Chapter Eleven #2
Garrett’s attention turned to Tara, and he motioned her forward.
“Tara, I welcome you into our family with open arms. I know we will butt heads over your choice of boyfriends and how late you can stay out on dates. I will never replace your parents, but I promise to protect you and love you as a big brother.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small turquoise ring and slid it on her finger.
“I love you, troublemaker. I’m honored to call you my family. ”
Tara choked up and flung her arms around the big bear of a man. “I love you, Garrett,” she said, sobbing. When they pulled apart, she showed Riley her ring, who smiled with happy tears.
Tara returned to her place, and they continued the ceremony.
“I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Garrett, you may kiss your bride.”
Garrett picked Riley up and twirled her in the air as she cupped his face, laughed, and kissed him.
The couple seemed oblivious to those around them as they shared the moment together.
Then Garrett set her down on the grass, and they walked down the aisle together.
Jameson extended his arm to Tara, who looped hers around it, and they followed.
Caroline glanced at Jameson to find his gaze fixed on her.
The couples hung around while Garrett and Riley took wedding photos during the beautiful sunset.
Tara joined them for a few before running inside the barn with her best friend, Kara.
They lit the building with twinkling lights throughout, while fans kept the guests cool.
Servers passed out a selection of drinks and appetizers, and Caroline found a chair in the corner to observe the crowd.
Rachel and Matthew sat an arm’s length away when the music started.
“Riley did a wonderful job. Everything feels like the two of them,” Rachel said to Matthew, who nursed a beer.
“It’s simple and nice,” Matthew agreed.
“Why won’t you talk to me about our wedding date?” she asked quietly. Caroline heard the longing in her voice.
“Do we have to have this conversation here? We recently got engaged, and I don’t see the rush. We’re living together and getting used to one another’s quirks,” Matthew reasoned, watching the crowd.
“Riley and Garret have known each other less than we do, and he insisted on a wedding right away,” Rachel said, the hurt in her voice evident.
Matthew pinched his nose. “I know you’ve changed.
You’re working extremely hard at becoming the person you want people to see and recognize.
Sometimes, I feel like you still try to manipulate me.
Yes, I have money, and we can afford a few luxuries.
It doesn’t mean I want to spend fifteen hundred dollars on a pair of shoes you’ll likely wear once a year.
You refuse to take budgets seriously. I want a couple of rugrats running around someday.
Not today, but sometime later. You refuse to discuss it. You can’t manipulate me anymore.”
“I haven’t manipulated you,” she exclaimed through clenched teeth.
“Really? Tell me you believed Riley wanted a seventeen-hundred-dollar pair of shoes when she wears cowboy boots and sneakers everywhere,” Matthew challenged. “What about the wedding gift? Don’t get me wrong, I love your sexy outfits, but it doesn’t mean you need designer everything.”
“Let me get this straight,” Rachel hissed. “You won’t set a date with me because I haven’t changed enough for you? I make a living and deserve a treat every once in a while. You didn’t seem to complain when you found me wearing the lingerie in bed.”
“You’re missing the point. Marriage means compromise.
It’s not about what you can hide from me until the bills come in and justify it later.
If you don’t want kids, then say it,” he said irritably.
“Sometimes I feel you changed for my benefit, not your own. What happens when you start to resent me?”
“Like I do, right now?” Rachel rose from her chair. “I’ve done everything to prove I’m not the same woman from Serenity. If you didn’t plan on marrying me then you shouldn’t have given me your ring,” she said, pulling off the jewelry and pressing it into his hand before fleeing the barn.
“Rachel,” he growled as he rose to follow her.
Caroline’s heart broke for her friend.
“May I sit here?” Jameson asked, hovering over her.
“Be my guest,” she said, icily.
“How do you feel?” he asked, striking up a conversation.
“I’m fine, Jameson,” she said firmly.
“Rebecca tells me you moved to one of the cabins. How’s it going?” he asked.
Like hell. I can’t sleep without you near and worry Cain will find me and put me in a cage again. You hurt me with your absence. I thought you cared.
“It’s going fine. Rebecca helped me sign up for my master’s degree. I don’t start for another month,” she informed him.
“Wow. It must feel exciting. I never asked you what you studied,” he said, turning his full attention on her.
“I want to become a therapist and help trafficking survivors. I want to focus primarily on children,” she murmured, glancing away from him. Caroline didn’t want him to see how he affected her.
