by Beth Carter
“I can see that by the barbecue stains on your black apron, cowboy.” Cheri kissed him. “You smell like cedar and hickory. That smoky smell is sexy, by the way.” She nibbled on his neck. “Mmm.”
Standing in the middle of the barn, they embraced until Alex cut through the silence. “Hey, lovebirds, I’m here, remember?”
“I can take a hint. Guess I’ll tend to my barbecue.” Cole took a step. “I almost forgot the beverages.” He sauntered toward an elongated trough at the edge of the barn. “Be right back with some ice and beer.”
Alex watched him walk away. “He’s cute.”
After Cole moved the heavy, silver trough toward the food table, he retreated to the house for several bags of ice.
“What’s he doing?” Alex asked as he filled the tub with ice and began plunking bottles and cans of beer inside.
Cheri helped Cole arrange the beer and motioned with her hand. “This is our beverage center.”
“Don’t cows drink out of those things? I hope it’s new. I’d hate to think of cow saliva on my drink.”
Cole tipped his hat. “Brand spankin’ new, ma’am.”
“Here we go with the ‘ma’am’ again but I’m glad you cleared that up.”
Cheri handed Alex some red bandanas. “Want to help me fold these after you finish those mason jars?”
“I repeat. I’m not exactly crafty.” Alex scrunched her face. “I wish Suzy would get here. She’s the wedding planner.”
“Did I hear my—”
One of the twins wailed.
Alex hopped up to hug her friend. “You’re here, thank goodness. We need help decorating.”
Suzy juggled Maggie while Ken held Matthew. The only way Alex could tell the twins apart was by their clothes.
Chapter 89
I can’t believe this is my wedding day. Pacing her entire house which didn’t take long, Hope had never been more nervous in her life. Alex might be wary of my getting married so soon but I know it’s the right decision. I don’t have any doubts about Tucker nor Britney. Not one. Still, this is a huge day. Glancing around her house one last time to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything—especially her wedding dress, red boots, and overnight bag—she refilled her coffee mug and ate a pumpkin English muffin. Eyeing a banana, she ate that too. Finished with her simple breakfast, she turned on the television for background noise.
A meteorologist’s urgent tone caught her attention. As he pointed toward a map of the United States showing multiple colors, he indicated snow predictions. Hope’s breath caught. Snow? There was no mention of snow yesterday. She sat on the couch and reached for her phone. Dialing Tucker, she said, “Morning, babe. Have you heard the weather forecast?”
“I’m watching it right now. Think we can move up the time of the wedding?”
Fidgeting on the couch and scanning the names in her head, Hope said, “I don’t know. That’s a lot to ask. Cheri and Cole are preparing the food. Alex and Suzy are decorating. I mean, I don’t—”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. The last thing I want is for you to stress on our wedding day.” Tucker’s soothing voice calmed her. “Besides, there will be plenty of four-wheel drive trucks to pull anyone out if need be.”
“You always know what to say. Okay, let’s leave the time as is.”
“I’ll pick you up in an hour, okay?”
Hope glanced at her wedding dress draped across a chair in clear plastic. The alterations woman at the bridal shop had to make last-minute alterations since she’d lost eight pounds. She had hoped for more but was relieved to give the exercise routine a break. Besides, Tucker liked her just the way she was; it was past time for her to embrace herself too.
“Are you there?” Tucker asked. “Did you hear me?”
“Yeah, sorry. Lost in thought. I’ll be ready. But you have to promise not to look at my dress. It’s bad luck.”
“Wouldn’t think of it. I have a few more things to pack. See you soon. I love you.”
Grinning into the phone, Hope said, “I love you more. Bye.” She hung up and stared at the screen. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
She glanced at the television where the meteorologist continued his dire predictions. Hope peeked out the window. The sky was overcast but one tiny sliver of sun gave her hope. I hope he’s wrong about the snow. Please be wrong.
