His Perfect Bride: Hired by the Cowboy / Wedding Bells at Wandering Creek / Coming Home to the Cattleman

She was what Connor needed? A screw-up in the kitchen? A stranger who knew nothing about ranching? As far as she was concerned, she’d been on the receiving end of all the benefit and hadn’t given much in return. Now Johanna was treating her like a real granddaughter. The girl longing for a home was irresistibly attracted to that, while the practical woman inside knew that it would only hurt more in the end when she had to leave.

Johanna took the remainder of the bags, nudging her out the door. “Come on. You need shoes.”

Connor had been waiting outside and now handed her a paper cup, the tab folded back already and the letters “dec” printed roughly on the top. He’d thought to get her decaf, she realized as Johanna herded them on to the shoe store. His consideration was a constant surprise.

Feeling somewhat helpless, she watched as Connor waited patiently on a bench outside the store while she bought casual shoes, a pair of black patent slingbacks for dressy, and white satin slippers for the wedding.

By lunchtime, their arms were laden with bags. In addition to the footwear and maternity clothes, she’d purchased new socks and underwear at the department store. She’d also taken some of her own money, what little there was of it, and bought Connor a pair of new T-shirts. The one he’d had on first thing this morning was worn around the collar. She couldn’t think of anything else appropriate to buy, but she was determined not to go home with nothing for him. She hadn’t ever bought a man clothing before, and without knowing sizes was a fish out of water. Socks were too impersonal, and underwear…far too intimate. But T-shirts she could manage without too much trouble. Besides, it would be a treat to see his wide chest in them, the way the sleeves outlined the dip in his triceps…

“I’m famished. Let’s have lunch.” Johanna led Alex down the hall to the restaurant housed on the corner.

Alex waited while Connor requested a table, then put a hand on his arm when Johanna excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. “Lunch is on me. Please.”

She’d accepted enough today. She didn’t have much, but she had enough of her own money left after the T-shirts that she could at least buy lunch.

“You don’t have to do that.” He took a seat in the booth opposite her.

“But I want to. I’m not used to…to charity.” Guilt and shame trickled through her simply from saying the word.

“You’re not charity. I’m getting something out of this deal too, remember?” He reached over and put his hand on top of hers. “You’re helping me, Alex. Right now it’s safe to say you’re all the hope I’ve got.”

His thumb was tracing circles over the side of her hand and she didn’t think he was even aware he was doing it. Let alone realizing what the simple touch was doing to her insides.

She swallowed. “Then indulge me. You’ve done so much for me already. Let me buy you lunch.”

He hesitated a moment, but relented. “Deal. But I’ll warn you. Watching you shop works up my appetite.”

Alex laughed as a waitress brought tall glasses of iced water. “Now that the sickness seems to be getting better, I could eat all the time.”

His thumb kept circling. “You know, Alex, I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before now. It’s not right that you have to come to me for every penny. There are things you’re going to need—for yourself, for the house, getting ready for the baby. I’ll make sure I get you a checkbook and a debit card. I’m sorry I didn’t look after it before.”

He was going to trust her with his bank account? Alex tried not to gape and instead grabbed her water and sipped, hiding her shocked face.

His thumb stopped and he squeezed her hand. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, no, not at all,” she stammered, then cleared her throat as it seemed to suddenly become hoarse. “I’m just surprised, that’s all.”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t trust you?”

“No!” She finally lifted her eyes and saw he was watching her steadily. Like he already knew the answer. “Of course not. It’s just…”

How could she explain what such a practical, simple act meant to her? That he trusted her to such an extent that she could use his money without asking? That it was one more thing binding her to him and giving her this uncanny sense of normalcy in an otherwise unorthodox arrangement?

“It makes sense, that’s all. I’ve taken you away from your income…I agreed to provide for you. That doesn’t mean you don’t get some say in the matter.”

“It’s more than I expected. You and your grandmother—you’ve been far too generous with me. She paid for everything this morning. I’m not used to that.”

Connor took a sip of his water, pulling his hand away from hers. “Don’t you feel one bit of guilt. Gram is having a ball. She hasn’t done this since…well, in many years. But she and Mom used to do it all the time.”

“They were close?” Alex prodded gently.

Connor nodded. “Yes, they were. Gram always said, ‘Melissa, you’re my best daughter.’ I think she always wanted a little girl of her own, but there was only Dad. She and Mom were peas in a pod. I think she was a little disappointed that one of us wasn’t a girl and she didn’t get a granddaughter to spoil.”

She smiled at the fond tone of remembrance in his voice. It was good he remembered the good times. She wished she could, but somehow all she seemed to feel was regret and a sense of being cheated out of something.

“Mom and Gram used to take little trips like this all the time…sometimes even for something as silly as buying school supplies for Jim and me. But they always had fun. Dad always said it was an excuse for them to get away from the farm for a day and treat themselves.”

“So that’s why you came today?”

He looked up and saw Johanna approaching. “I thought you could both use a little of that.”

She couldn’t believe she hadn’t considered it before. When Connor had lost his parents, Johanna had lost a son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. That pain had to be with her still.

“Have we ordered yet?”

“Just waiting for you.” Connor scooched over and made room for Johanna to sit.

“Whew. I worked up an appetite this morning. Haven’t had this much fun since—”

When she broke off, Alex looked up at Connor and was happy he’d told her what he had.

“Connor was just telling me about his mother. And how you used to sneak off for day trips like this.”

“Oh, we did. We always came back with more than we went for, but we had a ball. You’re a lot like her, you know.”

“I am?” Alex put down her menu and her eyebrows lifted with surprise. “I wouldn’t think so.”

Johanna laughed, the rusty sound that always made Alex smile. “Oh, yes. The dark hair, pretty eyes. But more than that, you’re strong. Stubborn, too, I can tell. And you have a big heart, Alex. I saw that right off. Don’t you think so, Connor?”

Alex dropped her eyes, both at the unexpected praise and the blatant attempt at matchmaking. Did Connor see that in her too? How could he, when she couldn’t see it in herself?

He covered the awkward moment with a laugh. “I certainly agree with the stubborn thing,” he joked, then related the tale of her first cooked meal, and how determined she was to conquer the kitchen. “If supper last night was any indication, your stubborn streak will serve you well. The ham was delicious.”

Alex accepted the compliment graciously, but wondered, as the server took their orders, if he did think she was much like his mother and if that was a good or a bad thing. His long leg bumped hers beneath the table and her stomach twisted. How were they supposed to come through this unscathed and unchanged? She was already feeling like a real part of this family, being included and welcomed…and the wedding hadn’t even happened yet.

Johanna changed the subject, asking about wedding details, and they got so occupied with the topic that Alex quite forgot her misgivings until later.

After lunch they left the mall, and after a few quick turns Connor parked in front of a small strip-mall, gave them his return time, and Alex found herself entering a formal wear store. Mannequins dressed in white gowns stood in one window, one with a tuxedoed man on her arm. Inside were two solid rooms of formal wear. She took off her shoes, gripped her purse nervously, and followed Johanna into the reception area.

“May I help you?” A young woman, dressed in the latest fashion, looked up from the appointment book behind her desk.

“Yes. Johanna Madsen, and this is Alexis Grayson. We’re shopping for a wedding dress today.”

“Congratulations!” The woman smiled. “Come right in.”

Alex was silent as Jennifer, as it stated on her name tag, and Johanna hashed over what sort of style would suit her. Never in her life had she shopped in such a place! All around her were dresses in white and cream satin, some adorned with lace, others with intricate beading and crystals.

A bride.