The Cowboy Imports a Bride(The Cowboys Of Chance Creek #3) (23 page)

The big man blanched in the sudden attention of everyone in the room.

"Aw, heck."

* * * * *

"Where are you going?" Rob asked the next day when Jamie turned left instead of right. They were supposed to be driving to Carl's ranch to get to work on the garden, but Jamie had just gone in the wrong direction.

"We have a stop to make," Jamie said. A few minutes later, he turned onto the lane that led to Rob's family's ranch.

"Here?"

"Yep. Let's find your brothers." Jamie pulled up in front of the house, parked the truck and hopped out before Rob could ask any more questions, and by the time he maneuvered his way out the door his friend had taken off in long strides toward the nearest barn.

When Rob caught up with him, Jamie had already corralled Jake and Luke. "Where's Ned?" he was asking.

"I'll get him," Luke said. As he disappeared into another outbuilding, Jake asked, "What's all this about?"

"Once Rob's married, he'll divide his time between the ranches. He's got to help Morgan start her vineyard, Ethan with his trail rides, and me with my horse-breeding and riding school," Jamie said, "so he needs to nail down what part of this operation he'll be running, so he can schedule his time."

Rob nearly choked and Jake looked like he was having trouble swallowing this piece of news, as well. "The part he'll be running?"

"With your dad laid up and all, don't you think it's time he did his share?"

"Well, sure…but…" Jake seemed relieved when Luke returned with Ned. When Jamie repeated his piece, all three of them exchanged uncomfortable looks.

"It's not that we don’t want you," Ned began, finally. "I've been trying to get you over here for weeks. It's just…"

"There are no other parts to take on," Luke finished for him.

"What are you talking about?" Rob said. "Ned's been on my back all this time about how much work is going undone. With Dad getting an operation there must be lots to do."

"After Dad went to the hospital, we decided we'd better get together and sort out the rest of the ranch," Jake agreed. "It was the darndest thing – when we sat down to do it, we figured out there was no extra work. We were already doing all of it."

"We realized Dad had been preparing us for years to take over the spread. He'd already handed out his responsibilities," Luke chimed in.

"But…" Rob sputtered. "What's he been doing all this time? And what about all the work you said there was for me to do?"

"Let's just say Dad was supervising a lot more than he was working," Ned said. "As for the rest of it, there's always work to be done, you know that. But there aren't any real jobs to take on – not supervisory ones – and we figured you wouldn't want us to boss you around for the rest of your life. We can hire another hand or two."

Rob shoved his hands into his pockets. Hell, now that they didn't want him, he felt a little offended.

"You'll always be part of the ranch," Jake said.

"Don't see how," Rob said.

His brothers exchanged another glance.

"Look," Jake said. "You're starting something of your own, and we've agreed we're all behind you 100 percent. It doesn't matter what you do, you'll always be a Matheson."

"I like the sound of that winery," Luke said. "It'll bring a little class to the place."

"Plus a lot of wine," Ned said, grinning.

The lead weight of worry and familial duty fell away, and for the first time Rob felt like he could pursue his dream without losing his family. He stood straighter as the truth hit him; he'd done everything he set out to do – everything but marry Morgan.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

"How about this one?" Lisa pulled a creamy satin gown from the rack where Ellie Donaldson was hanging the dresses she picked from all over her store for Morgan to try on. The minute she'd walked into Ellie's Bridals, the white-haired woman had looked her over and bustled off to find
just the thing
. She'd laden the rack outside her dressing room with gowns and Morgan was having the time of her life climbing into each one, then coming out to stand on the pedestal in the center of the store and model for Lisa, Autumn and Claire.

"Don't you think that's too fancy for the wedding I'm having?"

Lisa frowned, and Morgan wanted to kick herself for the way she'd phrased that. Holt hadn't been discharged from the hospital yet after his operation. Lisa had explained that normally he would have already been sent home, but he had other health complications, and he would need to remain in the hospital for several more weeks.

