Page 13 of The Cowboy Takes A Bride

“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 hergroomwas getting out of the situation.

Dr. Fleming, the spiritual advisor had asked her what she thought of marriage. Truth was she had stopped thinking aboutit 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 itself, 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 gothrough 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 fewhours after they leave.”

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

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