Resisting Mr. Tall, Dark & Texan Read online

  “Perfect,” said Erin.

  “Good.” Lizzie nodded. “My job here is done.”

  Erin turned to her again. “You know what? We really need you right here in Thunder Canyon.”

  “Need me? For what?”

  “Corey told me all about your family’s bakery in Midland. He said you’re planning to open a new bakery there.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Well, how about opening one here instead?”

  Lizzie was flattered. “I’m honestly touched that you think I’d fit in here.”

  “I don’t think it. I know it.” Erin turned and took both of Lizzie’s hands. “I’m only saying, you know, just consider it, give it some thought?”

  It wasn’t going to happen. But then again, Lizzie was finding she really did like this charming mountain town and the people who lived in it. Why jump straight to an unqualified no? “Sure. I’ll think about it.”

  “Great—and I’ve got to get moving.” Erin grabbed Lizzie in one last hug. “Hair. Makeup. It never ends. So…six?”

  “I’ll be there. I can’t wait.”

  Lizzie went back to the house, which she found empty.

  Still no sign of crabby Ethan, which was fine. Until she figured out how to smooth things over with him, and make him see that he had to get real and accept that she was not giving up on her lifelong dream, well, there wasn’t much point in dealing with him anyway.

  They would only end up getting into another argument.

  She went to work cleaning up the kitchen. And when that was done, she took a long, lazy bath. She put a lot of straightening gel in her hair, blew it dry and took a long time with the flat iron. It turned out great, falling in soft waves to her shoulders, smoother and sleeker than she’d dared to hope. She also lingered over her makeup, getting it just right.

  Her dress was a vivid royal blue, sleeveless, with a V-neck and a swingy hemline. She had gorgeous dressy blue sandals with very high heels to go with it and some fabulous chandelier earrings with cobalt-blue stones.

  Lizzie was a realist. She was no great beauty and she knew it; her nose was too big, her jaw a bit too strong. Her maman had been petite and lovely. Lizzie, though, took after her tall, broad-shouldered dad.

  “Stand up straight, ma chère,” her maman always used to say. “Be proud. There is no beauty like that of a tall, proud woman.”

  Lizzie had always tried to take her mother’s advice to heart. Tonight, in five-inch heels, she would tower over a good portion of the men at the reception. So be it.

  When she checked herself out in the full-length mirror on the back of her bathroom door, she felt totally satisfied with what she saw. She twirled in a circle and loved the way the hem of her blue dress swung out around her.

  Yeah, she would definitely do. With a last wink at her own image, she hustled into the bedroom to grab her blue satin clutch.

  The light tap came at her door just as she was about to open it. Her heart rate accelerated at the sound.

  Sheesh. No reason to get all breathless and fluttery just because Ethan had decided to be a gentleman after all and not make her go to his brother’s wedding alone.

  She pulled the door wide.

  And there he was in all his gorgeous, manly splendor. Freshly shaved and showered, looking like a GQ cover model in a tux that must have cost a bunch. “Ready?”

  She laughed and did a little twirl right there in the doorway and the dress swirled out around her like the petals of a flower. “What do you think?”

  “You look terrific.” He said it in a grouchy tone, but somehow also managed to sound as if he actually meant it.

  “Why, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” She reached for his arm. He surprised her and gave it, tucking her fingers companionably just below the crook of his elbow, over the rich, dark fabric of his jacket.

  Yes, she felt that thrill again, the hot little shiver that formed at the point of contact and kind of quivered its way up her bare arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake. But it wasn’t so bad, really, now that she was getting used to it.

  In fact, if she were honest with herself, she would have to admit that it felt kind of nice.

  Wait. Scratch nice. It felt better than nice. It felt pretty wonderful.

  It was the wedding of the year, everyone agreed.

  Or at least, of the year so far.

  Lizzie thought it was wonderfully romantic.

