The Lawman's Little Surprise (3 page)

“Well, I forgot. And I'm sorry but—”

Trish appeared in the hallway behind Hettie, not looking particularly pleased. She glanced at Hettie, whose back was to her, and her frown deepened. Morgan sensed she wasn't happy with their friend, either.

He'd had enough of Hettie's matchmaking efforts. “You'll have to do it without me. I have dinner to take to—”

“Now, Morgan…”

He knew he was about to lose his temper, but he didn't seem to be able to stop himself. “No, Hettie—”

“Hettie, please,” Trish interrupted. “We don't need him. I'm sure there's someone else who's willing and free to help.”

“But—” Hettie began, and then stopped.

Defeat was written all over her face, and Morgan felt awful for treating her badly. “I won't be gone long,” he said.

Trish took a step forward. “You don't have to worry that I'll be here when you get back. I need to get home,”
she explained and glanced at Hettie. “The meeting is nearly over, and I'm sure Aunt Aggie and Kate are expecting me home soon.”

“Drive carefully,” he told her, meaning it. Now that she was driving, he worried about her, especially on the dirt country roads at night.

Quickly slipping out the door, he sucked in a deep breath of cold night air on the way to his cruiser and felt better. As he drove the few blocks to the town jail, he thought about Hettie's persistence, but he wouldn't let it get to him. The clock couldn't be turned back to a happier time.

He parked the cruiser and walked into the City Building where all the city offices were located, including his, and the jail. He made quick work of checking on the prisoner and his deputy. Not wanting to stay long and listen to John's complaining, he returned to his car.

The drive back to the Commune gave him just enough time to revisit Hettie's arguments, confirming his belief that there was nothing left to talk about. He'd made his decision six weeks ago, the night before Trish had left on her tour—the night he'd broken their engagement and canceled their wedding. He didn't owe anyone an explanation—especially Hettie.

 

“E
VERYONE MAKE CERTAIN
you stay clear of the candles,” Theda Baker, the minister's wife, said, lining up the bridesmaids in the brown winter grass. Headlights from several vehicles lit the area of the park around the large gazebo where the wedding would take place the next evening. “I know the candles aren't here this evening, but they'll be lining the main aisle tomorrow night, and we don't want someone bumping into them
and having the whole town going up in smoke. And where have Greta and Travis gone to?”

“Right here,” Trish answered, standing with Kate's six-year-old flower girl and ring bearer. “Come on, kids,” she told them, taking them by the hand. “Mrs. Baker is going to give us our instructions for tomorrow night.”

Tomorrow night.
The thought made Trish's head spin as she placed Greta and Travis in front of Terry Tartelli, Kate's stand-in, according to tradition. So much had happened since Kate had announced she and Dusty were engaged and there would be a Christmas wedding. They'd had so little time to plan everything, yet here they were, with the wedding only one day away. Her own wedding would have been over and done with, and she'd be a happily married woman, if she hadn't gone on tour and Morgan hadn't canceled the wedding. But she was determined not to let any of that spoil the joy of her sister's wedding.

In front of the gazebo, Dusty stood with his best man and business partner, Tanner O'Brien, while the ushers, Morgan and Jimmy Tartelli, waited off to the side. Trish could tell Morgan was doing everything he could to keep from looking at her. After Morgan had canceled the wedding, Kate had asked if having him as an usher would be a problem. Trish had told her it wouldn't. Now she wished she'd told her to find someone else.

“Fran, if you'll start the processional…” Mrs. Baker said, signaling the musician, who sat at a small portable organ. Turning to the wedding party as the first strains of music rang out, she smiled. “All right, girls, are we ready?”

Trish moved into position and looked around.
Seventeen-year-old Shawn O'Brien, Tanner's nephew, was missing. “Shawn isn't here yet,” she pointed out.

“He's at basketball practice,” Jules, Tanner's wife, said from her spot ahead of Trish. “He'll be here as soon as he can, but you know how the coach is about his players.”

Mrs. Baker, obviously not convinced, looked to her husband, who stood inside the gazebo. “It's all right, Theda, we'll just use a stand-in until he gets here,” the reverend told her as the strains of the processional died out. “Sheriff Rule, would you mind standing in for the young man?”

Trish didn't miss how Morgan glanced toward the street. He was clearly not fond of the idea, but he stood and joined Dusty and Tanner at the steps of the gazebo.

“All right,” Mrs. Baker called out. “Fran, if you would start again?”

For the second time, the music began, and Mrs. Baker cued Jules to start her walk down the aisle. A few musical bars later, Trish followed.

