Nashville cowboy, p.17
Nashville Cowboy, page 17
No sooner had Eve left than after a quick knock, the door opened. It was her father. “You about ready, sweetie?”
She held up her finger. “Just one sec, Daddy.”
He shut the door. The quiet enveloped her, with thoughts that were too big for this room. Doubt hovered deep inside her.
Lord! Why hadn’t she told Lincoln before today? By now, any disappointment would have settled, and he’d have adjusted to their new reality just as she had. Waiting for the honeymoon was a terrible mistake. He’d hate her for keeping this from him. She couldn’t start their marriage off with a lie. With something this life changing. Sadie’s stomach roiled and pitched and ten minutes before the wedding, she knew that she couldn’t go through with this.
She found her phone under a pile of chiffon and dialed the only woman on earth who would understand.
“Eve, can you please come back?” Sadie could barely hold back the tears. “I need you.”
“What happened? Did a seam rip?”
If only it were that simple. “Just…please come get me.”
“Get you?”
Less than two minutes later, Eve strolled inside. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t get married.”
Eve laughed. “That’s funny. Tell the runaway bride that you can’t go through with your wedding day?”
“I’m serious. I can’t marry him…not like this.”
“Oh my God, you’re serious! Sadie. You can’t do this! Jackson is going to kill me. And okay, it’s not all about me. What about Lincoln? He’ll be devastated.” She was quiet for a beat. “Is this because you haven’t told him about the baby?”
Sadie nodded, trying to bite on her quivering lips. “Waiting for the honeymoon was a bad idea. It’s all a big lie.”
“Of course it’s not a lie! You’re going to tell him.”
“I wanted to wait, but now I realize not telling him is like lying to him. It’s too big. Too…too life changing.” Her mother’s words. A wise woman Sadie should have confided in before today.
“What do you want me to do? We can fix this.”
“I’m going to have to talk to him. I need to see him right now.” She wrung her hands together. “Can you go get him?”
“Um, sure. We’ll just delay the start. I’ll talk to the pastor, tell your father, and…” Eve held up her fingers, counting off “to do” items. “What should I tell Lincoln?”
“Just tell him I need to talk to him. I don’t know, tell him I’m nervous, and thinking about running!”
“I wouldn’t dare!”
“Do whatever you have to do but get my fiancé here so I can tell him he’s going to be a daddy.”
Outside, people were still arriving. Mr. Stephens was pacing nearby and stopped to say hello to Beulah and Lloyd Hayes as they arrived. Others were already seated inside, waiting. Jackson was off to the side, seeming to want to blend into the background. Eve took in the sight of him, and her heart nearly stopped. This was exactly what he’d looked like on their wedding day. He’d worn a black tux. He’d been lankier eight years ago. His hair had been longer, down to his neck and parted in the middle. He now walked with a confident swagger he hadn’t possessed at twenty-one. He was a man, whereas she’d almost married a boy.
He stepped right in front of her. “What’s happening?”
“Oh, n-nothing,” she lied. “I just wanted to talk to Lincoln for a sec. Where is he?”
“He’s inside waitin’ with everyone else. Weddin’s about to begin.”
Eve’s gut burned like a wildfire. “Can you get him for me?”
“What? Now?” Jackson’s eyes narrowed. “Are you serious?”
“Sadie just needs to talk to him real quick.”
Jackson scowled. His voice rose in volume. “This is ridiculous. You promised me this wouldn’t happen.”
“Don’t you yell at me. This is none of our business. I’m tryin’ to fix this.” She hooked her thumb behind her. “Go on.”
He met her gaze for several seconds and then hoofed it inside the church. A minute later he came back with Lincoln in tow.
“What’s wrong?” Lincoln asked, his brow creased. “Is Sadie alright?”
“Lincoln, she just needs to talk to you about something. She—”
Eve didn’t get another word out. Lincoln opened the door so fast he was like a streak of lightning.
