Page 24 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

She took off toward the Friends of the Library booth and then spotted Miguel and Julie at the Outlaw Tequila photo booth speaking with Coop and his dad.

Deep in conversation, they didn’t notice her, so she spun around and was making a quick getaway when Cassie’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Taylor, look at me! I’m in the wanted poster! ”

Taylor turned and sure enough, Cassie was posing in a cutout wanted poster, twin gun barrels crossing overhead, labeling her WANTED for $1,000. She was all smiles as the photographer clicked away, taking her photo.

Taylor walked over and greeted them.

“Where’d you go before?” Cassie asked innocently, shuffling away from the cutout. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“You’ve been looking for me?” Taylor bent to her level. “Well, I saw you in the parade, Cassie, and your poster really stood out. I’m proud of your hard work. Tell me, was it fun being in the parade?”

“It was kinda cool. I’m glad you liked the poster. Grandpa helped me with it, but I wrote all the words and did all the coloring.”

“You did a great job, Cassie. And, hey, I like the dress you’re wearing.

” It was a denim overall dress with a bib and straps, and a white T-shirt underneath.

Her hair was separated in two perfect braids, blond bangs coming loose on her forehead.

Even if it wasn’t exactly the most feminine outfit, it was progress and Cassie looked adorable.

Taylor tugged on the denim strap and grinned.

“Daddy took me shopping.”

“You look very pretty.”

“Thanks.”

Taylor stood and smiled at Grandpa Joe and Miguel, keeping her distance from Coop. She didn’t much like how he judged her being with Blake. It was uncalled for.

Cassie slipped her small hand in hers. “Daddy, can Taylor take a picture with us? You said we could take one more picture in the wanted booth.”

Oh, boy, she didn’t want to disappoint the child, but she didn’t belong in a family photo. That was for darn sure. “Oh, well…I don’t know. Why don’t you take one with your dad and grandpa?”

“And you, Taylor. Pleeeze.”

Her sweet, pleading voice traveled straight to Taylor’s heart.

“The three of you go on,” Grandpa Joe said. “I’ve had enough pictures for one day. Go on, Taylor. Coop. Don’t want to let Cassie down now.”

Coop shot his dad a hard look that said he didn’t like his manipulating. Taylor wasn’t thrilled with it either, but Cassie was tugging her hand toward the cutout. And Coop went along with it, presumably not to disappoint his daughter.

“You sure?” he asked softly enough for only her to hear. “Being as it’s a wanted photo, I’m surprised Blake hasn’t dragged you over here with him.”

The smugness of his tone cut deep and she lashed out. “How do you know he didn’t?”

Disbelief stole over his face, as if she’d gotten him good, but then he shrugged. “Nah, ice cream’s more his style.”

How did he know that? “Seems you’ve been spying on me.”

“Get real, Taylor. Cassie spotted you licking at your…waffle cone.”

“Sometimes, Coop, you’re a real jerk,” she whispered.

“You like him?”

“None of your beeswax.”

“That’s real grown-up of you.”

“You’re jealous.”

“Am not.”

“Then why’d you bring it up?”

“Would you two stop bickering like an old married couple and take the darn photo already? Cassie is waiting,” Julie said.

Indeed, Cassie had dropped her hand and run up to the sign, impatiently waiting for them to pose for the picture.

It wasn’t the first time Julie had to break up an argument between the two of them.

One time, it got so bad, Julie pulled out a coach’s whistle and blew it so long and so loud, the neighbors complained.

Her friendship with Coop had spanned both extremes, love and hate, and right now she was edging toward the negative.

Taylor plastered on a smile she didn’t feel for Cassie’s sake, rubbing shoulders with Coop as he fitted Cassie in front of them. All three crowded into the cutout, smiling to the camera as the photographer snapped several photos.

When they were through, Cassie turned, arms wide, and gave them both a big hug. It was sweet, nothing about Cassie wasn’t, but Taylor’s eyes had nowhere else to go but to sink deep into Coop’s baby blues and get lost there.

Her stomach tied up in knots, aching like the devil, and she moved away from him.

“Something wrong, Taylor?” Grandpa Joe asked, his gray brows furrowing. “You’re looking pale all of a sudden.”

She put a hand to her stomach. “I think I ate too much.”

“Those waffle cones will do that to you every time,” Coop stated.

She gave him a look. They were no longer speaking about ice cream and she mentally sighed.

He cared about her, she knew that much, but she had to tough it out, and not give in to the feelings she had for him. Or acknowledge the feelings he had for her. He had been jealous, even if he wouldn’t admit it. But he also wasn’t ready…for anything. And she knew that too.

