ONCE IN A BLUE MOON (BLUEBONNET, TEXAS Book 2) (11 page)

"I didn’t make dessert. Jessa did, and you know she makes two of everything." Looking at Jerrod, she winked. "It’s tiramisu."

"I’ll have mine and Delaney’s," he replied with a grin.

"Shame on you!" Maggie ignored her husband’s frown and handed the first plate to Ty.

"I heard that, Daddy." The mysterious Delaney practically danced through the doorway, tugging at her father’s ear as she passed by.

Jerrod just chuckled and leaned out of her reach, evidently not afraid.

I sat back in my chair, amazed. It was almost like watching the Cleavers.

"Jessa said if you eat mine, she’ll skin you." Delaney poured a glass of milk and set it in front of Ty.

Make that the Cleavers with spice.

"Bettina, don’t mind them." Maggie set Jerrod’s dessert in front of him.

"Sit, Maggie. I’ll get ours. That way you can talk." The smile Delaney shot my way was open and friendly. Despite having a different mother, the family resemblance was uncanny. Delaney had her father’s deep blue eyes, and even with her curly red hair I could see the similarities between her and Ty. "Did you see her ring?"

Ty nudged me and offered me a drink.

"Water." I smiled my thanks and watched as he got my drink and a plate from the microwave, doing my best to not outright stare. Everything still felt surreal and the Boudreaux’s were nothing like I’d imagined.

"Let me see." Maggie sat down across from me and held out her hand. I held out my left hand while she continued to speak. "My, my Tyrell, you outdid yourself. This is just beautiful."

"Told you he knew what he was doing." Jerrod grinned and turned his attention back to his dessert.

Ty set my water and dinner in front of me, giving me a tiny smile. There was no way I could eat all this despite my watering mouth and empty stomach.

My giggle died a quick death as Maggie’s faded.
Here it comes.

"Bettina, with the wedding being rushed and all
—
"

"Oh
—
" Jerrod interrupted her, his fork halfway to his mouth, "
—
Zack called and said Reverend Michaelson could be here Monday but needed to know what time."

"Here?" I gave into the urge and smell of food, taking a bite of meatloaf, then had to smother a small moan of pleasure.

"Who called Zack?" Ty asked.

"I did," Maggie said. "Reverend Dimitty was busy, but Zack said his minister could marry you. You two can get married in the living room or on the side porch
—
and we could do a pot luck afterward. Not very fancy, but better than, say, the dancehall."

I wouldn’t have to get married in a bar or the beer garden outside. November in Texas meant we could easily go from eighty degrees to flash flood and freezing rain in twenty-four hours. "That’d be wonderful. Thank you! Ty, is that alright with you?"

"Whatever you ladies decide works for me." His quiet tone smothered some of my enthusiasm.

"What time?" Maggie asked.

"Around eleven? Then the potluck could be for lunch."

"Perfect. Eat," Maggie ordered. "That’s my future granddaughter you’re carrying."

"Margaret?!" Jerrod paused mid-bite and gave his wife a shocked look.

"Hush, you old coot. I can dream if I want."

I giggled then settled in once and for all to eat as Ty devoured his dessert. He’d apparently inherited his father’s sweet tooth, and I filed that away for future reference.

While the men listened, we plotted the wedding like experienced thieves pulling off the heist of a lifetime. Finally, with a laugh, Jerrod stood and offered up one final quip about the fate of the free world being in good hands, grabbed a cigar from the cabinet over the stove and then led Ty outside. I watched him disappear with a sinking heart, sure now Maggie’d let me have it. The stern look didn’t leave her face, but to my surprise, she didn’t. Maybe just this once the gods had smiled on me. At least, where she was concerned.

"Just for the record, I don’t approve. But I won't interfere…as long as you’re good to my son. Now, relax." Her smile warmed the tiniest bit. "He’s not going anywhere."

* * *

"Did you ladies get everything taken care of?" Ty asked on the way back to my car.

"I think we did. All I need to do is double check the flowers tomorrow...and find a dress, of course." I shivered under my leather coat.

"Good, good. That’s good."

I turned to face him once we reached the car. "Ty, are you sure? That you want to do this? I don’t want a divorce six or nine months from now."

