved to be another check in the pro column. The Asian food, heavy on ramen and garlic, had her taste buds doing a happy dance. (She’d smartly packed spearmint gum for post-meal.)

  Afterward, the vibe of success clung to her as she headed to the airport for her flight home. Dr. Weaver had said he’d be in touch tomorrow, but the wink he gave her said to expect the offer.

  She checked her phone while waiting to board the plane, and once again was happy to read that Hugo had no issues. She texted Ava and Andrew to tell them the interview went great. Then, because she couldn’t help herself, she pulled up the photo of her and Maverick she’d sent to Ava when her sister had demanded one.

  Ava was smart to request it. Kennedy didn’t take many photos and wouldn’t have his handsome face to stare at if not for Ava’s tenacity. She should have asked him even more questions—gathered intel on all his favorite things to add to her memories of their escapades. You’ll always have his letter.

  Yes, she would. And in another life, they’d be together; she knew it down to her soul. She hadn’t recognized his unique magnetism in college, but she did now.

  An announcement came over the speaker stating she’d be boarding in five minutes. That gave her five more minutes to stare at her cowboy. So engrossed in his dimples, she almost dropped the phone when it rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but the city the call came from made her heart speed up. Windsong.

  “Hello?” she said.

  “Hello, Kennedy, it’s Dr. Choi. How are you?”

  “I’m good, thanks. How are you?”

  “Excellent, thank you. Do you have a minute to talk?” Given the time of day, she guessed he was on his lunch break.

  “That’s about all I have. I’m at the airport in Boston about to board my flight home.”

  “Perfect timing, then. How did it go?”

  “Really well. Not to sound too confident, but I’m expecting the job offer tomorrow.” She uncrossed her legs to place both her heels on the industrial carpeted floor.

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’d like to put a wrench in that offer if I may.” His calm, fatherly voice put her at ease and thus his statement—not a question—was one she’d happily allow him to elaborate on.

  “Okay.”

  “I’m retiring, and I’d love for you to consider taking over my practice.”

  What the what?

  “I know this probably comes as a shock, and to be one hundred percent transparent, I did have another physician lined up to take over, but she has since decided to go in a different direction. When she told me, I immediately thought of you for the job.”

  Her left leg started bouncing up and down. She’d never bitten her nails a day in her life but suddenly brought her finger to her mouth. He wanted her to take over his practice? In the small town of Windsong? Where the best glazed doughnuts lived. And a beautiful inn. And friendly townspeople. And a puppy named Rumi. And a family she’d dreamed of adopted her.

  And a handsome cowboy…

  “Whether you want to believe it or not,” he continued, “you fit in seamlessly here. You took initiative with Nova without second thought. Helped run the office when Savannah was sick. My patients and the townspeople love you. You developed quite a reputation here, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t reach out and get your thoughts on the matter. I know firsthand that the ER life holds appeal, but moving into private practice was the best decision I ever made. I want you to have a choice, Kennedy. Picture yourself five years from now and think about what you want. Rest assured, I don’t need an answer right now. I’m planning on retiring at the end of the year, but I would need you here sooner rather than later to gradually turn the practice over to you.”

  She didn’t know what to say.

  “I take it by your silence that you don’t know what to say.”

  Didn’t that comment right there speak volumes? This smart, mild-mannered doctor knew how she was feeling three thousand miles away. The little boy sitting on his mom’s lap across the aisle from her picked his nose, and her thoughts jumped right to Jenna and her innocent, wide-eyed question about nose picking.

  “I’m…I’m flattered and honored, Dr. Choi,” she finally managed to say.

  “That’s a good start.”

  “But I never pictured myself in private practice.” Or a small town.

  “You picturing it now?”

  “Um…”

  “Too soon?” he asked with a chuckle. “I understand this is a big decision and one you never thought you’d entertain, but I’m hoping you will consider it. Yes, it’s a far cry from emergency room medicine, but I promise it gives you the same high. The same sense of accomplishment. Only here, you get to form relationships with those you help.”

  Like Hugo.

  “If attachment isn’t your thing, then I completely understand. But I hope you’ll think about this job and this practice from all angles, professionally and personally.”

  The announcement came for boarding the flight.

