by Duncan Leigh
Stan’s head bobbed in a sign of respect for the movie producer and media mogul. “A pleasure.” His eyes gleaming, he tilted his head. “Have you two lovebirds set a date?”
Catherine drew in a breath. Her eyes sparkled. At her side, Warren merely cleared his throat, but the sound immediately stuck a cork in whatever announcement the star had been about to make. She studied the tips of her toes for a beat. When she raised her head, she wore a demure expression. “I’m sorry, Stan. We haven’t finalized our plans yet. When we do though, you’ll be the first to know.”
Well, well, well. From his spot at the end of the foursome, Bradley smothered the urge to shoot Warren a congratulatory grin. The man had done something no one else had been able to do. He’d tamed Catherine’s worst impulses.
“I’ll hold you to that,” Stan said smoothly. He tapped his ear piece. “And we’re out,” he announced, his shoulders sagging. An assistant dashed forward and began removing wires, receivers, and ear buds from under his suit coat. While the young woman worked, Stan gave handshakes all around. “Thank you all for that awesome talk. My viewers are sure to love it when it airs in the morning. I’d rather stick around and chat, but my producer just informed me that our limo is waiting outside and blocking traffic. I’ll catch you later at the after parties. Gotta run.” He handed his mic to the assistant and took off on a loping walk.
Bradley extended a hand to the man who owned his record company and a half-dozen television stations. “Mr. Barfield, I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced. I’m Bradley Suttons, and this is my wife, Sarah.”
“Warren. It’s a pleasure,” replied Catherine’s fiancé while they exchanged firm handshakes. He eyed the twin trophies. “And congratulations.”
Bradley took a second to bask in the praise from one of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry. No matter what the future held, nothing would top the excitement of this night. “It’s quite an honor.”
Catherine peered coquettishly at her beau. “Can I tell them?”
A twinkle came into Warren’s eyes. “Yes, of course. We just don’t want it blasted all over the headlines.”
“You’re right.” Turning to face Bradley and Sarah, Catherine smiled sweetly. “Warren’s been helping me learn how to handle the press a little better.” She cleared her throat. “We weren’t exactly truthful with Stan. We have set a date. We’re getting married next month. December first, at Warren’s estate in Napa Valley. We both would love it if you’d come.”
Bradley gave Sarah a questioning look and noted her slight nod. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
Behind her hand, his wife yawned. “Oh, sorry.” She checked the time on the diamond-studded watch he’d given her on their first anniversary. “I’m used to getting up before daybreak to feed and water the horses. It’s way past my usual bedtime.”
“Does that mean you won’t be coming to the Warner Music After-Party?” Disappointment clouded Catherine’s eyes. The bash was the event of the year. All the country music legends would be there.
Sarah spoke for them, “I’m afraid not. We—the three of us—are heading back to the hotel. We have an early flight to catch.”
Bradley traded an indulgent smile with Catherine’s beau. Even for veterans of performances and awards ceremonies, the long day of fittings and preparations for tonight’s gala extracted a toll. Sarah, a newcomer to all the fuss, had become so exhausted that she’d miscounted. Intending to lighten her load, he shifted one of the heavy trophies in order to take the one she held. The four of them—Sarah and him, along with his trophies—would spend the night in their comfy hotel suite before heading home tomorrow.
On the other side of their little circle, Catherine gasped. “You’re—” The mega star’s voice trailed off.
“She’s…what?” Bradley studied his wife while a thousand disasters flashed through his mind.
Beside him, Sarah smiled a secretive smile. Her fingers trailed over a slight bulge below her waist.
Suddenly, pieces of a puzzle he hadn’t realized he was trying to solve fell into place. Sarah’s luminous glow. The way she’d cradled his trophy. Her fatigue. Her recent bout with a stomach virus. The picture of a cradle swam into view. Lullabies rang through his head. Images of playing catch in the backyard, going to dance recitals, first dates, and high school graduations flashed before his eyes.
His fingers lost their grip on the crystal trophy. When it slipped from his hands, only Catherine’s quick reactions saved it from shattering into a million pieces. He peered into Sarah’s face, where the truth shone like a beacon. Nothing, not even winning two CMA awards, meant as much to him as the glow he saw in her eyes.
His heart bursting, he lifted Sarah off her feet and hugged her close while he marveled at the spur-of-the-moment decision that had changed his life. He’d returned to Mill Town to let go of the past. But instead of letting go, he’d found his true love, his roots, the place he belonged forever. Thanks to that one twist of fate, he was the luckiest man in the world.
“Let’s go home,” he whispered into Sarah’s hair. And together, they walked out of the Bridgestone Arena and headed for Mill Town and the simple life they’d built on a ranch where their hearts would always beat as one.
“Bradley Sutton” Cowboy Steak Sandwiches
A Hallmark Original Recipe
In Country Wedding, Bradley and Sarah stop at the Milltown Family Diner for lunch. “We will have two Bradley Sutton Sandwiches,” says Sarah. This hearty grilled steak sandwich with white cheddar, onions, and horseradish mayo would be a hit on any menu.
Yield: 2 sandwiches
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
Horseradish Mayonnaise:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon horseradish sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic and pepper seasoning
Caramelized Onions:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, cut length-wise into - ¼-inch slices
- ¼ teaspoon each: kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 (1½-inch thick) boneless ribeye steak, room temperature
- as needed, kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 crusty sandwich rolls (sourdough, Kaiser or onion rolls), warm
- 1 cup spring mix salad greens
- ¼ cup white sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
DIRECTIONS
1.To prepare horseradish mayonnaise: combine mayonnaise, horseradish and garlic pepper in small bowl and stir to blend. Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired.
2.To prepare caramelized onions: heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add onions, salt and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onions are wilted. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onions are golden and lightly caramelized.
3.Meanwhile, heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot (about 5 minutes). Remove excess moisture on steak with paper towels; season steak generously with salt and black pepper. Add oil to hot skillet; heat until just beginning to smoke. Carefully add steak and cook over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a golden-brown crust forms. Turn steak over and cook an additional 2 minutes.
4.Reduce heat to medium; add butter. Carefully tilt skillet slightly and spoon foamy butter over steak for 2 to 3 minutes, or to desired doneness. Transfer steak to a plate; cover loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice steak against the grain.
5.To assemble sandwiches: Spread horseradish mayonnaise over cuts sides of rolls. Arrange lettuce on bottom halves of rolls; top each evenly with sliced steak, shredded Cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon carameliz
ed onions. Close with top halves of rolls.
Thanks so much for reading A Country Wedding. We hope you enjoyed it!
You might like these other books from Hallmark Publishing:
Journey Back to Christmas
Christmas in Homestead
Love You Like Christmas
A Heavenly Christmas
A Dash of Love
Love Locks
The Perfect Catch
Like Cats and Dogs
Dater’s Handbook
For information about our new releases and exclusive offers, sign up for our free newsletter at
hallmarkchannel.com/hallmark-publishing-newsletter
You can also connect with us here:
Facebook.com/HallmarkPublishing
Twitter.com/HallmarkPublish