Page 26 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

Taylor felt like a heel and after they left, she excused herself and went to her room, plopping down on the bed.

She just needed a minute alone to gather her thoughts.

But it wasn’t her thoughts that were bothering her.

It was her feelings, coming from deep inside that unsettled her, making her rethink her every decision.

A knock at the door startled her and she sat up straighter.

“It’s me, Taylor,” her dad said.

“Oh, Dad, come in.”

He walked into the room and sat down next to her on the bed. “Hi.”

“Hi.” His presence was always so calming. He had a way of making people feel included and loved. She was always so proud of the work he was doing, the ministry that he helped.

“How’s my little girl?”

“I’m fine, Dad.”

He gave his head a shake and a wisp of thick gray hair fell onto his forehead. “I know that you’re not.”

“Don’t I look happy?” She plastered on a smile.

“To others maybe, but not to me.” He took her hand, entwining their fingers. “What’s wrong, Taylor?”

“Besides the fact that I don’t have a job?”

“Yes, besides that. That little Cassie is awfully cute. And her father couldn’t peel his eyes away from you.”

“Cassie is a doll, and Coop, well, he’s just a friend.”

“Seems to me, it’s more than that. You two have been friends a long time. You’ve had a history since childhood. I can see that something’s there between you.”

“Maybe, I don’t know. There’s so many things in the way. He’s a widower, and very cautious about letting go. He lives here. I live on the East Coast. Right now, I’m jobless. And, well, I made Mom a promise I’d pursue my dreams and be successful. And that’s what I’m trying to do.”

“Sometimes in life, dreams change, honey. Don’t hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else. I don’t have any answers for you. But I will ask you to do one thing and that’s to be honest with yourself. Be true to the woman you are today. Usually, when you do that, things fall into place.”

“Thanks, Dad. I will.”

“Promise?”

He knew what he was asking. This was a hard one to promise. Being honest with herself could mean heartbreak and she might have to face another kind of rejection. But her father was right. She needed to face the truth about herself and her dreams and what she really wanted out of life.

“I promise.”

He gave her hand a squeeze and then placed a kiss to her cheek.

“Dad?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“So am I, honey.”

*

The wedding rehearsal went off without a hitch, and after going through a dry run at the church, the wedding party all returned to Julie’s house for dinner.

Well, except for Cassie and her dad. They’d come to the rehearsal, Cassie doing her part very well, pretending to toss rose petals along the aisle and taking her place next to the bridesmaids up at the altar, but afterward, Coop had taken Cassie home.

He’d told Julie Grandpa Joe wasn’t feeling well and Coop didn’t want to leave him alone for too long.

Besides, it was going to be a long day for Cassie tomorrow.

There was no arguing with those reasons.

At the house, Taylor took over, giving Julie and Miguel a break from any worries about the dinner.

It was their time to shine. Taylor dealt with the caterers, the table rentals and background music.

After a lovely three-course meal of sweet kale salad, walnut chicken divan, roasted baby potatoes and yeast rolls, the bride-to-be stood up and gave a toast. “To my dear family and friends, I’m so glad all of you are here to share this special time with Miguel and me.

We are humbled and love you all very much.

To my father, Zachary, for your love and generosity and for always being there when I needed you.

You are the best father in the world. I love you, Dad. ”

Taylor’s eyes burned with tears ready to be shed. Tears she tried to hold back.

“And to my wonderful uncle Jay, for making the trip to Last Stand to officiate our wedding. Having you marry us means more than you could possibly know.”

A sole tear dripped down Taylor’s cheek. She was a sucker for sentiment.

“To my bridesmaids, Nicole and Lindsey, your friendship has meant so much to me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being in my wedding. You guys know I love you.” Julie put her head down, sighed and then stared straight at Taylor.

“And, lastly, before I turn this over to Miguel, I want to thank my cousin Taylor for being here with me for my special day. She came all the way from New York to help me with our wedding. Our summers together here in Last Stand were special times and as little girls, we’d often daydream about the day we’d marry, planning the day down to very specific details and fantasizing about our dream dress.

Well, my dear, talented cousin, you’ve made my dream come true.

You’ve designed the most beautiful wedding gown for me, and you’ve helped me so much over these past few weeks.

I’ll never forget it. You are truly one of a kind, cousin, and I’m thankful every day I have you in my life. ”

Taylor smiled at Julie, her cousin’s sweet words hitting her heart with enough emotion to open the floodgates.

Tears streamed down her face, streaking her makeup as they dripped onto the floor.

Her shoulders slightly shook. She couldn’t help it.

She was mush inside right now and filled with an abundance of love for her family.

For Julie most of all. Her cousin who was really a sister to her.

Words wouldn’t come. They weren’t necessary. She blew Julie a kiss and knew her cousin would understand all that kiss meant.

After all the toasts were done, Julie handed out gifts to her wedding party.

The girls all received a pair of rose-toned earrings to wear tomorrow for the wedding and the guys received a monogrammed beer stein.

Apparently, it was some sort of private joke between Miguel, his two brothers and his father, who was his best man.

The entire male half of the Herrera family was in the wedding.

It was the way Miguel wanted it. He and his dad had had a rocky road in the past, and according to Julie, having him as best man signified their late, but close bond.

By the end of the evening, after all the guests were gone and Taylor was cleaning up the last remnants of the dinner, dealing with the caterers and straightening up the house, she received a text message from Coop.

Alarmed, her initial thought was of Grandpa Joe.

Why else would Coop be contacting her at this late hour?

But she was wrong. Coop’s text wasn’t about that.

He wanted to see her. Tonight. If she wasn’t too tired.

Too darn curious not to agree, she texted him back right away and waited for him under the dim light illuminating the front porch steps. It was almost midnight and she wondered what couldn’t wait until the morning.

