The Cowboy Earns a Bride (Cowboys of Chance Creek Book 8) Read online

  Spotting the calendar on her desk, Mia realized she hadn’t returned the phone calls she owed to Lila or Tracey. And she hadn’t gotten everything organized for her meeting with Rose, either. But there was no way she could do it now.

  Mia didn’t bother to brush her teeth or change her clothes. She climbed into her bed, pulled the blankets around her and cried herself to sleep.

  At three in the morning in April, the Double-Bar-K was cold, dark and as still as a graveyard. Luke let himself out of his cabin and walked carefully across the grounds until he reached the small outbuilding where Ned’s tools were neatly stored around the workbenches where he fixed all the machinery that was needed for the ranch.

  By flashlight he began to gather everything he could move—screwdrivers, rasps, a ratchet set, even the blades from the bandsaw. If it wasn’t nailed down, Luke took it and loaded it into his truck. He held his breath when he started the engine, and let the truck roll down the dirt lane as far as possible in neutral with the headlights off until he felt it was safe to press on the gas and pull out onto the country highway. He drove south of town until he reached an old barn on the Hamm spread that was so ramshackle it was no longer used.

  Ned would never, ever find his tools here. No one would. Luke might have lost Mia, but at least he’d have his—

  Revenge?

  Luke sat stock still in the seat of his truck, staring out at the black hulk of the Hamms’ broken down barn. What good was revenge? It wouldn’t bring Mia back. It wouldn’t mend the gaping hole in his heart she’d left when she’d run out of his house.

  It wouldn’t fix anything.

  Alone in the dark the only sound was the beating of his own heart. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, grappling for the anger that had sent him on this fool’s errand. Somehow it had drained away, leaving only defeat behind.

  What was he doing stealing Ned’s tools instead of rebuilding Mia’s nursery, fixing the stair railing, and doing whatever it took to win her back? Was he still a teenager, squabbling and bickering with his brothers until no one on the Double-Bar-K knew any peace or happiness?

  No wonder Mia had run from him. He was a first class asshole.

  He started up the truck again, revved the engine and turned around with a screech of tires. He drove back home quickly, but rolled into his driveway with the headlights off again. No sense letting his whole family know how low he’d sunk.

  He put all the tools away except the ones he needed to repair the nursery. He couldn’t stay up all night or he’d be worse than useless the next day, but in time he’d fix what he’d broken—in the nursery, yes, but also between him and Mia.

  And tomorrow he’d get to work winning her back from Carl.

  “I don’t understand. You didn’t reserve the tents?” Lila White said into the phone. “We talked about them just the other day. I thought I made it clear how important they were. I’ve got seventy-five guests coming, my dear.”

  “I know.” It was a strain for Mia not to let her frustration show. “I got caught up in work and wasn’t able to call the rental company, but I will do it today.”

  “That’s what you said last time, dear. What about the silverware and plates? I don’t have seventy-five settings, you know.”

  “Of course not, Lila. I’ll reserve those the same time I call about the tents.”

  “The tent company doesn’t carry silverware. That’s two different companies.”

  “Yes, two different companies and I’ll call them both, just as soon as I—”

  “I’m positive it’s two different companies. Tents are very different from dinnerware. I’m sure they need two entirely different kinds of storage—”

  “Yes, Lila. I know. Two different companies. How about we wrap this up so I can contact them?”

  There was a long silence on the other end of the phone and Mia wanted to kick herself. Why had she snapped at poor Lila White? That wasn’t kind, or good business.

  “Well, if you have the time,” Lila said finally. “I know how busy you are.”

  “Lila, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m worried about the tent rentals and dinnerware, too. I want your party to be the best party ever and I feel awful I haven’t taken care of those details yet.”

  “You are taking a lot on, dear.” Lila’s voice softened. “I know you’re working hard.”

  “It’s important to me to do this right. It’s important to me that you’re happy, Lila.”

  “I’m sure I will be. I’ll get off the phone right now and you call those rental places up.”

