by Lori Wilde
career, but a person could change a lot during the course of five years.
“You’re here awfully early,” Savannah said, her gaze traveling the length of his body.
He wore a maroon-and-dark-green snap-down Western shirt and a pair of new, sharply creased blue jeans. Not exactly wedding attire, but nothing unusual in this neck of the woods. For a casual outdoor wedding, West Texas informal would pass. Especially when worn by a man as potently masculine as Matt Forrester. His clothing made a statement, proclaiming him a rough, tough cowboy.
His dark eyes seized her gaze and held her captive. Savannah wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. Helplessly, she stared at him. Her heart leaped in her chest like a jack- rabbit trying to escape a snare. One look, one smile from him and she melted, like ice cream in the sun.
“He came to help out.” Ginger beamed. “Didn’t I tell you he would show up?”
“I’ll do anything I can to assist you,” Matt said. “Just tell me what to do.”
Savannah nodded. “All right. I accept your offer. I need some tables brought out of the house and set up in the garden before the caterers arrive. I can’t move them by myself, and Clem seems to have disappeared.’ ’
“Lead the way.”
They all went inside, Ginger flitting off to the bathroom to wash and roll her hair. Cody sat in his playpen in the living room, busily stacking alphabet blocks. He saw Matt and grinned, a string of drool dribbling down his chin. “Da!” he squealed happily, wriggling with delight.
Savannah stopped to wipe her son’s mouth with a corner of his baby blanket, then pointed out a table to Matt. “Let’s move this one first. It’s the heaviest.”
They tugged the table out the door and into the garden, where Savannah had him place it strategically beside the flower bed. The florists brought in colorful bouquets of spring flowers and arranged them around the constructed altar.
Savannah stopped to admire their handiwork. The effect was quite attractive. She couldn’t help but compare the elaborate setup to her own slipshod, hurry-up wedding. There had been no florists, only artificial flowers from the dime store. Gary had desired a fancy ceremony, but she’d nixed the idea. She’d wanted it over and done with, using the least amount of fanfare possible. Maybe that was why she’d been so determined to make Ginger’s wedding a very special affair.
“I still can’t believe Ginger’s getting married,” Matt murmured, standing so close to Savannah she could smell the heady scent of his cologne.
“Yes,” Savannah agreed, emotions choking her throat. “My little sister’s all grown up.”
“Weddings are kinda sad, aren’t they?”
His sensitivity surprised her. Had he sensed the mixed feelings stirring inside her? She wanted happiness for Ginger, but at the same time she would miss her sister desperately.
She glanced at him. “They can bring back sad memories, yes.”
He rested a hand on her shoulder, his touch sending tremors of longing contracting through her muscles. “You know, Savy, I’d always thought we’d get married someday. Funny how things work out.”
She closed her eyes, clenched her jaw. Why did he have to say that? She carried enough regret in her heart to last a lifetime. Matt’s statement only served to rouse her remorse. She’d made a big mistake when she married Gary, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
Stepping away from his dangerous touch, Savannah opened her eyes and turned to face him. “Have you found my cattle yet?”
The comer of his left eye twitched, and he pressed his lips into a firm straight line, a sure sign her question had upset him.
“A few head turned up at an auction in Fort Worth,” he said tersely. “Their brands had been altered.”
“Oh. That’s great. How many?”
“Six.”
“So where are they?”
His brown eyes darkened. ‘‘Still in Fort Worth.”
“How come? Why haven’t you brought them home?” She settled her hands on her hips. Savannah knew he was hiding something. Matt had never been good at keeping secrets from her.
Dropping his gaze, he shifted his weight. “They’re being held as evidence.”
“What do you mean?”
“The cattle are impounded until the investigation is over.”
She frowned, rubbed her brow with her index finger and thumb. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Don’t you have more tables to move?” he asked, attempting to deflect her questions. His evasiveness served to pique her curiosity. What was going on?
“Is that your way of saying you can’t talk about the investigation?”
He looked relieved. “Yeah.”
