Picking up where he’d left off, he pushed through to the end of the ceremony.
“Better,” Molly announced.
“Good.” He rolled the papers into a tube, assuming they were done. They weren’t.
“Let’s have another go from the top.”
By their third run through, Cody and Marisa had grown bored and started bickering.
“He touched my rose.”
“She kicked me.”
“It appears the guests are growing restless,” Owen said. “We can try again later.”
Molly checked her watch. “Can’t. Too much to do. The bride and groom’s family members are staying at the ranch through Tuesday. As of this morning, we have all five available cabins rented.”
“That’s great.”
“We’re taking the entire wedding party on a hayride after the ceremony to the Poco Dinero for a barbecue dinner and line dancing. Most of the family has never been to a ranch before and they want the full cowboy experience.”
“I can always practice by myself.”
“Record yourself with your phone and play it back,” she suggested. “Better yet, video yourself if you can.”
He could do that. He had before when called on to give a speech at work functions. “Okay, you two, let’s go.”
Cody and Marisa immediately bolted from the pew. Owen bent and lifted Willa into his arms. She woke up only briefly, falling back sleep the moment her head found his shoulder.
She was cute like this, thumb in her mouth, wispy curls framing her face. Shame on him for leaving her and going on the road so much. He could have enjoyed countless more moments like this one.
That, too, was going to change this month at the ranch. He’d make sure of it. Nothing mattered to him more than Cody, Marisa and Willa. Even finding a new job came second. At least until after Christmas when the kids went back with their mother.
“Do you have a lot of couples like Tasha and Wayne,” Owen asked, “requesting the full cowboy experience?”
“A few.” Molly fell into step beside him as they left the chapel. “They want their wedding to be unique, out of the ordinary. Especially if it’s a second wedding or vow renewal.”
“Makes sense.”
He’d do something entirely different if he ever married again. And at the moment, that was a big if. He was in no place to consider dating, much less a lifelong commitment.
“I suppose that’s why Grandma and Homer eloped,” Molly mused aloud. “Something out of the ordinary.”
“Imagine how many weddings Uncle Homer’s officiated. A tacky chapel in Reno probably appealed to him.”
“I wish you hadn’t said ‘tacky.’ Poor Grandma.”
“What do you bet she doesn’t care? When you’re in love, you see the beauty in everything.”
Molly sent him a skeptical look. “That’s a rather romantic sentiment for a guy.”
“I recently started marrying people for a living. Comes with the territory.”
They stopped in the foyer. Cody and Marisa immediately descended on the bowl of birdseed packets.
“Hey, hands off,” Owen scolded.
“Daddy, can we feed the birds?” Cody begged.
“Please,” Marisa added.
He supposed they deserved a small reward for behaving reasonably well during his practice session with Molly, but it was up to her. “Do you mind?”
She bent at the waist, putting herself on eye level with the kids. “Two each. Okay?”
Ah. More softening around the edges. Nice. “You heard Miss Molly. Two each.”
Jackets donned and their treasures clasped tight in their hands, Cody and Marisa dashed outside, competing to be the one to open the heavy front door. Owen and Molly followed. They stood on the veranda watching as the kids tossed handfuls of seeds onto the lawn, their loud antics scaring the birds instead of enticing them nearer.
Owen followed Molly’s gaze as it wandered to the distant mountains. This time of year, at the start of winter, the greens and yellows that had previously blanketed the slopes were now a dull brown. Even so, the mountains were majestic, with Pinnacle Peak like a giant hand reaching heavenward.
“You look like you’re somewhere else,” he observed.
Molly shook herself. “I was, I guess.”
“At your grandmother and Uncle Homer’s wedding?”
She exhaled slowly. “It’s hard for me to accept that she chose eloping over a wedding at Sweetheart Ranch with all her family and friends there. I keep telling myself it’s her special day, she can do whatever she chooses.”
“Except she chose to exclude you.”
“I’m being selfish.”
“No, you’re not.” Owen absently adjusted the blanket he’d thrown over Willa. “You love her. You want to be there. It’s natural.”
“I’m so glad they’ll be home for Christmas.”
“The holidays aren’t the same without family. I’d hate to spend mine away from the kids.”
“Grandma and Homer are going to renew their vows on New Year’s Day and throw a big party.”
“I know. Uncle Homer asked me to officiate.”
“Why did I not see that coming?”
Molly laughed and, all at once, Owen glimpsed the vivacious and engaging woman hidden behind the guard she diligently maintained. Almost immediately, he began reconsidering his commitment to avoid any romantic entanglements. She was that appealing.
“Speaking of exchanging vows.” She checked her watch again, and the moment vanished as quickly as it had appeared. “I have someone else’s to coordinate.”
“And I need to practice.”
Owen called for Cody and Marisa to hurry up. They’d run out of birdseed and were climbing an antique pony cart used for a lawn ornament. No sooner had they reached the veranda steps than Nora threw open the front door.
