Page 59 of A Family With the Cowboy

Okay, this wasnow officially ridiculous. Hayden threw his phone on the bed. He was beat. Tired didn’t begin to describe the bone-deep exhaustion he experienced. It was a busy time on the ranch, they rarely slept. He wasn’t complaining about the lack of sleep or the hard work—that came with having a ranch. The reason for the frustration gnawing at his insides was because he rarely saw his fiancée.

It was the beginning of May, two months since he’d put his grandma’s ring on Laura’s finger, but he might as well still be single. Cold showers only helped up to a certain point. They saw one another once a week at the most and then neither of them wanted to talk. There were things to discuss, plans they had to make, but there was never time. When they were together, talking simply wasn’t on his mind. He’d wanted to surprise her with a date for their wedding, but the days were too short to get everything done on the ranch, let alone organize a wedding.

For the past two months, he, Willow, Coop, and Becket even had to skip Sunday lunches as well. Calves didn’t care for human schedules. Willow was also still busy with the last paintings for her upcoming exhibition, but she always helped during crazy times.

May meant they had to get the fences ready in the summer pastures. Branding lay ahead, a crazy busy time of year when all the ranchers helped each other. Bulls had to be tested, so that they would be sound for breeding. And soon they would move the cattle to the summer grass.

He wanted Laura here, with him. Even more, he needed her. It was also a busy time for her at school. He’d never really thought about a teacher’s job, but listening to Laura, it seemed like ranching. Teaching was also a never-ending job.

So how the hell were they supposed to get married when nobody had time to organize a wedding? His phone rang. It was his mother. In that moment, a lightbulb flashed in his mind. Of course. Why hadn’t he thought of it before?

“Mom, am I glad you phoned.”

His mother laughed. “I’m no Willow, but I have been wondering about the wedding…”

“Exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”

*

“So, where arewe going again?” Laura asked, before hiding a yawn behind her hand. Going shopping on a Saturday was so not something she had time for right now, but Arlene and Willow simply wouldn’t take no for an answer. Feeling guilty because she’d seen so little of her future mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she finally agreed.

To be honest, she’d much rather have spent the day with Hayden. She wanted to be his wife, live with him, share his bed every single day, not just if and when they had time. How were they supposed to fit a wedding in around ranching and seasons and people, though? Her own crazy schedule at school didn’t help, either. Maybe when schools broke in the beginning of June, they could make time.

Willow parked her truck. “It’s a surprise, but I promise you, you’re going to love it. Ellie, I’m so glad you’ve joined us.”

“I haven’t really been anywhere since I’ve arrived in Marietta,” Ellie said as she got out of the truck. “I’ve never been to Bozeman. It’s a beautiful city.” Turning around, she sighed. “Look at those mountains—I’ll never get enough of looking at them.”

Arlene took Laura’s arm. “That’s why Bozeman is called the Queen of the Rockies. You should come for a weekend. The historic districts and museums are really something. But today…drumroll…we are shopping for wedding dresses.”

Laura gasped. “What? But…”

“I know.” Arlene smiled. “You haven’t set a date yet, and you’re both working long hours and rarely see each other. That’s why I thought we should start by trying on wedding dresses today. We are just looking,” she added quickly as Laura opened her mouth to object. “Come on.”

Swallowing her sigh, Laura traipsed behind Arlene and Willow. Ellie was looking wide-eyed at everything.

By the time Arlene steered Laura into the third wedding shop, she was ready to drop. She was so tired she couldn’t see straight. And honestly—the wedding dresses they’d seen so far were ghastly. It wasn’t as if she had a very specific idea of what she wanted, but she knew she’d prefer more dress and less skin than what most of the dresses they’d seen so far seemed to go for.

“Aah, Mom—you should’ve brought us here first,” cried Willow, and she rushed forward to touch a beautiful dress in a soft watermelon color. “Look at this one.”

“That would look gorgeous with your red hair,” Arlene said.

“It would, wouldn’t it?” sighed Willow. “A pity I’m never getting married.”

“Try it on, anyway.” Arlene smiled. “Come on, Laura. Let’s see what we can find for you.”

The friendly saleslady approached them. “How may I help you today?”

“We have a bride-to-be,” said Arlene before introducing everyone. “I hope you can help us. The dresses we’ve seen so far… let’s just say, they are not what we’re looking for.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place. My name is Josie and it would be my pleasure to help you. Why don’t you sit down? I’ll ask my assistant to get us some mimosas while you tell me what you like. How does that sound?”

“Perfect.” With a deep sigh, Laura sank down on the nearest chair. Her feet were throbbing.

“There we go. Up with the feet,” Josie ordered as she pushed an ottoman under Laura’s legs. She took a chair opposite the bride-to-be and, cocking her head, just looked at her for a few moments.

The bubbly arrived and after one sip, Laura felt her shoulders relax for the first time in days.

Josie asked her a few questions before she got up. “Okay, I think I know what you’ll like.”

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