  “Thank you.” As soon as Mia hung up with Lila, she searched for the tent rental company and dialed the number, shimmying into her work clothes at the same time. “Hello? I need to book three large tents on May fifteenth.”

  The woman who’d answered the phone hesitated only a second. “Sorry—we’re all booked that day. Would you like to try another date?”

  Mia froze, one foot into the pair of slacks she intended to wear to work. “What do you mean you’re all booked?”

  “Our large tents book up months in advance for the spring and summer. We have some weekdays left in May and June, but if you need a weekend it’ll be the end of July before we have anything available.”

  “July?” Mia thought she might faint. “Are there any other rental companies you can recommend? I have to have three large tents for the fifteenth.”

  The receptionist made a doubtful sound. “Here’s our competitor’s number.” She rattled off a number that Mia wrote down swiftly on a scrap of paper on her desk, one leg in her slacks, the other still out. “Good luck. Maybe you’ll catch a break.”

  “Thanks.”

  But Lady Luck wasn’t smiling on Mia; the other company’s tents were booked as well. Mia didn’t know what to do. Lila had been so nice to her, even after she’d slipped and been rude. How would the woman react when she found out Mia had botched her party?

  “There have to be tents somewhere.” Mia did an Internet search and called every rental company between Billings and Bozeman. None of them had tents available for the occasion that were large enough. Only when her phone rang again did she realize how much time had passed. She was going to be late for work at the restaurant.

  She shuffled the rest of the way into her pants, grabbed a shirt and shrugged it on over her bra. “Hello?”

  “Mia? It’s Tracey. I’ve got a problem.”

  Of course she did. Everyone had problems these days. “What is it?” Mia pattered down the stairs, swept her purse off the counter in the kitchen and headed for the door, only stopping to pop into her coat and shoes.

  “My sister hates her bridesmaid dress. She says it makes her look like a barn!”

  Mia sighed. “Did you tell her the wedding is about you, not her?”

  “If I said that, she wouldn’t come. She has to come. She’s my maid of honor!”

  Mia bit back the words she wanted to say—that her sister had no concept of what being a maid of honor entailed. “Can she ask a local seamstress to alter the gown to flatter her better?”

  “She says she doesn’t have time!” Tracey’s voice was rising to a hysterical pitch that had become all too familiar to Mia. She had to nip this in the bud before Tracey lost control.

  “Tell her to mail it back, then. And to take a photograph of her favorite dress. One from her own closet she really loves. We’ll figure out how to reproduce it in a color and fabric that works for the wedding.”

  “That’s a terrific idea,” Tracey said. “Thank you, Mia.”

  “You’re welcome. I have to run. Let’s chat later.” She clicked off the phone and checked the time again. Damn, she was really late now.

  Fifteen minutes later, she barged into Fila’s Familia at a run, circled around the few people already lined up at the counter and skidded to a stop behind the till.

  “Sorry,” she called to Camila, who had been running the till and was already hustling back into the kitchen. The silen
ce in the back room seemed ominous. Usually the two cooks blared pop tunes and kept up a happy chatter as they worked. Today, Mia couldn’t hear a word.

  The tension in her stomach ratcheted up a notch. Fila was still acting distant. Mia understood why she’d be mad at what Luke had done—heck, she was mad at Luke, too—but she didn’t understand why Fila was taking it out on her.

  All she ever did was work, morning, noon and night. Mia couldn’t remember the last time she had any fun—except her brief meetings with Carl, and those were about business, too. She hadn’t had time to look at real estate, either. So much for finding a home before her baby was born. Time was running out.

  As the morning progressed, Mia’s spirits drooped. She was tired, her feet hurt and she’d managed to ruin Lila White’s reunion before it even happened. During her break today she’d have to call other rental companies—ones farther away. If she had to drive to another state to secure those party tents, she’d do so.

  “Mia? Are you okay?” Hannah faced her on the other side of the counter.

  “Hi, Hannah. I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “Busy with school and work. You look a little pale.”

