Page 23 of Bernadette
“Oh,” Justin said, then shrugged. The men went back for seconds, while the women stayed at their table, each basking in the delicious meal they had just consumed.
“Do you guys do this often?”
“This is my second one since I’ve been here,” Ava admitted. “The first one was a combination Fourth of July party, and DJ’s high-school graduation. It’s my understanding that it had been the first one since Morgan had been here years later.”
“It was,” an older man said as he joined them at the table. He set his beer down and reached out and shook every man’s hand, and patted the women on the shoulder. He had a woman with him, and a little boy came running up to him. He grinned as he picked the child up, and turned to Bernie with his hand out. “Tom Erwin, not only am I the sheriff here, but I’m Wyatt and Dillon’s cousin.”
“Hello, I’m Bernadette Cromwell.”
“The commander?”
“Yes.”
“Welcome aboard, we’ll have to talk.”
“I expect to get to you, but not until after this lovely wedding. I’m not putting you off or anything.”
“I didn’t think you were, and I know you have a ton of reading to do. Why don’t you call me if you have any questions that need to be answered.”
“I can do that,” Bernie smiled and shook his hand again. They all turned to look when the music changed, and the lead singer stepped up to the mike. This time he introduced Morgan and her father, as well as Wyatt and Dolly.
“What’s that story again?” Bernie asked in general, not caring who answered.
“That’s Dolly Wilson,” Tom said as he moved so the others at the table could watch the couples dancing on the dance floor. “Wy’s parents were killed when he was seventeen, Dill was deployed overseas, Dill’s wife had just had Lucas, and they lived at the ranch, then Deb left, leaving the children as well as the entire spread in Wyatt’s hands. He had no clue what to do with the two boys, and the ranch. See, he was supposed to be going to college. My parents tried to help, but the only good help they did was give Wy the Wilsons’ number. After meeting them, he hired them. They continued to raise their children here on the Flying E.”
“What do they do here?”
“Dolly’s the keeper of the house, she cooks, cleans, and when the boys were younger, made sure they were ready for school, did their homework, and such while Wyatt was out on the range. Dill was still deployed, and Wilson became his second hand in the process. Thank god Wilson had ranching experience under his belt. Wyatt’s known them for twenty years, or damn near, and he was seventeen when his parents were killed.”
“Making them more like parents to him than his own.”
“Correct, and as I’m sure you know, Morgan’s dancing with her father.” He looked out and smiled at the floor. “And Lucas just brought Dottie out onto the dance floor.”
“And Dillon, is that his fiancée?” Bernie pointed to the pregnant woman in the other man’s arms.
“Yep,” everyone said, and they all watched as the people danced, then the music changed, and everyone left the dance floor except for Wyatt and Morgan. Suddenly Bernie couldn’t see anymore, because it seemed like the entire room stood around the dance floor to get pictures of the happy couple. She did see, just like during the ceremony, they only had eyes for each other. She hadn’t known that she wanted something like that until she saw it. For some reason, she kept looking over at Chuck and pictured the two of them together like the Wilsons and the older Stuarts. On a sigh, she settled back and looked around the building, then cocked her head to the side to frown.
“Do you need anything?” Chuck was suddenly at her side when she struggled to stand. Her leg had stiffened, and she needed to get outside. At the look on his face, she sighed heavily, and decided to rely on him. After all, it wasn’t like she knew the lay of the land. “I thought I saw the person from your photo standing in the doorway.”
“Where?” Chuck demanded and looked around wildly. Instead of making a scene, which Bernie appreciated, he only raised his arm and waved someone over.
“What’s up?” the man who joined them asked.
“Bernie thought she saw the man we’re keeping an eye out for.”
“Carlisle?” The newcomer demanded as he reached in his pocket for a photo. “This man?”
“I think so, but it was so quick.”
“What entrance?”
“There?” Bernie pointed and they all turned to see the crowd going in and out of the entrance. “Like I thought, it was a fleeting sight.”
“We’ll check it out.” He was gone and Chuck turned to her with a smile.
“No one is doubting you, but you’re the first one that made mention of seeing him.”
“Who was that guy?”
