I shrugged. “Sure. Why not.”
After we made our way to the porch, we sat in silence for a few minutes. The sounds of nature always calmed me. Why didn’t I sit out here more often? I made a mental note to sit out here each evening with Paxton.
“Paxton move in yet?”
“She’s going to during the break, but she’s pretty much staying here all the time.”
“What does Chloe think about it?”
I smiled. “Paxton and I talked to her about it. Chloe doesn’t seem to be bothered by it at all.”
“Things will be easier when you’re married, I’m sure.”
Taking a sip of coffee, I nodded.
“Speaking of married, have y’all picked a date?”
“The sooner the better. Paxton’s worried about her job. Today her boss overheard her tell Kim she was pregnant. He told her they would talk after the break.”
Amelia’s brows lifted. “Really? For Christ’s sake, this isn’t the fifties. Lots of people have kids outside of marriage.”
“Not kindergarten teachers in small town Texas.”
“Then get married over the break. She’ll have the baby in July. Sure folks will gossip but who gives a flying shit what people think.”
“I don’t.”
“Good! Steed, when people started to find out I wrote romance books, tongues were wagging like crazy in this town. I thought Daddy was going to fly through the roof when the teller at the bank mentioned I wrote porn books. You just let them get it out of their system. They’ll gossip in their weekly bunko groups and Wednesday church meetings and then they move on to next week’s gossip. It’s a cycle.”
“You’re right.”
“Of course I am. But…besides stopping by to check on Paxton, I had an idea. Well, actually it was Waylynn’s idea. I just got off the phone with her.”
Oh hell. When my two sisters got their minds together it usually spelled trouble. Twice Amelia and Waylynn had been on the verge of being tossed in jail when Amelia went to New York to visit her. Waylynn’s jackass husband tried to ban Waylynn from seeing Amelia, and she pretty much told him to go fuck himself.
“Do I want to know?”
“Yes, I think you do. When Waylynn was in town over Thanksgiving and we all went to get our nails done, Paxton mentioned she always dreamed of a winter wedding around Christmas. The lights and holiday cheer made it the perfect time to get married.”
“Yes, she has mentioned that before.”
“Well then! Okay!”
I narrowed my eyes at my baby sister. “Well then, what?”
“You’ll get married. On Christmas Eve!”
Staring at her like she was insane, I let out a roar of laughter. “Because it would be so easy to plan a wedding in…” I looked at my watch. “Five days.”
A smile moved across her face that actually frightened me. “Do you trust me and Waylynn?”
“Of course I do. No, wait!” I held up my hand. “Trust you with what?”
“Planning your wedding. We can surprise Paxton. Think about it, Steed. You both want to be married, neither of you want the stress of that right now so how perfect will it be to have it all planned out for you? That way the two of you can concentrate on the baby, and Chloe, and your relationship!”
I leaned back in my chair and let the idea settle in some. “Where would we have it?”
“Here. On the ranch at Mom and Dad’s place. I already talked to April and David to make sure they would be okay with that. They were thrilled with the idea, and April is beyond thrilled to be helping.”
That made my heart soar. “Christmas Eve you say?” I asked with a grin.
“Yep. I already checked the weather, and it looks to be beautiful.”
“Is Waylynn gonna fly down for it?”
Her smile faltered. “Um, she was coming home for Christmas anyway. Jack had a business meeting in London he was going to and told her it would be best if she stayed home for this trip.”
“Fucker,” I mumbled.
“Yeah. He is. That’s a story for another day,” Amelia added.
Leaning forward, I rested my arms on my knees. The more I thought about it, the better it sounded. Paxton would be mine. My wife. Chloe’s mom. A no-stress wedding. She’d already brought up going to the justice of the peace and making it official, so I knew she wouldn’t be upset.
With a tilt of my head, I smiled at my sister. “Let’s do it.”
