Love at First Sight

by Kelly Elliott

  She nodded, her mind probably already swimming with ideas.

  My mother was actually my kindergarten teacher when we first moved back from Oregon to Texas. She and Daddy were high school sweethearts. Things went wrong between them, and I still don’t know what it was about to this day, but I figured that was their story to tell when they were ready. If they wanted to share it with me and Gage, they would. But she wasn’t my biological mother. She adopted me right after she and Daddy got married. Then Gage came along.

  Gage.

  The thought of leaving him made me feel ill. The thought of leaving Oak Springs and everyone here had my head spinning.

  “Well, if we are talking about a wedding that soon, we have some planning to do.”

  There was a knock on the door, and I looked over to see my father standing there.

  “Planning for what?” he asked.

  I took a deep breath and held up my hand, showing him the ring. “Easton asked me to marry him.”

  For the rest of my life, I will never forget the look on my father’s face…and the moment of silence while he digested the words I’d just said.

  “Is that so?” he said, walking into the room. “Boy didn’t even have the manners to ask for your hand?”

  I laughed. “Daddy, he isn’t a country boy.”

  “No, he is not. I suppose you’ll be going to Houston to live with him.”

  My gaze dropped to the floor for a moment. “Not for awhile. I told him I didn’t want to leave Oak Springs until after we were married.”

  That seemed to make my father happy for a brief moment. Then the frown appeared on his face again. “Do you have a date?”

  I swallowed hard. “Close to Christmas. That’s when Easton would like it.”

  He nodded.

  “Steed, I believe you should be saying something to Chloe.”

  “Right. Sorry, baby girl.”

  He walked up and hugged me tightly. “Congratulations. I always thought it would be…”

  My mother cleared her throat and stopped my father’s words instantly.

  “Thought it would be what?” I asked.

  “Nothing. Nothing. Listen, we best get cleaned up and get up to your grandparents’ place. We’ve left Easton all alone up there with your granddad. Lord knows what he will do or say to the boy. You know how your granddaddy feels about city folk.”

  I giggled.

  “Finish getting settled in and then we’ll drive up, Chloe Cat,” my mother said as they left my room and shut the door.

  Taking in a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and called Alyssa.

  “Hey! You back?”

  “Yes. How are things going?”

  “Great! I got a job at the elementary school as the school nurse! I cannot believe that position came up.”

  “Oh, wow! Alyssa, that is amazing!”

  She squealed on the other end of the phone. “I know! Are you glad to be home?”

  Falling back onto my bed, I sighed. “So glad. Easton is here too.”

  “I figured he would go back with you for the graduation party. Cracks me up your grandparents had to throw you a party the day you got home.”

  I smiled. “I haven’t even seen Patches yet.”

  Alyssa laughed. “Sneak away tonight and you can see him. I’m sure Waylynn will have him locked up tight. Rip said she asked him six times yesterday to check the barn latches.”

  The mention of Rip’s name made my heart skip a beat. It always had, and I had come to terms with the fact that it always would. No matter what, Rip Myers would always be my first love.

  “Patches is determined, and where there’s a will, he’ll definitely find a way.” I laughed but my heart really wasn’t in it.

  “Maybe you can go dress shopping with me next weekend. We need to think about maid of honor dresses.”

  Pulling in a deep breath, I said, “Yeah, about that. Guess you’ll need to shop for one, too.”

  There was silence on the other end of the line.

  “Oh, no.”

  Why was everyone having this reaction?

  “He asked you to marry him, didn’t he?” A sense of doom and gloom echoed through the phone.

  “Yes, and why do you sound like it’s terrible?”

  “I can give you a number of reasons why it’s terrible, Chloe Parker, and you know every single one of them. The major one would be you moving. Chloe! Do you really love this guy enough to give up everything and move to Houston? What about your family, what about the ranch, what about—” She didn’t even finish that sentence because, after all, she was my best friend and knew the truth.

  I don’t know the answers to any of her questions.

  “Alyssa, I wouldn’t have said yes if I wasn’t sure.”

  “Are you sure you didn’t say yes for any other reason?”

  “Like what?” I asked, anger laced in my voice.

  “Rip?”

  “Rip?” I asked with a laugh. “Why would I say yes to Easton because of Rip?”

  “Let’s see. Did any or all of these things go through your mind before you answered him? Oak Springs. Working for your dad. Leaving your family and friends behind. Coming around on holidays or maybe just once or twice a year. Living in Houston. Or did Rip pop into your mind along with that day he rejected you?”

  “He did, and you know it.”

  “Chloe! Come on, did you really say yes to Easton because you love him enough to leave your life behind?

  “For fuck’s sakes, Alyssa,” I said, standing up. “I love Easton.”

  “Do you love Rip?”

  “Yes. I will always love Rip as my best friend. That will never change.”

  “So if I stood before you right now…”

  “My mom is yelling for me, we have to leave. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  “Chloe Parker!”

  Hitting End, I blew out a breath. I walked to the window and stared out at the large live oak I’d grown up with. Remembering how I’d snuck out to go to parties with Alyssa, climbing down this tree. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I stared out over the countryside. All the dreams I had growing up included this ranch. The plans that I had to take over from my dad. The dreams of raising a family here. All of it came flooding over me, and I wanted to sob.

