Page 63 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

By the end of the evening, after all the guests were gone and Taylor was cleaning up the last remnants of the dinner, dealing with the caterers and straightening up the house, she received a text message from Coop. Alarmed, her initial thought was of Grandpa Joe. Why else would Coop be contacting her at this late hour? But she was wrong. Coop’s text wasn’t about that. He wanted to see her. Tonight. If she wasn’t too tired.

Too darn curious not to agree, she texted him back right away and waited for him under the dim light illuminating the front porch steps. It was almost midnight and she wondered what couldn’t wait until the morning.

His truck pulled up quietly and he parked alongside the curb under a birch tree. He emerged out of the shadows carrying a rectangular gift box and sat down beside her. He set the box on the porch. “Hi,” he said softly.

“Hi. Is everything all right? Is your dad…”

“He’s fine. He was tired and feeling a bit weak, but he’s sleeping now. I think he’s got a bug of some sort.”

“That’s good to hear. I mean, not that he’s sick but—”

“I know what you mean. He’s getting up there in age and he’s just realizing he’s got to slow down a bit. No more running 5K marathons.”

“Or dancing ’til dawn,” she added, smiling.

“Or speed racing.”

“Or skinny dipping at midnight.”

Coop made a face. “Perish the thought.”

They laughed and Coop got comfortable, stretching his long legs out on the steps.

Taylor sighed, looking out at the few stars in the dark sky. Coop too simply stared straight ahead. It was easy, the two of them sitting here together, saying nothing, just being.

Like old times.

“Can’t believe Julie’s big day is tomorrow,” she said finally.

“Yeah.”

Coop seemed in no hurry to tell her what this was all about. Had he simply wanted to drop off a present for Julie and Miguel?

They sat another minute quietly. It was weird, though the air seemed charged around them, they were both at peace. As if trying to avoid each other these past days had disappeared and they were simply allowing themselves a moment of reprieve.

Taylor opened her mouth, unable to hold back the yawn that forced its way through her lips. It wasn’t the company, but she’d had a long day and her body was calling it quits.

Coop let out a big sigh, then grabbed the gift from the porch. “I thought there’d be a lot going on tomorrow with the wedding and all, so here, Taylor. This is for you,” he said softly, setting the gift on her lap.

“For me? What? Why?” She was baffled, not expecting the gift to be for her.

“Just open it. You’ll see.”

She opened the pretty box and unfolded the paper inside to reveal a collage picture frame. “Oh, Coop.”

“Do you know what it is?”

Tears pooled in her eyes and she nodded, too choked up to speak.

“It’s made from remnants of the gazebo. After we tore it down, I saved some of the better wood.”

“So I’ll always have a piece of the gazebo with me. This is…” She couldn’t put her sentiments to words right now. It was the most thoughtful gift she’d ever received.

“I know how much the gazebo meant to you and Julie. Hers is hanging up in the she-shed as a surprise.”

“Thank…you.” She was moved, touched by his kindness. Touched he’d given one to her and Julie as well. It meant that much more. Taylor’s emotions ran up and down like an out of whack elevator. Theirs was a complicated relationship, but this was…so unexpected.

“I…love…it, Coop. Really. Where did you get these pictures?” There were seven photos in all ranging from when they were six until their teen years. Beautiful pictures of Aunt Suzie and her mom. Of her and Coop alone, of the Three Musketeers, swimming, playing, having fun. Memories that would remain with her always.

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