Home Free. Claire McEwen

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СКАЧАТЬ Wade’s wedding day.

      “That would be great. And I’d be happy to carry your cake for you.”

      “Thanks.” They walked, Mandy brushing her skirts and trying to rearrange her hair as they went. But as the barn got closer, her worries got bigger. If Arch strolled into the wedding, all Mandy’s attempts to make the celebration perfect would be ruined. Upstaged by the inevitable gossip about Arch’s exploits and wrongs.

      “I’ve got lousy timing, huh?” His quiet words echoed her thoughts.

      She was suddenly too tired to be kind. “You do.”

      “I won’t mess up the party. You can trust me.”

      Ha. From all she’d heard over the years, Arch Hoffman was about as trustworthy as a bear in the beehives. She stayed silent, but he seemed intent on making conversation.

      “So you made this cake yourself? These pictures on the sides and everything?”

      She heard the note of forced cheer in his voice and felt selfish, all of a sudden, for worrying about the wedding. He was estranged from his family. This couldn’t be an easy moment for him.

      “Yes.”

      “And you’re really gonna let my little brother chop this up? It’s a work of art. Seems like you should put it in some kind of cake museum.”

      It was just flattery, but it warmed her anyway. “I don’t think they have those. I did take photos, though.”

      “I sure hope so. Are you a baker?”

      “I have a small business. Just here on the ranch, using our kitchen. I make pies, muffins, cupcakes, things like that. This is my first wedding cake.”

      He tilted his head slightly, as if trying to admire it from the side. “I guarantee that once folks see it, it won’t be your last.”

      “That’s what I hope.” Mandy felt the words release into the air like fluttering doves. She’d never said it aloud before. How much she wanted to expand her business. Or go to school. Or apprentice somewhere. To pursue her dreams. But just knowing the words were out had her heart stuttering. Anxiety never stayed away for long.

      They were almost to the barn, approaching from the side. Mandy could hear the hum of guests talking and laughing. The DJ was playing that old song “Achy Breaky Heart.” Probably half the crowd was doing the classic line dance.

      She wasn’t great at speaking her mind, but if there ever was a time to get over that, it was now. She forced herself to look right at Arch, the heat rising from her cheek in waves so thick it almost clouded her vision. “I don’t think you should come in.”

      “You sure about that? Because it would make their wedding day truly memorable. Folks around here would be talking about it for a long time to come.”

      Horrified, she almost protested but then saw how his smile tipped down at the corners. “You’re being sarcastic.”

      “I may not have spent a minute of my life in good company, but I know enough not to crash my brother’s wedding.”

      He was saying exactly what she wanted to hear, but it hurt her heart. What must it be like to know you weren’t welcome at your own brother’s reception? Of course, he’d brought it on himself, but there was something in her that could never stand to leave a fellow creature out in the cold. Which was why she had way too many strays on this ranch, she reminded herself. And she’d be a fool to make Arch Hoffman one of them. “Thank you for helping me carry the cake.” She reached for the tray and took its weight carefully. “What will you do?”

      For the first time since he’d shown up like a miracle and caught the cake, he looked uncertain. “I’ll figure something out.”

      She knew the stories. She knew he’d committed crimes and raised hell when he lived around here. But he’d helped her beyond measure today. And now he needed help. “Look, Wade and Lori are leaving for their honeymoon right after the reception. They’ll be gone for a few weeks. If you need to speak with your brother, now’s the time.”

      Arch looked over her head toward the barn door. “I can’t walk in there.”

      “No, you can’t.” She paused, willing her tired brain to think. “Can you wait awhile? Maybe forty-five minutes? Let them cut the cake and have another dance or two. Then I’ll send Wade to talk to you.”

      “You don’t have to do that.” But the relief in his eyes said the opposite.

      “Of course I do,” she assured him. “It’s the right thing.”

      “And you’re someone who does the right thing.”

      His words had all the old guilt and regret knotting in her stomach. Tears pricked. Her mom should be here today, seeing Lori marry. Maybe if Mandy had done the right thing all those years ago, that would be possible.

      “Whoa.” Arch’s hands took hold of the opposite side of the tray, steadying it. “I said the wrong thing. Damn, I’m sorry, I...” He broke off.

      “No, it’s okay.” Damn was right. When would she learn to control the feelings that lived just under her skin?

      “Hey, here’s a thought. You deliver this cake and I’ll go look for that mysterious donkey of yours before it causes any more trouble.”

      The donkey. She’d forgotten about it. Her worries over the cake and this magnetic man had wiped that responsibility from her memory. “I’d so appreciate that. If you find him, he can go in with the goat. There’s a small paddock behind the other barn, further down this lane.”

      “Right.” He squared his shoulders. A task was probably just what he needed right now to get his mind off his troubles. “Hope that goat is ready for a new roommate.”

      “She’ll have to make do. She was dropped off here just last week.”

      His grin softened all the angles of his face. “You must have a reputation for being a softie.”

      Mandy couldn’t help but smile back. “I think you’re right.”

      “Why so many strays?”

      “It’s getting worse with the drought. Ranches are downsizing. People are losing jobs. I never thought I’d be running an animal shelter.” She felt her smile fade. “It breaks my heart. Especially when a dog shows up. They seem so lost and confused when they’re abandoned.”

      “The world could use more people like you. I can see that already.”

      Her skin warmed again. She wasn’t used to being noticed. “Thanks. I’d better head into the barn. See you soon?”

      “As soon as I find that donkey.” Arch walked away with a lanky stride that covered ground with zero effort. The guy was a giant. And in his faded jeans and that T-shirt, he was gravity for the eyes. Handsome didn’t begin to describe him. But he was also Arch Hoffman.

      And he’d just turned back to her. And said something.

      “What?” СКАЧАТЬ