by Kate Pearce
“Faith.” Danny gently took her elbow and drew her out of the heat into the shade. “Are you okay?”
She took a calming breath. “I’m sorry, I’ll be fine.”
“That’s not what I asked you.”
“And I don’t believe I gave you the right to ask me about anything, okay?”
He immediately let go of her arm. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He looked toward the hotel. “Shall we get inside before we roast?”
* * *
She was back to being prickly again. Danny smiled automatically for yet another picture even as his mind was taken up with his earlier encounter with Faith. Past experience meant she was upset about something and mad at him for noticing. She’d always had this weird belief that if she didn’t acknowledge the hurt, it would somehow go away.
He’d wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked in her blue dress, but she hadn’t given him the chance. What had happened before the ceremony to upset her? Had someone made an unpleasant comment about her return to Morgan Valley?
“Danny!” His mom nudged him. “Move out, you’re not in this one.”
He moved over to the sidelines as Daisy had her picture taken with Rae and Leanne, her two moms as she’d taken to calling them. He admired her ability to roll with the times because at one point she’d been adamant that she never wanted to see Leanne again. Aware that he was still supposed to be keeping an eye on his dad, he searched around and found his father sitting down chatting with Roy, the Morgan Ranch manager, and Juan Garcia. His father was being remarkably well behaved, but Daisy was his favorite child and he was probably unwilling to spoil her big day. Danny’s attention moved to tracking Faith. He was relieved to see she was standing with Dave and Nancy, who was one of the bridesmaids and was not on her own.
“Last family picture!” the photographer called out. “Daisy’s siblings.”
“Okay, let’s go.” Kaiden nudged Danny forward. “Come on, Ellie. You’re in this one.”
Danny smiled one last time and then was released. Tucker Hayes had given them keys to half a dozen rooms in the hotel so that the guests could deal with their children, take a nap, or get changed for the evening event. Danny had left his well-worn-in boots in one of the bedrooms in case he wanted to dance, along with a jacket if the weather took a turn for the worst.
He guessed Daisy and Jackson would be a while as the hotel waiters started circling with appetizers and cold drinks. He hated fiddly food. Where were you supposed to put it while you were standing up, holding a glass, and trying to talk to people? He took a glass of mimosa, glad of something cool to drink, swiped another off the tray, and headed over to Faith.
“Here you go.” He handed her the glass. “It’s still hot even in here.”
She eyed the glass suspiciously. “What’s in it?”
“Arsenic?”
He was pleased to see her smile. “Rather too obvious if I drop dead at your feet and not in line with our mission to make everyone think we’re getting along famously.”
“All good points. It’s a fancy mimosa, champagne, orange juice and passion fruit.” He gestured over toward his brother Ben and his wife. “That’s what you get when a famous movie star organizes the catering.”
“Top-level stuff.” Faith took a sip. “It’s really nice.”
“I know.”
“Is Daisy’s dress vintage?”
“Does that mean old?” Danny asked.
“Yes.” She smiled again.
“She borrowed the dress from Rae and the veil is a Miller family heirloom. Rae had the lace on her dress made to match it when she got married.”
“How lovely.” Faith hesitated. “Was Leanne okay with that?”
“Why wouldn’t she be? She’s always the first to acknowledge that Rae brought Daisy up.”
“Your mom was very nice to me.”
“She’s a good person.” Danny nodded. “Do you want to check out the seating plan before we go in so we can avoid the last-minute scramble?”
“That’s such a Danny thing to say.”
Danny set his hand in the small of her back and started making his way across the crowded room toward the big double doors that led to the dining area.
“So much for a small wedding,” Danny commented.
“This is small?”
“That’s what Daisy wanted. Jackson apparently had other ideas. He’s never met a stranger.”
“It’s nice to see all the familiar faces,” Faith said. “Everyone’s been really kind to me so far.”
