old mutt thrown in. Dolly was named after Dolly Parton, and when she meowed, it kind of did sound like she was singing.
Ducky was waiting on the porch and made a beeline inside the house as soon as Pax opened the door. He touched noses with Dolly, who was sleeping in front of the cold fireplace, and then headed over to the rug under the coffee table.
“Guess what?” Pax said. “I’m getting married in about four and a half weeks. Can you believe that? I damn sure can’t.”
The dog barked. The cat meowed pitifully. And Pax’s phone rang again.
“Hello, Billy Ray,” he said.
“Mom just told me the news, and I wanted to congratulate you,” Billy Ray said. Pax had known Billy Ray for ages. If Mav weren’t already Pax’s best friend, Billy Ray would’ve been close.
“Thanks. I’m still a bit shocked myself.”
“Well, I’m a little jealous,” Billy Ray continued. “I’ve always had a crush on Alana, and when I was a little kid, I even planned our wedding. I got to admit, y’all sure did a fine job of keeping the secret.”
Pax moved down the hall to his bedroom. “We didn’t want to go public with the news because we live so close together. What if we’d broken up? Then it would be awkward for our families.”
“Well, now it all makes perfect sense why she rejected me,” Billy Ray chuckled. “Call me if you need anything. Mama’s already planning a wedding shower.”
“Thanks,” Pax said again.
“Be seein’ you around,” Billy Ray said and ended the call with a goodbye.
Pax tossed his phone over on the bed and stripped out of his clothing. He’d shoved his legs down into his jeans when the phone rang again. When he saw Hud’s face pop up on the screen, he groaned. “Surely to God, the news hasn’t gotten halfway across the state already!”
“Hey, what’s going on in Sunset?” he asked.
“Congratulations!” Hud chuckled. “I knew if Alana chased you long enough that you’d catch her.”
“How did you find out so fast? We only told her dad today,” Pax asked.
“Billy Ray called me,” Hud replied. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was going to tell y’all first, but Matt got all excited and reserved the date at the church before Alana and I could tell our families and personal friends. Damn Billy Ray anyway. He’s a bigger gossip than his mama.” It was amazing how fast Pax was falling into the part of Alana’s fiancé.
“Always has been. They’re good people, but they do like to spread the news,” Hud chuckled again. “How come the wedding is so quick? I figured Alana would be one that wanted the big church thing with everyone in Daisy invited.”
“Alana? You must not really know her. She wanted us to elope to Las Vegas.” He made a mental note to tell her that bit of information. “Her father made her promise to at least have a small ceremony and reception right here in Daisy.”
“June six, right?” Hud asked. “I’ve got the pen in my hand, and you know the rule. Remember the rule—if it’s on the calendar here in the ranch house, it’s written in stone.”
“Start writing,” Pax replied, surprised that he wasn’t stammering even a little bit. “I’ll see you in a month.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Got to go tell Tag and all the folks over on Longhorn Canyon. They’re going to be as shocked as I was. Bye now.”
The screen went dark, and Dolly came wandering into the room. She jumped up on his bed and started purring. Pax stopped what he was doing long enough to pet her. “When I woke up this morning, I had no idea I’d be getting married in a month, but I couldn’t turn Alana down. Who knows, maybe by being around her so much, I’ll get over this infatuation I’ve had for her since I was a kid.”
The cat looked up at him and meowed.
“I know it’s crazy as hell, and it sure doesn’t go along with my plans.”
The cat meowed again.
“My dream was to have my own house built and ready for a bride before that time came. Maybe I’d even have enough money in the bank for a decent little honeymoon. Until then, I’d work hard, party hard, and enjoy my life as a freewheeling cowboy.”
Dolly curled up in a ball and shut her eyes.
“Some friend you are,” Pax griped. “It’s written in stone now. I just hope we don’t get trapped in our own web of lies now.”
Chapter Three
Alana