Page 45 of Buckled in Barbwire

Twinkles:But Bianca can? We should just wait until she’s here.

Me:That’s not an option.

Twinkles:What’s the rush? Afraid she won’t approve?

My nostrils flare as I expel a burst of frustration. Bianca will sever this arrangement faster than I can rope a calf.There’s a reason my sister has been silent, but she won’t be for much longer.

Me:This deal needs to get done. Let the glam squad do their thing. I’ll meet you at the altar.

Twinkles:I don’t even have a dress.

Me:Sure about that?

Twinkles:What did you do?

Rather than answer, I wait for her to find the garment bag that should be hanging in her closet. There’s no stopping my smile now. Damn, there’s just something about her that gets to me.

Twinkles:I’m not wearing this.

Me:Don’t like it?

Paisley reads the message but the three dots to signal her typing don’t appear. My blood pressure spikes as I wait for her verdict. Five seconds is the limit on my tolerance.

Me:I’ll send other options. Hold on.

Twinkles:No, it’s fine. Be there soon.

A frown flatlines my amusement. It’s difficult to decipher a tone through text, but hers definitely isn’t pleased. That bothers me more than I want to admit. Thedisappointment is gnarled and tough to chew. Instead of analyzing the odd reaction, I focus on my accomplishment. Benson Farmstead will officially be mine by this afternoon.

I tuck my phone away and reclaim my spot against the wall. City Hall is deserted, leaving our party to socialize without interruption. Paisley’s parents are still mingling with Ted while we wait for the bride to arrive. Dad separates from the group to join me in isolation. His keen awareness scrutinizes my relaxed pose. That distinct gleam appears in his gaze, which immediately puts me on alert.

“Figured you were in for a lengthy uphill battle.” Dad tugs at the collar of his dress shirt, the tie probably irritating him. “How did you get her to agree so quickly?”

“Powers of persuasion,” I reply.

He claps me on the back. “That’s my boy. Never doubted you for a second.”

I snort through a grimace. His pride is sorely misplaced. If he hears about what I did to get Paisley to agree, we’ll be having a very different conversation.

My gaze turns to the large bay window where the mid-morning sky appears ready to burst with rain. Apparently, that’s good luck at a wedding. “What happens next?”

“You become a family man.”

“Dad,” I press.

His smile is carefree, and makes this contractual obligation worth it. “I won’t go back on my word, son. The company is yours.”

Pressure lifts off my shoulders and I inhale slowly. “Thanks for that.”

Dad scoffs. “I’m the one who should be thanking you. Iget to watch you experience one of the greatest gifts in life. If only your mom was here to witness it too.”

Guilt curdles like expired milk in my gut. I haven’t let on that my relationship with Paisley is fake. That would defeat the purpose. Dad wants to see me settled. The picture I’m posing for is just that, except the image will fade before the snow starts falling.

At my strained silence, he sniffles and bobs his head. “It doesn’t get easier. We just learn to deal with the pain. I’ll spend the rest of my days missing her.”

Emotion lodges in my throat and I almost choke. “She’d be real disappointed in me right now.”

“Nah, your mother is up there singin’ your praises. You went after what you wanted and got it. What’s not to be proud of?”

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