His Montana Bride

by Brenda Minton

  “That would be great. And if the grooms and best men don’t have suits, do you have someone providing those?”

  “The same shop.” He was still watching her and there was something about the way he studied her face. “About the dress, the one your sister is wearing...”

  Katie stilled at his question. Her mind had been on the wedding preparations, an easy distraction. Now it was back on more personal things. The kind of things that hurt.

  “Yes?”

  He brushed a hand through his thick, dark hair and looked puzzled. And she didn’t know why.

  “I shouldn’t have brought it up.” He glanced at his watch.

  “It’s okay, just not something I want to talk about.”

  The sound of vehicles pulling up outside thankfully ended the conversation. A few minutes later, people streamed into the tents. The happy couples held hands as they walked around the interior of the tent. They talked amongst themselves. Their eyes glowed with happiness, with excitement, with promise.

  And Katie felt a twinge that she didn’t want to admit was envy. Envy because these people had found their special someone. They were going to have this wedding, even with the hype and the media, that would be wonderful. It would be soft lighting, beautiful dresses and romance.

  Katie got the moment she always got, the rehearsal. Her heart ached because she was always the person standing in for the real bride. She was the bridesmaid. She was the best friend. She’d even taken the place once as best man to the groom, a childhood friend of hers.

  She watched Cord approach the couples and gather them all together. There were thirty couples present, just over half of the fifty that would be marrying in less than three weeks. Cord motioned her forward and she joined the group, but she stood at the edge, not really a part of this experience, just a bystander.

  “What we plan is for everyone to meet here at the Festival Hall on Saturday. We’ll pick dresses, get them resized if needed. The men will meet me at the city hall where we will pick vintage suits of the same era that can be rented for the weekend. If you have a best man—and I know all of you don’t—he can also choose a suit that day.”

  “What about bouquets?” one bride asked.

  “The following Tuesday we’ll be picking flowers.” Cord looked to Katie. “Am I forgetting anything?”

  “I’ll have to look at your list to see what all has been done.”

  He grinned and his eyebrows shot up. “Does this mean you’re my new wedding coordinator?”

  “Wait a minute, what happened to the wedding coordinator?” A sharp female voice broke from the back of the crowd.

  Katie looked through the group and spotted the woman. The pretty blonde dropped her groom’s hand and stepped forward. Katie had almost announced that she wasn’t the wedding coordinator, just a volunteer. Now, for Cord’s sake, she kept her mouth shut.

  * * *

  Cord watched the woman approach and he nearly groaned. It was the bridezilla that was staying at Jasper Gulch’s one hotel. She pointed a finger at him and narrowed her eyes. He really felt for her potential groom. A quick glance in that direction and he saw the unfortunate guy cringe.

  “You said that all the details were being taken care of by a wedding coordinator. I looked up her credentials and she was good. She’s done some beautiful weddings. I only agreed to this because I knew it was the only way to get a wedding planned by someone with her skill. Where is she now?”

  Cord cleared his throat and went for calm, patient and not the guy who wished this woman would decide to leave town. “Our wedding coordinator was volunteering her time. Unfortunately, she was offered a better opportunity, a job that actually paid. I have all the notes she left with the details she had planned. And I have a new coordinator.”

  He shot Katie a look. He wondered how “hopeful” looked on him. Or would it be more like pleading? Whatever the look, she nodded and when she did, he turned back to the crowd of couples.

  “She isn’t a coordinator, but she has experience in the fashion industry.”

  “As in, she’s what?” Bridezilla asked. From the back of the crowd he heard the overwhelmed groom call her name, Andrea, and ask her to please calm down. Cord couldn’t agree more.

  “Andrea, is it?” Katie stepped forward, her smile easy and calming. Cord hoped it worked on the brides because it was working on him. How could a person not believe everything would be okay when faced with that serene look?

  “Yes, it’s Andrea.” Her voice was still sharp. Cord guessed not everyone felt the calming influence of Katie Archer.

  “I’m not a wedding coordinator. I work in retail, in a clothing store. I have studied fashion and merchandising. We’re going to work together to make this wedding beautiful. Everything you’ve ever hoped for.”

  “I doubt that.” Andrea stomped off.

  Katie continued, explaining other details. As she finished, thirty couples applauded. Well, minus one. Cord couldn’t help feeling a surge of pride because Katie was...No, not his. She was the person who would probably save this wedding, though. She glanced his way and he nodded. He took over again.

  “If you all could be here Saturday at two, we’ll take care of dresses and bouquets. We’ll also do a practice run-through on the ceremony.”

  He spent a few minutes discussing the arrangement, explaining how the couples would come into the tent. As he discussed the walk down the aisle, his gaze traveled to Katie. She stood to the side, talking quietly to couples, including Julie and Ryan, who had arrived late. Livvie and Jack were also in the group. Hannah and Brody had called and begged off because one of the twins, maybe both, had a virus.

  Another half hour of wedding planning passed. When the group dispersed, he realized he was alone. He walked outside and looked around, finally spotting Katie in the area where the time capsule had been buried. Or should have been buried. He headed her way, realizing she wasn’t alone. Rusty Zidek stood next to her; the former baseball player was ninety-six and just as wiry as ever.

