The Texan and the Cowgirl

by Victoria Chancellor

  “You’re welcome. Now go someplace nice and peaceful. We’ll take care of this.”

  “I believe you.”

  As soon as the call ended, Charlie turned to Colby and Wyatt, who were in the living room with him. “We’ve got problems. The aunt and uncle aren’t answering their cell phone.”

  Wyatt got up from the recliner. “I guess we’d better go find the missing aunt and uncle, then.”

  “I’ll call Chief Montoya,” Colby said.

  “I’m going to wait for Cassie’s next call and then I’ve got to get Mom and Dad to the church,” Charlie said. He was sure Cassie would be calling him back in a few minutes for a status update, and he’d better have something to tell her. He also had to make sure he had enough time with his mom and dad to be polite, but not enough time for them to grill him on when and where he met Cassie, when they decided to get married, and what their plans were for the future. There was only so much he could ad lib without revealing the circumstances of the surprise wedding.

  He hoped all of Cassie’s friends who knew the truth didn’t tell his parents that their first grandchild would be born in a little over six months.

  “THE GUYS WILL TAKE care of it. They’ll get in touch with your aunt and uncle.” Toni put an arm around Cassie’s shoulders as she looked out the window of the room they were using as a dressing area.

  “I want to think so, but…where could they be? Aunt Helen would always call me if she was running late. They aren’t flighty people.”

  “No, but maybe their cell phone isn’t charged, or they’re out of range, or there’s a problem with the phone itself,” Sandy suggested. “Any number of things could have happened.”

  “I want to believe you,” Cassie said, “but I was counting on them to be here. I mean, everything is set up for them to see me get married.”

  “I know.” Bobbi Jean patted Cassie on the other shoulder. “It’s going to be fine.”

  “I have some experience with this, and I just want to assure you that it’s perfectly normal to be more emotional when you’re expecting,” Christie said. “Cal thought I was seriously upset several times when I was carrying Callie because I got irrational about things that normally didn’t bother me.”

  “This would bother me whether I was pregnant or not,” Cassie claimed, disconcerted that her friends didn’t seem to understand how serious a missing Aunt Helen and Uncle Jim could be. Charlie was right—Monday was not a good day for a wedding!

  “Come on, sit down and relax a little,” Darla coaxed. “You’ve got a couple of hours until the wedding and you’re going to wear yourself out.”

  She was probably right. Cassie knew she’d been pacing in front of the window for quite a while. “Okay, I’ll try to relax, but this dress isn’t the best for comfort. I’m sure it was designed to be worn with a real corset. I’m afraid I’ll bust the seams.”

  “Nonsense,” Clarissa said, hurrying into the room with a bag full of hair products and cosmetics. “That dress is stronger than it looks. Besides, you had your last fitting yesterday. I don’t think you’ve changed much since then.”

  “You didn’t see how much she ate at the bachelorette party,” Darla said.

  Cassie laughed, and everyone joined in. “Yes, I did. Since I couldn’t drink any alcoholic beverages with those little paper umbrellas in them, the least I could do was enjoy the appetizers.”

  “They were yummy,” Toni said. “I had the excuse of eating for two.”

  “Good point. I think I’ll use that one for the next six months or so,” Cassie said.

  “And if you nurse the baby, you can use that as an excuse to eat more after the baby is born,” Christie pointed out.

  “I don’t know if I’m going to breast feed,” Cassie admitted. “I don’t know if I’ll be good at it.”

  “They have coaches who can help you. Don’t worry about it now,” Christie advised.

  “I won’t,” Cassie promised. “If my aunt and uncle don’t get here soon, I’ll have a lot more to worry about than something happening six months from now.”

  “They’ll be here,” Bobbi Jean said. “You’ve got to trust in other people sometimes, Cassie. And there are a bunch of good ones out there looking for your family.”

  “I know,” she whispered as Clarissa fiddled with a few curls and Darla got a stool so Cassie could put up her feet. Somehow, this group of people she hadn’t even known three years ago had started to feel a whole lot like family. But the two people she needed to impress most were out there someplace. Would they be happy for her, or judge her as they had Chelsey?

  AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, Aunt Helen and Uncle Jim arrived in Brody’s Crossing with a police escort and an entourage of SUVs and pickups. Their stunned expressions told Cassie everything she needed to know.

  “Um, I think he overdid it,” she said to Darla as they watched from the church window.

  “Hey, he got them here, didn’t he? With time to spare.”

  “Aunt Helen is going to kill me if she has to attend my wedding in her shorts and sleeveless shirt. She’s very vain about her upper arms.”

  “Aren’t we all?” Bobbi Jean said as they watched the big RV roll to a stop in the grass beside the church parking lot. “Well, I’d better get out there and see what I can do to make them feel welcome.”

  “I should go and greet them!” Cassie had forgotten she’d planned to explain the circumstances of the wedding to them.

  “You can’t let Charlie see you!” Darla exclaimed. “It’s really bad luck. Believe me, don’t tempt fate!”

  “I’m already pregnant and about to marry him for the sake of my aunt and uncle. I’ve had my bad luck.”

  “Nonsense!” Clarissa said. “This baby is a blessing and I’m sure you and Charlie are going to be very happy together.”

  “Has Venetia been reading those tarot cards again?” Bobbi Jean asked before she went out the door.

  “Well, yes, but this is something I believe with or without Venetia’s new abilities.”

  “I’m going to greet your aunt and uncle and bring them in here to see you. Now, you get yourself all calm and cheerful so you can tell them how much you want to marry Charlie today. They need to get to know him and you’re the one who has to convince them how happy you are.” Bobbie Jo opened the door, slipped out and shut it behind her.

  Cassie drew in a deep breath, then turned to Darla. “Your mother is a very smart woman.”

  “I know. She’s especially right about you convincing your aunt and uncle that you’re marrying Charlie because you love him and you want to share that happiness with them.”

  “Right.” Cassie took several calming, centering breaths. “I love him and I’m very happy.”

  “Just keep saying that,” Darla said, walking to the door and peeping out.

  “I love him and I’m very happy.” If she said it enough, maybe it would come true. She could be like the little engine that could, chugging up the hill. I love him and I’m very happy. I love him and I’m very happy.

  She repeated the mantra until she saw Aunt Helen and Uncle Jim standing in the doorway, stunned expressions on their beloved faces.

  “You’re here!” she cried. She jumped from her chair, and ran across the room as fast as her dress and heels permitted.

  They put their arms around her and for the first time in days, she felt as if everything was going to be just fine.

  “I wanted to surprise you,” she said, careful not to mess up the makeup Clarissa had so artfully applied. “When you said you were coming, I realized this would be the perfect time to have the wedding.”

  “But…but we didn’t even know you were seeing anyone!” Aunt Helen said.

  “Who is this young man?” Uncle Jim asked.

  “Charlie Yates. Didn’t you meet him? He’s a real cowboy. A rancher, too. And…and I love him and I’m so happy.”

  “Oh,” Aunt Helen said, looking at Uncle Jim. “Well, if you’re sure…”

  “I�
�m sure.” Sure that she was going through with this wedding. “I wanted Uncle Jim to walk me down the aisle and I wanted you to sit in the front pew and cry,” Cassie told them as she dabbed her eyes. “Charlie wanted to elope, but my friends here in town managed to plan this entire wedding and reception in one week!”

  “That’s amazing,” Aunt Helen said. “You do have a lot of friends.”

  “I do.” More than she’d ever dreamed she’d have. “They’re wonderful. You’ll love them, too.”

  “I’m sure I will,” Aunt Helen replied, dabbing at her own eyes. “When the chief of police came in his squad car, followed by pickups and a big black SUV, I didn’t know what to think.”

  “I thought we might be in trouble for breaking down beside the road,” Uncle Jim added.

  “And then they all wanted to help and explained that you were waiting for us in town with a big surprise,” Aunt Helen said. “I’m sorry we couldn’t call. There wasn’t any cell phone service.”

  “Darn cell phones,” Uncle Jim grumbled.

