Cowboys Like Us

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  Greg turned on the microphone again and took charge of the proceedings. “And now for the throwing of the bridal bouquet,” he announced.

  That was her cue to duck out, Keely decided. No way was she catching that thing, especially after Brandon had tagged Noah with the garter. Maybe it was only a superstition and meant nothing, but she didn’t care to test it. If she ever did get married, it wouldn’t be to a man like Noah who lived in Saguaro Junction. These friends of Noah’s had made marriage look more attractive to her than it had in the past, but she was still a country mile away from the altar.

  As she edged over to the sidelines, Tina caught her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I, uh, need to go to the—”

  “You can wait.” Sharon grabbed her other arm. “But—”

  “Let’s go, girl.” Barb grabbed her waist from behind and pushed.

  “Hey, wait a minute!” Keely tried to pull away from them as they tugged her over to an area where a small group of single women stood. A very small group. Four, besides her. Those were terrible odds.

  “We have our instructions,” Tina said. “Bride’s orders.”

  Keely struggled in vain. “Look, I like all of you heaps and heaps, but you’re about to be my new ex-best friends. I don’t want to play this game.”

  “It’s the hand of fate.” Sharon gripped harder and kept pulling.

  “Fate is a hell of a lot stronger than she used to be!” Keely tried her best to get away, but these were three determined women. “Have you girls been working out?”

  “Oh, we rodeo from time to time,” Tina said. “It’s rough on the nails, but good for the ego.”

  “Rodeo? I thought you were all about Nordstrom’s!”

  “Those two interests aren’t mutually exclusive, chick,” Sharon said.

  “Incoming!” Jenny yelled and sailed the bouquet in the air.

  “We’re on it!” called Sharon. “Excuse us, ladies,” she said to the hopefuls standing nearby on the grass.

  “What on earth are you doing?” She hadn’t wrestled with females like this since she was eight, and finally the episode became funny. She began to laugh as Tina, Sharon and Barb shoved her over to the spot where the bouquet was coming down.

  It hit her on the head, and while she giggled helplessly, Tina and Sharon made sure the bouquet fell neatly into her arms. Then they released her, leaving her standing alone with a sweet-smelling bouquet clutched in both hands. She’d never held a bridal bouquet before, and damned if the experience wasn’t turning her to mush. But she couldn’t get all sentimental and let Noah in for even more teasing.

  Jenny turned, a huge grin on her face. “That should do it.” Then she walked over and exchanged high fives with her girlfriends before turning to the deejay. “Music, maestro, if you please. It’s time for the owner of the garter and the owner of the bouquet to dance.”

  Keely knew she should refuse to do it, but instead she stood as if rooted in the grass while Noah slowly walked over to her and took her hand. “Sorry,” she murmured as he led her to the circle of smooth concrete that served as a dance floor.

  “About what?” He swung her into his arms as the deejay played a waltz.

  “Catching the bouquet.” She rested it on his shoulder and gazed at the cluster of orchids and roses so that she wouldn’t have to look at Noah. He waltzed very well, which surprised her. There were many things she didn’t know about him, apparently.

  “It appears you didn’t have much choice about catching it.”

  “I shouldn’t be here in the first place. From the beginning, you didn’t want me to be part of this wedding, but I had to be my usual obstinate self and accept the invitation from Brandon. Now here you are, dancing with me in front of all your friends.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  She figured he was just being nice. She could tell from the way he was dancing with her, keeping a good three inches’ distance between them, that he didn’t want to give anybody ideas about their relationship. “I know they’re all trying to be matchmakers,” she said, “but you don’t have to worry. I told them this was a fun weekend, but that was all there was to it.”

  “You did, huh?”

  “Yes,” she said firmly. “So don’t think I’m going to embarrass you out here by trying to snuggle closer or anything. I won’t do that.”

  “I would love you to snuggle closer,” he said. “But I have piña colada down the front of my tux and it’s sticky stuff. I’d hate to get it all over that dress. I doubt if you have enough little white packets to take care of that.”