“Good, because I wouldn’t want to have to start anything at my own sister’s wedding.”
“Like you’d do that,” Faith scoffed.
“Okay, well, maybe I’d get Ben and Adam on it seeing as they’re built like linebackers, and I bet Dad can start the ball rolling.”
By the time they stopped by the seating arrangement board Faith was smiling far more naturally. If no one had been unpleasant to her, then what had set her off earlier?
“Any news from the Brysons?” Danny asked.
“Nope. Dave tried to get in, but Sue Ellen wouldn’t even speak to him. We were going to ask Jenna, but—” She stopped. “Well, it didn’t seem like a great idea if Sue Ellen’s waving a gun around.”
“I could ask Pastor Mike,” Danny offered.
“I suppose even Sue Ellen might pause before she shot him,” Faith said. “If they are the center of the scours outbreak then it would set my mind at rest about it spreading any further.”
So, nothing was wrong with the Brysons and from Faith’s relaxed demeanor the scours outbreak was under control in the rest of the valley.
“Are your parents still enjoying Scotland?”
Faith looked up at him. “Why all the questions?”
He shrugged. “I’m just making conversation. That’s what you’re supposed to do at weddings.”
She turned to check the seating. “I’m next to you.”
“Yeah, that’s the plan, remember?”
“Right up front and center.” Faith stepped back from the board. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be sitting with—”
“Hi, Danny!”
He looked past Faith and saw Sonali beaming at him. She wore a vivid orange and yellow silk sari and had piled her long black hair up on top of her head.
“Hi!” He gestured at her dress. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you. It’s my party dress.” She rearranged the silk folds that went over her shoulder and down her back. “Not very suitable for helping out in the kitchen, but I wasn’t really supposed to be in there. Are you having a good time? Daisy looks beautiful and so happy.”
“She does.”
“I only came out to get a quick look at her.” Sonali glanced over at the door into the kitchen. “I helped with some of the advanced catering. I have to get back to check everything’s going to plan.”
“I bet it’s going to taste awesome.”
“I hope so! I’m trying to impress Mr. Hayes.” Sonali crossed her fingers. “He’s on the lookout for a new chef.”
“I’ll put in a good word for you,” Danny offered.
She gave him a high five and then hurried toward the kitchen as Danny turned back to Faith.
“Sorry about that.”
But he found he was talking to empty air.
* * *
Faith carefully reapplied her lipstick in the quietness of the ladies’ restroom. Whatever Danny said about not being interested in Sonali, Sonali was certainly interested in him, and why wouldn’t she be? Danny was good-looking, kind, and had a calm personality that made you want to lean on him. He was also aware that something was up with her and, if she’d had her way, she would currently be trying to keep her distance from him. But the wedding made that impossible. The last thing she needed was the whole valley thinking she and Danny hated each other.
The door into the restroom opened and Faith looked up to see Sonali coming in, her expression distraught.
“Are you okay?” Faith asked tentatively.
“Yes, I’m fine!” Sonali dabbed at the corner of her eye. “I’m just . . . tired of dealing with Morgan Valley men.”
“I know the feeling.” Faith hesitated. “But I can tell you that Danny is a really good man.”
“I know.” Sonali mustered a smile. “He’s the best. But let’s be honest here, he can’t see anyone but you. I never stood a chance.” She darted past Faith into one of the stalls. “Excuse me.”
Faith left the restroom and spotted Dave talking animatedly to Dr. Tio. She considered going over and interrupting them, but they looked like they were having such a good time she didn’t want to be a downer.
“I swear this is the last time I’ll ever agree to be a bridesmaid for anyone.” Nancy grabbed hold of Faith’s shoulder, gathered her skirts in one hand, and took off her shoes. “My feet are killing me.”
“Did you bring flats?” Faith asked.
“Yeah, they’re upstairs in the bridal suite. I was hoping to get through the reception before I changed out of these, but I don’t think I’m going to make it.” Nancy glanced over at the dining area. “Do you think I’ve got time to put them on before we go in?”
