Page 4 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

A s soon as she landed at the Texas airport and caught sight of Julie’s smiling face, Taylor’s entire body relaxed.

The air here was fresher, and warmer than the cold, almost nonexistent spring in New York, and now a deep sense of déjà vu set in, recalling the excitement of visiting Julie as a child.

Their summers together, she, Julie, and Coop were the best and they’d nicknamed themselves the Three Musketeers.

Coop didn’t mind playing with girls; he was the most vocal and often dictated the terms.

“Julie, it’s great to see you.” She hugged her cousin tightly. Even though it’d been two years since she’d come to New York for a visit, it was like no time had actually passed between them. They spoke on the phone regularly and FaceTimed often.

“Same here. Oh, we’re going to have a good time, Taye. But first,” Julie said, taking her hands and giving them a loving squeeze, “tell me, how’re you doing? I’m so sorry about the way things turned out at Boutique Bridal. I swear, they don’t know what they’re missing.”

“Thanks, hon. I’ll be okay.” She shrugged. “Dad says one day I’ll be glad about this. He says I’ll find a place where I’m really appreciated. You know, he’s a great believer in destiny.”

“I know. How’s he doing?”

“Going strong. But I still worry about him doing too much at his age.” Her father was a minister and had been living and preaching to his congregation in Florida ever since her mom had passed some five years ago. Knowing him, he hadn’t taken a day off since.

“Still thinks he’s thirty-nine and holding?” Julie asked.

“Exactly.” Her dad was thirty years older than that. “But he’s excited to officiate your wedding.”

“I can’t wait to see Uncle Jay. It’s been too long.”

They retrieved her luggage and the garment bag housing Julie’s wedding gown and off they went, her cousin behind the wheel of a red convertible sports car.

Funny thing, ever since Julie had met Miguel, the grade school teacher in her had become much more adventurous and less timid about things.

Love, she’d said, had a way of changing a person.

But love had eluded Taylor all these years.

Unless she counted that last summer with Coop. They’d been so young, with both of their lives ahead of them. And she’d had to leave. She’d had a promise to keep. To her mom and to herself.

As they motored toward Julie’s farmhouse on the outskirts of Last Stand, they reminisced about their youth and all the changes occurring lately in town.

The car was moving at a fast clip, springtime breezes lifted her hair and sunshine lightened her mood.

She stuck her chin skyward, closing her eyes toward the warmth and laughing at Julie’s stories.

It was easy to forget her troubles here.

She had Simone to thank for persuading her to make this trip early.

“Simone.” She smacked her wrist to her forehead. “Sorry, Julie. Have to text my friend.”

“No problem. Say hello to her for me, will you?”

Her thumbs worked fast, and she sent the message that all was well, she’d landed safely. And after she was through with her message and tucked her phone back into her purse, Julie pulled the car into the driveway. “Here we are.”

“Wow,” Taylor said, taking in the house she hadn’t seen since Aunt Suzie died some seven years ago. “It looks great. But it’s blue, not yellow anymore.”

“Miguel helped me pick out the cornflower blue.” Julie parked the car. “The yellow was faded and we wanted to replace it with something more vibrant.”

“It’s pretty, especially against the white trim and shutters.

” The property was several acres of rolling meadow that once had been farmland.

For three young children spending the summer together, it had been the perfect place to explore.

There was a tree house back behind the barn that Julie’s dad had built.

Was it still there? And what about the gazebo where they’d played endless games? “I really like it.”

“Thanks, we thought we needed a change since Dad’s giving us the house as a wedding present.”

“That’s so sweet of Uncle Zach.”

“Yeah, he’s a doll. He moved into a senior living apartment a month ago. I miss him. But he insisted a married couple needed their privacy and claimed he couldn’t keep up with the house anymore. Personally, I think it’s hard for him living here without Mom. I think he’s enjoying his new place.”

“Change can be good, I suppose,” she said without much enthusiasm.

The changes she’d gone through lately hadn’t been remotely good. But she was going to have to adjust her attitude. She didn’t want to bring Julie down.

“Thinking about your situation?”

“Mmm, trying not to, but every so often, my stomach dips at all the unknowns in my life now. But I promise not to dwell. I wouldn’t do that to you. Besides, I’m stoked about being your maid of honor.”

“I wouldn’t have anyone but you. Come on, I want to introduce you to Muffy.”

“Muffy? I can’t wait.”

“Just hold on to your hat, she’s still a pup and she’s got a lot of energy.”

Julie helped with her luggage and together they entered the house.

Immediately, a blond and white ball of fluff barreled toward them, lifting off on all fours to greet Julie.

Once, twice, three times, until her tongue lagged out of her sweet little fur face and big, round, deep chocolate eyes implored Julie for attention.

Julie dropped the luggage and bent down. “Okay, Muffy. I’m here. Don’t you worry now.” Julie’s soft tone calmed the pup as she absorbed the love. If she was a cat, she’d be purring.

“She’s darling.”

Julie snuggled her. “And a handful and a half.”

Taylor bent to her knees too and rubbed her behind the ears. “Hi, Muffy. I’m Taylor.”

Muffy craned her neck over, darted her tongue out and slurped a wet kiss to her chin.

Taylor chuckled. “You’re fast.”

“You don’t know the half of it. If the door is open, she takes it as a personal invitation and out she goes racing down the street.

I’ve had to chase her down three times this week.

