by Lois Richer
“They’ll come.” Somehow Sophie was certain of that. Tanner was the kind of man who reached for his dream and got it. Not the kind of selfish dreams Marty had chased; not for an easy way to make his own world better. Tanner’s dreams had a plan and a spiritual grounding. They were for others, not to benefit himself.
Sophie liked the rancher’s selflessness. Liked it a lot. Too much for a woman who was never going to let her heart feel anything again.
* * *
“Sophie, I really appreciate you doing this on such last-minute notice.” Tanner stood in the doorway of Wranglers’ kitchen several days later stunned by the number of food trays covering every possible surface. “How did you manage to produce so much so fast?”
“I always keep frozen stock.” She looked lovely even with a dab of flour on one cheek.
“Pastor Jeff didn’t tell me much, only that something had happened to the couple’s venue and they were forced to cancel their wedding,” he explained. “Apparently they’ve waited a long time and desperately want to get married today. Pastor Jeff seemed to think the ranch would be the perfect place for that.”
“Didn’t they have a caterer lined up?” Sophie swung a tray from one of the ovens and quickly replaced it with another.
“They did. Unfortunately that was canceled with the venue and the chef took another job.” Noticing the line of perspiration dotting Sophie’s upper lip, he offered to help.
“That’s kind of you but it only looks like chaos.” She grinned. “Actually I’m fine and Monica and Tiffany will be here soon to help.” She glanced around and nodded, apparently satisfied with her creations. “What about outside?”
“Outside?” Tanner glanced out the window. “What do you mean?”
“Decorations. Something to make it look like a wedding.” When he stared at her stupidly, Sophie pointed. “Those bougainvilleas—why don’t you drape them to make an arch? It would be the perfect place for the couple to say their vows. There are fairy dusters around the edge of the patio so their colors will really stand out, but maybe you and Davy could snip some brittlebush flowers.”
“Moses will put up a fuss if I appropriate your son. Davy’s helping him with a new horse.” Tanner chuckled when she rolled her eyes.
“If we had flowers we could put them in small glasses on each of the table for centerpieces. Beth’s gathering petals off those bushes next to the sycamore trees. She loves scattering them.” Sophie’s brown eyes softened with love. “But something with stems would be nice.”
“Centerpieces, huh?” Tanner studied her. “How do you know about this stuff?”
“I was a bride once.” Sophie thrust out her chin. “Not that we had a fancy wedding. My parents weren’t anxious for their friends and neighbors to know I had to get married.” For a moment she looked grim. Then her irrepressible grin reappeared. “I’m a girl, Tanner. Weddings are in our genes.”
“Ah.” He felt awkward and ignorant on the subject so he went outside to work on the bougainvilleas as requested. When he stood back to get the full effect, he realized how right Sophie was. The arch made a perfect focal point for a bride and groom.
“Mama said you’d show me what to do with these petals.” Beth stood at the edge of the patio, a basket hanging from one hand.
“She did?” Tanner gulped, totally out of his depth. “What do you think we should do with them?”
Beth considered for several moments, then smiled, her blue eyes glowing.
“We can make a little path to that,” she said, indicating the arch. “And we could sprinkle some on the tables and benches. They smell nice.”
“Can you show me how to do it?” he asked hopefully. Beth did, insisting he handle the petals gently. Ten minutes later his patio looked romantic and sort of dreamy.
“Good job,” Sophie approved. She hugged Beth, then addressed him. “Maybe with your petals decorating things we don’t need centerpieces.” She turned to Tanner. “If I were you, I’d order some tablecloths, maybe black, to fit these tables. Then you’d have something fancy to dress up this area for other special occasions. Who knows, you might get other weddings.”
“I hope not,” Tanner told her, aghast at the thought.
“Wasn’t it you who told the homeschool kids that a ranch needs many sources of income?” Sophie shot him an arch look. “Not only could weddings do that, but it would get you additional exposure.”