The daunting weather predictions made her pulse quicken. Hope turned off the television, started the dishwasher, and retreated to her bathroom. She attempted to use a new eye shadow brush she bought at Walgreens. Staring at the compact which contained light grays and lavenders, she wondered which would look best with her brown eyes.
She added a touch of gray that was almost undetectable and reached for a tube of mascara. Awkwardly applying it, her hand slipped and an inky black smudge appeared across her nose. Darn it. Reaching for a wet wash cloth, she dropped the applicator in the sink. I give up. I don’t know the first thing about makeup. Hope shoved the makeup in her overnight bag. Alex or Suzy will help me.
As she rechecked the contents of her overnight bag one last time, her heart skipped. I almost forgot mom’s pearl necklace. Racing across her bedroom, Hope opened her modest jewelry box and took out the sentimental pearls. She clutched them to her chest as tears filled her eyes. I never knew you, Mom, since you died after giving birth but you’ll be with me now. You would love Tucker. He’s a good man.
She carefully wrapped the pearls in a velvet bag, tucked them between clothing garments, nestling the necklace as if it were a delicate egg. Now, I’m ready.
Timed perfectly, the doorbell rang. Hope’s heart caught in her throat. He’s here. It’s happening. Practically skipping across the living room, the silly grin on her face seemed indelible as she swung the door open wide.
Tucker’s grin was as goofy as hers. “Good afternoon, beautiful. Are you ready for our big day?”
“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.” She embraced her husband-to-be and pointed toward a pile toward the door. “I’m going to need help carrying all of this. I’ll carry my dress. Don’t peek.”
Tucker covered his eyes. “I won’t look.” He grabbed her overnight bag and red boots, and extended his arm. She hooked her arm through his as they stepped across the grass.
As they approached Tucker’s vehicle, the back door swung open and Britney sprang out. “Miss Truman, Mom let me come after all.” She twirled. “She even took me to the hair salon. Do you like it?” Britney touched her soft curls.
“It’s beautiful.” Hope hugged her. “I see you have red boots that match mine.”
Her hair bobbed as she nodded. “Tucker bought them for me.”
“We match.” Hope’s eyes glistened. “I’m so glad you’re here, Brit. Our wedding day will be perfect now.”
“Surprise,” Tucker said. “She’s your wedding present. I had several discussions with Jill and finally convinced her Britney needed to be involved today.”
Britney climbed in the back seat. “She’s coming around. Mom, I mean.”
“That makes me happy.” Hope winked at her as she hung her dress on the handle above the back seat. “Shhh. Tucker can’t see this yet. It’s bad luck.”
“Okay, Miss Truman.”
“By the way, when we aren’t at school, you can call me Hope.”
“That’ll be weird.”
Tucker turned on the ignition. “What’s even weirder is you’ll have to switch to Mrs. Jensen after today.” Both Hope and Britney giggled as Tucker drove with the windshield wipers on full blast. Heavy snowflakes appeared out of nowhere.
Hope’s heart sank. “I can’t believe it’s snowing. What if no one comes?”
Tucker reached across the seat and held her hand. “I’m sure everyone will be there. They wouldn’t let y
ou down come snow or high water.”
Britney pressed her nose against the window. “I love snow.”
“I do too but not on my wedding day.” Hope glanced at Tucker. “Our wedding day.” She turned to face Britney. “Once we get there you can play with Suzy’s twins while I get ready.”
Britney sighed. “I’m a junior. I don’t play, but okay.”
“I’m still learning about parenting.” Hope winked at Tucker.
“We’re doing our best, Britney,” Tucker said.
Britney shifted in her seat and stared at the road. “You’re doing great.”
Tucker pulled onto the freeway and said, “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
“I’m the one who got lucky,” Hope said.
“You two sound like a cheesy Hallmark movie,” Britney said.
Hope turned up the heat. “You’ll feel this way someday.”
“Many, many years from now,” Tucker added.
Hope still couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt around Tucker, given her lack of dating expertise. She studied his profile, cropped beard, and broad shoulders as he changed lanes. “You’re handsome, you know that?”
