Page 49 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

Coop stuffed his kerchief away and noticed that Taylor was off the phone. He walked over to the patio table. “Lemonade looks good.”

“Have one,” she said. “They’re for you and the crew.”

“Thanks.” He grabbed one and took a sip. “Mmm, best lemonade in five counties.” Coop would always give the same compliment to Julie’s mom.

Taylor smiled. “Aunt Suzie loved when you told her that.”

He nodded and took another sip. “Are you busy? I noticed you on the phone.”

“No, not busy. I was just talking to an old friend.”

“Blake Charles?”

“How did you…oh, Cassie must’ve overheard.”

“So, how is old Blake?”

“Old Blake?” She chuckled. “He’s your age. And he’s doing fine. I bumped into him at Java Time the other day. We had coffee together.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

She clamped her mouth shut then. Had old Blake finally asked Taylor out on a date? Coop took a deep breath, reminding himself it was none of his business what Taylor did in her private life, yet the pangs inside weren’t going away.

“Actually, Coop. If you have a minute, I do have something I want to ask you. Can you meet me in the kitchen? I’ll take these lemonades over to your crew.”

“Sure, I’ll see you inside.”

Coop entered the house and finished his lemonade, placing the glass in the dishwasher. Julie’s home had been like a second home to him, especially during the summers. And when he’d returned to Last Stand, Julie made sure to tell him nothing had changed. Their friendship had picked up where they’d left off and that was another reason he was glad he’d come back to Texas. The town had embraced him and his daughter. But seeing Taylor again put him off balance. He didn’t like it, not one bit.

Taylor entered the room with a brilliant smile on her face. “Thanks for waiting. I think we only have a minute or two before Cassie comes in.”

“This is about Cass?”

“Well, yes. I could tell something was bothering her and with a little coaxing I was able to find out what it was. Apparently, she’s embarrassed about wearing the flower girl dress. She thinks people will laugh at her since she’s known around town as a tomboy. She told me she doesn’t wear dresses. Ever.”

“Wow.” Coop sucked in a breath. All this was news to him and it caught him off guard, a sucker punch to his gut. How had he not figured this out on his own? “I had no idea. So that’s what’s gotten into her. Every time I mention her being in the wedding, she clams up.”

“I don’t think it’s all that bad. She just needs something to give her a bit of courage. Something to make her feel strong and comfortable. When I explained how wearing my mother’s necklace gives me strength,” Taylor said, drawing his eyes to the gold locket around her neck she was touching tenderly, “she told me her mom had a special necklace, but she wasn’t sure she was allowed to wear it.”

“Gosh, if it helps, of course she can wear it.” Coop shook his head. He wasn’t going to give the necklace to Cassie until she turned sixteen, but if it would make her more confident, it was all hers. “I think this is all my fault. I didn’t realize I was doing my daughter a disservice. I didn’t think it mattered that she didn’t wear dresses or want fancy things. I had no idea she was feeling self-conscious. I should’ve known. She never puts a dress on. She probably doesn’t have one that fits anymore.”

“Coop,” Taylor said, reaching out to touch his arm. The slight caress went deep to comfort him and ease his doubt. “Cassie is who Cassie is. You didn’t do anything wrong. Her mother died, and you and your father have done your very best with her.”

“I don’t know.”

“Trust me, I know. All girls go through something like this. They get embarrassed, they get shy, they feel unsure. Women are complicated beings.”

Coop couldn’t believe she admitted that and he chuckled. “Man, you’re good, Taylor. Very good.”

“I made you smile, didn’t I?”

Their eyes met and held for a long moment. “You always could.”

Taylor blinked a few times. There was history between them that couldn’t be denied or forgotten. Coop was feeling it more and more. “Thank you for this, Taylor. I was clueless and you helped to open my eyes.”

“That’s another thing us women are good at,” she replied, flashing him a sugary sweet grin.

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