  She glanced up at him in surprise. “That’s why you’re keeping a space between us?”

  “That’s the only reason, darlin’.” His brown eyes were warm as he looked down at her. “And that distance is killing me.”

  “Really?” Her heart lifted, and she couldn’t help smiling. He wasn’t embarrassed by being made a public spectacle with her. “Then to heck with the dress. I’ve never danced with you before, Noah. Let’s make it count.” She slid in tight.

  Immediately cheers and catcalls erupted from the crowd.

  “Maybe that was a mistake,” she murmured, and started to back away.

  Noah tightened his grip, holding her fast. “Uh-uh. I’m not giving up this sensation. Ignore them. Dance with me, Keely.”

  She took a deep breath. “All right.” Meeting his gaze, she moved sensuously to the music, allowing her body to meld perfectly with his.

  He sighed. “Yeah, like that. Sweet.”

  Oh, how they danced. The boisterous comments of their audience faded in the wonder of how perfectly they fit together and how easily they moved over the dance floor, as if they’d been practicing for years.

  The corner of Noah’s mouth tilted. “We should have tried this before.”

  “Who knew?”

  “I think I did.” His gaze heated. “I think I’ve always known how we’d fit.”

  Her breath caught. “They say that dancing like this is a lot like making love.”

  “Yes, they do.” The flame burned brighter in his eyes. “And if this endless party ever winds down, I plan to test that theory. I wish we could leave right now.”

  Her blood pounded through her veins. “Me, too.”

  “Damn, that’s the end of the song. With luck, the piña colada has glued us together and we’ll be forced to leave the party to get unstuck.”

  Keely backed out of his embrace easily. “No such luck. Must be the material of this dress. I guess it repels everything.”

  Noah laughed. “Except me. I—”

  “Miss November!” cried a hearty male voice near Keely’s shoulder. “I finally figured it out!”

  Horrified, she turned toward Brandon’s father, Elmer. “Excuse me?”

  “You’re Miss November!” The festivities and a generous amount of liquor were prompting Elmer to speak much louder than usual. He beamed at her as if sharing the most wonderful news. “Macho magazine, right? I can’t remember the exact year, but I sure remember how you looked, lying on that Thanksgiving table with all the food, and your—”

  “You must have me confused with someone else.” Keely glanced around and prayed nobody else had heard the exchange.

  “Hey, Elmer.” Noah hooked an arm around Elmer’s shoulders. “Speaking of food, let’s go get some of that wedding cake before it’s all gone.”

  “No, thanks,” Elmer said, ignoring him and focusing intently on Keely. “Listen, I’m sure it was you. I even remember the name Keely. I was going through a bit of a midlife crisis in those days, and so Macho was very appealing to me. I told my wife it beat running out and having an affair.” He laughed and winked at her. “Good excuse, huh?”

  “I’m flattered that you think I look like a centerfold,” Keely said. “But you have the wrong girl.” She glanced pleadingly at Noah, hoping he’d support her denial.

  But for some reason he didn’t. Instead, he turned his palms up as if to say he was out
of ideas other than to continue distracting Elmer. Once again he tried to steer the older man gently away. “You look like a guy who could use another drink, Elmer,” he said.

  “Not yet,” Elmer said. “First I want an autograph.” He fumbled in his pocket. “I have one of the wedding napkins in here, which my wife insisted I take for a souvenir. Keely, would you sign it for me? And put Miss November on it, too? I still have that magazine in a box in the basement. Gosh, I wish I had it here right now so you could sign your picture!”

  She wasn’t going to talk him out of it. If she refused to go along with him, he might get louder and more insistent. At last she took the napkin and ballpoint pen he held out to her. “Okay, I’m Miss November,” she said.

  “I knew it! Here, use my back so you can write on that thing.” He turned around.

  “I try to maintain a low profile, Elmer, so I’d appreciate you keeping the information to yourself,” she said as she braced the napkin on his back and signed her name. Considering how tipsy the guy was, she didn’t think there was much chance of his keeping a secret, but at least she’d try.

