Megan took in their royal blue shirts with black lettering that named Kirk as GROOM-TO-BE, Justin as BEST MAN, and each of the others as GROOMSMAN. She couldn’t stop the smile when she noted Justin’s look of utter repulsion as he looked down at his shirt then around the room to see if anyone was looking at them. Everyone was.
“Raiding your bachelorette party.”
Kirk grabbed Marianna in a big hug and kissed her lips. Megan bit her bottom lip as she sneaked a quick look at Justin. What she wouldn’t give to feel his lips against hers like that. Again.
She brushed the thought away and tried to remind herself of her determination to stay single for the rest of her life. Kirk grabbed Marianna’s hand in his then lifted it to his lips for a quick kiss. Ugh. The man made her sick. He also made her want that. What a ridiculous combination.
“Man, this ain’t cool. The groom and his cronies are not supposed to hang out with us. How are we supposed to flirt with other guys?” Amber nudged one of the groomsmen in the arm. Adam and Amber flirted quite a bit, and Megan wondered if a love match would develop after the wedding.
Adam locked his arm around hers. “Flirt with other guys all you want. You gotta get me out of this lobby. This shirt is ridiculous. I’m losing cool points.”
“No kidding,” Wayne responded. He fell into step beside Julie.
Megan looked up at Justin. They were the only ones left in the lobby. Taking in the shirt once again, she cupped her hand over her mouth and chuckled.
He spread his arms and grinned. “What?”
“I can’t believe you’re wearing that.”
He turned his body left and then right. “You don’t think it compliments my physique?”
Oh, that was so not a fair question. What didn’t compliment Justin’s physique? The man was a boulder with bumps in all the right places. She knew that for a fact after touching his biceps and feeling their flex the night of the charity ball.
She averted her gaze. “It compliments you just fine.”
He cupped her chin, forcing her to look back up at him. His eyes smoldered with a combination of mirth and something else. The frustrating thing was she recognized the something else from the night at the charity ball. He wanted to kiss her. And though that sounded every bit as delicious as a supersized soft drink and a bag of buttered movie popcorn, it was not going to happen. Now was not the time or place.
He grinned, and his eyes gleamed with a tease. The man was insufferable. She knew he could read her thoughts. He sobered and shook his head. “I can’t believe they talked me into doing this.”
“Gotta admit. I’m a little surprised to see you here.”
“It was Kirk’s idea.” He pointed to her pink top. “I believe you showed those to him, and that’s where he got the idea.”
Megan twirled from side to side. “You have to admit ours are much cuter.”
“Definitely couldn’t argue with that.”
The gleam returned to his eyes, and Megan found herself shifting her feet. She pointed toward the theaters. “We’d better get in there. Hopefully they saved us a couple of seats.”
Justin nodded. Her heart raced when he touched the small of her back to guide her forward. They reached the ticket taker, and she fumbled through her purse trying to find the movie ticket. Her heart pounded against her chest, and her cheeks warmed. She hated that Justin had such an impact on her. He was just a man, for heaven’s sake. True, he was gorgeous and a good kisser and a newly committed Christian. Still, the guy didn’t have everything going for him. Of course, in her addled state, she couldn’t think of anything he lacked.
Justin tapped her shoulder, and she halted her rummage through the bag. He pointed to her backside. “The ticket’s sticking out of your back pocket.”
Heat rushed to her face as she pulled the ticket from the back of her pants. Thankfully she was wearing her favorite jeans, the ones that looked the best on her backside. Megan McKinney, stop thinking like that. The thought of Justin noticing her—she shook her head. She needed to get control of her mind.
The teenage guy handed her the stub, and she moved a few steps in front of Justin. Taking several deep breaths, she regained control of herself. Justin moved beside her, and she looked up at him and flashed a mischievous grin.
“Looking forward to the movie?”
He groaned as they walked toward the theater. “About as much as I’d look forward to a root canal.”
