Page 17 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

Coop looked away, and his expression seemed to sour. As if the subject made him uncomfortable.

He inhaled and focused back on her. “I remember, Taylor. Those promises meant a lot to you.”

“Wonder what ever happened to—”

“It was definitely when I promised you I’d grow a beard,” he rushed out.

“I don’t know why I agreed to that. I was sixteen and I remember the guys at school giving me grief for the slim excuse of facial hair growing in peach patches on my face.

” He gave his head a shake. “But damn if I didn’t do it anyway. ”

“I remember. You sent me pictures. I think I still have them.”

“Burn them. Please.”

She grinned and leaned way back on the swing.

“I will not.” She pumped her legs and began swinging again, Coop watching her as she flew through the air, back and forth, back and forth.

After a minute, she took one last full flying swing.

Then she dropped her legs, dragging her shoes across the ground to stop and get off.

Smiling and fully exhilarated, she offered Coop the rope. “Your turn.”

He stared at her a good long moment, something stirring in his eyes. Something that made him change his mind about swinging. “I’m…good,” he said. “I, uh, think we should head back. All this reminiscing is making me hungry. My dad’s probably got something decent cooking on the stove.”

She studied him a second, unsure of his abrupt change of heart. “So, Joe’s a good cook?” she asked.

“I didn’t say that. He’s just better at it than I am. And poor Cass, she doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Well, I could teach her a thing or two in the kitchen while I’m here. If you think she’d like that.”

“She definitely would, but I don’t think so. You’re doing enough already, making her flower girl dress.”

“Yeah, about that. I’m gonna need Cassie to come by for a fitting in a day or two.”

“That’s not a problem. I’ll have my dad bring her by Julie’s after school. Just text me when you need her.”

“Okay, I will.”

“Let’s head back.”

He nodded toward Julie’s house and dark strands of hair fell across his forehead, bringing a warm ripple of awareness to her chest. She wanted to run her hand through the thick mop and put the strands back in place, or mess it up even more.

She wanted to touch his cheek, look deeply into his eyes, kiss him.

She was getting familiar with his moves again, the gestures she’d memorized from one summer to another. His deadly smile, the light in his eyes when something intrigued him, the look on his face when she’d walk into a room. Was she imagining that? Or was it real?

She’d be a fool to fall for him again.

She wanted to promise herself she wouldn’t.

But that just might be one promise she couldn’t keep.

*

Coop climbed down from the cab of his truck and walked toward the back door of the home he’d grown up in.

He’d lived the first seventeen years of his life in Last Stand, and then returned only a year ago to pick up where his father left off with Cooper Construction.

Things just sort of fit, actually, better than he’d imagined.

He was happy with his work and Cassie was happy with the friends she’d made here.

This was a better life for her. She loved Last Stand and she loved living with her grandpa Joe.

Coop had done the right thing by moving back.

So why the heck was he feeling so doggone restless all of a sudden?

Had to be Taylor.

She reminded him of his youth, the summers that went unequalled.

The fun they’d had. Seeing her again brought it all back, and wasn’t he acting like a young fool around her?

Hiding the promise box from her. Gosh, why hadn’t he told her today that he’d found it?

Why was he hanging on to it? Refusing to look inside?

And why on earth did he kiss her today? Sure, he’d been worried about her. Seeing that awful bruise on her forehead had gnawed at him. He hated seeing her hurt. And then she’d gazed up at him with her pretty green eyes, and he was a goner.

He’d always been a sucker for Taylor, but kissing her had come out of left field.

“Daddy!” Cassie came running out of the workshop and raced into his arms.

He lifted her up and twirled her around. “Hi, Cass.” He kissed the top of her head and set her down. “How was school today?”

“Good. I got one hundred percent on my spelling pretest. And now I don’t have to take the real test!”

“Awesome, Cass.” He put up his hand and she high-fived him.

“And we’re working on a poster for the Bluebonnet Parade.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Every class gets to do one.”

“What’s this I see?” He turned her arms over and found blue and yellow smudges. “Last I recall, the paint’s supposed to go on the poster, not your arms.”

She giggled. “I know, Daddy. I’m just not as neat as you and Grandpa.”

He winked at her. “You’re neater than us in other ways.

You pick up your clothes without me having to ask.

And you put your dirty dishes in the sink.

