Page 18 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

She and Lindsey stepped into the bedroom while Taylor and Julie took a seat.

Minutes later, Lindsey walked, or rather flowed into the living room, showing off her gown.

“This is it,” she said, barely containing her joy.

There was just something about a woman in an ivory wedding dress that made her feel like a princess.

“Stunning,” Taylor said. “I love the cap sleeves and the sweetheart neckline. The satin suits you.”

“It’s truly beautiful, Lindsey,” Julie added.

Nicole held a large piece of a wedding veil in her hands. “I agree, of course. Lindsey, you look amazing. Maybe Taylor can figure out how to add your grandmother’s veil in.”

“Yes, what do you think?” she asked, handing her the voile and lace material. “It’s been ripped, that’s why I only have half of it. So it’s useless as a veil, but I wanted to keep my grandmother’s memory alive somehow.”

Taylor studied the piece, looking at it and then at Lindsey’s dress.

She sat quietly for a moment, three pairs of expectant eyes watching her.

Her mind began churning out ideas, one after another, and once she’d exhausted her supply, she closed her eyes envisioning the dress with her best option.

“Okay, I have an idea, but it requires cutting most of the veil. Lindsey, your dress is simple in design, the folds of gorgeous satin making the key statement, so if we added a little something to it, it wouldn’t be an eyesore and the veil is just ivory enough for it to work.

How would you feel if I made an underlay of your grandmother’s veil around your cap sleeves?

I could stitch it from underneath and either pleat or drape it, depending on what you’d prefer.

You’d see an inch all the way around. And if you like that idea, I might just have enough material left over to do the same around the hem of your dress.

It would have to be hand stitched as well, but I think I could do it. Here, let me show you.”

Taylor demonstrated her idea, using the material and walking Lindsey over to the hallway mirror, showing her how the sleeve would look. “What do you think?”

“I think…yes! I would love that.” Tears welled in Lindsey’s eyes and she reached over to give Taylor a big hug. “Thank you. This is very,” she said, her voice breaking, “important to me. So, yes, to the sleeves and the hem.”

“Well, then,” Nicole said. “Now that it’s all settled, it’s time for wine and chocolate.”

“That’s right,” Lindsey said. “Give me a minute to change and we’ll have our party. In Taylor’s honor.”

“Me?” She pointed to herself.

All three of the girls looked at her with hero worship. She wouldn’t lie, it felt good. Real good.

*

The next morning, Taylor rose early, donned a pair of running shorts and a T-shirt that read “Designers Do It with Style” and then took off jogging.

Last night, she imbibed a bit too much pinot and lost all sense of willpower gobbling down dark chocolate truffles like they were the last ones on earth.

She woke feeling bloated and all around icky.

Now, she was in full redemption mode, promising her body a healthier day.

Water would be the drink of the day. And black coffee.

Morning sunshine beat down to warm her bones and she pushed her sunglasses onto her nose as she began to jog along the sidewalk, Coop’s warning ringing in her ears.

This time she headed toward town drinking in the puffy-cloud sky and fresh morning air as she jogged along Main Street.

She was feeling better already, her stomach unclenching and her head clearing.

As she neared Char Pie, the local pie house, the sound of a truck’s engine purred behind her, its presence on the street giving her pause enough to glance back.

There she found a red truck slowing, matching her strides, and its owner behind the wheel wearing a wide grin.

Coop stuck his head out of the window partly. “I see you’re taking my advice. Sidewalk running.”

“Have to. Rumor has it there’s a crazy truck driver on the road. And he stalks joggers.”

“Stalks?” He laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard.

She laughed too. It was a pretty outrageous statement and she stopped in her tracks. She was feeling too good about her progress to let Coop ruin her day.

He parked his truck on the street in front of her and got out.

“What are you doing here?”

“You mean, aside from stalking you?” His smile could charm the devil.

She gave her head a tilt, trying to ward off the butterflies flapping around in her tummy. “So, you admit it.”

“I’ll never tell.” Then he pointed to the shop. “Actually, I’m picking up turnovers for the guys. Hump day and all. Thought I’d grab a coffee while I’m here. Join me?”

She pushed the strands of hair that had loosened from her ponytail off her face. “I’m a mess. I can’t go in there.”

“You’re not a mess. You look…more than fine.”

The scrutiny he gave her muzzled any response. The way he said “more than fine” birthed more butterflies. Was he actually giving her a sweet compliment? “Come on, I hate to drink alone.”

She sighed and went along with his request. It was easier than coming up with more excuses. “Okay, I guess I could take a break.”

He gave her a triumphant smile and put his hand to her lower back and ushered her inside the shop before she could change her mind. “This okay?” he asked, pulling out a chair at a two-seat café table.

“Sure, it’s more than fine,” she repeated, returning his smile.

“You’re in a good mood,” he said as she sat down.

“You sound surprised.”

“Is Texas finally growing on you?” He sat facing her.

“I’ve always loved Texas, you know that.”

“Yeah I do. It’s a great place to visit, but you’d never want to live here, kind of thing.”

“Coop.”

“Teasing, Taylor. It’s what I do.”

She wasn’t so sure he was, but she let it go. “So how was poker night?”

“You know about that?”

“I can stalk too, you know.” She pursed her lips.

He arched his brows. “Ah, Julie told you. Poker was good. Beers with the guys is always fun even if Miguel won last night. How was your night with the girls?”

