She was playing a dangerous game with her feelings, setting her heart up for breaking. Allowing herself to believe that she and Urban had something between them, were starting to feel a connection, only made this triple in risk. He was marrying her for one reason, and emotion wasn’t a part of the equation.
“Hell, will you let me answer and I’ll tell you.” He dragged off his hat and dropped it to the table. “I didn’t think there was any harm in applying. Sure, I had no clue you would say yes. In fact, I would have bet my eye teeth that you were going to say no and, if that was the case, I would have dropped out. But you didn’t, and now we’re both getting what we wanted. If you’re against the documentary—”
“No,” she snapped. Swallowing and gathering her senses, she felt like she was back on track, at least partly. Crossing her arms over her chest, she slumped her shoulders. “You’re right. You had to make the deadline and I know how much this means to you. I guess now you can’t back out.” Why did her throat hurt?
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “There’s never been any chance of backing out, Pres. We made an agreement and you’ll never find me breaking a promise. Harris won’t sign over the clinic or the land until your hitched so that’s what we’re going to do. I can tell the production crew that we want the ceremony to be a private matter.”
She gave her head a shake, sending tendrils of hair smacking her cheeks. “No, Urban. Tell them it’s fine that they start filming sooner. I’m not much of an actress, but no one will know that we’re marrying for circumstance and not love.”
He stared for a good three heartbeats. “Great. We wouldn’t want anyone being suspicious about where our hearts are in this, would we?”
If a match would have been lit, they would have both caught fire from the tension in the air. “That’s what you’re wanting, right? Me crazy over you? I’m sure they wouldn’t want to film two people who dislike each other and have for years.” She laughed, but when he didn’t crack a smile, all humor skedaddled.
“I’m not much of an actor myself, but you’re right. They’ll only be filming for seven weeks. We should be able to manage to like each other that long.”
Were they in competition to see who could drive home the conditions of the wedding more? It sure felt that way to her. “While we’re at it, we should decide upon a date when we will divorce. Of course, it needs to be long enough to satisfy everyone’s desire for us to be happy, but short enough that we each can move on and not be caged too long.”
His jaw tightened. “I’m not one for being caged,” he pushed through tight lips.
Things were quickly going downhill, but things needed to be hashed out now rather than later. “A year sounds like the right amount of time.”
“Why not six months? We wouldn’t want to be ‘caged’ too long.”
“Why are you suddenly so grumpy? I thought you’d appreciate me discussing this issue and thinking of your freedom.”
“Well, your timing sucks,” he said in a lowered voice. “Look, I don’t give a damn when we decide to cut our losses and run, as long as I have fifty grand by the end of things.”
There was a cold bitterness in his tone and a chill in his usual warm eyes. Goosebumps scattered her skin. The waitress stepped over, breaking any chance for her to say anything.
“Here you two are. Burgers with the fixins’. French fries and extra pickles for the lady.” She placed the plates down onto the table. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“A take home box, Yolanda. I find that I’ve lost my appetite.” Presley didn’t wait for a response. She slid out of the booth, hurried to the door and pushed her way outside, blinded by tears building in her eyes. Once she inhaled the fresh air, it came to her that she had overreacted. She had been caught off guard when he mentioned the documentary and where her emotions were heading. It would be easy to be that girl again who crushed after the gorgeous, popular cowboy that all the girls wanted. She had to be strong. Keep the wall up and the libido put away.
The door swung open a few minutes later and Urban strolled out, carrying a white bag. He held it up and shook it. “Lunch to go.”
“Look, Urban…I—”
He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. All couples argue. After all, I’m the one who should be apologizing. I must keep in mind that this documentary involved both of us. Hell, maybe I shouldn’t have been so presumptuous about jumping the gun.”
“We are under a lot of pressure to plan this wedding. We’re both on edge.”
“Let’s sit here on the bench, have a nice lunch, and then let’s go check out the cakes. What’s a wedding without one?”
Chapter Nine
“This one is pretty good. What did you say it is?” Urban took another bite of the moist cake.
“Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting,” Lanie said.
“Gosh, I don’t know. This one is delicious.” Presley dug her plastic fork into another sample.
“That is lemon. The best seller.” Lanie swiped her hands down her apron. “Why don’t you two take your time and decide. Holler when you decide.” She went to help a customer at the counter.
“I wanted to show you something.” Presley dug into her purse, pulled out her phone and scrolled. “What do you think of this?” She shoved the cell under his nose.
He skimmed the picture of hay bale seating. “That’s pretty easy to replicate considering we have plenty of bales to use. Better than setting up chairs, hands down.”
“Have you told your brothers by chance?”
“About us?” He shrugged. “I told Weston. I’m sure the others know.”
“What did he say?”
“Congrats. He’s married now so he doesn’t care much about anything else.” He reached across the table to the sample platter and grabbed one with pink icing. “So, you think this is strawberry or raspberry?”
“Does he know that we’re marrying for…well, money?”
He could see the concerned lines around her mouth. “No. It isn’t any of their business.” He knew eventually he’d have to face Hugh, and he planned to do that later.
