Spurs and Heels(Divine Creek Ranch 5)(27)

oh—”

He leaned down and kissed her a little harder a second time before

saying. “I guess that one will have to tide me over.”

“Uh—wow,” she whispered. “You—”

He smiled broadly as she fumbled for intelligent speech. “That

good?” he asked hopefully.

“Yeah-uh-huh. Hmmm.” She sighed shakily. “My gift is in the

trunk.” She pressed the release button on her remote, and he lifted the

box wrapped in shiny white paper out of the trunk for her.



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Heather Rainier

Handing it to her, he caressed her jaw and kissed her one more

time. “Save me a seat beside you?”

“Sure. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

He watched in utter male appreciation as she stepped away from

him, up onto the concrete drive. Looking back, she blushed when she

found his eyes were still on her. He watched her hips sway as she

walked away. Her heels were high, accentuating her long legs.

The mild evening breeze pressed the long skirt of the dress against

her right side, conforming the fabric to the curve of her hip and thigh,

and he felt himself harden. The wind fluttered her hair a little, and he

thought he caught a whiff of her perfume. The sway of her derriere

was hypnotic, and he didn’t look away until he heard another car pull

up to him on the driveway. When he looked up to find her departing

form, she was turning the corner around to the back of the house.





* * * *



Juliana stood watching the reception with Grace Warner. Guests

were gathered around the bridal party, congregating at tables, eating

cake, or taking a turn on the dance floor. Juliana thought Teresa

looked radiant, and the grooms were ruggedly handsome as they

gazed adoringly at her.

“Grace, you’ve done a fantastic job of planning Teresa’s wedding.

You could make a mint doing this for others as an independent event

planner.”

Grace smiled and shook her head. “We’re a close-knit family,

which makes this a pleasure to pull together. Speaking of being close

knit, how come you never told me Lawrence broke up with you

Christmas night? I had to find out from Evelyn. You should’ve told

me. Then we could’ve gone and toilet papered his house. Charity

would’ve helped.”



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77

Juliana shrugged. “I needed to be alone. Ash tried to get me to

stay. He said I shouldn’t run and hide. Kinda pissed me off a little. He

also thinks I’m a workaholic.”

“How’d that shoe feel?” Grace said, smirking.

“Very funny. I know, but I’m here, right?”

“Yeah, I’m impressed. I honestly didn’t expect you to show up

until after you’d closed the store.”

“I’ve really let my friendships lapse when that’s what people

expect from me. I would’ve hated missing her wedding. So, that’s

Joaquin, huh?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“And he’s—they’re—”

“Yep. Look, aren’t they sweet together?” she said as Teresa

danced once again with Angel. She would never have thought Teresa

would fall for two men, not given her history. Juliana supposed it

depended on the men.

“She’s lovely tonight. You really only had five days to put all this

together?”

“Yep.” Grace turned to her and smiled speculatively. “Which

reminds me, when you admit you’re head over heels in love with that

gorgeous cowboy over there, who’s watching you as we speak, I’ll be

happy to plan your wedding, too. When he asks you.”

Juliana scoffed but gazed longingly at the cowboy in question. “I

doubt that’s going to happen. We’re like oil and water.” As the words

left her lips, she knew it was an excuse.

“Hmmm, looks more like gas and a lit match from where I’m

standing. Lawrence was a complete ass. Ash loves you, and it’s

obvious you love him,” Grace said with a confident wave of her hand.

“You just have some kinks to work out, that’s all. Just remember that

offer will still stand once you settle your differences.”

Juliana shrugged and then grimaced as the stitches on her back

pulled with the movement. Ash, who’d been watching her, began

making his way toward them across the yard.



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Heather Rainier

Grace leaned toward Juliana. “Look at his face. That’s the look of

a man that cares deeply about a woman. He’s been watching you

because he’s worried about you. He feels responsible for your

injuries,” Grace said, indicating the cast on her wrist before turning to

Ash, who now stood beside them.