And you make your bed much better than I make mine.

So see, you are neat. Besides, when I was your age, I’d have twice as much paint on me than you did. Maybe three times as much.”

“Really?”

“Really. Hey, how would you like to stop by Julie’s house tomorrow after school?”

“Can I help you with the shed?”

“Well, maybe. But first, Taylor needs to see you. She’s gonna make the prettiest dress for you and she needs you to try it on.”

Cassie put her head down. “Okay.”

“Hey, I told you she doesn’t blame you for anything. In fact, she’s excited to see you again.”

She poked her head up. “Really?”

“Yes, she thinks you’re pretty special. But then, I already knew that.”

Cassie punched him in the arm, a pretty good slug. “You have to say that, ’cause you’re my dad.”

“Ow, girl. Save that slugging for the batter’s box. And, yeah, I guess I have to say it, but it doesn’t make it any less true. C’mon, let’s go in and see what Grandpa’s got cooking on the stove.”

“Are you hungry…as a tiger?”

His eyes widened. Cassie loved playing this game.

“You know I am.” He grabbed Cassie around the middle and lifted her up.

She kicked her legs out and laughed her head off as he tickled her.

“I’ve caught me a pretty delicious tiger right here, just in case Grandpa’s meal isn’t up to snuff, I’ll gobble her up. ”

“No, no, you can’t do that!” Cassie giggled like crazy. “You’ll…lose your very best…first baseman.”

Her laughter filled his heart. There was not a better sound on earth.

“Oh yeah,” he said, finally putting her down. “Can’t do that. I need the star Tiger of the team.”

Cassie nodded, bobbing her head up and down, and then marched into the house with a wide grin on her face.

*

“This is very nice of you, Taye,” Julie said again as they got into her car.

They were off to Lindsey’s apartment to take a look at her wedding gown.

“It’s not a problem. I have the time. Everything is going smoothly here and I don’t mind helping her out if I can.”

“But you haven’t had time to work on your résumé and there’s that job opportunity that sounds perfect for you.”

It did sound perfect for her, but she was dragging her feet and she wasn’t sure why that was exactly.

Was she afraid of failing again? Losing her job had made her gun shy, but she’d never been one to give up.

She’d always found a way to achieve her goals.

So, was she simply burnt out? Maybe she really needed this time to regain her confidence and unclutter her mind.

“I know you’re right. I probably should clean up my résumé and send it out.

I just… I don’t know, I feel a bit off right now. ”

“Off? How?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe I just need this vacation.”

“Vacation? You’ve been working since you got here.”

“Doing what I love to do. So, it doesn’t really count as work.”

Julie pulled up to an apartment building in town and parked the car. “Well, here we are. Lindsey is thrilled you’re coming over.”

“I don’t want to get her hopes up.”

“Just be honest. That’s all you can do.”

They got out of the car and walked through the high Spanish archway of the building. The motif and open-air layout of the two-story apartment complex was so different than the multistory walkup apartments where she lived in the city.

Julie led her to Lindsey’s second floor apartment and knocked. She opened the door right away, a big smile on her face. “Hi, girls! Come in, please. Thanks so much for coming, Taylor.”

“I’m happy to do it.”

“I have wine and chocolate for us. I hope you don’t mind but I invited Nicole to join us. Thought we’d have a little impromptu wedding-party party.”

“Are you kidding? This is great. It’s Miguel’s turn for poker night. He’s having a guys’ night and so, it’s only fair, we have a girls’ night.”

“I’m game,” Taylor said. It gave her one more excuse not to work on her résumé.

Nicole walked out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of assorted cheese and crackers. “I brought snacks too.”

“Nicole, good to see you again,” Taylor said. “And thanks for this.”

Julie echoed her comment. “Yes, thanks for everything, you guys.” She gave both the girls a hug. “You treat us so well.”

“So, what first?” Lindsey asked. “Want some wine?”

Taylor piped up. “I think I’d like to see your gown first. Before the vino goes to my head. Is that okay with everyone?”

The girls all nodded. “Okay, we’ll put the wine on hold,” Lindsey said. “I’m kind of nervous and excited about this anyway. Should I try the dress on for you?”

All three girls chorused, “Yes!”

And then they all laughed.

“Have a seat, you two. Nicole, would you mind helping me?”

“Not at all,” Nicole replied.