“What’s going on?” Mr. Stephens asked. “Where’s Sadie? What’s Lincoln doing in there?”
“They’ll be right out, Mr. Stephens,” Eve said.
“They better be. We’re gettin’ a late start.” He glanced at his watch, then began pacing again.
Eve and Jackson waited outside the suite like guards. Or statues. Or statues of guards. Lord, she was nervous. How would Lincoln react? She couldn’t picture him being unhappy about the baby, but he might be angry that she’d waited until now to tell him. Or at the least, shocked.
“She’d better get her act together,” Jackson said through a tight jaw. “There are a lot of people in the chapel.”
“She will.”
“I was afraid of this.”
“I know.”
A moment of silence later, Jackson rolled his shoulders. “This is awkward.”
“And way too familiar.”
“Isn’t it supposed to be bad luck for him to see the bride before the wedding?”
Eve snorted. “You didn’t see me. How was our luck?”
“Good point. What is it, anyway? Do you know?”
“I do, but I’m not sure if I should say.”
“Just tell me this: is she runnin’ out on my brother?” His voice sounded deep and dark.
“No. Never.”
Because Sadie was a lot smarter than Eve had been. She was going to work this problem out even this late in the game.
“Then what do they have to talk about right before the weddin’ that can’t wait?”
Eve sighed. “She’s…pregnant.”
Jackson’s neck swiveled like he’d been slapped. “Is she afraid she’s going to have a wardrobe malfunction?”
Eve didn’t think it would be possible to laugh, but Jackson’s puzzled expression pulled one out of her. “No. She hasn’t told him yet, and doesn’t think it’s fair to wait until after the wedding.”
“Like he’s going to back out now? Is she nuts? Why scare him like this?”
“She wants to start the marriage off by being perfectly honest. She was going to tell him on the honeymoon.”
“Well, I’m glad they’re working it out.” Jackson was silent for a long beat. “Eve, that day?”
No need to ask what day. Their wedding day. She simply looked up at him, wordless, feeling her legs shake and tremble.
“You should have talked to me before the wedding. Then you would have known that I wanted to get married. I loved you and I would have never regretted staying behind. Maybe Nashville would have come later for me. For us. Who knows? But when you left me? I was so angry.” He reached for her hand, threaded his fingers through hers. “I made a mistake, too. And I need you to forgive me for that.”
Eve never thought she’d hear this out of Jackson. An apology. For a moment she froze. “Forgive you?”
“It was a mistake not to come and find you. I should have swallowed my pride and maybe we would be married today.”
“Maybe so, or maybe we would be divorced.”
“I doubt that. But I’m sorry for my part.” He pulled her into his arms. “So sorry.”
“I know, Jackson. I know.” She pulled out of his arms. “I need to tell the pastor we’re startin’ late.”
“Let’s both do it.” And Jackson held out his hand.
CHAPTER 23
Lincoln’s heart pounded in his chest like a horse stampede. He was about to find out why Sadie had been acting so strangely these past two weeks. It couldn’t be because she wanted to back out. Sadie was his and his alone. And he was hers. But somehow, he’d failed to reassure her that he wanted this moment. Marriage and commitment. A true partnership and real love. It had taken so long to find her, and when he did, turned out she’d always been there. Right under his nose.
He wouldn’t lose her now due to nerves, or whatever else. When he threw open the door to the suite, she was already facing him. Dressed in white, she was a cross between an angel and a princess. In her hands she held a bouquet filled with purple flowers which she carefully set aside. She looked radiant. A little like the sun. He’d never seen anything or anyone more beautiful in this life and for a moment, he couldn’t speak.
“What is it, baby? You wanted to talk to me?” He drew her into his arms.
“Oh, Lincoln.”
He nearly had a heart attack at the anguish in her voice and pulled back to search her eyes. In them, he saw no change. She loved him. Still. Thank the Lord for that.
“Tell me.”
“I have news. I hope you’ll be happy. I’m…we’re…having a baby. You’re going to be a daddy.”
