“Amen!” Robyn said, her palms turned upward.
Helene smiled even wider, tears glinting in her eyes. “To me and my man.”
True, Amanda didn’t have time for anything other than keeping up with Dru, but in her heart, deep down, she hoped that one day she would find something close to what Helene and Ignacio had found together. Love, respect, and friendship.
Her phone buzzed with another text from Dru. She sighed.
One day, maybe. But clearly not now. And not with Sam Pleasant.
* * *
As soon as more of the wedding party and members of Helene’s family started to arrive, Amanda did what she did best: She faded into the background. Normally she’d volunteer her services as a friend of the bride, but she understood how these things worked, the hierarchy at play when it came to bridesmaids and friendships. Plus the planner and her assistants were also at the ready. Amanda would step up if needed but for now, it was time for family and close friends to bond with the bride and groom.
She followed the wedding party over to where the ceremony was being held. Rows and rows of chairs were lined up in what seemed to be an open field. Close by was a barn and there were a few horses grazing in a pasture. The whole setup was downright cinematic. Amanda had set her phone to vibrate—in case Dru had an emergency—and gave herself permission to just take it all in.
She grabbed a seat in the last row and watched as the minister and the wedding planner herded everyone into their proper place. Something brushing her leg caught her attention. She looked over as this large black Lab had made its way over to her.
“Well hello,” she cooed, scratching the dog’s chin. It sat obediently, like it was waiting for her to give it some instructions. “I don’t have any treats for you. I’m sorry.”
“She doesn’t need any treats.”
Amanda looked up just as Sam Pleasant eased himself into the row. He’d changed into a navy blue suit, but he was still wearing that damn white cowboy hat. Amanda did her best not to swallow her tongue. Somehow she managed to playfully roll her eyes instead.
“Is this seat taken?” he whispered as he sat down beside her just as the first of the ushers practiced walking the mothers of the bride and groom to their seats.
“Yes, it is, as a matter of fact. I’m having a very important and private conversation with—”
“Clementine. Her name’s Clementine.” He flashed a smile that could light up the night sky. What was she thinking hopping into bed with someone that good looking!
“Yes. My good friend Clementine and I have some very important issues to discuss.”
“Like how you like to use men and leave them cold and alone.”
“I like to think I left you in a big comfortable bed feeling more sexually satisfied than you’ve ever been in your whole life.”
“Well then, you should definitely tell her that you’re somewhat of a thief.”
“Excuse me. That was a mistake and I returned it immediately. I assume your management team gave it back to you?”
“They did, but that’s not what I meant.”
Amanda looked over into his deep brown eyes as he paused for dramatic effect. In the back of her mind she wondered how many women had fallen for this routine. The eyes, the smirk, his whole face, really. The polished cowboy act. And now an Oscar winner. He had to have women chasing him noon and night. She knew one had already proudly slid into his DMs. The thought of Dru taking her crack at him sobered her right up. She cleared her throat and focused back on the dog.
“What did you mean?” she asked.
“You stole my heart.”
“Oh. Okay.” Amanda chuckled quietly, then leaned forward and cupped Clementine’s sweet face. She’d never seen such a shiny coat on a dog, but she didn’t want to tell Sam. She had a feeling it might go to his head. She settled on something he could take credit for. “Your dog daddy is full of crap, did you know that?”
“She’s not mine. Clem belongs to my brother Jesse. That pretty girl over there is mine.” Amanda looked on the other side of the pasture and saw some mixture of cattle dog and mini horse basking in the sun. She watched Sam as he leaned over and snapped his fingers twice. The dog’s head perked up and as soon as she saw Sam she came trotting over. She stopped at Amanda’s side and nudged Clementine out of the way. Amanda smiled to herself and did her best not to cry tears of joy. This was her happy place. Wide-open spaces and surrounded by adorable dogs.
“Oh, it’s your turn for pets, is it. Hello, beautiful,” she cooed softly. “Yeah, that’s right. Ignore your dog dad. You’ll get the loving you need right here. What’s her name?”
“Euca. She lives here full-time with my grandmother, but she’s still my sweet baby girl.” He reached over and scratched Euca behind the ear. Amanda ignored the way his fingers brushed hers in the process. She turned and looked back toward the mountains again. “This whole place is beautiful. The views, the cabins, the dogs. You grew up here?”
“I did, but I can’t take credit for the beauty of it. My grandfather really turned this place into what it is, and my brothers have spent the last seven years putting their own shine on it. We’re just borrowing the land the Earth has provided and the splendor all around you, you can give that up to God.”
“Do you always lay it on this thick? You’re not making me regret my decision to ditch your ass right now.”