Page 62 of The Cowboy's Miracle Baby

“I hope.” Cami sent him an apologetic look, then squeezed his hand.

“I’ll be right here,” he said, as she walked away from that mistletoe kiss and what remained of her resistance.

It took a few minutes to gracefully intervene, diffuse the situation, and pry Eliza Stanton away from politics and their favorite mayor who was quite grateful for the relief.

Cami threaded her arm into Eliza Stanton’s as they walked away and snagged a glass of wine off the tray of a passing waiter, handing it to her. “This cabernet…” she gushed. “It’s from the Willamette Valley in Oregon and we ordered it special for the wedding. It’s really one of our favorites. Have you tried Oregon wine out there in Texas?”

Eliza took it gracefully. “I suppose, you were right to drag me away from your mayor and our little conversation. I tend to get passionate about the things I believe in.” At Cami’s attempted denial, she stopped her. “No, no. You’re right. It’s Isabella’s day and I was… getting carried away. Thank you.”

Cami just stared at her, uncertain what to say.

“She’s very lucky to have y’all as family. She’s far away from home and she seems to have found a new one.” Eliza took a sip of the wine, considering Cami anew. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when she told us she wanted to marry the limo driver, who did, in fact, kidnap her”—she said this with a smile—“but it turns out, we like him. Very much.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. Will’s a great guy. And he’s my brother, which makes me less than objective, but you can see how much he loves her. And how much she loves him.”

“Yes,” she said. “I see that now. I’ve never seen her happier—which, I’m afraid, says more than I care to admit about our relationship. She was the square peg in a round hole that is our family. But she seems to fit right into yours.”

“You know, we’re so happy that Izzy is—”

“Isabella,” she corrected.

“Right, that Isabella is part of our family now. And so are you. I hope you feel free to come visit often.”

“Thank you,” Eliza said and sounded sincere.

“We hope to have the whole guest ranch business up and running late this spring.”

“It’s quite impressive. All the building and the—what are they called? Glamping platforms?”

“Which will be glamping tents. Yes. We’ll finish those off when the snow clears. Maybe you’d like to stay in one someday?”

She laughed. “Me? In a tent? Oh, my dear, I don’t think—”

“Mother! There you are,” Izzy said, appearing at Eliza’s side. “Did Cami show you to your place at the table? We put you at table twelve next to the most interesting man… and no, it’s not Dad.”

Eliza turned to Cami. “So nice chatting with you, dear. And for your kind offer.”

Cami swallowed and nodded, understanding now Izzy’s complicated relationship with her mother. She wasn’t easy. But she was, Cami believed, receptive.

Izzy swept her away then and leaned back over her shoulder mouthing the words,thank you!to Cami.

She snagged another wineglass off a waiter’s tray, this time for herself and half-chugged it as she wandered toward the kitchen. She needed a minute to gather her thoughts. It seemed there was so much coming at her. That kiss. All her feelings. Maybe she was glad he did, just because the likelihood that she’d be kissed that way again for a long, long time was unlikely. On the other hand, would she, in the end, no doubt look pathetic to have fallen for a man who was just temporary? Not that she cared all that much what everyone else thought. It was what she felt that mattered.

She drained the last of the wine and it seemed to go straight to her head. No food again. She needed an appetizer and went in search of a waiter with a likely tray. But the dinner was soon to be served and all the appetizers were gone. To her right, she spotted Tara standing beside Sarah. She’d borrowed a dress from Shay, and she was holding Lolly, who was being a perfect angel.

A pang of regret zinged through her afresh. Regret that she’d allowed herself to imagine she might get to raise that little girl, even knowing that was never meant to be. Regret that maybe she’d never have a baby of her own, the way her life was going. Regret that she seemed to keep making the same mistakes over and over with men. Men who left.

She dumped her empty wineglass on a bus tray, then ran directly into the chest of Doc Alden, nearly knocking him over. Before he fell though, she caught him by the arm and righted him.

“I’m so sorry, Doctor Alden. I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s all right. I’m not as steady on my feet since my surgery. Believe me, it takes longer when you get older despite having the best physical therapist in the county.” He patted the hand of the woman beside him, a tall, middle-aged woman who looked a few years younger than Alden. She had a beaming smile and clear affection for the veterinarian. “This is my friend and physical therapist, Miranda.”

“So nice to meet you, Miranda.” Cami shook her hand. “And we’ve all been the beneficiaries of the vet you hired to fill in for you, Doctor Alden. Gus Claymore? He’s been… terrific.”

“They don’t come much better in my opinion. But sadly, since I decided to retire and offered him my practice…”

He kept talking but a sudden buzz in her ears shut down her hearing.Offered him my—“Wait. Youwhat?”

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