Page 58 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

“Sometimes, Coop, you’re a real jerk,” she whispered.

“You like him?”

“None of your beeswax.”

“That’s real grown-up of you.”

“You’re jealous.”

“Am not.”

“Then why’d you bring it up?”

“Would you two stop bickering like an old married couple and take the darn photo already? Cassie is waiting,” Julie said.

Indeed, Cassie had dropped her hand and run up to the sign, impatiently waiting for them to pose for the picture.

It wasn’t the first time Julie had to break up an argument between the two of them. One time, it got so bad, Julie pulled out a coach’s whistle and blew it so long and so loud, the neighbors complained. Her friendship with Coop had spanned both extremes, love and hate, and right now she was edging toward the negative.

Taylor plastered on a smile she didn’t feel for Cassie’s sake, rubbing shoulders with Coop as he fitted Cassie in front of them. All three crowded into the cutout, smiling to the camera as the photographer snapped several photos.

When they were through, Cassie turned, arms wide, and gave them both a big hug. It was sweet, nothing about Cassie wasn’t, but Taylor’s eyes had nowhere else to go but to sink deep into Coop’s baby blues and get lost there.

Her stomach tied up in knots, aching like the devil, and she moved away from him.

“Something wrong, Taylor?” Grandpa Joe asked, his gray brows furrowing. “You’re looking pale all of a sudden.”

She put a hand to her stomach. “I think I ate too much.”

“Those waffle cones will do that to you every time,” Coop stated.

She gave him a look. They were no longer speaking about ice cream and she mentally sighed.

He cared about her, she knew that much, but she had to tough it out, and not give in to the feelings she had for him. Or acknowledge the feelings he had for her. Hehadbeen jealous, even if he wouldn’t admit it. But he also wasn’t ready…for anything. And she knew that too.

She lifted her head. “You know what, I’m not going to let a little tummy ache stop me from enjoying the rest of the festival. I think I’m going to try my hand at balloon darts. Miguel, I hear you’re a ringer. Care to take me on?”

“Ah, sure, Taylor. But I have to warn you, I’m a pretty good aim.”

“So am I, when I have the perfect target in mind.” She glanced at Coop and once he caught on, his mouth hardened.

Enough said.

She walked off, feeling just a tad bit triumphant.

*

After the festival,the days flew by with Julie and Miguel’s wedding approaching fast. There was excitement in the air, the she-shed was almost done, and Taylor had put the finishing touches on Julie’s gown. Taylor had gone to her second baseball game, something she’d promised Cassie, and it had been fun. The Tigers won the game, and Cassie had been ecstatic, asking her to join the team for pizza afterward. Taylor declined politely, making up a viable excuse.

She and Julie were in the midst of finalizing the catering menu for Friday night’s rehearsal dinner, which put pressure on Coop and his crew to have the she-shed painted and ready, since the dinner was to be held in the backyard. And Taylor’s father was due here by Thursday. She was anxious to see him. He’d never been a part of their summers here, he spent every summer doing missionary work, so he didn’t know Last Stand the way she did.

In a quiet moment on Wednesday evening, while Julie and Miguel were out shopping, Muffy snuggled up close to Taylor on the sofa, resting her blond head on her lap. Taylor gave her ear rubs and lots of hugs, petting her furry coat while Muffy attempted to lick Taylor’s face.

“You’re a good girl now, aren’t you?” True, Muffy had calmed lately, making no escape attempts.

The pup had learned a valuable lesson—the grass wasn’t always greener on the other side. And she’d learned it quicker than many mere humans had. Muffy was still rambunctious and overly affectionate, but she couldn’t blame her for that. Everyone wanted love. And Taylor realized how much she would miss this little ball of fluff when she returned home. She squeezed Muffy tightly and kissed the very top of her head, between the ears. “You’ve been a good friend, Muff.”

The doorbell rang, and Muffy hopped off her lap and raced to the front door, squeaking out a tiny bark too adorable to be any threat to the person behind the door.

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