"I’m positive." One minute he seemed all on board, the next things felt all squirrelly.

Despite the almost full moon, I couldn’t tell if he was lying. Even as I melted against him in a kiss that left me weak-kneed, I worried. And shoved a boat-load of doubts to the back of my mind. I wanted him; he wanted our baby.

If I were a woman for tears, I might have broke down crying on his chest. If I were smart, I’d go home, pack my bags and get the hell outta Dodge.

I’d do neither. I loved him too much to give up this one shot that some quirk of fate had given me. And his next words lulled me again.

"I’m sorry...Momma, she can be...tough to take sometimes." He leaned against the car and pulled me to him.

"Glad to know I wasn’t the only one nervous about tonight." My chuckle was mixed with a sigh of relief. He felt so strong and solid, I sighed, wanting to stay there forever. His hands on my back and his soft sweatshirt against my cheek.

We had one more issue to address so I stayed put. "Ty, I do have something I need to say. I’d really like to clear the air about this before we get too much further."

"What’s that?" His rough husky voice distracted me.

 "I got the impression the last time we talked—back in July—you might have thought you were just a thing...a hook-up. Tim told me..." I took a deep breath and forced my heart to slow down. "I slept with you because I wanted to. It wasn’t just a hook-up."

"I’m sorry for that. Things were...difficult with the divorce and all," he murmured.

"I still wanna know why you cut my grass," I teased. "Look, I know this baby wasn’t planned, but I didn’t want you thinking our child was the result of a fling or that it meant nothing to me." I winced. Even to my own ears it sounded horrible and I just couldn’t think with him pressed all up against me. "I’m no saint, Ty, but...I’m not as bad as—"

"I know. And thank you. That means more than you know," he said, lowering his head.

I relaxed against him with a soft moan deep in my throat, lost in the firm, warm lips on mine, his tongue gently teasing me. "I better get," I whispered a few minutes later. "I’ve got lots to do and I’m exhausted."

"Get some rest. And if you need anything, just ask."

* * *

I spent the morning out hunting for a dress. Unsuccessfully, I might add. Then ran by the florist that Tara had found, and by Whole Foods for a salad. The baker would have to wait until Friday morning. I had an eleven o’clock client.

Tara hit me the minute I walked in. "Did you go by the florist?"

"Yes, Tara." I kept walking, smiling at two ladies waiting on another stylist.

She followed me down the hall and into the office, list in hand. "Bakery?"

"No, Tara."

"Dress?"

"No, Tara."
Who needs a mother with her to nag?

"You have to have a dress!"

"No, shit?" I threw my poor salad in the fridge and slammed the door. "I’m sure, if I had to, I could dig something out of my closet."

"I’ll see what I can find on the internet." She dug my salad out of the fridge and put it on the desk. "Eat."

"Nothing could possibly get here by Monday." I frowned and flopped in the chair in a fit of bratty temper.

"We might get lucky and find something local. I’ll check the Emme website. She has cute stuff."

This from a chick with raspberry colored hair.
I just stared at her.

I was in the middle of a haircut when Tara and Cassi came bustling in my room. Lucky for me, Rona Maguire was a regular and used to our antics.

"Guess what we found?" they chorused.

"Do tell!" I drawled, a handful of hair between my fingers and my scissors poised to snip.

"Your wedding dress!"

My Lord, you’da thought they’d found the secret to time travel they were so excited.

"Betti, you’re getting married?" Rona asked.

I patted my belly with a sheepish grin and nodded.

"Do you want to see her dress?" Cassi interrupted.

I shrugged in lieu of an apology. Rona reached for the paper Cassi was waving around, giving her a mock scowl. "What color does it come in?" she asked, taking the lead.

Tara practically shoved me out of the way to lean over and chatter at Rona. "I found a place locally, and they have it in lilac, plum, navy...and pink paisley."

"Did you say pink paisley?" I nudged her back and leaned over Rona’s shoulder. Tara had indeed outdone herself. The dress was tea length, georgette in style and had peasant sleeves and a plunging neckline. Feminine and funky.

"Yup." Tara grinned. She knew she’d found a winner.

"Will they hold the dress for me in my size?" My mouth watered
. I had the perfect pair of shoes to match.