“I would think so,” Faith said. “Daisy and Jackson are nowhere in sight.”
Nancy grinned. “Did you know that Jackson went to Daisy’s shop to buy flowers before he asked me out and, after I turned him down flat, he went back to Daisy and asked her out instead?”
Faith couldn’t help but laugh. “And she said yes?”
“Nope, she told him to take a hike. He had to work very hard to get back into her good graces I can tell you that.” Nancy handed Faith her flowers. “Hold on to these and tell Daisy I’ll be back in a minute.”
Faith was still smiling as Nancy hiked up her skirts and headed up the main staircase.
“Ah, there you are,” Danny said from behind her. “I wondered where you’d gotten to. Tucker says we’ll be ready to go in five minutes.”
“Good, because I’m starving.” Faith reminded herself to radiate positivity and good humor. “I bet Silver picked something awesome for the entrée.”
“From what Sonali said, it’s going to be great.”
“She’s working here today?” Faith asked. “Is that why you didn’t bring her as your guest?”
Danny’s smile dimmed. “One, I didn’t ask her, and two, she’s not officially working, but she can’t stay out of the kitchen because she wants it all to be perfect.” He paused. “Is there a reason why you’re constantly trying to set me up with Sonali?”
“She does seem great and she really likes you.”
“She is great, but she’s not what I want.”
Faith looked up at him. “What do you want, Danny?”
He grinned. “I wish I knew.” His gaze caught on hers. “Sometimes I think you ruined me for any other woman.”
Just as she started to reply, Tucker Hayes banged the dinner gong.
“The bride and groom, everyone! Please follow them into the dining room, thank you.”
Chapter Fourteen
Danny was still wondering why he’d said such a stupid thing to Faith when his father stood up to give his wedding speech. They’d all told him that he didn’t have to do one if he didn’t want to, but he’d written something out and even printed it before anyone had a chance to go over it. The food had been absolutely delicious, and Danny had taken the opportunity to eat rather than talk as had Faith. He wished he’d taken a moment to corner his dad and demand to read the speech....
Even as the room went quiet, Danny tensed and idly worked out how many seconds it would take him to leap the table and take his father out if he started to say anything inflammatory. Ben caught his eye and nodded slightly as if he’d come to the same conclusion.
“Thank you all for coming.” Jeff looked out at the room. “I didn’t expect to see the whole valley here, but it’s okay because Silver and Ben offered to pay for the food.”
There was a slight ripple of laughter, even though Danny was fairly certain his dad had simply been speaking the truth.
“Daisy’s a good girl who’s held her own against her brothers and gone on to become not only an accomplished florist, but a Silicon Valley entrepreneur—something I was originally against, but she’s made it work.”
Danny glanced over at the table near the back where a huddle of obvious techies was clustered together waving at Daisy, who grinned.
“Along the way she met up with Jackson, who had the kind of father most folks in Morgan Valley tried to avoid, but Jackson isn’t like him. He served his country and he and his brother are on their way to making Lymond Ranch a fine and prosperous place.”
He paused as people clapped and whistled.
“But Daisy also had to deal with having me for a father and, well, I screwed things up pretty badly back in the day.” Jeff looked over at Leanne and Rae. “I pushed my wife away and expected my sister to bring up my kids. I regret that now, and I want to thank them both for turning up here and for still supporting me and Daisy.”
Danny let out a tentative breath, aware that his hand had fisted on the tablecloth as his father raised his glass.
“Here’s to Daisy and Jackson. Let’s hope they don’t make the same mistakes their stupid fathers made and that they enjoy a long and happy life together.”
He sat down and Daisy kissed his cheek to much applause. A quick check on the members of his family made Danny realize that everyone was as surprised by their father’s speech as he was.
The best man stood up and Danny drank a huge slug of champagne.
