Page 19 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

“H ere you go, Cassie.” Taylor lifted the flower girl dress to the little girl wearing a T-shirt and ripped jeans. The sewing machine and her supplies were taking up residence in Julie’s dining room. “How do you like it?”

It was the same shade of pink as the bridesmaid dresses, but with a few more ruffles and lace added. Taylor loved working on this dress, but Cassie was showing little enthusiasm.

“It’s pretty,” she said finally.

Muffy was at her feet, wagging her tail, waiting for recognition. Not even the cute pup could pry a smile out of Cassie.

“Why don’t you go into the bathroom and try it on. Then I’ll see if I need to make alterations.”

“Okay.” She marched away, head down.

“Let me know if you need any help,” Taylor called after she heard the door click shut.

Then she focused on the pup, picking her up and tucking her close to her chest. Muffy wasn’t used to being ignored.

“Come here, Muff.” Taylor stroked her under the chin and ran her hands through her fluffy fur.

She whispered softly, “Something’s wrong with our little friend.

I think we need to find out what it is, don’t you?

” She set Muffy down and the pup circled an area in the corner of the room a few times before lying down, chin on her paws.

And a minute later, Cassie stepped out of the bathroom, the dress hanging off her shoulders.

“Here, let me zip you up in the back.”

Cassie turned around and Taylor zipped her up. “There, better. Don’t you look pretty,” she said, guiding her around to face her.

Cassie shrugged. “I guess so.”

Taylor studied the dress from all angles. “Looks good, but I think it might need a little tuck at the waist. I think the length is just fine.”

Cassie didn’t say a word.

“Hey, I wanted to thank you for inviting me to the baseball game the other day,” Taylor said. She hadn’t planned on bringing it up, but apparently something was still bothering Cassie and she wanted to ease her mind. “I really enjoyed it. Grandpa Joe taught me a little about the game.”

“But you got hurt,” Cassie said, stealing a quick glance at her fading bruise.

“Just a little bit and it doesn’t hurt at all. It was my own fault. I should’ve paid more attention when people shouted ‘heads up.’ Next time, I’ll be more careful, that’s if you’re willing to invite me again.”

Cassie gave her a slight smile. “Sure. We have a game next week.”

“And I’ll try to come. Would you like that?”

Cassie nodded.

“Wonderful then. Be sure to tell me when, okay?”

“I will.”

“Now it’s time for me to get to work. It’ll just take a few minutes.”

She put her hands upon Cassie’s shoulders and spun her around. “Here, hold completely still. I’m going to put a few pins where I need to tighten up the waist a bit.”

Taylor concentrated on pinning her, feeling Cassie’s tension come through the material of the dress. There seemed to be something more bothering Cassie and she hadn’t a clue what it could be.

“Cassie, don’t you like the dress?”

“I…do.” She practically spit the words out and then put her head down.

“Are you sure?”

“It’s just that…”

“Do you want to be a flower girl?”

“I thought I did. And Julie is so nice to me. But…” She shrugged, obviously struggling with something.

“But what, honey?” Taylor looked her in the eye, trying to assure her. “You can tell me.”

She was ready to accept anything Coop’s daughter had to say.

Cassie teared up, her eyes filling with moisture. “I don’t wear dresses ever. People will laugh at me when they see me in this.”

Stunned, Taylor didn’t know what to say initially. And she chose her words wisely. “I know you are more comfortable in your jeans and play clothes, so am I. But sometimes, we have to dress up for special occasions. Julie and Miguel’s wedding will be a special day, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you know everyone there will also be all dressed up?”

She nodded.

“Cassie, you do look very nice in this dress. Very flower-girlie and I think you’ll surprise some people in a very good way when they see you wearing this.”

Her eyes brightened. “You do?”

“Yes, I really do. And you know what my mama told me when I was about your age and feeling embarrassed about performing a dance in my ballet recital? She told me it doesn’t matter what the rest of the world thinks, just so long as you hold close to your heart the ones who really love you.

And I happen to know many people love you, Cassie. Can I show you something?” she asked.

Cassie nodded and Taylor pulled out the heart-shaped locket she kept tucked underneath her blouse.

“My mama died some years ago and when I get to feeling a little bit scared or unsure, I remember my mom is always near, and it gives me courage. See,” she said, pressing the latch and opening the locket to expose a photo of her mom holding her as a baby.

She’s here with me. I’ve been wearing it every day since I left New York. ”

“It’s pretty,” Cassie said. “My mom died too. When I was five.”