Megan laughed. She figured the romantic comedy would not be one of Justin’s top movie picks. He grabbed her arm and pointed to one of the theaters showing an action film. “We could sneak into this one. No one would ever have to know.”
Megan shook her head. “No way. I’ve been looking forward to this movie all week.”
Justin wrinkled his nose, but she could still see the laughter and teasing in his eyes. “Guess I’ll have to suffer through.”
They walked into the theater, and Megan sat beside Marianna. Her sister scowled at Justin and then at her. Megan didn’t understand Marianna. Her sister needed to be encouraging to Justin. He was a new Christian. She knew Marianna didn’t want them to date, but she and Justin weren’t dating. Nothing close to it.
Marianna placed her hand on Megan’s arm. “I forgot to tell you Colt called and asked me to remind you not to forget the sheet music for Hadley on Tuesday.”
Megan’s forehead wrinkled in question. “What?”
Colt would have no reason to call and say such a thing. Megan had never forgotten sheet music for Hadley’s piano lessons.
Megan watched as Kirk grabbed Marianna and pulled her closer to him. He whispered something in her ear. Something like “Stop it, that’s not nice.” Megan scrunched her nose. What was that about?
She turned toward Justin and realized he’d stiffened beside her. He stared straight ahead at the commercials on the movie screen. His lips were pursed into a straight, angry line.
“You can’t control who she likes. He has good intentions, and he’s a good man now.”
Megan raised her eyebrows in surprise. Kirk’s whisper must have been louder than he’d intended. She knew Marianna didn’t like Justin, that she feared Justin would try to hit on her like he had the other women in his past. But she didn’t know Marianna thought Justin liked her.
Sure, he was attracted to her, and they’d shared a couple kisses. One was just a moment of crazy insanity, that she still didn’t know what had come over her. The other was simply about the moment getting the best of him. They were all dressed up and headed to the charity ball. He’d had a moment of weakness. He’d been a perfect gentleman the rest of the evening. Never once did he make her feel uncomfortable. He’d actually made her feel special being on his arm. But that didn’t mean he had feelings for her.
She sneaked another peek at Justin. He sat stiff and rigid. Was that the expression of a man who was jealous? Was he jealous of Colt?
A thread of pleasure weaved through her at the idea that Justin wouldn’t want another man to be interested in her. Which Colt definitely wasn’t. He was a friend. Nothing more. But Justin? Could she honestly say he was just a friend?
Something in her liked that he might be a bit jealous. The lights dimmed, and the movie started as Megan continued to war within herself about the possibility of Justin having real affection for her. Did she want him to have feelings for her?
She settled back in the chair, determined not to think about it, and enjoy the movie she’d been looking forward to watching. A strong hand reached over and grabbed hers. She sucked in her breath as Justin opened her hand and weeded his fingers through hers.
She looked at him and realized he studied her. His gaze seemed to ask if his touch was wanted. She ignored the warning signals flashing in her mind and gave in to her racing heart. With a blink of affirmation, she squeezed his hand and turned her attention back to the screen.
She felt like a middle schooler on her first date to the movies with her boyfriend. Just because he held her hand in t
he movie theater didn’t mean he really liked her. Take Colt for example. When he held her hand at the funeral, she didn’t feel anything. He was just her friend. It was the same with Justin. Even if it didn’t feel like it.
Chapter 22
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.
GALILEO GALILEI
The problem is she thinks I’m just a friend. Colt grabbed the tea bags out of the pantry and smacked them down on the countertop. He didn’t have to search far into Justin’s life to learn the man was a womanizer. He’d played more women than Colt had competed in rodeos. Megan deserved better. She needed someone who was constant and faithful, someone she could trust and who would love her every day of his life. Someone like me.
The phone rang, and Colt picked up the receiver. “Hello.” “Hi, Colt.”
Colt exhaled a long breath at the sound of Tina’s voice on the line. He looked at the clock. Time had gotten away from him, but she was right on with the time they’d arranged. Part of him still worried he’d agreed to let Hadley talk on the phone with her birth mother twice a week. And he’d only agreed to the phone visits after she’d promised to start and stay in rehab. Tina had been true to her promise. He’d checked up on her to make sure.
