Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) (2 page)

“If you’re filming this for posterity I think the groom would
prefer you disrobe and pick one of the hotter bridesmaids,” Annie said,
half-heartedly shielding herself from the cushy barrage.

“Hush up, you! This isn’t a Victoria’s Secret Sleepover Special,”
Crystal snapped, but her eyes were unable to mask her amusement. She turned
around to flop back down beside her. “So if it’s not a sure best seller, what
were you thinking about?”

Annie shrugged, all too aware of the others in the room. Tiny
frown lines marred Crystal’s forehead and she snuggled closer, voice lowering.

“What’s bothering you? Did someone hurt your feelings?”

“I have thicker skin than that, Crys.”

“I know, but some of them can get…catty,” she said, endearing
in her awkwardness. “I think I would’ve gone crazy this last month without you.
A lot of stuff has fallen on you and I want you to know how much I appreciate
you always being there for me. As silly as it sounds, I want you to enjoy my
wedding. You might not … I mean this could be one of the last times we get to
spend a lot of time together. So if something is bothering you, let me fix it.”

The words died on the vine unsaid, but the meaning was clear.
Poor little Annie should live vicariously through Crystal like she did her
fiction because she might never get the fairytale of her own. Annie swallowed
her irritation. How many times had well-meaning friends and family said
something similar? Well, she wasn’t ready to throw in the towel and adopt a cat
or ten. Thirty was hardly over-the-hill. Hell, she’d been hit on by a handsome
man just tonight who seemed more than interested in getting to know her better.
Drawing a calming breath through her nose, she forced lightness into her voice
that she wasn’t feeling anymore. 

“Nothing is bothering me, Crys. I was just thinking about CJ.”

The blonde’s frown deepened. “CJ?”

“Tyler’s cousin,” Annie supplied.

“With the beard,” Crystal said, at least nodding now. “Did he
do something? If you don’t like him the planner will have a hissy, but there’s
still time to move people around. It’s just that even at six foot, he’s a
couple of inches shorter than the next groomsman and I thought—”

Annie put a hand up to stop the babble. “CJ hasn’t done
anything other than be a total sweetheart. Stop trying to fix what isn’t
broken.”

“I know he’s a little, umm … doughy. Or maybe chunky is a
better word, but Tyler said CJ has always been that guy who would do anything
for him,” Crystal said twisting the cuff of her pajamas. Her voice dropped to a
whisper. “Plus his parents are the aunt and uncle that own the lodge. They’re
giving us this amazing package on the whole weekend.”

“Stop. Did you hear what I said? CJ is an absolute sweetheart.
Don’t change a thing. And have you wrapped your arms around him? The man is
solid. He has a great chest and shoulders.”

“I’m not a big fan of the beard, but those blue eyes are really
pretty,” Crystal said, still trying to sell the poor man. Suddenly, she
blinked. “Wait. You hugged him?”

“There you are. Welcome back to the conversation,” Annie said
dryly. “And I like the beard.”

“Sorry! I don’t want to offend Tyler’s family. I just want—”

“Everything to go perfectly,” Annie finished for her. “I know.”
She squeezed her cousin’s hand. “Your dad is going to walk you down the aisle,
hand you off to the man of your dreams, and I promise you nothing else is going
to matter. When the rest of us look back at tomorrow, all we’re going to
remember is how beautiful you were and the love on your faces.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so,” she said remembering CJ’s words in the kitchen.
“If you make Tyler happy, his family will love you. Trust me.”

Crystal drew a shaky breath. “Thank you. You always know what
to say.”

“That’s why I’m the companion pony.”

Shrieks from the bride drew every eye along with demands to be
let in on the joke. Wiping away tears that had only been added to by her
hysterics, Crystal shook her head helplessly and hugged Annie tightly. Seeing
their confusion, Annie took pity on the pretty people.  

“It’s a family joke. You had to be there to get it.”   

Pulling her cousin’s head down on her shoulder, they snuggled
in the beanbag like kids. Golden strands of hair flowed through Annie’s
fingers. A flash of light made her look up. Her aunt smiled from behind the
camera. Annie waved her phone, silently requesting a copy be forwarded. Crystal
didn’t move. All the nerves and uncertainty seemed forgotten for now. Occasionally,
a rogue giggle still escaped.

