Page 4 of Flippin' Cowboy
Big brother to the rescue!She nodded, relief rushing over her. Spring didn’t say much, but he always knew exactly what to do.
“I’ll go find Autumn and Brock, and meet you at your place,” Summer called. “Mom, Dad, will you let everyone know that Brock and I are still planning to make everyone brunch tomorrow at Winnie’s place?”
Summer and Brock were both chefs who ran The Yummy Cowboy Diner back home in Snowberry Springs. They’d previously volunteered to cook up a post-wedding breakfast for all the visiting family members.
“Will do, sweetheart,” Mom replied. She turned to Winnie. “Now, don’t worry about a thing. Your dad and I will wrangle the reception guests and make sure that the grandkids stay out of trouble.” Her tone was gentle but no-nonsense.
“Don’t think there’ll be a lot of dancing, though,” Dad commented dryly. He opened his arms and embraced Winnie. She closed her eyes and inhaled the familiar and comforting scent of his aftershave. “I’m sorry he wasn’t worthy of you, baby girl.”
“Th-thanks, Dad,” she managed, then concentrated on breathing while she pulled herself together.
When he finally released her, she stepped back to find Spring waiting patiently for her. “Ready?”
∞∞∞
To Winnie’s relief, her brother didn’t interrogate her or even say much on the drive over to her apartment. Not that he was the talkative type, but this afternoon’s events would’ve led a monk to break a vow of silence.
Once home, Winnie went straight to her bedroom and peeled out of her ugly wedding dress. Luckily, the zipper was on the side of the bodice and easy to reach. Then she removed every speck of the heavy theatrical makeup meant for the TV cameras.
When she finally emerged from her bedroom wearing her favorite sweatshirt and comfy leggings, Spring handed her a steaming mug of chamomile tea with honey.
“Summer just called. They’re on their way,” he reported. “I asked ‘em what was taking so long, and she said they made a detour to the reception venue.”
“Why?” Winnie asked, puzzled. “Oh, God, did somethingelsehappen?” She couldn’t imagine what else could’ve gone wrong today.
Spring shook his head and grinned at her. “Nope. The two of ‘em decided to snag a case of champagne from the caterers. Said they wanted to make mimosas for brunch tomorrow.”
Summer, Brock, and Autumn arrived a few minutes later.
“Sis, you need a drink,” Summer announced as she strode into the apartment, followed by her fiancé, Brock, who carried the box of champagne bottles. She eyed the steaming mug in Winnie’s hands. “Arealdrink, I mean.”
“Damn right she does,” Brock agreed, setting the box on the kitchen counter.
He’d barely opened one bottle when Winnie’s phone chimed. She picked it up from the coffee table and saw that Geoff had sent her a text message.
She debated briefly whether to ignore it, but curiosity got the better of her.
Hey, can you book movers for me? I’ll reimburse you.
Winnie’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” she exclaimed.
Autumn grabbed the phone from her and read Geoff’s message.
“That entitled jerk!” She held up the phone. “May I?”
“Go ahead,” Winnie said.
Autumn typed rapidly.Not interested in doing you any favors. I’m sure you understand why.
She hit send.
“You know what I think?” she asked Winnie, her tone indignant. “If your ex-fiancé wants to move out, I think we should pack up all his crap and take it downstairs.”
“Great idea,” Spring said, before Winnie could respond. “I’ll make a run over to the nearest U-Haul store and get moving boxes. How many do you think we’ll need for his stuff?”
Winnie looked around. Most of the apartment’s furnishings had been gifted to them by various companies onceRestoring Seattlebegan airing.
“I’m keeping the furniture I like,” she said firmly. “He gets his clothes, shoes, electronics, and those ugly-ass chairs.”
