Page 14 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

“Really?” Julie asked.

He shrugged. “Can’t see why not. We’ve got all the plans approved and permits are in order.”

Julie turned her way. “Miguel has been working with Coop behind my back, making sure it was doable before he told me about it.”

“Yeah, this guy’s making the rest of us mere mortal men look bad,” Coop said.

“I can see that,” Taylor said. “Julie loves to be surprised.”

“I do. I really do. Don’t all women?”

Miguel looked at her. “Do you like surprises, Taylor?”

“Only the happy ones. I mean I was surprised today when Muffy ran away. That wasn’t such a good surprise. I didn’t know what to do but run after her. Gosh, I still feel badly about that.”

“It all ended well,” Julie said graciously.

“Because Coop came to the rescue,” she added.

Gosh, she could’ve ruined Julie’s gown if he hadn’t come along when he had. The only saving grace was that she would’ve worked night and day to sew a whole new one. Luckily, it hadn’t come to that.

Seeing Coop was a big surprise too. Even though Taylor knew he’d moved back to town, she hadn’t expected to see him while wearing Julie’s wedding gown during the Great Muffy Chase.

Coop stuffed another cookie in his mouth and then pushed back his chair. “Well, I’d best get going.” He glanced at his watch. “Cassie’s got a ball game in an hour. And a coach has to do what a coach has to do.”

“Does Cassie play soccer?” Taylor asked. She’d never played sports during the school year, but during the summers, they’d kick around a soccer ball.

“Nope, she plays first base,” Coop said, unable to hide his pride.

“Softball?”

“She’s on a boy’s baseball team.”

“She’s one of the best players on the Tigers,” Miguel added. “That little girl can hit.”

Coop smiled. “She gets it from her father.”

“And her coach,” Julie added with a wink.

“I’d best be going. Coach can’t be late to the game.”

And with that Cooper left the kitchen.

“Oh, shoot,” Julie said, “I forgot to give him the cookies. Taylor, would you mind?” she said, setting a bunch of cookies onto a paper plate and covering it with plastic wrap. “Go give this to him, before he takes off.” Julie shoved the plate in her hands.

She had no time to refuse. Miguel was right there, he could’ve done it, but Julie’s agenda was glaring and brightly written all over her face.

“Sure, I’ll just chase him down the way I did Muffy,” she said, plate in hand.

She ran out the front door and caught him just as he was getting into his truck. “Wait up, Coop.”

He spotted her and leaned against the door, his hat plopped on his head, arms folded, casual as you please and waited for her to reach him. “Are you chasingmethis time? Never thought I’d see the day.”

She looked him up and down, liking him in blue plaid and jeans a little too much. He’d grown into a beautiful man. His comment, though, rubbed her the wrong way.And you never will.She bit her tongue because he was widower now and not the same Coop she could tease endlessly. “You forgot the cookies.” She handed him the plate and that was supposed to be that, until she added, “And just for the record, I’m not accustomed to chasing either men or dogs.”

Shoot, had she really said that?

He grinned. “Good to know. Thank Julie for the cookies,” he said, climbing into the truck. “See you around, Taylor. And that’s a promise.”

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