Million Dollar Cowboy (Cupid, Texas #5)(40)

"I gotta get this ring off."

"Soap should do the trick," Lynne assured him.

He hoped she was right.

Once the wedding party was on the front porch, the photographer motioned them over to the side so the congregation could get out behind them.

Ridge let go of Lynne's arm as she joined her husband, Ned, who'd been escorting Tara.

Ridge sidestepped to get out of the way and crashed into Kaia.

"Hold on, cowboy." She laughed and put up a restraining hand. "I know I'm small, but don't plow over me."

The feel of her hand on his elbow unwound him. He glanced down, found himself falling into the vortex of her dark eyes. He couldn't speak. Couldn't move. Could only stare at her as if she held the meaning of life. Wedding guests flowed around them, smiling and chatting. Simultaneously, as if they'd planned it out, they both pressed their backs up against the outside wall of the church to give people room to move past.

"Thanks for saving my bacon with the ring," he said.

"You're welcome." She smiled so brightly it hurt his eyes. 

"You look . . ." He gulped. "Stunning."

She pressed her lips together and glanced away. Was he saying too much in front of people? Probably. But he couldn't seem to help himself.

"Congratulations," Kaia reached out to hug Casey, who was waiting beside Archer as he slipped Father Dubanowski a white envelope. "It's official. You're an Alzate now. I'm so happy to call you sister."

"Thank you, thank you! I still can't believe I have my own real life fairy tale." Casey sighed dreamily.

"I've been meaning to tell you how beautiful the bridesmaids' dresses are," Kaia went on, and Ridge couldn't help feeling she was grasping for conversation with Casey to avoid talking to him. "I'll be able to wear this one many times. You have such great fashion sense."

Casey's face brightened at Kaia's compliment. "It took me ages to find the right ones. Not just the style and the fit, but a color that flattered everyone's complexions. Thankfully, except for Ember, you Alzate girls have that amazing dark hair and olive-toned skin."

"Your hard work was worth it," Kaia said. "The wedding was the perfect balance of country and sophistication. It's like something from a bridal magazine."

"I had lots of help." Casey gave a humble smile. "You've all been saints putting up with my bridezilla moods."

"Not even for a second were you a bridezilla. When Archer said you'd agreed to be his wife, I felt like our family had won the lottery."

"Oh, Kaia." Casey enveloped her in a jasmine-scented hug. "You make me feel so special."

Ridge swallowed. Yeah. Kaia had that effect on everyone. You couldn't be around her for very long without feeling her warmth and goodwill. She sucked you right in with her guileless charm. That's where he kept getting tripped up. Falling for her sweet, sunny disposition.

"And you, mister . . ." Casey turned to Ridge. "I want that ring before Archer and I leave on our honeymoon tomorrow."

"I blew it."

Casey waved a hand. "You were fine. It added a little humor to the ceremony. But I'm putting Kaia in charge of making sure you get that ring off."

"You're not leaving for your honeymoon after the reception?" Kaia asked.

"No, we've decided that instead of driving to El Paso tonight and staying at an airport hotel, we can hang out at the reception longer, sleep in our own beds, and drive to El Paso in the morning. Our flight isn't until noon."

"That means I need to find somewhere else to stay," Ridge said.

Casey nodded to Ridge's house across the way. "Vivi already had one of the hands move your suitcase over. Although I understand you probably have mixed feeling about that."

Mixed hell. His feelings were unequivocal. The last thing he wanted was to sleep in that house. He would have appreciated some advance notice and the option to decide his own lodging, but he didn't say anything. He could avoid that master bedroom. Sleep on the couch or floor. In the grand scheme of things, what did it matter where he slept? He'd be gone soon.

"Wedding party!" the photographer called, shooing people into the best lighting. "Over here!"

Once the wedding party was assembled and the photographer got a good look at everyone, he did a double take, mumbled under his breath, "What's with all the black eyes? How am I supposed to create art with so many black eyes?"

"Why, didn't anyone tell you?" Kaia asked. "This is a bushwhacker wedding."

The whole group laughed, and in that priceless moment, Ridge absolutely adored her.