The Cowboy Takes a Bride Read online

  Sabrina cringed.

  As Meredith shook her head, a lone tear escaped. “I’m more willing to take a chance on finding happiness with a stranger than I am with my father. How sad is that?”

  Sabrina handed her a tissue and then squeezed her shoulder. “I know this is a giant leap of faith for you, Meredith, but let me show you something.” She gestured to the walls. “Look at these pictures. These were all clients of mine. They found the love and happiness they were seeking. I know the folks posed for photos, but before I matched them, they were alone. Some were scared the life they were living was all they were going to get. Now they have this.” She did a broad sweep of the wall. "You can have this."

  Could she really? Meredith wasn't sure. It was hard imagining how this could be hers. Yes, she'd once wanted what these people had—a loving family. Meredith stared at one picture in particular. It was a family of four. The husband had a child on his shoulders, and the wife stood behind a second, older child and next to her husband. The camera caught them during an exchange, and the look passing between them, forever captured, was full of love and…familiarity. She could never have this. Not with her situation the way it was. She didn't see how it could happen. Sadness squeezed her heart and left her breathless.

  “I’ll let you get to it then,” Sabrina said. The clicking of her heels faded away into the background as Meredith continued to stare and wonder about the couple, their story, and what brought them together.

  She knew she couldn't ask for everything—freedom, a life, and a family, but what she could ask for was being happy with what she got. To not ache for more. She made a silent prayer, and if her mother was listening asked, “Please, I only want my own life. I promise to be happy with that.”

  Chapter 7

  Sabrina’s statement about getting a lot done in a short time was no joke. It had been Meredith’s fault the process had stretched into the late hours of the night. Once she got to talking to the spiritual advisor, it had opened a floodgate of pent-up emotions and fears. Following a well needed cathartic cry, Meredith had ended the night with a glass of wine and some laughs with Sabrina.

  She knew the sex therapist was part of the process but, mercy, some of the questions were embarrassing. Confessing she was a virgin had been the worst, and talking with a complete stranger, albeit a nice motherly sort of stranger, about the stages of romance and how to claim a satisfying experience for both parties had nearly done Meredith in.

  Hence the wine.

  And the laughter.

  She’d fallen into bed with the sudden awareness that, for all the stress the day brought, not a single headache or hint of one was had. No doubt, she was in a better headspace. Talking out her fears helped release some of the pent-up angst she was carrying. It made that out-of-control feeling dissipate, and in its place came a more focused grasp of her purpose. Talking about sex, however, made her freak the hell out. How naive she'd been to not even think about having sex with this man. Surely he wouldn't expect sex right away

  The following morning, the evaluation process behind her, she held the freshly toasted slice of wheat bread with melted butter and promptly lost her appetite.

  “We leave this evening.” Sabrina said in her singsong, sugared voice as she cut a grapefruit in half. “Tomorrow is the big day. Did you want to pick up a dress before we go?”

  “So soon?” Meredith slid the bread back on the plate. Intellectually, she had expected the quick turnaround, emotionally she wasn't ready.

  Sabrina smiled softly and slid into the chair across from her. “I know this is scary, but I want to get you out of town as soon as we can. I worry we overlooked something, and your father will find you.”

  Meredith shook her head. “He won’t start looking until tomorrow. Earliest.”

  “If everything goes as planned. But why postpone the inevitable? This is what you said you wanted to do. So let’s do it. It’s time to embrace your new life. Open up your hands, and let this life go, Meredith, and while your hands are open, keep them that way so you can receive a new one. You’re getting married.”

  Marriage. There had been no dating that led to falling in love. No heated kisses or going further than that. Is this what it was like all those years ago when marriages were arranged, each person getting something from the deal? Funny how little the premise of an arrangement had changed, if it had at all. Meredith was curious to what her groom was getting out of the situation.

