We made a deal. A promise. A…a…a vow.
Hayden’s lungs burned, but he didn’t breathe in. Didn’t think he could. He couldn’t get past the shock and the cold that the sunshine couldn’t chase away because…
I’m being stood up again.
Just then, Evie, Katie, and Evie’s mother, Nellie, appeared on the sidewalk at the corner. The trio of Fisher females each carried bridal bouquets filled with pink and white flowers. Evie’s bouquet was larger and more elaborate than Katie’s or Nellie’s.
But Evie… Evie looked pretty in a pale-pink dress with her blond hair in an intricate bun. Wisps of hair framed her delicate features. Soft pink outlined her lips.
Hayden was so relieved she’d shown up, he nearly ran down the steps to hug her.
Just in time, he remembered that emotions had no place in this marriage.
“It’s my cowboy!” Katie broke free of Evie’s hold and scampered up the steps to Hayden. No tutu for her today. She wore a frilly pink dress and pink ballet slippers, though. She hugged Hayden’s legs, grinning up at him. “Mama says you’re marrying us today.”
“That I am.” Hayden introduced Gran to Katie and reminded Gran that she’d met Evie and Nellie over a decade ago without mentioning it was during the lead-up to his non-wedding to Violet.
Nellie handed Gran a small bouquet of her own. “Violet couldn’t make it today. One of her properties was closing.”
That was a relief.
“It’s always a good omen when the bride shows up for her wedding.” Gran smiled at everyone, then rested her hands on her knobby knees, her small bouquet losing a daisy petal. “Look at this pretty young filly. Hay-Hay, you didn’t tell me that your bride came with a ready-made family.”
Oh, yes, he had. Once last week and twice already this morning.
“Hay-Hay?” Katie gazed up at Hayden adoringly. “Can I call you Hay-Hay too?”
It was on the tip of Hayden’s tongue to squash that idea, but Gran beat him to it.
“’Course you can call him Hay-Hay.” She took Katie’s hand and turned toward the town hall doors. “How old are you, Katie?”
“Four.”
“I’m eighty-four.”
“That’s really old.” Katie giggled. “You must know Santa Claus. He’s old too.”
“And the Easter Bunny.” Gran nodded, selling that fairy tale with complete seriousness. “Do you ride, sugar? You and I could ride together.”
Oh, that’s a bad idea.
Hayden glanced at Evie, ready to support her when she said, “No way!” But his bride-to-be said nothing. He chalked that up to nerves and made a mental note to discuss Gran’s safety restrictions with her later.
“I’ve never been on a horse,” Katie admitted as if only realizing she’d missed out in life.
“We’ll get you a pony, won’t we, Hay-Hay?” Gran beamed over her shoulder at Hayden.
Just like she used to when I was younger.
His spirits lifted. Perhaps the addition of Evie and Katie to the family would help Gran regain all her senses.
“Hay-Hay?” Gran prompted when he didn’t immediately answer.
“We have plenty of ranch horses for Katie and Evie to ride,” he assured Gran because it made no sense to buy a pony just for the six months Katie would be living with them.
“We’ll get you a pony,” Gran reiterated anyway, taking Katie inside town hall.
Leaving Hayden to wonder how he was going to fulfill that request when money was so tight.