Accidental Bride and Groom

by Iris Abbott

  She had applied for and was offered a job at a school near the ranch. She considered Lynn family and had wanted to be close to her after graduation. Luckily she hadn’t accepted the job yet. Now she couldn’t get away from the ranch and Texas fast enough. She had also been offered a job in her home state of Georgia. It would be far enough away that Lynn wouldn’t expect her to pop by the ranch for an occasional visit. She would make up excuses for the holidays when the time came. She would miss Lynn and the time they spent together, but she knew Landon well enough to know he wouldn’t back down and the last thing she wanted to do was cause trouble between brother and sister. And she really meant it, as far as she was concerned never would be too soon to see Landon James again. In one night he’d managed to squash the fragile feelings she’d been developing for him the past four years.

  ****

  Emma let out a deep sigh. She had been on automatic pilot while thinking about her last visit to the ranch. Now she could see the long fence, archway, and wrought iron sign proclaiming she had reached James Ranch. She turned into the driveway and slowly made her way to the formidable two-story Mediterranean style house. The house stood tall, dark, and unwelcoming, just like its owner Emma thought. The house and the man were a perfect match for each other.

  She gathered together what courage she had left and exited the rental car. She just had to get through the next two weeks then she could go back to Georgia and once again put Landon James behind her. She began walking toward the front door. Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad. She tried but failed to reassure herself. Landon might be out of town on business, but she knew he wouldn’t be staying there, not with Lynn’s wedding looming on the horizon.

  TWO

  Landon regretted his decision to drive back to the ranch that night. His last meeting had run late. As a result, he was just pulling into the garage even though it was after midnight. He stumbled toward his bedroom, the master suite, and just about gagged when he opened the door.

  He had forgotten all about that part of the house being painted while he was in San Antonio. The fumes still lingered, and they were strong. There was no way he would be sleeping in that room tonight. He grabbed the small suitcase and garment bag he had sat on the floor and headed down the hallway. Luckily he had several other rooms to choose from for the night. He wouldn’t need a hotel, and he wouldn’t have to sleep on the couch. He would make sure his bedroom got aired out tomorrow.

  He picked a room on the other side of the house as far away as he could get. No need to tempt fate and wandering paint fumes. He felt gritty from the long day at the cattle show and then the overdrawn meeting with potential buyers. He shouldn’t complain he knew he shouldn’t because business was great. He just needed a shower and a good night’s sleep then he would be good as new. He stripped off his clothes and threw them into the hamper sitting by the door. Ms. Gaines would probably wash them in the morning.

  He removed the mobile phone holder clipped onto the waistband of his khaki pants. He glanced down at his phone. He had forgotten to turn it on after he left the business meeting. No wonder it had been such a quiet drive. He pressed the power button and waited for the phone to power on. Once the phone was up and running, he noticed he had several texts and a couple of voicemails. Since he had waited most of the night to turn on his phone, his messages could wait just a little longer. At least until he was out of the shower and was feeling more refreshed. He really needed that shower.

  He wrapped a bath towel he had snagged from the hall linen closet around his waist and walked into the adjoining bathroom. It was shared with the guest room next door. Once inside he stopped dead in his tracks. The bathroom wasn’t empty. His sister’s longtime best friend Emma Sharpe was relaxing in a tub full of bubbles. Thankfully for his peace of mind, those bubbles strategically covered all of her female body parts.

  He noted the earbuds Emma was wearing and her closed eyes. He figured that’s why she hadn’t heard him enter the bathroom. He took the time to study her face. It had been two years since Emma and his sister had graduated from college. Two years since she had taken the job back in her home state of Georgia. Two long years since she’d last set foot on the ranch. His first conscious thought was that she hadn’t changed at all. On second thought, however, he realized she was even more beautiful now than she had been the last time he saw her. He hadn’t thought that possible.

  He felt the sharp and sudden stab of desire that he had long associated with the sight of Emma. He had spent four years fighting this unwelcome craving for his sister’s best friend. In the past, he’d ignored her whenever possible. It had worked too until the night of the graduation party. He felt the unwelcome sting of regret. He’d been too harsh with her that night, but jealousy was an ugly thing. And seeing her in the arms of that drunken lout had enflamed Landon’s senses. He’d lost control of his legendary iron will, and Emma had paid the price.

  He decided retreat was the best option. It would save them both the embarrassment of discovery. He couldn’t make himself look away from her however as he slowly began backing out of the bathroom. He had almost reached his destination when Emma opened her eyes and stood up. He should have kept going. He was right there at the door, but his muscles froze in place. His eyes were glued to the vision standing before him. The dratted bubbles were still blocking his view of all things feminine. He had a good imagination, however, and he’d spent lots of time imagining a naked Emma.

  Emma let out a sigh of contentment. She was once again refreshed and relaxed. Well, as relaxed as she could be in the home of Landon James. Just the thought of his name was enough to set her nerves on edge. She didn’t even know if she’d be able to sleep that night for worry of their first encounter.

