Page 7 of The Bull Rider & the Wedding Planner

Except for having to face Easton again, and her mother. Luckily, she hadn’t seen her mom yet. She’d have to go visit soon. Maybe seeing Presley would spark some happiness in her mom’s life. Her nieces and nephews hadn’t had a warm reception. Her siblings had given up on forcing a relationship one by one. It was a sad scenario for sure, and instead of proving to the town of Coleville that she was a successful and accomplished wedding planner, Cassie had chosen poorly in her spouse just as her mom had. She had come home as an emotionally battered single mom.

Cassie lifted her chin. Nobody knew that she was broken and running and she would not let herself become bitter. Presley would have a happy and loving mother and childhood. She was still a top wedding planner. She’d knock this double wedding out of the park. Baxter would be caught and imprisoned, and then she and Presley would return to Syracuse, her business,and their home.

As long as Easton didn’t bulldoze his way back into her heart. Watching him play peek-a-boo with Presley had melted spots she’d thought were iced over. To keep her walls up, she’d Google photos of him every night. Seeing him with different women and reaffirming his player status in her mind should keep her strong. He’d morphed into a philandering woman magnet within a week of her telling him off at the wedding. He was an accomplished and experienced player now, nothing like the charming but committed man she’d once loved.

Cassie parked in front of the small cabin and wearily climbed out of the car. She’d barely unbuckled the still-babbling Presley when footsteps approached from the trees.

Whirling to face the threat, she shielded her daughter with her body and wished she knew how to use a weapon. Her heart raced out of control. Could she yell for help? Rose Lillywhite’s husband was a gentle giant, a former Green Beret major, and in charge of security for the ranch. How far away was he or the other guards?

“Cassie?” a lilting voice rang out. “I’m here!”

“Daisy?” She forced the fear away then ran with her daughter in arms to hug her old friend. Daisy was almost eight years younger, the ‘caboose’, but Cassie had been close to all the Lillywhite girls. Their home and the Colevilles’ had been her favorite places to escape to. “I thought you didn’t have a break until the middle of the month.”

“I have to fly back tonight. Thanksgiving break is over and finals are upon me,” she said dramatically. “But I couldn’t miss seeing you before I leave. I’m so happy you could come do the weddings!”

“Me too. I adore Lily, and Christmas weddings are a funchallenge. You can’t ignore Christmas, but you still want it be an ethereal and epic wedding, not a holiday party.”

“You’ll nail it.” Daisy grinned and looked at Presley. “And who is this gorgeous lady?”

“I am Presley Johnston,” Presley said, all adorable and mature. She was only four but had grown up in an adult world.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Presley,” Daisy said.

“Hey!” Presley shouted. “My beautisul cowboy calls me Princess Presley too.”

Daisy’s brows lifted and her unique green and gold eyes filled with a mischievous glint. “What beautiful cowboy?”

Cassie froze; no way was she giving Daisy any fodder. Her friend knew she’d longed for Easton but also knew what a player he was. Daisy had a huge crush on Houston Coleville and had it all planned out to make the man fall for her when Houston moved home after his medical residency and Daisy finished her schooling as a physician’s assistant in Texas.

“Easton Coleville,” Presley called out like a sports announcer. How many times had that name been called in rodeo arenas around the nation as Easton’s adoring fans, most of them female, cheered for him? Cassie’s stomach tightened with irrational jealousy. It made her stomach curdle thinking about the thousands of social media posts she’d seen of him with his strong arm around different women over the years.

“Oh. The plot thickens.” Daisy’s grin became wicked, and Cassie knew she was in trouble. Instead of laying into her for details, Daisy asked, “Will you two come over for dinner? Everyone wants to see you and meet Presley. Mama wants to do a big party before I fly out tonight.”

“Of course.” Cassie had driven in late last night and had only seen Lily so far. It would be great to catchup with all the Lillywhites and talk wedding details with Lily and Mama Ivy, see what the first wedding planner had in the works. They’d need to do video chats with the famous actress Eva Chevron and her mother as well. The times they’d interacted so far, she’d been impressed with how down-to-earth and funny Eva was. “What time?”

“Six.”

“Perfect. Presley can take a nap this afternoon and then we’ll be over.”

“I hate me naps,” Presley protested.

“I know, but we’ll be much happier if you have one.” Cassie retrieved her grocery bag and lifted a hand to Daisy. “I’ll see you in a few hours. I need to unpack and get organized.”

Daisy looked like she might protest, but luckily she just waved back.

Cassie settled Presley down with three stories, a prayer, and five Jesus songs. She unpacked and when Presley woke up, they got ready for dinner and went on a chilly walk to look at some of the ranch before they headed for the main house. All the paths and roads were lit, and she felt safe here knowing Bennett and others were patrolling the property on foot and with cameras. She’d had no indication that Baxter knew where she was, and the detective she’d worked with in Syracuse said they had some good leads and he’d keep in touch while she was in Montana. Thank heavens.

It was impressive what the Lillywhites had accomplished, welcoming refugees and families down on their luck to their ranch. The people were expected to work, but she could imagine this beautiful spot was a great escape for most. It was a great escape for her. Her work would be wedding planning, but she wanted to ask Lily if she and Presley could do choresas well. It would be good for Presley and keep them both busy.

As she approached the main house with Presley’s hand in hers, her daughter chattering away, she saw a couple of trucks parked out front. Lights penetrated the thick trees, and a motor roared their direction. She drew Presley back into the grass. A moment later, a massive silver Ram truck pulled into the circle drive and parked behind the others. Presley cowered into her leg at the loud noise, large truck, and the lights beaming off the pine trees.

It appeared it wouldn’t just be the Lillywhites at dinner. She hoped it wasn’t any of the people from Coleville, like Trudy Everett, who’d gossiped nonstop about her family’s plight when she was in high school. Easton always promised her that everyone saw only the good in her and nobody talked disparagingly about her, but she’d felt those looks and heard the whispers.

The truck’s motor shut off and the front driver side door and rear passenger side door popped open. Two men jumped down, both plopping cowboy hats on their heads. The man coming out of the rear door was closer to where Cassie and Presley stood. She couldn’t see much more than the driver’s shadow for the big truck and bright lights. The cowboy closer to her looked familiar, and her heart started racing. He hurried to shut his door and open the front door, then playfully lifted a smaller, dark-haired lady out of the truck like they were starring in a romantic movie.

“Thank you,mi vaquero guapo,” the lady said in a lovely accented voice.

Cassie was going to be sick. Easton had brought a woman to this dinner? She neededto disappear.

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