“Ah, shucks. You say that to all the guys.”
“Never have. Not once.” Hope squeezed his hand. “It will be interesting to see everyone in the same room at our ceremony. I wonder if Willow, Larry-Mac, and Paul will sit together.”
Chapter 90
Alex, Cheri, and Suzy stood back and admired the decorations.
“It’s a beautiful transformation. Hope will love this,” Alex said. She glanced at her friends. “I need a drink. Care to join me?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Cheri clasped Alex’s hand as they headed to the bar Cole had created using saw horses and lumber, which Cheri had covered with a white tablecloth. He perked up when he saw them. “What are you ladies havin’?”
Alex spoke first. “Chardonnay if you have it.”
“You know what I like, cowboy,” Cheri said.
Cole winked. “Yeah, but right here in front of everyone?”
Alex noticed Cheri’s cheeks pinkened and groaned. “I can’t take much more romance.” Winking, she said, “Just order your damn drink.”
“I feel like a beer today,” Cheri said.
Raising her eyebrows, Alex said, “Interesting.”
“Merlot for me. Thanks, Cole,” Suzy said, as she bounced Maggie.
“We should get a cocktail for Hope,” Alex said. “I’m guessing she’ll be a wreck and will need a drink to relax before the ceremony. Do you have margaritas, Cole?”
Cole held up a pitcher of margaritas. “This ain’t Coconuts but Cheri made sure we had Hope’s favorite cocktail.” He halved a lime, circled the rim with the lime juice, dunked the glass in salt, and held it in the air. “Give me the word when they arrive, and I’ll add ice so it’s fresh.”
“He’s a keeper, Cheri.” Alex sipped her wine. “I wonder what Tucker drinks. Probably a beer. He doesn’t seem the fussy type.”
As they sipped their drinks, Cheri’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and sucked in her breath.
Hi! We’re here. Where should I change?
“They’re here.” Cheri grabbed Alex’s arm. “Let’s help Hope get dressed. I’ll tell her to meet us on Cole’s front porch.” Alex peered at Cole as Cheri texted. “Go ahead and add ice to that margarita now.”
Suzy handed Maggie to Ken who was already holding Matthew. “We’ll be fast, hon.” She winked. “I bet one of these cowboys will help you with the babies.”
Wyatt obviously overheard and moseyed over. “If I can wrangle a calf, I think I can handle a newborn.”
Sawyer shoved his friend, playfully. “Sure you want to do that? Wyatt’s all hat, no cattle.”
“I am not.” Wyatt reached for the baby.
Ken didn’t need to hear another word. He promptly handed Matthew to Wyatt. Suzy kissed him on the cheek. “Way to delegate, babe.”
Armed with a chardonnay, Hope’s margarita, and a cosmetics bag under her arm, Alex said, “Let’s go, girls. Hope needs us.”
Chapter 91
Hope’s face fell after they arrived at Soggy Bottoms. A heavy blanket of snow had already covered the fields. It was difficult to see past the almost-whiteout. The first step leading up to Cole’s porch had vanished underneath the soft, white blanket. She noticed most of the trucks and cars were covered in several inches of snow and winced when she observed wipers frozen to windshields. Cole’s mature trees were topped with snow-covered limbs. Towering evergreen trees, half green and half white, looked like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. She glanced across the field and spotted several cows clustered in a low area, likely to stay warm and out of the blustery wind.
Swallowing hard, Hope turned to Tucker with tears in her eyes. “Can you believe this? I’ve waited my whole life to get married”—she shook her head—“and now, we have an unbelievable early snowfall. I hope it doesn’t ruin our big day.” She sniffled as she fought back tears. “What if we get stuck here afterward? I guess we’ll be sleeping in the barn on our wedding night.”
“Don’t cry, Miss Truman. It’ll be okay.” Britney bounded outside. With arms outright, she twirled in the snow.
