Page 6 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

“You’re talented, Taylor,” he said, removing his smile. He meant it.

“I, uh…apparently I’m not talented enough. I got fired,” she blurted. Eyes wide, her hand went to her mouth and the rosy color came back to her cheeks. “I can’t believe I just told you that.”

Voices coming from the front door put them on alert. “Oh no. They’re back. Miguel can’t see this dress,” she told him as she scrambled behind him. “Hide me.”

“Hide you?” What on earth?

Taylor’s arms came around his torso, and she pressed the side of her head to his back. She was using him as a visual blockade. “Isn’t it that the groom can’t see the bride in her wedding gown?”

“I’m not taking any chances with Julie’s happiness,” she whispered.

“Miguel,” she called out. He was almost fully inside the house now. “Close your eyes! Please.”

Julie explained the situation to him and then Miguel answered, “Oooo-kay. Eyes are shut.”

“Walk me to the stairs, Coop. Just in case.”

This was insane, but Coop wasn’t about to argue with a centuries-old tradition.

Even if Taylor wasn’t the bride. They sort of penguin-walked toward the stairs, Taylor tucked safely behind his back, and once she reached the base of the stairs, she made a quick dash.

“All clear,” she called down once she was upstairs and out of sight.

Coop stood there, facing an amused Julie and Miguel.

He shook his head, ignoring the twinkle in their eyes.

And realized nothing much was all clear when it came to Taylor Preston.

*

“Miguel must think I’m a total idiot,” Taylor said to Julie.

She sat at the kitchen table, wearing a pair of white capris and a denim shirt knotted at the waist, sipping iced tea and glancing out the big window in the kitchen. The men were in the backyard beyond the pool area, in deep discussion. Coop’s appointment with Miguel.

“Not at all, Taye. He’s grateful you’re here. It takes the pressure off him to help me with the wedding plans. Now I have you.” She grinned. “And just for the record, he thinks you’re amazing for caring so much about tradition.”

“Really?”

“I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“Well, then. I only feel stupid in front of Coop now.”

“He doesn’t think you’re stupid.”

She lifted the glass to her lips. “I wouldn’t count on that. Why is he here anyway?”

“Miguel’s giving me a she-shed as a wedding present, right there where the old gazebo stands. The gazebo going’s down and the she-shed is going up.”

“Wow, you’re getting your own she-shed. That’s an amazing gift. You’ve always wanted a little library, reading area all your own.”

“Yep.” Julie shrugged. “You know me, always with my nose in a book.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. But I’m sorry to see the gazebo go.”

Julie shot her a knowing look. “Me too. We had fun times playing in it. But it’s old and falling apart now, and that space is perfect for the shed.

Not too far away from the house, and close enough to the twin cottonwoods to supply some shade.

Miguel has one vice, if you can call it that, he likes music.

Loud music. And he figured once we marry and he moves in, it’ll save us arguments.

” She rolled her eyes. “He’s pretty addicted to heavy metal. ”

“Ugh, say no more.”

They looked at each other and laughed. Both of them loved soft country rock. It was as adventurous as they would ever get, musically speaking.

“My admiration for your fiancé just bumped up a notch.”

Julie peered out the window, and seeing Miguel, a soft glow stole over her face. “Yeah, he’s pretty amazing.”

“You two wrote the book on love,” Taylor said. “You’re a good match.”

“Except for his taste in music. So, what about you? Have you been dating anyone?”

“Me? No. I haven’t had a date in at least a year. I’ve been too busy for all the complications of a relationship.”

Julie put a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the table.

It reminded Taylor of old times, when Aunt Suzie would serve them sweets.

Julie set two napkins out. “You know, relationships don’t have to be complicated.

The best ones are sort of simple. I mean, you find the right one and suddenly things fall into place. ”

“In a perfect world.”

“No, in a world where you have your priorities straight.”

Taylor bit down on a cookie and all sorts of good things happened in her mouth. “These are fantastic. Your mom’s recipe?”

“Of course. Hey, I saw how you changed the subject. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“Okay, guilty as charged, but the cookies really are delicious.”

“Thanks. So, what did you think of Coop?” Julie asked matter-of-factly.

“Coop? I’ve only spent a few minutes with him. Chasing Muffy.” She rolled her eyes. “And using him as a human shield. Made quite an impression, I’m sure.”

“You two were best friends once upon a time. Yet, you rarely asked about him or wanted to know what was happening in his life. And, remember, it’s me you’re talking to.”

Meaning, no bluffing. “I didn’t ask about him, because…well, there was no reason to dredge up the past. We’d fallen in love on my last summer here and it was absolutely dreamy. First loves and all that. But the hard truth is I left him for my career and I know I hurt him.”

