Читать книгу Saved By A Texas-Sized Wedding - Judy Christenberry, Judy Christenberry - Страница 10

Before Suzanne could pull herself together to respond to Samantha’s offer, Jessica stood and leaned over to whisper in Cal’s ear. He stood also, and followed her from the table.

Everyone stared at Samantha.

“What’s going on?” Mac asked.

“Is something wrong?” Ryan asked.

Suzanne didn’t ask anything. She thought she might even be able to guess what had just happened. She waited.

“So, is everything ready for the wedding?” Samantha asked. That took Suzanne by surprise. “How did you—”

“Florence is my mother-in-law.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize everyone was connected in this town.”

“Yes, I’m afraid so. Have you figured out what to wear yet?”

“No. I’m not even sure I can go through with it,” Suzanne said without thinking.

Ryan protested indignantly, “Hey!”

“You said we could discuss it again!” she reminded him. “I don’t think marriage is necessary.”

“I don’t know,” Mac said slowly. “We’re a pretty conservative town. Living together isn’t very accepted.”

Suzanne turned a bright red. “No! I mean, I intended to be his housekeeper, but I would go home to the children’s house each night.”

“It won’t work,” Ryan said flatly, staring at her.

“I still don’t see why,” she said.

“Because of the kids. They all need a permanent situation to make them feel safe,” Mac said. “And you need a permanent solution to the ranch problem. Cal told me that you fired all your men and hadn’t found anyone to replace them.”

She knew he was being kind in not adding that she wouldn’t know a good cowboy from a bad one.

“Yes, but—okay, maybe you’re right, but what if Ryan meets his soul mate next year, when he’s married to me? What happens then?”

“Well, he can divorce you. In which case, hire me as your divorce attorney and we’ll strip him bare,” Mac promised, with a chuckle. Everyone laughed except her and Ryan.

Cal and Jessica returned to the table, and Jessica asked, “What are you laughing about?”

“We’re planning how Suzanne and I will take Ryan to the cleaners if he tries to divorce her next year,” Mac explained cheerfully, as if that were normal conversation.

Jessica looked at each of them. “Oh. But he’s a very nice man, Suzanne. Are you sure you want to divorce him?”

“You didn’t hear about him and Lola? I thought gossip was rampant in Cactus,” Suzanne said, getting into the spirit of the conversation.

Jessica looked from Suzanne to Ryan and said, “Oh, you and Lola, huh? I’m on your side, Suzanne.”

“Wait a minute. It was Lola’s fault!” Ryan protested, going along with their teasing. “She seduced me!”

“Just like a man,” Suzanne said, “always blaming it on the lady.”

Everyone chuckled.

“But seriously, Suzanne, have you figured out what to wear?” Samantha asked again. “Because we all have dresses and we’d be glad to loan you one.”

“Well, I do have a very nice cream suit. Would that do?”

“A suit?” Ryan asked, unhappy with her choice.

“Yes. It’s a nice suit.”

“I think that sounds lovely,” Samantha said. “And I have a cream hat with a small veil. I’ll bring it out to you tomorrow after office hours.”

“Oh, thank you, Samantha.”

“Who are you going to have as your maid of honor?” Jessica asked. “I’ll volunteer. After all, I’ve known you five minutes longer than Sam.”

“I’d be pleased if you would,” Suzanne said, feeling much better.

“What’s your favorite color?” Jessica asked.

“Blue,” Suzanne replied, careful not to look at Ryan’s eyes. She certainly hadn’t chosen that color because of his eyes. Of course not. “Could Mandy and Beth be flower girls? And Josh the ring bearer?”

“Perfect!” Samantha said, clapping her hands. “Now, we need someone to give you away. Cal? You’re the law in these parts. Do you feel up to the job?” She suddenly turned serious. “Unless your father…” she said, looking at Suzanne.

“No. If Cal doesn’t mind, that would be wonderful.” She looked at Ryan, who seemed uninterested in their discussion. “Who will your best man be, Ryan?”

“Well, I was going to ask Mac, but if he’s going to be your divorce attorney, I don’t know.” Ryan lifted an eyebrow in her direction, drawing attention to his blue eyes.

“Oh, all right, I’ll find another divorce attorney.”

“You can have Alex. She’s a damned good attorney. And she’s my partner.” Mac looked at Ryan. “You may regret that decision, because Alex might be even more vicious.”

“Naw. I’d rather have a male attorney. Besides, there won’t be a divorce,” Ryan said.

“By the way, I ordered for us when Cal and I were in the kitchen. We have something to celebrate tonight,” Jessica said, changing the subject. “We’re having another baby.”