She and Kate had spent hours choosing music, intent on not duplicating anything for the two weddings being planned to take place only two months apart. It suddenly struck her that her choices would never be played—at least at her own wedding—and she felt a sadness that nearly overwhelmed her.

Don't think about it. Just don't.

She reached her place at the gazebo and turned to see her sister watching the rehearsal, a nervous smile playing on her lips. She caught Trish's eye and winked. Kate had always been the tomboy of the two of them and had at first tried to talk Dusty into eloping. Trish
blessed him for insisting they do it the old-fashioned way. Tonight Kate looked like the epitome of the blushing but nervous bride—a bride in blue jeans, boots and a Sherpa jacket, her long auburn braid tossed over one shoulder. Trish instantly forgot her own troubles and returned her sister's mischievous wink.

Reverend Baker took over the rehearsal and explained each step of the ceremony. Five minutes later, a shout was heard.

“Sorry I'm late. Blame Coach,” Shawn called out, rushing to join the rest of the wedding party. “Where do you want me?”

“Here,” Morgan said, quickly stepping back and indicating the spot where he'd stood. He moved away to where the last row of the chairs would be, even before Shawn rushed to take his place.

“We're glad you could make it, Shawn,” Reverend Baker told him. “How's the team doing this year?”

“Good,” Shawn answered, looking a bit embarrassed that the spotlight was still on him.

“Glad to hear it. I was just running through the steps of the ceremony,” Reverend Baker explained. “Now that you're here, we'll go through them again quickly for everyone. I'm sure you'll catch on.”

Trish focused on the Reverend's instructions. The last thing she wanted to do was mess up during her sister's wedding. And it helped her forget, if only for a little while, that Morgan was there, watching.

“Any questions?” Reverend Baker asked. “No? Then we're done. Try to get some rest tonight, although I know for some of you it won't be easy.”

“Please come to the rehearsal dinner, Reverend,” Kate urged.

Reverend Baker glanced around the area. “You have many friends to help make it a memorable night, Kate. I'm sure I won't be missed. But thank you again for the invitation.”

Tanner was talking to Morgan, but stopped. “It's Kate's cooking, Reverend. Are you sure you want to miss it?”

Reverend Baker tipped his head back and laughed, the sound filling the dark evening. “The temptation is strong, but I'll still beg off.”

Trish watched as Kate stepped up and gave the older man a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for everything.”

“It's my pleasure, Kate,” he said.

Turning around, Kate looked over the group waiting for instructions. “Fifteen minutes, everybody. Don't let the food get cold.” Looping her arm through Trish's, she led her back up the makeshift aisle to the park's entrance. “It went well, I'd say. Now let's hope the wedding goes off without a snag.”

“It will,” Trish replied, “and everyone in Desperation will be talking about it for months.”

Kate laughed. “That's what I'm afraid of.”

They were interrupted by Dusty, who swept Kate into his arms and gave her a noisy kiss. Friends chuckled in the background, and Trish eased away.

Dusty touched her arm, stopping her. “Where are you going?”

Needing to escape, if only for a few minutes, Trish stepped back. “I think I'll go on to the café and see if they need any help setting up.”

Dusty shook his head, then jammed his cowboy hat lower onto his head. Still keeping an arm around his bride-to-be, he took Trish's arm. “Nope. That's not the
job of the maid of honor. They have plenty of help over at the café. Aggie made sure of that. And you're going to walk over with us.”

“But—”

“No buts,” Kate said, her stern voice sounding much like Aunt Aggie's. “I know this isn't easy for you, what with Morgan here and everything, but I want you to enjoy yourself tonight.”

“I'm fine,” Trish assured her, not wanting to worry her sister at the most important time of her life.

Kate studied her closely, but spoke to Dusty. “Would you mind giving us a few minutes?”

Dusty appeared to be put out, but his quick smile made a lie of it. “In a little over twenty-four hours, you'll be all mine, so, no, I don't mind. Just don't be long.”

“Is something wrong?” Trish asked, after he'd given Kate a quick kiss and strolled away to join the other men.

“I don't know. You tell me.”

Trish felt a cold rush of dread. “About what?”

Kate looked around and moved closer. “I found some thing in the bathroom. Do you want to tell me something?”

Surprised her secret had been discovered and embarrassed that it had, Trish couldn't make eye contact with her sister. There was only one thing Kate might have found and questioned. “The pregnancy test,” she said, knowing it could be nothing else.

Kate nodded and waited.

“Well, now you know.”

Shaking her head, Kate smiled. “I only know you have a test. Is that what you went to Kingfisher to get?”

