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My smile wavered. “Yes, that was unfortunate.”
“That’s Maggie.”
Susannah put her hand on my shoulder. “Can I get you refreshments or anything before we get started? I’m just so happy that you let me do this. I love to throw a big party. And you already feel like family.”
“Thank you, Susannah. That’s so sweet.”
“Not that she gave you a lot of time, Sue,” Julianne said with a laugh. “This is a quick wedding.”
I flushed at the comment. “Well, when you know, you know, right?”
“That’s right. And how couldn’t someone know with your son, Jules?” Susannah asked, cocking an eyebrow.
They exchanged looks that said they had already talked about this and agreed not to bring it up.
“We’re beyond excited. No matter the timeline,” Julianne said.
Susannah nodded once. “Now, refreshments?”
* * *
The bridal shower was way longer than I’d thought it would be, but I had a good time and got more gifts from the women Susannah had invited than I ever could have imagined. Everything would have to be packed and shipped to New York. Something Susannah insisted on taking care of.
Cora tugged me away from all of her mother’s friends and out onto the back patio. “Phew! Glad to be done with that.”
“Oh, come on. It was fun.”
“Yeah, but not when the boys get to be off drinking at the barn.” Cora grabbed my arm. “Let’s go.”
“Go where exactly?” I asked as I hurried after her.
She grinned at me and then rushed over to the stables. “You know how to ride, right?”
“I have been on a horse.”
“You can take Mom’s horse, Tabby. She’s real easy tempered. It’ll be fine.” She gestured to a bin. “We keep extra stuff over there. I’m sure there’re some boots that will fit you.”
As she began to saddle the horses, I went through the boots until I found a pair that were just a little big, but I had small pixie feet, so that wasn’t surprising. I also found a pair of leggings, which I slid on under my white dress. Cora was already in biker shorts, so she was good.
Cora helped me onto Tabby’s saddle, and then we were off. I had some experience with riding, but I was far from accomplished. Thankfully, Cora was right about Tabby. She followed along behind Cora, and I didn’t have to do much of anything.
The trail ran through a copse of trees before leveling out to the flat West Texas shrubbery that I was more accustomed to.
“Sort of beautiful out here.”
“You get used to it at least,” Cora said with a laugh. “Sometimes, we take the horses out to the state parks, and I’m always so mesmerized by all the greenery. Wish we had it here too.”
“I get that. I live in a giant steel city.”
“True. But you and Gavin must love it up there. I can’t imagine him moving back.”
“Me either. He belongs up there.” Then, I bit my lip. “But he sort of belongs here too.”
“He’s a chameleon. He can belong anywhere.”
That was a trait we had in common. It was a little disorienting to hear someone voice it out loud.
Cora glanced over at me. “Do you see much of Maggie?”
