“It wasn’t unpleasant.” She reluctantly removed her arms from around his neck. “Thanks for the dance.”
“Any time.” He didn’t let go of her waist. “Is there something about me that makes you want to run away from me?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Everything.” She cleared her throat. “I have to get back to Barbara Jean. I was thinking of stopping by on Saturday for the next round of the interviews.”
“It’s a date.” He walked off in the direction of his table.
* * *
Austin took a deep breath as he held the door of the bridal boutique for Peyton. He’d been looking forward to having lunch with her, since it seemed they kept missing each other lately. He totally understood she had a wedding to plan and was trying to do it all by herself despite having wedding planner. Alex helped her of course, but the other details about finding a wedding dress left her a little out of sorts because her close friends didn’t live in town. So when she saw the bridal shop on the way to the lunch date, he didn’t have to heart to complain that he was so hungry he could eat a chair cushion. But it was Peyton. He couldn’t say no to her.
“Hello, welcome to My Wildest Dreams Bridal.” A woman with a ponytail and a tray of food approached them. “What a beautiful couple! My name is Anita, and I’m here to help you find the perfect gown for your wedding.”
“Nice to meet you, Anita. I’m the bride, but he’s not the groom.”
“What a shame,” Anita replied as she gave Austin the once-over.
Peyton smiled. “You have some lovely gowns. I love the one in the center of the window display. I’ve just started looking, so I’m afraid I don’t have anything specific in mind.”
“You’re a bridal virgin!” Anita beamed and went to retrieve a clipboard. “I’ll just take some information while we walk around.”
Austin and Peyton looked at each other, trying to contain their laughter.
“That virginity ship sailed when I was nineteen,” Peyton murmured.
“Fifteen,” he countered. “It was the best summer of my life at camp.”
Peyton touched the sleeve of a beautiful ball gown. “Oh crap.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I think it’s a bad sign when you can’t find the price tag. You know that old adage, ‘if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.’”
He gave her a reassuring hug. “Why don’t you concentrate on finding what you want first? Then you can move to the elimination round of the game show.”
“You’re right.” She continued to follow Anita around.
He looked around, trying not to be bored. The shop was something out of a fantasy land. There was soft music playing, delicate fabrics everywhere, and a host of accessories meant to bring the look together for the magical day. Peyton was always a practical woman, but even she wasn’t immune to the atmosphere. As she began to relax, she oohed and aahed as Anita began putting dresses on a rack that she’d take to a dressing room. He got it. The rituals that led to marriage were a fun yet sacred thing. Alex had called him twice about getting fitted for their tuxedos, which was a little amusing for a man who was usually very commanding everywhere he went. The accomplished heart surgeon was becoming a nervous groom, and it was endearing to watch. Alex wanted everything to be perfect for Peyton.
Armed with what looked like a dozen dresses, Anita set Alex up in the first fitting room with a pink velvet curtain.
He didn’t get the appeal of the planning for the big event. Heaven knows he’d attended his share of weddings, but he never really noticed the clothes the bridal party wore. Sure, the bride wore a really pretty dress, and the groom donned his monkey suit. The bridesmaids weren’t meant to overshadow the bride’s beauty, even though he’d seen a few who’d tried. By the end of the night, everyone was happy, exhausted, and a little tipsy. He’d taken home a few bridesmaids in his time, but the next morning it was clear that the pulsing lust he’d felt for them was the magic pixie dust of the wedding itself.
He hadn’t had that kind of lust for a woman in a while. But he had felt a guttural longing deep in his gut the night he’d met Savannah at the hospital. It ramped up after their day on the ranch, and he’d thought he’d had a handle on it until he’d seen her the other night at the Lazy L. It had been nice dancing with her. She felt good in his arms and wasn’t as awkward as she thought she would be. Too bad she thought he was some kind of lothario skulking around Harper’s Grove. It was a better description of Grayson than it was of him.
His stomach grumbled. He was really getting hungry. He hoped she’d be ready to eat soon before the growls echoed around the store.
“Austin?” she called. “Is that your tummy?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Did you eat breakfast?”
“Of course. It is the most important meal of the day.”
“Look in my purse then. I think I have a power bar in there.”
“Woman, I need real food. Not something I’d give the horses.”
“Well,” Peyton said from behind the pink velvet changing room curtain. “We are going to lunch as planned. This is just a pit stop. I promise I won’t be too much longer.”
“Scone?” someone said from behind him.
He turned to find the woman who’d been standing in the reception area when they’d arrived holding a platter of fruit and scones. He held up a hand. “I’m good, thanks.”
“I couldn’t help but overhear you were starving.” She gave him a bright smile. “Perhaps I can get you a beverage? Perhaps a glass of champagne? I’m sure I can find something you like.”
“If I’m going to hit the sauce this early in the day, I’d prefer two fingers of bourbon, neat,” he drawled.
“I’m a bourbon girl.” She smiled and put the tray on the coffee table.
“You have good taste.”
“I’m Coral.”
“Nice to meet you, Coral. You have a lovely name. I’m Austin.”
