The absence of answering humor on his face sobered Sherri immediately. She stepped forward until she was close enough to place her hand on his forearm. “I’m sorry. It’s really not funny that you’re scared. I’m just not used to a big strong man reacting like that...” Her voice trailed off. She didn’t have the words to make her reaction to his fear okay.
She tried not focusing on the rippling strength beneath her fingers or the heat emanating from his bare skin. “It’s not funny. Most people don’t like spiders. I’m more afraid of fire than I am bugs.” She shrugged. “Everyone’s different.”
Then reality hit her. “Wait, you stayed here last night? In my room? With me?”
There was nowhere else to sleep. They didn’t have a couch yet and the floor wasn’t exactly a hospitable place to expect him to sleep, but she didn’t go home with guys. That wasn’t her. She swallowed. “I don’t... I’m sorry. I’m not sure what... happened.”
He stared at her and then humor finally washed his fear away. “Now that’s funny. Darlin’, when I take you to bed, you’ll remember it. Actually I drove you here because the scumbag hitting on you slipped something into your drink. He’s the worst type of creature and I didn’t think it would be fair to let you fall victim to that.” He ran his hands through his thick hair. “And for the record, I like spiders just fine. I’m just not accustomed to seeing one the size of a duck on my shirt.”
Sickened that the man had tried drugging her, Sherri picked up Kyle’s shirt and handed it to him. How could someone do that? Don’t look at Kyle’s stomach or his chest – don’t do it, Sherri. Crap, you did it.
“You didn’t drink enough to get plastered. My guess is there was enough drug in there for a full glass and you had less than a fourth remaining. You probably had a much stronger dose than you should’ve.” He drew his shirt on like he had an idea what the sight of his muscles did to women.
His kindness overthrew her and she stared at him a moment. “Well, thank you. That was very chivalrous of you.” That combined with the intensity of his blue gaze and she couldn’t help the small crush building in her chest.
But she didn’t need help. And the fact that he’d helped her, saved her from a fate she didn’t want to think about, irked her just enough to raise her hackles.
He glanced around. “No problem. Listen, is it okay if I borrow your phone? My battery’s dead.” He jerked his thumb toward the hallway. “I don’t usually have a phone on me, but my brother makes me take one when I go... out.”
It took a moment for Sherri to register what he said. “Oh, yes, of course.” She pulled out the cell from her purse. A green blinking light on the face of her phone drew her eye. “I have some missed messages. Just a second.”
Two from Rachiah.
First one had come in the night before.
“Glad that cowboy took you home. Bartender said who he was. Get some sleep, I’ll probably sleep over at Cyan’s. She’s freaking out with nerves.”
The second one had come in just moments before.
“Where are you? Cy will kill you if you’re not here in the next ten minutes! You better not be dead in a ditch somewhere!”
Sherri squinted at the clock. “Oh my gosh, is it really that late? I need to go.” She tossed the phone at Kyle, rushing around the room as she gathered up the dresses Cyan had left at their place. All of the dresses were there. Cyan’s, Rachiah’s, Sherri’s, and Emma’s. No one had their dresses because of Sherri.
She didn’t have time to drool over the hot cowboy any further. She had to rush around and get in the truck for survival.
Nothing was scarier than Cyan on a rampage.
Chapter 4
Kyle
Kyle handed the phone to Sherri, or tried to as she scrambled around the small house like a tornado with curves. “I called my brother. He’s going to be here in a little bit.”
She stopped long enough to narrow her eyes at him. “I have nothing to steal, so I’ll just leave you here. I have to leave like three hours ago. Make yourself at home until he gets here. Thank you again.” She shifted awkwardly on her feet, bobbing toward him and back and close and back like she might kiss his cheek or something in an awkward dance.
“See you ‘round.” Kyle awkwardly clasped her fingers in his and pumped their joined hands once, twice and dropped hers.
She wiggled her fingers in the air toward him, scooping the dress bags into her arms and rushing out the door.
Puffing air up toward his forehead, Kyle ran his fingers through his hair. What had just happened? He’d been so worried she’d turn into one of those girls you couldn’t get rid of with clingy phone calls and pleas for you to stay all day.