  The handsome old, white clapboard church was decorated with thousands of bright summer flowers and every pew was full. Corey’s brothers and stepdad stood up with him. And Erin’s bridesmaids looked like summer flowers themselves, each in a different-colored bright satin gown. Erin was a vision in white as she floated down the aisle to meet her groom.

  More than one sniffle could be heard from the pews during the exchange of vows. And an audible sigh went up when Corey finally kissed his bride.

  The minister announced, “May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Corey Traub.”

  Lizzie, in a back pew, heard somebody down the row whisper, “Who’s that?” as the bride and groom turned to face their wedding guests.

  “I don’t know,” was the murmured response.

  Lizzie glanced over her shoulder to see a tall, lean man silhouetted in the open doors from the vestibule. He wore old jeans, a wrinkled shirt and a black Stetson with the brim dipped low, hiding his face, so that all she could see was a square jaw stubbled with beard.

  More people were starting to whisper.

  “What in the world…?”

  “Never seen him before…”

  There were rustling sounds everywhere as the guests turned to see what all the whispering was about.

  The mystery man stepped back. He disappeared from the open doorway. And then Dillon Traub, the best man, came striding down the side aisle, slipping out after the stranger.

  The organist started playing again and everyone faced front once more as the radiant bride and her handsome groom walked back up the aisle arm in arm.

  The reception, in the flower-and-satin-bedecked resort ballroom, was fabulous, Lizzie thought. Dinner was served at eight.

  Lizzie, as Ethan’s de facto date, was seated with him and the rest of the wedding party at the main table. Everyone made a point to greet her and tell her what a splendid job she’d done on the cake.

  Ethan seemed to have put aside his frustration with her, at least for the evening. It was almost like old times, she thought, like back before she’d ever even hinted that she might be moving on. He joked with her and they shared the knowing glances they used to share all the time.

  She realized she’d missed their friendship lately, during the pitched battle over her right to define her own future. She’d missed the way they laughed at the same things, the way they could look at each other and know what the other was thinking.

  Right after the food was served, she heard Pete Wexler asking Dillon about the mystery man who’d appeared at the back of the church. Dillon said something about a very old and dear friend who was “going through a rough time.” Lizzie noticed the speaking glance Dillon shared with his wife. The look on Erika’s face said she knew exactly what was going on with guy in the black cowboy hat.

  Lizzie waited for Pete to ask more questions.

  But then Claudia, on Pete’s other side, put her hand over Pete’s and whispered in his ear. He turned to his wife. And the subject of the mystery man was forgotten.

  Shortly after the exchange between Dillon and Pete, Ethan leaned close to Lizzie and said for her ears alone, “Help me keep an eye on Jackson, will you?”

  “What’s up with him anyway?” she asked. Jackson looked as though he’d had way too much to drink, even though the evening was just getting started.

  “Basically, he’s decided marriage is a crock,” Ethan told her. “And he’s been wasted pretty much straight through since Thursday night.”

  “Charming,” she muttered, meaning it wasn’t. Jackson had always been something of a bad
boy, but tonight he had the look of a man about to cause a ruckus. “I’ll watch him.”

  “Thanks.” Ethan’s voice was velvet soft.

  She looked into his deep, dark eyes and thought how a woman could drown staring in those eyes—well, some women anyway.

  But not Lizzie.

  Uh-uh. She loved Ethan dearly, but as a friend and nothing more.

  Or so she kept telling herself….

  After the meal, before the toasts and the cutting of the cake, there was music. Corey led Erin out onto the floor in front of the long main table for their first dance as man and wife. Lizzie got a little misty-eyed just watching them; they looked so happy together.

  As the floor filled with swaying couples, Lizzie visited with Erika, spent some time chatting with Ethan’s mom and then with his sister, Rose.

  Rose, who worked in PR for TOI in Midland, was radiant in her apple-green strapless satin bridesmaid’s gown. She said she loved it in Thunder Canyon and she was coming back the first week of July for a monthlong vacation.

