Trails of Love

by Melissa Foster

  Grace sighed. “That’s a relief, but how can I distract myself from it all right this second?”

  “Morgyn can tell you all about Foreplay’s brother!” Sable grabbed Morgyn’s arm and dragged her toward Grace.

  “Me? How about you tell her about Foreplay?” Morgyn suggested. She didn’t want to talk about Graham, because she felt too much for him. And even if he was coming to see her tomorrow, what would happen after that? She’d been trying not to think about that particular question since she’d left him yesterday, an impossible feat.

  Brindle pushed between Sable and Morgyn and said, “Hold up! Is Foreplay a guy?”

  “Yes,” Morgyn and Sable said in unison.

  “He’s Mr. All Nighter’s brother,” Sable said.

  Although she was amused by her sister’s name for Graham, she hoped to steer the conversation away from him and said, “He had the hots for Sable.”

  Sable rolled her eyes. “He had the hots for sex, and you know I won’t sleep with a guy who’s prettier than I am.”

  “Whoa! Prettier than you? I would have liked to see him. What else did I miss at the festival?” Brindle turned wide smoky eyes on Morgyn. “Who is Mr. All Nighter?”

  “The guy with the legs,” Morgyn confessed. “And you saw Foreplay. He was the guy with the long hair.”

  “The gay guys? You slept with a gay guy?” Brindle asked.

  “Must have been bi if he slept with Morg,” Pepper pointed out.

  Amber rushed over. “Morgyn, you had a one-night stand? I thought you weren’t into that.”

  “Oh my God, you guys!” Morgyn began pacing. “He’s not gay, and he’s not bi, and it wasn’t a one-night stand. I’m seeing him tomorrow.”

  Brindle squealed and hugged her. “I want all the details. He was wicked hot. Is his joy stick as thick as his legs? You guys should have seen his ass. Talk about nice.”

  “Brindle!” Morgyn glared at her.

  “What? It was nice and—” She made squeezing motions with her hands. “Where did you do it? I know you didn’t do it in your tent. You’d be too worried about people seeing you.”

  “I’m not having this conversation.” Morgyn’s heart was racing. The last thing she needed was for Brindle to make her incredible time with Graham into a dirty tryst. “And stop thinking about his ass.”

  “Someone’s jealous,” Sable said.

  Morgyn turned a hot glare on Sable.

  “Is he from around here?” Amber asked.

  “No, and I have no idea how long he’s going to be here, but I really like him and it’s not what you guys are making it out to be.”

  Sable arched a brow. “So it wasn’t hot sex with Mr. All Nighter? Then why bother seeing him again?”

  “God, you’re impossible.” Morgyn turned to leave just as their mother appeared in the doorway.

  “Hey, sugar. What’s wrong?” Her mother reached for Morgyn’s hand, forcing her to stop.

  I want to strangle my sisters, turn the clock back to yesterday, and stay there forever. Knowing that would only incite more annoying comments, she said, “Nothing.”

  “Bull hockey.” Her mother eyed Sable, who was smirking. “Fess up, Sabe. What did you do?”

  Sable crossed her arms, looking put out. “Why do you think it’s me? Look at this motley crew of gossipers.”

  “I don’t gossip,” Grace said.

  “I have a new baby. I have no time to gossip,” Sophie said.

  “She thinks it’s you because it’s either you or Brindle,” Pepper said. “And Brindle would have admitted it by now.”

  “That’s true,” Brindle said.

  “It’s nothing, Mom,” Morgyn said. The minute her mother heard about her spending the night with Graham there would be even more questions. “We’re all just antsy to get started.”

  Her mother brushed Morgyn’s hair away from her face the way she’d been doing since Morgyn was little and said, “Are you sure, honey?”

  No. She was pretty sure it wasn’t even her sisters’ taunts that had her so upset. She’d been an emotional wreck since she and Graham said goodbye.

  “Honey?” her mother urged.

  I have all these feelings whirling around inside me and I have no clue what to do with them. She could tell her mother that and trust it to stay between them, but there were too many eyes on her to fess up about something so real and confusing.

  “Yes,” she lied. “I’m sure. Are they ready to start?”