Instead she’d turned out to be the woman he couldn’t get to sit down for two seconds. Of course, the one time he was interested in getting to know her better, she wasn’t on board.
True, he couldn’t stay long. His brother was getting married and wasn’t amused at the extra trip to get him. Jareth didn’t trust any of the other guys to come grab him though. So Kyle would take his irritation when he arrived.
Kyle wandered back into the kitchen and rinsed his coffee mug. He emptied the other coffee cup into the sink.
He’d taken a shower and watched her sleep in a purely non-creepy way. Why hadn’t he seen the spider?
How emasculating. She’d had to protect him from her pet.
Her pet tarantula.
Kyle couldn’t deny how much that added to her attraction. A girl that was into spiders? A girl that wasn’t afraid of much. She didn’t even freak out over the drugging incident, even though she had every reason to and would be justified in doing so. A girl with no fear, was something he was definitely interested in.
He didn’t want to like anyone.
Dang girl and her spider.
~
“Hey, Jareth. You look like you’re ready for a funeral.” Kyle smirked as he climbed into his brother’s old school truck. The brown rig had become like a second brother to Kyle. Sometimes more reliable than his own since Jareth had found Cyan, but only a few minutes with her charm and Kyle couldn’t begrudge Jareth any of the time he spent with his bride-to-be.
Jareth scowled. “Yeah, if we’re late, we’ll be going to my funeral. Might as well dress appropriately.” The black tuxedo and bolo style tie lent an air of Houston-cowboy to the man. His black cowboy hat and black boots shined with newness.
Kyle whistled as he slammed his door shut. “Wow, Cyan made you get matching digs, huh? That’s crazy. Those Stetsons aren’t cheap.”
Jareth shrugged, backing his truck out of the driveway. “Whatever she wants, Kyle. I don’t care. She needs to be happy.” His face softened as he talked about his girl. The juxtaposition of the two of them together had a surprising twist as Jareth and Cyan adjusted to each other and their expectations.
Kyle loved seeing his brother happy – he’d just never admit it to anyone.
A siren rang out behind them along with flashing lights.
Jareth glared at Kyle, clenching his jaw. He lifted his hand and closed his eyes for a second. “Great, Redhawks.”
“Nah, that’s just Rez police.” Kyle angled around, straining for a sign that he was right. Please, let me be right.
“Nope, that’s M.T. Crap.” Jareth rolled down his window, his smile tight. As the raven-haired man approached, Jareth lifted his hand. “Hello, M.T. how’re things? Was I speeding?”
M.T., the leader of the Redhawks on the reservation, focused on Jareth then searched Kyle’s face just past him. He inclined his head, his regality never lowered. “No. You weren’t. Why are you here? This is my sister’s place. My parent’s place. What are you doing here?” He narrowed his eyes, a feather tied in his hair fluttered when he stood in complete stillness. “Sherri just left.”
Jareth pointed at Kyle. “Yeah, my kid-brother made sure she made it home last night. He said something on the phone about some guy trying to roofie her.” He motioned toward his clothes. “I
’m getting married and I came to pick him up, but Cyan... well.” He sighed, tilting his head and shrugging.
M.T. lifted his eyebrows, moving to rest his hand on the window sill of the truck. “You’re marrying Cyan? You better not be late. That girl is high strung sometimes.” He nodded toward Kyle. “Thanks for taking care of Sherri. She’s like family. We’ll watch her from now on.” His tone suggested more than the gratitude his words declared. More like a “don’t worry about her anymore, we got this” kind of thing.
Kyle jerked his agreement. Really, why hadn’t he put two and two together? He’d known Cyan had a friend named Rachiah who was Native.
But he’d never met her other friend, only heard about her in passing as the bug girl.
M.T. patted the side of the truck as he walked away.
“Apparently we’ve been excused?” Kyle’s bitterness ate at his mood. He hadn’t planned on seeing Sherri again, hadn’t known it was even possible.
He knew where she lived, but he worked and didn’t have plans on starting anything.
But there he was, driving toward a wedding they would both be at.