Eye landing on the onesie’s pink heart logo, Annie thought
about their discussion. Her younger cousin hadn’t meant to hurt her. She knew
that. The supposition that she would die old and alone wasn’t a new one in the
family. Twelve years without a boyfriend and a hermit lifestyle didn’t do much
to kill the scuttlebutt. But Crys had been right about one thing. There would
be no more sleepovers, slumber parties, or even long nights in strange hotels
in the next pageant city. She swallowed against the knot in her throat. This
was it. They were all grown up.

Towering pines swayed under gale force winds. Snow came down
in sheets. Mother Nature screamed, buffeting the log walls and tall windows
with her blinding fury. Her power was awesome. It never failed to move him.

“Did you order this?”

Pulled back inside, CJ shot his cousin a smile. “You know
better than to think anyone orders that bitch around.”

“It’s a different bitch that I’m worried about right now. This
shit needs to blow through,” Tyler said, lips twisted in a grimace as he
tentatively sipped his coffee.

CJ frowned. It was one thing to take a shot at Mother Nature,
but that was not a word you tossed around, especially with the woman you were
supposed to love.

“The ceremony is indoors. Everyone is here. All is ready. Don’t
let the weather put a damper on what’s supposed to be the happiest day of your
life. Worst case scenario, you have to start your honeymoon here and be
truthful, how much outside of your hotel room are you really going to see?”

Tyler sputtered into his coffee in amusement. “Good point.”

They both turned as the women came down the stairs en masse. CJ
grinned getting his first glimpse of the onesie pajamas his cousin had told him
about. They were adorable on the girls but yeah, the guys had dodged a bullet.
Annie’s arm was around Crystal who looked like she’d been crying. He couldn’t
hear what the brunette was saying, but it was pretty clear from the body
language that she was encouraging her cousin to eat something.

Word of the bride’s arrival downstairs had spurred the kitchen
to roll out the full breakfast buffet. Anticipating a late night and early
morning with the wedding going on, several employees had made the choice to
stay onsite last night. It was a blessing with the unexpected storm blowing in.
Joining the shuffling line, CJ listened to the omelet chef flirt and tease with
the girls. A couple of them were ready to take the pretty boy home without even
tasting the wares.

By the time he’d loaded his plate, Annie had her custom omelet
and was looking around for a place to land or hide. He wasn’t sure which. It
looked like Tyler now had the unenviable task of calming his bride along with
his soon to be mother-in-law and the wedding planner. Taking a chance, he
nudged Annie lightly with his elbow and gestured toward a quiet spot for two
near the hearth. A smile lit her face and she nodded, following.

“Good morning and thank you for the save,” she whispered
sinking into the chair.

“Good morning to you too. Rough night?”

“Rougher morning. Somehow, Crystal didn’t envision it snowing
on her winter wonderland wedding.”

He couldn’t contain a small grin at the weary snark lacing her
words.

“Like I told Ty, the ceremony is indoors. Everyone is here and
everything is ready. No worries.”

“Check, check and check. I told Crys the same thing,” Annie
sighed clicking each point off with a wave of her fork. “The only concern is
the honeymoon and what do they need beyond a bed? Move into one suite or the
other. Problem solved,” she continued, rolling her eyes as she took a bite of
her omelet. “Oh my God, this is good.”

He tried to smother a guffaw of laughter at both her matching
opinion on the honeymoon activities and her appreciation of food. Color tinged
her cheeks, but she smiled around another mouthful.

“Check,” he said, waving his fork in imitation of her. “Great
minds think alike. Pretty much exactly what I told Ty so why the teary pow-wow
over there?”

“I blame the wedding planner. She can’t leave anything alone.
Every time I get Crys calmed down, the lady has a new crisis.”

“Isn’t it her job to deal with crap so the wedding couple
doesn’t have to?”

Annie’s fork came up again to check the box and point at him. Apparently,
they were on the same wavelength on this as well.