“Are you okay?” Faith asked.
“Yeah, that was just . . . a surprise. I was thinking we were going to get a list of grievances against every rancher in the valley and instead he was . . . okay.”
“He was more than okay,” Faith said. “He owned up to his past mistakes, thanked the people who had supported him, and wished his only daughter a long and happy life. It was quite inspiring.”
“Yeah, that’s what I meant.”
“People can change, Danny,” Faith said gently.
“Yeah.” He rose abruptly to his feet. “Will you excuse me a minute?”
He went into the hotel lobby and then out through the kitchens to the small bricked-in yard at the back, which had once fronted the livery stables and local brothel that had been incorporated into the existing hotel. For the first time in his life he wished he’d taken up smoking because he needed a moment to unwind and process his chaotic thoughts. He leaned up against the wall and stared up at the darkening sky. He’d lost track of time being stuck in the hotel all day.
Maybe he was the problem. Maybe he didn’t want to change because he liked things the way they were. Wasn’t it easier like this? Not dealing with all the emotional shit? But seeing Daisy’s face and hearing his father admit to his mistakes meant that things were changing around him whether he liked it or not....
* * *
By the time Danny returned, the tables had been cleared and the DJ was setting up while everyone had more coffee or lined up at the bar. The rest of the speeches had been delightful, including Jackson’s make-it-up-as-he-went-along free fall and Daisy’s more thought-out comments. Cauy had been his usual quiet self and kept his speech to the bare minimum, which Faith had appreciated.
She’d helped herself to coffee when she spotted Danny coming back in and immediately went over to him.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I guess my dad’s speech affected me more than I expected.”
“That’s okay.” She patted his arm. “Do you want some coffee?”
“Thanks, I’ll get some in a minute. I need to check in with my dad first.”
“He’s sitting by the fireplace with your mom and Rae waiting for Daisy to be ready for their dance.”
“Dad’s dancing?” Danny’s eyebrows shot up. “He hates dancing.”
“Apparently. Nancy says he might even have been practicing,” Faith joked, aware that she really wanted to get rid of that desolate look in his eyes. Just as he always seemed to know when she was upset, she knew the same about him.
Daisy appeared in the doorway, Jackson by her side, and made her way over to her father. Faith noticed she’d changed out her heels for tennis shoes and thoroughly approved. She was beginning to wish she’d brought some herself.
“Here goes,” she murmured to Danny. “You’re about to see your dad dance for the first time ever.”
It was sweet to watch Daisy smile up at her father and count his steps for him as they executed a formal if slow waltz around the room before Daisy beckoned for everyone to join them. Faith grabbed Danny’s hand and pulled him close. As his arms closed around her, she let out a wobbly sigh. What with Brandon’s antics and her ongoing conversations with her parents it was nice to simply be held.
“Let’s have another slow one for you lovebirds and then we’ll speed things up,” the DJ called out.
The music changed to a very familiar Daniel Bedingfield song and Danny stiffened in her arms.
“Wow,” she murmured. “Out of all the songs in the world to choose from, why did they choose ‘If You’re Not the One,’ which was basically our song?”
“Jackson’s our age. Maybe he picked it?” Danny suggested. “If you don’t want to dance, we can—”
She dug her fingers into his shoulder. “Don’t you dare move.”
With a sigh, he gathered her close again and within seconds was singing the lyrics in her ear as their bodies moved slowly together around the room in perfect harmony. She’d never felt so safe in her life.
“Danny.”
“Hmm?”
“I really want to kiss you,” Faith whispered.
“It’s just the song talking, hon.”
“No.” She raised her head to look at him properly. “It isn’t.”
He stared down at her and then nodded. “Okay.”
He took her hand and walked her right out of the room, through the lobby, and up the back stairs to the first landing. There was a bunch of old-fashioned room keys on the small table and he grabbed one and kept on climbing the stairs until they reached the third floor of the building.