asking would send a Message? Capital M?”
“Exactly!”
Cole laughed then, his head back. “Well, I’m definitely not ready to do that. You’re right. I shouldn’t torment any poor woman by asking her to dress up and spend the day with—wait—how did you say it? Charming, witty, and dashing me?”
“I’m glad you understand.”
“You know, showing up alone carries its own risks.”
“Such as?”
He sighed, a long, drawn-out thing that could have earned him a ranch-style Oscar. “Look what happened at Decker and Kyla’s wedding. Daniel showed up alone, Hayley showed up alone, and wham. Now they’re getting married.”
“Horrors. On second thought, you should probably just ask someone and save yourself the trouble.”
“Nah. It’s too late. You’re right.” He walked around Goldie’s head toward Jess, eyebrows raised, dimples showing as he smiled. “Unless you’re free, maybe.”
Jess rolled her eyes. “Did you hear anything I just said?”
“Sure.” He shrugged. “Big B, Big D, Big M. Loud and clear. But you’re already going, and you’re a bridesmaid, so you’re immune from all that, right? Or is this another nuance thing a man can’t possibly understand?”
“You’re impossible.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that.” He finished brushing Goldie and gave her a carrot. “Is that a no, then?”
Jess slid her arms off from the fence, feeling a smile steal over her face.
“As strange as this may seem, getting a last-ditch invite from someone who just realized it’s too late to ask anyone else doesn’t really give a gal the warm fuzzies.”
“Right. My timing could use some work.” He grinned. “But here’s the thing. If we just go together, we can avoid that whole awkward-singles thing.”
“I think that was Hayley and Daniel’s plan.” She raised her eyebrows. “Just saying.”
He nodded. “All right, then. Maybe you can just save me a dance instead.”
She smiled. “That I can probably do.” She looked at her watch. “Oh, no. I’m supposed to be in town doing wedding stuff with Hayley right now.”
“Get distracted by my charm and wit and—what was the other thing?”
“Modesty.” Jess shook her head, smiling. “I’ll see you later, Cole.”
He touched his Stetson in a mock salute. “Take care, cowgirl.” Then he smiled, winking at her. “I’ve still got four whole days to break you down.”
Chapter 7
Later that morning, Jess looked into the three-way mirror at the bridal shop and put her hands to her mouth as her eyes widened. Hayley had been secretive about the bridesmaid dresses from day one, asking only for measurements and a—short, please—list of colors they wouldn’t be caught dead in. Today was the big reveal.
And what a reveal it was. She fingered the silky layers of emerald and fuchsia, tracing the generous lines of the dress, leaning close to examine the beadwork on the bodice. She’d never seen a dress so gorgeous, nor worn one that shaped her body so perfectly.
Hayley leaned over her shoulder. “Better than a dirndl?”
“Hey!” Kyla laughed. “My wedding was a year ago. We’re done insulting my bridesmaid dress choices, okay?”
Hayley turned toward the settee where Kyla was sipping bottled water, her eyebrows raised. “Kyla, you dressed us like a Sound of Music sequel. Not sure you’re going to live that down, like, ever.”
“But—mountains!” Kyla’s hand fluttered toward the window. “It was perfect!”
Hayley turned back to Jess, who was still staring at the mirror in awe. “So what do you think? You’re making me nervous with the silent reaction thing.”
Jess let a slow breath out. “I can’t even find words to describe how much I adore this, but love doesn’t seem strong enough. Hayley, it’s unbelievable. How did you—where did you—I don’t even know where to start!”
Hayley pulled a sheaf of papers out of a folder and brought them to Jess. “See, I wanted to incorporate the Native American element into our wedding, and I remembered you telling us about your Cherokee roots, so I started googling. And voilà!” She shook the papers. “Ideas! But the execution part was all Danielle. She’s amazing, isn’t she?”
Jess spun in front of the mirror, and colors leaped from the different panels on the dress. It was the most exquisite thing she’d ever seen, let alone owned. She reached out to hug Danielle. “I’m never taking it off.”
“Wait until the men see you in that thing.” Kyla winked. “You look like a Cherokee goddess.”
“Ha.” Hayley laughed. “The men are way more likely to want to see her out of that thing.”
Jess swallowed hard. Not exactly the reaction she was looking for.
Kyla got up from the couch, setting down her water. “I need to hit