“Good omelet?”

She nodded, making a satisfied humming noise while she
struggled to swallow the most recent bite.

“Sorry. Yes. Fantastic actually. I was dealing with some of
that wedding crap the planner can’t handle and missed most of dinner last night
so I’m starving this morning.”

“You could’ve called down or popped into the kitchen. No one goes
hungry around here.”

“I should’ve, but it feels like feeding time at the zoo when I
eat in front of them. If they’re not staring at me in horror, they’re
salivating.”

Choking on a bite, CJ grabbed for his juice. He gulped half the
glass before looking up at her through watery eyes.

“Are you trying to kill me?” he demanded, raising a fist to
force a cough.

She tried to look sheepish, but the sparkle in her hazel eyes
ruined the effect.

“Sorry.”

“Hearing some of the things that come out of your mouth, you
must be a helluva writer,” he said, the corner of his mouth quirking up even as
he shook his head.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

She picked up her toast and looked at it for a moment before
her eyes shifted to the apple butter on the table. The childlike delight and
anticipation were cute. God, she was some sort of adorable. She reached but he
beat her to it, sliding the dish over.

She dropped a generous dollop on her toast muttering, “Sorry.”

“For eating?”

Her head shake was immediate, smile wry now. “No. I’m not going
to apologize for eating, or enjoying my food, but maybe inhaling it isn’t the
politest.”

“Don’t hold back on my account. Do I look like I’ve missed any
meals lately, or ever?”

Annie snorted, leaning forward over her plate to prevent apple
butter from dripping on her pajamas.

“You’re not eating now,” she pointed out. “Don’t make me break
out the zoo metaphor again.”  

He looked down at his still full plate.

“Now it’s my turn to apologize. I—I got distracted.”

CJ winced at the stammer. He’d never met a girl so easy to talk
to. He couldn’t blow it now. A shriek halted any further attempt at explanation
or flirtation.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

Annie almost choked on her toast. Crystal rarely swore.
Dropping the F-bomb at the top of her lungs in front of everyone that she cared
about couldn’t be good.  Swiping her lips, she dropped her napkin and hurried
for her distraught cousin. She felt CJ behind her and was grateful for the
backup, whatever this was.

“Crys?”

A single syllable and the stunning blonde turned into her arms,
bursting into tears.

“We’re paying you to organize our wedding. Is it too much to
ask that you do your job?”

The wedding planner drew herself up straight, glaring at the
groom. “Mr. Barrett, it is because I am doing my job that you even know the
pastor is not present. I’ve looked everywhere. He’s not answering his phone. I
can’t—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Tyler snapped, throwing up a
stalling hand in the woman’s face before turning away. “Do you have any ideas?”

Rubbing circles between Crystal’s heaving shoulders, Annie
opened her mouth and closed it again. Thankfully, Tyler was looking over her
head.

“He can’t just be missing. Remember that cell reception can be
spotty. I’ll check with Mom and Dad and talk to the staff. If he left someone
should know,” CJ said. The parting words he tossed over his shoulder were grim.
“If he went down the mountain, I’ll check the forecast.”

“His room was paid for as part of his compensation.”

“I’m sure if he left he had a good reason,” Annie said, cutting
off the planner’s need to continue the blame game. “Perhaps there was an
emergency.”   

“What are we going to do?” Crystal moaned.

“First, we’re going to make sure the pastor is okay, and then
we’ll figure the rest out. The wedding isn’t until tonight. A lot can change in
nine hours. Don’t go all bridezilla on us now, Princess,” Annie said, putting a
little teasing into her voice at the end.

Crystal hiccupped and swatted at her. “Excuse me, sunshine.
We’ll see how cheery you are when the wedding you’ve been planning since grade
school falls apart.”

“Lucky for me I’ve never been under the delusion that life is
fair.”

Rolling her eyes, the bride stepped over to her mother to
accept a tissue.

“You handled that well,” Tyler muttered, blowing out a breath.  