  “They changed the tire in the blink of an eye. Then asked us to put on our Sunday finest for your surprise. Why, we had no idea this is what you’d planned!”

  “Okay, I know you want to visit, but we have to get this show on the road,” Clarissa said. “Cassie, you need me to fix your makeup so you’ll be an even more beautiful bride. Helen and Jim, I think we have a corsage and a boutonniere for you two in the vestibule. If you could go with Bobbi Jean, she’ll get you all fixed up. You might want to meet Cassie’s future in-laws, too.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Darla’s mother said from the doorway.

  “I’ll see you soon,” Cassie said to her aunt and uncle.

  The door shut behind them. Cassie walked to Clarissa and sat down. “That went well.”

  “It sure did,” the blonde stylist said, brandishing her blush brush. “I’m sure the wedding is going to be great. And on schedule.”

  “Yes. Everything’s going according to plan.” With just a little bump in the road, Cassie thought.

  Chapter Eleven

  By the time the pianist started playing the wedding march, the church was full and everyone’s nerves seemed to have calmed. Charlie stood beside Colby, with groomsmen Wyatt, Leo and James lined up along the communion rail. Today had been such a whirlwind of completing final touches on the house, coordinating a search and rescue for Cassie’s aunt and uncle, convincing his parents this was a great love match, and finally dressing up in a tuxedo that he’d hardly had a moment to breathe.

  Now, as he waited for Cassie to start her walk down the aisle, the enormity of what they were doing hit him in the gut. He was getting married. He was going to swear that he’d love, honor and protect Cassie for the rest of their lives.

  He barely knew her. Could they make this work?

  Then his mind went blank as she appeared in the doorway leading to the vestibule. Dressed in an antique-looking ivory wedding dress, she appeared small and fragile next to her burly uncle. A short veil covered her face, just enough so he couldn’t read her expression from here. He remembered what she looked like when she was happy, worried, sad, stubborn, and a bunch of other emotions. He especially recalled what she looked like when she lay beside him, a satisfied smile on her face.

  He wanted to see her that way again. Hell, he wanted to see all of those emotions and more as the years went by.

  A surge of protectiveness filled him as Cassie walked slowly, carefully, down the carpet. All eyes turned to her, but she seemed to be looking right at him through that veil. She seemed to be asking him if this was the right thing to do, if they were going to make it work, and all he could do was nod slightly and smile.

  The walk seemed to take forever. He stepped forward, glancing for a moment at his dad, then his mom. She had tears in her eyes. He was the youngest and getting married first. She must be worried…but he hoped those were tears of joy.

  Charlie focused on Cassie as she and her uncle stopped before him. Without a word, he took her hand and wrapped it around his arm. I’ll protect you, he wanted to say, but of course he didn’t. For a moment he wasn’t sure her uncle was going to let go, but finally, with a warning glare, Jim drew his arm away and stepped back.

  Charlie guided her to the altar, just as they’d done in rehearsal, and the minister began, “Dearly beloved…”

  So this is how the future begins, Charlie thought as he stood next to his bride. With a cute, smart woman I barely know but I’m crazy about, a baby on the way, a borrowed house and no job. Still, lots of folks had started with less. At least he had friends and family, his health, and a little money in the bank. They could make this work. They would make this work.

  CASSIE STARED AT THE beautiful, delicate wedding band Charlie had slipped onto her finger. White gold with small diamonds, it fit her finger as if it had been made just for her. Darla must have “borrowed” the pearl ring Cassie’s aunt and uncle had given her when she’d gotten her MBA to check the size. Sneaky of her and Charlie.

  She should have gotten him a ring. She should have asked Colby if Charlie would even wear one. Some men didn’t, especially if they worked outside or with their hands. Still, she should have asked…

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Cassie looked up into Charlie’s eyes and hoped what she saw there was real. He seemed happy. Or maybe relieved. Glad the ceremony was over, or glad they were married?

  And then one arm went around her waist, the other cupped her face, and he kissed her. She closed her eyes and gave herself up to the feeling that she was being cherished. Loved, even. She parted her lips and he deepened the kiss, angling his head, his tongue touching hers.