“I’ve waited my whole life too.” Tucker wiped his hand on the windshield that had fogged over. He glanced at the white field. “Actually, this is a postcard-like setting and will go with the holly and berries you chose, not that I know anything about décor.” He squeezed her hand. “I don’t mind sleeping in the barn as long as I’m with you.”
“You’re right.” Hope reached for her purse. “Thanks for putting it into perspective. No wonder I love you.”
Hope pointed toward Britney who was making tracks in the snow with her new boots. “She’s a doll,” Tucker said, as he scooted across the seat, wrapped his bear arms around her, and whispered in her ear, “Who knows? We may set a trend for wedding sleepovers.”
“You always know what to say.” She noticed wedding guests mingled near the barn entrance. Some were hooting and hollering, mouths open to catch the snowflakes, as if they had never seen a snowfall.
Alex and Suzy poked their heads out the door and waved. Hope took a deep breath. “It’s now or never. Still want to go through with this?”
Tucker cocked his head. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Chapter 92
Alex, Cheri, and Suzy practically glided across the snow toward Tucker’s SUV.
“Dammit. Half of my wine sloshed out,” Alex said, “But I saved the bride’s margarita.”
Snow continued to fall heavily but no one seemed to care. Tucker barely had his keys in his pocket before the women reached for the passenger door. Suzy and Cheri grabbed both of Hope’s arms, nearly yanking her onto the ground. “Careful, I’m not a runaway bride.”
Tucker winked. “Better not be.”
”Slow down, everyone.” Alex blew air kisses to Hope as she held both drinks. “How are you doing, my friend? You look gorgeous.”
Hope peered down at her black slacks and white ruffled blouse. Red cowboy boots peeked underneath her pants.
“I love those boots,” Cheri said.
“Me too.” Alex waved to Tucker with the cocktails. “Hello, groom-to-be. Big day.”
“It sure is. I’ve heard about all of you. Hope speaks of you fondly.” He waved Britney over. “Meet my daughter, Britney.”
Alex gawked at the teen. “You have the same boots as Hope. Cute.”
Suzy extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, young lady. I’m Suzy.” She pointed. “And that’s Alex and Cheri. We’re all Hope’s best friends.”
The teen shyly shook their hands. “How cool to have so many friends. I don’t—”
She stopped short. “I’m excited for Tucker and Miss Truman.” She caught a snowflake on her tongue. “This will be dope.”
Alex winked. “Well, don’t keep us waiting, Miss Truman.”
“The barn’s decorated,” Cheri said. “I can’t wait for you to see it.”
“First things first,” Alex said. “You need to put your wedding dress on.”
Overcome with emotion, Hope could barely speak. “I-I can’t believe my wedding day is here.” She sniffed. “Thanks for helping me dress. I need all of the help I can get.” She stepped toward the back passenger door, reached for the garment bag, and handed it to Suzy.
“Lead the way. Bye, almost-husband and Britney.” Tucker embraced Hope in another hug, lifting her off the ground.
“Miss Truman,” Britney squealed. “You’re getting married to my dad. I can’t wait to see your dress. I know it’ll be adorbs.”
Kissing Hope, Tucker said, “I love you, future Mrs. Jensen.”
Hope’s eyes welled with tears. “I love you too, sweetie. I can’t wait.”
“All right, all right. We have business to take care of, you two.” Alex thrust the margarita in Hope’s hand. “Is it going to be this mushy all day because my teeth are starting to hurt from all of the sweet talk?”
“Alex,” Suzy scolded. “It’s Hope’s wedding day. Let her enjoy every moment.”
“You know I’m joking. Mostly.” Alex reached for Hope’s purse. “What else can I carry? Do you have a makeup bag?”
Hope snorted. “How long have you known me? Of course I don’t have a makeup bag.”
Cheri piped up. “I have plenty of makeup here. You can use anything you want.”
“Ooh, designer makeup.” Alex brightened. “I might want to use some too. Let’s go inside. I can see my breath out here.” She shivered. “Damn, it’s cold.”