  “They are. It’s time, Gracie.” Their mother held a hand out toward Grace. “And I think your future husband is even more nervous than you are. The Jericho boys have been trying to distract him, but you know Reed. There’s only one thing on his mind—marrying the woman he’s loved since he was a googly-eyed teenager.”

  A flurry of commotion ensued as they checked Grace’s dress one last time, grabbed their orchid bouquets, and then headed down the hall. Sable and Brindle flanked Morgyn.

  “Don’t,” Morgyn warned. “Can I just get through today without any more crap about his body parts?”

  Sable’s expression turned serious. “You really like this guy.”

  “Gee, you think?” she said sarcastically. “I’m a wreck, and all your jokes just make it worse.”

  “You could hook up with another guy at the wedding to get your mind off him,” Brindle suggested.

  Morgyn rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to hook up with anyone else. I just want today to pass so tomorrow can arrive and I can see him again.”

  “MY GRANDDAUGHTER LINDSAY would be perfect for you,” Nina—call me Nana—said for the third time in the last twenty minutes. She looked like Helen Mirren and acted like the mother in Meet the Fockers. She pointed to a pretty blonde taking pictures of a fair-haired man and said, “Look at her over there. She’s a little sexpot, isn’t she? She owns a wedding planning and photography business. She’s a catch.”

  Nana and her silver-haired friend, Hellie, had been talking Graham’s ear off since he sat down—like dirty-grandma matchmakers.

  “Don’t forget Haylie Hudson.” Hellie leaned closer to Graham and said, “She’s got the cutest little boy, Scotty. Do you like children? You look like a man who likes kids.”

  “Of course he likes children,” Nana said. “You can tell when a man dislikes children. You can smell them coming a mile away.” She elbowed Graham and giggled as she said, “No pun intended.”

  “I like children,” he said, “but I’m really not looking for a date.”

  Hellie waved her hand dismissively, flashing several colorful rings. “That’s okay, honey. We get your drift. We know a few good men we can introduce you to.”

  He choked out a cough. “I’m not gay. I’m just biding my time until tomorrow, when I can see my girl again.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to cover it up,” Nana said. “We’re a very open community.”

  Nana had seemed so innocent when he’d sat down beside her, but then Hellie had taken the chair on his other side and everything had changed. He wondered if the two women waited for unsuspecting men to home in on like hawks stalking prey. “I’m not—”

  Music sounded, and Nana and Hellie both said, “Shh!”

  Glad for the interruption, Graham swept his gaze over rows of white chairs to the floral arch at the end of the center aisle, where his friend Reed stood beside his uncle Roy, who had raised him, looking nervous and happy in a dark suit. He knew Reed’s father, who was suffering from a terminal illness and from whom Reed had been estranged since he was a baby, was there somewhere. Graham was glad Reed had been able to find closure in that part of his life.

  Nana nudged his shoulder. “All the girls who are going to walk down the aisle are single except my granddaughter, Sophie, the matron of honor, and, of course, Gracie. So keep your eyes peeled. You just pick one out and we’ll introduce you.”

  Graham followed her gaze toward the women coming through the back door of the theater. He thought he saw Sable walking with a petite blonde,
both wearing short dresses and cowgirl boots. “Is that…?”

  “Those are two of Grace’s sisters. Sable’s the brunette, and Brindle’s the blonde.”

  “Brindle,” he repeated, piecing together more of Morgyn’s family.

  “You’d better buckle up for a wild ride with that gal,” Hellie said with a shake of her head.

  Graham watched as the bride and two slim brunettes filed out the door.

  “That’s my Sophie, on Grace’s right,” Nana said. “And those two pretty gals are also Grace’s sisters. Pepper has the lace collar. She’s a big-time scientist, and Amber, the one with her hair pulled to one side, standing beside the dog, owns a bookstore. They’re more pretty fillies than wild rides like Sable. But to each their own…”

  Her voice turned to white noise as Morgyn came into view and Graham’s heart rate skyrocketed. He squinted, trying to get a better look. Her hair was tied back, a few wispy bangs framing her face. She wore a short dress with a single ruffled strap over one shoulder. The dress accentuated her curves and showed off her long legs. Legs he could still feel wrapped around him. All the other girls wore brown cowgirl boots, but Morgyn’s were brown and turquoise, with glimmering silver and gold embellishments. His fingers itched with the need to hold her. She was carrying a bouquet. While the other girls were smiling and huddled together, Morgyn stood a few paces away with a sad look in her eyes. How come no one was tending to her? Couldn’t they tell her smile was forced? Couldn’t they sense it the way he could?