  A knock at my door startled me.

  “Chloe?”

  Spinning around, I wiped my tears away and looked at Gage.

  “Gage!” I rushed over and threw myself into his arms. I might have been six years older than him, but he for sure was not my little brother. At seventeen, he was already built with a broad chest like my father and muscles like Rip’s.

  I didn’t want to acknowledge I had just compared him to Rip and not Easton. Nope, wasn’t even going to give it a second thought.

  “I missed you so much,” I sobbed into his chest. He held me tight and didn’t say a word. He always knew when I needed that extra-long hug.

  When I took a step back, I forced a laugh. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying.”

  There was a look of disbelief on his face.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “You’re leaving? Dad said you told Easton you would marry him.”

  With a grin, I replied, “Yes, I accepted his proposal.”

  Gage shook his head. “But why? Chloe, everyone knows it’s supposed to be you and Rip.”

  My mouth dropped open. “What makes you say that?”

  Then he rolled his eyes. “Don’t be so stupid, Chloe. Even Dad was hoping you two would figure your shit out eventually.”

  “Dad said he thought Rip and I would be together?”

  Gage scoffed. “Everyone thought that. Obviously, everyone but you and Rip. I mean, why Easton? He’s such a douche.”

  I smacked Gage on the chest. “He is not, and don’t say things like that. He’s here.”

  “Not here in our house, so I can say it.”

  “Gage, I love Easton.”

  “Enough to le
ave all of us?”

  “That’s not fair.”

  He looked down at me. “You’re right. It’s not fair. It’s not fair to any of us.”

  He turned and walked away.

  “Oh, my word.” I said, rubbing my temples.

  My mother returned. “He’ll be fine. He’s a bit upset. He always planned on it being you and him on the ranch together.”

  “This fall he’ll be in College Station, so what does it even matter if I’m here or not?”

  She raised a brow. Her mouth opened to say something, but Daddy’s voice cut her off.

  “Let’s go or we’ll be late, ladies!” my father called out.

  My mother kissed my cheek. “You might want to change, sweetheart. We’ll be downstairs, ready to go when you are.”

  Before she had a chance to walk away, I grabbed her arm.

  “Mom, is it true what Gage said? Was Daddy really thinking Rip and I would end up together?”

  She chewed on her lip and looked down.

  “So it is true.”

  When her blue eyes met mine, she sighed. “Oh, Chloe, honey, everyone thought you two would end up together. You were always inseparable, and you always had such a crush on him. That wasn’t a secret.”

  “He didn’t feel the same way about me.”

  “Are you talking about what happened back in your freshman year of college? He was probably confused and scared.”

  “So, what? You’re saying he did love me but couldn’t admit it?”

  She simply shrugged. “Did you two ever talk about it again?”

  Guilt hit me like a knife to the chest. “No.”

  “No?” she asked, her brow raised in a judging way.

  “I mean, Rip tried to talk to me about it, but I told him I wanted to forget about it. Move on. And he did. He started dating Heather.”

  I spit her name out like it was poison. My mother laughed.

  “And that made you start dating I take it?”

  “Yes. I’m okay with us being friends, Mom.”

  Her hand came up to my face, and I leaned into the warmth.

  “Are you? Is he?”

  I frowned. Before we could say anything else, my father yelled upstairs.

  “We need to get going, girls!”

  “I’ll change really quick.” My voice sounded weak, and I hated that. Hated feeling confused over my own emotions. It felt like I was a pot of water, and I was fixin’ to reach my boiling point.

  She nodded and rushed down the steps.

  Glancing through my closet, I found the blue and white dress I bought a few months back in a little boutique on the square here in Oak Springs. It was long and free-flowing but hugged my curves in the slightest way. Slipping on my cowboy boots, I grabbed my phone, and headed downstairs.

  Everyone was already in the truck waiting for me. My hands shook as I reached for the door handle. What was I nervous about? Telling everyone about the engagement? Or knowing Rip would be there tonight? Maybe he would have a date, and everyone would see he’d moved on.

  Just like I had.

  Chloe

  THE MOMENT WE walked into the kitchen, I couldn’t help but laugh. Easton stood at the sink, attempting to peel potatoes.

  “Son, have you never peeled a potato?” Grammy asked, taking the potato from his hand and gently pushing him to the side.

  “Um, no, Mrs. Parker.”

  “Melanie, Easton. Just call me Melanie.”

  “Mom, what in the world are you having him peel potatoes for? All the food is done,” my father said as he walked in and kissed my grandmother.

  She gave my father a wicked smile. “I needed to see the boy’s cooking skills.” Then she turned and faced me. “After all, my granddaughter can’t be expected to do all the cooking after she gets married.”

  My smile faded instantly, and I looked at Easton.

  “You told my grandparents?”

  He shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.

  “Oh, hell,” Gage whispered from next to me.

  Anger built in my veins—that pot was getting hotter. “How could you, Easton?” I asked, staring at him. My entire body was shaking.