Even Suzanne cheered that announcement. It was clear how much they cared about each other.

“Cal said no more babies, but I wanted to have a little girl. So keep your fingers crossed for us.”

They all cheered. Dinner was much more enjoyable than Suzanne had expected. When they left to head home, she felt that she had made two good friends. In the truck she said, “Everyone is so friendly here.”

“You met some of Cactus’s best people tonight. There are some others, too. We all went to school together,” Ryan said. “I was a few years behind them. And then I married Tiffany.”

“Is that Beth’s mother?”

“Yeah.”

“Beth is such an old-fashioned name compared to Tiffany.”

“That’s because Tiffany didn’t have any interest in naming our baby. She was mad because she’d gotten pregnant. I named her after my mother.” The bitterness in his voice was clear.

“I’m sorry,” Suzanne murmured.

“You’d better be good to Beth. She’s suffered enough because of her mother.”

Suzanne turned in the seat to stare at him. “The same goes to you. You’d better be good to Josh and Mandy, too. They’re great kids but they need a daddy to love them.”

“All right. So we’ll each be a parent to the kids, okay? See, things are working out, aren’t they?”

Suzanne swung around to stare out the truck window. She hadn’t set out thinking she’d actually marry Ryan, but somehow the evening had been spent planning their wedding, two days away. “I guess so,” she said softly with a sigh.

“Good.” He replied and neither of them spoke again the rest of the way home.

The children were very tired and a little unsettled that Suzanne and Ryan were out after dark. Suzanne sent Josh off to the main bathroom while she took Mandy to the other one for a quick bath after telling Ryan and Beth goodnight.

“Did you have fun tonight?” she asked Mandy.

The little girl leaned against Suzanne’s arm and said, “I like Beth.”

“Good. I think you’ll get to play with her a lot soon.”

“Okay,” Mandy said, her eyelids slowly going lower. Suzanne got her out of the bath and dried her off. She felt bad about not telling the children about the wedding. But she wanted to wait—to be sure it would really happen. It seemed so make-believe to her.

THE PHONE STARTED ringing early the next morning. Jessica had decided to throw her a shower. Suzanne was stunned. “But Jessica, the wedding is tomorrow.”

“I know. That’s why we’ll have the shower tonight. Melanie and Alex are going to help me. You haven’t met them yet, but you will this evening. It will be fun.”

“But I don’t know anyone here!”

“Maybe not, but most everyone knew Mary Lee and Rodger. We liked them both. And we’re glad the kids will have a good home. So just think of it as a tribute to your cousin and her husband. Does that make it easier?”

With tears in her eyes, Suzanne agreed. What else could she do? “Thank you. That’s very sweet of you.”

“Okay. Ryan will pick you up at seven. Bring Mandy and Beth with you. It’s a girl thing. Ryan will take Josh with him to the bachelor party.”

Suzanne was stunned by that statement. “Don’t you think Josh is a little young for a bachelor party?”

“These bachelor parties are different. They meet at the restaurant and play darts. Ryan will take care of him.”

“If you’re sure.”

After the phone call, Suzanne found a pretty dress in her city wardrobe that would be fine for the party tonight. Then she checked Mandy’s closet. The only party dress Mandy had turned out to be outgrown. She called Ryan.

“Does Beth have a party dress?”

“Uh, I don’t think so. Why?”

“Because they’re giving me a shower tonight and the girls are supposed to go with me. Mandy needs a new dress. I thought I’d drive into town and see what I can find. Shall I buy one for Beth, too?”

“Would you know what size?”

“Of course not. I would need Beth to go with us.”

“Uh, okay. You want Josh to stay here with me?”

“I don’t think he has anything to wear either. Would I be able to find a suit for him?”

“Maybe. But nice slacks and a white shirt would be dressy enough.”

It suddenly occurred to her to ask about his wardrobe. “You are wearing a suit tomorrow, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am. They were just joking about me being a heathen, Suzanne.”

“Would you have Beth ready in about half an hour?”

“Yeah.”

She should’ve checked with Mac about the children’s allowance before now. Looking in Mandy’s closet reminded her that Mandy would need more clothes. She’d apparently just had a growth spurt. When she announced to the children they were going into town with her to get new clothes, Mandy clapped her hands, even though Suzanne wasn’t sure she understood what she was going to do. Josh frowned at her.

“Why?”

“Mmm. Well, I have something to tell you. Mr. Walker and I are—are going to get married tomorrow.”

Both children stared at her. Josh finally said, “What happens to us?”

