Page 38 of Shine On Oklahoma

“How’s it going, Ned?”

“It’s not going,” Ned replied. “It’s notgoing at all. That’s what I came out here to tell you.”

“I don’t think I understand.”

“Dax, you’re a friend. And I like you. Butthat woman in there is an angel and I can’t bring myself toeavesdrop on her private conversation, even if it is for the goodof the family.”

Dax sighed and let his chin drop. “I’m kindof relieved, actually. I think it was a mistake to ask you to. I’vebeen feeling guilty about it all morning. But just so we’re clear,Ned, and for your own sake, I have to tell you, Kendra’s noangel.”

Ned smiled. “Who said anything aboutKendra?”

Dax blinked. “You’re talking about MissDolly?”

He rubbed his white and silver moustache, andlifted his bushy eyebrows. “That’s a woman, right there. A realwoman. I intend to woo her and I intend to win her. And reportingher private words to you is no way to begin a relationship.”

“Um, Ned, you just met her. Unless I missedsomething.”

“A man my age knows what he wants when hesees it, and doesn’t waste time about going for it. Maybe youshould take notes.” Then he turned and headed back inside,whistling a happy tune, an unprecedented bounce in his step.

“Huh,” Dax said. He rubbed the back of hisneck as he watched Ned saunter back into the kitchen. As the doorswung closed, the whistle became a song.

“What the—” Joey said, overhearing the gruffbaritone. He came closer, a half-inflated pink balloon in his hand.“Is thatNed?Singing?”

“Sure is,” Dax said. “I think he might be inlove.”

“Holy…. Miss Dolly?” Joe asked.

Dax nodded. “Looks like.”

“Well, I’ll be.”

#

After breakfast, Kendra joined her sister’sfriends and relatives in the dining room. She set out centerpieces,straightened tablecloths, and arranged gifts on gift tables. MissDolly offered to help, too, but spent all her time flirting withNed. Soon the room was ready, and all that was left to do was awaitthe arrival of the guests of honor.

Rob brought Kiley to The Long Branch right ontime. The big red velvet curtains were closed, but as soon as Rob’sthundering pickup truck rolled in, Kendra peeked out between them.Everyone else bunched up, out of sight of the doorway so Kileywouldn’t see them as soon as she walked in. In spite of herself,Kendra had butterflies. She was excited about pulling off thesurprise. How goofy was that?

They’d closed the saloon to the public forthe shower, but Joey had thought to turn the OPEN sign back on justbefore Kiley was due to arrive. She and Rob walked in the saloonside, and they didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. It wasn’tempty. Several of the guests were scattered around like props, afew at tables, a few at the bar.

It was the most childish, ridiculous thingever, Kendra thought, as others whispered and giggled likesix-year-olds. And yet, there was a little girl inside herpractically jumping up and down in delight as she backed away fromthe curtains and waited and listened to their footsteps comingacross the hardwood floor.

Dax grabbed Kendra’s hand, and she looked athis face and he smiled. He was as excited as she was. God, what apathetic pair of grownups they made.

Rob pulled the curtain open, and walked Kileythrough, his arm around her shoulders. Two steps in everyone sprangout.

“Surprise!”

Kiley jumped backward and would’ve fallenover, if not for her husband’s strong arm. “Holy smokes!” One handon her chest, she blinked twice, then smiled broadly as she took inthe decorations, streamers, balloons, and the big tables by thewindows stacked up with more gifts than it should be able to hold,all of them wrapped in pastel, baby-themed paper and pink ribbons.Other presents were piled on the floor. A smaller table heldthree-tiers of cupcakes, white frosting with pink piping, alldecked in purple and yellow Shasta daisies that looked too prettyto eat.

That Sunny had a knack.

“I can’t believe this,” Kiley said. Then,turning to look up at Rob, “Did you know about this?”

“I had an inkling,” he said, and he sent anapologetic look at Dax. “You’re not a very good liar. I did good,though, not letting on.”

Kiley smiled. “I knew something was up whenyou insisted we come out for lunch even though I told you I had abackache. Usually, that gets me a massage, not a meal.”

Rob grinned. “Your sister did this,” he toldher with a nod Kendra’s way.

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