“I know, and she’s someone you hold close to your heart, right?”

“Yes.”

“Cassie, maybe you have something that gives you courage. Can you think of anything? And it can’t be your baseball mitt.”

Giggles rose up from Cassie’s throat and the sound swept straight through her. At least she could make the little girl laugh.

“I know that,” Cassie replied.

“It should be something special that you could wear or hold on the wedding day. Something that will give you super flower girl powers.”

A thought struck and her eyes grew wide. “My daddy has a necklace that was my mommy’s. He says I can wear it when I get older. He takes it out and lets me hold it sometimes. It’s a heart too, with rubies around one diamond.”

“It sounds very beautiful.”

“It is. The prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Well then, I think your daddy would surely allow you to wear it on Julie and Miguel’s special day. Do you think that would give you strength?”

“I think so. If Daddy lets me wear it.”

“Would you like me to ask him?”

She smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

“Then I will.”

Joy entered Cassie’s eyes. Then she lurched forward and wrapped her arms around Taylor’s waist. The hug was unexpected and loving and so surprising, it took Taylor a second to recognize what was happening.

But that didn’t stop tears from pooling in her eyes as she returned the hug with a big squeeze.

Coop was right, Cassie was a special kid.

With super flower girl powers.

*

Coop was pleased with the progress on the she-shed.

The siding was up, and the windows would be going in after that.

This was one of the easiest projects he’d engaged in, but it was also very special and he wanted everything just right for Julie.

She’d been a dear friend all these years.

And he and Miguel had become instant buddies when they’d first met.

Coop walked around the entire building, checking out the workmanship.

As he rounded the corner and glanced at Julie’s back door, he spotted Cassie coming out, a big smile on her face.

She was eating a cookie, and Taylor was behind her holding a tray.

The women of the house always made sure the crew was well-hydrated.

This time, it looked like icy cold lemonade.

He didn’t know which was more appealing after a hard workday, the lemonade or the woman delivering it.

Taylor had a big smile on her face too and it was impossible for him to pry his eyes away.

“Take a picture, boss. It’ll last longer.” The oldest and most experienced of his crew, Toby Greene, was too damn observant.

Coop didn’t like getting caught. Was he that obvious? And so what if he was? “I’m looking at my daughter, bub.”

“If you say so.” Toby grinned and began whistling a tune.

Coop sent him a warning glare, before returning to his inspection.

“Hi, Daddy.” Cass came up beside him, hard hat sitting low on her forehead.

“Hi, Cass. Looks like you scored a big cookie.”

“Taylor said only if it was okay with you. And I told her it was.”

“Did you now?”

She nodded and took another big bite of her cookie. “It’s okay, right?”

He chuckled at his daughter. The cookie was three quarters of the way gone already. He put his hands on his hips. “And what if I said it wasn’t?”

“It’s my after-school treat, Daddy. You never say no to that.”

The kid was right. He didn’t deny her much. He cut her a lot of slack, as long as it was harmless. Out of guilt. Because she was motherless. It hurt in his gut every time he thought about it.

“And how was school today?”

“Pretty good. I beat Manny Lopez in a relay race.”

“I bet that was fun. Were you a good sport about it?”

“I guess so. I told him he was fast too.”

“That’s my girl. Is Grandpa Joe here?”

“Nope, he dropped me off after he spoke to Taylor.”

That brought his gaze back to Taylor, sitting at the patio table, speaking on her cell phone. She seemed animated, laughing with someone on the other end.

“And did all go well with the dress fitting?”

“Yes, but, uh, Taylor has something to ask you.”

“She does? Looks like she’s busy now.”

Cassie glanced over at the patio table too. “She’s talking to Blake Charles. I heard her say it was sweet of him to call.”

“Sweet, huh?” Something pinged inside, a flash of emotion he wasn’t used to feeling.

Blake had had the biggest crush on Taylor in those final summers.

He’d been a bit shy with Taylor and had never really gotten up the nerve to say much to her, but his big moony eyes told another story.

They followed her around, dogging her every move.

Coop had never really liked the guy. Now he owned and operated Charles Realty, a surprisingly successful business in the county.

Taylor sure seemed to be enjoying herself talking to him, her laughter spilling over to irritate his ears.

Coop removed his hard hat and ran his hand through his hair. He took a kerchief out of his back pocket and wiped at his face a few times.

“Daddy, can I help?’