  She sipped champagne, her long red hair shining in the light from the crystal chandeliers overhead, and she leaned close and whispered to Lizzie, “I know Ethan is mad that you’re leaving, but don’t let him get to you. I do wish you luck with your bakery. We all need to follow our dreams.” When Lizzie smiled and thanked her, Rose added, “I have a dream myself. A couple of them, actually. I’d like to settle down right here in Thunder Canyon. And find the right guy to settle down with.”

  “Sounds like a great plan to me,” Lizzie said.

  “Too bad good men are so hard to find. I’m not getting any younger, you know.”

  Lizzie grinned. “You’re barely thirty and you’re a knockout. I have faith in you, Rose.”

  Rose dipped her pretty red head. “Why, thank you, Lizzie.”

  “But we’ll miss you in Midland.”

  “Midland will just have to get along without me. I love it here.” Rose raised her champagne flute in the general direction of a hot-looking guy who stood near the open bar not far from the entrance. She moved in closer to Lizzie and lowered her voice a notch. “See that guy over there? That’s Hollis Pritchett, but everyone calls him by his middle name, Cade. Erin suggested I check Cade out—and his two brothers.”

  “Hey,” said Lizzie. “Go for it.”

  “I intend to do just that,” Rose replied. Then she stared out toward the dance floor and sighed kind of dreamily. “Aw, isn’t that adorable?”

  Lizzie followed the direction of Rose’s gaze to see a man holding a small bundle in pink, swaying to the music.

  “That’s Jake Castro, dancing with his daughter,” Rose said softly. “Her name is Marlie, I heard. She’s just a few weeks old.”

  “So sweet…”

  “Nobody knew Jake had a little girl. Until today. We’re all wondering who the mother is…”

  Lizzie remembered the mystery man at the back of the church. “Lots of interesting stuff going on around this town.”

  “Oh, yes, there is,” said Rose with a wide grin. “It’s another thing I love about the place. Never a dull moment, you know?”

  Right then, a male voice shouted, very loud, “Hey, everybody. Everybody, hey!”

  The music stopped. Lizzie turned toward the voice. She knew who it was already: Jackson.

  He stood, weaving on his feet, in front of the cake table. He had his champagne glass raised high. “Listen up. And listen good. ’Cause I got somethin’ important ta say…”

  “Uh-oh,” muttered Rose.

  Lizzie hardly heard her. She was already on the move, working her way through the crowd toward the bad-acting young Traub.

  “Marriage?” scoffed Jackson. “I don’t like it, not one li’l bit. Marriage is jus’ a way to tie a man down. What a man needs, above all, is his freedom!” Jackson blinked. He seemed to be having trouble focusing, which wasn’t all that surprising. He had to be completely blasted. “Ladies and genemuns, I give you freedom!”

  Right then, Dillon stepped up and muttered something in Jackson’s year.

  “Quiet?” Jackson blustered. “Uh-uh. No way. You can’t silence me. I got a whole lot ta say!”

  By then, Dillon had reinforcements. Ethan moved in close and Jason, as well. Even the groom had left his bride and joined the group. Ethan said something and whipped the half-full glass of champagne from Jackson’s fist.

  That did it.

  With a roar of pure fury, Jackson hauled off and punched him. Lizzie let out a cry.

  But no one heard her. They were all staring in disbelief as Jackson delivered another blow—that one to Jason, right in the belly.

  There was a loud “Oof” from Jackson’s twin.

  The brawl was on.

  Dillon hauled back and busted Jackson in the chops. Ethan got in a good one, too. And Corey grabbed a vase of gerbera daisies from a nearby table and bopped Jackson on the head with it. The vase shattered. Water, glass and daisies rained down.

  Jackson didn’t even blink. He shook the water out of his eyes, let out a roar of outrage and popped the groom a good one.

  Fists flew. For a few seconds, it was hard to tell who was hitting whom.

  And then came catastrophe.

  Lizzie watched in horror as Jackson, taking a well-placed blow to the chin, flew backward toward the table behind him and the beautiful, defenseless six tiers of pink-champagne, daisy-bedecked wedding cake.