“Molly! Hurry. We got big trouble.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The wireless internet’s down.”
Everyone rushed inside, Willa bouncing awake in Owen’s arms. They all crowded around the registration desk and stared at Molly’s computer with its ominous message in the center of the screen.
“Is losing the internet really such a big deal?” Owen asked, attempting to settle a now cranky Willa.
“Tasha and Wayne are planning to live stream their wedding.” Molly wrung her hands. “We assured them it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Nora shook her head dismally. “I swear, what else could go wrong?”
Don’t ask, Owen thought. He wasn’t as superstitious as many of his rodeo buddies but neither did he believe in inviting trouble.
* * *
IF MOLLY THOUGHT crying would help, she’d produce racking sobs on the spot. But after twenty minutes of her asking nicely, insisting firmly, pleading her case and reading from the guarantee the internet company had given her when the equipment was installed, the representative on the other end of the line had refused to budge.
They simply couldn’t get a technician out until tomorrow. Period. Sorry. Sunday was a bad day for losing internet service. They were shorthanded and had a truck in the shop for repairs. Mustang Valley was outside the general service area. The excuses went on and on.
“We can have a technician there tomorrow,” the man with zero compassion assured her.
A fat lot of good that did them, thought Molly.
“What time?” she asked.
“Between noon and six p.m.”
She started to argue only to clamp her mouth shut. Her energy was better spent finding an alternate means of streaming today’s wedding.
The representative gave her a confirmation number and then asked, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
He hadn’t helped her much in the first place. “No, tha
nks.”
Molly hung up just as the satisfaction survey started playing. They really didn’t want her feedback.
“What are you going to do?” Owen asked.
He stood on the other side of the registration counter. His children had gone with Nora to “help” her finish prepping the cabins for their newest guests.
“I’m not sure yet.”
“Do you have a mobile hotspot?”
“We keep one for backup. It’s not great. Cell phone signals this far north are unreliable.” She came out from behind the counter, dreading her next task. “I need to call the bride and groom, let them know they can’t stream the service.”
“Do you think they’ll cancel?”
“Not at this late date. But they and their long-distance family members will be disappointed.” She closed her eyes, wishing the throbbing in her temples would cease. “So much for the positive comments on our social media page and the TV news segment last night.”
“Wait. Don’t panic yet.” Owen took her hand and drew her with him to the bench against the wall. “I may have a solution.”
He pulled her down onto the seat beside him. She’d barely registered the sensation of his strong, warm fingers enveloping hers when he let go and pulled out his cell phone.
“There’s someone I know who might be able to help,” he said.
“Help how?” She stared at her hand. It didn’t look any different.
“He’s part owner of an IT consulting company in Phoenix and pretty savvy about this stuff.”
Owen had her attention. “He can fix our internet?”
“That’s what I’m hoping.” Owen swiped his phone screen and searched his contacts.
“Is he a former Waverly customer?”
“We rodeoed together.”
“And he co-owns an IT company?”
Owen tapped the call button and turned toward her, leaning in. “We’re not all big and dumb.”
“I...didn’t...”
Her heart gave the same silly little leap as before. Molly bit her lip. Fortunately, his call went through, sparing her from finishing her reply.
How had she not noticed his ruggedly masculine features before and that his brown hair curled attractively at the ends? She had noticed his smile lighting up his entire face last night when she’d watched the TV news segment. And when she’d watched it a second time this morning. Nora had correctly predicted the positive response he’d have with viewers. Already today Molly had spoken to several potential clients requesting appointments.
“Yeah, Lenny. It’s Owen Caufield.” They exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Owen voiced the reason for his call. “I have a good friend with a serious problem. I’m hoping you can put on your superhero cape and save the day.”
Good friend? Surely Owen had used the term loosely as a means of encouraging Lenny’s cooperation.
“Did I say she?” He shot Molly an amused glance. “But you’re right. My friend is a she. And to answer your second question, you’ll just have to see for yourself.”
Molly listened, pretending to be immune to his semiflirtatious comments and fearing she failed.
“Will something like that work?” After a long pause, Owen said, “Okay, good. The wedding’s at one. Can you get here early? That’ll give us time for a test run.”
Still talking, he inadvertently brushed his hand across Molly’s knee. She almost jerked as his palm briefly made its presence known though the fabric of her jeans. If not for the tingling sensation radiating outward from her knee, he might never have touched her.
“Thanks, man. I owe you one. Nope, that’s it. I’ll text you the address.” Owen disconnected the call. “He’s bringing a booster.”
Molly sat up, quickly collecting herself. “What’s that?”
“The short explanation, it’s a device that strengthens a mobile signal. It’ll enable your hotspot to handle streaming the wedding.”
“They make such a thing?”
“Lenny says boosters aren’t expensive. You might considering buying one for the future, if it works.”