  “Sunshine,” he said absently. It took all of his control not to go to her and fix whatever was wrong.

  “It is a beautiful day,” Hellie said. “And look at Morgyn. That girl’s got more style in her pinkie than half the county put together.”

  “Mm-hm,” Nana agreed. “Morgyn’s a feisty one, and she’s sweeter than cherry pie. She’s got a wanderer’s soul, though. It’ll take a special guy to keep up with her.”

  “Yes, it will,” he said as the wedding began. A wanderer’s soul. He wondered about how far she’d wander. Soon there was no room for thought. There was only beautiful Morgyn and the distance stretching between them as the ceremony took place. Morgyn stood off to the side with her sisters, the half-hearted smile on her face tugging at Graham’s heartstrings.

  Was she thinking of him, the way he’d been thinking of her since yesterday?

  Morgyn’s gaze swept over the crowd, and he sat up a little straighter, hoping she’d see him, but her eyes moved past, and his heart sank. As he tried to rein in his disappointment, her gaze zipped back to him, connecting with the heat of a laser. He couldn’t suppress his smile as her eyes widened with delight, and her radiant smile followed. She went up on her toes, like she wanted to get a better look, and he couldn’t help rising up as well. He lifted his chin and blew her a kiss. Even from that distance, he could feel her energy lighten. Brindle leaned closer and said something to her, but Morgyn never took her eyes off him. She said something, and then Brindle was going up on her toes, searching for him, he assumed. On Morgyn’s other side, Sable looked at the two women, then searched the crowd.

  He tried to stop a chuckle, and a tortured sound escaped before he could stop it. Nana put her hand on his and whispered, “It’s very emotional, isn’t it? Weddings get me every time.”

  “Gets me every time,” he said, looking at Morgyn.

  The ceremony went on for what felt like forever, but in reality it was probably little more than half an hour. When Reed finally kissed Grace, everyone clapped and cheered, rising from their seats. Graham eyed the distance between him and Morgyn, wondering if it would be in bad taste to race down the aisle and sweep her off her feet.

  The wedding party followed Grace and Reed up the aisle. Morgyn was walking with a tall, dark-haired man, but she only had eyes for Graham. His heart thundered harder with her every step. Her eyes were glistening, and her smile was so big it had to hurt. His legs moved forward without thought.

  “Excuse me,” he said to Hellie. She said something about waiting another minute, but he couldn’t wait another second. “I’m sorry,” he said as he pushed past her.

  Morgyn ran up the aisle, pushing past her sisters, and leapt into his arms. Their mouths came together like an unstoppable force. Smiling into their kisses, he twirled her around, unable to believe she was right there in his arms.

  “Sunshine,” he said, and then there were no words, only his lips pressed to hers, her fingers in his hair, and his heart beating a mile a minute.

  “It’s Legs!” Brindle said from behind them as hoots and hollers rang out from the crowd.

  “Cracker!” Morgyn kissed his lips, his cheeks, his chin. “How did you find me?”

  “Mr. All Nighter must have a GPS tracker in his—” Sable said.

  “Sable!” Grace glared at Sable as she and Reed hurried back down the aisle. Reed arched a brow as his new bride flashed an approving gaze and said, “I think we need to rename you Mr. Wedding Crasher. Thanks for waiting for us to finish our kiss before you took yours.”

  Graham realized they were blocking the aisle and everyone was watching them. He lowered Morgyn’s feet to the ground. Several of the groomsmen were openly assessing him with serious expressions. Go ahead, assess all you want. He squared his shoulders and said, “I’m sorry for interrupting the wedding.” He reached for Morgyn’s hand and noticed she still had on the bracelet he’d given her. He filled with happiness. “I’m Graham Braden, a friend of Reed’s.”

