Page 64 of The Wedding Ranch
“I’ve never ridden one.” Pam snickered. “Unless you countthe kind you put a quarter in for a ride at the grocery store. I’ve done that.”
“A real live breathing horse. With a name even.” Lorri sat on the bed next to Pam and poured out every detail of being with Ryder today.
Pam shook her head. “You don’t know how much I love seeing you like this. If I’d showed up a little earlier, would I have perhaps interrupted a kiss at the door?”
“No. He’s a gentleman. And it’s strictly friends. That’s why it’s so perfect.” Okay, he had given her a little kiss, but just on the cheek, and that was unique enough for her not to want to share it.
“So, he’s single? Divorced?”
“I don’t know, but he doesn’t wear a ring, and he was very clear he’s not looking for a relationship. It was nice. We don’t ask each other a million questions. I like that. It’s different.”
“Maybe that’s because this guy is genuine, and Craig… well, we know what he was.”
“I can’t wait to paint what I saw today. I hope I can do it justice. I’ve never felt so close to nature in all my life.”
“That’s because the closest we get to nature is watching Discovery Channel and even then you’re always curled up in a ball worried about who’s going to eat who next.”
“Those shows are sad. I don’t watch those anymore.”
They changed into their pajamas, chatting nonstop like a couple of schoolgirls, almost falling asleep, and then thinking of something else they had to talk about.
“Oh gosh. It’s after two,” Lorri said. “We’ve got to get some sleep. I’m going to my room so we can’t keep talking.”
“Party pooper.”
“The party will continue in the morning. Love you. So glad you’re here. If you wake up before me the coffee maker is ready to go. Just hit the start button.”
“Good deal.”
“Come on, Mister. Time for bed.” He lifted his head and then put it back down. “Looks like you have another best friend.”
Pam leaned over the side of the bed and petted him. “Fine by me.”
Lorri walked down the hall to her room and climbed into bed. She closed her eyes.This has been a perfect day.
Lorri woke up to the smell of bacon. Something that never happened. She got out of bed and went into the kitchen.
Mister sat to the right of Pam, his nose wiggling.
“It smells so good,” Lorri said. “Don’t you feed my dog bacon. He’ll expect me to start frying it up on weekends, and that is not going to happen.”
“Just one little piece?” Pam tick-tocked the spatula in front of him. “That’s what aunties are for.” Mister cocked his head, putting on his best begging face. “Seriously. How do you say no to that?”
Lorri poured a cup of coffee. “When he outweighs you, you keep the boundaries clear.”
“Fair enough. I’m almost done here.” She put a bowl of scrambled eggs on the table, then took the last pieces of bacon out of the frypan. “All set.”
“This is a treat.” Lorri sat down and made her plate. “I just bought fresh tomatoes. The produce at the market has me completely spoiled.” She went to the kitchen and brought one back, slicing it into wedges to split with Pam.
After breakfast they went upstairs to the loft to look at the wedding picture.
“Lorri, I know this is what you described, but this is amazing. Cody and Kasey are going to love it. I just got chills.”
“I’m really pleased with how it turned out. Pete sent over some pictures from Cody’s things, and I was able to find a ton of Kasey’s stuff online.”
“I love how you incorporated The Wedding Ranch into the ‘E’ of ‘Tuggle’ and then wrote ‘everlasting’ underneath it. Wow. You are so creative. You haven’t lost a thing, girl. I can’t wait to see what you end up painting from here.”
“Thanks.”
