Page 92 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
“I’ll be there in just a second.” Nash nodded at the two men while Ryan straightened his suit jacket.
“Let’s do this.” His laugh had a nervous edge to it, but it was fueled by sheer excitement. That was obvious to everyone.
Nash chuckled at his almost-brother-in-law’s boyish enthusiasm. He made a beeline through his aunts, stopping only to greet the cousins who’d traveled from out of town and hadn’t been able to make it to the rehearsal dinner last night.
When he reached Emma’s side, she was already shooing him off.
“Go, go. Casey will never forgive me if I hold up one of the groomsmen.” She laughed, and to anyone who was watching, she looked happy.
But he could see the strain in her eyes. It seemed this kind, thoughtful, amazing woman had put aside her own emotions for this big event, and was doing her best not to spoil the day. Not for the bride, her family...and not for him.
“Will you be all right?” he asked, looking around for one of his aunts or cousins to sit with her.
“Of course.” She gave a little sigh. “I’m not a child, Nash. I don’t need you to protect me all the time.”
His gaze shot back to her and he caught a sad tinge to her smile. That, plus the edginess of her words, told him...she wasn’t just talking about right now.
“I know that,” he said slowly, his voice a deep rumble. He led her into the foyer, for a little privacy, and turned to face her head on. She had to know he wasn’t talking about right now either. He reached a hand out to touch her cheek because he couldn’t stop himself. She was so dang touchable, and he never had been much good with words. “I guess…” He cleared his throat. “I guess I take one look at you and see someone who only ever worries about everyone else. You’re a natural born caretaker, Em, and while that is a beautiful, precious thing, it makes me wonder who takes care ofyou.”
Her lips parted, and her eyes widened, a glint of wetness making them shine.
His own voice grew lower and gruffer as he added, “I wonder who asks you what you want. What you need. And…” He glanced away and took a deep breath before looking back. “I know you’re strong and you don’t need my help. But I hate the idea of anyone taking advantage of your kindness.”
She stared at him, the deep emotions in her eyes hard to read.
“Does that make sense?” he asked.
She swallowed and gave a jerky nod. He wasn’t sure what else to say after that, so all he could do was gaze down at her.
Her blue eyes flickered over his face, then down to the plush carpet at their feet.
And then little Chloe appeared in her flower girl dress, with a basket of roses perched precariously in her arms.
Emma laughed at the adorable girl, straightening the wreath of flowers on her head. “You look like a princess, sweetheart.”
Chloe beamed while Nash felt his heart cracking wide open.
How could he have screwed this up so badly?
This beautiful, kind-hearted woman was the perfect fit. He wanted her as part of his family, his life.
“Nash!” his mother’s harsh whisper made him spin. She bulged her eyes and pointed to the front of the church. “Casey will be here any second.”
“I’d better, uh…” He gestured toward Ryan and the other groomsmen.
“Yeah. I saw Ellie before. Her husband couldn’t make it so we agreed to sit together,” Emma said.
He nodded. “I’ll see you after?”
“At the reception. Of course.” Her smile still seemed strained, but there was amusement there as well. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
He gave a huff of laughter as he turned away, that tension in his chest loosening now that he’d said...something. It wasn’t all he wanted to say, but it was a start.
Would she want to hear the rest of it?
Would she give him a chance to fumble his way through the words he’d never said to another woman before?
The sound of the bridal song playing on the organ brought him to attention and he shuffled into place, his mind and eyes fixed on his sister as she walked down the aisle.