“How are you doing, Tina?”
“I’m doing pretty good.” Her voice sounded happier than he’d ever heard it. Tina had been nice enough, if not overtly shy, when she first started dating his brother, but Colt had never gotten the chance to really get to know her. “I’m enjoying beauty school, and I’ve gotten two new houses to clean.”
Colt smiled into the phone. He really was glad Tina was cleaning up her life. Though he didn’t tell Hadley, he’d agreed to pay for Tina to go to beautician school on the condition she kept her grades up and stayed sober. It was her responsibility to find parttime employment. She’d surprised him when she’d started cleaning houses, but she must do a fairly good job, because she was cleaning four houses a week. He’d been checking up with the owners as well.
“That’s terrific, Tina. How many days?”
“Thirty-one. I’m still taking one day at a time.”
He was proud of Hadley’s mother. Everything in him wished it hadn’t taken his brother’s death for her to realize her need to straighten out her life. And to get to know her daughter. He still worried if he’d made the right decision, but seeing Hadley’s expression each time she talked with her mother was proof enough the girl needed to know the woman, if only a little bit.
“I’ve been watching the clock. Tuesdays and Sundays are the best days of the week.”
“Hadley enjoys talking to you also.” Colt started to pull the phone away.
“I’ve started going to church, Colt.”
He pulled the receiver back to his ear. “Tina, that is wonderful. That’s the best news I’ve heard.”
“Please pray for me.” He heard her voice catch, and Colt’s heart tightened. The little time he’d spent with Tina on the phone, he’d come to realize he liked her as a person, and he wanted her to come to know Christ.
“I already do.”
“Is that Mom?” Hadley raced into the kitchen and swiped the phone from his hand before he had a chance to respond. “Hey Mom.”
It surprised Colt that Hadley had been so quick to call Tina “Mom” after having no relationship with her the first twelve years of her life. He listened as Hadley talked about Megan coming over in a bit for piano lessons.
Colt filled a pan full of water and placed it on the burner. He was looking forward to Megan’s visit. But he didn’t have a clue about how to get her to see he wanted more than friendship from her. Each time he tried to hint at a date, she mentioned some kind of wedding obligation she had with Marianna or the charity ball with Justin.
His cheeks burned at the memory. He’d wanted to insist she tell her boss to take a hike, but he’d bit his tongue. If I could get her to see how much I like her, then it would be my place.
He growled to himself. He had no experience with women. Every time he considered simply coming out and being honest with Megan, his hands would clam up, his mouth would go dry, and he’d find himself hiding out in the living room away from her and Hadley.
Tonight he’d talk to her. He and Hadley had made homemade blueberry ice cream. After Hadley’s lessons, he planned to ask Megan to go for a walk with him around the property. Her sister’s wedding was in a week. After that, she’d be available to go on dates. He hoped she’d agree to go to the upcoming rodeo with him and Hadley. And not just as a friend.
“Uncle Colt! Mom wants to talk with you.”
Hadley’s voice sounded from the living room. He walked to her and took the phone. “Hi again, Tina.”
No one responded, and he looked at the screen to see if Hadley had accidentally hung up. It appeared to still be connected. “Hello?”
“Colt.” Tina sounded nervous. “I have something I’d like to ask you.”
“Okay.”
“Please don’t answer today. Just say you’ll pray about it. Please.”
Colt’s gut twisted. He didn’t like the sound of her voice. He had a feeling he knew what she was going to ask, and if he was right, the answer was no.
She continued, “I’d like to see Hadley. Maybe next Saturday?”
“We’re busy. Going to a friend’s wedding.”
“What about before or after? Please, Colt.”
“No. She’s not ready.”
“She’s not, or you’re not?”
Her response pierced him in the heart. Of course he wasn’t ready. He didn’t want to see the woman who’d run off with his brother, watched him die, and now wanted to slide her way back into his and Hadley’s lives. “The answer is no.”