“I bet you are,” she cooed. “I think it’s so sweet that you’re accompanying your sister on her wedding dress hunt. I can guarantee you she’ll find what she wants right here.”
“You mean we won’t have to go the Wedding Barn in Sherman?” He knew way too much about wedding stuff thanks to Peyton.
“No, they mass produce celebrity knockoffs. Who wants to start their married life imitating a celebrity? We offer originals that can be altered to the bride’s needs. It’s good vibes for the new journey of marriage.” She moved closer.
“Well, Peyton’s my friend, not my sister. Actually, she’s my best friend.”
“Even more endearing. I don’t have a male friend who’d traipse around with me while I hunted for a wedding dress.”
“He’s one of a kind,” Peyton called from behind the curtain.
Coral continued her fixed gaze on him. “I would love to buy you a drink some time.”
He didn’t know what to say.
“Coral,” Peyton said, “I saw a lovely pair of white satin gloves with a lace cuff over on the accessories counter. Can you please tell my bridal consultant I’d like to see those too?”
“Sure thing.” Coral backed away slowly, as if waiting for him to answer.
He picked up a bottle of perfume, took the top off, and took a whiff. If she didn’t leave in ten seconds, he was contemplating spritzing some in his eye. Anything to avoid answering her question. She was pretty, but she wasn’t really his type. She didn’t have long, flowing brunette hair, voluptuous curves, smell like lilacs, or have a snarky sense of humor like a certain reporter he knew.
“Thanks, darlin’.” He knew Peyton was running interference for him. She was good at that.
“You’re welcome.” Peyton giggled. “I knew she’d make an appearance at some point. She locked onto you like a heat-seeking missile as soon as we walked through the door.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” He picked up another perfume bottle and sniffed.
�
��Yes, like you didn’t notice Anita stammering and avoiding eye contact with you when she was showing me gowns.”
“I am the only man in this store.”
“Correction, the tailor is a man. But you are the only hunky cowboy in here.”
“Did you notice Coral assumed we weren’t together?” He looked to see if she was headed back their way. To his delight, she’d been detoured by an entourage of women who were holding up magazine pages and talking a mile a minute.
“It’s bad luck for a groom to see the bride’s dress before the wedding. Everyone knows that superstition. It was a safe assumption. But you usually let a woman down with ease and leave her feeling good to boot. You faltered.”
He had Savannah on the brain. He shook his head when a noise came from the dressing room. “Are you OK in there?”
“I’m fine. I’m just doing a little balancing act in here.”
“When am I going to see something?”
“I’m on dress number three, and it looks as if I’m going to get baptized,” she huffed. “I’ll come out when something makes a statement. Otherwise you’ll be subjected to a shopping montage for the next hour.”
“Got it, you’re holding the fort until you put on the perfect dress.”
She giggled. “Exactly.”
“Hey.” He set down the perfume bottle down. “Do you think I’m an outrageous flirt?”
“You’re not an outrageous flirt,” she said thoughtfully. “I don’t, however, think you know you’re doing it half the time.”
“How so?”
“You just have a way about you that make women feel comfortable. You hold out their chairs, ask about their day, and make sure you give them a compliment.”
“It’s called having good manners.”
“I know. But when a handsome man asks you about your day or tells you the new haircut looks good on you, it feels good. Factor in that Southern drawl of yours, and you’re a romance novel hero come to life. Why do you ask?”
“Savannah says women fawn all over me.”
“Well, that’s true. Women flock to you, fantasize about you, and then when they realize their expectations of the relationship don’t match yours, it ends badly, like it did with Lucinda.”
“True. Being romantically challenged is the Holbrook curse.” He sniffed another bottle of perfume. Yuck, that one smelled like furniture polish.
“Actually, that’s been broken. Logan’s madly in love with Megan. Your dad is trying to get your mom back or is going to die trying. It sounds like everyone is onboard the happiness train except you.”
“I’m happy.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Once more with feeling,” Peyton taunted.
“I’m happy. I have my ranch and the horses. Business is good. I’ve cut down on fighting with T.K. I haven’t been punched once by someone looking to get back at my brother over his scandalous encounters since Logan and Megan got together. I have great friends. Life is on an even keel that I like.”
“But…”
“But?”
“I feel a but coming on. What’s really going on? Since when do you care what anyone thinks about you?” A rustling noise came from the fitting room. “Self-reflection isn’t really your thing. You once told me the best time for a man to examine his life is when he’s dead, anything before that was posturing self-pity. But this reporter, who’s supposed to do a light slice-of-life piece on you, has your wheels spinning.”
Austin raised an eyebrow. “I guess this interview is getting to me. You know I’m not big on talking about myself.”
“True,” she agreed. “Or could it be the pretty reporter.”
Peyton pulled back the curtain. She was dressed in an off-shoulder, flowing white gown. She looked so stunning he was almost at a loss for words.
“Peyton. You look absolutely gorgeous.” He whistled as he held out his hand to help her up on the pedestal in front of the mirrors.
“You think so?” She played with the skirt.
“Absolutely breathtaking.” The tailor came over, and another sales lady joined the crowd. “That dress was made for you dear.”
