Page 2 of Giddy-Up
It was.She couldn’t decide if it was good weird or bad weird.On the one hand, not talking was her preference any day of the week.But on the other, a part of her might actually want to talk to Wade Evans.The beautiful, blond cowboy who she’d been actively avoiding this past week because he was just too beautiful.
Yeah.That makes sense.You’ve spent a week running and now you’re ready to chit-chat?
Nothing was making sense today.Not the makeup she’d put on.Or the hour she’d spent curling her hair into big waves.Especially not the figure-hugging crimson dress she’d put on, that she went out and bought just this morning.
Who are you trying to impress?
She didn’t want to answer that.Mostly because the answer was holding her hand and making her skin hot.And she really needed to focus on not freaking out.
Dream on.He’s sooo out of your league.
As if on cue, a cold gust of wind smacked her in the face.The good old fall breeze reminding her that she should never be fooled by a bit of sun.Or in this case, chivalry.She needed to remember that.Remember who she was.Girls like her didn’t get the guy.They certainly didn’t get guys like Wade Evans.
As they approached the main house, which belonged to Wade’s parent’s, Riley had decided the silence was in fact, a good weird.It was exactly what she needed to try and compose herself.
“There you are,” Matt hollered as he made his way out the front door and down the porch steps.“We’ve been looking all over for you.Oh.”He stopped briefly in his tracks, confusion marring his tanned face before greeting her.“Hey, Riley.”
Matt was another Evans brother, younger than Wade and Zach but not the youngest.Jonah had that title.
She realized then, as Matt’s gaze drifted down, she was still holding Wade’s hand.And the man wasn’t letting go of her.Instead of dwelling on that, she pushed out a “hey” back.She liked Matt.He’d been the one to hire her as the ranch’s new live-in maid, and for that, she was grateful.She also wasn’t as nervous around him or Jonah, even though they’d all clearly inherited the devilishly handsome gene.
“Sorry,” Wade replied, addressing his brother.“Had to go pick up Riley, where do you want us?”
Us?
Matt looked between the two of them.Clearly unsure about what was going on and what the hell Riley was doing there, holding his brother’s hand.
You and me both, buddy.
“Right.Uh.Well, guests have started to arrive, so Zach wants us all up at the alter with him.”
It was starting already?How long had they been walking?Granted the staff trailers were a good walk from the main house, but she wasn’t that slow.
As if reading her mind, Wade was quick to question Matt.“Isn’t it a bit early for all that?”
“The ceremony starts at two, man—that’s in ten-minutes.Jesus.You really need to get a watch.”
So did she evidently.
Riley switched off after that.She let the two brothers discuss logistics while her attention went back to her hand.The one Wade was still holding.She couldn’t remember a time she’d held someone else’s hand.Which was sad, because she kind of liked it.In a strange way, it made her feel safe.And she never felt safe.It was a very new feeling.A feeling she was only just starting to process as she was jolted back to reality.She was being ushered again.By that hand.
“Come on, petal, let’s get this party started, huh?”
Why was he calling her petal?And what if she didn’t want to get this party started?What if she wanted to run away to the nearest barn and hide under some hay?
The closer they got to the backyard, the more appealing that hay was becoming.There were already so many people there.Gathered in groups, hovering around rows of white chairs which had been decorated with pink ribbons.
Riley was led down the aisle next, across the white silk carpet placed on the grass.She was then led to a seat on the front row.
That’s when the panic struck.
“You sit here, darlin’, while I stand up front.I’ll come get you when the ceremony ends.How does that sound?”
Terrible.Horrifying.My worst nightmare.
“I-I don’t think I should be sitting here,” she whispered, surprising herself by only stuttering once.
“This is exactly where you should be sitting, petal.You’re the best man’s date, remember?”
