“Heck, I’d pay you to be my co-bride. I’ve never enjoyed being the center of attention.” Eden picked up her water glass and took a sip. “Unless I could ride in on a horse. How awesome would that be?”
Her brother snorted. “I believe you’d do it. Are you listening to this, Blake? You might want to run away before she gets any more crazy ideas.”
Eden narrowed her gaze on him. “I suppose you’ll make poor Hannah ride a chairlift to the top of a snow-covered mountain in the dead of winter to get married and then ski down in her wedding dress afterward.”
“Now, that sounds like the perfect wedding.” Tripp’s eyes sparkled. “What do you think, Hannah?”
“I don’t have to think. I know you’re out of your mind.”
Blake laughed along with the others. After they finished their meal, he nudged Eden and pointed toward the stage set up beside the dance floor where Kent was warming up with the other members of his band. “Do you want to go say hello before he starts playing?”
“I’d love to.”
He took her hand, and they walked through the tables then across the dance floor. Blake nodded at the drummer and keyboard player then smiled at his friend. “What do you think? I told you this wedding would be terrific.”
“Without a doubt.” Kent set down his guitar. “I’m just sorry Brenna is home in Maine and missed coming with me.”
“You could have finally proposed. That would have created quite a stir.”
“I imagine so. What’s your excuse?” He glanced at Eden and grinned. “Afraid the lady will turn you down?”
“Dude, we’ve only known each other for a couple of months. You met Brenna when you were in high school.”
“I guess you have a point.”
Eden gave Blake a teasing glance before turning to Kent. “If Brenna says no, you know where I live. I fell in love with you the first time I heard you on the radio.”
He laughed out loud. “I’ll keep that in mind, but right now I think it’s time for the first dance. We’ve been brushing up on a few classic rock tunes to mix in with our repertoire of country songs to keep your brothers happy.”
“Play whatever you want. Griff and Sawyer were both thrilled you agreed to perform.” She stood on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks so much for letting Blake talk you into this impromptu concert.”
“My pleasure. You two get out there and dance and enjoy yourselves.”
“We definitely will.” Tucking Eden close to his side, Blake led her off to the edge of the dance floor as his buddy picked up the mic and asked the brides and grooms to come put on a show for their guests. They kept walking when the music started and Kent sang the opening words to one of his older hits.
Eden looked up at him with a hint of worry in her eyes. “I’m sorry everyone seems to be making assumptions about our relationship.”
He stopped near the pasture where Apollo quit grazing long enough to give them a wary glance, then pulled her up against his chest and bent to kiss her. “Don’t be sorry. Marriage talk is always contagious at weddings.”
“You make it sound like a disease.”
“No, but I meant what I told Tripp about not wanting to be a casualty statistic.” He stroked the hair back from her face. “I love you and want to be with you. Believe me, I’m tempted to throw caution to the wind, but I know we need time to figure out exactly how to work out our differences and find common ground. I don’t want to wake up married in a few months only to discover you hate every minute you spend away from the ranch and resent me for it.”
“I would never do that. You’re the one giving and giving, offering to cut back on an incredibly successful career to make me happy. If anyone is going to grow resentful, I’m afraid it’ll be you.”
“I won’t.”
“I hope not, but maybe it’s best not to be swayed by talk of everlasting love and move at our own pace.”
Was there a hint of regret in her eyes? If so, it faded as she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him. He deepened the contact, as love for this woman tempted him to forget all about common sense. Instead, he’d play it smart and do his damnedest to show her they belonged together. Now and for always.
Chapter 23
“Pris.” Blake’s voice vibrated above her ear as they slow danced together in the early evening dusk.
Eden reared back. “Huh?”
He spun her around. “The blond waitress over on the patio where they’re pouring champagne for the toast. Her back is to us, but I caught a glimpse of her earlier, and the way she moved reminded me of someone. I just figured it out. She looks like Pris. Maybe the resemblance is just my imagination.”