  “I’m really tired. And stressed. I made a pretty big mistake this week.”

  “Here at the restaurant?” Hannah stepped closer and lowered her voice.

  “No—with my event planning business. I was supposed to secure three party tents for Lila White’s family reunion and I guess I waited too long. They’re all booked up.”

  “But…” Hannah thought a moment. “Last year we had several weddings in town that happened pretty fast. Like Ethan and Autumn’s wedding. And Jamie and Claire’s. Those both happened outside. Didn’t they have tents?”

  Mia thought back. “I can’t remember tents. Maybe they just didn’t use them.”

  “I bet if you ask Autumn tonight, she’ll have some ideas.”

  “Thanks. I will.” Mia felt hopeful again.

  Later that afternoon that hope drained right out of her when Camila took her break and Mia was forced to interact with a stony silent Fila each time she collected an order to give to a customer. After ten minutes, Mia couldn’t stand it anymore.

  “You know I wouldn’t allow Luke to do anything mean to Ned,” she hissed when she picked up an order of burritos. A few minutes later when she was back for some curry chicken she added, “Did you know Ned filled Luke’s nursery room with dolls?”

  Fila looked at her finally. “Dolls? Why would he do that?”

  “Think about it.” Anger filled Mia. “He knows Luke wants to marry me. He knows Luke fixed up that room as a nursery for me—for my baby. And he knows I’ve refused to move back in and marry him. He’s rubbing it in Luke’s face. And that’s mean!” She whirled around and delivered the nachos, and for the rest of her shift kept the words she exchanged with Fila to a bare minimum.

  Camila confronted her at the end of the evening. “Fila’s really upset. What’s going on between you two?”

  “Ask Fila. Her husband’s the one taunting Luke.”

  “Taunting him about what?”

  “About—me.” A wave of exhaustion overwhelmed Mia and tears pricked her eyelids at the thought Ned had used her to cause Luke pain. “I have to finish up and go home. I can’t talk about this now.”

  “Neither can Fila.” Camila’s frustration was clear. “Go home. I’ll finish up here. Just come back tomorrow in a better mood.”

  “I can’t promise that. But thank you.” She gave Camila a quick hug. “I really need some sleep.”

  Camila pulled back. “You do. You look a little green around the gills. Has your morning sickness come back?”

  “What morning sickness?” Mia laughed. “No—I just feel… tired.” Bad was what she meant to say. She felt bad. She ached all over and she’d lost her appetite these last few weeks. In fact… Mia hesitated. When was the last time she’d eaten?

  Camila must have read her mind. “Hold on.” She reappeared with a take-out container. “Go home, eat this and go to bed, okay?”

  “Okay.” Mia softened. “I will come back in a better mood tomorrow. I’m sorry you’ve been caught in the middle of all of this.”

  “I just wish I understood what all of this is.”

  “What are all those people doing here?” Luke asked his mother when he popped in to update the ranch’s accounts the next morning. He was referring to the unfamiliar trucks outside and the workmen milling around.

  “They’re here for that project of your father’s. He’s building something. Won’t tell me what, though. He said for us to keep clear.” Her tone held a warning. “They’re working out near the highway.”

  “It looked like they were putting in a new water line out there when I drove by. Is Dad building a new house?”

  His mother raised an eyebrow. “Think he’s finally had enough of me?”

  Luke gave her a quick hug. “Never. That man would be lost without you. See you later.”

  He drove to Amanda Stone’s next, where he found the old woman rocking contentedly on her front porch. There was something different about her these days. She seemed more at ease.

  “Mrs. Stone, do you have a boyfriend?” he asked. The question had been on his mind for some time.

  Amanda laughed long and hard. “At my age? I should think not. No, no boyfriend. Just a good friend coming through for me. I’m glad I don’t have to burden you anymore with taking care of me.”

  “It’s no trouble,” he assured her.

  “You’re a good boy, Luke,” she said. “But it’s time for you to marry that girlfriend of yours and take care of her. You don’t have to worry about me anymore. I’ll be okay.”