Maybe she was right but surely there were other ways to do that without getting involved in something as personal as a wedding. Tanner stuffed down his inhibitions long enough to help her set up the two portable tables she’d brought. Then he stood back and watched as she and her staff, with Beth’s help, organized a beverage station around a punch fountain.
“Would you be able to man this?” Sophie faced him with a speculative look.
Him? Serve punch in those itty-bitty plastic glasses? Tanner gulped and shook his head. “No.”
“Why not?” She frowned. “Change into black pants and a black shirt, or white, and you’ll look like one of us.” When he didn’t agree, Sophie glared at him. “I can’t do the food and serve punch and watch the hors d’oeuvres. We need your help and there’s not much time.”
She was doing this to help him. Tanner sighed, raced upstairs and took a quick shower before changing into the requested clothes. He added the jacket he’d bought for Burt’s funeral, gave his boots a swift shine, then hurried back downstairs. And stopped dead in his tracks. Sophie had wreaked bridal magic in less than ten minutes.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said from behind him. “That lace tablecloth was in the drawer. I thought it made a nice background for the signing table. And the candles were just sitting in a cupboard. They were half-used but now that they’re lit you don’t notice that.” The words spilled out, as if she expected him to object.
Did he look that dumb? Tanner wanted to hug her.
“Moses and Davy brought over the wagon wheel and the hay bales,” she continued. “And your hands helped us set them up. It’ll make a good backdrop for pictures.”
She’d even found the old bell Burt had unearthed last year from a nearby abandoned mission. It hung above the arch, grit and grime removed, shining in the sunlight.
“You need to expand your business to wedding planner,” he praised. “This is amazing.”
“I hope they like it.” Sophie’s brown gaze gave him the once-over. “You clean up nice, Mr. Cowboy,” she said with a giggle in her voice.
Tanner absorbed the sweet sound of her laughter. No matter how busy, Sophie made every occasion fun. He couldn’t have asked for a better partner.
Partner? Wait a minute...
“Sounds like the guests are arriving. Can you welcome them and show the way, Tanner?” Sophie called her staff, gave Beth a keep-busy job and hurried to the kitchen. She paused at the door to frown at him. “Tanner?”
“Yeah?” Partner? He didn’t need, didn’t want a partner.
“As the host at Wranglers, getting the guests to the patio is your responsibility.” Her tone asked why he was still standing there.
“I’m hosting a wedding. Right.” Tanner took a deep breath as he absorbed this new role. He walked to the front of the house while ordering his brain off the subject of Sophie Armstrong. She was a friend, a very helpful friend. But that’s all she was. All she could be. Because his goal was to make this ranch a haven for kids, not to get sidetracked by a lovely mom.
But why had God sent a wedding his way?
A couple stood beside their car, clearly wondering where to go, so Tanner squared his shoulders and stepped forward. He could do host as well as the next guy—he hoped.
“Hello. Welcome to Wranglers Ranch. Are you here for the wedding? Come this way, please.”
Twenty minutes later when the patio was almost fi
lled with guests, an old Chevy, fully restored, pulled up. A senior man in a black suit escorted an older woman in a pretty cream silk outfit from the car. Arm in arm, they walked slowly toward Tanner, the woman evidently needing the man’s support.
“Hi. We’re the bride and groom. I’m Herb Jenkins and this is my bride, Vanessa.” Herb thrust out his hand and Tanner shook it.
“Congratulations,” he said, suddenly aware that Sophie was beside him.
“I’m Sophie. We thought you might like a bouquet.” She handed Vanessa a bunch of multicolored roses he recognized as coming from a shrub out back. “Our friend Moses picked them for you and wrapped them in his handkerchief. Something borrowed.”
“Oh, thank you, dear.” Vanessa clutched the little bouquet as if it were from a renowned florist. “It’s lovely. Now all I need is something blue.”
“I have a blue ribbon.” Beth squeezed in beside her mother. “You can borrow it,” she offered with her sweet smile as she slid a bow from her hair.