“Fine.” She shrugged. “Let’s finish moving the tables.”
Neither spoke as they completed the task. One minute he’d been very responsive to her, the next elusive. If it had been five years earlier, she could have coaxed him into revealing his concerns, but now? No way. She knew he wouldn’t confide in her, and honestly she couldn’t blame him. She’d violated his trust. If only they could erase the past and start over with a clean tablet.
Wishful thinking, Savannah, she chided herself.
“Need me for anything else?” Matt raised an eyebrow.
“Not right now.” Savannah consulted her watch, found the time shortly before noon. “I’ve got to give Cody his lunch. Would you like a sandwich?”
Matt inclined his head toward the bam. “Think I’ll go have a talk with your ranch hand.”
“Clem? What for?”
“I’d like to question him again about the night of the thefts, make sure he didn’t forget something.”
Savannah nodded. “Okay.” She was glad for any excuse to escape his presence. If it wasn’t for Ginger, she’d be tempted to ask him to leave. Being near him simply unnerved her too much.
Matt stalked to the bam and Savannah went inside the house. She blew her breath out through puffed cheeks. Whew. Would she survive this day?
Ginger sat at the kitchen table polishing her fingernails. She gave Savannah a weak smile. “Cody’s napping,” she said, “and Aunt Pearl just called. She and Cousin Ada are in Sweetwater. They’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“Oh, boy. I’d hoped the guests wouldn’t start arriving so soon.’ ’ Savannah pushed her bangs from her forehead and sat down beside Ginger.
“Vannah, I’m getting scared.”
Savannah patted her sister’s shoulder. “You’ll be fine, honey.”
“But I hate getting up in front of people. And we’ve got a hundred guests coming.”
“It’s not the same thing as giving a speech, and besides, Todd will be right beside you.”
“Did you have second thoughts when you got married?”
And thirds and fourths and fifths. Savannah wished Ginger would stop trying to compare their weddings. It wasn’t the same thing at all. Ginger was in love with Todd. Savannah had married Gary out of necessity, in order to provide a secure, stable environment for herself and her baby sister. She’d labored under no illusions of love. She’d gone into the marriage with her eyes wide open.
“Honey, you’ve just got the jitters. Everything will be all right.”
“I got a favor to ask you, Vannah.”
“Why, sure. When have I ever refused you anything?”
“When you wouldn’t let me date Tommy Ledbetter.” Ginger grinned.
“And with good reason. How many young ladies did he get pregnant out of wedlock? Two? Three?”
“Five.” Ginger’s grin widened. “Thanks for saving my virtue. I know Todd appreciates it.”
Savannah lightly tickled Ginger under the ribs. Her sister giggled, squirmed. “So what did you want to ask me, kiddo?”
“Where’s Matt?”
“Outside talking to Clem. Why?”
Ginger wiggled her pearly pink fingernails. “Would you be offended if I asked him to give me away?”
“I... I thought you wanted me to gi
ve you away.”
“Well, you have been both mother and father to me and I love you with all my heart, but I’d feel more proper if a man gave me away and since we don’t have any male family members...” Ginger looked at Savannah, a pleading expression on her face. “I mean,” Ginger amended quickly, “if you’d rather I didn’t ask him, I won’t. I know there’s bad feelings between you two, and the last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
Ginger’s request twisted a little knife of betrayal in Savannah’s chest, but she understood. It was traditional for a man to give away the bride, and if Gary had lived he would have been proud to do the honors for Ginger.
“Sure, honey.” Savannah smiled gamely. “Go ahead and ask Matt, if that’s what you really want.”
“Ask me what?” Matt said, opening the screen door and stepping into the kitchen.
Ginger and Savannah looked at each other. Savannah lifted her shoulders.
“I was wondering,” Ginger began, springing up from her chair like a jack-in-the-box. “If you would considering giving me away.”
“Uh...” Matt looked flabbergasted.