Wasn’t that where girls were more open to romances? Just because she’d zoomed out of his life and didn’t seem interested didn’t mean she wasn’t. She probably never thought they’d see each other again either.
How would she react to seeing him?
Kyle tapped the cracked vinyl of the arm rest on the door beside him. He suddenly couldn’t wait to get to the wedding.
~
“Run out back and get changed. Your suit’s in the barn hanging up. I gotta grab the guys for pictures. Cyan’s parents want all the photos they can get.” Jareth rolled his eyes and jumped from his parked truck.
Following suit, albeit at a slower speed, Kyle climbed from the truck, looking around.
Nate and Emma’s place had been turned out with white folding chairs set up to create an outdoor audience. Blue tie-dyed tablecloths covered the reception area separated from the ceremony area with large overhead canopies. Beautiful hyacinth bouquets draped from the backs of chairs. Daisy rings hung from hooks at each pole of the tents and along the barns. Sashes dyed to match the tablecloths draped on anything that wasn’t covered in flowers or some other decoration.
No expense had been spared.
How in the heck had Cyan turned out so unspoiled with parents who threw money at her like they did?
Kyle caught Jareth’s gaze and shrank. He held up his hands and mouthed, “I’m going.” Rushing to the rear of the barn, he pulled on the tuxedo his brother had gotten him. He’d wear his own hat, thank you very much.
If his luck held, he’d get to see the bug girl. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction at seeing him at the wedding.
Chapter 5
Sherri
Sherri pushed through the doors at Emma’s place and didn’t get a chance to explain the last twelve hours.
Cyan rushed her, grabbing the dress bag and squeezing it to her chest. “Oh my goodness, Sherri. Are you okay?” She recoiled. “Peew, you stink like that bar. Go take a fast shower. We’re doing braids so your hair doesn’t need to be dry. Rachiah, can you help Emma with her dress.” She waved Sherri off and spun toward the front living room. “Bathroom is up the stairs, Sherri.”
And with that, Sherri was dismissed. She was just tired enough that she snarled at Rachiah when she passed.
Okay, no big deal. No stress. She’d probably feel better after a shower. Obviously a fast one or she’d push Cyan from relieved to... Bucking Bronco Bride.
Nobody wanted that.
~
The ends of her braids darkened the top of her ice blue bridesmaid dress. She didn’t hate it and she didn’t love it. The A-line skirt bit into her waist and the half-sleeves enhanced her arms, which of course were one of her least favorite parts of her.
“Oh you girls look so sweet.” Cyndi, Cyan’s mom, walked through the front door, her hands folded at her chest and she beamed at the gathered bridesmaids.
Rachiah wore a darker shade of blue as the maid of honor.
“The groomsmen will be ready shortly. They will pair with you at the start of the path. Please stay with your partner throughout the pictures.” Cyndi smiled as she passed the women, tears in her eyes. She looked around the cluttered living room and hallway. Opening her hands in question, she called out, “Okay, Cyan, where are you?”
At the end of the hallway, Cyan replied, “I’m coming. Just a sec.” Swishing as her dress whispered around her announced her arrival.
She came down the steps in her long white dress complete with beading and a softly modest neckline. Three-quarter length sleeves ended above a small henna tattoo on one arm, matching the one on Cyndi’s forearm.
Cyndi sobbed softly, rushing toward her daughter who was the picture of every girl’s dream.
Sherri forgot why she’d been cranky. Suddenly seeing her friend dressed like a fairy princess dropped the magic of the wedding over her like a cloud.
Rachiah’s cheeks glowed and she smiled at Sherri, grabbing her hands. “I’m so excited. Do you think M.T. will make it?”
Holding her smile steady, Sherri certainly hoped not. M.T. was Rachiah’s older brother and he’d crushed on Sherri for as long as she could remember. She’d turned him down the last hundred times he’d asked her out.
She wasn’t interested in dating her “brother” and that’s exactly how it would feel if she went out with M.T. He’d want to kiss or something and, just, ew. He was the only person in the world that knew about her fear of fire.
