Chapter 17 Dallas
Glenda’s wearing a tight navy dress, leaning against the piano, and chatting to a few guests, a thin smile on her lips.
Her neck twists and our eyes meet.
No doubt about it—this woman’s aiming for mayor or something, and she’s making sure everyone knows no one’s above the law, no matter their land or money.
I turn to Willow. She’s been amazing tonight. Patient, easy, responsive to my every subtle gesture. She doesn’t question anything. Doesn’t go off-script. Instantly likable.
I’m about to give her a warning that Glenda is heading this way, but she cuts me off. “Let me do it.”
“What?”
“The speech. Look, I know it’s the last thing you want to do, but I don’t know these people—or I won’t for long anyway. I can say a few words and we can call it a night. Just give me the cue when.”
It takes me a minute to respond. My eyes scan this woman who keeps surprising me. I grin. “Slow down, superwoman. I don’t doubt you can say all the words. But I think it needs to be me.”
At some point, she needs to stop being my hero and let me be hers. She’s done enough this week—and tonight’s been trying for her. I can tell by the slump of her shoulders as the night went on. That bright smile starting to dim. The fidgeting with her ring less aggressive—like she’s lost the energy.
She smiles up at me weakly.
“What I was going to tell you was—”
“And when do I get to meet the blushing bride?” Glenda’s voice is sharp, but her perfume carries something stronger.
Willow doesn’t flinch. She shifts closer to me. Her fingers brush mine. I catch the signal and slide my hand into hers like it belongs there.
Willow puts out her hand, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “No blushing here,” she says, the smooth confidence back in her voice like she’s been saving it.
Glenda takes her hand. “Congratulations, I guess?”
Willow feigns confusion, then laughs. “Oh, I get it. OK, bring on all the ‘married life’ comments, we can take it. But we’re not worried, are we, my love?”
A ball catches in my throat, jaw tightening as I suppress the swallow.
For a second, I forget we’re pretending.
Forget there’s anyone else in the room at all.
They’re just two words. A line. An intention to sell this.
But my chest goes tight regardless. “Not at all,” I manage to say. “I do like myself a good challenge.”
Glenda glares at me. Then turns a fake smile on my fiancée.
My very real fiancée, because apparently—there’s going to be a very real wedding.
“So tell us about yourself, Willow.” She looks around. “Is your family here?”
“Think you misunderstood the invitation, Glenda,” I start sharply. “We invited folks who want to celebrate our union—not question it.”
Willow grazes my arm. “It’s all right.” She turns a tight grin toward Glenda. “The Thornes are my family, now. So if you’ll excuse us . . .”
“That sure was fast, wasn’t it?” she muses. “The announcement.”
Noah steps beside us. “If you’re here to ambush an innocent little girl again, you’re asking for a restraining order.”
“Don’t be silly, Noah. I’m on the school board. I was merely helping out the dismissal staff. They were low on—”
“In other words, if I were to subpoena records such as timecards and policy on minimum staff for dismissal, I’d find that someone called in sick and you were their last resort?”
She smiles tightly. “I respect your dedication to your friend—”
“My client.”
Her jaw ticks. “But this isn’t about me.”
“It is when I’m your opposing counsel. Now do us a favor and let the happy couple enjoy their night without you breathing down their necks.”
She smiles. “Fine. But since you’re here, I’m doing you the courtesy of letting you know that I’ve petitioned for Ellie to move back in with Cole, as he still has legal custody.”
Noah doesn’t flinch. He keeps his piercing blue eyes on Glenda. “Guys, if you’ll excuse us for a moment.”
I don’t hesitate to lure Willow away. I suspect Noah’s about to drop some unethical threats against the vulture.
I pull her behind the stairs, finding those pretty brown eyes swimming with tears. All at once, I’m outraged, concerned, and filled to the brim with a whole new level of protection.
But it’s not for my daughter right now.
“Don’t tell me she scared you, Sunset.” I swipe a strand of hair behind her ear to get a better look at her face.
“She’s going to take Ellie back to Cole,” she whispers, her voice cracking. “Who would do that? What kind of person, what kind of court would let a child be bounced around—”
I press my finger to her mouth as her voice grows loud. And it was a mistake—feeling the soft tremble of those lips.
They part slightly and it’s almost like a kiss to my flesh.
“She’s not going anywhere. Not for any longer than a short visit, I promise.”
She’s breathing hard. With fear or desire—I’m not sure either of us know.
A tear slips down the slope of her nose and I swipe it with my thumb.
I’m not a shusher, but I find myself shushing her, my fingers stroking her jaw like they’ve got a mind of their own.
She’s slipping and I feel helpless. She’s been so strong, so willing, but one threat against my little girl and she spirals like it’s a personal attack.
One I’m feeling with her.
“How can you know that? What are we even doing here if I can’t do the one thing that—”
Hitting my breaking point, I cover her mouth with mine, sliding my hand into her hair, gripping the back of her neck, anchoring her to me as I kiss her with an intensity I can’t comprehend.