After Rona left, I propped my feet up and nibbled on the last of my salad, waiting on my next client to arrive.

I also had one more chore to handle. Angelina. I dialed, and took a deep breath while it rang. Our relationship was up and down though I honestly tried to let go, praying she didn’t do something stupid someday like come back to Bluebonnet. The answering machine picked up on the fourth ring and I left a message asking her to come home this weekend.

* * *

I stretched out in my hydraulic chair after my last client left.

"You’re working too hard," Cassi said softly from the doorway. She crossed the tiny space and started massaging my shoulders. "You don’t need to be overdoing with that baby on the way."

"I’ve been cutting back." I groaned and closed my eyes.

"I know you have. We just worry. That’s why Tara and I are coming over tomorrow night to help you start packing. The kids will stay at my mom’s on Sunday night, and Monday I’ll be in charge of you."

"You guys." My heart turned into a big hormone-induced puddle and I cursed my watery eyes. "You don’t have to—"

"We know." Her tone was positively smug. "Speaking of guys, I see he came through in the ring department."

"Damn good thing, too," Tara quipped from the doorway.

"Oh now, Tara, he took good care of our girl. Did you see the size of that?" Cassi pointed at my left hand with a grin.

"Not up close." She came over and lifted my hand for a better look. "Very nice, but why didn’t he call today?"

Picky, picky, picky.

"He does work!" I gathered up my tips and spun around to face her. "He’s playing at the dancehall tonight."

"That’s no excuse for not calling your future wife," she scolded. "And, what exactly
is
a dancehall?"

I turned around, an expression of mock horror on my face. "What do you mean ‘what
is
a dancehall’?" Adding in my best hick accent, "Where you from, girl?"

Cassi and I both burst out laughing.

"Dancehalls are basically bars that allow children, so you find a lot of families there. Ty plays at his aunt’s dancehall.”

"Oh, so like, don’t expect to get picked up in one." She might as well have said, "You’ll never catch me there."

"You are bad." I slung my purse over my shoulder. "I’m going. Now."

By the time I hit my front door, a bag of Risky’s BBQ in hand, I was ready to drop. I kicked off my shoes and headed for the answering machine. The red flashing light indicated I had a message. Angi wasn’t coming. Some bullshit about a big test on Monday. I swallowed my disappointment and called her back. Still no answer. I hated for her to find out I was getting married via a phone message but didn’t have much choice.

* * *

After our late night packing and pizza party, Sunday morning Cassi, Tara and I loaded up our vehicles and headed to Ty’s—after a big breakfast at IHOP. He was gone but had left a note on the door telling us to come on in.

"Yuck!" Tara said when we brought the first load in.

"Why in the hell would someone make the inside of a house on a ranch all white?" This from Cassi.

"I have no fucking clue." I plopped down on the white couch, not caring if I got it dirty. The nasty thing was gone as soon as I could manage anyway.

"You sit, sister. We’ll carry this stuff in."

"You guys."

"No arguing!" Eyes narrowed, Tara pointed one manicured finger at me.

Instead of sitting, I wandered around. Picking up the white throw pillows, I tossed them into a pile.

"Hello, hello," a deep voice rumbled from the vicinity of the front door.

"Hey, Tim." I peered around the square column. A column? One sat on each side of the front door, then you stepped down into the living room. Just one more thing to frown about. "Did you come to help?"

"If you need me to, sure." He took off his hat and gave me an easy smile. "I was out in the arena and saw ya’ll come in."

"Well, since you’re so big and strong, why don’t you help us?" Cassi quipped, nudging past him with loaded arms.

Tim turned and gave her his most charming smile. "It’d be my pleasure, honey."

Cassi actually blushed. I laughed, knowing Tim just had that effect on women.

With his help, the girls had both our vehicles emptied in no time. We’d only gotten the important stuff—my clothes, shoes, bathroom and kitchen stuff for now. And while they unpacked, I scattered some vividly colored pillows and throws all over that ugly white furniture and made tea.

"You’ve been busy, Mama," Cassi gently teased, easing into a dining room chair. I could tell she was tired, but then, we all were. I set my favorite cobalt blue tea jug and four glasses on the table.

"I got all the dishes unpacked and put up."