Nodding, Trish kept her eyes on the toes of her shoes.

“Smart move. There's no reason to alert everyone in Desperation. Have you taken the test?”

Trish still couldn't look her in the eye. “This morning.”

Taking Trish's hand in hers, Kate forced her to look up.

“By your response, I'm assuming it was positive?”

Trish nodded again.

“There's nothing to be ashamed of, you know.”

“I know,” Trish replied, but she knew that not everyone saw it that way.

Kate chuckled softly. “Good, because if you did feel ashamed, we'd both have to be, and I'm certainly not.”

Trish stared at her. “
You're
pregnant?”

“Just a little, if that's possible,” she said, laughing as Trish hugged her, “and the timing couldn't be worse. I hope I can bypass the morning sickness, but I have a feeling being on a cruise ship will only make it worse.” Her sigh was a whisper as people moved past them. “You haven't told Morgan, have you?”

Shaking her head, Trish tried her best to hold back the tears that threatened. Along with everything else, her emotions were bouncing back and forth like a ping-pong ball. “I don't know when to tell him. Not with everything that's going on.”

“But you will. Soon. Right?”

Unable to speak, Trish nodded.

“If you need me to be there—”

“No. I can do it myself. And I don't want it interfering with your wedding.”

Kate turned and looked around at the nearly empty park. “I guess we'd better get to the café. Dusty will be wondering what's keeping us.” Looping her arm through Trish's again, she started walking, taking Trish with her. “What do you think about telling Aunt Aggie together?”

“I think it's a good idea,” Trish answered. But it was only right that she tell Morgan first.

One night. That's all it had taken, and their lives had been changed forever. Afterward, she and Morgan had argued about her tour, but she hadn't backed down. She hadn't known then what she would be facing in only a few weeks. And that's when he had told her the wedding was off—with no explanation. Baby or no baby, she deserved an explanation, and she intended to get one.

From his position next to the antique horse-drawn carriage that Kate and her bridesmaids had ridden in to her wedding, Morgan could hear and see every bit of the ceremony—including a clear view of Trish. He wished he couldn't.

“Sheriff?”

Morgan looked back to see his deputy. “Everything okay?”

Stu nodded. “Nice and quiet.” He turned toward where the wedding vows were being exchanged. “Dusty and Kate got lucky.”

“How's that?” Morgan asked, not that he disagreed. Dusty McPherson and Kate were perfectly matched. Everyone in Desperation was happy to see them getting married. Because most of the people in town had witnessed Dusty's marriage proposal, after he'd lassoed her at the Fourth of July celebration, the whole town had been invited to the event, and it looked as though Desperation's entire population had turned out for it.

“Couldn't ask for nicer weather a week from Christmas,” Stu answered.

“Yeah.” Morgan looked up at the starry sky and the nearly full moon shining down on the ceremony
and adding a shimmer to the second light snow that month.

When neither of them said anything for several minutes, Stu moved away. “Guess I'd better go make sure it stays nice and quiet around here. You going to the reception?”

Wishing he could avoid another Clayborne family event, Morgan knew he had no choice, and he nodded. “I'm supposed to be there. Won't be for long, though.”

Stu nodded in understanding and walked away, leaving Morgan wondering how the reception would turn out. He planned to skip the dinner and dance afterward, if at all possible. In fact, he'd done pretty well avoiding as much as he could throughout the wedding hubbub. The thought of weddings made him want to punch something. And he had never been a violent man.

In spite of what some people might think, he loved Trish and suspected he always would. But he couldn't subject her to the real possibility that something could happen to him. She didn't deserve that.

Lost in thoughts of what might have been, he was startled when the music began again, signaling the end of the ceremony. He waited beside the horse until the bride and groom approached. After helping Kate into the carriage, he turned to find himself face-to-face with Trish. Unable to think of anything to say, he offered her his hand for assistance. She barely glanced at him, but thanked him quietly when she had settled on the seat in back. Jules O'Brien, Kate's bridesmaid, followed, and he did the same for her. “Morgan?”

Ready to head for his car now that the ceremony was
over, he turned back to see Kate lean in front of her new husband.

“We'll see you at the reception, right?” she asked.

“Yes, ma'am,” he answered, touching his finger to the brim of his hat in salute and adding a smile. He had always liked Kate. She was all spit and fire. And since Dusty, who'd spent most of his life on the rodeo circuit, had returned to Desperation several months before, the two men had become friends. Along with Tanner O'Brien, they'd shared a few beers at Lou's Place, talked guy-talk and had some good times. It hadn't seemed to make any difference to them that he had called off the wedding and wouldn't be marrying Trish. He'd hoped it wouldn't. He valued their friendships. He just didn't let himself get too personal or too close to people. Miami had taught him well.