  “Sweetheart, maybe he thought you might have already told them?” my mother gently pointed out.

  “We were going to announce it after the dinner. I told you I wanted to tell my parents and grandparents first myself.”

  Easton looked at me with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry, Chloe. It just slipped.”

  “Chloe Parker, before you go tearing the boy a new one, he’s right. He accidently slipped and said something. He tried to catch himself, but I’m too quick—every member of this family knows that—and I got it. Your granddaddy doesn’t know yet, though.”

  “I don’t know what yet?” Granddaddy asked, walking into the room. He smiled when he saw me and quickly made his way over to me. “My little girl is finally home.”

  When he wrapped me up in his arms, I nearly cried again.

  Good grief, Chloe. Get your emotions together, will you?

  After I got a good hug and kiss, he stepped back and I held up the engagement ring.

  “Easton asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”

  His smile never faltered, but I saw the hesitation in his eyes for the briefest of moments. Another person disappointed.

  Taking my hand, granddaddy looked at the ring. “Well, will you look at that. My little girl is going to be getting married.”

  “Yep,” I said, glancing over to Easton and smiling. He returned my smile and mouthed he was sorry.

  “Steed, go grab some of the good champagne down in the wine cellar. We are going to celebrate early,” Granddaddy said.

  Easton walked over to me and took my hand in his. “I’m sorry I slipped.”

  “I’m sorry I reacted the way I did. It was just important for me to tell them myself.”

  He nodded. “I get it. Listen, Chloe, I’ve been thinking. I know how much you love this place. I don’t know if you ever dreamed of getting married here when you were little.”

  I grinned. “I did at one point.”

  There was a beautiful meadow right off the river that overlooked a good portion of the ranch on the south side. I had always dreamed that would be the spot I got married. Under the large oak tree that held so many beautiful memories. There were countless times I told my parents that that tree was where I would get married someday.

  “I want to have the wedding here.”

  My eyes widened and my breath felt caught in my throat for a moment. “What? But, your family would have to come so far.”

  “That doesn’t matter. You’re leaving your family for me. The least I can do is let you get married at this place.”

  The words felt like arrows tossed into my heart. Instead of making me fall in love, they did just the opposite.

  “This place?”

  He smiled. “The ranch. Your home. The place you grew up.”

  That should have made me feel better, but it didn’t.

  “Do you have a special spot where you’d like to be married?” he asked.

  My mother walked up and looked between us. “Did I hear you right? Are you getting married here on the ranch?”

  “Yes!” Easton said. “I was just asking Chloe if she had a special spot for the ceremony.”

  Glancing my way, my mother grinned wide.

  Before she could say anything, I replied, “I think the backyard here at Grammy and Granddaddy’s place would be the perfect setting.”

  “Here?” Easton said, sounding a bit disappointed. “I mean, how many acres is this ranch, Chloe? Surely you have a spot you liked when you were younger.”

  “The south pasture?” my mother asked, looking confused.

  I shook my head. “This house means the world to me. It’s where my family still meets once a week for dinner. I’ve grown up here. It will be perfect.”

  Easton leaned down and kissed my cheek. “That’s fine. I’d marry you anywhere, Chloe.�
�

  My heart warmed at his sweetness. I knew he meant every word.

  “Easton, grab some chairs and help, will you?” Gage called from the back door.

  Glancing out the back window, Easton’s eyes grew big. “How many people are you expecting? There looks like enough seats for a hundred.

  Laughing, I replied, “Just my dad’s family is nearly thirty.”

  “And they have weekly dinners? Thirty people?”

  “Almost thirty. You should have seen it when all my cousins were little. It was a madhouse.”

  “Easton!” Gage called again. I was positive that Easton suspected Gage had a serious attitude about the engagement.

  “Ignore him. He’s upset I’m going to be moving.”

  With a sad look in his eyes, Easton kissed me once more. “It’s all going to work out fine, baby. I promise.”

  “I know,” I said, not really convinced, but not wanting to give up either. I had committed myself to Easton. A part of me did love him and would figure out how to make this work. So now I just needed to convince my heart to play catch up with my mind.

  He headed out back. Before I had a chance to go help, my mother grabbed me and pulled me through the kitchen and down the hall into the study.

  “Mom, what are you doing?”

  “The backyard, Chloe? That’s where you want to get married?”

  “Yes, what’s wrong with the backyard? It has a beautiful view of the sunset, and Grammy has the spring fling dinner and benefit dinner there every year.”

  The spring fling was a huge dinner Grammy and Granddaddy threw after the entire weekend had been spent vaccinating the cows and castrating them. It might sound gross, but it was one of my favorite times of year on the ranch.

  She looked at me like I had grown two heads. “What about the little spot you told me and your father you wanted to be married at…for years?”

  I pressed my lips tightly together. “I…I changed my mind, Mom.”

  Leaning in closer, she said, “Chloe, if you still love Rip…”

  “Mom…” I warned.

  “No, this is important.”

  “I’m not marrying Easton in the same spot I wanted to marry my old crush.”

  “Is that all Rip is?” she asked, jerking her head back.

  “No. He’s my best friend.”