The Best Man Takes a Bride

by Stacy Connelly

  “I’m guessing that made it all worth it for him.”

  “I wish I’d appreciated all he was willing to do for me and that I hadn’t cut him out of my life the way I did.”

  “But that was then. What about now?”

  “It’s been better...especially over the past few years. Mostly thanks to Hannah.” A smile touched his face as he said his daughter’s name. “I reached out to him after she was born, and he’s made a real effort to get to know her, to be there for birthdays and holidays. He enjoys being a grandfather.”

  “I’m glad...for Hannah, but also for you and your father.”

  “Yeah, me, too,” Jamison agreed, but he couldn’t help thinking of the years he’d lost—both with his father and with Hannah.

  Two of the most important people in his life, and he’d failed them both. First as a son and then as a father.

  As much as he’d enjoyed the past few days and as familiar as a hammer felt in his hand, Jamison couldn’t see giving up everything he’d worked for—the struggle to put himself through college, the countless hours of studying to get through law school, the prestige of working at Spears, Moreland and Howe, and the promise of the partnership—even if it would be best for Hannah.

  His dad had made that kind of sacrifice, but Jamison couldn’t help feeling he was very much his mother’s son. He loved his daughter, he did, but Jamison couldn’t help feeling something lacking inside him kept him from loving her enough.

  Chapter Nine

  The first annual Clearville Cowboy Days was in full swing by the time the sun started sinking behind the horizon, painting the sky with a pinkish-orange hue. Warm summer air carried the sound of laughter and, as long as the wind wasn’t coming from the arena, the mouthwatering scent of smoky barbecue. Along with the draw of the rodeo, walkways led toward a fenced-off petting zoo and a carnival-style midway lined with cheesy stuffed-animal prizes. Bells and whistles rang out mixed with groans and cheers from the spectators gathered around the games.

  “I still can’t believe this turnout.”

  “Yeah, it’s impressive,” Jamison responded, trying to match his friend’s enthusiasm as he, Ryder and Lindsay dodged the boisterous crowds checking out the Rockin’ R benefit rodeo.

  “The chamber of commerce has worked with Jarrett Deeks and his wife, Theresa, on the event,” Lindsay chimed in. “The hope is to raise money and awareness for their horse rescue, but it’s also a chance for Clearville to shine.”

  “A chance for you to shine,” Ryder told his fiancée with a proud smile that had Lindsay shaking her head.

  “Theresa and Jarrett already had much of this in place before I moved back and came on board. They’re the ones who deserve credit.”

  “Says the woman who’s been working tirelessly on promotion and sponsorship and vendors—”

  “All right, all right! I’ll take some credit if it’ll make you hush up!”

  “I bet you can think of better ways to shut me up,” Ryder challenged with a suggestive lift to his eyebrows.

  “You do realize other people can hear you, right?” Jamison’s pointed comment had his friend grinning even more unrepentantly while Lindsay gave his shoulder a quick shove.

  “You’re crazy, you know that?”

  “Only about you.”

  At that, Lindsay showed she did indeed know how to shut Ryder up as she rose onto her tiptoes to keep his mouth occupied with a kiss.

  Jamison jerked his gaze away to focus on a trio of dusty cowboys, complete with hats, chaps and bandannas, laughing with a group of wide-eyed, flirty girls, none of whom looked old enough for all the makeup they were wearing, let alone the beers they were drinking.

  All in all, Jamison felt as out of place as...well, a corporate lawyer at a rodeo.

  But it wasn’t the retro Wild West setting that had him feeling so uncomfortable. It was playing third wheel to Ryder and Lindsay, an unnecessary cog to the obvious affection and attraction between them.

  “Are you sure the kids are okay going off by themselves?”

  “They’re fine, Dad,” Ryder teased.

  Lindsay’s response was more sympathetic. “I know Robbie, Tyler and Brayden are still young,” she said, referring to her son and his two cousins, “but they’re good boys. They’ll keep an eye on Hannah, and the carnival games are all being run by locals who’ll watch out for them, too.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.”

