knew I was nothin’ more than a hot passing moment to him. Why do people do that?”
Logan huffed and whined.
“I don’t get it either. I like sex as much as the next person, but I’m not that desperate, even though he was sinful. Should’ve seen his green eyes. Just like the firs up on the mountains.”
I reached down and scratched Logan’s ear. He leaned into the touch.
“Think I’ll ever find what Elaina and JR have? It’s not impossible, right?”
Logan didn’t respond, but he shifted his paw so it touched my leg. Silent support. We had this conversation often. It was a good thing Logan never complained.
“Maybe I should’ve taken the quick rumble tonight. Alleviate some stress. Was I an idiot turnin’ him down?”
Logan made a rumbling noise deep in his throat, and I chuckled.
“I know. He had player written all over him. It was a dead end. Guys like him don’t go for guys like me. He’s probably never had a serious relationship in his life. But god he smelled amazing. And his lips…”
Logan whined again.
I patted his head, rolling to my side. “Enough thinkin’ about him. Not worth my time. G’night, buddy.”
Logan gave a final huff, and we went to sleep.
I slammed the heavy front door and wiped my boots on the mat before following the scent of brewing coffee and food toward the kitchen. I’d been up since five doing chores, feeding the horses, and ensuring my crew was set for the day since I’d be occupied with Elaina’s wedding.
Dad was frying eggs at the stove, one hand resting on the counter while he favored his left leg. His hip must have been bothering him more than usual after yesterday’s rehearsal.
“What time’s your meeting?” I tugged a travel mug from the cupboard and filled it with coffee.
“’Bout a half hour. Eat something before you go out there again.” He scooped scrambled eggs onto a plate and added already buttered toast before sliding it across the counter toward me.
I mumbled thanks and dug a fork from the cutlery drawer.
Dad joined me at the table with his own plate and fresh coffee. “What all you gotta do still?”
I set my hat aside and tucked in. “Not much,” I said between bites. “Gonna pull the carriage out and have ’er ready to go. The boys are set, just need to harness them up before the ceremony.”
Dad nodded.
The stables had six Clydesdales whose jobs were to pull the carriages. We offered carriage rides through town year-round for guests, but we also catered special events like weddings. Today, Elaina and my father would arrive at the base of the ridge by horse-drawn carriage where a path had been prettied up for her to walk along to get to where the ceremony would take place.
I worried the climb was too steep for Dad, but he’d told me to shut my trap enough times, I quit voicing my opinion. “My daughter’s only getting married once,” he’d told me. And he’d been waiting for the privilege of walking her down the aisle for thirty-seven years.
“Your brother’s gonna be here around noon. Make sure you’ve done chores by then. You’ll need to clean up and dress too.”
“Don’t remind me. I’m savoring every second in my jeans.”
Dad chuckled.
“When I get married, it ain’t gonna be fancy.”
“Your future husband might have an opinion about that, kiddo.”
“We’ll see.”
I scraped up the last of my eggs and shoveled them into my mouth before collecting our plates and tossing them in the dishwasher. Snagging my hat, I fixed it snug in place. I chugged a mouthful of black coffee and checked the time. It was five to nine.
“I’m gonna run and catch Corgan, see who he has leading trail rides today. I wanna make sure they keep off the ridge ride. Elaina will not be impressed if her special day is interrupted by groups of riders gawkin’ on.”
“Good thinking.” Dad hiked himself to his feet with a groan. I stopped myself from jumping to his side and helping. With his cane in one hand, he hobbled toward the office. “Keep your eyes peeled for this guy I’m supposed to meet with. Bring him to the office when he gets here. Saves me a trip to answer the door.”
“Will do.”
I topped off my travel mug and screwed the lid tight as I headed to the front door. When I flung it wide open, I came face-to-face with the well-dressed city slicker I’d turned down the previous night.