“I’ve known you Jerichos pretty much all my life, Urban. It might not be their business, but I care what they think. You should too.”
“They all have their happiness. They should just let me have mine.”
“Don’t forget, this is only temporary.” Pinching off a piece of the cake he held, she popped the morsel into her mouth. “Strawberry.”
He snorted. “I think Weston was surprised, but as far as he is concerned, and the rest of them, we are just as shocked about this romance. We didn’t plan it. We’ll leave it at that.”
“Now that we’ll have the cameras at the wedding filming, it puts pressure on making things perfect.”
He squinted “Oh no. Does that mean bigger?”
“Just fancier.”
He frowned. “Does that mean we’ll be spending next Saturday shopping for cake and tuxedos?”
She laughed. “No.”
“That’s a shame. I’d be as happy as a prized hog if we got a chance to visit the changing room again.” He wagged his brows, loving how her cheeks flushed. Her scent lingered in his nostrils and he wanted to take up where they left off, but with all the wedding planning he was missing the chance.
Clearing her throat, she sighed. “We do need to find a pastor. And…I was scrolling Pinterest and found a great idea for a romantic backdrop. It’ll be great for pictures.”
“A backdrop? Pictures?” Urban swiped his hand down his cheek. “Damn, and this is a small wedding. Imagine how much people have to do for those fancy snazzy ones.”
“Have you tried the hazelnut cake?” She picked up the tiny square and brought it to his mouth. He bit into the scrumptious cake.
“Delicious, but the red velvet has my vote.”
“Then red velvet it is.”
“That easy?” he asked.
“Yes, that easy. Now, I have to go.” She stood
.
“Go where?”
“I have to find a dress.”
He stood, wiped his fingers off on a napkin and tossed it onto the table. “This is what I’ve been waiting for.” He smiled.
Her mouth dropped open and then she slammed it shut. “Not happening.”
“Why not?” He slumped his shoulders.
“You’re not supposed to see me in the dress until the wedding day.”
“Says who? The dress police?”
One corner of her mouth battled a smile. “I’ve just heard that it brings bad luck.”
“Darlin’, I wouldn’t pay much attention to superstitions. You should be more worried that you have to marry me. I leave the toilet seat up. My socks on the floor. I’m an old dog and you know what they say about that and new tricks.”
“Fine. I wouldn’t mind the input.”
As he sat down in the overstuffed chair in the dress shop, he dragged a fuzzy pink pillow from behind his back, tossed it onto the floor and sipped the fluffy drink the owner brought him. He kind of liked it, but he couldn’t remember what it was called.
The door to the dressing room opened and he spewed the drink across his lap. He caught Bea’s look of disapproval, but he couldn’t mutter an apology because he was staring at Presley intently. She was in all white and the neckline of the gown plunged to indecent levels, save for the thin lace.
“I don’t think this is me,” she said with a frown.
“I think it’s just fine.” He smiled.
“You would. Are you drinking a Cosmopolitan?”
“That’s what this is called? It’s good.”
She groaned. “I’m trying on something else.”
He watched the sway of her bottom as she shimmied back into the changing room.
Starting to get restless, he was glad when a million years later the door opened and Bea stepped out. “Urban, you set that drink on the table. I don’t want to take any chances that you’ll ruin any of my dresses.”
With one last gulp, he placed the almost empty glass aside. Presley stepped out and his mouth hit the floor, as well as his heart. He was an idiot when it came to what designs and cuts were all about, but one thing he did know, when it was right, it was just right. And the dress was made for Presley.
He stood, shifted in his boots and dragged off his hat to hold it against his chest. Mind-boggled and shocked silent, he could only stare.
“What do you think?” Presley asked. “It’s not stark white, but more crème. And the lace, it’s not too heavy. I like the simplicity of it.”
He nodded. “Yup.”
“The A-line is perfect for you,” Bea exclaimed.
“Urban? You look pale.” Presley looked concerned. “How many drinks did you have?”
“Not enough. I need fresh air.” He darted his way through the maze of racks and shoe displays and jumped ship before he made a fool of himself and got all choked up. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman and it struck him like a cannon ball that soon she would be his wife.
*****
“Now you know why men shouldn’t attend wedding gown shopping with a woman,” Presley said to Urban who was sitting on the bench just outside the shop. His color had returned, but the tight set of his jaw remained.
“Sorry. It must have been the three Cosmopolitans I had.”
“Humph. Whatever. You were no help.” She tugged the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder, shaking her head and starting to walk.
He caught up to her. “Is that the one?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“Why not?” He shoved his hands into his front pockets.
“Because I want it to be a surprise.”
“That’s fair. What next?”
She shrugged. “The rest of the day is open.”
He flashed a lopsided grin. “Hey, do you have one of those tools that removes casts?”
“What?” She stopped on the sidewalk and looked up at him. “No, Urban. You’re not removing your own cast.”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Good.”
“You will.”
She laughed, but realized he was serious. “Why do you keep thinking I’m a doctor for humans?”