Her throat vibrates with a moan and my body reacts, plastering my hips against hers. I can feel her pulse drumming beneath my thumb. Fast. Alive. Wild.
The seam of her mouth opens, giving me a taste of tequila, lime, and something out of this world.
Something that’s all Willow.
God, she’s soft.
Every inch of her responds, fits like that damn puzzle piece.
When whistles and applause roll in like a rough wave, we break apart. Our eyes stay connected for no more than a second. I might not know what she’s thinking, but I know we’re both done with this crowd.
Noah wraps an arm around my shoulder, a rare smirk on his face. “Nice touch, Romeo. But Glenda was already out the door.”
“What did you say to her?”
He glances around. “Is Ellie about?”
“Rose took her upstairs to bed when Glenda showed up.”
“Good. And don’t worry, she’s going to convince Cole not to petition for Ellie to be returned to him in the interim. But it can still happen.”
“How’d you do it?” I ask again. Normally, I don’t care for details on his tactics, but Glenda isn’t easily manipulated. I need to make sure his threat is rock solid. And legal.
“Courts generally have strict protections against minors being approached or manipulated. All I had to do was tell her how much she upset Ellie that day, and she knew enough to know I’d use it should my client decide to sue her personally.” He smirks.
“You’re worth every penny.”
He slaps my shoulder twice and nods to the stairs. “Now, while you’ve got their attention.”
I sigh and let go of Willow’s hand. She stands aside with a tentative grin. “Good luck,” she murmurs.
I swipe my bottom lip, then move up a few levels on the stairs, making nearly every head in the room turn. “Thank you all again for coming. We are . . .” I glance at Wilder, who’s wincing on my behalf. “. . . overjoyed, with such enthusiasm for . . . this wedding.”
Crickets.
I stare back at the same faces I last saw at Millie’s funeral barely seven months ago. The same faces the two of us imagined watching us with happy tears and wide grins as we danced at our wedding.
My gut twists.
My lips burn.
I fight back a swallow and scoff at the crowd. “Frankly, I think y’all must be pretty bored to make such a fuss over us. Guess there was no game on tonight?”
One . . . maybe two laughs.
Tough crowd.
I catch Dad leaning against the back wall, his head shaking lightly.
Be real.
The hell does he expect me to be real about? This isn’t how I pictured it. The pressure, the lies. The consequences. This isn’t even the woman I—
My eyes sting and I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“I’m sorry.” I suck in a sharp breath. “The truth is, Willow is a . . . beautiful soul.” I swallow the lump, glancing at her.
“Who saved me.” A chuckle escapes and I sniff.
“Think we all know this wasn’t the wedding y’all were expecting this fall.
” I watch their faces, the sad subtle shakes of their heads.
The motion takes me back to the dark day I buried her.
These same heads lowered with sorrow and grief.
“Neither was I.” I grip the stair rail like I might fall over.
“I’ll always love Millie,” I breathe, my nose tingling again.
“Y’all know that. But life had other plans.
In the shape of a seven-year-old, who many of you—all right, all of you—know came to me when I thought I’d lost everything.
She not only got me back on my feet, but she showed me a new kind of love, with just her voice, her trust, her eyes.
” I press my hand to my chest. “One I’d no doubt die without.
” A handful of guests glance at Willow—a gentle reminder that they’re not here to celebrate the life I’m building with my daughter.
They’re here for her—and me. They’re all waiting for a reason there’s a wedding after all—and I need to give it to them.
“Just when I thought she was all I needed . . .” I release a breath and shift my gaze to Willow for a moment.
The woman who’s been breaking down the iron gates I’ve locked my heart inside. “My heart made a little extra room.”
A soft murmur ricochets around the crowd. It’s almost deafening and Willow blushes at the sudden head turns.
I take advantage of the momentary pause in their attention to look at Dad.
His eyes are misty and he’s nodding with approval.
“If you remember Millie, you know she loved people, loved a good party just like this.” I smile at her memory. “And while Willow’s not big on crowds . . . she’s got a big heart, with plenty of room for all of you.”
“Just not all at once,” she calls out, that voice growing a little raspier, that smile not quite meeting her eyes anymore.
Still, her response gets a laugh from everyone in the room.
When the heat of everyone’s eyes shift back to me, her shoulders ease, her stiff smile falls.
And that does it.
I’m done letting her burn herself out for a crowd of strangers.
I turn back to everyone, as if there’s anything left to say. “But as you all witnessed a few minutes ago, my bride and I do need to say goodnight to y’all.”
The room erupts in more laughter and someone shouts, “Where’s the wedding?”
That’s an easy one. “Right here. On Blue River Ranch.”
“When?”
I hold up my hands. “If we knew that, you’d all be getting a formal invitation today. But I can tell you one thing.” I look at Willow. “It’ll be at sunset.”