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“Yep,” Blaine said, taking his phone back. “Trey just texted that if I’m not back in five minutes, something bad is going to happen.”
Tam slipped into her shoes and stood. “Let’s go.”
They hustled out to his truck, and he drove quite fast on the way back to the ranch. He pulled up in front of the house and somehow made it through the parked cars that were already there to a spot closer to the garage.
“I think we made it in six minutes,” he said, reaching for the door handle.
“Blaine,” Tam blurted out. “Can you wait another minute?”
“If my mother or Spur loses their mind because we’re not back there, I’m going to throw you under the bus.”
Tam smiled and waited until he’d turned fully back to her. “I, um. I’m just wondering when you think you might uh…” She couldn’t say it now, and she felt like an idiot. “Let’s just go.”
She got out of his truck and met him at the front of it. She reached for his hand, ignoring his curious look. He led her through the garage to the back yard, and Tam paused on the threshold of the cement on the patio.
“This is incredible,” she said, drinking it all in. She’d been in this yard before, but it hadn’t looked like this. Now, it seemed like a place where dreams came true and where fairies lived.
White tea lights lit the space, where hundreds and hundreds of chairs had been set up. Everywhere Tam looked, she saw money. It dripped from the white seat covers with the bright coral ribbons tied around the backs. Every bow was identical, and Tam marveled at how that could even be accomplished by a human hand.
Poles had been erected around the perimeter, with one tall, log-like one right in the middle that held up the highest part of the tent. Fans had been mounted to the pole along the whole height of it, and Tam couldn’t believe how cool it was back here.
Pavers had been laid down the middle of the chairs, and the path led her eye to a glorious altar. Sprays of purple, white, and coral flowers decorated the top and front of it, with polished wood peeking through.
Tall vases held flowers too, and Tam took a deep breath. “It smells amazing back here.”
“Doesn’t it?” another woman asked, and Tam turned toward the pretty woman with the dark blue eyes. “I’m Virginia Winters, Olli’s best friend.”
“Yes,” Tam said, automatically making her voice more refined. “We met at the family dinner. I’m Tam, Blaine’s girlfriend.”
Virginia glanced at Blaine. “That’s right. You make those beautiful saddles, right?”
Tam smiled and said, “Yes.”
“Blaine,” Virginia said. “You better get inside, because I think Spur is about to pop a vein in his head.”
“Right.” He squeezed Tam’s hand and pressed a kiss to her temple. “See you after, sugar.” With that, he left, and Tam faced a woman who was far superior to her.
“He’s great,” Virginia said, smiling. That gesture softened her, and Tam was able to return it.
“I think so,” Tam said. She noticed Virginia turning back to the house, and she seemed quite distracted. “Do you have a place to sit?” she asked. “Because I’m sort of freaking out about having to sit out there by myself.”
She turned back to the chairs, glad when Virginia joined her. “My mother is here,” she said. “You’re welcome to sit by her. I have to be in the bridal party.”
“Can I?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Virginia.”
“You can call me Ginny,” she said, linking her arm through Tam’s. “All my friends do.” She smiled as they stepped off the patio and onto the pavers. “That dress is great on you.”
Tam laughed, keeping it light and airy. “Oh, now you’re lying.”
“I never lie,” Ginny said. “I know fashion. Olli has me dress her for every important event.” She glanced down at Tam’s shoes. “I didn’t peg you for a heels girl. You should be wearing boots.”
“I didn’t think I was allowed.”
“Honey,” Ginny said as she turned down the second aisle from the front. “You watch every one of those Chappells come down the aisle. Every single one of them will be wearing boots.” She grinned and introduced Tam to her mother before flitting off to join the bridal party.