Eden scanned the servers carrying trays of champagne flutes. “I don’t see anyone who looks like Pris.”
“No?” He turned her in his arms again and tightened his hold. “Strange. She disappeared. It doesn’t matter. Are you giving a toast as the maid of honor?”
“No, I’d never get through it without crying.” She smiled against his shoulder. “Tripp’s going to roast our brothers as only he can.”
“That ought to be entertaining.”
“I’m sure it will be.” When the last notes of Kent’s latest hit single ended, they left the dance floor and returned to their table where glasses of champagne had been delivered. A flute filled with sparkling cider stood at Blake’s place.
One brow shot up. “How’d the servers know I don’t drink?”
Eden picked up her glass. “I don’t have a clue. Someone must have told them.” She turned and smiled. “Hey, Hannah. Where have you been?”
Her friend pulled out a chair and sat. “Tripp and I were hiding out while he practiced his speech. I think he’s a little nervous his jokes will fall flat. I told him not to worry, that he’s hilarious.”
Blake twirled the glass stem between his fingers. “I’m looking forward to this. And cake. When are they cutting the cake?”
“Right after the toast.” Eden turned her chair sideways and leaned against him. “The evening is winding down.”
He slipped an arm around her waist. “What’s that saying? All good things must come to an end.”
“I’d like to think they don’t. For Griff and Sawyer, they’re just getting started.” She pressed a finger to her lips. “Shh, Tripp just picked up the microphone.”
Eden was quiet while Tripp spoke, telling funny stories about his brothers when they were young and ending with a sweet tribute to the brides. She was wiping away tears by the time she lifted her glass to tap it against Blake’s then Hannah’s.
“To my brothers and the fine women they were smart enough to marry.” Tripp raised his glass. “Cheers.”
The room erupted in applause before family and guests raised their glasses.
Eden sipped the bubbling champagne and let out a sigh. “That was perfect. Amusing and sentimental. Tripp did an awesome job.”
Hannah nodded. “He really did. Look, the newlyweds are cutting the cakes. I guess they figured they’d need two with all these guests.”
Eden finished her champagne and set the flute down next to Blake’s empty glass as the ceremonial first pieces were exchanged between the newlyweds. “Wow, they made quick work of that job. My brothers behaved and didn’t shove cake in their brides’ faces.”
Her friend smiled. “They’re both smarter than that. Anyway, they probably have to wrap this up fairly soon. Don’t they have a flight to catch this evening?”
“Yeah, they’re flying from Cody to Denver tonight. Then Griff and Ainslee are headed to Hawaii, and Sawyer and Devin are going home for a couple of days before they fly to France for their honeymoon.”
Hannah sighed. “Sandy beaches or a chateau in the Loire Valley? I don’t know which sounds more romantic.”
“I could go for either. What about you, Blake?” When he shifted on his seat, Eden turned and frowned. “You’re awfully quiet, and you look a little pal
e. Are you okay?”
“I feel kind of funny.” He stopped speaking as a waiter delivered cake to their table, then pushed his plate away. “Maybe I’ll skip dessert, after all.”
She touched his arm. “You seemed okay when we were dancing.”
“I was.” He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped a suddenly damp brow. “Geez, I hope I didn’t eat something bad. I’d hate to see the reception end with everyone getting sick.”
“I feel perfectly fine. How about you, Hannah?”
Her troubled gaze met Eden’s. “Not a twinge. Do you think we should talk to the caterer?”
“Let’s wait to see if anyone else feels rotten first.” She rose to her feet and faced Blake. “Do you want to go lie down? You’re sweating bullets.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” He held onto the edge of the table and grimaced as he stood. “Hopefully, this will pass. Either that or I’ll throw up and get it out of my system.”
Worry slid through her as he wavered slightly. “I’ll go up to my room with you.”
“No, you won’t. Aren’t Ainslee and Devin throwing their bouquets in a few minutes? You can’t skip out on that.”