Accordingly, they'd decided to forego the fancy wedding Lisa had wanted to put on at the Matheson ranch. Instead, the ceremony and reception would be held in one of the meeting rooms at the hospital, so Holt could take part. The Cruzes and Mathesons would all be there, plus as many friends and relatives as they could fit in the medium-sized room. Morgan squelched another pang of disappointment. After all, she was hardly contributing to the guest list. Even her father had been non-committal so far about whether or not he could make the wedding.

She lifted her chin. None of that mattered. What did matter was she was marrying the man she loved and creating the life she wanted with him right here in Chance Creek. There would be other occasions to celebrate at the ranch.

"I like this one." Autumn pulled out an elegant, slim gown. Morgan reached for it and went into the changing room. As soon as she stepped into the dress, she knew it was the one. The fitted bodice plumped her breasts up high, and the skirt draped and clung to her legs. It was the most sensual piece of clothing she'd ever worn, without being immodest in any way. Almost devoid of decoration, the dress was a masterpiece, and she felt as lush and radiant wearing it as she did when she made love to Rob.

A smile curved her lips at the thought. Soon she'd have the right to make love to him for the rest of their lives. What a gift that was. The thought of all those nights ahead of her made her tingle all over.

"Come on out and show us," Claire called, breaking into her reverie. She turned and exited the small room, her smile widening when the others' gasps told her all she needed to know.

"That's definitely the one," Autumn said.

"No doubt about it," Lisa agreed.

Ellie nodded as if she'd known it all along.

* * * * *

Thursday evening, Rob was at Carl's to put the final touches on Lacey's garden. The walls were up, the pathways paved with stones, the beds built and planted and the fountain and statuary installed. Claire and Autumn had searched every garden store for miles finding shrubs, perennials and annuals, and they'd filled the boxes and borders as best they could given the time of year. Cab had promised to give everything a good dousing with water and make sure the pathways were swept before Carl's final inspection.

Once Carl gave him his check, he'd head straight to the bank the minute it opened in the morning to deposit it so he could give Morgan her wedding gift. He was overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. The garden had come together beautifully with so many hands ready to help. He couldn't believe how many friends and neighbors – even acquaintances – had pulled together to get the job done when Claire put out the call.

He smiled over at Morgan who was picking fallen leaves out of a flower bed. The whole gang had decided to meet at Carl's garden for the grand unveiling, as Autumn had started to call it. He hoped Carl didn't mind. Since everyone had pitched in to work on it, they all felt invested in the outcome. Already people were spilling into the garden, and Carl's driveway was full of cars.

Autumn and Ethan, Jamie and Claire, Cab, Jake, Ned and Luke. Even Rose and Tracey, and Bella and Hannah from the pet clinic had shown up. He went to greet them happily, until he caught sight of Claire's face.

Uh-oh. Something was wrong.

"You won't believe it," she said, hurrying up to him. "Lacey's home early. Carl texted me to say he's picking her up from the airport and they'll be here in fifteen minutes."

"Thank goodness we got the garden done," Morgan said, coming up beside Rob and taking his hand.

"But the house isn't done," Claire said. "Most of it is, but half of the furniture isn't here and all the extra little touches. It'll be like walking through an empty showhouse. Damn it, I worked so hard on that!"

"I'm sure she won't mind," Morgan said.

"You don't know Lacey," Claire and Rob said at the same time.

"I'm going to make sure everything's as good as it can possibly be," Claire said, hurrying off.

"What do we do?" Morgan asked him.

"Wait, I guess."

* * * * *

So that was the infamous Lacey Taylor, Morgan thought as she watched Carl open the door to his luxury truck and offer his hand to a tall, thin, fashionable woman. She seemed dazed to find a whole group of people in her driveway – including her ex-fiancé – but Carl took things into hand.

"Folks, I appreciate you coming out, but I'd like to show Lacey around the house first before we head out to the garden. If you all will give us a few minutes, we'll join you there shortly."

Claire hovered at the periphery of the crowd. Morgan thought she wasn't sure whether to join Carl and Lacey or leave them alone. Carl spotted her, though, and seemed to realize her predicament.