Amelia set her coffee cup down and started to jump around. “Oh my gosh, Steed! I promise you won’t regret it! I swear we’ll make it so special for the three of you!”
Standing, I pulled my sister into my arms. I loved that she had included Chloe in that statement. “I know you will, Meli. I’m just glad the whole family will be here for Christmas.”
“For your wedding too,” she whispered.
“Hey, Amelia.”
We both pulled away to see Paxton standing there.
“Why are you up? You should be resting,” I said.
She flashed me a sexy grin. “The doctor said everything was fine. I’m sure it was the stress of the situation that made me feel ill. I feel amazing and very rested.”
Amelia clapped. “Then, you wouldn’t mind playing dress up with me would you?”
Paxton narrowed her eyes at my sister. “Huh?”
“I’ve got this dinner I have to go to and a friend of Waylynn’s sent some dresses down to try on. What fun is it to try on designer gowns by yourself? I’ll even bring them over here so Steed doesn’t freak out.”
I watched as Paxton’s eyes lit up. “Oh! That would be fun. Especially since I won’t be able to do that in a few months.” Paxton rubbed her belly.
“Great! I’ll run up to the house and grab them and then be right back.”
Paxton nodded. “Okay, that gives me time to grab something to eat.”
That was my cue. Rushing to her, I asked, “What do you want to eat, pumpkin? I’ll fix it.”
Her blue eyes filled with tears, and I was surprised when she wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so sorry you and Chloe had to deal with that awful woman.”
“Hey, look at me.”
She did.
“What she dished out to you was bad. Yeah, she was curt with both of us, but she wasn’t that much of a monster. I shielded Chloe from a lot. She was trying to hurt you, and she succeeded. Don’t let her even cross your mind ever again.”
With a nod, she swallowed hard. “I hate that I let her affect me like she did. I was just so thrown off by her hate.”
Anger toward Kim pulsed through my body. I fucking hated her. Hated that she had gotten to Paxton. At the same time, I was so relieved Chloe hadn’t seen her.
Placing my hand on the side of her cheek, I leaned in and softly kissed her. “She’ll never bother you or Chloe again. I swear to God.”
She smiled while placing her hand over mine. “I know. Thank you for reassuring me though.”
With a wink, I replied, “Come on. Let’s get you some food.”
Something was going on. I caught on to it the other day when Amelia had me trying on beautiful gowns from her friend in New York.
It wasn’t a total loss on me that they were all white. Every. Single. One. Different shades of white. My mother would have been in her glory.
Or the fact that they were all my size. I chuckled thinking back to Amelia commenting with, “It’s crazy she sent them all in your size!”
Amelia and I were close to the same size, but my breasts were a bit larger than hers.
Chloe came running into the library. “Paxton! It’s Christmas Eve and Grammy just called to tell Daddy that Cord was on his way with Aunt Waylynn! She’s here again!”
I drew Chloe into my arms and kissed her on the forehead. “That is so amazing! I’m so glad she is home again!”
“Yep, and Grammy said we’re all going and getting our hair done!”
My smile faltered. Huh?
“Our hair done?”
She nodded. “Yep. And I know a secret. A big secret. B. I. G. I can spell, ya know.”
I grinned. “Yes, I happen to know your teacher.”
Looking at me with a confused expression, she busted out laughing. “You’re so funny! But…my secret is huge.” Chloe held her arms out as far as she could spread them.
Narrowing one eye at her, I asked, “Is that so? Who is the secret about?”
With a giggle, she covered her mouth. “You!”
My stomach dropped. Everything was starting to make sense.
The dresses. The way Steed was so nervous this morning. The private phone call he took where I overheard him saying he would pay twice the amount if they could make it happen on Christmas Eve. Now the hair.
“Grammy said you had to get your nails done, so we all had to get them done. As a way to…” She looked up in thought. “Right…as a way to throw you off she said!”
Oh, how I loved my little non-secret keeper.