She’s signed up for obedience school after our honeymoon, because she’s a naughty little girl.

” Julie said the last part with the teeniest, tiny loving voice.

“Does she know her way home yet?”

“I wish. But, unfortunately, she has no feline tendencies.”

“Meaning, she gets lost?”

“When she takes off, she’s too excited to know where the heck she is. Luckily, I’ve always been able to find her.”

Muffy sounded like a lot of trouble. But she was adorable, so that made up for some of it.

“Well,” Julie said, picking up the terrier mix and standing, “you must be tired. Do you want to settle in and rest?” Julie glanced at the staircase just off the living room. “Your room’s all ready for you. We haven’t changed a thing.”

Muffy gave Julie another wet kiss.

“Ah, I love that room.” It was a bedroom that overlooked the backyard and the hills behind.

Taylor would stare out that window often, waking at the crack of dawn and waiting for the rest of the family to rise.

Back then, they had goats and chickens. “I’m actually good.

Just let me unpack and I’ll meet you down here and we’ll talk some more. ”

“Oh, I was hoping you’d say that. I’m dying to see my gown. Do you think I could?”

“Well, I don’t usually show my work until it’s all finished.”

Hope died in Julie’s eyes until Taylor grinned. “Kidding. Of course you can see your gown. You can try it on.”

“Oh no. Not me. I’m a hot mess right now. I’ve been running around all day and still smell of crayons, glue and finger paint.”

Julie was a grade school teacher. She did look a bit frazzled at the moment, but in a good way. “Would you mind putting it on for me?” Julie scrunched up her nose. “Just for a sec?”

“You are not a hot mess. But if it’ll make you happy, I’ll model the dress for you. Just remember it’s not finished. There’s a whole lot more detailing that needs to be added.”

“I know. I’m just excited to see it in person.”

“I’ll go up now. Be back down in ten.”

“Sounds perfect. I’ll help you bring up your bags.”

“No need. I’ve got it. Just get ready for my grand entrance.”

Julie nuzzled Muffy’s head. “Did you hear that? I’m getting my very own fashion show,” she told the pup.

And minutes later, Taylor was unpacked and dressed in Julie’s off-one-shoulder Cinderella dress. She had to admit the gown traveled well. So, no worries there. And the veil was a perfect match.

“Ready or not, here I come,” she called out.

“All ready down here,” Julie practically squealed from the base of the stairs.

Taylor began her descent gracefully, the French taffeta fabric parting with ease as she took each step, the train behind her fanning out in grand Scarlett O’Hara fashion.

Tears entered Julie’s eyes and there was no mistaking the emotion on her face.

This was why Taylor loved designing gowns.

This was the big payoff, seeing the joy on the bride-to-be’s face.

She didn’t always get that honor or had the luxury but today, because it was Julie, Taylor was able to witness it firsthand.

“It’s…breathtaking, Taye.”

Taylor made it down the staircase, just as Julie’s cell phone rang. Julie frowned and broke eye contact to glance at the phone on the entry table, clearly unhappy this special moment had been interrupted. “It’s Miguel. I’d better get this.”

Taylor nodded.

“Hi. What’s up… Oh no. Miguel, I’ll be right there. No, don’t call a tow service. I’m coming to get you.”

“What’s wrong?” Taylor asked as Julie put down the phone.

“Miguel’s car died right in the middle of town. Do you mind if I go get him? I shouldn’t be long.”

“You don’t have to ask. Go, get your fiancé. I’ll be here when you get home, not to worry.”

“Okay, thanks! I won’t be long.”

“Take as much time as you need…”

Julie was already heading for the front door before all the words were out.

Julie started up her car in the driveway and took off down the street.

Just as she was ready to head back upstairs, she noticed Julie left the front door ajar.

And then she caught sight of Muffy’s wiggling little blond bottom scooting out the door.

“No, Muffy! No. Come back! Muffy, Muffy!”

The little tyrant didn’t hesitate, not even for a second. By the time Taylor made it to the door, the pup was zipping down the street.

Taylor had no choice. She didn’t have a second to spare as Julie’s words echoed in her ears.

When she takes off, she’s too excited to know where the heck she is .

Taylor couldn’t lose Muffy or, heaven forbid, have something happen to her. She lifted the hem of her dress, and flew down the steps, racing as fast as her legs and French taffeta would let her. Luckily, the dog was in sight, but she didn’t know for how long, Muffy was lengthening her lead.

“Stop, Muffy! Stop!”

The dog raced in the opposite direction of town, to where the street became a country road. Taylor’s heart pounded, her breath came in short, quick spurts. She was losing ground. The dog was getting away. She picked up her pace, fighting dirt clods and hopping over potholes in the road.

Just then, a shiny red pickup truck came up behind her. She untangled the veil from her face as the truck slowed and she glanced into the cab, hoping for a miracle.

And found a handsome Stetson-wearing man checking her out from the very top of her lace veil to the hand-stitched hem of her skirt and everywhere in between. He did a double-take, then his lips lifted in a definite smirk.

If she wasn’t entirely certain who the blue-eyed guy was, the logo on the side door gave it away.

Cooper Construction .

Shoot.

Her heart did a little flip and her throat locked up good and tight. Ryan “Coop” Cooper was so not her miracle. Yet he looked better than her crazy daydreams.

“Hey, Taylor,” he drawled slow and easy-like. “What poor guy are you running away from this time?”