Page 69 of Cowboy of Convenience
Evelyn’s eyes came his way, uncertainty pinching her beautiful features. "About that."
"It’s this afternoon." Grady dropped the bomb, grinning as it exploded.
"What?"
“Today?”
"You can't be serious."
"Are you pregnant?"
All four women spoke at the same time, expressions a cross between shock and panic.
"Grady's mom is sick and we’re having a little ceremony at the hospital so she can see him get married just in case..." Evelyn's voice drifted off.
No one wanted to say it, but he was going to have to face it one way or another. Because it didn't seem like the mother he once knew would be coming back in any way. Not the one from his childhood. And not the one from last week.
Muriel's hand pressed against her chest, resting over her heart. "Say no more." She reached out to grab one of Evelyn's hands. "Tell us what we can do."
Evelyn's face softened. "You guys want to come?"
Muriel scoffed. "Of course we want to come. You wouldn't be able to keep us out of that place." She took one of Grady's hands, giving it a squeeze. "And we understand why you might not have felt comfortable letting us know you’re fucking."
Evelyn made a sound like she was about to choke.
"We're very fond of both of you, and it would've put us in an uncomfortable situation if you split up and we had to pick sides." Muriel leaned toward Grady. "Just so you know, we would have picked Evelyn."
He tucked his chin in a nod. "Understandable."
Muriel pursed her lips, one eye squinting behind her glasses. "What about a cake?"
Gertrude bumped in at her side. "That's a good idea. I might not be as good of a baker as Dianna, but I can sure as hell make a decent buttercream."
Helen sidled up at Muriel's other side. "I took a Wilton cake decorating course twenty years ago. I'm sure it's like riding a bike."
Everyone turned to Agnes.
She widened her eyes. “Don’t look at me. I don’t cook.” She raised her brows. “And I’m sure as hell not doing the dishes.”
"Sounds perfect." Grady tipped his head toward the door they were still standing outside of, needing to get things moving. "Let's let our girl get her class done so we can all divide and conquer."
The girls happily hurried in, grabbing mats and getting into place. They continued whispering to each other enough that Evelyn had to get on them a few times during their stretches. When class was over, they were the first people out the door, promising to meet up at the hospital wedding ready, with cake, at five o'clock sharp.
Grady helped Evelyn close up shop before loading into his truck and heading out of town.
“Where are we going?” Evelyn glanced back, dark brows pinched together in confusion. "I thought we were going to get rings."
Grady shot her a smile across the cab. "We are. But first we're going to get you a wedding dress."
She brought it up which meant she was worried about it. And he knew Evelyn well enough to know she wouldn't make a big deal about it. She would simply do without because, deep down, she still felt like she didn't have the right to complain or want for things. That she should be happy with what she got because of the family she was born into.
So he was going to make sure she got it all.
"Do we have time for that?" Evelyn pulled out her cell phone, lighting up the screen. "Your mom—"
Grady reached across the truck to take her hand as an ache of sadness settled into his chest. "My mom doesn't even know I'm not there, Ev. There’s a good chance she won't even know what's happening tonight." His eyes rested on her. "But you’re gonna remember this forever." He put his eyes back onto the road in front of them, dragging his thumb across her soft skin. "That's why you’re getting a dress and you're getting those cute little piggies of yours professionally polished."
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