“Sweetheart, you’ll come with me wherever I go. We’re family. We’re just going to have a larger family. You and Mandy and Beth will be our children.” No response. She asked, “Will that be okay?”

“So we’ll live in his house?”

“Yes.”

“Who will live here?”

That question hadn’t occurred to Suzanne. “Josh, I don’t know. I suppose we could rent it out, but—we’ll ask Mr. Walker, I mean Ryan, when we go pick up Beth.”

“We’re going to take Beth with us?”

Uh-oh. “Don’t you like Beth?”

“She’s bossy.”

“We’ll work things out. But she’s used to being an only child. It may take her a little while to get used to having a brother and sister.”

Suzanne tried to discuss cheerful things after that. But when they got to Ryan’s place, she remembered Josh’s question. “Ryan, who will live in the house on our place?”

“I was going to ask you about that. I’ve got a good man who deserves to be manager. But I’ve already got a manager. I thought I’d make him manager of that land and let him and his wife live there. They’re expecting a baby soon and don’t have much room where they’re living. Would that be all right?”

“Yes, of course. Did you hear, Josh? Some people who are going to have a new baby.”

“A boy baby?”

Suzanne looked at Ryan. He squatted down in front of Josh. “Yeah, Josh, they’re having a boy baby. Another cowboy.”

“Good. My daddy was going to teach me to be a cowboy. But now he can’t.” Josh’s sad eyes almost made Suzanne break into tears.

Ryan, however, took care of the situation. “No, he can’t, but I can. Want me to teach you?”

“Even how to ride?”

“Well, of course. Riding is the first thing to learn.”

“Daddy said it was too dangerous for me to learn now.”

“But you’re older now. You’ll take to it right away. After things have settled down, I’ll show you how.”

“I can ride,” Beth announced, looking triumphantly at Josh. He scowled in return.

“Beth rides with me some. But I’ll teach you together.”

Though Suzanne was concerned about the safety factor, she was grateful for Ryan’s offer to Josh. “That’s very good of you, Ryan,” she whispered before leaving with the children.

“It’s no better than you taking Beth shopping.” He opened his billfold. “Here’s some money.”

“No. I’ll charge it and you can pay me back later. I don’t know how much it will be.” Besides, she would pay for her own wedding. Even if she didn’t want one.

Four hours later, she knew Beth a lot better, including her stubbornness, which Suzanne was sure she got from her father. But overall, she was a sweet little girl who played well with Mandy. In fact, Beth acted like Mandy’s mother, and Josh tried to corral both of them. Suzanne found herself looking forward to spending time with all three children.

She’d found the girls dresses for the wedding, matching pale-blue dresses. And she’d bought them simpler dresses for the shower this evening. When she told Josh he’d be going with Ryan, he hesitated. Then he asked, “Ryan won’t mind?”

“Of course not. Maybe he’ll show you how to throw darts.”

That cheered him up.

She bought fast food for dinner, since she wouldn’t have time to cook, clean up and get dressed for the shower. Not and get three children ready. She suggested Beth stay with them to get ready. Suzanne promised to fix her hair for her. “If we have time, I’ll even paint your nails.”

Beth was awed by that offer and if Beth liked it, Mandy clapped, too. Suzanne made a special note to paint nails.

At last they were all dressed in their new dresses and Josh in nice slacks and a blue dress shirt. At the very moment Suzanne thought she should maybe call Ryan, he knocked on the door.

Beth ran to the door, dying to show off to her father. When she opened the door, she beamed up at him. “Look at me, Daddy! Aren’t I pretty?”

“Beth, a lady should wait until a man compliments her. Then she thanks him,” Suzanne pointed out, but she was smiling.

“Okay, Daddy, tell me.”

Ryan scooped Beth up and obliged. “You are absolutely beautiful. And Mandy is, too.”

“Look at my nails,” Beth said, practically sticking them in her father’s eyes. Mandy, standing on the floor and looking at the man and her new friend, held up her nails for him to see, too.

Ryan dipped down and picked Mandy up with his other arm. He admired her nails as well, telling her she looked beautiful also. Suzanne drew a shaky breath. Damn the man. He always knew what to say to the children. He was a good daddy.

“Hey, Josh, don’t tell me you got your nails painted too?”

“No, sir. That’s girl stuff.”

“Yeah, but you do look nice tonight. So everyone’s ready to go? Even Mom?”

“Susie,” Josh snapped. He always insisted she be called by her name and not Mama or Mom. She hadn’t warned Ryan because it hadn’t occurred to her that he’d call her such a thing.

“Susie? I like that name, Josh. Think she’ll let me call her that, too?” Ryan asked, giving nothing away with his smile.