  She had definitely made up her mind about finding a hotel as soon as possible. She had decided that while she was in the bubble bath. First thing in the morning she would ask Ms. Gaines to recommend a nearby hotel. Then she’d call and make reservations. A two-week unexpected stay at a hotel would eat into her savings, but she had enough in the bank to cover the bill. That was another one of the lessons she had learned growing up the way she had. Always save for a rainy day, because they were more frequent than you could ever imagine.

  She stood on tiptoe and stretched before opening her eyes. When she finally did open those startling blue eyes, the scream she let loose could have awakened the dead. Emma snatched up the towel she’d laid on the towel rack next to the tub and held it defensively around her body. She finally calmed herself enough to speak. “You scared me half to death. What are you doing here anyway? Lynn promised me you wouldn’t be home until tomorrow. I planned to be safely tucked away in a hotel before then.” She felt the heat rise in her body. Only two seconds in Landon’s presence and her body was already responding. This did not bode well for the next couple of weeks.

  “Well lucky for the both of us I came back home tonight. You know Lynn isn’t going to let you stay in a hotel.” He gave a casual shrug of his shoulders. He didn’t want to overplay his hand, but some primitive part of him didn’t want to let Emma out of his sight. Now that she was back, he was reluctant to let her go. There was no way he’d admit that out loud though. “Besides you would be here all the time anyway. Don’t the two of you have a lot of last-minute preparations and girly stuff to take care of before the big day?”

  Emma rolled her eyes in disbelief. Not very mature she knew, but Landon always made her act out of character. “Don’t you ever check your messages,” Emma demanded in a huff. She used her frustration at his unexpected presence to cover the rising desire inside her. “I know Lynn called you before she left town. She isn’t even here. She and Bruce are working on a search and rescue mission in Mexico City.”

  Things were finally beginning to add up for Landon. “That’s right. I heard about the earthquake between meetings today. I figured Bruce’s squad would get called out to help, but I never dreamed Lynn would go down there with them, at least not this close to the wedding.” An
interesting thought flashed through his mind. “I guess that means you and I were left here to take care of any last minute problems. Not that I’m expecting any. If I remember correctly you are very organized and more than capable of handling a wedding. Lynn pretty much has everything done already anyway.”

  “Like I said I’ll be out of your way tomorrow. Now get out of the bathroom so I can get dressed in private.” She really wanted to throw herself into his arms, but she knew that would be about as welcome as a gatecrasher at a party.

  Landon couldn’t help the deep bout of laughter that erupted from deep inside. He knew it was going to make Emma even angrier, which is probably why he couldn’t help himself. “No need to dress on my account. I’ve already seen everything you have to offer. And might I add that I was very impressed.” Then he had the audacity to wink!

  The thought that that would be the first time he’d been impressed with her popped instantly into her mind. Emma was outraged with both herself and Landon. Only Landon made her lose control like this. “Get. Out.” She commanded. She lifted the plastic bottle of bubble bath sitting on the edge of the tub and launched it at his head.

  He slammed the bathroom door shut just in time to avoid a direct hit. The crash of heavy plastic against wood was almost deafening in the small room. Landon was still laughing when he opened the door a crack. “You’re still not going to a hotel. Lynn would never let either one of us hear the end of it if you did. Might as well settle in and make yourself at home, for the next two weeks anyway.” He gave her a departing smirk before closing the door with a thud.

  “Like I would want to be here any longer than that,” she said to the closed door. Emma waited to hear his retreating footsteps before she let out a deep sigh. It was going to be a long two weeks. One or both of them might not survive the tension and bickering. They hadn’t even been in each other’s company ten minutes, and she was already throwing things. He just made her feel things no one else ever had, and it scared her to her very core.

  She knew he was right about one thing though. Lynn had never understood Emma’s refusal to come back to the ranch for even a short visit the past two years. Emma had never wanted to tell her friend about the ugly confrontation with Landon and the fact that he’d kicked her off the ranch. If she refused to stay at the ranch now, Lynn would be even more suspicious. She would probably make Emma spill her guts about why she’d been sent fleeing into the night. Emma planned to keep the events of that night under wraps forever if possible.

  Emma hurried back to the guestroom and crawled into bed. After about five minutes she could hear Landon moving around and then the soothing sounds of running water from the shower. She fell asleep listening to the comforting sound of the muted water, and an image of Landon James hovering in her mind.

  Landon leaned his head onto the cold shower tile. He rested there as the warm water seeped into his tired muscles. His self-control was stretched to the breaking point. He had always been attracted to Emma Sharpe. Now they were practically living under the same roof and without a chaperone too. Seeing her near naked, perfect body hadn’t done much for his equilibrium either. Thank goodness for bubble bath foam. As far as he was concerned, his sister couldn’t get back from Mexico fast enough.

  One thing he did know for sure. No matter how tired he had been before he arrived home, he was wide-awake now. He just knew he was going to have trouble falling asleep. That was not a good thing no matter how he looked at it. There was always plenty of work to keep him busy on the ranch. Not to mention the paperwork that had piled up while he was in San Antonio. His granny had always believed that absence made the heart grow fonder. He didn’t know about his heart, but one thing was for sure. His body was sure glad to see Emma, even if his mind wasn’t.