Stunned at the news, he was robbed of the simplicity of words. Words like, “what?”
“I wanted to tell you the minute I found out, then I got nervous, because we didn’t plan for a baby this soon. So, I thought I’d tell you on the honeymoon, as a surprise. Maybe you’d be relaxed and take it well. But then, my mother took me to breakfast for a talk, and she told me I should never keep anything from my husband. And I—”
“She’s right,” he finally spoke.
If someone would have told him a year ago that he’d be happy about this news, he’d have called them a liar. But everything changed when he fell in love with Sadie. Everything. And, it was still changing. The thing of it all was that he’d always loved a good ride. And Sadie was giving him one. Every day.
“Please forgive me for not telling you before today.” Her eyes were wide, watery, and filled with…worry.
She was afraid he’d be the one to back out now.
“Baby, how could you ever think I wouldn’t be happy about this?” He brought her hands to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.
“Because…we’re not ready.”
“And it’s happening anyway.” He grinned, bringing his palm to rest against her belly.
“You… You’re happy.” She seemed genuinely surprised.
He tipped her chin up. “From the moment I fell in love with you, I’ve been on the wildest ride of my life. I figure this is going to be another interesting turn, just a little sooner than we’d planned. But there’s nothing you could ever do or say to make me walk away from you. We’re together and nothing, or no one, can come between us.”
“I love you so much.” She gripped his hands and squeezed. “Let’s hurry up and make this official before we lose the pastor.”
“Great, because you had me wonderin’ there for a minute.”
She blinked. “Like I would ever run out on you?”
“Well, our town is known for runaway brides. And…there’s Eve. It did occur to me.”
“Never. I would never abandon you.” She palmed the side of his face. “I love you.”
“Then I’ll see you at the altar.”
“Hurry!” She laughed and shoved him toward the door.
Lincoln rushed out and clapped his hands together. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road. Mr. Stephens, she’s ready for you.”
“Well it’s about stinkin’ time.” Mr. Stephens rushed inside.
“Everything okay?” Jackson asked.
His poor brother. The worry and fear etched in his eyes were a reflection of the day Eve had left him. He wished it could have been as easy as a conversation for Jackson and Eve, but their situation was different. Far more complicated.
“Looks like I’m going to be a daddy.” His chest felt so puffed up with pride he might lose a button.
“Congratulations are in order, then.” Jackson gave a big grin and slapped Lincoln’s back. “You stud. Let’s go get you married, brother.”
Other than a slightly delayed start, the rest of the Carver wedding went ahead without a hitch. Tilly McGregor the flower girl, dropped rose petals down the aisle without tripping once, and the ring bearer had possession of the ring. Jackson and Eve walked down the aisle and separated at the altar without a single wedding guest snickering. Rings and vows were exchanged. Tears were shed, but not by Jackson. He was in another place.
He’d never seen Eve on their wedding day. Something ridiculous about that being bad luck. But maybe if he’d given in to his desire to see her before the wedding, to be reminded of how much he loved her, he wouldn’t have felt like a man being led to the brig. All of the months of preparations and planning had meant they’d spent less time enjoying each other and too much time thinking about one day out of the rest of their lives.
Yes, he’d wanted Nashville, but ultimately, he wanted her more. They could have reassured each other, just as Lincoln and Sadie had done, and he’d have married her sure as he was currently in the great state of Texas.
Whether that was a good or a bad thing, he still didn’t know.
He couldn’t say for certain that their marriage would have worked, but he’d loved her enough to try. He still loved her. Which was going to make all this way too complicated. She’d built her defenses up so well that he often couldn’t be sure of what she was feeling unless they were kissing. Then, he could feel her. He could taste her.
One thing for certain. He’d reverted to behaving like an idiot minutes before the wedding. He’d lost his temper again and behaved illogically when he’d blamed her for Sadie’s issue. But doubts were powerful. Especially when they got fed on a regular basis.