  “I think you should be proud of it!”

  “Well, thank you, but not everyone agrees with you.” She handed him the napkin. Too bad her father wasn’t proud of her. But maybe Elmer wouldn’t be, either, if she happened to be his daughter instead of a relative stranger he’d met at a wedding.

  She didn’t kid herself that everyone at the reception would be as thrilled as Brandon’s father was to discover a centerfold in their midst. She’d found that out the hard way from her friends and neighbors in Saguaro Junction, and she didn’t want to let herself in for the same kind of humiliation at this shindig.

  Elmer gazed at the signature. “Keely Branscom. That’s the name, all right.” He looked up, and his gaze traveled over her from head to toe. “Yep, it’s you, all right.”

  “Time for a drink, Elmer!” Noah grabbed him forcefully by the arm and propelled him toward the bar.

  “Hey, is it true?” A young guy Keely hadn’t met came over to her. “I heard him say you were in Macho magazine.” He looked very hopeful.

  Keely glanced toward the bar. Noah was trying desperately to keep Elmer under control, but the older man had still managed to sneak his napkin out of his pocket to let people look at it. In seconds she’d be the center of attention, taking the limelight away from the bride and causing herself and Noah all kinds of embarrassment.

  She’d overstayed her welcome. How she’d looked forward to spending the night and the next day with Noah, but she’d be the subject of so much curiosity that she could only be an embarrassment to Noah now. Better for her to just disappear. A quick trip up to the suite to pick up her purse, and she could be gone.

  The shock of such an abrupt ending to the weekend left her feeling numb. She hoped the numbness would last, acting as a painkiller at least until she made it out of the hotel.

  “So, is it true?” the eager young man asked again.

  “Yes,” she said. “And if you’ll stay right here, I’ll run upstairs and get you an autographed picture.”

  “Just your face? Or…the rest?”

  “The full monty.” “Cool!”

  She looked in Noah’s direction again, and luck was with her. He was so busy trying to keep Elmer corralled that he hadn’t noticed she had more problems. He wouldn’t see her leave.

  “Stay here,” she said to the guy. “I’ll be right back.” Then she hurried away toward the lobby to catch the elevator that would take her to the top floor.

  14

  NOAH NOTICED KEELY HAD attracted unwanted attention. He could tell from her harried expression that she wasn’t happy dealing with the young stud who had cornered her. But it took him a minute to excuse himself from Elmer, and by the time he’d gone to her rescue, she’d disappeared. The young guy she’d been talking to was standing in the same spot, though, looking expectant.

  Noah went over to him. “The woman in the silver dress. Where did she go?”

  The kid glanced around and lowered his voice. “I don’t know if I should say. She might not want me to.”

  Noah gripped his shoulder, exerting firm pressure. “I suggest you tell me, and tell me now.”

  “Hey! Who are you, her boyfriend?”

  “Yes.” The answer slipped right out, and he discovered he liked the sound of it. “Yes, I am.”

  The kid looked him over, as if measuring a rival. “I’d like to hear that from her.”

  Noah felt a stab of compassion for the kid, who was obviously awestruck by Keely. And the boy had no chance with her, first of all because Noah wouldn’t give him one, and second because Keely hadn’t looked enthralled with the guy, either.

  He lightened his grip on the kid’s shoulder. “Look, I think she was upset when she left, so I need to find her. I’d appreciate your help.”

  “She wasn’t upset. She went upstairs to get me an autographed picture.”

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you, but there aren’t any autographed pictures.” At least Noah hoped there weren’t. “Oh, man. Then why did she say she was going to get one?”

  “So she could cut out,” Noah said.

  “Why would she do that?”

  “I think she was a little uncomfortable about being recognized.”

  “No kidding?” The kid thought that over. “I guess it could be a bummer.” He shrugged. “Personally I think it would be cool to be famous, but I guess everybody’s different.”

  “Yep, everybody is. And thanks for the info. I’ll go see if I can smooth things over with her.” He left the kid and looked around for Jenny and Brandon to let them know he was ducking out.