After driving the two blocks to the old Opera House, where the wedding reception was being held, Morgan checked his watch before getting out of his patrol car. There was still an hour to go before he would take over the rest of the night shift for Stu. He'd promised his deputy the night off to attend the dinner and dance later that night. Morgan didn't mind missing either. He'd never been one to socialize, and now he had even less desire to do so.

In the final stages of renovation, the inside of the Opera House was decked out in flowers and greenery for both the upcoming holiday and the wedding. Guests crowded the long hallway, and he followed them into the theater, still without seats, where the bride and groom and their wedding party were laughing and chatting with all. Morgan didn't see the need to join them and instead headed for a table containing the punch bowl. He
had just filled the small glass cup when he felt someone touch his arm.

“Dusty said to tell you there's a keg of beer set up in my accounting office,” Kate told him when he turned to look at her.

“Sounds good,” he said, “but I'll be on duty again in less than an hour.”

The shadow of a frown crossed her face. “Are you trying to avoid us? You know that isn't necessary.”

He hated that she had pegged him on it, but he really did have a legitimate excuse. “I promised Stu he could have the time off to go to the dinner and dance. It only seemed fair.”

“Of course it is,” she said with a smile. “You've always been a fair man. About most things.”

Nobody had to explain to him what she was getting at. “Look, Kate—”

“There you are,” Dusty called out. “They're getting ready to start taking pictures. We'd better get a move on.”

“I'll be right there,” she told him. Then she turned back to Morgan. “We'll need you for the formal pictures. Wedding party and all that.”

Before he could answer, someone claimed her attention. He moved on, wishing one more time that he had excused himself from being a part of the wedding.

Spying his uncle, he made his way through the crowd of guests and finally stood beside him. “I guess it's all over except the shouting,” he said.

Ernie looked at him. “Not even close. I'm looking forward to the dinner. I heard Kate had a hand in it.”

“Probably more than just a hand,” Morgan answered. “From what I heard, she was out at the Blue Barn mak
ing sure everything was being fixed to her specifications and didn't leave until about an hour before the wedding.”

Smiling, Ernie nodded. “That sounds like Kate. I heard Trish was a big help. Aggie said she's gotten the hang of cooking.”

Determined not to be pulled into a conversation about Trish, Morgan didn't answer. When he had first started seriously seeing her, it was a running joke that she couldn't even boil water, while her sister had a natural talent in the kitchen. Since then, Kate had been busy teaching Trish, who had taken to it pretty well.

When Morgan saw Hettie heading their way, his first reaction was to leave, but he reminded himself that as long as he didn't argue with her, she would think he agreed, even if he didn't.

“Well, Morgan, what do you think?” Hettie asked when she reached them. “Is the whole town here tonight or what?”

Seeing that it was an innocent question, he felt safe in answering. “Sure seems so.”

“It was a beautiful wedding, wasn't it?”

He shrugged, and then realized he should be agreeing. But what did he know about weddings?

“Oh, you men,” Hettie said, laughing. “You wouldn't know a good wedding from a bad one, even if you were the one getting married.”

To his relief, Kate reappeared. “I know you have to leave,” she told him, “but stop by the party later, if you can. We still consider you a good friend and practically part of the family.”

The Claybornes were good people, some of the best around, and Kate had just managed to make him feel
like a heel, which was exactly how he had been acting. “Thanks, Kate,” he said sincerely. “That means a lot.” And he silently vowed to be nicer to Trish.

 

“A
ND WE'LL WANT
one of Aggie and Hettie,” Trish told the photographer. She looked around the crowded theater, wondering what was keeping Kate. And Morgan.

“Do you want to start with them, then?” the photographer asked. “Seeing that the bride isn't here yet, I mean.”

Dusty crossed the stage to where Trish was standing. “Where
is
Kate, anyway?” His eyebrows drew together as he glanced toward the crowd of friends in the theater. “Never mind,” he said, smiling. “There she is.”

Trish turned to watch her younger sister hurrying to the stairs at the side of the stage. Kate wasn't the type to care about being a traditional beautiful bride, but she had outdone herself on her special day, and Trish smiled at the picture she made.

“Sorry I'm late,” Kate said breathlessly, the front hem of her long dress hiked to her knees as she climbed the steps to the stage. Smiling at the man with the camera, she said, “Whenever you're ready. We're only waiting on one, and he wasn't far behind me.”