“I’ve had years of practice and figure I have immunity. We’re
family. She can’t get rid of me,” Annie answered, watching her aunt fuss. “But
now it’s your turn, grasshopper. I’m not moving out here to the Wild West so
take notes. She’s had enough people in her life blow smoke up her ass. You’re
someone she needs to trust to tell her the truth. Just try to soften it with
love or humor where you can or, if all else fails, tell her she’s pretty.”

Tyler laughed. “She’s right. You’re funny.”  

“She loves you, Tyler. She wouldn’t be trying this hard if she
didn’t. Be patient with her.”

He nodded, watching his fiancée. “Thank you. I mean that.” He
finally met her eye. “And if there is ever anything I, or we, can do for you,
say the word.”

“Deal. And if you ever need to talk to someone that is fluent
in princess, give me a call.”

CJ’s return interrupted their heart-to-heart.

“A member of the pastor’s congregation was injured on the job
yesterday. He’s a young guy with a wife and twins on the way. Pastor John went
to the hospital to be with the family intending to be back here this morning
before anyone was any wiser. The storm had other ideas. Highway patrol just fished
his Subaru out of the ditch and sent him back home to thaw.”

“Thank God he’s okay, but there has to be some way for him to
get up here. I mean, what about a four-wheel drive?” Crystal’s mom asked.

All eyes swung back to CJ, but he was shaking his head.

“The roads are closed. I talked to a buddy of mine that works for
the county and the plows are only running to support law enforcement and
emergency personnel. Between the snow and the wind, visibility is nil and the
wind chill is deadly.”

“What about a snowmobile?” Miss Texas asked.

“No,” CJ said firmly. “Like I explained, visibility and wind
chill make that impossible. I’m sorry.”

“What are we going to do? Are we safe here?”

Annie didn’t see who asked the question, but you couldn’t miss
the effect it had. Tension amplified. People wrapped their arms around loved
ones or themselves.

“The lodge is fully stocked and perfectly safe. We are used to
the sudden inclement weather and well prepared,” Mrs. Barrett said, stepping up
next to her son.  

“What if the wind blows the power out?”

“The lodge is equipped with backup generators and emergency
heating. All of the fireplaces are also functional and available for added
comfort,” CJ’s dad reassured the room of worried faces.

“We’ll keep in contact with the authorities and let you know of
any updates. We’re as anxious to have Crystal join the family as our nephew is,
but Mother Nature has decided we’ll have to wait a bit longer. As you’ve seen,
our weather can change in a hurry. Until then, we’ll rework things a bit on the
schedule. Please enjoy the breakfast buffet and if there is anything you need
see one of us,” his wife chimed in again.        

Shoulder to shoulder, the three of them exuded confidence and a
closeness that Annie envied. CJ met her gaze and smiled, his pale eyes
crinkling with a warmth that was so appealing. The moment was broken as Tyler
stepped forward. Crystal in the crook of his arm and both sets of parents
drifting in their wake, he raised his voice to be heard.

“My family has lived here for a long time and know the ins and
outs. We’re in good hands. Crystal and I invited you all here to enjoy a
mini-vacation with us. Who is going to complain if it gets extended?”

A murmur of agreement and the beginnings of conversation met
the groom’s announcement. With a little prodding, people began to drift back to
their breakfast.  

“I knew if I waited long enough there’d be a swimsuit portion
to this pageant.”

Annie’s eyes flew open at the teasing words, her arms dropping
from the tub’s rim to instinctually cover up. The sudden movement slipped her
lower in the water and she sputtered, jerking her head back only to smack it on
the fiberglass.

“Whoa. Don’t drown. I didn’t mean to startle you,” CJ said,
squatting next to the sunken hot tub.

Coughing, she pushed herself back up in the molded seat. She
probed the back of her tender skull with one hand while the other fussed with
her teal and white polka-dotted halter. Her face flushed warmer, even in the
humidity.

“Sorry. I um…I was…uhh…” she stammered, looking for a way to
explain her habit of checking out of reality.

“Napping?” CJ suggested at her flustered silence.

“Uh…plotting?” she said, wincing when the word came out more a
question than answer.

“Thinking about a book,” he said, nodding like he understood.
“I drift off like that when I’m planning out a new piece.”