“You remove casts from animals all the time, right?” She nodded once. “See, I trust you.”
“I’m not doing it.” She started walking again.
“Fine, then I’ll do it the old-fashioned way. I have a hacksaw at home.”
Realizing he meant every word, she sighed. “Take me to the clinic. Have it your way.”
Chapter Ten
Urban pulled in front of his house and parked next to the white van. He climbed from the driver’s side, stopped and examined the vehicle closer just as a pretty brunette with big blue eyes stepped off his porch. “Urban Jericho?”
“Who wants to know?”
“Sorry for just showing up, but we talked on the phone. I’m Adira Miles. The filmmaker for the documentary. And that’s Randy, the cameraman.” She pointed to the tall city slicker who was fidgeting with his camera in agitation.
Urban greeted the man with a dip of his hat and received a semi-wave in return.
“I didn’t expect to see you today,” Urban said.
“We settled in at the bed and breakfast here in town and we thought we’d stop by, introduce ourselves and get started ASAP. I’ve already spoken with the sponsors and they’re loving the idea of a rodeo star’s wedding.”
“I don’t know…” This wasn’t just about him. He wondered if Presley would be okay.
“We have your check ready to hand over to you. Best in your hand than mine.” She smiled.
“Well, I need to ca—” His words were interrupted by the sound of tires on the gravel. He turned and watched Hugh’s truck flying up the lane, creating a dust cloud the size of Mount Saint Elias. “What’s the rush, bro?” Urban asked as Hugh climbed from the truck, his jaw set in a hard line.
He didn’t say a word as he stomped up the walkway where Urban stood, confused, and drew back his fist, landing it in Urban’s cheek. Caught off guard, the strike sent him backward, dang near sending him to the ground. If Hugh had wanted to, he could have knocked Urban out, so he realized this was only a message.
Rubbing his jaw, he blinked frantically. “What the fuck, Hugh?”
“That’s what you get for not coming to me and telling me, face to face, that you’re getting hitched to Presley.”
What could he say? So, he stood quiet.
“Uhh…you two cowboys okay?” Adira asked, her brow scrunched. Randy had even forgotten his camera and was staring in shock.
It was then that Hugh realized they weren’t alone because his eyes widened slightly, but he was quick to pull himself back together. Calmly, he stepped forward, dipped his white Stetson and held out his hand in greeting. “Hi, I’m Hugh Jericho.”
The woman shook his hand, a muddled expression marring her features. “Nice to meet you, Hugh. I’m Adira Miles, the filmmaker for the documentary I’m doing on Urban.”
“Well, you better keep your camera rolling at all times around here because there’s never a dull moment.” Hugh smirked and patted Urban on the shoulder as if nothing happened. “Now that we have that settled, bro. Congrats! She’s a mighty fine catch.”
This was just like Hugh, and Urban guessed he deserved the punch. In fact, he was glad the anticipation of telling his brother was over. “I hope this doesn’t leave a bruise. Presley’s going to kill me if I ruin the pictures.” His jaw would be sore for a while.
“With a mug like yours, she should be worried that you don’t break the lens.” Hugh laughed. “I better head out. I have business to take care of.” He turned his gaze on Adira who was still staring. “Nice meeting you, Miss Miles. Welcome to Second Chances.”
“Would you mind giving us an interview while we’re here, Hugh?” Adira asked.
“Certainly, ma’am.” He started back to his truck and stopped, looking bac
k. “By the way, you’re looking at Colton’s new sheriff.”
“Hell, man. That’s great,” Urban said.
With a proud smile, Hugh slid back into the truck.
Watching his brother drive away, Urban shook his head.
“Is that how you Jericho boys handle conflict?” Adira asked.
“You haven’t seen the least of it yet.”
“I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting few months.”
*****
“Will you ever forgive me?” Cheryl pleaded.
“I already have. Long ago.” Presley stood up from where she was examining the cow and removed one rubber glove and then the other, depositing them into the trash can. “I’m alive. It’s my fault for not teaching you how to handle the gun before I stuck it in your hands.”
The other woman slowly nodded and her shoulders lifted some. “It’ll never happen again. I promise.”
“That’s good. I’d appreciate that. In the meantime, can you make sure we have enough meds stocked up. I’ll be here all night, unless ole Daisy here gives birth sooner, which I’m not counting on.”
“Is she sick?”
“She has pregnancy toxemia. Because she has been so sick she stopped eating, therefore not getting the necessary nutrients for her or the baby. I’ll need to be here when the baby is born to make sure both mom and baby are healthy. It’s going to be a long one.” Staying up all night was part of the job and she’d done it enough over the years.
“I’ll also go out and grab dinner for you after I check the supplies. You need to eat something. Maybe you’ll get lucky and that handsome cowboy of yours will come and stay with you,” her friend teased. “Might be a little crowded though with the camera.”
Presley had been unwinding the water hose from the hook when she finally gathered what exactly Cheryl had said. “Camera?”
Urban's Rush (Saddles & Second Chances Book 4) Page 10