I sighed. “What if it looks like I’m trying too hard?”
“Cheyenne. Stop. If anything, Cole is going to spend the entire night drooling over you and kicking himself for ignoring you all week.”
“I doubt that.”
“You didn’t see what I saw on Thanksgiving. When he watched you come down those stairs, he lit up like he had fireflies under his skin. I’ve never seen anything like it. Wear the damn dress.”
I smiled, despite everything. “I’ll at least bring it.”
“What time are you leaving?”
“Soon, I hope. It would be great to get up there before the snow starts.”
“Oh God, don’t talk about the snow. Do you really think we’re going to get as much as they’re saying?”
“I hope not.” The forecast was dire—we were supposed to get about six inches of snow by tonight and something like another foot and a half by Saturday morning. Blair was terrified the weather was going to prevent people from being able to make it to the wedding. Not only were lots of people driving up from Bellamy Creek, but her family was flying in from Nashville. “When do your parents arrive?”
“Their flight is supposed to leave first thing tomorrow.”
“Are you excited to see them?”
“Yes and no.” Blair laughed. “I haven’t let my mother near my wedding plans, so she’ll be sure to have plenty to say about all the things I’m doing wrong, but that’s okay. The whole reason I left that life behind was because I didn’t want to live by anyone else’s rules or traditions.”
Blair had been brought up a wealthy, blue-blooded debutante, but her family had lost all its money after her father took some bad advice and wound up being convicted of tax evasion. But rather than marry rich just to live in luxury again like her mother wanted her to, she’d chosen a different path. She’d been on her way to her new life when her car broke down in Bellamy Creek.
“Well, I’m excited to meet them,” I said, determined to focus on the bright side. “What are you guys up to this afternoon?”
“We’re meeting with the wedding planner at four-thirty to go over some final details, and then we’ve got a dinner reservation at six. I’m just waiting for Griff to get out of the shower, so we can get going.”
“Hey, does Griffin . . . know? About Cole and me?”
“He definitely thinks something was up between you guys last week, but I didn’t tell him any specifics. It’s weird, because you’re his sister. He’s said a hundred times that he wishes Cole would get back out there, but he can’t exactly be like, ‘dude, Cheyenne’s into you, you should hit that.’”
I frowned. “Ew. Gross.”
Blair laughed. “But Cole’s his best friend. I’m sure he’d be happy to see you together.”
“Never going to happen,” I said, willing it to sink in once and for all. “I’ve always known it.”
“You never know. Maybe this weekend will change things. Weddings are romantic occasions.”
“I know.”
“I’ll see you later tonight. Drive carefully, okay?”
“I will.”
We hung up, and I slipped the black dress and my crimson velvet bridesmaid dress into a garment bag.
For a moment, I stood there, touching the velvet bodice, imagining Cole in his suit, his arms around me on the dance floor.
That was probably as good as it was going to get.
* * *
My mother remained uncharacteristically quiet on the drive up to Cloverleigh Farms. I finally asked her about it, even though I was worried the answer was going to be something like, I’m just so happy for your brother, but I can’t help wondering when you’re going to find the one.
“Something on your mind, Mom?”
She sighed. “Not really.”
I gritted my teeth. “I can tell there’s something. You haven’t said a word since we left home. And you’ve been giving me the silent treatment all week. Are you still mad about the plate?”
“The what?” My mother seemed genuinely confused for a moment. “Oh—no. It’s not that.”
“What is it?”
She stared out the passenger side window a moment. “I miss your dad. He should be here for this.”
Immediately, I felt horrible. Of course she was missing my dad. We all were. Griffin and I had talked about it at Thanksgiving, how sad we were that he’d miss all these big moments in our lives—weddings and babies being born and every milestone afterward—as well as just being around for the little moments, like Sunday dinners and telling dad jokes and the occasional beer after work.
I shook my head, ashamed I’d assumed her silence this week had been about me. “You’re right. He should be, and I miss him too.”
We were both quiet then, reliving our memories of a man who’d worked so hard all his life, loved his family so fiercely, and had deserved the easy retirement surrounded by grandchildren he never got. A heart attack had stolen everything from him—and him from us—six years ago.
“He’d like Blair, don’t you think?” I asked, attempting to lighten the mood.
“Oh, definitely.” My mother nodded. “But who wouldn’t?”
“It’s so incredible, the way they found each other, isn’t it? I mean, what are the chances that your soul mate is the mechanic who fixes your car after you get stranded in his town?”
“Probably about the same as your soul mate being the boy next door who’s been there all along,” she said breezily.
“Mom, don’t start. I told you. We’re—”
“Just friends. I know. Because he doesn’t date.”
“Exactly.”
“Although, I did hear the strangest rumor about Cole at the dry cleaners the other day.”
“You did?”
“Yes. Someone said they’d heard he’d recently come out as gay and was in a relationship with Enzo Moretti.”
I burst out laughing. “What? That’s ridiculous!”
She laughed too. “Apparently they were seen looking for a house together.”
“That’s because Enzo is helping Cole find a house for him and Mariah to move into.”
“Oh. Well, that makes more sense.” She paused. “But if he was gay, that would explain why he isn’t interested in you.”