  “And of mine,” Morgyn added with a beaming smile.

  “Guess that answers the gay question,” Nana said from behind him, causing everyone to laugh.

  Graham scoffed and shook his head. “Why does everyone think I’m gay?”

  “Because you’re too pretty, man.” Reed pulled him into an embrace. “It’s good to see you.”

  “You too. Congratulations.” He looked at Grace and said, “I really am sorry for interrupting, but your sister…” He gazed at Morgyn, pulling her against his side as he said, “There’s no excuse. I honestly couldn’t wait a second longer.”

  There was a collective “Aw.”

  “Reed has told me a lot about you,” Graham said. “Big-time play producer turned community theater enthusiast. Sounds like you’ll do great things for Oak Falls.”

  “I don’t know about great things, but we just put on our first play and—”

  “It was amazing!” Morgyn said. “Grace is the best producer, and she’s teaching classes on screenplay writing and working with local companies to fund future events. I’m in awe of her.”

  Grace’s eyes teared up and she hugged Morgyn.

  “Grace is already making a world of difference,” Reed said proudly. “And once the theater is open, she’ll make an even bigger impact.” He looked between Graham and Morgyn and said, “I had no idea you two knew each other. Morgyn, Graham is the investor I told you about, the one I wanted to evaluate your business.”

  “Evaluate her business?” Graham asked. “I thought I was here to check out your theater.”

  “You are,” Reed said. “Tomorrow morning at eight. Grace and I leave for our honeymoon at noon. Morgyn’s on the cusp of some changes with her business. I thought you might be able to check it out while you’re here, go over her books, offer some suggestions…”

  Graham tried never to mixed business and pleasure. Sure, he helped a few friends but not friends he was sleeping with. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, since we’ve got a personal relationship.”

  “Oh, come on, cracker. It’s a very good idea.” Morgyn went up on her toes and whispered, “You might have to inspect my goods.”

  He cleared his throat to stifle a hungrier noise.

  “Morgyn’s gonna get lucky,” Brindle said in a singsong voice.

  Morgyn smiled up at him and said, “I already have.”

  “As if we had any doubt?” Grace said under her breath.

  Morgyn gasped. “No! I meant because he’s here. I didn’t kno
w he was going to be at the wedding.”

  “Who is this handsome devil kissing my little girl?” A dark-haired woman pushed through the crowd, eyeing Graham and Morgyn with the same spark of life in her eyes that Morgyn possessed.

  “Mr. All Night—”

  Amber elbowed Sable and said, “His name is Graham, Mom. They met at the festival.”

  “Hi, Mom.” He extended his hand. “Graham Braden, professional wedding procession crasher. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Aren’t you just the cutest thing. Look at those dimples. No wonder Morgyn’s all pink cheeked.” She embraced him and said, “I’m Marilynn Montgomery, the mother of all these noisy girls. I’m so pleased to meet you.” She pointed to a fair-haired man with sharp blue eyes standing beside Axsel and watching every move Graham made. “And that handsome man over there is their father, Cade, standing with their brother, Axsel. They will probably have a few questions for you, so I suggest you go get yourselves a drink before the inquisition starts.”

  As they made their way out of the aisle, Morgyn leaned against his side like she couldn’t stand to have any space between them. And he loved it.

  “How did you and Reed meet?” Morgyn asked.

  “He renovated a project I funded in Michigan, and we hit it off. We’ve been friends ever since.”

  Reed and Grace got swept up in the crowd, and Morgyn’s parents stopped to greet the other guests. Morgyn and her sisters guided him off to the side. Trixie Jericho, who Graham knew through his brother Nick, stood with four guys a few feet away. The men stood shoulder to shoulder, arms crossed, sizing up Graham. Two wore cowboy hats, reminding him of his brother Nick. One was dressed sharper than the others and looked like he was chewing on nails, and the fourth wore a serious expression, like Graham’s oldest brother, Beau, used to before he’d fallen in love with his fiancée, Charlotte Sterling.

  “This is Pepper,” Morgyn said, motioning to her tall, slim sister. “She and Sable are twins. Pepper’s a research and development scientist in Charlottesville.”