“You were just kids, Taye. Hardly grown up enough to know what you were feeling.”

“Are you saying I didn’t break his heart?”

“Uh, well…” Julie’s voice surged up an octave. “That did happen.”

“See? I spent quite a few years feeling horrible about that. And after coming back here, he’s the first person I run into.”

“Must be fate,” Julie teased.

“Must be small towns. Hardly a day goes by when you don’t run into somebody you know. It was what made Last Stand so different than New York. Everyone seems to know each other. Everyone is friendly. Not so much in my town.”

“Personally, I’m glad Coop’s back,” Julie said. “He and Miguel hit it off right away when Coop returned last year. He’s a really good friend and…”

“And?”

“And quite a hunk.”

“I haven’t noticed.” Those big strong arms, wide shoulders and blue river eyes.

Julie bit into another cookie. “Okay, have it your way. But just think how cool it would be if you two—”

“Uh-uh. Don’t even go there. I’m here for your wedding and to figure out my next career move…that’s if I even have a career anymore.”

Miguel and Coop walked into the kitchen. “Wow, smells like your mom’s famous chocolate chip cookies in here,” Coop said. “Am I right?”

Julie pointed to the empty seats at the table. “Sit down and find out for yourself. I’ll get you some iced tea.”

“I won’t say no,” Coop said, taking a seat. “Mind if I take one home for Cassie?”

“Sure. I’ll pack you a goodie bag before you leave,” Julie said. “Give some to your dad too.”

“Thanks.”

“So,” Miguel began, taking the last seat at the table. “Looks like Coop is ready to break ground in two days.”

“Two days? That’s great news,” Julie said, pouring two glasses of iced tea. “I’m pretty jazzed about it.”

“Yeah, first thing we’ll do is get the demolition crew to take down the gazebo.”

Taylor locked gazes with him and, for a brief moment, she knew what he was thinking, what she was witnessing in his eyes.

Over the years, the gazebo had become something special to them—the promises they’d made to one another, the place they’d first kissed.

The place they said their heart-wrenching final goodbye.

All of that flashed between them, a lightning rod of memories striking with quick precision.

And then, it was gone, as quickly as it had come as both looked away.

“Coop will have it up before the wedding, honey,” Miguel said.

“I hope to. If the weather holds. We should have it done in a couple of weeks.”

“Really?” Julie asked.

He shrugged. “Can’t see why not. We’ve got all the plans approved and permits are in order.”

Julie turned her way. “Miguel has been working with Coop behind my back, making sure it was doable before he told me about it.”

“Yeah, this guy’s making the rest of us mere mortal men look bad,” Coop said.

“I can see that,” Taylor said. “Julie loves to be surprised.”

“I do. I really do. Don’t all women?”

Miguel looked at her. “Do you like surprises, Taylor?”

“Only the happy ones. I mean I was surprised today when Muffy ran away. That wasn’t such a good surprise. I didn’t know what to do but run after her. Gosh, I still feel badly about that.”

“It all ended well,” Julie said graciously.

“Because Coop came to the rescue,” she added.

Gosh, she could’ve ruined Julie’s gown if he hadn’t come along when he had. The only saving grace was that she would’ve worked night and day to sew a whole new one. Luckily, it hadn’t come to that.

Seeing Coop was a big surprise too. Even though Taylor knew he’d moved back to town, she hadn’t expected to see him while wearing Julie’s wedding gown during the Great Muffy Chase.

Coop stuffed another cookie in his mouth and then pushed back his chair. “Well, I’d best get going.” He glanced at his watch. “Cassie’s got a ball game in an hour. And a coach has to do what a coach has to do.”

“Does Cassie play soccer?” Taylor asked. She’d never played sports during the school year, but during the summers, they’d kick around a soccer ball.

“Nope, she plays first base,” Coop said, unable to hide his pride.

“Softball?”

“She’s on a boy’s baseball team.”

“She’s one of the best players on the Tigers,” Miguel added. “That little girl can hit.”

Coop smiled. “She gets it from her father.”

“And her coach,” Julie added with a wink.

“I’d best be going. Coach can’t be late to the game.”

And with that Cooper left the kitchen.

“Oh, shoot,” Julie said, “I forgot to give him the cookies. Taylor, would you mind?” she said, setting a bunch of cookies onto a paper plate and covering it with plastic wrap. “Go give this to him, before he takes off.” Julie shoved the plate in her hands.

She had no time to refuse. Miguel was right there, he could’ve done it, but Julie’s agenda was glaring and brightly written all over her face.