Owen grinned at her, his gaze roving her face and making Molly keenly aware they continued to share a very small space on the bench.
Suddenly self-conscious, she rose. “I should, um, go.”
“I’d better rescue Nora from the kids.” Owen also pushed to his feet. “She can’t be getting much work done.”
“Thank you, Owen, for saving the day.”
“My pleasure.”
When he didn’t move, Molly tilted her head back. Way back. He was tall, she realized. Much taller than her. And he wore his height well, moving with grace and agility.
“You’re proving to be more valuable than I anticipated.” She barely recognized the breathy voice as her own.
“Now if I can just get the officiating weddings part down, I’ll be indispensable.”
“You will. Get better at officiating,” she amended. What would she do if he really did become indispensable?
“I have a good tutor. She’s tough but reasonable in her expectations. Mostly.”
“I apologize if I got carried away this morning at practice and when the internet went down. I want things perfect.”
“You’re launching a brand-new business, and you’re committed to its success. Add to that, you’ve been hit with one problem after the other. You’re understaffed, overworked, lost your regular minister and your internet service. I’d say you’re entitled to get carried away.” At her tentative smile, he said, “There we go,” in a low voice that slowed the madly spinning wheels inside Molly’s head.
Most attractive men had the opposite effect on her, causing her thoughts to race a mile a minute. She couldn’t account for what made Owen different. She could account for the parade of red flags. She wasn’t ready for this, and she certainly wasn’t ready for a single dad of three whose life was in flux.
“I’ll see you later.” Molly retreated a step.
“If I’m not around when Lenny gets here, call me. You can stream me practicing the ceremony to test the equipment.”
“All right.” The phone on the registration counter rang. Relieved, Molly hurried to answer it. Another person had seen the TV news segment last night and wanted more information on the ranch. When she glanced up after ending the call, Owen had disappeared.
Just as well, she thought and went to the parlor where she began removing the vases of orange roses, making room for the white lilies due any moment. Molly had a standing arrangement to donate any leftover flowers to the Rio Verde Senior Living Center.
A volunteer was on their way to collect the roses. It was a shame to throw out perfectly good flowers that could brighten someone’s day. Especially during the holidays when residents missed being home and with their loved ones.
Nora joined Molly in the parlor. Apparently Owen had collected his children from her. “If no one minds, I’m heading home for a while to rest these old bones.”
“Before you go,” Molly said, “do you want to see pictures of Grandma’s wedding? She sent them earlier.”
“I’d love to!”
Molly opened the file on her phone and passed it to Nora. As the older woman studied each picture, she did something Molly had never seen before. She became weepy.
“Nora, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She returned the phone, sniffing softly.
Molly gave her an impulsive hug. “You’re sweet.”
Nora harrumphed. “Did you watch the news last night? It was a dandy piece.”
“I agree.” Lack of airtime for Molly and Bridget aside, the reporter and camera person had done an admirable job showcasing Sweetheart Ranch and making it sound like the perfect wedding venue. “We have three appointments scheduled for later this week.”
“You want me there?”
“If you ask me, you were the one to really sell the place. You spoke from the heart, Molly, and it showed. Well done.”
Two words she hadn’t heard in a long time. She had to admit, it felt good.
“Thanks, Nora.”
With a wave, the older woman left, a slight hobble to her step as if her bones did indeed ache.
Molly watched her go, satisfaction rushing in to fill a too-long empty place inside her. For the first time since she’d found out that her grandmother had eloped with Homer Foxworthy, Molly believed she could handle all the responsibilities thrust upon her.
Maybe for the first time in her entire professional career.
CHAPTER FIVE
OWEN SHOOK THE bride’s hand and then the groom’s. “Congratulations to the both of you. Best of luck.”
The bride beamed. “We loved, loved, loved the ceremony.”
Her new husband couldn’t stop grinning. No wonder, he was riding an incredible natural high that Owen knew from personal experience was a mixture of excitement, nervousness and elation. He’d experienced the same emotions himself often. When he’d gotten married, yes. In those days, he’d been in love with Jeanne and convinced they’d conquer the many challenges facing them.
Becoming a father had also sent him soaring. And intimidated him. How was it possible to fall instantly in love with a tiny human being while simultaneously being scared witless? Truth be told, he was still frequently scared. If Cody, Marisa and Willa ever found out, he could forget all about exerting authority over them.
Most often, Owen had experienced that rush when he was competing in the rodeo arena. Then, he’d added a goodly amount of fear to the mix. Nothing like sitting on the back of an eighteen-hundred-pound bull to get one’s adrenaline flowing.
The money hadn’t been bad, either. But what he’d loved and craved about the sport was the constant thrill. He sometimes missed it, though he’d been mostly joking about signing up for recreational bull riding at the Poco Dinero Bar. With three young mouths to feed, he couldn’t afford to be hurt and laid up. Being unemployed, even by choice, was a heavy enough burden.
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