She lifted her head. “You know what, I’m not going to let a little tummy ache stop me from enjoying the rest of the festival. I think I’m going to try my hand at balloon darts. Miguel, I hear you’re a ringer. Care to take me on?”

“Ah, sure, Taylor. But I have to warn you, I’m a pretty good aim.”

“So am I, when I have the perfect target in mind.” She glanced at Coop and once he caught on, his mouth hardened.

Enough said.

She walked off, feeling just a tad bit triumphant.

*

After the festival, the days flew by with Julie and Miguel’s wedding approaching fast. There was excitement in the air, the she-shed was almost done, and Taylor had put the finishing touches on Julie’s gown.

Taylor had gone to her second baseball game, something she’d promised Cassie, and it had been fun.

The Tigers won the game, and Cassie had been ecstatic, asking her to join the team for pizza afterward.

Taylor declined politely, making up a viable excuse.

She and Julie were in the midst of finalizing the catering menu for Friday night’s rehearsal dinner, which put pressure on Coop and his crew to have the she-shed painted and ready, since the dinner was to be held in the backyard.

And Taylor’s father was due here by Thursday.

She was anxious to see him. He’d never been a part of their summers here, he spent every summer doing missionary work, so he didn’t know Last Stand the way she did.

In a quiet moment on Wednesday evening, while Julie and Miguel were out shopping, Muffy snuggled up close to Taylor on the sofa, resting her blond head on her lap. Taylor gave her ear rubs and lots of hugs, petting her furry coat while Muffy attempted to lick Taylor’s face.

“You’re a good girl now, aren’t you?” True, Muffy had calmed lately, making no escape attempts.

The pup had learned a valuable lesson—the grass wasn’t always greener on the other side.

And she’d learned it quicker than many mere humans had.

Muffy was still rambunctious and overly affectionate, but she couldn’t blame her for that.

Everyone wanted love. And Taylor realized how much she would miss this little ball of fluff when she returned home.

She squeezed Muffy tightly and kissed the very top of her head, between the ears. “You’ve been a good friend, Muff.”

The doorbell rang, and Muffy hopped off her lap and raced to the front door, squeaking out a tiny bark too adorable to be any threat to the person behind the door.

Taylor scooped the pup in her arms and opened the door surprised to see Nicole there. “Hi!”

“Hi, Taylor. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

“Not at all, I was just brainstorming with Muffy and we’ve determined that she likes belly rubs a bit more than ear rubs, but she wouldn’t refuse either one.”

Nicole laughed. “I think she’s a wise little girl.”

“Would you like to come in? Julie isn’t here. The lovebirds are running errands right now.”

“Actually, I came to see you.” She ducked her head and blinked a few times.

Curious, she opened the door wider and stepped aside. “Then definitely come in. Things are quiet here at the moment.” She led her to the parlor and they both sat on the sofa. “Would you like a cool drink?”

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

“I can’t believe the wedding is in a few days. All the preparation. We’re finally coming down to the home stretch.”

“I know. The time went by so quickly. Makes me think how fast my wedding is coming up. Which is…why I’m here. I really hate to ask you this…but Julie seemed to think it’d be all right. I don’t want to impose, but I have a favor to ask.”

Taylor figured it had something to do with her wedding gown. She was getting married in September. “You can ask me anything. If I can do something for you, let me know.”

Obviously relieved, Nicole sighed. “Thanks. It’s just that, I fell in love with one of your designs and I, well, I was hoping you’d be able to make my dress for me.”

“Oh.” Taylor blinked, confused. “I thought you had a dress all picked out, Nicole.”

She shook her head. “It didn’t compare to yours. And I have a special request. That is…if you’re willing.” She lifted hopeful eyes to her.

“What would that be?”

“I want my dress to be pale rose. In your design.” Nicole blew out a breath.

“How about we see the design you’re talking about.” Taylor rose to grab her computer. She opened it and logged on, coming up with the folder holding her designs. “Which one do you like?”

“All of them,” Nicole said, “but this one is me.” She pointed to the third design in the layout, an off-the-shoulder gown and sweetheart neck with a side slit trumpet skirt and a scalloped train.

The gown was perfect for Nicole’s sleek shape.

It showed flashes of skin, but with Nicole’s lithe form, it would look great on her.

“That’s called ‘Chancy.’ Yes, I can see this on you in pale rose. I think it would work nicely.”

“You do?”

“It’s a good choice for you.”

“Do you think you could make it for me?”