“I’m afraid too much vino for me. And I broke the bank on chocolate truffles. So here I am, jogging it off. Or at least trying to.”

“What will you have?”

“Just water for me, please. I need to hydrate.”

“Gotcha. Give me a sec to order, I’ll be right back.” He rose and headed to the counter.

She waited for him, wondering if they could ever just be friends again. Wondering if they could overlook the love they’d once shared and regain their friendship. She’d always valued him, always thought of him and Julie as her besties. But that had been her summer life. Not the real thing.

“Hey, where did your smile go?” he said, sitting down and handing her a glass of water. “You look like you’re doing some heavy thinking?”

“Nope, not really.” She wasn’t going to bring it up. She didn’t want to go there. “Thanks,” she said, taking a few swigs of water. “This is just what I need.”

He tasted his coffee. “And this is just what I need.” But he was looking at her the entire time. His blue eyes were like a magnet, drawing her in, crowding her stomach with flutters.

“So, how far do you run usually?”

“I try for four miles. Sometimes I end up walking the last half mile. I’m not in the best shape.”

Again, his brows rose.

“Hey, I’m not fishing for a compliment or anything.”

“Still, Taye…you’re too hard on yourself. From where I’m sitting, you’re in damn good shape.”

Heat moved up her neck. The way he was looking at her and his compliment rattled her nerves.

Since when did Coop make her so nervous?

Her mind flashed to that last summer when her emotions went crazy and her heart sang only one song.

For Coop. “Thanks. Maybe I should get going…” She pushed her chair out and was ready to stand, when Coop touched her arm.

The slight touch sizzled all the way up to her shoulder.

“Stay a little while longer. I have something to tell you.”

She inhaled a sharp breath.

“It’s about Cassie.”

Oh, good. Cassie was a safe subject. She didn’t think she could handle anything more from Coop right now. Her feelings were in a jumble. She liked him, had always liked him, and those feelings were getting stronger.

“What about Cassie?” she asked, lowering down in the chair.

Coop focused on her forehead, and the bruise that was finally starting to fade. “She really likes you.”

“And I really like her too.”

Coop smiled. “She acts tough, but inside she’s a marshmallow. Soft and sweet.”

Where was he going with this?

“Cass got it in her head that she was to blame for you getting hurt at the ball field. She thinks if she hadn’t invited you, you wouldn’t have gotten injured.”

“Oh, no. Well, that’s not the case at all.”

“I explained that to her and I think she understands, but since you’re seeing her today for the fitting and all, I thought you should know.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you told me. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind when we talk. She’s really a nice young girl, Coop. Not that I have any experience with raising a child, but I can tell you’ve done a good job with her.”

“Pop and I, we try. Still, it’s not the same as having a mother and Francine was so good with her.” He sighed, pain entering his eyes for a moment. “So, what about you? Do you want children one day?”

“Me? Uh…yes. One day, maybe.”

“You mean there’s no boyfriends waiting for you back home?”

She chuckled at the thought. “Boyfriends? As in more than one? I haven’t had a date in over a year, so I’d say they’re not lining up behind my door or anything.”

“That’s hard to believe, Taye.”

“Not really. I don’t meet a lot of new people in my line of work.”

“And you’re too busy to get out there and mingle.”

“Something like that. Honestly, now that I’m jobless, I’ll be searching for work, once I get back.” She had a résumé to revise sooner rather than later. Or Simone would be all over her.

“I have a feeling you’ll land on your feet.”

She gave her head a tilt. “Why?”

He shrugged. “Because that’s what you do. Remember the time you and Julie tried to surprise both of your moms with the perfect peach pie?”

“Don’t remind me. I was in charge of making the crust and I totally blew it. First, I undercooked it, then I overcooked it and burnt the edges. And when I finally thought I mastered the perfect golden brown crust, the bottom turned out to be a soggy mess.”

“Yes, and I benefited from your blunder. I got to eat the mess-ups.”

“You called me Soggy Bottoms for the rest of that summer.”

“I was such a—”

“Jerk?”

His lips twitched and he shook his head. “I was going to say I was such an inspiration to you.”

He was so not going to say that. He was a tease. Always had been. “What are you talking about?” Her voice rose as she chuckled at the absurdity. “An inspiration?”

“Don’t you remember? I made you promise me you wouldn’t give up until you got it just right.”

“Oh yeah, I do remember that now.”

“The very next peach pie you tried to make on your own was perfection. When you promise to get it done, you don’t stop until you do, Taylor. I’ve always admired that about you.”

“I’d had enough practice. After a while, you make all the mistakes you’re going to make, until one day, it all clicks. Of course, I wouldn’t have succeeded without you inspiring me.”

He scrubbed his jaw a few times, eyeing her boldly. “Glad you recognize that.” He smiled, a destroyer, and this time when she rose from the table, he didn’t try to stop her. Thank goodness.

“Off to the races again,” she said.

He rose quickly too. “I’ll see you later.”

Oh, right, at Julie’s. She couldn’t quite get away from spending time with him. “I’ll remember what you told me about Cassie.”

“Thanks. She’s in good hands with you.”

Her chest puffed out a little bit. It was a compliment she wouldn’t question. Coop had a way about him that was sort of…irresistible. Wow. What was going on inside her head these days?

Nothing good, it seemed.