“Mom. He’s not gay.”
She sighed. “Fine.” A minute later, she chuckled. “But they would make a handsome couple, don’t you think?”
“Definitely.” I laughed again too, then turned my windshield wipers on. “Looks like the snow is starting.”
“Oh, dear,” my mother fretted. “I wish they’d chosen a venue closer to home.”
“Well, Blair had her heart set on Cloverleigh Farms. And maybe they’re overestimating how much we’ll get. That happens all the time.”
My mother crossed herself. “I hope you’re right.”
But the snow fell steadily for the rest of the drive, thicker and heavier the farther north we got. I white-knuckled the steering wheel of my Honda, ramrod in my seat, glad I’d let Griffin talk me into new tires this year.
We should have arrived at Cloverleigh Farms around seven, but thanks to the weather, it was after nine. We checked into our rooms at the inn—my mother’s was down at the far end of the second floor, and mine was closer to the rest of the wedding party’s—and planned on meeting down at the restaurant for a quick bite, but I was still hanging things up in the closet when she called and said she was too tired and had decided to just order room service instead.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “Blair just texted and said she and Griffin are down there with some other people.”
“Positive. You go ahead. I’m pooped, and tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
“Okay, get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Night, honey.”
“‘Night.” I grabbed my purse, tucking my room keycard inside it, and headed down to the bar.
The inn was only two stories, and although there was an elevator at
the end of the hall, I chose to use the lobby’s grand staircase, which was decorated for the holidays with fragrant evergreen boughs and white lights. As I descended the steps, I looked around and thought it was no wonder Blair wanted to get married here—the whole place radiated elegance, warmth, and romance. At one end of the room was a huge stone fireplace with logs ablaze inside it. In the corner stood a gigantic Christmas tree hung with white lights and colorful ornaments. In the air was the scent of woodsmoke and apples and cinnamon. From the bar came the cheerful sound of clinking glasses, the hum of conversation punctuated by bursts of laughter, and beneath it all, joyful holiday music.
I couldn’t help smiling as I entered the cozy, low-lit bar, which was styled like an English pub, with lots of dark wood paneling, a leather banquette and small tables along one wall, and a crackling fire in the fireplace. Right away I spotted Blair and Griffin at the long wooden bar opposite the banquette and headed their way—then stopped in my tracks when I noticed Cole was with them.
Shit!
I touched the ribbed knit cap on my head, wishing I’d washed my hair today. What was he doing here? Hadn’t Blair said he wasn’t coming up until tomorrow morning?
I looked down in dismay at my traveling outfit, which had clearly been chosen for comfort, not for style. I still had my North Face boots on, for fuck’s sake. And giant slouchy socks. My black leggings were okay, but my rust-colored sweater was a giant baggy thing with a turtleneck and sleeves that were too long. Cozy, but not terribly cute, and a far cry from sexy or alluring.
I was considering sneaking back up to my room to change, or maybe even order room service, when Blair caught sight of me. “Cheyenne’s here!” she cried out, loudly enough that everyone around her turned to look at me.
No backing out now. Embarrassed, I lifted a hand, which was hidden inside my floppy sleeve. “Hi.”
Blair came rushing toward me, grabbing me in a hug. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t know he was coming early. He just showed up a little bit ago.”
“Why didn’t you text me?” I whispered back.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come down.”
I let her go and gave her a dirty look. “That was a mean trick. Look at me—I look like I just crawled out of bed. Through a blizzard.”
“You look adorable,” she said, taking my hand and tugging me toward the bar. “Come on. Frannie’s here, and she can’t wait to see you.”
“Oh, good! I’m excited to see her too.”
Frannie was also one of Blair’s bridesmaids. She was an old friend of mine from when I’d student taught in this area, and her family owned Cloverleigh Farms. I’d actually introduced Blair to her, and for a while—before Griffin had finally figured out that he was in love with Blair and begged her to come back to Bellamy Creek—she had lived at Cloverleigh and worked as a pastry chef at Frannie’s coffee shop. Carefully avoiding Cole’s eye, I let Blair pull me over to where Frannie stood with two other women, a blonde I didn’t recognize and an auburn-haired beauty who looked vaguely familiar.
“Hey, you!” Frannie said, giving me a huge hug. “Long time, no see!”
“How are you, Frannie?”
“I’m fine. Life is crazy with five girls at home—I’m amazed Mack hasn’t lost his mind yet—but everything is good.”
I laughed. Mack, her husband, had three daughters from his first marriage, and Frannie had given birth to their twins the year before. “Is he here?” I asked.
“Yes, he’s over there with the guys.” She nodded in the direction of Griffin and Cole and laughed. “Soaking up the testosterone.”
I looked over there too, accidentally locking eyes with Cole. He gave me a half-smile, which I returned before looking away, my heart tripping over its next few beats.
“How was the drive?” Frannie asked. “Did you get caught in the storm?”
“It was a little rough,” I said. “That snow is coming down hard.”
Blair closed her eyes a second. “Don’t talk about it. Let’s get you a drink.”
“Sounds good,” I said. “I could use some food as well. Is the kitchen still open?”