“Thank you, darling. You are all so kind.” Vanessa sniffed as Beth tied the blue ribbon around her flowers. The groom chuckled as he dabbed at his bride’s cheeks.
“Now, Van, don’t start crying or we’ll never get down the aisle.” He looked at Tanner. “Where is the aisle?”
“The patio is this way. Please, follow me.” Sophie and Beth slipped through a hedge near the kitchen as Tanner led the couple on a route that emerged at the rear of the patio behind their guests. “Pastor Jeff is waiting for you up there,” he said to the groom, who smiled fondly at his wife-to-be, let go of her hand and strode eagerly forward.
“Thank you for doing this on such short notice,” Vanessa said. “We’ve waited for this day since I was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago. Herb stayed right by my side the whole time while the Lord came through for us. And He’s done it again. This is a beautiful place.”
“I wish you the very best in your marriage.” Tanner glanced around. “Are we waiting for someone to walk you down the aisle?”
“No.” Her face saddened. “Our children don’t approve. Would you—no, never mind.” Her hopeful look died. Tanner couldn’t stand it.
“I’d be honored to walk you down the aisle, ma’am.”
“You’re so kind.” She touched his cheek. “Would it be too much to ask the little blonde girl to be my flower girl?”
“I’m sure Beth would love that.” Tanner hurried away to have a quick word with Sophie, then returned with Beth. “Here we are. Vanessa, this is Beth.”
“Hi, Beth. Thank you for being part of our wedding.” Vanessa touched her cheek, her eyes misty. “You remind me of my daughter when she was your age.”
Afraid the bride would start crying, Tanner cleared his throat.
“You know what to do?” he asked Beth, who calmly nodded. As if this was a normal day in her life, she took her place in front of the bride, waiting. “Okay. So whenever you’re ready, Vanessa.” He held out his arm for her to slip her hand through.
“I’ve been ready to be married to Herb for such a long time.” Eyes riveted to her smiling groom, Vanessa took his arm, then glided over the flagstones as if they were glass. “Hi, Herb,” she breathed as if she hadn’t seen him for days.
“Sweetheart, you are so beautiful.”
Tanner’s heart thudded at the love flowing between the couple. He’d never quite believed such love existed until today, but it was clear that these two belonged with each other. Though Tanner had never been in a wedding party before, he suddenly knew exactly what to do. He lifted Vanessa’s hand from his arm and tucked it into Herb’s.
“Be happy,” he said, then, grasping Beth’s hand, he stepped aside. They slipped out of the way between two shrubs so the guests’ view of the couple wasn’t blocked. He followed Beth, who headed for Sophie, who stood near the open doors of the house watching as Pastor Jeff greeted the guests and then addressed the couple.
“Herb and Vanessa, you have already loved each other through better and worse, through sickness and health. You know that love isn’t about finding the right person, it’s about being the right person, one who stands firm against life’s storms but can also give way when needed. One who helps you be the person God created.” The pastor’s fondness for the couple laced his words. “I’m very proud today to lead you through your vows to each other.”
They were the kind of old-fashioned vows that were heartfelt, filled with promise. The kind that said, “I’m sticking with you forever.” The kind Tanner had once longed to hear.
What woman would say those vows to you if she knew you abandoned your own child?
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Wondering if the ceremony brought back painful memories for Sophie, Tanner glanced at her and was startled to find her dark eyes fixed on him, something he couldn’t understand swirling in their depths.
“Vanessa and Herb invite you to sample the punch and hors d’oeuvres while they sign the papers,” Pastor Jeff said, breaking the spell that held them.
“Okay, we’re on,” Sophie whispered. “You’re pouring the punch, Tanner.” She nudged his arm to jolt him out of his fugue.
“Right.” He straightened and thrust away his dreams of getting married, having a family. Hadn’t he learned that wasn’t for him? Instead God had given him Wranglers and a camp to run.
“If you need anything, motion to the girls or me but stay at your station. Okay?” Once he nodded, Sophie hurried away to check the trays her helpers were holding, ready to mingle among the group.