  Maybe Keely had gone up to the suite and would wait for him there, but then again maybe she wouldn’t. She’d looked pretty upset about being identified as Miss November, and he’d been caught flat-footed, not sure how to respond, so she might be upset with him, too.

  She’d obviously wanted him to help her deny the whole thing, and the words had been on the tip of his tongue. But then he’d realized he couldn’t win this one. If he helped her convince Elmer and everyone else that she wasn’t a centerfold, it would be like denying that she’d ever done it, as if he was ashamed of her for posing.

  And he’d never, ever been that. Frustrated, worried and confused—definitely. He hadn’t known how to deal with the grown-up version of the little girl he’d been so close to, and so he’d only made things worse. But he’d never been ashamed of Keely Branscom.

  He wasn’t about to do anything that would give her that impression, either. But he could also understand why she wouldn’t want the entire crowd at this reception to know her background, so he’d worked to keep Elmer toned down. It had been like trying to get shaving cream back in the can.

  Well, now Keely was gone, and he felt a great urgency to follow her and find out her intentions. He didn’t want her to disappear from his life and he was afraid that might be what she had in mind. Besides, nothing had been settled about her career, and she might go right back to dancing in topless bars, or worse. That possibility was no longer acceptable.

  Locating Brandon and Jenny, he walked quickly over to them. “Listen, I need to—”

  “Was Keely a centerfold for Macho?” Brandon asked. “My dad got her signature, and he swears—”

  “She was, a long time ago,” Noah said quietly.

  “Get outta here!” Brandon said. “That’s outrageous.”

  “She really was?” Jenny said. “Wow. A celebrity guest. That’s cool.”

  “The thing is, I’m afraid she’s a little embarrassed that your dad recognized her,” Noah said.

  “Oh, she shouldn’t be!” Jenny looked concerned. “I think it’s fabulous. I’m not surprised, either. Anyone could look at her and know she has the body for it.” She glanced around. “Where did she go? I need to tell her that she has nothing to be embarrassed about.”

  “I think she left and went up to the suite,” Noah said.
>
  “You mean because of being recognized?” Jenny asked.

  “I think so.”

  Jenny picked up her skirts. “I’m going straight to a house phone so I can call her and tell her to get her butt back down here. Leaving the party like she’s in disgrace or something is plain ridiculous.”

  Brandon put a restraining hand on her arm. “Maybe not so ridiculous, Jen. I can’t guarantee that every single person here will be open-minded about it. Can you?”

  Jenny paused, a frown on her face. “I really hate to think that any of our guests would cause her a problem.”

  “But they might,” Noah said, reluctantly agreeing with Brandon. “She’s dealt with small-mindedness before, when the magazine hit the stands in Saguaro Junction ten years ago. I’m sure she doesn’t want to put up with more of the same tonight, and I can’t blame her.”

  “Okay.” Jenny sighed. “You may have a point, and I’d feel terrible if somebody insulted her. So I’ll call her and tell her that everyone in the bridal party is thrilled to have met Miss November. I know I can speak for all of us on that score. We’ve loved getting to know her. She’s a kick.”

  “Go ahead and call if you want,” Noah said, “but I’ll bet she won’t answer the phone. Listen, I was planning to stay here at the reception until you two headed up to your honeymoon suite, but I think I should check on Keely. If I know her, she might have decided to get out of Dodge.”

  “Oh!” Jenny’s eyes widened. “You mean leave the hotel?”

  “It’s possible.”

  “Then go! Right now!”

  Noah hesitated. “I don’t know if I’ll be back down before you leave, and tomorrow morning you have that early flight to Hawaii, so I might not see you again this weekend.”

  “Don’t give that another thought.” Jenny’s eyes sparkled. “Your job right now is to convince Keely to stay. And I know you have what it takes.”

  Brandon clutched his chest in pretended shock. “You do? How could you know that?”

  “By talking to his girlfriends.” Jenny smacked her new husband on the arm. “Now stop goofing around and let this man go. We’re still at the reception part of this shindig, which means I’m fully in charge.”