  Chapter Four

  Claudia Traub shouted, “Boys! Stop this now!”

  And poor Erin screamed, “No! Not my cake!”

  And then, at the last possible second before the cake met its end, a miracle happened.

  Somehow, Ethan managed to slide in between the airborne Jackson and the cake table. He caught his younger brother before he landed, and turned, redirecting the momentum of Jackson’s fall so it took them both sideways to the floor.

  The table shook a little. A few bright daisies dropped to the linen tablecloth. But the cake, incredibly, remained whole.

  Jason, still on his feet, was raring to fight some more. But his older brothers had more sense. Dillon grabbed him by one arm and Corey took the other.

  “Easy, Jase. Ease it down now,” Dillon soothed.

  By then, Lizzie had reached the danger zone.

  She dropped to her knees beside the fallen Ethan and his troublemaking younger brother. “Ethan, are you okay?”

  Ethan grunted. Jackson was sprawled on top of him. “Get this idiot off me.” He gave a shove.

  Jackson, with a groan, rolled off of Ethan and onto the floor.

  Ethan scrambled to his knees. He wasn’t trusting Jackson to not make more mischief. He had a tight grip on his brother’s right hand and he pushed Jackson over all the way onto his stomach and shoved his captured fist up between his shoulder blades.

  Jackson pounded the floor with his free hand and groaned again. “Hey, cut it out. That hurts, damn it!”

  “You going to behave yourself now?”

  Jackson muttered a few choice words. “Let me up.”

  “I’ll need your promise that you’re through busting up the place.”

  “Fine. All right. I’m done in.”

  Suddenly, Claudia was there. “Ethan. Now, now. It’s all right. I’ll look after him….”

  Ethan scowled. “He’s an animal, Ma. Watch out.”

  The fight seemed to go out of Jackson then. He went limp on the floor. “Awright, awright. I’ll behave. I swear I will.”

  Ethan let go of him. “What a damn fool,” he muttered as he stood. Shaking his head, he reached down a hand to Lizzie, who still crouched on the floor.

  She took it and he pulled her up. As she rose and stood beside him, she had the craziest urge to throw her arms around him and kiss him silly.

  But somehow, she kept her head. She said, “My hero! You saved the cake.”

  He threw back his dark head and laughed, drawing her closer, draping a big arm across her shoulders. Around them, more than o
ne guest was laughing, too. There was even a smattering of applause.

  Someone told the small band to start playing again. And everyone went back to dancing and visiting and whatever else they’d been doing before the fight broke out.

  Claudia, grim-faced, helped Jackson to his feet. “Are you hurt, son?”

  Jackson worked his jaw, pressed a hand to his ribs. “It only hurts when I laugh. Or breathe. Or talk.”

  “So shut up,” Corey suggested. “At this point I wouldn’t mind if you stopped breathing, too.”

  “Corey,” said Claudia reproachfully. “It’s enough.”

  By then, Corey and Dillon had let go of Jason, who had backed away a little and was hanging his head. Erin had run to her new husband. Erika stood with Dillon, her hand in his.

  A guy in a resort uniform was cleaning up the broken glass from the shattered vase.

  Pete stepped up and put an arm around his wife. “Well, boys, I have to say it. Looks like the Texas Traubs have officially arrived in Thunder Canyon. This town will never be the same.”

  The party lasted until late into the night.

  It was after two when Ethan took Lizzie home.

  He pulled the big, black SUV into the garage and turned off the engine as the door rumbled down behind them. Then he draped an arm on the steering and turned to her. “It was fun.” His white teeth flashed with his smile.

  “It certainly was.”

  “How about some coffee?”

  She felt good right then, about everything. He’d been so easy to be with all evening, not a single dark look or snide remark. She as if like she had her best friend back at last. “Sure.”

  They went into the kitchen and she brewed the decaf. “Want a cookie?” She sent him a glance where he sat at the table. “I’ve got some white-chocolate chip and oatmeal-raisin, too.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t tempt me. Two pieces of wedding cake’s my limit for one night.”