  THREE

  Emma casually glanced through the local morning paper while enjoying a leisurely breakfast. A good night’s sleep had given her a chance to come to terms with seeing Landon again. She still wasn’t thrilled with the prospect of being stuck with him for the next two weeks. Hopefully, he’d ignore her as he’d done on so many of her previous visits. The wedding would be over, and she’d be on her way back to Georgia before she knew it. She took a bite of buttered toast just as the housekeeper walked into the room.

  Ms. Gaines held out the cordless phone with an apologetic look. “I know it’s your first morning here, and you are still settling in, but someone from the caterer’s office is on the phone.” She shrugged. “Landon has been working on the ranch for a couple of hours now, and Lynn is out of the country. I guess that means you get to deal with them. It sounds really important. If it weren’t for that, I’d just have Mr. James call them back.”

  “It’s all right Ms. Gaines,” Emma reassured the housekeeper with a warm smile. “That’s why I’m here after all. It’s my responsibility to take care of any last minute wedding preparations. I’ll be more than happy to take the call.”

  Emma took the phone and lifted it to her ear. “Hello, this is Emma Sharpe. I’m Lynn James’s maid of honor. How may I help you this morning?”

  “Oh my, I was, well I was rather hoping I could speak with Mr. or Ms. James.”

  Emma couldn’t help but notice the nervous stammer of the caller. That didn’t bode well for the rest of the call Emma thought. “Mr. James is out working the ranch. Ms. James is in Mexico City helping victims of the recent earthquake. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me for the moment. Now once again, how may I help you?”

  Emma tried to keep the annoyance out of her voice. She hoped the caterer was not going to try to make last minute changes to the menu without Lynn’s approval. Well whatever she was calling about, Emma would handle it quickly and efficiently, just as she did everything else in her life.

  “I have some very bad news,” the caller admitted. “I’m Miss Steward’s assistant.” The woman took a deep breath before continuing. “Unfortunately the building that houses Miss Steward’s catering business suffered a fire last night. She lost all her workspace. Not to mention pots, pans, and general baking supplies. Ms. James’s wedding is less than two weeks away. There is no way Miss Steward can find a new space suitable for baking and storing such large quantities of food in that short amount of time. Plus she has to deal with the insurance company, and the fire department’s investigation.”

  Emma was still stuck on the word fire and all the horror that entailed. “Oh no, that’s terrible,” Emma breathed. “I hope no one was hurt,” or worse Emma thought.

  “Luckily no one was in the building at the time,” the assistant assured Emma. “And on another lucky note, we are lucky it’s August. The wedding season passed its peak a few days ago. That means the rest of the caterers in the area are not as busy as they would have been just a couple of weeks ago. Miss Steward has a few friends in the business willing to help out and take over her last few weddings. I have two local names and then one suggestion from San Antonio for you. All three come highly recommended by Miss Steward, and it’s been confirmed that they would be available to work the James/Thompson wedding. I can give you their names and numbers if you would like to make contact with them.”

  Emma deep in thought chewed her lip trying to figure out a way to fix this unexpected disaster. “Well, I don’t have much of a choice. I have to take your recommendations. I’m not from around here, and I may or may not be able to get in touch with Lynn in time to come up with another plan. I would be flying blind without your help.” Just the thought made the always prepared and well organized Emma shudder. She didn’t like chaos. After the way she’d grown up, she craved predictability and order.

  Once again the assistant profusely apologized before giving Emma the contact information for the other caterers. When the conversation was finished, Emma disconnected the phone call and started dialing the first number on the list. She didn’t have a second to waste. The wedding was a day less than two weeks away now, and the caterer was expected to provide a sit-down dinner for about seventy-five extended family memb
ers and close friends. Not necessarily an easy task on such short notice.

  After about forty more minutes on the phone, Emma was finally done with that small part of the task. It seemed James Ranch, which was one of the largest in the state of Texas was well known. And the James name had power in that part of Texas, especially in the community of Rancher’s Bend. It didn’t take much persuasion at all from Emma to get all three catering firms to agree to send a representative with samples of their most popular dishes out to the ranch later that day. Emma had them penciled into her agenda, with about forty-five minutes between each visit.

  Their visits were scheduled right around dinnertime. Emma figured she had enough time to find whatever corner of the ranch Landon had taken refuge in, and convince him to help her with the taste testing. No way was she going to be solely responsible for picking a new caterer and maybe even a completely different menu for the reception. Besides Landon was the one responsible for paying for the wedding and the reception. She remembered Emma saying that was part of his wedding gift to her and Bruce. She didn’t have a clue about the budget for food and beverages, and she wasn’t about to guess.

  Emma found an old pair of denim jeans, a western hat, and riding boots, and made her way out to the stables. She hesitated when she first reached the door. After all, this was the location of the fiasco that had gotten her kicked off the ranch and banned two years ago. Well not exactly banned, she had to admit. She had done that herself. Landon had probably cooled off by the time she was halfway to Georgia. She, on the other hand, had no desire to tangle with him again. And the longer she stayed away, the harder it was to return.