Page 80 of Cowboy of Convenience
Grady tipped his head in a nod. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
Evelyn leaned in, offering him another kiss. "Go get all your stuff done and we’ll see you in a little bit."
She leaned back in her seat, eyes holding his. "I love you, husband."
She said it like she'd offered those words to him hundreds of times before instead of just once. They sounded easy and honest. Just like they did when he returned them. "I love you, wife."
Evelyn beamed at him, smile bright enough to chase away the shadows hanging over his head. He tapped the roof of her car and backed up, watching as she pulled out of the lot behind The Wooden Spoon, on her way to finalize the plans her Gram-Gram made.
And it gave him time to finalize some plans of his own.
It wasn’t right that this was how Evelyn’s wedding went. She deserved so much more. And while he might not be able to go back in time and change all that had happened, he could sure as hell make up for it.
He drove over to the station, just like he said he was going to. Only he wasn’t there to check in. He parked and headed in through the back, more than ready to plan something he would actually look forward to attending.
“Grady.” Peters jogged up to his side, gear rattling around as he hustled. “Good to see you, man.” He grabbed Grady in a back slapping hug. “You hanging in there?”
“I’m doing okay.” Grady gave his friend a pat on the shoulder. “How about you? Those girls keeping you on your toes?”
Peters grinned. “They’re all three hell on wheels.” His smile slipped the tiniest bit. “Just like their momma was.”
Peters had been the first of his work buddies to call him up after his mother died to offer his condolences. Probably because he understood grief better than most people.
“Glad to hear it.” Grady returned Peters’ smile. “Means they’ll hold their own.”
Peters chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t think I need to worry about them not holding their own.” He gripped the front of his vest. “They’re like a ready-made gang and I pity anyone who crosses them.”
“Good thing you’ve got connections to keep them out of trouble.” He liked Peters. He was a good guy and under normal circumstances he’d stay and chat a little longer.
But right now he had a travel agent to meet. “Have you seen Flynn’s wife come in?”
“She’s up in the main office.” Peters smirked. “You planning something for that new wife of yours?”
Grady couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. “I am.” He turned toward the main office. “I owe her a honeymoon.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
EVELYN
"THIS PLACE IS unbelievable." Evelyn did a slow spin in the center of the venue her grandmother found to hold Darla's wake. "How did you find it?"
The property was a private country club located less than a half hour from Moss Creek and only fifteen minutes from the funeral home where the visitation would be held. It was a beautiful combination of rustic and classy, with exposed beams, creamy walls, and glittering chandeliers. It was an odd combination, but it worked.
And it fit what she knew of Darla. Granted that wasn’t much, but from all the stories Grady had told her over the past few days, his mom seemed to be both warm and fun. Outgoing and kind. Hard working but still enjoyed getting to dress up.
This place seemed like something a woman like that would have liked.
Hopefully.
"I made a few calls. I have some friends who have connections out west and they were able to put me in touch with the owner of the property." Her grandmother motioned toward the front of the room, moving on as if making something like this happen was no big deal. "All the photographs will be displayed here. Alister has promised me he will have the prints to me in plenty of time." She turned, frowning at the far wall. "I tried to schedule a plated dinner, but apparently that's not an option they could accommodate, so we will be having a buffet. I’ve been told they’re,” she made air quotes with her fingers, “big here."
Her grandmother struggled to spit out the last words, her obvious distaste for the self-serve dining method making Evelyn smile. "Buffets are big everywhere."
“That’s possible.” Her grandmother took a breath, smoothing down the front of her shirt as she let it out. "Bernard says I'm out of touch." Her eyes came Evelyn's way. "That I don't understand the way the world really works."
"Bernard's probably right." Evelyn moved toward one of the circular tables they’d set up as an example of how things would look at the actual event. She sat down in the closest chair, taking a break while she could get it. "I didn't know what I didn't know until I came here, and it was a rude awakening."
Rude and embarrassing.
