Page 15 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

“He said that it was an accident. That it was nobody’s fault.

Grandpa said I shouldn’t feel guilty about Mommy loving me enough to make me happy.

And I…I try not to. I try to remember the good times we had with her.

I listened to my father. Do you think you can listen to yours?

About Taylor? It’s not your fault. Taylor doesn’t blame you. ”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m absolutely sure,” he promised her.

He couldn’t have her beating herself up when her heart had been in the right place.

“I guess Taylor didn’t know what ‘heads up’ meant.”

“She knows now.” He knocked a fist to his head. “It was a hard lesson.”

The frown on Cassie’s face lifted. “I don’t think she’ll ever forget it, Daddy.”

He wouldn’t either. It could’ve been much worse for Taylor. “Probably not.” He touched the very tip of her freckled nose. “Hey, I remember a time when someone caught the ball with her nose.”

She giggled. “That was dumb. And it didn’t feel good.”

“Nah, you weren’t dumb, but you learned a lesson that day too.”

It had scared the stuffing out of him seeing that ball collide with her face. She’d fractured a bone in her nose and the doctor had said it would heal on its own. “But you’ve never made that mistake again. Now you use your mitt as your protection, not your face.”

She giggled again.

“It’s getting late, sweetheart. Are you feeling better now?”

She nodded.

“Good. Now off to bed.” He kissed her forehead. “Love ya, Cass.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed tight. “Love you too, Daddy.”

*

On Monday morning, Taylor woke with a start, sharp pounding grating in her ears.

She rose and walked over to the window, peeling the curtain back.

Down below, the crew was already at it, hammering away at the foundation for the she-shed.

The clamoring faded in her head as she spotted Coop, hard hat on his head, dressed in his work clothes, jeans and a chambray shirt, sleeves rolled up. Was there ever a more appealing man?

He’d held her in his arms on Sunday, carrying her away to safety after she’d been hit.

He’d come to her rescue, hopping the fence to get to her, and she couldn’t think of anyone she’d rather have save her.

Though the whole thing had been totally embarrassing, Coop didn’t make her feel like a fool. He’d made her feel safe and protected.

She kept her eyes on Coop as he picked up a hammer and began working along with his crew.

Old tender feelings stirred in her belly.

She really couldn’t afford the way she was beginning to feel about him, but that didn’t stop her from eyeballing him, thinking of the what-ifs, in her life.

What if she hadn’t broken up with him? What if they found a way to be together?

What if she hadn’t let the fear of failing her promises, ruin the life she could’ve had with him?

Her mother claimed it was puppy love, a summer of awakenings in her heart.

What she felt for Coop was just a passing fancy.

Her words. Her mom always claimed she was too young to know real love.

Deep down, Taylor always felt it had been her mom’s way of telling her to focus on her own dreams, to stay true to her course.

And she’d heeded her wishes.

But now, seeing Coop again, she wasn’t entirely sure she’d made the right decision.

She sighed and backed away from the window.

Turning around, she faced the dresser mirror. “Ugh.” The bruise on her forehead screamed, “Hello! I’m here. You can run, but you can’t hide.”

It only hurt when she touched it, but boy, was it ugly.

Julie called up. “Taylor, breakfast.”

She walked over to the doorway. “I’ll be down in five.”

Taylor took a quick shower and dressed in casual clothes, denim jeans and a cream blouse, then ran a brush through her hair. She found if she parted it to the side, the strands hid some of the lovely eggplant-colored wound. Luckily, most of the swelling was down.

One last glance in the mirror and she whispered, “As good as it’s gonna get.”

Then she made her way downstairs to the kitchen.

Julie was waiting, handing off a coffee mug to her as she entered the room.

“Thanks, but you didn’t have to cook breakfast,” Taylor said. “You know I’m fine with cereal or toast.”

“I was in a cooking mood this morning. French toast and bacon for us. Then I’ve got to get to school. The kids are excited for the Bluebonnet Festival. Each classroom is doing a poster as an art project, so I’m going in a bit early to set it up. The theme this year is kindness.”

“I like that. Sounds like fun. I’d always heard about the Last Stand festival.”

“Well, this year you’ll be here to see it in person.”

“When is it?”

“Coming up this Saturday.”

“Oh, so close to your wedding. Are you sure you have the time?”

“I’ll make the time. It’s important to the kids. And the whole town loves to get involved. You’ll see.”

They both sat down at the table and dug into the food. Julie munched on a piece of French toast as she glanced out the window. “Looks like Coop’s gotten off to a good start this morning.”

She nodded and bit into a crisp piece of bacon. “Yeah, I heard.”

Julie laughed. “Sorry. He wanted to start earlier, but I told him seven was early enough.”

“Smart move.”

“It shouldn’t take them too long.”

“I’m teasing, Jules. You’ve been to my apartment in the city. You know how loud it gets, horns honking, trucks rumbling by, loud conversations going on in the building. Believe me, I can take some hammering in the morning. It’s second nature to me.”

“I’m glad it isn’t too disturbing. I’m so excited about this. Coop’s plans are right on and I know it’s going to turn out great. Coop’s good at what he does.”

