Page 5 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

He shook it, careful not to squeeze too hard lest he break a bone. “Rusty. Here to deliver the flowers.” He looked around. “Is Kristy here?”

“She’s on a call. But you can start unloading. A vase goes on each table in the center, and two vases go on each end of the bride’s table. Did you deliver the bouquets and the boutonnieres?”

“To 173 Crescent Street as directed. Women were there. The father of the bride was going to take care of distributing the boutonnieres.”

“Perfect. Can’t wait to see the flower arrangements. Need help?” She looked like a puppy eager for a walk.

“I’ve got a dolly, so I can handle it.” This wasn’t his first wedding delivery, but it was the first one to An Affair to Remember wedding. He hoped Kristy would get off the phone soon so he could see her. What he would do after that was anybody’s guess.

Suffice to say he’d been knocked on his proverbial butt when he first saw her. With expressive blue eyes that gave her away more than she probably realized, a halo of blond hair, and a nicely formed figure, she seemed angel-like, but happily was flesh and bones. And all business. He admired that. To a point, anyway.

He’d tried his best to focus on other things the past few days. But his mind kept drifting off to her. So much so, his other sister, Lexi, had accused him of daydreaming. He never daydreamed. He prided himself on being focused on the here and now. That was how he’d stayed alive for the last ten years. But apparently it only took one interesting woman to change that.

He headed back to the van, glancing about to see if he could get a glimpse of Kristy before stepping into the blazing sun.

He brought out the dolly from the back of the van and loaded vases onto it, making sure he secured them with cords.

He didn’t know what he would say to her, but he was determined to take things forward. Besides, what did he have to lose? Only pride.

The image of her flipping her blond hair over her shoulder, the rounding of her blue eyes when she’d first encountered him, the way her gaze had never left his face, the way she’d crossed her arms over her chest to shut things down. Yeah, he remembered it all.

He’d looked her up on social media to verify her relationship status, which said single. Though only a few pictures were available, they were of her with a guy taken over a year ago. She hadn’t looked especially happy in them, which gave him hope.

He pushed the loaded dolly to the entrance and was surprised when the door swung out. Ariel held open the door. He nodded his thanks.

“Those are beautiful. Just as I hoped. Your sister does great work.” Ariel swung her purse over her shoulder. “I’m off to the church to make sure things go well there.” She beamed a smile and stepped out.

Peering into the transformed reception area, he spotted Kristy cradling a phone to her ear, a frown on her face. He pushed the dolly into the room toward her. She had on a black sleeveless blouse, white flowy pants, and black sandals with spike heels. He liked the shoes. Gold earrings dangled from her ears, and a gold necklace wrapped around her thin neck. She looked elegant and poised, if annoyed.

He set the vases on the tables, feeling underdressed in his faded jeans and worn T-shirt, which was stupid, since he certainly wouldn’t be attending the wedding. The vases, filled with clusters of purple, lavender, and pink flowers mixed with white roses, seemed right at home in their new surroundings.

He kept Kristy in sight, peering out of the corner of his eye.Get off the phone.

He placed a few more vases, and finally she shoved the phone into her pants pocket and ventured toward him. She looked like a gazelle, crossing the room with her long legs made even longer with spiked heels. He felt a twitch low in his abdomen.

“These look perfect.” She drew alongside him and reached for a vase on the dolly, coming tantalizingly close as she set it on the table. “Did you deliver the bouquets and boutonnieres?”

He nodded.

“Great. Thanks for getting here in a timely fashion. It’s more than I can say for some people.”

He sensed trouble. “Why’s that?”

“I hired two college-aged brothers to park cars because this venue doesn’t have such great parking, and they are both calling in sick. Some virus going around. Ariel and I may be driving cars today, except she’s at the church making sure things go right there.”

“I’ll do it.” The words were out of his mouth in a flash, his natural instinct for fixing problems getting the upper hand. A damsel in distress was right up his alley, especially this damsel. “I’m not doing anything tonight. I can park cars.” What was the big deal about parking cars?

Kristy smiled for the first time since he’d entered the room. “You’re a little old to be a valet.”

“So are you. And a little too well dressed.”

She looked him up and down and then looked at her watch. “I’m desperate. If you can be back here in two hours to park cars, that would be great. I can only pay minimum wage, and there won’t be any tips, I fear, since this is a wedding.”

“I’m not doing it for money. I’m doing it to help out someone. Just call me Rusty to the rescue.”

She laughed. “You should use that name for a new business.”

“Pretty much been my business my whole life.” Except that one fateful time.

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