Taming a Texas Rascal (Bad Boy Ranch #6) - Katie Lane Page 0,47
Although she had relinquished Angel’s training the first time she watched Sawyer put the horse through his paces.
The man could sit a saddle. He rode with a confidence that let Angel know he was in charge, but at the same, he didn’t try to stifle the horse’s nature. If Angel acted up a little, Sawyer kept a tight rein and talked soothingly. “I know you want to show those mares what a wild stud you are, but women prefer well-behaved gentlemen to bad boys.”
Maisy didn’t agree. She wanted a bad boy. She wanted him in a bad way. Sawyer just didn’t want her. Since the kiss, he’d made no other moves on her. Which led her to believe the kiss had just been something that happened because they were both relieved to get to keep Angel.
The voice on the GPS announced that they had reached their destination and Maisy turned into the parking lot of the huge Baptist church. She was surprised it was so packed.
“I thought we were early.”
“Actually, we’re late.”
Maisy shot a glance over at him. “You’re late to your own brother’s wedding?” When he only shrugged, she pulled into a parking space and turned off the engine. “Okay, what’s going on between you and your brother? If I’m going to walk into a hornet’s nest, I want to be prepared.”
Sawyer slouched down in the seat and stared out the side window for a few moments before he finally spoke. “Mattie is marrying a girl I used to date.”
The pieces started to fall into place, but there were still a few missing. “Date or love?” she asked. When Sawyer only swallowed hard, she had her answer. She didn’t know why she felt like she’d ran smack dab into a wall, but that’s exactly how she felt. She felt stunned and like she was going to pass out. She rested her head on the steering wheel and took deep breaths.
“Maisy?” Sawyer placed a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just hot in here.”
He opened his door and got out. A few seconds later, he opened hers. “Come on. Let’s get you inside where’s it cool.” He took her hand and helped her out, and continued to hold it as they walked through the parking lot to the double doors of the church.
They were late. When they stepped inside, the ceremony had already started. They slipped into a back pew as the pastor recited the vows for the couple standing at the front of the church to repeat. Next to the pastor was a woman doing sign language. Maisy assumed it was for the hearing impaired people in attendance. But she realized her mistake when the groom repeated his vows using sign language. She glanced at Sawyer. His attention was centered completely on his brother. The look of love and admiration in his eyes was easy to read. Obviously, he had forgiven his brother for stealing the woman he loved.
Maisy turned back as the bride started to repeat her vows—verbally and with sign language. Maisy wanted to see the face of the woman who had made Sawyer fall in love, but all she could see was Lauren’s vague profile beneath the gauzy veil. It wasn’t until the ceremony was over and the couple headed down the aisle that Maisy got a good look at her.
Lauren was breathtaking, gorgeous, and ravishing all rolled into one. She was everything delicate and feminine Maisy wasn’t. Her hair was perfect, as was her makeup and beautiful wedding gown. She smiled brightly as she clung to Mattie’s arm. The smile faded when she spotted Sawyer. She signed something to Mattie and his face lit up as his gaze turned to them. Maisy’s breath caught. It was like looking at a mirror image of Sawyer.
Mattie quickly signed something to Sawyer. And Sawyer completely shocked Maisy by signing back. Except he spoke as he signed.
“We’ll talk more at the reception.”
The reception was held at the fancy hotel Sawyer and Maisy were staying at. On the ride back, Sawyer didn’t say much and Maisy didn’t feel like talking either. She didn’t feel stunned anymore. Now she just felt depressed. Seeing Lauren had made her realize Sawyer would never be interested in a tomboy rodeo cowgirl like her. Not even for a romp in the hay.
When he went to take her hand on the way into the hotel, she pulled back. “I’m not going to play your girlfriend, Sawyer.”