with them today.” As soon as the coffee quit dripping, Pax poured a mugful and sat down at the table.
“That’s getting to be a pretty big wedding.” Maverick got his own coffee and joined him.
“What’s going on?” Bridget covered a yawn with her hand as she entered the room. “Did I hear ‘big wedding’? I thought this was going to be a small affair.”
“It was until Matt decided that since Alana is his only child, he wants a big to-do.”
“I still think this is too fast,” Maverick said.
“We’ve done beat on that dead horse long enough. Let’s have some waffles and then get out to the hay field. That back pasture is ready to cut, and the forecast says there’s sunshine for the next three days.” Pax changed the subject.
He wanted to talk about hay, cattle, or even building a fence. He didn’t want to talk about weddings or Alana. But that was impossible, since every single detail of the night before kept running through his mind.
Not even his favorite country music playing in the tractor that morning helped. Every song reminded him of her and how it felt to sit on that swing with Alana right next to him. She was adorable in those boxer shorts with Minnie Mouse printed on them, and the faded pink nightshirt. A tingle shot through his body when he thought about her long, long legs, and those kissable lips.
She’d been adorable in that shirt and those shorts, but his holding her and comforting her was the best part of the night. He hadn’t felt like a fake fiancé at all the night before. In fact, he’d felt pretty damn good.
Chapter Six
When Alana opened the door promptly at seven o’clock that evening she found a woman about her own age wearing cute black slacks, a white button-up shirt, and high-heeled shoes. Her blue eyes looked out of place with her jet-black hair, and she barely reached Alana’s shoulder.
All of those qualities made Alana feel like a giant sunflower growing wild in a bed of pretty little pansies. “Hello, I’m Alana.” She stuck out her hand.
“Crystal Taylor.” The lady shook with her and then picked up the case she’d set on the porch.
“Come right in. We’re going to set things up on the dining room table.” Alana led the way to the dining room like a good hostess, even if she did feel a bit intimidated.
“Please to meet you, Alana,” Crystal said. “Your father has already given me lots of information over the phone.” She followed Alana across the foyer and into the dining room. When she saw Pax, her blue eyes lit up like sparklers on the Fourth of July. “Are you the groom?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He stood up and shook hands with her. “Paxton Callahan. Pleasure to meet you. Please have a seat.”
“Well, you two make a good-looking couple. Your wedding pictures should be stunning.” She opened her briefcase, took out a legal-size yellow pad, and sat down across the table from Pax and Alana. “Let’s start with how many will be in the wedding party.”
“Six bridesmaids and six groomsmen.” Alana took a seat beside Pax. “We called them all this morning and they’ve agreed.”
He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“How many guests are you inviting?” Crystal asked. “We usually find that about seventy-five percent send back the RSVP card, and maybe eighty percent of those actually attend, but we’ll need a rough number for the catering service.”
Pax slid his list across the table.
“And here’s mine.” Alana handed hers over. “There’s sure to be duplicate names.”
“We can take care of overlaps when names get entered into the computer tomorrow for invitation labels. Can you give me an estimated guess?” Crystal glanced across the table at Pax.
Slow down lady, Alana thought. I’m not trading places with you no matter how much you look at him like that.
“Five to six hundred,” Matt suggested, walking in from the kitchen. “I overheard you say coffee.” He glanced at Crystal and set a tray with cookies to the table. “I’m the father of the bride, Matt Carey. What can I get y’all to drink? Coffee or maybe a glass of sweet tea?”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Carey,” Crystal said, “and a cup of black coffee would be nice.”
A triple shot of Knob Creek Smoked Maple, Alana thought, but she said, “Sweet tea will be fine, Daddy, but I can get it.”
“Honey, y’all keep plannin’. I can take care of that,” Matt told her.
“That’s a