Trish gathered all the others and helped make sure everyone who was to be in each photo was ready and waiting. The deep red velvet curtains were pulled across the main stage, providing a backdrop, with tall candelabras and flowers strategically placed.

Trish was so busy, she didn't notice Morgan walk up until he spoke. “Where do you want me?” he asked.

She spun around to find him standing on the floor below at the front edge of the stage. Surprised, she lost
her train of thought. “I don't— I'll have to find out how soon they want the entire wedding party together.”

“Okay. I'll wait over there.” He moved to take a seat on a chair at the side of the room, near the stage, crossed one foot over the other knee, and spread his arms out over the back of the chairs beside him. He seemed completely at ease.

For a moment, Trish stared at him. Without the frown he'd recently been wearing, she wasn't sure what she should think.

“We'll get the bridesmaids and groomsmen next, then add the flower girl and ring bearer, and after that, the entire wedding party,” the photographer said.

After taking several pictures, the photographer turned to the house, where some of the guests stood watching. “Are the ushers here?” he asked.

“Here,” Jimmy said, as he and Morgan walked up the steps and onto the stage to join the others. The photographer arranged the positions of the wedding party and took several pictures. When he was done, they were all dismissed.

Before everyone wandered away, Dusty reminded them that the dinner and dance at the Blue Barn would start in an hour and encouraged everyone to attend.

“There'll be a crowd,” Jimmy said. “Count on it.”

Tanner laughed. “They all want to see the inside of the place.”

Dusty laughed with him. “My grandmother always called it a den of iniquity. I guess everyone wants to make sure it is.” He turned to Morgan. “You're going to be there, aren't you?”

“I'll try to stop by for a few minutes,” Morgan answered, “but I won't be able to stay long. No telling what
some crazy kid might decide to try while everyone's busy.”

“The sheriff's work is never done, eh, Morgan?” Tanner asked.

Morgan shrugged. “I can't complain.”

Standing nearby, Trish watched her former betrothed as he told everyone goodbye and left. She knew she had to tell him soon about the baby. Before long, she would be showing, and everyone would know. That wasn't the way she wanted him to find out. But she needed to do it at the right time and place, and a building full of people attending her sister's wedding wasn't it.

Ready to leave, she moved through the remaining guests to the door leading out of the theater. In the hallway, she found her aunt and Hettie. “We should go on to the Blue Barn,” she told them. “Kate might need some help with the dinner.”

Aggie and Hettie gathered their things and followed Trish out of the building. “I didn't hear a single person say they weren't going. I hope Kate and Dusty anticipate a big crowd,” Hettie commented.

Aggie, walking on the other side of Trish, laughed. “Oh, I'm sure they do.”

“What I want to know,” Hettie said, “is why they chose the Blue Barn. It's nothing more than a honky-tonk, although a famous one around these parts, I admit.”

“Wouldn't
notorious
be a better word?” Trish asked, grinning. Nothing could raise her spirits more than having Aggie and Hettie around.

“Believe it or not, Hettie,” Aggie said, as they reached the car, “the Blue Barn played an integral part in getting Kate and Dusty together.” She winked at Trish, who
opened the passenger door for her and circled around to her own. “And I can proudly say I was a part of that.”

Hettie waited while Aggie climbed into the small backseat. “I seem to remember you telling me something about sending him there to find her.”

Aggie laughed as Hettie slid into the front seat next to Trish. “Ask Kate about it sometime. Or better yet, ask Dusty.”

Trish scooted in behind the steering wheel and started the car, chuckling at the memory of how she and Aggie had convinced Kate to wear a dress on her first visit to the Blue Barn and how Dusty had reacted to seeing her there.

“You look tired,” Hettie told her.

Trish smiled, the effort itself tiring. “It's been a long day, and it isn't over yet.”

Aggie agreed. “It's going to be an even longer night, but I wouldn't miss it for the world. It's not every day that one of my nieces gets married.”

Knowing her aunt hadn't meant to remind her of her canceled wedding, Trish smiled and nodded. “I don't want to miss it, either.”

Hettie turned her head to look at Trish. “There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.”

“What's that?” Trish asked, turning onto the county road.

“About Christmas Eve. I want both you and Aggie to come spend it with me at the Commune.”

So wrapped up in getting home from her tour, and then in Kate's wedding, not to mention wondering when and how she'd tell Morgan about the baby, Trish hadn't given much thought to Christmas plans. But she wasn't sure she wanted to spend the evening at the Commune.
Morgan was bound to be there, and with the way things were going between them, spending Christmas Eve in his company wasn't her idea of a pleasant evening. “I don't know, Hettie….”