“Chloe, is your Daddy planning on something big happening today?”
She shook her head. “Oh no, it’s tonight! And after tonight, I get to call you Mommy.” Jumping off my lap, she ran out of the room before she stopped and looked back at me. “See how good of a secret keeper I am! I didn’t even tell you that you that the big secret was you and Daddy gettin’ married today!”
And like that, she spun around and rushed out the door. I jumped up.
Married?
Today?
My heart started racing, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
I grabbed my phone and sent a text off to two different people.
Me: How is Chicago?
It didn’t take Corina long to reply.
Corina: Chicago?
Grinning, I typed out my reply.
Me: Yes…Chicago. You did fly home yesterday right?
She didn’t answer. Corina couldn’t lie. It wasn’t in her DNA to lie. Not even a white lie. A fib. Nothing. She was literally incapable of lying.
Next text.
Me: Merry Christmas Eve! Hey…do you and Dad want to go look at lights tonight?
My mother’s reply was almost instant.
Mom: What?! Lights?
I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. Oh. This is fun.
Me: What? It would be fun. We haven’t done it in years, and I bet Chloe would love it!
Mom: Maybe we could go tomorrow or the next night. Tonight’s not good for us.
Lifting my brow, I hit her number. Let’s up the pressure some.
Her voicemail started after two rings. Oh my gosh, my mother sent me to voicemail.
Me: You sent me to voicemail, Mom!
Mom: I’m in a meeting. Can’t talk.
Me: What kind of meeting?
Mom: About the new town square.
I frowned. Shit. That made sense. My mother was on the committee to improve downtown Oak Springs, to get it growing even more than it was. Our little town had always been a bit of a tourist town with the Frio River and quaint stores.
Cord’s popular bar proved that more could be done with the town square, and the committee wanted it to grow even more. New plans were now being laid to bring in new businesses and make it more of a tourist town. We already had people coming in for the Frio River; we just needed ways to keep them around, make them spend their money.
Me: Okay. Well, maybe I’ll take one of the horses out. Steed’s gone, and it’s just me and Chloe. We can pack a picnic or something.
Mom: NO! Her Grammy has plans to take y’all to get your hair done. Didn’t you hear? Waylynn is in town, and you know how that girl likes to primp.
Me: I’m not in the mood for that.
The phone rang, and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Paxton, please do me a favor.”
“Okay,” I replied, trying to sound normal.
“Go to the hair thing with Melanie. She’s really looking forward to spending time with her girls.”
“Mom, I know.”
“Well, I’m just saying. With you and Chloe now in her life and Waylynn coming in, she’s just happy.”
“No, Mom. I know.”
There was silence on her end before she finally spoke. “You know what?”
“The wedding. Chloe spilled the beans.”
She muffled the phone and said something to someone, then came back on the line. “Don’t move. We’re on our way over.”
When I heard a dial tone, I jerked the phone from my head and peered at it. She’d hung up on me!
Little did I know that an hour later our house would be full of people I loved. People who had worked so hard to keep this a surprise only to have an almost six-year-old rat them out.
Waylynn had flown in last night, much to my surprise. Corina had never left and had been staying at the main house where she, Waylynn, and Amelia had a sleep over last night. I wasn’t going to lie, my feelings were a little bruised I hadn’t gotten to be a part of it, but Corina said it was mainly a wedding planning night.
I was being primped big time. Melanie’s best friend owned the hair salon and spa in town and was buffing my nails while Amelia painted my toes.
Waylynn pulled and twisted my hair while my mother and Melanie argued about the dress I should wear. Amelia had narrowed it down to the top three I had liked.
“Shouldn’t I be the one to pick? I mean, since I know about the wedding and all?”
Amelia glanced over her shoulder. “Mom, seriously, Paxton should pick out her dress. I highly doubt Dad and David are arguing over what Steed’s gonna wear.”