  “I wondered where you’d gotten off to,” he said as he walked up to the two.

  Rusty reached for Cord’s hand. Rusty might be almost to his own centennial mark, but he still had a firm grip and a look in his eyes that said he didn’t miss much. If anything.

  “Rusty was telling me more about the history of the town. I guess it’s your history, too. Both of yours.”

  “It’s our history and our future. That time capsule meant a lot to this town.” Rusty, with his cowboy hat covering gray hair and his always shaggy mustache, stepped close to where the capsule had been buried.

  “If we never find it, we’ll survive. We’ve survived worse things, Rusty.” Cord knew the capsule had been important. But historical artifacts wouldn’t make or break a town.

  Rusty shook his head at Cord’s easy words. “I know we’ll make it, Cord. But that capsule would have been good for this town.”

  “Do you know what was in the capsule, Rusty?”

  He shook his head. “I was just hoping it might bring a Massey or two back for the centennial. I would like to see this town growing. I’d like for it to be a place that people move to and that the younger generations don’t give up on. There isn’t much here for a young person starting out.”

  “I know, Rusty.”

  Rusty removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair. He managed a sheepish smile. “You know, it’s good that we’re doing this celebration. How’s your dad, Cord? I know he’s staying busy and I’d say he’s more than a little worried about this time capsule situation.”

  “He’s well, Rusty. I think it’s been rough on everyone, made people a little suspicious in general. But we’ll manage and hopefully we’ll find that time capsule. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to steal history.”

  “No, it doesn’t make much sense
, does it? Poor ole Pete, and then Lilibeth getting eyed as the culprits. I think a few people might have blamed me if they thought they’d get away with it.”

  “It sure didn’t bring out the best in us,” Cord cautioned.

  “No, it didn’t. But this centennial is undoing some of those bad feelings.” Rusty shifted, smiling at Katie. “But all this talk about time capsules and feuding isn’t making Miss Archer feel at all like someone who wants to stay in Jasper Gulch. You give us a chance, Miss Archer. You’ll find we’re a decent bunch.”

  “I already believe that, Mr. Zidek.”

  “Call me Rusty.” He scratched the back of his neck and gave the location of the time capsule one last look. “Well, you kids have a good afternoon. I’m going to head to the café and have an early dinner.”

  Rusty headed toward his ATV mule, his vehicle of choice in good weather. He gave them a casual wave as he climbed in and headed off, taking the dirt road out of the fairgrounds.

  “Did someone actually think he took the time capsule?” Katie asked as they headed toward Cord’s truck.

  “If they did, they didn’t say anything to me.”

  “He had a point, why would anyone want to steal a time capsule? They’re typically, what, old newspapers, some photos and information about what was happening at the time?”

  “Yes, that’s the gist of it. I’m not sure why anyone would want to steal this thing.”

  Silence for a few more minutes. He unlocked his truck and opened the door for her. As she got in, she gave him a puzzled look.

  “What?” he asked as she sat there, her gaze shifting back to the capsule area.

  “Maybe there was something in there that the thief didn’t want anyone to see?”

  He chuckled at that. “Well, then that would point back to Rusty, because who else is still alive that could have been around when it was buried? What do you think might have been in it, a secret of some type?”

  She wrinkled her nose at him and he took a step closer, unable to resist. She pushed against his shoulder. “You never know. Maybe there was something in there about a founder of the town, or a newspaper article that might have made someone look bad? A scandal.”

  “That’s a thought, one I don’t think any of us have come up with.”

  “It was just a thought, not something you should take too seriously.”

  He reached for her hand. “And what if you’re right? If we can find out what was in that capsule, it would help.”

  “If I’m right, maybe they’ll never find the time capsule and someone’s secret. Would that be so bad?”

  He wanted to kiss her again. It was the brightness of her green eyes, the way she’d thought about the capsule and even the fictional person with the secret to hide. He knew better than to follow through on another kiss. She’d walked into his life a week ago as one of the easiest women to be around. A woman who would only be in town a few weeks. With his dad pushing every single female inside the city limits of Jasper Gulch his way, Katie was a breath of fresh air.

  He didn’t want to ruin that for either of them.

  “We shouldn’t have kissed.” Katie’s words shook him loose from memories of the two times the wedding had almost been his.

  “No, we shouldn’t have.” He wasn’t about to apologize, though.

  She leaned forward, taking him by surprise. And she didn’t kiss him. She straightened his collar and then placed a cool hand on his cheek.

  “I don’t want to be that kind of friend, Cord. I’m looking for someone to spend my life with and not a casual relationship.”

  “Ouch.” But it didn’t hurt, it made him respect her more.

  “It would make things difficult, and what if I do rent that building from you?”

  “You’re right, it would complicate things.”

  “Yes, definitely. Especially now that I seem to be the new wedding coordinator.”

  Her hand had moved from his cheek and he took a step back, preparing to close the door. “Yes, I didn’t really plan that.”

  “No, I didn’t think you did.”

  “I know you have other commitments.”