  Dr. Fleming, the spiritual advisor had asked her what she thought of marriage. Truth was she had stopped thinking about it altogether a few years back. Her primary examples had been her parents and her grandparents, but they were the memories and perspective of a child.

  Dr. Fleming said she was in the perfect place for a marriage. Her expectations weren’t based on how she’d seen someone get treated as much as they were based on how she herself wanted to be treated. Her only caution? To make sure she stood up for what she wanted if she had to.

  She didn't feel like she was in a perfect place to be wed. Her knees were shaking for Pete's sake.

  Sabrina turned the laptop so they both could see the screen and access it. As Sabrina minimized the page, Meredith caught a glance of the images of two men. Her curiosity peaked. Were they her prospects? Though Sabrina said they would meet and be married tomorrow, perhaps Sabrina was still uncertain about the match.

  Hopefully that wasn’t the case because, if so, it didn’t give Meredith much comfort. She was quite happy, thank you very much, to work under the belief this was an exact and flawless science and happily ever after could be found through the use of a computer test, discussion with professionals, and a leap of faith. The pictures of Sabrina's wall were proof of this.

  “Here is a site with dresses. If you pick one soon, we can have a seamstress out to make sure it’s perfect.” Sabrina scrolled through the page quickly.

  “This is a local boutique. I’ve seen some of their stuff.” Meredith leaned closer to the screen. She’d passed the shop several times as she took her many evening gowns and shoes to the consignment shop, and more than once she’d been stopped short by the breathtaking loveliness of the gowns in the window.

  But Meredith had never dared to dream when she’d gazed at the dresses. If she’d ever be given the chance at marriage, it would be long after she’d run away from her father and home. Even then, marriage had never really seemed plausible since it was unfair to bring someone into the madness that was her life.

  “Do you like any?” Sabrina dug a spoon into the pink flesh of the grapefruit pulp.

  “They’re all beautiful. Are people really getting married in colored gowns?” Splashes of color shaped like flowers were beaded on several dresses. Red, blue, green. Some were trimmed in pink. Others had trains in yellow. Stunning.

  “Yes, people get married in what they want. You should, too.”

  Meredith wanted white. “I know I will have no one present from my side, but will he? And where will we do this? I’d feel silly in a ballgown-type dress. Is it warm or cold?”

  When her gaze fell onto one, her heart skipped a few beats, but she continued to scroll through the rest, not willing to become attached to the first one that gave her pause.

  “Cool. It will be in a small church in a very small town. His parents will be there.” Sabrina stood and took her plate to the kitchen.

  Meredith startled at the mention of his parents. His. Because he had no name yet. “Really, his parents?”

  Sabrina smiled and nodded. “They’re lovely people. I have to pop into my office to make sure all the last-minute details are working out. When you decide, simply click and fill out the size info. The rest will be handled.” Without waiting for a reply, she left the room.

  Meredith returned her attention to the simple all-white wedding gown. It was unconventional since it fell mid-shin instead of all the way to the floor. But then marrying a guy moments after meeting him without the excuse of Vegas or alcohol was unconventional in and of itse
lf, so why should the gown be any different?

  The dress would easily sell at consignment.

  The idea struck her in the solar plexus. She didn't have to go through with the wedding. She could put some distance between her and her father and go on the run once she and Sabrina arrived in Small Town, USA. Yes, this thought had merit. She focused on the gown. Logically, she knew to select something that would be good for resale regardless of what she personally wanted ––she wouldn't be wearing it for long if at all–– but she really couldn't stop herself. One particular dress was calling her.

  The skirt was made from organza and full with a flirty swing. The lace bodice was off the shoulder but tasteful and simple. The long sleeves would help to keep her warm––if she even wore it. Meredith was in love. She was tired of ball gowns and itchy taffeta. She wanted something fresh and, dare she say, a tad flirty. The fun vibe the dress gave off without being tacky was the feel Meredith hoped to capture. New, never used wouldn't last long at a consignment shop.

