Page 74 of The Wedding Ranch
She stopped chewing. “You did?”
“You said you really wanted that quilt. I thought you’d be there.” He paused for a moment. “I wanted to see you again.”
“I wish I’d made it back, but I got busy doing things at the house and the weather was so messy I got lazy. I wonder if she sold the quilt.” She took a sip of water. “Maybe I could call her.”
“I’ve got her number. Even if she did sell it, you’d make her day telling her how much you loved it. She is an exceptional quilter, and I really don’t know how she keeps churning them out at her age. She’s a little machine. She has no family.”
“That’s sad.”
“Not really. She’s everyone’s family now. She’s at all the church functions.”
“I’d like to give her a call. You’ll text me her number?”
“Sure.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent Patsy Faber’s number to her.
Lorri’s phone pinged in her fancy clutch. “Thanks.”
Pam walked over carrying a plate of food. “Do y’all mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” Ryder stood and pulled out a chair for her. “I need more sweet tea. Can I get you some?”
“That would be great. Thank you.” Pam sat down and slid her chair to the table. She watched him walk away then leaned in. “You two look like you’re having a good time. Did you know he was going to be here?”
“No. I didn’t. He’s a lot of fun.”
“This wedding makes me wish I could do mine all over again. Not that Bobby would ever agree to it.”
“This venue is amazing. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’ve been choking on the fact that Craig is marrying Tiffany here.”
“Yeah. This place is too good for the likes of them.”
Ryder carried three mugs back over to their table. “Here you go, ladies.”
Pam took one and drank from it. “Not many catered weddings get sweet tea right. They always err on the side of unsweet, and that’s just not right.” Pam took another sip and set down the mason jar. “How long have you lived in Dalton Mill, Ryder?”
“My whole life.”
Surprise registered on Pam’s face. “Never wanted to live anywhere else?”
“Never, and I’ve been around. Horse shows, farm events, vacations. Always great to visit new places, but there’s no place like the place you’ve planted your roots.”
Pam said, “You’d get along with my husband. Bobby thinks the same thing. Me, on the other hand, I’d love to take off for a year or two and see stuff. Calling wherever we stop home for a few months before moving on again. Eventually we’d end up back home in Raleigh though.”
“My parents are doing that right now.”
She laughed. “It’ll never happen. Just a dream I’ll die with, I guess.”
“I hope not,” he said quietly.
Lorri caught the darkness clouding Ryder’s eyes for a moment, but it was gone just as quickly. Her imagination, maybe.
“I’m going to let you two visit. I want to talk to Cody’s mom before she leaves.” Pam got up and left. “Fun chatting with you, Ryder.”
“Great to meet you,” he said. Pam walked off and Ryder turned to Lorri and smiled. “She’s nice. I could see you being best friends.”
“The best. My whole life, she’s the one who has been there to help pull me through whatever life has tossed my way.”
“You don’t seem the type that needs that much support.”