“Please just agree to pray about it.”
“Fine. I’ll pray about it.” The water boiled, and Colt turned off the burner. “Gotta go.”
Before she could respond, he hung up. There was no way he or Hadley would be seeing her mother on Saturday.
Colt listened as Hadley played a song he didn’t recognize on the piano. Megan said it was some popular song played on one of the children’s networks on television. He didn’t know the tune, but he could tell Hadley did a good job playing it.
The kid was a natural with the piano. It didn’t surprise Colt. His brother had been a whiz on the guitar. Apparently Tina had a good voice. It was how she and his brother met. Connor had been in a high school band, and the drummer invited Tina to sing for them. All too soon, the band became a thing of the past, and Tina and Connor got hooked on drugs.
“That was amazing. I can’t believe how well you’re doing.” Megan’s voice floated through the air. “You’ll be teaching me before long.”
Colt took the break as his cue. He grabbed two glasses of sweet tea off the counter and walked into the music room. “Who needs a drink?”
Megan smiled as she took a glass. Her blue eyes glistened in perfect contrast to the light brown shirt she wore. He could tell she’d been trying to get a little bit of sun before the wedding. Her skin was still fair, but just a hint of a tan touched her nose and cheeks. She shouldn’t worry about darker skin. Her ivory color was gorgeous.
“Thanks, Colt. You make the best sweet tea.”
Colt opened his mouth to ask if she’d take a walk with him once the lessons were over, but Hadley stopped him. “Megan said she’d help me pick out a dress for the wedding when we’re done.” She lifted the back of her hair. “And maybe figure out what to do with my mop.”
Megan touched Hadley’s hair. “You have one of the most beautiful mops of hair I’ve ever seen.”
Colt agreed. Hadley’s long brown hair was beautiful. It seemed to have grown thicker over the last few months. He remembered Tina’s hair had been like that when she and Connor first started dating. The last time he’d seen her, it was short and thin. Abuse had taken its toll.
Colt wasn’t ready to admit defeat. He wanted the opport
unity to spend time with Megan. “Remember, Hadley. We made some blueberry ice cream to share with Megan.”
Megan raised her eyebrows. “Seriously? That sounds absolutely delicious.” She patted Hadley’s leg. “Get to practicing, young lady. I want some of that ice cream.”
Hadley giggled as she placed her fingers on the keys and started on a new tune. Her practice would be done in less than ten minutes, so Colt walked back into the kitchen and took down three bowls. He filled them with ice cream. “Girls, it’s ready when you are.”
Hadley stopped playing, and she and Megan filtered into the kitchen. He handed them each a bowl, and they walked to the back porch to eat on the deck.
Colt watched as Megan drank in the expanse of his backyard. He loved that his land rolled out for acres. God’s creation rejuvenated him, and he knew Megan felt the same way. She was a perfect match for him. Even in her choice of where to live.
With her spoon, Megan pointed to the bowl. “This is really good.”
“You want some more?”
She shook her head. “Oh no. Marianna, the girls, and I had such a big bash for her bachelorette party. We ate just about everything we could get our hands on.” She laughed, and Colt smiled at the sound of it. “Marianna is scared to death we all won’t fit in our dresses.”
“You’ll look terrific in your dress.”
Megan snorted. “Wait till you see it.” She opened her arms. “It’s yellow! Yellow!” She pointed to her skin. “This is not a skin tone that goes well with yellow.” She smacked her leg. “Pale yellow at that.”
Colt laughed at her dramatics. Megan was easy to be around. She made him smile, and Hadley loved her. She was already a good friend, but he wanted more.
Hadley dropped her spoon in the bowl with a clang and looked at Megan. “You ready to pick out my dress?”
Colt wasn’t ready to lose her to his niece once again. “Why don’t you go ride Fairybelle for a while? You know our rodeo is a couple weeks away.”
Wedding Song in Lexington, Kentucky Page 18