They both frowned. I had already known which one it would be. Once I started to figure out what in the world was going on, I had secretly hoped the Rene Ruiz gown had made the cut. The gowns I had tried on the other night though were all amazing, but that one made me feel like a princess.
I also noticed the Oscar De La Renta was hanging up as well. When I took a peek at the $10,000 price tag I laughed my ass off. But Amelia loved it. I did too, but I loved the much less pricey Rene Ruiz even more.
After what seemed like hours, it was time for me to pick the dress.
Walking up to the one I had picked, I smiled.
“I knew you would pick the Rene Ruiz. It’s classic and breathtaking on you,” Amelia said with a huge grin. “Okay, everyone out except for Paxton, Corina, and Chloe.”
Chloe’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning. “I get to stay?”
“Of course you do, Chloe Cat. I need my two maids of honor to help me get dressed.”
You would have thought I had given her the world.
I caught Melanie’s stare and smiled. She returned it and mouthed, “Thank you.”
With a simple nod, I watched as everyone left the room.
I’m getting married. Holy. Shit.
Placing my hand over my stomach, I breathed in and out a few times to calm my nerves. It was finally happening.
Taking Chloe’s hand, I led her over to the window seat.
“How are you feeling about today, Chloe Cat?” I asked. I had told Corina I wanted to a few minutes to talk to Chloe without everyone in the room. She was making herself busy as she pretended to mess with my dress.
“Me?”
“Yes, you. Today isn’t just a big day for your daddy and me. It’s a big day for you too. I want to make sure you’re as happy as we are.”
Chloe’s smile grew from ear to ear.
“You know how happy you are right before Santa comes? Or the tooth fairy?”
With a chuckle, I nodded. “Yes.”
“Well, I’m so much more happy! I’ve been asking God for a long time for a mommy who loved me and my daddy.”
My heart ached.
“I love you so much, Chloe Cat. And I love your daddy. You both make me so very happy. Don’t ever forget that, okay?”
She nodded. “I won’t.”
I slid off the bench and knelt so I could look
Chloe’s eyes darted over to my dress. “Can I have your dress when you’re done with it? It would be perfect to play princess in.”
Laughing, I pulled her into my arms. “Yes! Consider it yours, Princess Chloe.”
“Okay, let’s get your mommy dressed,” Corina said as she made her way over to us with the dress. My heart dropped, and my stomach started to flutter. Chloe must have noticed my nerves.
She took my hand. “Don’t worry, you’ll look like a princess too. I promise.”
Kissing her on the cheek, I replied, “Thank you, Chloe Cat!”
I dropped my robe to the ground to reveal the white lace panties and matching bra. I wouldn’t need the bra, but with Chloe in the room, Corina and I thought it best not to flash her my boobs.
Chloe’s mouth rose into a wide smile. “Wow! My dad’s gonna be happy!”
Corina and I were stunned before we lost it laughing.
Corina took the embellished strapless dress and nodded. Facing away from Chloe, who was now standing on the bed, I unclasped the bra and let it drop to the floor. Holding up my arms, Corina carefully slipped the dress over my head.
“Careful, careful!” Chloe chanted from behind, making sure my hair was safe. That had been her self-assigned job.
When the dress slipped on, Corina zipped it up and all three of us gasped. The strapless neckline was stunning. It looked old-fashioned, yet had a modern flair as well. The color was a creamy white.
“You are stunning,” Corina whispered.
“You’re a princess!” Chloe said with her hands over her cheeks.
Corina handed me a long box. “This is from me. It’s your something blue.”
She put on a diamond necklace that held one blue sapphire stone in the middle. My fingers moved lightly over it as I attempted not to cry.
“It’s…gorgeous.”
Her eyes gazed into mine. “It’s my grandmother’s. Someday you’ll be putting it on my neck when I get married.”
Turning to her, I drew her in for a hug. “Corina! It’s perfect. And it serves as my something borrowed as well!”