  Without another moment’s hesitation, Meredith clicked the button and filled in the measurements. When she was done, a message popped up on the screen that the shop would deliver the dress in less than two hours, and a seamstress would accompany it. No wonder Sabrina's fees were enormous. She was given the options of accessories, shoes were essential, and she selected a small clutch but wasn’t sure why. Hosiery and underwear were the last to be selected, and more than once Meredith checked over her shoulder. Nothing spoke more of modern day than one selecting their trousseau online within a moment of clicks.

  When she was done and closed the screen, a small tab caught her eye. Checking for Sabrina again and finding herself alone, Meredith clicked the tab.

  On the screen were photos of two men. One done in headshot style, likely for professional reasons and seen on corporate websites, and the other was a personal picture probably snapped by someone’s phone. The quality wasn’t poor, just not as pristine as the other.

  Headshot guy was cute in that awkward nerd way. His glasses were thick-rimmed but managed not to overpower his face. A lock of inky black hair fell over his forehead, his expression much like a deer caught in the headlights. It was comical. Meredith was sure his expression matched her own, for all the getting-down-to-business she’d just done with purchasing the dress, there was a freaked-out person inside her screaming, “Wait, slow the horses!” while no one listened.

  The other man was outside, a bluer than blue sky behind him. His skin was tanned but not weathered, as if he were a person who spent lots of time outdoors but knew to wear sunscreen. The photographer had caught him mid-smile. A dimple teased at one cheek, and laugh lines lightly etched his face. His hair was not as dark as the first guy but caramel brown and lightened by the sun. His demeanor was darker than the first. Mr. Glasses looked as if he’d fumbled looking for a pen, but this one, the cowboy, looked the sort who could defend his home by wielding said pen as a weapon. There was something formidable and no-nonsense about him that Meredith found appealing, yet terrifying at the same time. Would he be domineering like her father? Surely, Sabrina would not do that to her. Her gaze darted back to the dark-haired man. His disheveled appearance, even in a picture where one was expected to be their best, was comforting to Meredith. She refused to look at the other man and willed that this gentle, scatterbrained, appealing twin to Jeff Goldblum be the man Sabrina picked for her. Though it would be easier to run from the cowboy, less guilt.

  She slammed the computer lid down when she heard Sabrina’s heels clack on the tiles of the floor. Pushing the computer away, she stood with her plate in hand.

  “All done? Let’s get you packed and ready to go. The shop will be here with the dress soon, and we’ll fly out a few hours after they leave.”

  “Do you think rushing this is wise?” Meredith’s plate trembled in her hand.

  Sabrina took the china from her and rubbed her back. “I know it’s unnerving. But soon you will be starting a new life. One that can bring you a lifetime of happiness if you allow it. It’ll require some work and patience.”

  Meredith nodded, hoping her newly crafted plan wasn't obvious to Sabrina. She wasn't sure how that would be possible, but Sabrina had a sixth sense about her.

  Starting a new life is what Sabrina had said. Yes, Meredith would be finally getting the life she wanted, one that would give her freedom without the baggage of a husband. She hated that she would be in the hole with what she owed Sabrina, but had every intention of paying her back. One day. Meredith chose to ignore the niggling thought about how her actions would be shafting two people.

  Chapter 8

  If today’s events were any indication how this marriage was going to turn out, Jace wasn’t very hopeful. A flat tire on the truck, a coyote in the hen house, and Tuck had reported more missing cattle. The last place he needed to be was anywhere but the ranch.

  Yet here he stood, hiding behind the corner, having come up on Sabrina and the woman, Meredith, unexpectedly. Not wanting to interrupt, he took the moment to take her in, this person who he would soon be legally bound to.