The wedding coordinator cut in before Sherri had to answer. “Ladies, let’s get going. We’ll be doing pictures following the ceremony. The Burns were kind enough to hire multiple photographers to make that part go fast. We would like to avoid the heat as much as possible, but we need you to stay away from the misters until after the pictures. Water spots are not pretty on film.” She winked, a pencil shoved behind her ear and a little bit of pink lipstick on her front tooth.
Emma would go first to match up with Nate who was one of the groomsmen. They had to arrange that in case she got dizzy walking the distance to the front.
Sherri would go next and was paired with one of the cousins. “What was my guy’s name?” She grabbed up a fistful of dress and lifted it above her feet to walk.
“Ryland Johnson.” Rachiah winked. “I have Jareth’s brother. He’s taller than me, so that shouldn’t be a problem.” She’d worn flat sandals to avoid any issues with her height. But her long legs didn’t let anyone else deny her height.
Sherri secretly envied her, but her longtime friend was nothing but nice and loyal – those characteristics didn’t lend themselves to a jealous feeling. Plus, where would Sherri be without her friends? She adored them.
Following Emma out the door and to the deck, Sherri stepped carefully in the shoes she’d been given to wear. She would’ve preferred hiking boots and was actually surprised Cyan hadn’t let them all go barefoot.
Emma swayed at the top of the steps, smiling gratefully when Sherri discreetly slipped her arm through hers. “Thanks. I’m not usually this tired.”
“It’s fine. This way I’m not walking alone.” Sherri winked and they took the steps one at a time. Following the trail of daisy heads, the two women stopped at the start of the aisle.
Turning, Emma waited for Nate who grabbed a blond man by the arm and they rushed over to stand beside Emma and Sherri.
Nate studied Emma’s face. “Are you okay? Is she okay?” He turned his piercing gaze to Sherri, his intensity complete. His suit almost shining in the blazing sun.
Sherri looked to Emma. “Um, I think so?”
“Nate, don’t scare her. Let’s get down the aisle. I’m so excited for Cyan and Jareth.” But she looked more worn than anything with shadows under her eyes and her braids accentuating the sharp angle to her cheeks.
Concern darkened Nate’s gaze. “Okay, let’s go. Take it slow, though, alright?” He
only had eyes for his wife as he carefully placed her hand on his arm and they stepped down the aisle with the start of the violin playing a beautiful Simon and Garfunkle piece.
Sherri grinned, shaking her head. Simon and Garfunkle in a region of the world where they liked their music sang with a guitar and chaw in their bottom lip.
“That’s a beautiful grin to wear with a gorgeous gown.” The tall blond man with shoulders that spread forever stood before Sherri with his arm offered at an angle. He arched his light eyebrows over blue eyes that matched the clear sky. "Shall we?”
“Ryland? The cousin?” Sherri couldn’t hold in her smile. She’d have to thank the wedding coordinator later. What was her luck? Two gorgeous cowboys in the same morning?
Every entomologist’s dream.
They matched the pace of Nate and Emma who walked about twenty feet above them. The grass aisle lent an air of informality to the ceremony, a touch of freshness where a church or indoors might have stifled the excitement on the air. Every time the breeze stirred, a fresh scent of flowers flitted around them.
Eyes forward, Sherri whispered to Ryland, “This is the longest aisle ever. Do you think they’ll have a spot halfway down we can stop and eat lunch?” Right in that moment she realized she hadn’t had breakfast. With a brand new home and no chance to shop and then of course sleeping in and waking to one of the best looking men ever in her kitchen, Sherri didn’t have much opportunity to think of food.
But her hunger hit her right then and she glanced around for something that might pass as lunch. Or even edible.
Ryland’s deep laugh warmed Sherri. He leaned over, glancing at the crowd staring as they passed. “I doubt that, but I think we should request it at our wedding.”
Sherri jerked back, his comment taking her by surprise.
“I’m joking. Just joking.” He patted her hand and smiled around at the audience. “Look, I see an end in sight. Emma and Nate just parted at the front.”
“Aw, frass.” Sherri glanced between him and the spectators, unsure about his easy-going attitude and familiar tone even though they’d just met. She didn’t let her smile wan though and held up appearances as they continued their trek. She was fine with teasing, but there was joking around and then there was intentional flirting.
Unbridled Trails Page 3