Tanner should have been nervous. Hosting a wedding was something he knew less than nothing about. But he had only to glance at Sophie to know that everything was going perfectly. Classical music played in the background—who’d thought of that?—and a low hum of conversation carried on the gentle breeze as Sophie’s staff circulated among guests. Tanner kept pouring until he was sure everyone had a glass of punch to join in the pastor’s toast to the happy couple. Gentle laughter filled the air as everyone cheered.
The guests mingled, sometimes sitting at the tables, moving, eager to sample the changing variety of food that Sophie offered as they laughed and shared stories about the couple. Tanner snitched several samples and found it delicious. How had Sophie managed to create a feast in such a short time?
“Tanner, can you help me, please?”
He hadn’t seen Sophie come up behind him. Swallowing the last bite of food, he dabbed his mouth on a napkin. “What do you need?”
“Help to move the wedding cake,” she whispered. “I thought we could use the signing table and set the cake on that.”
He was game to help until he saw the cake. Trepidation made him freeze.
“What’s wrong?” Sophie hissed.
“What if I drop it?” He flinched at the glare she threw his way.
“Don’t” was her gritted response.
Heart in his mouth, Tanner held the board on one side of the two-tiered cake and gingerly moved it with her out the door and across the patio under Beth’s soft directions.
“Good girl, Beth,” Sophie said, her voice tender. “Just stay there, okay?”
“Okay, Mama.” Beth smiled her unconcerned smile, trust in her mother complete. Tanner wished he’d known that kind of trust for his own mother. He wished he could instill that kind of trust in his own family. That wasn’t going to happen.
“Can I set it down now? Please?” he begged, heaving a sigh of relief when she nodded, glad the cake finally rested on the table. “When did you get a wedding cake, Sophie?”
“I baked it after you phoned me about the wedding last night. I hope it’s okay.” She arranged some sugar roses in soft pastel hues on the top, added some pale colored sprinkles and a gathered-fabric thing around the base.
“But I phon
ed after eleven o’clock last night,” he gasped. How did she manage to look so rested creating so much? “It looks amazing,” Tanner complimented when she stood back to survey her work.
“Thank you.” She motioned to one of her helpers to bring plates and pulled a cake server out of her pocket. Once everything was arranged, she stood back for one more look and nodded her satisfaction. “I sent Davy to tell Moses to get some pictures of this. Tanner, you can tell our couple they can cut the cake whenever they’re ready.”
“Me?” he protested but Sophie had disappeared inside the house. He sent a quick prayer that she was making coffee, then did as he was told.
“A wedding cake? We never expected that.” Vanessa’s glow brightened to an even higher wattage. “You’ve made this a wonderful day. A perfect day.”
“I’m glad.” And he was, Tanner realized. Not that he’d done much. It was all Sophie. She was an amazing woman.
“Cake cutting,” Pastor Jeff announced.
Tanner moved away as the group crowded around the couple to watch with Moses snapping madly. When the cake was cut, Tanner felt vaguely disappointed to see Sophie had made them a lemon wedding cake. He’d hoped for chocolate. Which was silly. This would be as delicious as everything else she made.
When he saw her struggling to carry a big urn across the patio, Tanner hurried to help. Her assistants set out cups and spoons along with cream and sugar and two massive teapots. When all was ready for the guests, Tanner followed Sophie to the kitchen, carrying two cups of steaming coffee.
“Sit down and relax,” he ordered as he placed one in front of her. “Celebrate another of your successes.”
“I hope everything was okay.” She sipped her coffee. After a huge sigh she leaned back in her chair. “That was a rush.”
“Do you think there will be any cake left?” Tanner asked, noticing that Beth had a piece and was eating it.
Sophie burst out laughing after she stopped Beth from offering hers.
“What’s so funny?” he asked with a frown.
“I made Beth her own cake. I made you one, too.” She laughed when he licked his lips. “Well, you’ll have to share with Davy and Moses, but mostly your own.”