Page 56 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

“Seriously, you’ve been such a big help to us that it’s made it easy,” Julie added.

Taylor was just about to comment when Julie and Miguel glanced over her shoulder. She swiveled around and found Blake Charles approaching, a smile on his face.

“Hello, Taylor. Julie, Miguel.”

They greeted him politely and as Blake was shaking Miguel’s hand, Julie sent her a questioning look, her brows gathered.

“Enjoying your first Bluebonnet Festival, Taylor?” Blake asked.

He wore a button-down blue shirt open at the collar and dark slacks. He looked every bit the businessman, even in this casual setting. He was tall and nice-looking and any shyness he’d had years ago had washed clean away through time.

“I am. This is such a wonderful display of community.”

“It is. We have a booth over there.” He pointed toward his Charles Realty sign across the way. “We’re sponsoring a game this year. Ring toss. Lots of good prizes for the kids. Be sure to come on by.”

“We definitely will,” Julie said.

Taylor found the booth and nodded. “Yes, I’ll give it a try too.” But just as she was turning away, her gaze landed on Coop.

He stood next to Cassie and Grandpa Joe in line at the cotton candy booth. He eyed her and then shifted to Blake, who was standing directly next to her. Coop’s mouth became a rigid line of disapproval. Every nerve in Taylor’s body pinched tight. She didn’t need Coop’s approval to speak with a friend. The man couldn’t have it both ways.

“I wonder if I could steal you away for a few minutes?” Blake was asking.

“What?” She gave him her attention. “I’m sorry,” she said to him, shaking her head.

“I have a few questions for you and thought we could take a minute to talk?”

She glanced at Coop again and then nodded sweetly. “Of course, I’d love to speak with you. Why don’t we take a little walk? Julie, Miguel, I’ll meet up with you a little later, okay?”

“Sure,” Julie said.

“See you in a few,” Miguel offered.

And when Blake smiled at her, she smiled back, sensing Coop’s eyes were shooting flaming arrows at her back.

Blake bought her a waffle ice cream cone, strawberry with sprinkles on top, and they moved through the festival, looking at the booths. She tried her hand at ring toss at his realty booth with Blake cheering her on. They moved on, both enjoying their cones, but the noise was a bit much, so when Blake suggested they stroll down the street, she immediately agreed.

“Did you have questions about your sister’s wedding gown?” she asked, a bit curious about why he’d sought her out in the first place.

“I do, but I also wanted to spend a little time with you. If you don’t mind.”

“I, uh, oh, that’s nice.” And it was. He was a good distraction from Coop. Just thinking about him and his sour puss, annoyed her no end. “Of course I don’t mind.” She licked her cone, the strawberry sliding down her throat easily. The combination of strawberry and chocolate sprinkles, too good to be legal. “This is so yummy.”

Blake took a bite from of his plain vanilla cone. Somehow, she knew he’d be a vanilla kind of guy. But she wasn’t judging him. He was nice and had kind brown eyes. Finally, he got to asking about the wedding gown, but she got the feeling he was just making questions up. At least he was forthcoming and honest about wanting to spend time with her.

Unlike a certain cowboy contractor she knew.

They found themselves on the corner of Bluebonnet and Laurel, several blocks from the park. It was quieter now, the buzz of festivities a tiny hum in her ears. They stopped, waiting for traffic, and Taylor saw her reflection in the glass window, then realized she was looking into an empty space that used to be The Purple Pansy. “What happened to Jo Beth’s dress shop?”

“Jo Beth’s husband retired and they decided to move closer to her daughter in Arizona. She closed up shop about two months ago.”

“Really?”

He gave her a solemn nod. “Jo Beth had mixed feelings about leaving. She loved her shop. Had a big close-out sale and practically everything sold. Now the place is for sale.”

“Oh, well…good for her. It must’ve been a tough decision. She always seemed to enjoy her shop. Sometimes, Julie and I would wander in here and browse around. Her clothes were distinct. She had good taste.”

“So do you,” Blake said. “My sister is quite taken with your designs. I think she’ll be calling you soon about one of the gowns. How long are you planning on staying in Last Stand?”

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