  He’d worried about Hannah’s reaction to the loud noises, huge animals and large crowd, but his concerns had been misplaced. After little more than a brief hesitation, Hannah had taken off with the boys, leaving Jamison feeling...bereft. Suddenly, he was the one feeling out of place and overwhelmed.

  They’d spent so much time together the past few days, he missed having his daughter at his side...as much as he found himself missing Rory.

  He still didn’t know why he’d agreed to go to the rodeo—other than the thought that Rory might be there. And if that wasn’t the stupidest move ever, he didn’t know what was. Going to the rodeo on the off chance of catching a glimpse of the beautiful brunette when he could have gone with her.

  She’d issued the invitation as she’d packed up their picnic lunch the day before. “From what Lindsay says, they’ll have all kinds of music, food and even games planned for the kids. Anyway, I was wondering if you and Hannah would like to go. You know—” she rolled her eyes, a hint of color brightening her cheeks “—with me?”

  Jamison had swallowed the instant agreement that came to mind. “Rory... I’m leaving in just over a week.”

  “I know,” she’d shot back quickly, her eyes and smile still bright. “But fortunately for us, the rodeo is tomorrow. You’re still here tomorrow.”

  He should have expected she wouldn’t give up easily, not a woman who’d been willing to fight for a man she thought was the one. But like the ex who had let her down, Jamison knew he’d done the same.

  The disappointment in her gaze should have been enough to make him keep his distance. Rory wasn’t the type of woman to have a summer fling, and he couldn’t offer her anything more. He’d be going back to a life that already felt overbooked with the pressure of the upcoming promotion and the responsibility of raising Hannah on his own.

  “Lookie, Daddy, Tyler won me a fuzzy unicorn!” Hannah’s voice broke into his thoughts as she raced toward him, and Jamison wondered what it said about him that he was as eager to see his daughter as she was to see him.

  “He did, huh?” Jamison bent down to examine the purple-and-white stuffed animal she proudly held out.

  “Uh-huh! For me!” His daughter nodded, her ponytail bobbing exuberantly. She didn’t seem to care that the poor thing was slightly cross-eyed, its golden horn already bent, as she gazed at the older boy with a look of pure hero worship.

  The brown-haired boy trailing behind her with his younger brother and Robbie scuffed his oversize tennis shoe against the loose gravel. “No big deal. It was one of those dart games where you have to pop the balloons. The prizes were all lame—uh, kinda girlie.”

  Ryder smiled at his nephew’s deflection of Hannah’s praise. “Way to go making a little girl’s night, dude.”

  Tyler ducked his head, but he still held up his hand for his uncle’s high five.

  “I think someone might have a little crush,” Lindsay teased, and Jamison didn’t know which of them was more horrified—ten-year-old Tyler or his thirty-one-year-old self.

  Just the thought of makeup, short skirts and puberty had panic racing through him, and he longed to hold on to the unicorn and hope for a miracle that would keep his daughter a little girl forever.

  “Hey, Dad, can we have some money to go get something to eat?”

  As Ryder handed the boys some cash, Lindsay warned, “Not too much junk food.”

  “Yeah, right,” Ryder
snorted as the boys took off, jostling each other as they went. “I’m sure they’re heading straight for the booth selling the organic quinoa.”

  A few yards away, Robbie turned back. “Hannah, you wanna come?”

  “Can I, Daddy?” She looked up at him, her eyes filled with happiness and hope, and something caught inside his chest.

  “Yeah,” he said, his voice husky. “Go have fun.”

  She turned to race after the boys before circling back. “Here.” She thrust the unicorn into his arms. “You can hold Uni. He’ll keep you comp’ny.”

  Bending down to her level, he tapped the mythical creature’s bent horn against her forehead. “Thanks, Hannah Banana.”

