The Cowgirl's Chosen Love - Vivian Arend Page 0,14

laugh.

“I’m hoping if I spin you hard enough, you might agree to a spontaneous wedding as well.”

Julia blinked at his comment, but Lisa only laughed as she tapped her fingers against his shoulders. She shook her head.

“Stop that. I already said no. This is Karen and Finn’s party. We’ll just have to continue shacking up.”

He shrugged. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.” His gaze shifted to take in Julia. “And you. Ready for a little time in sin city?”

“I’ve never been. I’m pretty excited,” she admitted.

Strong hands caressed over her shoulder, fingers squeezing briefly. Zach slid into position beside her. Close enough the heat of his body meshed with hers.

Staying there was tempting—far too tempting—but for her own peace of mind, Julia took a half step away.

Karen was too distracted by Finn’s arrival, and Josiah only had eyes for Lisa. But Lisa?

She didn’t miss a thing. Her smile kicked up a notch as she examined Zach and Julia. “I think it’s going to be a very interesting trip.”

4

Zach was doing his damnedest to try and give Julia some room, but it was the hardest thing ever.

It seemed every time he turned around, she was right there, chatting with her sisters with boundless enthusiasm. She projected so much life and energy, he was constantly drawn to her side.

It took far too much effort to stop reaching for her hand every chance he got.

Piling into the extreme back seat of the Coleman minivan put him right next to her, though. An accident of fate he was happy to enjoy as the Coleman girls continued to chatter.

Behind the wheel, Tamara glanced in the rearview mirror, her laughing eyes taking in the six of them. “You guys are all a load of trouble, but I hope you have a wonderful time. You deserve it. I mean that, sis.”

The last said directly to Karen, who was seated beside her in the front passenger seat.

Karen twisted so she could see everyone in the back better. “We’ll make sure we get a video of the wedding for you and anyone else in the family who wants a copy.”

Tamara waved a hand. “We’ll be there in spirit. I agree with the concept of keeping it small and fun, considering I never invited any of you to my wedding.”

A snicker escaped Lisa. “You set a bad example.”

“I set the best example,” she corrected, gaze once again fixed on the highway. “I proved the most important thing you need for a good marriage is the right partner.”

“Amen to that.” Finn leaned forward from where he was seated behind Karen to lay a hand on her shoulder.

She pivoted and offered Finn such a blinding I’m in love with you smile, it damn near filled the van with sparkling unicorns and rainbow dust.

Which was exactly what Zach hoped to see. His friend deserved every bit of happiness headed his way.

Beside him, Julia listened intently, but her expression wavered between excitement and concern. “Are you sure we’ll make it to the airport on time? If our flight’s at two o’clock, don’t we have all sorts of security we have to get through first? How far is the airport from us now?”

To hell with it. Zach pressed his fingers over hers where her hand lay on the seat between them, squeezing gently. “The plane won’t leave without us,” he assured her.

In front of them, Josiah twisted. His quick glance took in both Julia’s face and their linked fingers, but he blinked back his surprise and addressed her. “Have you flown before?”

“Once. Well, I suppose twice. Vancouver to LA and back when I was about twelve.”

“Disneyland trip?” Lisa asked.

“Just the beach and some winter sunshine,” Julia told her. “That’s all we could afford, but I loved it. The flight was pretty much all the Disney rides wrapped up into one. Someday I’ll go officially.”

She glanced at Zach, that crease back between her brows. Her gaze shifted to their hands.

Dammit. He had unconsciously began rubbing his thumb over the back of her knuckles. When she didn’t pull away, though, he decided to keep her anchored. He knew the bomb Josiah was about to drop.

“We’re not flying commercial,” Josiah said casually. “Finn and Zach have access to a private plane, so you’re in for a special treat.”

Julia stiffened. “A private plane?”

“It belongs to the corporation.” Zach squeezed her hand. “Remember you met Alan Cwedwick, our lawyer, that one time.”

The time she’d had to stitch him up after he’d been sort of shot—which wasn’t something he wanted to