“Yes,” answered the redhead, who held out her hand with a smile. “Hi, I’m Frannie’s sister April. I think we’ve met, but it was a long time ago.”
“Oh, you’re the wedding planner!”
She nodded, giving Blair a meaningful look. “Yes, and everything is going to be perfect, blizzard or not.”
“I agree,” said Frannie. “Honestly, I think Cloverleigh is more beautiful and romantic covered with snow in the winter than at any other time of year. It’s going to look like a winter wonderland. You’ll see.”
Blair took a deep breath. “Right.”
“Hi, I’m Alexis,” said the blond woman I didn’t recognize, holding out her hand.
“Oh, Blair’s college roommate!” I exclaimed, taking her hand in both of mine. “So nice to meet you. I’m glad you made it in from California before the storm.”
She smiled. “Me too. They’re already canceling flights.”
Blair moaned, her face troubled. “You guys, I have the worst feeling my parents are not going to make it.”
“Stop.” I put my arm around her. “No matter what happens with the weather, you are marrying the love of your life tomorrow, right?”
She nodded. “Right.”
“And you’re getting me as a sister!”
That brought a smile. “Right.”
“And like Frannie said, it’s going to look like a winter wonderland,” Alexis added. “Like a fairy tale.”
“Absolutely,” agreed April.
Blair smiled, her eyes tearing up. “Thanks, you guys. I’m so glad to have you here.”
I squeezed her shoulder. “And now I need wine.”
* * *
April suggested we sit at one of the tables opposite the bar. I ended up seated on the banquette, which gave me a perfect view of the guys as they stood sipping whiskey and beers, occasionally guffawing loudly or clapping Griffin on the back. At one point, my brother came over and said hello, asked how the drive was and how our mom was feeling, but Cole continued to keep his distance.
Several times, I caught him glancing over at me, but I pretended not to notice. It made me sad that things were strange between us now, after feeling as if we’d grown closer in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. For heaven’s sake, we’d had phone sex! Good phone sex! I’d heard him have an orgasm, even if it had been mostly silent. Had one real kiss ruined everything?
I enjoyed chatting with the girls at the table, and the food and wine I’d ordered was delicious, but I was preoccupied the entire time wondering how I was going to get through the weekend if this is how it was going to be between Cole and me.
Eventually, Frannie and Mack left for home, and April’s handsome fiancé came to pick her up—he didn’t want her driving alone in the storm—although when Griffin and his friends realized her fiancé was former MLB pitching star Tyler Shaw, they dragged him over to the bar and kept him there another twenty minutes. April had to pry him from the conversation to get him out the door. Alexis excused herself shortly afterward, saying she wanted to FaceTime with her kids before they went to bed, which left just Blair and me at the table.
She tipped her head onto my shoulder. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“I can tell you’re not. Also, Cole is not. He’s been looking over here all night.”
“I’ve been trying not to notice that.” I tossed back the wine left in my glass.
Blair picked up her head. “Well, your job’s about to get harder, because the guys are headed this way.”
I looked up, and sure enough, Griffin and Cole were approaching our table. I fought the urge to fuss with my hair by pulling my hands inside my monster sleeves.
“Hey,” Griffin said, yawning. “I’ve been up since five, and I’m beat. You about ready to call it a night?”
“Yes, but you go ahead. I’ll st
ay with Cheyenne. She’s just waiting for the server to bring her check.”
“No, go with Griff,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”
“I can wait with her,” said Cole. “If that’s okay.”
Our eyes met. “It’s fine.”
He dropped into the chair across from me, and Blair stood up. “Okay. Goodnight, you guys. Cheyenne, I’ll see you at breakfast at eight-thirty?”
“Sounds good.” I watched them walk away, Blair frantically mouthing text me over her shoulder while pantomiming exaggerated typing motions with her thumbs.
Cole had some whiskey left, and he swirled it around in the glass. “How was your drive?”
“The first half was okay. Second half a little scary.” I forced a smile. “How about yours?”
“About the same. I wasn’t going to come up until tomorrow, since I didn’t want to pull Mariah from another day of school, but I ended up changing my mind because of the weather. It’s only going to get worse tomorrow, so I picked her up at lunchtime.”
“I’m sure she was excited. Is she in bed already?”
He nodded. “She was down here with my mom for dinner, but then they went up to bed. They’re sharing a room, so I’ve got my own.”
“Oh.” Immediately my mind went to all the inappropriate activities that could go on in Cole’s hotel room. “That’s nice.”
An awkward silence descended on us. It was late—almost midnight—and the bar had pretty much emptied out. Cole finished his whiskey.
“So are you—”
“I wanted to—”
After speaking at the same time, we both laughed, and the tension eased up a little. “Go ahead,” he said.
“I was just going to ask if you were excited about making the offer on the new house. I heard you fell in love with the one by the creek.”
He nodded, his crooked smile appearing. “Yeah. I am excited. We heard today the offer was accepted.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks. It needs a lot of work, but Mariah and I both loved it, and Moretti thinks it’s a good buy for the price. He’s going to help me with the renovations over the winter.”
Make Me Yours: The Bellamy Creek Series Page 12