Eden bit her lip. “No, they’ll probably be aiming at me and Hannah.” She held his arm as they moved away from the tables. “Can you make it up the stairs by yourself?”
“Of course. I’m a little dizzy and don’t feel so great, but I can still walk. I think I’ll go around the house and in through the front door, though. If I get sick, I sure don’t want it to be in the middle of the crowd.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Near the remains of the cakes, Tripp broke off his conversation with his brothers and walked over to the stage to pick up the microphone. “Ainslee and Devin are going to throw their bouquets. All you single ladies gather around.” His smile flashed. “Hannah, front and center. You, too, Eden.”
“Go.” Blake let out a shaky breath. “I’ll be fine.”
She nodded. “Okay, but as soon as they toss those bouquets, I’ll come up to check on you.”
“Okay.” He squeezed her hand then let go and moved away. “Catch one of the bouquets first.”
Eden waited until he disappeared around the side of the house. Resisting the urge to follow, she hurried over to the group of women standing on the lawn near the brides.
Hannah touched her arm. “Is Blake okay?”
“He looks like crap. Damn, I wonder what he ate to make him so sick.”
“Maybe he’s coming down with something.” Hannah’s eyes filled with sympathy. “He’ll be fine. Now, paste on a smile and catch a bouquet.”
Eden did her best to comply, but her heart wasn’t in it. With her superior height, Hannah easily snagged Devin’s bouquet of white roses by its satin ribbons, but Ainslee’s flowers flew straight over Eden’s head. The bride’s young niece caught the delicate calla lilies and jumped up and down, squealing in joy.
Griff strolled over and nudged her. “That was a total blow it. Ainslee wanted you to catch her bouquet.”
“What can I say? I’m short.” She reached up to plant a kiss on her brother’s cheek. “Blake isn’t feeling well, so I’m going to head upstairs. Have fun in Hawaii.”
“We intend to.” His brows lowered. “Is everything okay? You look worried.”
“Maybe a little, but I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Blake’s a good guy, and I can tell you care a lot about him. I hope you two can work things out.”
She smiled. “We’re definitely going to try. Hey, shouldn’t you go throw Ainslee’s garter? See if you can’t toss it to Tripp.”
“I don’t plan to miss. If he doesn’t propose to Hannah before Sawyer and I get back from our honeymoons, we’ll both kick his ass.”
“I love it. Go. Your bride is waiting.”
With a nod, Griff walked away, and Eden slipped through the group of single men gathering to catch the garters. She passed by the caterers who were packing up the last of the food, then hurried into the house through the back door. It was strange Blake was the only one who’d become ill. At least she hadn’t noticed any other guests leaving the party or looking sick. Maybe he had some sort of food allergy he wasn’t aware of. If he was having an allergic reaction, he could go into anaphylactic shock… She ran down the hallway as fast as she could in heels then crossed the empty front room to the stairs and sprinted up them. The door to her bedroom was open. She stepped into the room and frowned. The bed was empty and the spread undisturbed.
“Blake?”
When he didn’t answer, her pulse quickened. Fear of finding him passed out on the tile in front of the toilet had her racing across the room, but the bathroom was unoccupied.
“Blake?” Her voice echoed back at her.
She checked the floor behind the bed, just to make sure, then glanced in the other bedrooms. Packed bags sat on the floor in Griff’s old room, and Tripp’s childhood bedroom was scattered with clothes. She took a quick tour of her parents’ suite then checked the bathroom in the hall.
“Where the heck did he go?” Hurrying back to her room, she grabbed her phone off the dresser, but when she dialed his number, voicemail picked up. “Blake, where are you? I’m worried.” Taking a deep breath, she ran down the stairs. Maybe he’d been forced to stop in the bathroom off the entry. Her heels tapped across the floor as she approached the closed door. She gave the panel a quick rap.
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
A woman’s voice. Definitely not Blake. Had he keeled over before he even reached the house? Eden threw open the front door and crossed the porch. No sign of Blake. Running down the steps, she hurried around the house in the reverse direction of the one he’d taken and stopped when she reached the spot where she’d last seen him.