  She was pretty in a way that most considered classic, though far too thin. A month on a cattle ranch would thicken her right up. Her glossy chestnut hair was tied up in some kind of formal arrangement he was certain his sister Willow would be able to label. Her features were not petite or overlarge but suited her perfectly, her nose straight and even. There was no button nose or heart-shaped mouth, no coquettish fluttering of lashes or feigning shyness. Instead she stood slack-mouthed and stared at the mountains. Normally he’d find her reaction encouraging, but he knew with one look she wasn’t hearty enough for this lifestyle. It would get to her, like it had to the others before her. Maybe not the first broken fingernail, but certainly the second, because for all her loveliness, he couldn't erase the image of her in a fancy gown from his memory. She was out of her element here, and he should save them all a bunch of trouble and back out.

  “I don’t know if I will ever get tired of seeing that view. It’s incredible,” she said, the awe obvious in her husky voice. His chest filled with pride, and he thought about stepping from behind the corner to explain that she was looking at and assure her that, indeed, the view never did get old, but then he remembered that most everyone liked the view, at first, but not enough to stay.

  Pops had a year if the doctor’s predictions were accurate. That's all he would ask. He tapped his Stetson against his thigh. He wasn’t so foolish to bank on forever, but if he could get her to stay until Pops was gone…yeah, until then.

  Pops would take one look at Meredith and pat Jace’s back. Jace considered the merits of being up front with Meredith who, as far as he knew, was going into this intent on forever. Not that he'd consider that very likely. No, she was the type that could be broken by the ruggedness of living out here, and he'd be smart to be up front with her with hopes of striking a mutually satisfying bargain. He’d have to do it when Rina wasn’t around.

  He ached between the shoulders. Christ, like he needed any more stress. Jace took a chance and sneaked another peek. She looked like a skittish filly, ready to flee. Yet the coiled tension she was emitting didn’t put him off like he’d expected. Had he come across her in any other setting, he’d have approached her. There was something he couldn’t yet identify that drew him toward her, and that’s why he decided to go through with the wedding.

  OK, maybe that part about approaching her wasn’t true. He’d have thought of doing it. Wondered if they might have made a connection, but like Rina had said to him on more than one occasion, he’d gotten lazy, allowed previous failed attempts to skew his perspective. Not that he was going to admit that to her anytime soon. He likely would have recognized Meredith’s skittishness, attributing it to a need for flight, and would have written her off. It was hard letting someone in only to watch them leave.

  “Let’s go in, Meredith. It’s chilly out here,” Rina said and tugged Meredith’s elbow. She turned away slowly
, possibly longing for one last look and, dare he hope, falling for his hometown? It wasn’t a lot for most people, but it was everything to some.

  “It’s a cute town,” he heard her say as she followed Sabrina inside, the door closing behind her and cutting off any further conversation he might eavesdrop on.

  She thought Bison's Prairie was cute, but how would she feel when she realized it consisted of the basics? Three churches, one housed in a barn, a grocery store, hardware and feed store, one bakery, one flower shop, a diner, and a small hospital that was really a medical clinic.

  He leaned against the building and tried to process it all.

  He was getting married. He’d worn his best gray suit, the one he only brought out for the high-profile meetings he had when he went to the auctions or stock exchange. He’d even gone the two hours up to Billings to get a new tie, something lighter than his usual somber style and had settled on a pale blue one that complimented the suit. While there, he’d picked up a simple white gold wedding band with diamonds running the length.

  Girls liked diamonds, right? It would be a nice impression. At least that was the plan.

  Jesus, who was he kidding? Deep inside, a part of him hoped this chick would stay. That he would be one of Rina’s success stories, but thoughts like that got him nothing but heartache, and he'd be smart to make a deal and stick to it.

  “Hey, Peeping Tom. You coming in or what?” Sabrina appeared next to him, startling him from his reverie.

  He jumped and swung his gaze to her. “What is wrong with you sneaking up on a man like that?”

  “What is wrong with you peering around the corner like a ten year old? You lost your manners or something?”

  “So you saw me, did you?”