“Don’t feel obligated to say yes,” Ginger said swiftly. “It’s just that I’ve always thought of you as a big brother and since I don’t have a father or brothers of my own...” She trailed off.
“Why, I’d be honored, Ginger, but I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion.” He indicated his attire with a sweep of his hand.
“You look great,” Ginger said. “Just like the Matt Forrester I used to know and love. I wouldn’t recognize you in a suit.”
Matt shot an uneasy glance in Savannah’s direction. How in the Sam Hill had he gotten roped into this? He’d come here today prepared to take Savannah down to the sheriff’s department for questioning and he’d ended up getting homswoggled into giving away her flushed-faced kid sister on her wedding day.
“Who was suppose to give you away?”
“Vannah.”
“You don’t mind?” Matt inclined his head at Savannah.
She opened her arms wide. “Be my guest. One less thing I’ve got to worry about.”
“You could be my matron of honor instead,” Ginger exclaimed.
Savannah shook her head. “No, your best friend, Karen, would be so disappointed. I’ll be all right.”
“But I want you to be in the wedding, sis,” Ginger insisted.
“Really, Ginger, it’s okay. I’ll sit in the front row with Cody and act as mother of the bride.”
“I don’t want to come between the two of you,” Matt interrupted. “Savannah can still give you away.”
“Matt, nothing would please me more than for Ginger to come down the aisle on your arm. Both of you, it’s all right.”
“Well, if you’re sure... But I’m going to run home and get a suit to wear. I want to do this up right.”
“Oh, thanks,” Ginger exclaimed, hugging Matt with her palms held out so she wouldn’t muss her freshly painted fingernails. “You’re a dear.”
And an idiot, he thought. Why did he persist in getting personally involved with Savannah Markum and her kooky little family? Hooking up with her again was flat stupid, especially if she was involved in the disappearance of the livestock.
“Thank you,” Savannah said, gratitude reflected on her face.
Cody awoke and started squalling from the bedroom at the same time Savannah’s relatives arrived on the front porch. Time passed in a blur as Matt found himself reintroduced to people he’d met briefly years before. The ensuing hubbub provided a decent cover while he dashed home for a change of clothes.
When he returned, Matt pitched in where he was needed, running errands, toting parcels, directing traffic. The whole time he worked, he couldn’t forget the reason he’d come to the Circle B and the ugly task that awaited him as soon as the wedding ceremony was over.
If the suspect had been anyone other than his ex-fiancee, he would have taken them in right away, but his affection for Savannah prevented him from treating her in that manner. He recognized his weakness, acknowledged it with shame. A good lawman didn’t show favoritism.
Face it, Forrester. You ’re between a rock and a hard place. How could he drag Savannah away from her sister’s wedding, particularly when he’d been invited to give the bride away?
By the time four o’clock rolled around, Savannah was a basket case. What with getting herself and Cody dressed, offering moral support to Ginger, and herding a houseful of relatives and taffeta-draped bridesmaids, she desperately needed a tranquilizer. Yet somehow she’d managed to pull the whole thing off. She found herself sitting in the front row under the colorful, jaunty awning, Cody clutched in her lap, while friends and family seated themselves around her.
Although she was reluctant to admit it, Matt had been a big help. He’d joked with Ginger, charmed her aunts, doled out words of manly wisdom to a pale-faced Todd. He’d acted as gofer, butler and even stepped in to help usher the guests to their seats. She’d expected his presence to disturb her but instead discovered him indispensable.
The weather cooperated, issuing a slight breeze and plenty of sunshine. The fragrant odor of flowers hung in the air- honeysuckle mingled with roses, orchids complemented daisies, snapdragons enhanced marigolds. The garden writhed in shades of red, purple, blue, yellow and pink. Nature heralded the festive, happy occasion in exotic splashes and intoxicating smells.
The guests were dressed accordingly. The women were decked out in bright, cheerful finery. The men sported suits or cowboy attire, while the children were clad in patent leather and ribbons.
