Hidden Away, page 13
part #2 of Hearts of Montana Series
“It’s all good. You go take care of the diner. Sam and I will take care of the party.” He held up his hand and earned a hearty high-five from the boy.
“Are you sure? You don’t need to do that. Sam can come with me into town.”
“I want to stay and work on the party. Please, Cherry,” Sam pleaded with her.
“All right. Text me if you need anything.”
“You go into work,” Charlie said. “We’ve got this handled, and Sophie’s bringing over some lunch later so we’ll get your men fed.”
Her men?
How she ached for that to be true.
But she had work to do and didn’t have time for silly fantasies about a white picket fence life. Or a life with a hot cowboy, an adorable boy, and a mangy, orphaned dog.
Her day flew by as she worked at the diner, cleaning up, reordering inventory, and trying to get the restaurant ready to open. She had to wait for the new stove to come in and for the rest of the repairs to be finished, but there were plenty of things she could do.
Thoughts of her dwindling savings account drove her to keep working.
Her back hurt, but she’d accomplished a lot that day and felt good as she pulled the VW into the driveway of the ranch. Taylor’s friend had come through and repaired the little car. She’d picked it up the day before, and it ran better than it had in years.
Driving down the lane, she was amazed at the transformation of the ranch. The area in front of the barn had been turned into a dance floor and stage. Hay bales circled the dance floor, and strings of lights hung from the open barn doors.
The big front porch had long tables covered with red-checkered tablecloths waiting for casserole dishes and plates of desserts. A big smoker sat to the left of the porch, and the smell of grilled meat filled the air as she climbed from the car.
Excitement filled her.
She was always working and didn’t often have time to attend many of the town’s events. But she loved them. She couldn’t believe this party was for her.
To celebrate her engagement.
Her fake engagement.
Her excitement came crashing down.
How could she do this? How was she going to get through this night?
“Hey there.”
She looked up to see Taylor standing on the porch, a gorgeous smile on his face.
A smile just for her.
The screen door slammed, and Sam came running out and flew down the stairs.
His little face shone with excitement, as he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the house. “Come on, Cherry. You gotta get ready for the party. People are gonna be here in less than an hour.”
She could do this.
She had to.
Laughing, she let Sam pull her up the porch steps. “Okay, give me thirty minutes, and I’ll be ready. Just let me take a shower.”
Taylor offered her a crooked grin. “Need any help?”
Yes. She needed someone to soap her up. Because looking at him made her want to get dirty. Really dirty. And Taylor was just the guy she wanted holding the soap.
Her mouth went dry at the thought of his naked body, soapy and slick, sliding against hers.
She looked up at him.
His grin had deepened, and he raised an eyebrow at her. “I can tell you’re thinking about it. Your neck just went red.”
Stupid pale skin. Always gave her away. “I think I’ve got it. This time.”
He chuckled. “I got you something. It’s on the bed. Charlie helped me pick it out.”
She gave him a quizzical look. “You got me something? What is it? Why?”
“Because I wanted to. Now go get ready before you’re late to your own party.”
She hurried into Taylor’s bedroom.
She couldn’t bring herself to call it their bedroom. Even though she was sleeping in it every night.
On the bed lay a gorgeous dress, and she gasped at the sheer beauty of it.
And the thoughtfulness of the man who bought it for her.
The dress was made of a flowing material and the various shades of blue and green made her think of the colors of the sea.
It was an A-line design and had a halter style bodice which was ideal for her figure. She ran her hand across the soft fabric and imagined it against her skin.
It was perfect.
Thirty minutes later she stepped on to the porch. The dress fit perfectly, and she wore her thick red hair curly and loose around her shoulders. She had on the cowboy boots that she’d made Taylor get out of her closet.
A few guests had started to arrive, and Russ was working with a group of older men to set up the band.
She took a deep breath. She could do this.
Hearing Taylor’s boots on the porch behind her, she grinned as a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. She leaned back against his hard, muscled chest.
“Lord have mercy, you are one beautiful woman, Cherry Hill.” His mouth was near her ear as he pulled her close, and his words sent a thrill down her spine.
“Thank you.” She couldn’t look at him. She was afraid if she did, she might shatter into a million pieces.
Her heart ached with want, and she knew if she looked into his blue eyes, she’d be lost.
It was enough to feel him. To have him near. To have his arms around her. “Thank you for the dress. I love it. It’s perfect.”
He squeezed her. “You’re kind of perfect.”
She closed her eyes.
No, she wasn’t.
She was so far from perfect, she wasn’t even in the ballpark. But she knew tonight had to be perfect.
They had to convince the town that they were really engaged.
She turned around, staying in the circle of his arms and peered up at him. “Are you ready for this? Ready to try to persuade half the town that we’re really engaged?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe we ought to practice.” He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss on her lips. His hands tightened on her waist, and he kissed her again, this time a little less on the “tender” side and more on the “I want you right now” side.
The rest of the world fell away whenever he kissed her.
It was just the two of them, and she circled his neck with her arms and kissed him back. Her breath caught as he sucked at her bottom lip, and she wanted to forget the party.