“I’m sure you’ll be great. I saw how you hovered over the kids and took such great care of them,” he said confidently.
Caroline jumped out of her chair. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said, marching for the opening in the barn.
She heard someone running after her, but she refused to stop.
“Caroline, wait,” he demanded.
“Leave me alone, Jameson,” she growled. “I haven’t seen you in weeks, and you want to enjoy small talk at a wedding?” she yelled, refusing to glance behind her.
“You don’t understand,” he called gently.
“Oh, I comprehend more than you believe. Go back to your best man duties. We don’t have anything to say to one another,” she shouted, walking to her cabin.
“You’re going the wrong way. If you insist on leaving, let me drive you,” he offered.
Turning around and walking in the opposite direction, she shouted, “No, thank you. I don’t want to put you out. You have a wedding to celebrate. Goodbye, Jameson.”
His hand closed around her arm, sending a frisson of fear running through her. She threw up her hands, waiting for the punch to come.
“Damn it, Caroline. I would never hit you, no matter how angry you make me,” he swore.
She tugged her arm from his hold and straightened the strap on her borrowed dress. “It’s a knee-jerk response. I’m not saying it again. Leave me alone.”
“All right,” he said, giving up. “Will you let me drop you off at the cabin? I didn’t mean to ruin your fun. Come back to the festivities, and I’ll stay away.”
That’s the problem. I don’t want you to…
Taking a few breaths, Caroline calmed herself as her therapist taught her.
“I can walk to the cabin alone,” she said, gritting her teeth.
“I’m aware of your capabilities. I only meant to talk. I haven’t seen you and wanted to check on you as a friend,” he explained, plunging the dagger in her heart once more.
Stopping, Caroline stared at him. “Friends? When did we become friends? When you used me to get the information about Rebecca? Guess what? Cain discovered my snooping. I went three days without drinking anything but water. Did I see you come to my rescue? You left me there, Jameson. I waited every day for you to find me. When you didn’t come, I realized you were no different than Cain.
He used me for my body, and you used me for my knowledge.
You pretended to care when you brought me here, and then you left. ”
“Let me explain,” he insisted. “I’m working on a case. Sometimes, I don’t return when the others do.”
“You returned late Tuesday. Not once did you come visit me,” she said, unable to hide the hurt.
“I didn’t. I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I needed to get a few things done before the wedding.”
Caroline stayed silent, fighting back the tears.
“Why don’t you come inside, and we’ll get a cold drink. It’ll cool both our tempers,” he suggested, holding out his hand. “Besides, you’re still going the wrong way.”
Caroline heard the humor in his voice, and she couldn’t help the smile coming from her lips.
“Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s have fun, and then I’ll take you home. I have something I want to tell you.”
Reluctantly, she took his hand and let him lead her back to the barn. He went to the bar and brought back a strawberry lemonade.
“I didn’t know if you’re still taking medication. I can get you a beer or a glass of wine if you prefer,” he said, sitting beside her.
“No. I’m fine. I finished the meds, but I’m not in the mood for a drink. Lemonade sounds perfect.”
They watched as Riley and Garrett cut the cake and shared a piece. Garrett gently wiped the corner of Riley’s mouth with a napkin. They seemed like they spent the day inside their own little bubble.
The servers placed dinner in the middle of the table, serving it family style. Some of the cowboys entered the barn, fresh off their shifts. After they congratulated the couple, they sat at the tables, ready to have some fun.
Caroline took a bite of the brisket and closed her eyes. It tasted like heaven.
“How did you like Delaney’s fried chicken? I haven’t found anyone who cooks it like her,” Jameson said, taking a bite of the potato salad.
I didn’t eat it because I waited for you.
“It tasted great,” she said, focusing on her food. “I can’t believe she made extra appetizers for the wedding. She seems miserable in her last trimester.”
“Delaney never stops. She’s like the pink bunny,” Jameson said. “At least Mac makes her sit and get off her feet.”
“They’re together?” she asked, surprised.
“I’m not sure. One day, they seem close, and the next day, Mac acts like he’s too old to get out of bed to have a girlfriend,” he informed her. “I see you met Tara.”
“Yes, she’s a sweetie,” Caroline said as one of the younger cowboys sat beside her, earning a scowl from Garrett. “I think Garrett will have his hands full with Riley and Tara,” she said, giggling.