Anita clapped. “I think she’s found it.”
“Thank you.” She did a twirl and looked at Austin. “Do you think it’s too much?”
Austin shook his head. “I think it’s perfect. It’s you. Elegant and whimsical. What’s wrong?”
“Well, it’s Alex’s second marriage. I don’t want to go over the top. He’s done this all before.”
“But he hasn’t done it with you. You deserve a perfect fairytale day with all the trimmings. I know Alex wants you to be happy, and he has no reservations about showing it.”
“Thank you.” She hugged him. “Now let’s see how much this is going to cost me.”
He stopped her. “Not a dime. My treat.”
“No. I can’t let you do that. You’re letting us have the wedding at your place and you’re watching the kids while we honeymoon.”
“Now let me do this for you. Spend your money on the cake or something. I’d love to do this for you. I haven’t had many real friends in my life. You’re the closest thing I have to a sister, and I appreciate having you in my life.”
Peyton teared up and lunged at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He hugged her right back, then took out his wallet and pulled out a fancy-looking black credit card and handed it to the salesperson. “Anita, can you help Peyton with whatever else she needs? I want to see smoke coming off this thing before you give it back to me.”
“Sure thing.” Anita eagerly took the card from him.
“I promise to be just a few more minutes.” Peyton hoisted up the dress.
“Take your time.”
By the time they were finished, Austin was loaded down with bags, and Peyton was very happy. She’d found her accessories, made her selection for the bridesmaids, and sent the photos to Charisma, Skyler, and Serena. Once they responded with a resounding yes, she selected the flower girl dresses for Chloe and Alexis and made her fitting appointments. He was happy to be able to help make her dreams come true. He couldn’t help but smile at how she glowed. She and Alex were in it for the long haul. Alex cherished her and worked hard to include her in his family. Love like that was as rare as it was special.
He wondered if he were meant to love someone like that. He knew he could be a demanding man. He was rough, rugged, and opinionated and there was no changing that. But he didn’t mind being soft and accommodating when necessary. He wanted passion and mutual respect. He wanted someone who knew a good relationship took a daily, concerted effort filled with realism and compromise. He wanted a strong woman who knew her own mind and didn’t need to hold his hand. But he would be there whenever she needed a hand to hold. He wanted someone who shared his love for ranch life and could appreciate the hard work required for that simple yet rewarding living. He promised himself that if he ever married, he’d only do it once. He wanted forever and a day of everlasting love and devotion. Funny how he hadn’t thought about his manifesto for true love until the day Savannah barged into his life.
They bid the staff farewell, and he noticed Coral didn’t give him another flirty look. As a matter of fact, she didn’t even wave when he said goodbye.
“I was mistaken.” He grinned as he opened the truck door for Peyton and put her packages behind the passenger seat. “I’m losing my touch. Coral didn’t give me a second glance.”
“Oh. Her?” Peyton climbed into the passenger seat. “She came over to get the lowdown on you when I was looking at the bridesmaids’ dresses. I told her you already taken, you just didn’t know it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Just promise me I’ll get to hear about it before your budding romance becomes the lead story in the Gazette. Savannah sounds like that flint you need to get the fire brewing in you.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong. She provokes some thoughts, is all.”
“T
hought-provoking is synonymous with provocative. I’ve seen her, you know. She’s like a brunette bombshell from one of those old movies. Stacked like a brick house is what they call her figure. You have a thing for her. It’s plain as day. Question is, are you brave enough to do something about it?”
Austin closed the door and rounded the truck. He should have known Peyton would have called him out with a truth bomb. The last thing he wanted to do was think about Savannah. He was still hungry. Now it was just for something entirely different.
CHAPTER SIX
Savannah strolled the hallway of city hall looking for the communications room, hoping she wasn’t late for the meeting. Upon Ralph’s request, she’d be attending a meeting today about Angela’s restaurant. The townspeople had banded together and were having a sit-down to see how they could help the restaurant owner in her time of need. She was insured and intended to rebuild, but that still meant she’d be out of business until the restaurant was up and running again.
When she went into work this morning, she hadn’t expected Ralph’s announcement that he’d be giving her more responsibilities, which included covering this strategy session. It could have been that he had more in faith in her after she’d turned in the interview on the fire. The article had garnered calls to the paper and some emails, praising her for her factual yet heartfelt approach to the harrowing event. After all, it wasn’t just a restaurant that had caught fire, it was a piece of Harper’s Grove that been destroyed.
She’d taken Austin’s advice about listening to the townspeople, and the more she asked for a soundbite about the restaurant, the more she began to realize how much the restaurant’s presence was more than a place to eat. It was a place where, for many, love had blossomed over a dish of family-style spaghetti, or a plate of oysters had jumped-started their love life again.
Her photo had been part of the byline and now everyone seemed to know her. She was greeted by store owners. People on the street gave her polite nods. After months of being almost invisible—only working on cleanup and editing at the newspaper without getting out to report on her own—she was front and center with the public. She may have come here to start a life with Levi, but fate had dealt her another hand. It wasn’t the nightly news in a big city, but maybe she was making a difference and finding her place within this community.
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