Page 72 of Fool for You
He flashed me a cocky grin that turned into a wide, gorgeous smile, and my stomach flipped.
My weekend without him was fine. I came in the top three on each ride, and I even visited a few bars on my own—but I missed him. I missed watching the show with him until I fell asleep, I missed his cheers that, somehow, I always managed to hear during a ride, and I missed his arms around me when I made it back to the trailer. We texted every day, and he would call right before I would climb into bed, but it didn’t amount to him being there.
When he waggled his eyebrows at me, I gave him a slight eye roll, and then Abi, Cash, and Stetson walked back down the small aisle, followed by Lachlan and Kyla, and finally Wyatt and me. He held out his arm to me, and I lightly held onto his elbow as we passed the six rows of guests. The wedding party, including Rhett, was whisked away by the husband-and-wife photography duo to the field behind the stables, where six horses waited for us.
“She’s really making us get on a horse?” I leaned in and whispered to Wyatt.
The photographers started shouting who belonged to which horse, which honestly made me laugh because—duh. I couldn’t imagine Abi getting on Hook in her wedding gown.
“You doubted it?” he whispered back.
“Who saddled them?” I asked, reaching up to Hook, loving the way he was decked out in a turquoise ribbon hanging from his neck. I glanced over at Rusty, Wyatt’s horse, noticing the same ribbon around his neck.
“Lach and I did, while you girls were getting all dolled up.” His arm moved, and his fingers gracefully intertwined with mine. It was a natural feeling to link our fingers together; I didn’t even flinch. “You look gorgeous, by the way. The most stunning woman here tonight.”
I felt the heat rush to my cheeks, but I forced it down, pulling my hand away from his. The spark lingered. “You’re supposed to say that to Abi. No one is prettier than the bride.”
“No,” he sighed, reaching out for Rusty’s lead. “Cash is supposed to say that Abi, Rhett is supposed to say it to Kyla, but I”—he took a step towards me, our gazes locked—“I want to say it to you.”
Our eyes stayed locked, and my lips parted as a small gasp left my lungs. Hewantedto say it tome. The air stilled as we breathed the same breath. My brain was filtering, trying to find the perfect comeback to get us out of the tension, but I didn’t have time to say or think of anything before the photographers began to circle everyone, the woman holding the camera obviously a little intimidated by the horses.
“Alright, men, can you help the ladies onto their horses? We just have a few shots with the wedding party, and then you’re free to go mingle with the guests until we get the couple shots done.” The woman shouted for all of us to hear, and the six of us moved.
Wyatt placed his hand on the small of my back, gracefully taking the small bouquet of lilies I was holding. I slipped my boot in the stirrup, commenting to Abi about how grateful I was for the boots as I hoisted myself onto Hook. Wyatt helped me smooth out my skirt, then handed me my flowers. I watched how, in one swift motion, he swung his leg over Rusty and settled himself in the saddle. He gave me one last wink and then smiled for the camera.
Wyatt dancing with a baby on his hip was hard not to watch. Poppy was all giggles as he swung his hips back and forth, flipping her in circles and dipping her down as he sang every single word to “Any Man of Mine.” He didn’t even notice me staring; he was just having fun with his niece. Kyla had a close eye on him, her and Rhett dancing alongside him, but I could tell she was having just as much fun watching Poppy as I was. I just hoped the photographer caught it in motion. Resting my chin in my palm, my free fingers rubbing the fabric of my skirt together, I took in the entire Hartwell family dancing and laughing together, even Lachlan looked like he was having a decent time.
Abi spun, almost falling into Cash’s arms, before she let out a laugh and pulled him close to whisper something to him. He nodded, kissed her, and then she lifted her skirt and made her way to where I sat alone at the table, a little skip to her step.
“Okay.” The bride plopped down in the chair next to me, her cheeks flushed and hair slightly tousled, yet still gorgeous. “My feet hurt.”
“You’re wearing boots.” I gestured to her feet. “The same style boots you wear every day. How do they hurt?” I chuckled at her.
“I don’t normally dance in them, or walk a ton, or leave them on…all…day. Plus…” Abi lifted her leg. “These are new. See how not covered in mud they are?”
“They’re perfect, Abi.” I smiled at her. “But really, shouldn’t you be out there?” I nodded towards the crowd, where Cash danced next to Stetson, looking like a complete idiot as George Straight played over the speaker. “Maybe get your husband off the dance floor before he embarrasses himself?”
Abi turned and blushed as she watched her new husband. “Let’s be real, when does he not embarrass himself?”
“He’s a pretty solid guy…this is the strangest I’ve seen him. But seriously,”—I leaned my elbow on the table and bore into her—“get out there with him and then make him rub your feet later.”
“Well, what kind of host would I be if I saw one of my bridesmaids sitting here alone and I didn’t pay attention to her?” Abi leaned forward to mirror my posture, giving me a wry smile.
“I’m people watching,” I said, straightening my back, noticing Abi do the same. “Also, I’m wondering why in the world you didn’t invite Oakes Ashford?”
“The bull rider who rents the arena? Why would I invite him?” Abi chuckled.
“Cash tells me he’s here at least three times a year, and they get along.” I shrugged and raised a palm. “Plus…” I shrunk. “He’s nice to look at.”
Abi let out a loud laugh, which gained the attention of Wyatt and Cash, that is, until “Boot Scootin' Boogie” started to play and the dancing crowd cheered. I raised an eyebrow over at Abi.
“‘Boot Scootin Boogie’?”
“Wyatt told me to play it.” She waggled her eyebrows at me, biting her bottom lip.
“Of course he did.” I held back my chuckle, shaking my head, looking over at Wyatt, who simply stuck his tongue out between his teeth at me as he and Cash started the moves, Poppy still giggling in his arms. I couldn’t stop watching the entire time…that stupid grin on my face that I couldn’t seem to get rid of.
“People watching, huh?” Abi asked, her tone flattening as her grin spread. “Are you sure you’re not Wyatt watching?”
