Roping the Cowboy Billionaire - Emmy Eugene Page 0,38
that could even be accomplished by a human hand.
Poles had been erected around the perimeter, with one tall, log-like one right in the middle that held up the highest part of the tent. Fans had been mounted to the pole along the whole height of it, and Tam couldn’t believe how cool it was back here.
Pavers had been laid down the middle of the chairs, and the path led her eye to a glorious altar. Sprays of purple, white, and coral flowers decorated the top and front of it, with polished wood peeking through.
Tall vases held flowers too, and Tam took a deep breath. “It smells amazing back here.”
“Doesn’t it?” another woman asked, and Tam turned toward the pretty woman with the dark blue eyes. “I’m Virginia Winters, Olli’s best friend.”
“Yes,” Tam said, automatically making her voice more refined. “We met at the family dinner. I’m Tam, Blaine’s girlfriend.”
Virginia glanced at Blaine. “That’s right. You make those beautiful saddles, right?”
Tam smiled and said, “Yes.”
“Blaine,” Virginia said. “You better get inside, because I think Spur is about to pop a vein in his head.”
“Right.” He squeezed Tam’s hand and pressed a kiss to her temple. “See you after, sugar.” With that, he left, and Tam faced a woman who was far superior to her.
“He’s great,” Virginia said, smiling. That gesture softened her, and Tam was able to return it.
“I think so,” Tam said. She noticed Virginia turning back to the house, and she seemed quite distracted. “Do you have a place to sit?” she asked. “Because I’m sort of freaking out about having to sit out there by myself.”
She turned back to the chairs, glad when Virginia joined her. “My mother is here,” she said. “You’re welcome to sit by her. I have to be in the bridal party.”
“Can I?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Virginia.”
“You can call me Ginny,” she said, linking her arm through Tam’s. “All my friends do.” She smiled as they stepped off the patio and onto the pavers. “That dress is great on you.”
Tam laughed, keeping it light and airy. “Oh, now you’re lying.”
“I never lie,” Ginny said. “I know fashion. Olli has me dress her for every important event.” She glanced down at Tam’s shoes. “I didn’t peg you for a heels girl. You should be wearing boots.”
“I didn’t think I was allowed.”
“Honey,” Ginny said as she turned down the second aisle from the front. “You watch every one of those Chappells come down the aisle. Every single one of them will be wearing boots.” She grinned and introduced Tam to her mother before flitting off to join the bridal party.
The Winters clearly had money too, as did most of the guests Tam saw before the ceremony began. She stood with everyone else, her breath catching in her throat. This whole affair was simply beautiful, and Tam’s emotions clogged in her throat as she watched Spur walk down the aisle at the head of a long line of men.
He wore a tuxedo, his tie exactly right and his cowboy hat the most delicious thing Tam had ever seen. She hoped Blaine would wear a hat like that when they got married.
She sucked in a breath, realizing what she’d just thought. Now that the marriage idea had gotten in, though, she couldn’t get it out.
Behind Spur came his father, and then Cayden, then Trey, then Blaine. Tam didn’t see who came after him, though she knew they were going in age-order. Her eyes locked onto him, and he glided with all the grace of a ballerina, his cowboy hat pretty darn perfect, his suit the color of the midnight sky on a moonless night, and the smile he kicked in her direction made of pure flirtation.
Tam grinned back and waited with bated breath for the bride to arrive. Her family came next, and they filled the front rows. The bridal party came next, each woman wearing a dress in a gauzy, peachy color that didn’t seem gaudy or forced. Ginny had probably picked those, and they managed to complement each woman’s shape and size.
Finally, Olli appeared on her father’s arm, and Tam couldn’t help the gasp and then the sigh that came from her mouth.
She half-turned to Ginny’s mother. “That’s an Eden Phillips dress.”
“It’s fantastic for her, isn’t it?” she asked. “She’s so beautiful.”
“She really is,” Tam said, and she watched Olivia Hudson step carefully from paver to paver, pure joy radiating from her. She joined Spur at the altar, and Tam sat down. She kept her back straight,