  She giggled at the nickname and threw her arms around him in a quick hug that had Jamison swallowing against the sudden lump in his throat.

  Rory might not have been by his side, but she was there. He could feel her presence in Hannah’s smile. She’d given his little girl back her laughter, her sense of adventure, her willingness to try...and he wondered at what might be possible if only he was half as brave as his daughter.

  * * *

  “Come on!”

  Rory stumbled, trying to keep up with Debbie Pirelli as her friend dragged her through the Clearville fairgrounds toward the sound of country-western music. Boots might have been the right fashion choice, but they weren’t the most comfortable. She slipped more than once on the fairground’s loose gravel before they reached the stage. A local band had taken their place in the spotlight, and a dozen or so wannabe cowboys were boot scooting their ladies across a makeshift dance floor.

  “I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Rory protested.

  “Trust me! This will be fun!”

  Following at a slower pace a yard or so behind, Drew Pirelli laughed. “I can’t tell you how many things she’s talked me into with those same words!”

  The vivacious blonde sent her husband a grin over her shoulder. “Like you’re complaining!”

  “Um, he might not be,” Rory said after Drew offered to stand in line for drinks at the nearby booth, “but did I mention I’m not a fan of country music?”

  Her friend laughed again. “You do know this is a rodeo, right? I don’t think they’ll be playing too much classical music around here tonight!”

  Debbie was Hillcrest’s exclusive wedding cake designer, and Rory had gotten to know the talented baker and café owner over the past few months. She’d been surprised and pleased when Debbie had called to see if she wanted to go to the rodeo. The last thing she wanted was for her new friend to think she wasn’t enjoying her company. “Thanks again for inviting me. I’d been looking forward to this night, but I wouldn’t have come by myself.”

  “Ah, now I get it,” Debbie said as she bounced on her toes in time with the music.

  “Get what?”

  “You wanted to come with someone else.”

  “No, I—not really,” she mumbled. She’d hoped to go with Jamison and Hannah. Rory loved seeing the little girl come out of her shell, how her first few steps in trying something new were always a little hesitant, but once she found her footing, she was ready to hit the ground running.

  And Jamison...he was running, too. Only he was running away.

  “I can’t figure him out,” she muttered, not realizing she’d spoken the words out loud until Debbie jumped on them.

  “Who?”

  “What?”

  “Who is this mystery man we’re talking about? The one you can’t figure out but would like to be two-stepping across the dance floor with right now.”

  That was enough to startle a snort right out her. “Two-stepping is the last thing I can picture Jamison...”

  Rory swallowed a curse as Debbie crowed with laughter. “I knew it! I knew there was some guy you’d rather be with right now.” Her eyes widened further. “Wait... Jamison. Isn’t that the single dad who’s been bringing his adorable daughter into the café for cookies this week? No wonder you’re not into cowboys if a guy like that is your type.”

  “That’s part of the problem. Jamison is the exact opposite of my type.”

  Debbie raised a knowing eyebrow. “Funny. That’s what I said about Drew. Once upon a time.”

  Ignoring her friend’s words, Rory said, “He can be so serious, so logical, so lawyery...” And he probably would have been the first to call her on making up words, had he been there.

  “Not to mention seriously sexy, practically gorgeous—”

  “Okay, stop. I don’t need to hear all of that. Especially not after making a fool out of myself over him yesterday.”

  “Ooh, that sounds promising.” Debbie’s blue eyes lit up with curiosity. “Give me the gory details.”

  Rory might have made it seem like Debbie was pulling the information out of her, but deep down, she needed someone to talk to. No way could she go to Evie when her cousin’s line between business and pleasure was more like the Great Wall. And Rory didn’t feel comfortable talking to Lindsay about her fiancé’s best friend.

  She was careful, though, not to reveal too much of Jamison’s past. He’d opened up to her in a way she doubted he did with too many people, and she would hold fast to what he’d told her in confidence.