Forget everything and just throw this man down on a bed somewhere and have her way with him.
And then let him have his way with her.
Twice.
“Well, you’ve got me convinced.” Charlie’s voice interrupted them. She sounded amused as she walked up onto the porch, a Crock-Pot in her hands.
Cherry pulled away from Taylor, straightening her dress. “We were just, you know, practicing.”
Charlie laughed. “Well, it looks like you’ve got it down to me.” She hefted the Crock-Pot. “I brought meatballs.”
Taylor took the Crock-Pot from her hands and set it on one of the food tables. “Sounds great. I’m going to go help Dad with getting the band set up.” He lightly slapped Cherry on the butt as he passed by. “Save me a dance.”
The two friends turned to watch Taylor cross the yard. He wore snug Wranglers with cowboy boots and a soft blue western shirt.
“Damn, that is one fine piece of Montana cowboy,” Charlie said. “How have I gone my whole life without knowing how hot cowboys actually were?”
Cherry laughed. “Well, you’re here now. And by the way, thanks for the dress. I love it.”
“It looks gorgeous on you. But don’t thank me. It was all Taylor’s idea. He saw it in the window of the Lady Bug Dress Shop downtown and wanted to get it for you. He knew you didn’t have many of your own clothes because of the fire. He called me to make sure he got the size right, but otherwise, that was all him.”
Hmm. Taylor Johnson was just full of surprises.
The screen door slammed, and Sam and Rex came rushing out. Sam wore new jeans, a blue western shirt similar to Taylor’s, and a new pair of brown cowboy boots.
Another surprise.
She pulled the boy into a quick hug. “Sam, you look great. Where did you get these new clothes and the boots?”
“Taylor. He took me into Tate’s Western Store today and got me these.” He stuck his foot out showing off his new boots. “He said we needed to look good for the party tonight. Aren’t these cool? They’re just like Taylor’s.”
Cherry grinned. “Yes, they are pretty cool.” It seemed that Taylor’d had a busy day. And was evidently quite a shopper.
What other surprises did this man have in store for her tonight? She swallowed, and her body heated at the thought.
But first, she had to make it through this party.
Within an hour, the ranch was full of people. Laughter and country music filled the air as more people poured in, carrying lawn chairs and hot dishes. The tables on the porch filled with food and baked goods.
Taylor stayed by her side, holding her hand or resting his arm around her shoulders. The night air was still warm, and dusk settled in. The lights from the barn cast a warm glow over the whole scene, and Cherry let herself relax just a little. Let herself enjoy the moment.
Russ’s band had warmed up and were belting out country tunes. Zack was gliding Charlie around the dance floor, his arm secure around her waist. Sophie and Cash were swing-dancing in the middle, and the teenager laughed as Cash twirled her around. It was a party atmosphere, and Taylor grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dance floor.
His dancing skills had improved, and he pulled her into a quick two-step, his hand firm on her back as he guided her around the dance floor. He spun her, pulling her in and out of his arms in time to the music.
She threw back her head and laughed.
A pure laugh. A laugh of joy. A joy she hadn’t felt in weeks.
Not since Stacy had died.
Looking across the dance floor, she could see Sam and Rex next to Russ.
Taylor’s dad sat in a chair on the side of the stage, picking the banjo on his lap. Sam danced and laughed as Russ made silly faces at him and sang along to the song.
Sam seemed happy, too. It was so good to see him laugh.
Taylor guided her toward the stage as the song ended. “Hey, Dad, can you play that one by Tim McGraw? The one I told you about?”
Russ nodded and traded his banjo for a guitar. He led the band in the opening notes, and Cherry’s heart tumbled.
Had Taylor really just asked his dad to play their song? The one from high school? Had he remembered all these years? She searched his face for a clue.
“What? You didn’t think I forgot our song, did you?” He winked at her and glided her around the dance floor.
She didn’t know what to think.
On the third time around, he grabbed Sam, pulling him into their dance.
He let go of her and swung Sam around, then showed him the basic steps of the two-step. Then he pulled Sam between them, and the boy moved his feet with theirs as Taylor taught him the steps. “Quick, quick, slow, slow.”
“You’re getting it,” Cherry said, laughing as Sam collided with her feet.
Sam giggled and laughed as he tried to keep up with the steps. “I’m dancing. Can Rex dance with us, too?”
Taylor chuckled. “I don’t know if dogs are any good at dancing.” His laughter died, and he stopped as he looked out to the driveway.
“What’s wrong?” Cherry turned to see her cousin’s black Denali coming down the driveway.
She’d prayed that Reed and Olivia would’ve changed their minds and decided not to make the drive down for the party.
Her prayers had not been answered.
The truck parked in the driveway, and the Hill family emerged. They’d brought Aunt Bea, but it looked like they had left Susan, Stacy’s mother, at home.
Of course, Bea wouldn’t skip this. She wouldn’t want to miss a chance to embarrass or humiliate her great niece.
Taylor took her hand. “Well, we better go face the music.”
Cherry held back. “But I like this music so much better.”
He grimaced. “Yeah, me, too. Maybe they won’t stay long.”