Over to one side, the caterers stood at attention by the tables, ready to set up for the reception once the ceremony ended. Todd’s family sat in the aisle across from Savannah. They smiled, nodded their heads in greeting. She swallowed a lump in her throat, sorry that her mother hadn’t lived to share this joyous day with her daughters.
She clutched Cody tighter. Lilting music rose and fell as the guitarist strummed a soulful tune of love and sacrifice. The minister assumed his position at the front of the altar. The crowd rustled, turned their heads as the bridesmaids started down the walkway, delicate as mauve swans.
Todd and his best man took their places. And then the strains of the wedding march began. Savannah’s palms grew cold and sweaty with anticipation.
Earlier, they had decided Ginger and Matt would enter from around the side of the house and walk down a path of green carpeting rolled out for the occasion. Savannah’s hands trembled, and she clasped them firmly around Cody’s waist to gain control. She rose to her feet, the congregation following her lead.
She caught her breath as Matt and Ginger stepped into sight.
Her sister looked so beautiful. And Matt—handsome didn’t begin to describe him. He wore a gray three-piece suit and a crisp white shirt. A smart red tie was knotted at his throat. With his dark hair combed off his forehead and the sunlight dappling over his face he was utterly, completely gorgeous. He’d gone beyond the call of duty by agreeing to walk Ginger down the aisle. The selfless gesture reminded Savannah of why she’d fallen in love with him in the first place.
Ginger and Matt moved forward, and Savannah couldn’t take her eyes off him. Her sister’s elbow lay crooked through his, her bouquet grasped to her chest.
Pride swelled in Savannah like a surging ocean’s tide. She’d vowed to herself she wouldn’t cry, but that had been a stupid promise. Tears ran down her cheeks as she watched her sister head for the altar on the arm of the man who should have been her husband.
This is how her wedding should have been—full of hope and promise. The joining of two people who truly loved one another embarking on life’s greatest adventure together instead of a sad, brittle marriage of convenience. She should have married Matt instead of Gary. But that was so long ago. She’d been a different person then.
Savannah caught Matt’s eye. He seemed to read her mind. An expression of pure longing crossed his face. That yearning look gave her
hope. She’d made so many errors. Was it too late to undo them?
The music reached a crescendo at the same time Matt and Ginger arrived in front of the minister. The preacher raised his hand and the music ceased.
“Friends! Family! Welcome!” he began enthusiastically. “We have gathered here today to witness the union of these two young people in holy matrimony.”
His words blurred as he continued the ritual. Savannah didn’t hear him. She focused on Matt and Ginger, her pulse thumping so hard and fast she feared she might faint.
Cody squirmed and she absently patted him on the back.
“Who gives this woman to be wed?” the preacher called out, glancing directly at Matt.
“Her sister and I,” Matt said, his voice rumbling so deep and resonant it created a quiver in Savannah’s stomach. Her sister and I. As if she and Matt were in association. As if they were themselves married.
Matt stepped back to stand next to Savannah.
“She’s breathtaking,” he whispered.
“Thank you for giving her away,” Savannah whispered back. “It was definitely above the call of duty.”
They stared forward, every eye on Todd and Ginger as the minister ied them through their vows,
Cody tugged at Savannah’s hair and she transferred him to the other hip. Before she knew what was happening, Matt reached over, grasped Savannah’s hand and squeezed it.
His touch suffused her with warmth. His nearness sent her emotions spinning out of control. His fingers twining with hers had her pulse skittering a frantic beat.
Goodness gracious, was she falling in love with him all over again?
The thought terrified her. Misery dashed through her like a marathon runner on the last mile and she twisted her hand away just as the couple pledged their troth.
From the corner of her eye she saw Matt’s jaw stiffen.
Savannah dropped her gaze. No doubt he was remembering their past, and her previous betrayal of his affections.
The minister pronounced Todd and Ginger man and wife. And, after a memorable kiss, the newlyweds turned and started down the carpeted path, followed by their attendants. The guests watched them disappear into the house, then dispersed about the lawn to wait for the reception.