  “Close the door, I’m getting cold. And use that handy button to start this truck.”

  Cord hit the remote and started to close the door. “Katie, it doesn’t have to be awkward.”

  “It will only be awkward if you keep mentioning it.”

  She had a point. He closed the door, but he couldn’t help smiling as he tossed his keys in the air and caught them. He had someone to help plan the wedding of the century.

  If anyone asked, that’s how he would explain his sudden good mood and willingness to hang out with a single woman. A beautiful, single woman.

  Chapter Seven

  Friday morning Katie bounded down the stairs of the Shaw home. She could smell breakfast, and from the aroma drifting her way it included bacon. Gwen was still getting ready. The two of them were sharing a room while Gwen was in Jasper Gulch.

  Sandy smiled as Katie entered the kitchen. “You’re up and cheerful this morning. It helps to have family in town, doesn’t it?”

  Katie poured herself a cup of coffee. “It really does. Especially since this isn’t my wedding and I’d rather my sister pick her own bridal bouquet.”

  Sandy handed her a plate. “You’re a gem, Katie Archer.”

  “No, I’m just used to—” She stopped herself and managed another smile. “I’m sorry.”

  Sandy placed a hand on her shoulder. “I have an older sister. Now, let’s get you some breakfast. I heard you’re going to be filling in for our wedding coordinator.”

  “Word travels fast in a small town! I thought that was just a stereotype.” Katie took a few slices of bacon and a spoon of scrambled eggs. Rather than going to the table, she set the plate on the counter. Sandy handed her a fork.

  “Not a stereotype.” Sandy went back to the stove. “In a small town we don’t have a lot to talk about. We don’t get out often. So when something unusual happens, word travels fast.”

  “I don’t think my helping is that unusual,” Katie said as she took another bite of bacon.

  “Oh, I think folks around here will see things differently, Katie. You’ve been in town just over a week and you already feel like part of the community. You’re pitching in to help. And we’ve all heard how well you handled Marci the other day. Cord—”

  Sandy stopped and smiled a little sheepishly. Katie understood. The housekeeper was loyal to her family, the Shaws.

  “You don’t have to finish.” But Katie really did wonder what Sandy had been about to say.

  Gwen entered the room, all smiles. “Something smells wonderful.”

  “Help yourself.” Sandy pointed to the stack of plates on the counter. “Would you like coffee, Miss Archer?”

  “Please.” Gwen grabbed a plate as Sandy filled a cup. She then turned her focused attention on her sister. “Aren’t we going to sit and talk?”

  Katie swallowed a bite of bacon and nodded. “Of course.”

  So they sat in the dining room, which hadn’t been Katie’s intention. She would have preferred the table in the warm, homey kitchen with Sandy. It had only been a week, but she’d already developed a routine at the Shaw ranch. She was usually up earlier than the other guests, which meant having Sandy, sometimes Nadine Shaw and the kitchen to herself.

  Faith Shaw was usually up but had already eaten and gone to the barn. A couple of mornings Katie had wandered out to watch what ranch life was all about. She’d seen steers loaded to take to auction, immunizations given and other things she’d never thought to see. She’d witnessed and experienced Montana ranch life.

  “How are Mom and Dad doing?” She finished the last of her eggs and refilled her coffee from the carafe that had been left on the
table.

  “They’re a little worried, to be honest.” Gwen always got to the point. No small talk about how their parents were, or about the weather or any of the other small details that made them a family.

  “Worried? About the wedding?”

  “No, about you.”

  Katie choked on coffee. After sucking in a deep breath, she stared at her sister and of course Gwen was serious. “Why would they worry about me?”

  “Well.” Gwen looked around, motioning with her hands. “You seem to have taken to life in Jasper Gulch. I asked you to stay and make sure things were being planned and taken care of. You’re great with all the little details. I didn’t expect to find you ensconced in the family. When I got here yesterday you were nowhere to be found and the only person with any idea of your location was Faith Shaw and she didn’t seem to be forthcoming with details.”

  Katie fought the mouth-gaping look of a guppy and hopefully managed to look as if she wasn’t totally taken by surprise. “You asked me to stay, Gwen. It isn’t my wedding...”

  “You’re my sister, the best person to stand in for me.”

  Of course she was. Katie knew where she fit in the Archer family. She was good at taking care of the little details for the rest of the family. She didn’t have a life of her own, they thought, so why couldn’t she be the one who took care of everything from house-sitting, running errands and now, planning weddings?

  “Gwen, I am here for you. If I’m going to be here, I’m going to enjoy myself. I like the Shaws. I’m enjoying Jasper Gulch and I’m also helping with the wedding. There’s no reason for concern.”

  “We’re a little afraid you’ll do something crazy like quit your job.”

  Katie focused on her coffee, on sipping the hot brew and gathering her thoughts as she dealt with traces of anger. She’d never been irresponsible. But she’d also never been Gwen. And that summed up the trouble with Katie.

  The trouble with Katie. She’d heard her parents say it, usually as they discussed her, and with her present. The trouble with Katie is that she doesn’t take life seriously. The trouble with Katie is that she doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. The trouble with Katie...