Page 82 of A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy

“Can’t stand to see me happy?”

Paisley studied him. “I think maybe I can live with it.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

“You’re amazing.” Cadence linked her arm with Paisley’s as they stood on the lodge deck, looking out over the festivities.

“I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“You mean without Weston.”

“You and Graham helped a lot, too.”

“We did.” Cadence hip-checked Paisley. “But he was the kingpin, for sure. Without him, it wouldn’t have happened. Without Graham and me, it might have taken him longer but, trust me, he’d have pulled it off.”

Paisley’s heart warmed to hear her roommate’s praise for her boyfriend. This past week had been nothing short of awesome. Crazy, wildly busy, but mostly awesome. Weston had her so organized that it was only a matter of a few more phone calls to navigate last minute twists.

“That chuckwagon cookhouse is possibly my favorite part.” Cadence sniffed the air. “Their burgers and ribs are the best I’ve ever tasted. At least, if they have the same chef as last year. Smells delicious.”

“Don’t let Weston’s mom hear you say that.”

“Nadine doesn’t have anything to worry about. The chuckwagon is once a year. Except…”

Paisley eyed her friend. “Except what?”

“They’re catering our reception, too.”

“Oh, yum. Is there anything else your best friend and maid of honor should know about the wedding? We’re what, ten weeks out now?” Paisley had been so busy with her own stuff, to say nothing of that quick trip to Arizona, she hadn’t been leaning into her duties lately.

“Hmm. Maybe, but we’ll catch up after this weekend. Right now, there’s kayak races and then the gymkhana.” Cadence held up the camera hanging around her neck. “Work is never done for a social media coordinator.”

“I’ll see you at the stables in a bit.”

“Will you see me? Or will you be too busy staring at Weston?”

“Hey.” Paisley jabbed her arm. “I’m on the clock. I can focus. Besides, this whole day is packed. There’s so much going on, I’ll be lucky to catch a quick smooch once or twice.”

“Smooch.” Cadence giggled. “Now there’s a word I don’t hear every day. But don’t forget the barn dance tonight. Everything will be nearly done by then, and you can relax in your cowboy’s arms.”

“It will be bliss,” Paisley admitted. “Hopefully nothing goes terribly wrong before then. Did I remember everything?”

“Close enough. Didn’t I tell you you’re amazing? I did tell you, because you are. Now, go get ’em.”

“Thanks.” Paisley gave Cadence an impulsive squeeze. “Have a good day. See you later.”

A shrill whistle came from the lakefront, where Bryce had ten kayakers ready to paddle around a row of buoys out a distance.

“You, too.” Cadence jogged down the steps to snap photos.

Paisley took in the large grassy area beside the chuckwagon. A dozen tables offering local crafts lined one side. Trinity Kennedy, a nearly blind potter, had her wares spread on one, with her sister-in-law, Sage Grant, beside her to handle the cash box. A stained-glass artist displayed an assortment of sun-catchers, while a woodworker’s table was covered with intricately crafted jewelry boxes.

Kids lined up at the face-painting booth run by Kaci and Tina and came away looking like tigers, butterflies, and kittens. A clown on stilts somehow managed the uneven terrain while twisting balloons into animal shapes.

Several Pot of Gold geocachers had hunted for special tokens and now took in the festivities.

Paisley leaned on the railing and waved to Lyssa and Kirk Kennedy, the coordinators for the geocaching event, as they chatted with Pastor Eli and his wife, Harper. They waved back.

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