Cowboy Take Me Away(73)
“I never should’ve let you come back here this summer. I should’ve made you stay with your aunt. She never let you run wild like your mother does.”
“Run wild? I don’t even know how to run wild since I basically grew up in a convent!”
“A lot of good that did you—or us, trying to teach you morals. What do you do? Fall in with the first man who pays you the littlest bit of attention.”
Carolyn hated seeing this nasty side of her father. She always scurried away when he started spewing venom. Not this time. She stood her ground. “I’m marrying him no matter what you say or think.”
“Then you’re no longer welcome in this house.”
“Dad. That’s enough,” Thomas said from the doorway.
Her father whirled around. “Don’t you defend her.”
“I’m not. I came in to get my lunch pail and to tell you we’ve gotta go or we’ll be late.”
Then her father iced her with one last look before he stormed off.
Thomas slipped his arms around her as she stood shock-still. “I’ll always defend you, Carolyn, and your right to make your own decisions. Don’t worry; I won’t let him kick you out. I’ll smooth this over and we’ll talk more later.” He grabbed his lunch and headed out.
She wandered to the window above the sink and watched the sunrise, a hundred thoughts racing through her mind.
Carolyn didn’t head to her mother’s room until she’d gotten off the phone with Father Dorian and set up the meeting for early evening. By the end of the night she’d know whether it’d just be her and Carson saying their vows to each other in front of an empty church or if they’d stand before a judge.
She rapped on the door. “Mom?”
“Come in.”
Once inside the always cluttered room, she realized her mom had tidied up the space. “Good morning. How do you feel?”
“Decent, actually. I slept well for a change.”
“Good. Would you like breakfast? There’s banana bread and I could make you hot tea—”
“Liebchen. Don’t fuss. Sit down.” She pointed to Carolyn’s hand. “And for heaven’s sake, show me the ring.”
Carolyn had a burst of pride, although nothing about the ring was ostentatious. The setting was simple and elegant and perfect.
“This is beautiful. He knows you, sweetheart. And that’s how love is supposed to be…” She sniffled and reached for a tissue. “Sorry. Tell me how he proposed.”
When Carolyn finished the story, they were both crying and laughing.
Her mother placed her misshapen hands on Carolyn’s cheeks. “Is this what you want? A life with Carson McKay? Life as a rancher’s wife?”
“Yes. I’m surprised I fell for him so fast.” She smiled. “Carson wasn’t. He said he knew when he saw me I was meant to be his.”
“So the gruff rancher is a romantic at heart?”
“He swears he isn’t. He even warned me he wasn’t that type of man.”
“Actions always speak louder than words.” She let her hands fall away and used one to cover her mouth when she started to cough.
“Mom, are you okay?”
Her mother waved her off and it seemed to take a while before she stopped hacking. “Speaking of words. Your father didn’t take the news too well.”
“Did you hear him?”
“I think everyone in the county probably heard him. I…” She sighed. “His reaction is not unexpected. But this is my home too, so I promise I won’t allow him to kick you out, no matter how much he blusters.” She sighed again. “I wish I could tell you that he’ll come around, but he won’t.”
“Are you happy for me? Even if Dad isn’t?”
“I am.” She offered Carolyn a weak smile. “My happiness is partially based on selfishness. By marrying Carson you’ll live close by and I’ll still get to see you. I missed you so much when you were at school.”
Then why did you send me away?
“Have you discussed wedding dates?”
“We’ll be married within a month, if Father Dorian okays it. If not, then Carson will insist on a judge. He wants to do this soon so we can spend time together since it’s the slow season for him.” And after this morning, she couldn’t wait to get out of this house.
Her mother frowned. “That doesn’t leave much time for planning.”
“What’s there to plan? I’m asking Kimi to stand up for me; I need a wedding gown and boxes to pack what little stuff I have.”
“That’s what I mean. You shouldn’t be going into this marriage empty handed. Someone needs to throw you a bridal shower. What about that friend of yours, Beverly?”