He should know.
Everyone headed over to the lodge at the ranch for the reception, but the wedding party was held back for photos. Eve looked beautiful in a blue bridesmaid dress, wearing fancy cowgirl boots with inlays that matched the dress. Though they were on either side of the bride and groom, he kept catching Eve’s eye. The first two times, she looked away. The third time, she squinted at him. The fourth time, she stuck out her tongue and laughed when he did the same.
“Folks let’s save the funny faces until the end,” the photographer said.
Finally, they left the bride and groom to even more photos and the wedding party made their way to the lodge. But he and Eve took separate trucks. He’d wanted to ride with her because he had some groveling to do, but she’d wound up getting into a truck with the other bridesmaids before he could intervene. Instead he found himself with fellow groomsmen Beau Stephens and Wade Cruz.
“Can you believe it?” Wade said. “Our Lincoln is a married man.”
“Never thought I’d see the day,” Beau said. “But if anyone could have gotten him to settle down it was my little sister. She’s a charmer.”
“Made an honest man out of him,” Wade said.
Jackson turned into the lot following a long line of trucks and noted when a single limo pulled up to the curb. Out piled the “rented dates,” hired by the ladies of SORROW to attend the wedding reception, another Stone Ridge tradition. “Rented” was actually misleading, as they simply came for the free food, champagne, dancing, and all the eager men. They were instantly recognizable by the fact that no one recognized them.
“Thank the good Lord, someone to dance with,” Beau said, looking out the window.
“According to Beulah, some of these ladies might actually someday move to Stone Ridge if they find the right man,” Wade said.
“She only says that to keep us on our best behavior,” Beau said.
Wade chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll manage.”
A man on a mission, Jackson carried his guitar case toward the lodge. He was met by Jolette Marie.
“I thought we had a DJ. You’re performing tonight?” Jolette Marie was accompanied by all three of her brothers.
“Nope. Just one song for the bride and groom.”
“I’d hoped we could get a whole Jackson Carver concert here tonight,” Jolette Marie said, tossing her hair.
“This day is about Lincoln and Sadie. Not my show.”
Besides, he was on vacation. If “vacation” included back-breaking labor mending fences and helping pull a heifer out who’d gotten stuck in mud. His trainer had never worked him this hard. He should be in the best shape of his life, but all he needed was a few more days of Eve’s cooking and he’d be as solid as Lincoln.
“Y’all seen Eve?” Jackson asked, scanning the crowd.
Jolette Marie’s youngest brother nudged his chin in the direction of the lodge. “She’s already in there.”
What neither Lincoln nor Sadie knew was that the song he’d perform tonight would actually take the place of the best man’s toast. Other men had the gift of gab. Like Lincoln, and even Wade, who were funny when they wanted to be. Jackson had never been funny, except to Eve, who had laughed at every one of his lame jokes. When he’d been racking his brain for material for his best man’s toast, considering hiring a comedy writer to do it, it was his manager who had suggested he sing instead. And heck, he could do that. These days, it was about the only thing he felt he could do well.
He hightailed it inside, sticking his guitar case in a corner. The lodge had been transformed. There were white drapes hung from the beams at key places. White fairy lights strung. A wide dance floor and a DJ in the corner.
Jackson was stopped frequently for conversations with some folks he hadn’t seen in years. Beulah Hayes and others wanted to chat and welcome him back to Stone Ridge. Asked him to consider putting down roots and staying awhile. He was grateful to see folks in a relaxed and normal situation in which he wasn’t the center of attention. To residents like Beulah, he was special, but only because he was one of the men of Stone Ridge.
Jackson took his place beside Lincoln at the head table and clapped his back. “Congratulations.”
“Were you totally freaked out?” Lincoln said under his breath.
“Nah,” Jackson lied. “I knew Sadie wasn’t going to walk out on you.”
“Not with Eve there.” Lincoln chuckled. “I have to thank her for lettin’ me know soon as I get the chance.”
