Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
“Have you ever heard of Western Bridal?” Arden asked.
“No,” Stratton replied.
“They’re a wedding boutique in Coeur d’Alene that hired us to do a photoshoot,” Arden explained.
“You’re a photographer?” Stratton asked.
“Arden is, I’m the assistant,” I clarified.
“Don’t listen to her. She’s the brains behind our entire business. Maisie books our gigs and models, handles bookkeeping and payroll, and keeps me organized.”
“You keep her organized?” Stratton asked in amusement.
I turned around and shot him a glare before facing forward again.
“Anyway, the couple that was supposed to do the photoshoot who are actually engaged got into a huge fight and they bailed. Maisie is the same size as the bride, so she stepped up. And then she went on a mission to find a groom. And she found you,” Arden said.
She turned off the main road onto an unpaved gravel path.
“We can pay you,” I blurted out. “We didn’t really get a chance to discuss that.”
“So, you want me to dress up in formalwear and take some photos?” Stratton asked. “Do I have that right so far?”
“Yes,” Arden said. “So, will you save the day?”
I turned to look at Stratton and sent him my most pleading, doe-eyed look.
“What kind of cowboy would I be if I didn’t help ladies in distress?” he quipped.
Arden laughed and I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my mouth.
“You’re heading to Dark Timber Ranch?” Stratton asked.
Arden frowned. “Yeah. How did you know that?”
“I know this road well, becuase I work there.”
“You’re kidding,” Arden said.
“Nope. Ah, you know what? I remember Jo saying something last week about a photoshoot in the barn. But I completely forgot about it.”
“You work at Dark Timber Ranch?” I asked. “That’s a small world.”
“The smallest,” he agreed. “Good thing today is my day off. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to help you with the photoshoot.”
“Must be fate,” Arden said, shooting me a glance.
“Fate,” I snorted. “Oh please.”
Arden pulled onto the property and parked. “I’m just going to tell Jo we’re here and not to worry. Maisie, take him to the barn and get him into the clothes.”
Arden hopped out the SUV and was traipsing up the steps of the ranch house before I was even reaching for the door.
Stratton helped me out and I kept the skirt of the wedding dress lifted so the hem wouldn’t get stained with mud.
“Thanks,” I said.
“Sure thing.” Stratton closed the door and we headed in the direction of the barn. “So, about this payment . . .”
“Oh, right, let’s talk money.”
“I don’t want money,” he said.
“So you’re doing this out of the kindness of your heart?” I asked with dry humor.
“Hardly.” He shot me a grin. “I want a different form of payment . . .”
“Don’t you dare proposition me,” I warned. “I will punch you square in the eye; photoshoot be damned.”
“Feral. I like that,” he quipped. “And no. I wouldn’t dishonor you like that. That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you want?”
“A date.”
“With Arden? Sure. I can—”
“With you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You.”
“But men always want to date Arden.”
“I’m sure they do,” he agreed pleasantly. “But you’re the one I want to take on a date.”
I paused, not wishing to examine the warmth that curled through me at his words. “A date with me is not on the table.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have a boyfriend.”
Disappointment flashed across his face and he fell silent.
I immediately felt regret. It wasn’t a lie. I did have a boyfriend. But it was long distance and completely stagnant.
The air chilled between me and Stratton and it had nothing to do with the early spring weather.
We fell into silence as we continued our way to the barn. The scent of horses and hay hit me all at once and I breathed it in, hoping like hell Arden could make some magic happen despite the curve ball that had been thrown our way.
Even if we were able to deliver photos to our clients on time, there was no guarantee they’d be happy with the model switcheroo. We hadn’t told them about the fiasco in progress, and were praying they wouldn’t mind me and Stratton as a substitute.
“Clothes are hanging up in the free stall,” I said and gestured to the end stall that we’d turned into a dressing room since there was only a tiny bathroom in the barn.
“Better get to it then,” Stratton said, heading to the stall. He picked up a garment bag and unzipped it. “Not what I thought they’d be.”
“You thought tuxedo and bowtie?” I asked with a grin.
“You hear wedding, you think penguin.”
“Yes, but this is western-forward wedding wear. That’s the whole point of the photo shoot.”
He reached for his hat and took it off, setting it on the folding table. His hair was dark, nearly black; striking against his blue eyes.
“I’m about to get naked,” he said. “You’re welcome to watch. But I don’t think your boyfriend would approve.”
Still salty.
Cheeks burning, I turned and gave him my back.
“So, what happened to the other models?” he asked.
Metal clanked.
No doubt he was removing his belt.
And now I couldn’t stop thinking about him naked.
I peered up at the barn ceiling. “They got into a fight.”
“So Arden said. Do you know what they fought about?”
“The groom slept with someone else and the bride found out.”
“Ouch.”
“Double ouch—it was the bride’s mother.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I wish I was. We got the call this morning at three a.m. from the bride, who had no qualms about sharing her dirty laundry.”
“At least they gave you a heads-up.”
“Hmm. Yeah. I guess.”
My skin prickled with cold. The wedding dress had capped sleeves and a modest neckline, but it did nothing to keep me warm. While I’d been attempting to locate a makeshift groom, I hadn’t thought much about wearing a jacket. Adrenaline and panic had kept me warm.
“I’m decent,” Stratton called.
I turned and my jaw dropped.
Actually dropped.
Better than decent.
The groom had been six two, and Stratton was easily six three.
The brown suede jacket strained a bit against his shoulders, but otherwise it was a perfect fit and the tightness of it showed his chiseled physique.
His starched white shirt was open at the collar to reveal tan skin.
And the brown felt hat completed his ensemble.
“Close your mouth, gremlin.” He grinned. “It’s almost like the suit was made for me. I clean up good, huh?”
I nearly swallowed my tongue. “Yeah. You clean up nice.”
Brisk footsteps alerted me that Arden had finally shown up. “Oh my,” she said. “You’re hotter than the original we had planned on. Let’s get the show on the road, yeah?”