  It took her a moment to realize the noise she heard wasn’t just her heart pounding, but applause from the guests. Her wedding guests. She felt her face heat up as she pulled away. They’d gotten carried away by what was supposed to be a traditional kiss.

  Charlie grinned and she smiled in return. They turned to face the congregation and heard the minister say, “It is my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yates.”

  Aunt Helen was crying happy tears. Even Uncle Jim seemed to have a tear in his eyes. Her new in-laws looked happy, too, and just as weepy. Did everyone cry at weddings? She’d shed her tears before and now she felt relieved, just on the verge of happy.

  I love him and I’m very happy. I love him and I’m very happy. She would make this work. Too many people, including a little one who wasn’t born yet, needed to believe that she and Charlie loved each other.

  “Ready?” he asked, taking her hand.

  She nodded and stepped carefully down onto the carpeted aisle, then she and Charlie walked toward the back of the church. It seemed that each person they passed had had some role in helping this wedding become a reality. Even the folks who knew the real reason for the marriage beamed at them.

  They must believe my mantra, too.

  Once she and Charlie were in the vestibule, before the guests were escorted out, Charlie pulled her aside. “How are you, Mrs. Yates?” he asked with a smile as they ducked into a small room at the front of the church.

  “A little stunned. Happy. How about you, Mr. Yates?”

  “The same. You look beautiful, by the way.”

  “Thank you. The dress is very old-fashioned, but I kind of like it.”

  “You’d be beautiful if you wore one of your business suits.”

  Cassie smiled and looked down at her wedding ring. “Thank you for thinking of the ring. It’s just…perfect. I love it.”

  “I’m glad you like it. Darla helped me with the size.”

  “I should have gotten you one.”

  “I can’t wear one when I’m working. Too dangerous. But if it would make you feel better, we’ll go get one and I’ll wear it when I’m not working, like when we go out or when I’m traveling.”

  “I’m not worried about you acting as if you’re single when we’re not t
ogether, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just should have thought of it. I figure my brain went into shock as soon as Aunt Helen told me they were coming to town.”

  “I understand. Hey, it’s no problem. We’ll get one later.”

  “Okay.” She wondered if there would be a later. Maybe an anniversary? Yes, there would. She would make this work.

  “I wanted a minute alone before we have to face everyone again. To tell you that you look beautiful. To tell you that I’m proud you’re Mrs. Charlie Yates.” And then he cupped her face and kissed her, this time with less restraint.

  Charlie knew as much about kissing as he did about roping. She melted into him, wishing she wasn’t wearing the tight wedding dress, wanting to be alone with him wherever they were going. Anywhere but a tiny room in the church where all their guests waited.

  He pulled back, breathing hard. “It’s been a long time,” he said. “You know I want you.”

  “Yes, I want you, too.”

  “Good.” He seemed to give a sigh of relief, then smiled. “Very good.”

  “I think we’d better make an appearance at the reception everyone has worked so hard to arrange.”

  “Sounds good. Then we can go see what I’ve been working hard on all week,” Charlie added with a smile.

  “Want to tell me now?”

  “No, it’s a surprise. You have to be patient.”

  She wasn’t sure how patient she was going to be when she wanted to be alone with Charlie so much. “Let’s go get our photos done, then cut some wedding cake.”

  “KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED,” Charlie said as he drove past the ranch house, over the uneven ground where a driveway used to be. He’d have to get someone on that next week. When it started raining, the clay soil around here turned to mud fast. Cassie wouldn’t be able to get to the existing gravel driveway in that sporty little car of hers.

  “If we don’t stop soon, I’m going to be car sick from keeping my eyes closed over this bumpy road.”

  “We’re almost there. Try not to get sick.”

  “I’m trying!” Cassie had already changed out of her wedding dress, which she’d said belonged to Clarissa and the Settlers’ Stroll closet. She wore a yellow-and-green sundress that he couldn’t wait to get her out of, and he’d changed out of his borrowed tux into jeans and a shirt.