  “I know this attraction between us isn’t meant to last, that he’ll be going back to San Francisco after the wedding.” And if she wasn’t careful, she’d be heartbroken when he left her behind. “Maybe he’s right. Why bother to start something that’s destined to come to an end?”

  Debbie glanced past Rory and her grin widened even further. “We need to find you a dance partner.”

  Thrown by the abrupt change in topic, Rory said, “I’m not sure how that’s going to help.”

  “Oh, believe me, it will. Jamison thinks he’s being all noble by keeping his distance, but that’s sure to fade fast when he sees you in the arms of another guy.”

  “Sees me?” Rory’s heart skipped a beat even before she glanced over her shoulder to what had captured Debbie’s attention a few seconds earlier. Or more specifically who...

  Jamison stood outside the crowd gathered near the beer garden. His chestnut hair gleamed even in the artificial light. He wore a black T-shirt and jeans, perhaps in an effort to fit in, but for Rory, he still stood out. He was more masculine, more striking than the men around him, and that was even with the stuffed unicorn he held in one long-fingered hand.

  She jerked her attention back up to find her gaze snagged on his lips and the memory of his kiss. Thirty feet and two dozen or so people separated them, but the distance, the crowd, the music, all of it faded away until only the two of them existed. Right up until the moment he turned away...

  “Dance,” Debbie commanded and just like that, the rest of the world rushed back in. Only it was too close, too crowded, too noisy.

  “I don’t feel like dancing,” she protested weakly as she lost sight of Jamison in the line of people milling around the drink booths.

  Debbie shook her head. “This isn’t about how you feel. This is about making Jamison face how he feels.”

  “I don’t even see him anymore. He’s probably not even paying attention.”

  “Oh, trust me, he’s still watching.” Her friend grinned “And it’s up to you to make sure there’s something to see.”

  * * *

  He couldn’t stop watching. Try as he might to pull his gaze from the crowded dance floor, to stop staring at Rory like some kind of stalker, his attention returned to her time and again. In the brief seconds when he would lose sight of her during the turns and twists of complicated line dances he couldn’t begin to follow, his heart would stop...only to start racing double time when he once again caught a flash of her ruffled denim skirt or the red bandanna material of her sleeveless top.

  She was far from the best dancer on the floor. She’d stumbled once or t
wice, turned the wrong way and even bumped into a dancer next to her. But through it all, she kept smiling, laughing despite her embarrassment, her blue eyes sparkling and her dark ponytail swaying in time with the music.

  “Here you go,” Ryder said as he handed Jamison the chilled bottle of beer that had brought them over to the area by the dance floor in the first place. “Sorry it took so long. Man, those lines are crazy.”

  The brew was cold and crisp but did little to douse the fire in his gut as the music changed, switching from a boot-scooting beat to the slow, mellow strains of a waltz. Like some kind of switch had been flipped, the crowd of people who’d been standing side by side started pairing off, leaving Rory alone. But only for a moment...

  A split second in time when her gaze met his, the pull strong enough he caught his body swaying in her direction.

  I’m leaving soon.

  His reasoning for keeping his distance hadn’t changed, but neither did Rory’s response. He didn’t need to hear the words to read what was written in her expression.

  You’re here now.

  A blond cowboy stepped between them, blocking Rory from his sight. The other guy was tall and wide enough that Jamison couldn’t see Rory’s answer to the question the cowboy asked, but a second later, her slender hand curved over the guy’s broad shoulder as he took her into his arms.

  Dragging his gaze away with a curse, Jamison sucked in a lungful of air, suddenly realizing he’d forgotten how to breathe in the last few moments. He needed to get out of there before he made the best worst mistake of his life. “I need to check on Hannah,” he said, but Ryder was shaking his head.

  “Lindsay’s already talked to Robbie. They’re having a great time. They’ve left the food court and are heading over to the kiddie rides.”

  “Maybe I should go—”

  “She’s fine, man. She doesn’t need you to hold her hand...but maybe you need her to hold yours?”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”