AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Our wedding would be the first event we hosted at Coyote Ridge. Atley’s purchase of the ranch had been caught up in red tape. The owners hadn’t paid all the contractors working on the ranch, and several liens had been filed. Jude was untangling the mess for Atley, but they had already delayed the closing threetimes. It was rescheduled for next week. I wasn’t holding my breath. If it kept getting delayed, I’d have to send change the date cards and scrap my plan to have a Christmas wedding. Atley had faith in Jude and the powers of the Realtors Association of Texas to make my holiday wedding dreams come true. I was keeping my fingers crossed.
“I’m not sure about being the hottest cowboy in Texas, but I am the luckiest to be marrying you.” Atley led me toward the bar where Gabe poured drinks.
“We are pretty lucky.” I kissed him and, just because I could, patted his ass. I was ninety percent sure no one noticed.
My luck wasn’t only in love. My fledgling PR and marketing company was growing fast. Besides managing marketing and events at Blue Star Wines, I’d already started working on campaigns for Beautiful Hills Real Estate, the lavender grower in Blanco, and Devil’s Backbone Creamery. I planned to hire at least two staff members as soon as Atley closed on Coyote Ridge so I could rent office space from him.
“What can I get you to drink?” Gabe asked from behind the bar.
“I’ll take the chardonnay.”
“A beer.” Atley shrugged. “You cry at weddings. I get thirsty.”
We took our drinks and wove through the people cocktailing, snapping photos, and nibbling at the impressive charcuterie display. Wanda and Melvin had gone all out. Over two hundred guests, a live band, and two cakes. A beautiful white buttercream confection that looked like the lace on her dress and a groom’s cake that was a fully edible pair of dusty cowboy boots complete with chocolate spurs.
We paused at a high-top table and set down our glasses. The fall evening weather was ideal. Dry with a cool breeze and a spectacular sunset that had turned the sky bright orange.
Melvin and Wanda were off taking pictures with a pro photographer. I knew that as soon as the bride had a moment, she’d be posting the best shots to all the Elmer social media sites. I’d brought my cell mostly so I could check all Wanda’s posts as the night progressed.
The sea of people under the oaks parted, and I caught sight of my least favorite person in town.
“I can’t believe he’s here.” I elbowed Atley and jutted my chin at Oscar Ferguson. The jerk running against Amaryllis for mayor and the reason I refused to rent office space in downtown Elmer.
“He bought the building where the Worn Boot is located. He’s Melvin’s landlord now. Jude filled me in. Ferguson is investing in everything he can.”
“That guy, ugh. Him breathing the air in Elmer makes me mad.” I may have only moved here four months ago, but I appreciated this place for what it was. Ferguson was a carpetbagger if ever there was one. Vowing to make changes that most Elmer residents didn’t want.
“I know, but he has money and figures he can buy influence that way.”
“Well, I won’t be part of it. I refuse to rent an office from him. I’ll keep waiting until I can rent from you. Even if they have to reschedule the closing ten more times.”
“Sellers cashed my check. All that’s left is paperwork.” He took a nonchalant sip of his beer like he’d not dropped a bombshell.
“They took the money. Why didn’t you say something sooner? You are in so much trouble.” I squealed the last part, almost jumping for joy. It was happening. Atley was buying Coyote Ridge, and we would have a Christmas wedding.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You know I love when you call me ma’am.” I wrapped my arms around him and held tight. We were going into the second half of our lives kicking some serious ass. Together.
“I do aim to keep you happy, darling.”
He took my lips in a kiss that should have ended with us both naked, but we were in public. Such a shame, we’d have to make up for it later.
Atley
I gave Wanda and Melvin credit. Their wedding didn’t suck. From the food to the band, they’d done a great job. At my age, weddings were mostly an annoyance. A reason to unearth my suit and dress shoes from the depths of my closet.
But today was different, having Rae next to me squeezing my hand when they said their vows and shared a first dance. It drove home the significance of the day for Wanda and Melvin. It was the start of their lives as a couple, and they wanted to share their love with the world.
In a few weeks, Rae and I would have our chance to do the same. Though I’d never admit it to anyone but Rae, I was excited about both the wedding and the marriage. Even a grumpy hard-ass like me could have a soft spot when it came to the right woman.
I bellied up to the bar. Introspection and romance were driving me to drink.
“Hey, man.” I clapped Jude on the shoulder.
“Atley.” He turned and took his eyes off the college football game on the muted TV behind the bar. It was a University of Texas game. If we’d not installed a few TVs in the dancehall, every third person would have spent the night looking at their phone. This was Texas. Football was a religion here, and Wanda wasn’t immune. I’d caught her checking the score between the salad and dinner courses.
“Everything still looking good for the closing? I got the email Friday afternoon. No changes since?”
