Allie smiled and he realized shed thought it was an invitation. I really need to get these decorations
Sorry. Im keeping you from your work. He took a step back. Those decorations arent going to put themselves up.
She looked as if she wasnt so sure of that. The cat had definitely put a scare into her, he thought. She didnt seem sure of anything right now. Allie looked again at the box of decorations, no doubt imagining the cat flying out of it at her.
Glancing at her watch, she said, Oh, I didnt realize it was so late. Nat and I are meeting a friend for lunch. We need to get going.
Jackson was suddenly aware that hed been holding his hat since shaking Allies hand. He quickly put it back on as they walked out of the barn door into the bright sunshine. My son is quite taken with your daughter, he said, again feeling an unusual need to fill the silence.
How old is he?
Fords five.
Same age as Nat.
As they emerged into the beautiful late-June day, Jackson saw the two children and waved. As they came running, Nat was chattering away and Ford was hanging on her every word.
They do seem to have hit it off. Allie sounded surprised and pleased. Nats had a hard time lately. Im glad to see her making a new friend.
Jackson could see that Allie Taylor had been having a hard time, as well. He realized she must have loved her husband very much. He knew he should say something, but for the life of him he couldnt think of what. He couldnt even imagine a happy marriage. As a vehicle came roaring up the road, they both turned, the moment lost.
Hey, bro, Tanner Tag Cardwell called from the rolled down window of his pickup as he swung into the ranch yard.
shed taken back. The sales associate hadnt remembered her, but said the afternoon when the clothing was purchased had been a busy one. None of the other sales associates remembered her, but agreed theyd been too busy to say for sure. Shed ended up keeping two of the outfits to wear while working the rehearsal dinner and the wedding.
I already moved some of my things into the cabin, Belinda said.
Allie couldnt help being surprised. Already? Why didnt you stop by the barn and say hello? Allie had suggested Belinda as the wedding photographer and felt responsible and anxious since this was her first wedding in five years.
You were busy, her friend said. We cant keep each other from our jobs, right?
Right. She loved that Belinda understood that. In truth, Allie had been hesitant to suggest her friend. She didnt want to have to worry about Belinda, not with everything else that she had going on in her life right now. While her friend was a great photographer, sometimes she got sidetracked if a handsome man was around. But when shed broached the subject with the bride-to-be, Lily had been delighted that it was one other thing she didnt have to worry about.
Dana had been kind enough to offer Belinda a cabin on the ranch for the five-day affair. It will make it easier for you to get great shots if youre staying up here and experiencing all the wedding festivities, Dana had said. And any friend of Allies is a friend of ours.
She and Belinda had been friends since grade school. Lately they hadnt been as close, probably Allies fault. Belinda was in between men right now, and much wilder, freer and more outspoken than Allie had ever been. But Belinda didnt have a five-year-old daughter, either.
You have no idea what this means to me, Belinda said now. Ive been dying to photograph a Western wedding for my portfolio.
Your portfolio?
Belinda looked embarrassed as if shed let the cat out of the bag, so to speak. Im thinking about opening my own studio.
Thats great. Allie was happy for her friend, although shed wondered if Belinda had come into some money because it wouldnt be cheap and as far as she knew Belinda lived from paycheck to paycheck like everyone else she knew.
The waitress came and took their orders. A light breeze stirred the new leaves on the nearby trees. The smell of summer mixed with that of corn tortillas, the most wonderful smell of all, Allie thought. They sipped Mexican Cokes, munched on chips and salsa to the sound of Latin music playing in the background and Allie felt herself begin to relax.
I wasnt going to bring this up, Belinda said, but you know that psychic that Ive seen off and on?
Allie fought not to roll her eyes.
I know you say you dont believe in this stuff, but she said something interesting when I mentioned you.
You told her about me? Allie hadnt meant for her voice to rise so high. Her daughter looked over. She smiled at Nat and quickly changed her tone. I really dont want you talking to anyone about me, let alone a... She tried to come up with a word other than charlatan.
Belinda leaned forward, unfazed. She thinks whats happening to you is because of guilt. Simply put, you feel guilty and it is manifesting itself into these...incidents.
Allie stared at her. Leave it to Belinda to get right to the heart of it.
Her friend lowered her voice as if afraid Nat might be listening. It makes sense, if you think about it. Nick didnt know you were she glanced at Nat leaving him and going to file for custody of you-know-who, but you did know your plan. Then he goes and gets himself... She grimaced in place of the word killed. Something like that has to mess with your mind.