"Lacey," he said, "I used Claire's services for the interior design of our new home. Nothing but the best for my girl, eh?" He gave her a squeeze. "Would you like Claire to tour the house with us?"

"It's not complete," Claire rushed to say, her normal confident tones weak with nerves. Morgan's heart squeezed for her sister. She knew this particular contract meant a lot to her. "We thought we had a few more days – most of the furniture hasn't been delivered."

"I'm sure it's lovely," Lacey said. "If you don't mind, I'd like to see it first alone with Carl. I didn't expect company."

"Oh…that's fine. I understand," Claire said. "I'll wait in the garden."

"Thank you," Lacey said, took Carl's outstretched hand and followed him into the house.

"Well, she's changed," Rose said. There were murmured assents all around.

"Really?" Morgan said to Claire. "How?"

"Let me count the ways," Tracey said, cutting in. "One, she's not dressed in some tacky miniskirt; two, she was actually polite and three; she was actually polite. Oh, and did I mention that she was actually polite?"

Everyone chuckled.

"We'd better head to the garden," Autumn said and led the way.

Ten minutes later the back door opened and Lacey stepped out onto the deck that overlooked the wide backyard and the whole garden behind it. With the fingers of pine forest running in from the hills forming a frame for the manicured space, Morgan was sure Lacey's view was spectacular. She held her breath, hoping against hope this difficult young woman would approve of it so Rob could get paid. She didn't know what Rob would do if after all his work, Carl was to renege.

"What do you think, sweetheart?" Carl asked her, escorting Lacey down the stairs into the garden. "I've taken care of everything, haven't I? And now that you're better there's nothing standing in the way of the two of us getting married. What do you say? Should we set the date?"

Morgan's breath caught when she saw Lacey's face. Why couldn't Carl see that Lacey was already overwhelmed by her homecoming, the enormous log home he'd built for her, and this outsized garden? Why did he have to push her for a date in so public a fashion?

In a horrible flash, she knew Lacey wasn't going to say yes.

"I'm so sorry, Carl," Lacey said, her voice wobbling. "I thought we'd have time alone to discuss it. You see…"

"Honey, I'm the one who's sorry," Carl broke in. "You've had a long day and you're tired. We'll discuss this another time."

"No, I think we need to talk about it now," Lacey said. "I can't marry you, Carl. I'm sorry. When we started dating all I wanted was to be with a rich man, but now things are different. I'm different. I came home early to tell you I'm going to college in Billings. I'm going to get a degree in counseling and I'm going to help other women who've been through what I've been through. I can't be a trophy wife, and as beautiful as it is, I can't just take care of a garden. I want to take care of people." She smiled tremulously. "I've finally found my calling."

Carl sat down heavily on a marble bench. "You're not going to stay? Lacey – I don't mind if you go to school…I'll pay for it…"

"No." Lacey touched his arm. "I appreciate that but I need to do this for myself. You need to find someone whole, Carl. Someone who loves you for you. I wish it was me, but it's not. I'm sorry. Everyone – the garden you made for me is beautiful. I'm sorry your work was for nothing." With a sob, she ran for the house. A moment later, Carl went after her.

"Well," Rob said heavily. "Back to the drawing board."

"Carl will see you paid," Ethan assured him as everyone returned to their vehicles in silence. Morgan wasn't worried about the money anymore. She knew they'd figure things out even if Carl didn't come through.

She felt bad for the man, though. Even millionaires could have their hearts broken.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

"Well, he paid me," Rob said to Ethan, Jamie, and Cab the next day as Carl's fancy truck drove away down the lane. "I hated to take it from him, but I did do the work even if Lacey didn't want a garden."

"I almost feel sorry for him," Ethan said. "Almost."

"I'm still finding it hard to picture Lacey as a counselor," Jamie said. "But I suppose stranger things have happened."

"Stranger things happen every day," Cab said. "For example, a certain friend of mine who swore he'd never get married is tying the knot."

Rob laughed as loudly as the others. "Yeah, that is kind of strange. Want to hear something stranger?"