Yeah, not the way her luck had been going lately.
Although she was just dancing in the arms of a hunky cowboy, so her luck couldn’t be all bad.
She took Sam’s hand, and they crossed the yard together. The three of them.
Almost like a family. If even for a little bit.
Reed had the hatch of the Denali open, and he pulled a red bicycle from the back end and set it on the ground.
“My bike,” Sam cried. He dropped her hand and took off running for the bicycle.
Well played, Reed.
“Hey, sport,” Reed said, as Sam reached for the handlebars. “We stopped by your house and picked up your bike.” He looked up at Cherry. “He loves riding that dang bike. I thought he might want to have it out here to ride around.”
Wow. He was actually thinking of Sam and wanted to do something nice for him. Her heart softened a little to her cousin. “Thanks for bringing it. That was nice of you.”
Sam was already off, riding the bike in circles around the guests, the dog yapping at his heels.
“I’m not a bad guy, Cherry. And I really do care about Sam.” He laughed as he watched the boy racing down the driveway, his casted arm stuck out awkwardly as he held the handlebars. “I just want what’s best for him.” He turned his eyes back to Cherry, the cold look of condescension back. “I just don’t think that’s you. Even if you are back together with the sheriff here.”
And there he was. The bastard.
How could she have let her guard down, even for a second, and believed that Reed had anything but his own best interests at heart?
“Things do look pretty cozy here,” Olivia said, eyeing Cherry and Taylor’s joined hands.
Taylor’s voice was cordial, yet held just a hint of steel. “Welcome to our engagement party. There’s plenty of food, and the music is great. Please stay and enjoy yourselves.” He held out an arm to Bea.
She grudgingly took his offered arm and let him lead her toward the porch. “Oh, we are planning to stay, but it’s yet to be determined if we will actually enjoy ourselves.”
Cherry’s cousins followed her aunt, and she let out her breath.
She watched them grab plates and fill them with food. Her family was well-known and several people approached them to say hello.
Taylor was the perfect host, pouring on his down-home charm as he pointed out dishes made by the locals and noted which ones he thought were the best recipes.
After they all had full plates and were settled in, he ambled back toward Cherry. He leaned down and laid a soft kiss on her lips. “See, no problem. I’m going to win those bastards over yet.”
She laughed. “You do love a challenge.”
He put an arm around her, and she let herself relax into his comforting embrace. Maybe it was going to be okay. Maybe this was all going to work out.
She looked across the yard at the people laughing and having fun, including her cousins. “Everyone seems to be having a good time.”
“And several folks have congratulated us on our happy upcoming union. I haven’t had anyone question me or even act the least bit suspicious.”
Maybe they weren’t suspicious because they could see the way she really felt about Taylor.
It wasn’t hard to pretend to be in love with him.
And she was never very good at hiding her emotions anyway. Maybe they could see that she really did care about him.
Maybe they could see what she was trying to hide.
Even from herself.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a loud truck.
She looked up to see an old red pickup kicking up dust as it raced down the driveway.
Right toward where Sam was riding his bike.
Chapter Fourteen
Taylor looked up at the sound of the truck engine. He recognized the piece of crap truck as belonging to Leroy Purvis, whom he’d heard had recently been released from jail.
What the hell was he doing here?
The truck was coming in way too hot, and Taylor’s heart froze as he saw Sam riding his bike across the driveway.
“Sam! Get out of the way!” Taylor raced toward the boy.
Purvis must have finally seen Sam, because he suddenly slammed on his brakes.
The truck skidded in the soft dirt toward the boy on the bicycle.
He barely registered Cherry running beside him as he ran. All he could focus on was the heavy pickup sliding toward the small boy.
The boy that had stolen a piece of his heart. That he had fallen in love with the first day that he met him. The boy that he would do anything to protect.
He reached Sam just as the truck came to a shuddering halt a mere foot from the boy’s bike. He grabbed Sam and lifted him out of harm’s way. “You okay, buddy?”
Sam nodded, his eyes wide with fright. “I’m okay. That just scared the crud out of me.”
Taylor laughed and hugged the boy to his chest.
Cherry caught up to them and threw her arms around them both. “Oh my gosh, Sam. Are you hurt?”
Taylor handed Sam to Cherry. “He’s okay. But that bastard Purvis isn’t going to be.”
He strode to the side of the truck and wrenched the pickup’s door open. Reaching in, he grabbed Leroy Purvis by the scruff of his shirt and yanked him from the cab. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You could have killed that boy.”
Leroy fell to the dirt. He scrambled backward. “Look, I didn’t see him. I’m sorry, all right.” His voice held the unmistakable slur of a man who’d been drinking too much.
“No, it’s not all right. You’re drunk.” Taylor hollered for one of his deputies. “Hicks, get over here.”
The band had stopped playing, and the party-goers stood quietly watching as the deputy hurried toward him. Zack and Cash moved to the edge of the crowd as if ready to step in if Taylor needed them.
Russ had dropped his guitar and raced to Sam, and out of the corner of his eye, Taylor could see his dad comforting Sam and Cherry.