“I know. He’ll make it perfect for you.”

“He could be running a big company in Los Angeles, but he came back here to give Cassie a better life.”

“That makes him a good father.”

“And a good person. He’s dealt with a lot of heartache but he’s managing.”

“Maybe he’s trying to move on.” Taylor sipped her coffee.

“Yeah, maybe. I hope so. He’s…”

“A catch?”

Julie chuckled. “You read my mind.”

“I always could. And, well, it’s hard not to notice him.”

“Especially after he nearly broke speed records coming to your rescue.”

“I thanked him for that.”

“So, what are your plans for today?”

“I’ll be putting on the finishing touches to your gown. And I’ve got Cassie’s dress to work on too.”

“I wanted to thank you for agreeing to help Lindsey out with her wedding dress.”

“I hope I can come up with something for her.”

“I have no doubt you will, coz.” Julie glanced at her watch. “Uh-oh. Gotta run or I’ll be late. Would you do me a favor? I made a full pot of coffee for the crew. Would you mind taking it out to them while it’s hot? Oh, and maybe they’d like some of those muffins you made yesterday.”

“I bet they would. Sure, no problem. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you later!”

“Bye, have a nice day.”

After Julie left, Taylor fixed up a tray with coffee cups, sugar and creamer, and half a dozen muffins. She was just about to bring it outside when the kitchen door opened and Coop walked in. He looked even better close up, his blue eyes deep enough to swim in.

“Oh, hi.”

“Morning,” he said. “How are you?”

“Doing well, how about you?”

“Fine.” He smiled. “Is Julie around? I have a question for her.”

“No, she just left for school.”

“All right, I guess it can wait.”

“So, you’re making progress on the shed, I see.”

“You could say that. Getting the frame up and all.”

“I…I was just getting ready to bring a tray out.”

Coop took one look at the coffee and muffins and smiled. “Thanks, don’t mind if I do.” He grabbed a muffin, bit into it and groaned. “Oh, man. These are good. Did you make them?”

“I did.”

“Was it a coincidence, or did you remember that carrot raisin is my favorite?”

“I, uh,” she began, deciding on telling the truth. “Julie reminded me. I may have asked her.”

He took a seat at the table and arched a brow. “May have?”

“Okay, I asked her.”

His charming grin disabled her and she sat down beside him. She placed a coffee cup in front of him and took one for herself. “Well, then, I have confession to make too,” he said. “I saw Julie leave just a minute ago. I came in here…to see you.”

She didn’t know how she felt about that, but her heart began to pound. And not just a little bit. “Well, that’s honest.”

“I always try to be.”

“And why all this honesty?”

“Maybe because I smelled the muffins baking and it sort of lured me in.”

“Good try. But I baked these yesterday. Last I checked, you can’t smell day-old muffins.”

He gave her an innocent look. “No?”

She shook her head and smiled.

“So, maybe I came in here to check on you.” He leaned in real close, until she could see the ocean-blue rim around his eyes. He braced his elbow on the table and with two fingers, brushed several strands of hair away from her face. He did this ever so gently, his touch careful and precise.

As he took in her bruise, his eyes narrowed to fine slits as if he were in pain. “Nasty.”

“It looks awful, but it’s healing.”

“Does it still hurt?”

“No. Not really.”

He released a breath. “That’s good.”

He gazed into her eyes and lingered there.

He held her mesmerized, so much emotion passing between them, so much desire.

It was raw and scary and unexpected. And when he leaned in closer, his fingers in her hair, and glanced at her mouth, she couldn’t move away, couldn’t stop what was happening.

He held her face carefully, his thumb circling her cheek.

And then, his lips were on hers, softly, gently, the scent of sugar and coffee mingling between them.

It was a kiss from the past, a kiss with no future, but yet she didn’t have the willpower to stop it, to put a halt to this craziness.

But Coop did. He ended the kiss and backed away, holding her gaze. “I…I shouldn’t have done that.”

His remorse put an ache in her heart. Was he remembering his dead wife? Was it guilt that pulled him away? And if she was so against letting him in again, why was she disappointed? “And yet you did.”

He shrugged. “I was worried about you.”

“Is that all it was?”

“Isn’t that enough, Taylor?” His voice elevated.

“What do you mean?”

He scratched his head, his face twisting. “Oh wait, I almost forgot, this place was never enough for you. I was never enough for you, was I? Never mind. Don’t answer that, I already know.”

His chair scraped back, the noise echoing against the kitchen walls, and then he was up, grabbing the tray for his crew. “Don’t get up; I’ll take this to the guys.”

She rose in spite of his command. “Coop? Exactly who are you mad at? Me or yourself?”

He opened his mouth ready to let her have it, but then he clamped it shut and appeared thrown off a bit, as if he was confused. He shut his eyes for a second, shook his head and then walked off, leaving her standing there, stung by his kiss and his parting words.

She’d broken his heart, and he still resented her. And to add insult to injury, he probably felt terrible pangs of guilt about his wife.

Maybe he was mad at both of them.

And maybe, just maybe, she was mad at herself as well.

For enjoying that kiss a little too much.