Where is he? As ice filled her veins, she clenched her fists and breathed deep.
“Eden, is something wrong?”
She glanced over as her dad approached. “I can’t find Blake.”
“I bet he wanted some alone time away from the crowd. The guests have been pretty good about not asking, but I saw both him and Parnell Jones signing a few autographs earlier while we were taking family pictures.”
She shook her head. “No, it isn’t that. He felt sick after the champagne toast, so he intended to go up to my room to rest. I searched the house and couldn’t find him anywhere.”
Her dad gave her an encouraging smile. “Maybe he improved and came back down to find you. You could have just missed him.”
“I hope that’s the case.” She scanned the remaining guests for Blake’s blond head but didn’t see him, and her moment of optimism waned. “It looks like people are starting to leave.”
“Yeah, the party’s over. Griff and Sawyer are taking off with their ladies in a few minutes.”
“Then go tell them good-bye. Mom’s over there waving to catch your attention. I’m sure Blake is around somewhere.”
“If you don’t find him, I’ll help you look in a few minutes. Did you check the pasture behind the barn? He might have taken a walk out on the prairie to get some air if he wasn’t feeling well.”
“I’ll do that.” With a weak smile, she hurried as fast as she could in her heels toward the barn. If she’d been thinking, she would have changed to more comfortable shoes when she was in her room. The barn’s side door was open, and she stepped inside. “Blake.”
Nothing but silence answered her. She ran swiftly past the stalls to the back and glanced into Sawyer’s old room. Nothing but two packed suitcases occupied the space, and a peek into the attached bath assured her it was empty. Standing near the tack room door, she raised her voice, “Blake, are you in here?”
“Eden, is that you?”
She headed back toward the front of the barn and faced Roman, who’d changed out of his dress clothes into jeans. “Have you seen Blake anywhere out here?”
“No, I haven’t. I was just in the bunkho
use, but I didn’t notice him in the area.”
“Damn.”
Blue eyes narrowed. “Did he take off on you, or something?”
“Of course not.” She ran a shaking hand through her hair. “But I can’t imagine where he could be.”
“Your car’s still parked outside, and he doesn’t have any other transportation, so he must be somewhere nearby.”
“True.” She let out another breath as her stomach knotted. “I’ll keep looking until I find him.”
* * * *
Blake blinked in the dark then moaned. His head throbbed, and his stomach rolled. Dragging his gaze into focus, his attention riveted on the empty stretch of highway revealed by the glow of headlights.
What the hell happened?
“Please don’t puke. I love you more than anything, but I don’t want to clean up a mess.”
With extreme care, he turned his head on the seatback and drew in a breath. “Pris?”
“Of course it’s me. I had to take you away from there.” Her pale hair shone in the light of the dashboard. “You’ll thank me once you realize why I went to all this trouble.”
He tried to think, but his head was fuzzy. “I didn’t feel well. I was going to Eden’s room to lie down, but…” He frowned. “I don’t remember anything else. What did you do to me?” He jerked forward but couldn’t move. Bands across his chest and arms held him in place against the seat.
“I gave you a drug cocktail in your sparkling cider. I had all sorts of tranquilizers and pain killers I kept after Josie died, and they sure came in handy. I was hoping the combination would make you feel bad enough to leave the party, but that you wouldn’t pass out until I could grab you. I have to say, loading you into my car was a struggle.” She shook her head and clicked her tongue against her teeth. “I barely got you out of sight and the door shut before that ranch hand, Roman, strolled by. He gave me a funny look. Let’s hope he didn’t recognize me. At that point, there wasn’t anything I could do about it but leave.”
Blake jerked harder against the restraints, but whatever Pris had used to truss him up like a pig on the roaster didn’t budge. “You need to untie me. Now.” His head throbbed, and when he moved it against the seat back, he winced. “Did you hit me, too?”
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