  “Who’s helping you, then? Family?”

  “No, not family. It’s a secret.” Her eyes twinkled. “It’s a good secret, though. Be happy for me and rest easy.”

  He didn’t know what to say to that. “Well, anytime you need me, just call. I’ll come running.”

  He met up with Ned in the barn later that afternoon. They both drew up short when they saw each other. Ned turned away.

  “Hey,” Luke called after him. “That was you who filled my nursery with dolls, right?”

  “What if it was?” He kept going.

  “Look, I didn’t send you that book.” He swallowed hard and pressed on. “But I am sorry I spoke out of turn about your dyslexia. I was joking around and it popped out, but that doesn’t excuse it. I’m proud of you for what you’re doing. I know it ain’t easy.”

  Ned slowed to a halt, his shoulders relaxed and he turned around. “Who do you figure sent the book, then?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t care. And I don’t care that it was you who put the dolls there, either. I don’t even blame you. Let’s just… put an end to it. Let’s be a real family for once.”

  After a long moment, Ned nodded. “Need any help cleaning them up?”

  “No. I got it.” But even with the nursery fixed up, he wondered how he could he lure Mia to come home.

  ‡

  Chapter Eighteen

  “How about this one?” Ellie frowned as she compared the bridesmaid’s dress in her hands to the party dress in the photograph Tracey’s sister had sent for them to match.

  Mia shook her head. “It’s close, but not quite and I don’t think you could alter it correctly. There isn’t enough extra material.”

  “That’s because no one wears a bridesmaid dress that looks like this.” Ellie shook the photograph.

  Mia agreed with her. The dress was as slinky as something you’d wear to a Hollywood nightclub, just skimming the tops of the thighs and leaving one shoulder bare. The fabric was gathered in a sunburst pattern near one hip and covered in sequins.

  “We’ll have to make one from scratch.” Ellie hung up the dress she held.

  “Can you do that?”

  “It’ll cost her.”

  “You were so good to give her a refund on the one she returned.”

&n
bsp; “The one I make will be triple the price. Will Tracey want to pay it?”

  “Will she want to stand next to the result?” Mia asked, gazing doubtfully at the photograph in Ellie’s hand.

  “I’ll make sure she’ll want to stand next to it, but I can’t work for free.”

  “Of course not. I’ll talk to Tracey. Can you give me a ballpark figure?”

  Ellie named a sum and Mia whistled. “Give me twenty-four hours. I’ll see what Tracey wants to do.”

  Mia drove home to the Cruz ranch next and found Autumn surrounded by cookbooks at the large dinner table in the guesthouse.

  “Thank goodness you’re here. You weren’t up yet when I ran out to Ellie’s this morning.”

  “Arianna let us sleep in.” Autumn smiled at the baby who lay near her on the floor on a thick mat with play toys dangling overhead.

  “I’ve got a problem I hope you can help me with. What company did you rent your tents for your wedding from?”

  “What tents?” Autumn said. “Looking back I see how naïve we were. We just planned our wedding outside and figured it wouldn’t rain. I don’t know what we would have done if it did.”

  “What about Claire and Jamie?”

  “Ditto. I take it you’re looking for tents?”

  “Desperately. I didn’t realize you have to book them so far in advance.”

  “The big ones you do.”

  “I need big ones! Lila White has seventy-five guests coming to her family reunion!”

  Autumn thought a moment. “But you could use smaller ones and treat them like a number of rooms—one flowing into the next.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Let’s look and see. Bring me my laptop.” She motioned toward the kitchen counter and Mia fetched the computer. A few minutes later Autumn turned the screen toward her. “Look at these. See? You could line them up next to each other. Or lay them out in a pattern, even.”

  “Do you think that would work?”

  Autumn nodded. “I think so. There isn’t going to be dancing at the reunion, is there?”

  “No. Just a lot of eating and games—volleyball, badminton, lawn darts. That kind of thing.”