  “Sounds like my time is up,” he said, obviously hearing the notification in the background.

  “I’m sorry; I do need to go. But I will think about your offer. I promise.”

  “That’s all I ask. Have a safe flight and we’ll talk soon.”

  “Thank you for calling.” Her mind spun as she hung up. Emotions all over the map clogged the back of her throat. Could she take over his practice and be happy? She had to admit being her own boss sounded pretty great. But would she experience the same rush of adrenaline? The thrill of a fast pace and thinking on her feet during serious, unexpected, sometimes life-threatening situations? An ER was more than shears through a foot or a car trunk to the head.

  She stood and picked up her bag. Overwhelmed by the surprise invitation, she put off thinking about it until tomorrow. As luck would have it, a very chatty woman sat next to her on the plane and talked nonstop, giving Kennedy something else to focus on.

  When the next morning came, she heard from Dr. Weaver. He offered her the job in Boston. She should have jumped for joy but, wanting to keep her promise to Dr. Choi, she asked if she could have a few days to think about it.

  Suddenly, the future she thought she wanted had some competition.

  Between visiting Hugo and entertaining two job offers, she’d had time for little else.

  Then Thursday came.

  And she wasn’t prepared. She’d been lulled into a false sense of security. She’d looked into Hugo’s dark brown eyes the night before and told him he was more awesome than a tower of glazed doughnuts. Smarter than any twelve-year-old had a right to be. And way more talented than any other amateur magician. She’d kissed his forehead, said, Love you, and walked out of his room knowing she’d see him after his early morning surgery.

  He died on the operating table.

  “Kennedy.” The soft word broke her free of her recollections. She opened her eyes. “We should probably get to the gravesite,” Andrew continued from the passenger seat of her car.

  Through the windshield, she saw Maria and her family and friends gathering at the spot Hugo would be laid to rest.

  It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

  Ava put her hand on Kennedy’s shoulder from the back seat. “We’ve got you.”

  They did. They’d sat on either side of her during the service, helping to keep her up when all she wanted to do was slide to the floor and cry under the pew.

  Slowly, she exited the car. She hated the sea of dark clothing and heads bent down in sadness. How dare the sun shine today. How dare the trees sway in a gentle breeze, carrying the scent of flowers and perfume.

  Her first time to a cemetery sucked. Not that any visit would feel an
y better.

  Andrew came around the hood and took her by the arm. Ava clutched the other, and together they walked closer to the gathering of mourners. They found a spot to stand under the white tent.

  She weathered the next thirty minutes by sheer force of will. When it came time to pick up a shovel and help cover Hugo’s casket with dirt, she wanted to jump down, open the much-too-small box, and do chest compressions until he came back. Until his heart picked up where it left off.

  He was too young to die. It wasn’t fair. He didn’t deserve this fate. Neither did Maria.

  As everyone dispersed, Kennedy did her best not to cry as she hugged Maria in condolence. Her best didn’t come close. The two of them cried in shared pain, nostalgia, and failed wishes.

  With each step back to the car, more tears fell, her throat felt raw, and misery stretched down her arms and legs, tight and uncomfortable. Lightheaded, yet heavy in her heart, she held on to Andrew’s arm, grateful for the support. It had killed her to walk into the hospital to see Hugo’s lifeless body. And it killed her to walk away from him today.

  Somehow she managed to pull herself together when everyone gathered again at Maria’s house. She even pulled off a magic trick in Hugo’s honor. When she, Ava, and Andrew returned to the apartment, the three of them got good and drunk. Not a recommended sleep aid, but she slept through the night.

  Sunday morning, rather than do her usual thing of padding into the kitchen to make coffee, she dozed off and on until Ava knocked on her bedroom door.

  “It’s almost noon,” her sister said, clearly having just risen from sleep herself. She crawled under the covers beside Kennedy. “You feeling okay?”

  “I’m not hungover, if that’s what you mean.”

  Ava blinked in acknowledgment. Kennedy wasn’t okay, but at least she didn’t have a tequila headache.

  “Want to stay in bed all day and watch movies?” Ava asked.

  “Yes please.” She didn’t want to move or think too hard or face anything outside her bedroom door. That’s what Monday was for.