Page 55 of A Lone Star Love Affair
It was a Ryder contribution, so she wondered whether he had made up with his father since the family was making the donation.
Two nights later, she received a phone call from Sydney Ryder. Tears stung Isabelle’s eyes as she heard Sydney’s voice.
“I hear you have a new job.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Congratulations! Guess you didn’t like working for my brother.”
“That wasn’t it, Sydney.”
“I called because we’ve set a date of June twenty-third. We’ll have a destination wedding at Grand Cayman. I would love for you to be a bridesmaid.”
“Sydney, thank you. I’m honored you asked me,” Isabelle said, feeling caught in a real dilemma. “I would love to, but things weren’t so good between your brother and me when we parted. I don’t want to bring any tension to the wedding at a time that should be joyful. I think if you want harmony and a wonderful time by all, you’ll look elsewhere for your bridesmaid.”
“I’m sorry, Isabelle. Tony told me, but I didn’t know it was a really bad breakup, although he looked terrible when I saw him and he was as grouchy as a bear.”
Shocked, Isabelle’s eyes widened as she tried to imagine Tony fitting such a description and wondered whether a business deal had gone sour, because she couldn’t imagine he had been snarly over their breakup. She tried to pay attention to Sydney. “I really wanted people who are important to me to be in our wedding party.”
“That’s sweet and I do thank you. I know it’s best I decline.”
“I understand. I’m annoyed with my woodenheaded brother about this, but I still love you both. Come to the wedding if you can. I’m really sorry. I was so in hopes that Tony was falling in love, which he looks as if he did, but Tony wouldn’t recognize falling in love if it bit him. He’d be better off.”
“Your brother can certainly take care of himself. Don’t start worrying about us now.”
“I like you, Isabelle, and I think you were good for Tony. I just hate to see him lose you.”
“He knows what he wants. Thank you, Sydney, for asking me. I’m really pleased that you did, but that’s a time when everyone should share in your joy.”
“Just stay a friend. I’ll hear about you and see you sometimes with Dylan.”
“I’m so happy for both of you,” Isabelle said, thinking about Tony and feeling as if her loss was growing instead of diminishing as she puzzled over Sydney’s description of him.
“Thanks, Isabelle. I hope you get over Tony quickly so you don’t even care if he’s around or not by the time of our wedding.”
“Hopefully, I will,” she said. “Thanks, again.”
They ended the call and Isabelle cried quietly, missing Tony, knowing she was going to regret her decision for a long time to come. He could be seeing another woman. His bad disposition could be due purely to business. Looking terrible—she couldn’t imagine that and guessed Sydney had a different view of her brother than the rest of the female world. Had Tony stopped thinking about her? Only time would tell.
Another week passed and Tony piled on work, knowing that would be his salvation. Always, he had been able turn off his private life and concentrate on the business at hand. Now he found memories of Isabelle were intruding at all hours of each day. He could no longer go to meetings and concentrate on the speaker. Too many times, his thoughts drifted. He wondered what Isabelle was doing. Where was she? Did she miss him as much as he missed her?
He focused on the speaker, following the tables of figures being presented, until he realized his mind had wandered again. Clenching his fist, he tried to concentrate, wishing the meeting would end quickly.
That night Tony stared at the phone in his hand. He missed Isabelle more than he had ever thought possible.
To try to get her off his mind, he read through his texts, including one from his sister. Sydney was coming by to leave something wedding-related. The ceremony wasn’t until June, yet Sydney was working on it whenever she had a chance. So far his folks were not participating or even attending. He was undecided whether to talk to them about it, or let it go by because it might be a more harmonious event for Sydney and Dylan if the senior Ryders weren’t present.
Tony raked his hand through his hair, tangling it more. It was uncustomary for him to be so indecisive. He seemed to have lost his drive and he wasn’t thinking clearly about big issues looming in his life.
Sydney breezed in, heading to his kitchen to spread brochures on the kitchen table. “This is where we’re having the wedding. We’ve rented cottages nearby for the wedding party. I figured you would want your own place because I know how you like your privacy.”
As she looked at him, her eyes narrowed. “Tony, are you all right?”
“Sure. Yes, I am. Just busy lately.”
“You’ve been busy since you were eighteen years old.” She walked around to feel his forehead and he pushed her hand away.
“Syd,” he said in a threatening voice. “I’m okay. Stop that and let’s get through this wedding stuff.”