His truck pulled up quietly and he parked alongside the curb under a birch tree. He emerged out of the shadows carrying a rectangular gift box and sat down beside her. He set the box on the porch. “Hi,” he said softly.

“Hi. Is everything all right? Is your dad…”

“He’s fine. He was tired and feeling a bit weak, but he’s sleeping now. I think he’s got a bug of some sort.”

“That’s good to hear. I mean, not that he’s sick but—”

“I know what you mean. He’s getting up there in age and he’s just realizing he’s got to slow down a bit. No more running 5K marathons.”

“Or dancing ’til dawn,” she added, smiling.

“Or speed racing.”

“Or skinny dipping at midnight.”

Coop made a face. “Perish the thought.”

They laughed and Coop got comfortable, stretching his long legs out on the steps.

Taylor sighed, looking out at the few stars in the dark sky. Coop too simply stared straight ahead. It was easy, the two of them sitting here together, saying nothing, just being.

Like old times.

“Can’t believe Julie’s big day is tomorrow,” she said finally.

“Yeah.”

Coop seemed in no hurry to tell her what this was all about. Had he simply wanted to drop off a present for Julie and Miguel?

They sat another minute quietly. It was weird, though the air seemed charged around them, they were both at peace. As if trying to avoid each other these past days had disappeared and they were simply allowing themselves a moment of reprieve.

Taylor opened her mouth, unable to hold back the yawn that forced its way through her lips. It wasn’t the company, but she’d had a long day and her body was calling it quits.

Coop let out a big sigh, then grabbed the gift from the porch. “I thought there’d be a lot going on tomorrow with the wedding and all, so here, Taylor. This is for you,” he said softly, setting the gift on her lap.

“For me? What? Why?” She was baffled, not expecting the gift to be for her.

“Just open it. You’ll see.”

She opened the pretty box and unfolded the paper inside to reveal a collage picture frame. “Oh, Coop.”

“Do you know what it is?”

Tears pooled in her eyes and she nodded, too choked up to speak.

“It’s made from remnants of the gazebo. After we tore it down, I saved some of the better wood.”

“So I’ll always have a piece of the gazebo with me. This is…” She couldn’t put her sentiments to words right now. It was the most thoughtful gift she’d ever received.

“I know how much the gazebo meant to you and Julie. Hers is hanging up in the she-shed as a surprise.”

“Thank…you.” She was moved, touched by his kindness. Touched he’d given one to her and Julie as well. It meant that much more. Taylor’s emotions ran up and down like an out of whack elevator. Theirs was a complicated relationship, but this was…so unexpected.

“I…love…it, Coop. Really. Where did you get these pictures?” There were seven photos in all ranging from when they were six until their teen years.

Beautiful pictures of Aunt Suzie and her mom.

Of her and Coop alone, of the Three Musketeers, swimming, playing, having fun.

Memories that would remain with her always.

“Miguel did some snooping for me. That’s all I’m gonna say.”

She looked into his eyes, saw them gleaming, proud of his work, but also happy he’d surprised her. And right then she knew she was in love with Ryan Cooper. Wholly. Fully. Completely.

She’d tried not to be. Tried to avoid him and protect her heart, but none of that had worked.

How could she not love a man who was a good father and son, a man who was as infuriating as he was kind, a man who’d been hurt too much in life not to shy away from love again?

How could she not love her childhood friend, her teenage sweetheart?

The guy who’d been a constant in her life, even when she didn’t realize it?

“You and Miguel do a lot of conspiring, don’t you?”

He said nothing, simply stared at the joy in her eyes.

She hugged the frame to her chest. “It’s a pretty great midnight gift, Coop.”

“Is it that late?” he asked softly.

She nodded.

“Maybe I should’ve waited until tomorrow, but I wanted to give it to you before you left for New York.”

She blinked. “Oh, I guess you don’t know. I’m not leaving.”

His head snapped back. “You’re not?”

“No, not for a while anyway. I have contracted work here.”

“When did all this happen?” He seemed confused.

“Just a few days ago. I’ll be staying while Julie and Miguel are on their honeymoon. Watching Muffy and working.”

He nodded and smiled. “Okay.”

Okay? What did that mean? Was he happy or disappointed? Or was he already plotting ways to avoid her again?

“I’d better let you get some sleep.” Coop rose then and gave her a hand to help her up. Their faces inches apart, they stared at each other for a moment and then Taylor rose up on tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks again, Coop. It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.”

He nodded and walked away. She saw him smiling until he was swallowed up by the shadows.

Five minutes later, after stashing Coop’s gift in the closet, hidden behind her clothes so Julie wouldn’t find it, she heard Muffy scratching at Julie’s door.

Taylor took a peek and found Julie opening the door for the dog. “Time for bed, Muff,” she said.

“Julie?” she whispered. “You’re not asleep yet?”

“No, too much excitement, I guess.”

“Can we talk? Just for a minute?”

“Sure. Come in.”

The girls sat down on Julie’s bed.

“It’s late and I won’t take but a minute. But I promised you something and now I’m keeping that promise,” Taylor said.

“Gosh, what promise? You’ve already done so much for me.”

“Remember I said you’d be the first to know when I know about my feelings for Coop?”

“Are you telling me now you know for sure?”

She nodded. “I love him, Jules. So much.”

Julie took both of her hands and squeezed until the blood stopped flowing. “I knew it!”

“I’m scared, Julie. Really, really scared.”

“Don’t be. Enjoy the feeling. Revel in it. Love is an amazing thing and I’m happy you finally figured it out.”

“Did I?”

“You will, honey. I know it’ll all work out. Now, it’s time for our beauty sleep. We both have a big day tomorrow.”

“Yes, and I can’t wait. Good night, Jules.”

“Night, my maid of honor extraordinaire.”