Can't Stop Loving You (6 page)

Running a hand over her already immaculate cloud of white hair, Dottie chuckled. “Don't you worry that handsome head of yours. Everything will work out as it's meant to.”

She opened the door and stepped outside. Behind her, Maggie turned to Brawley and impishly stuck out her tongue.

When his mouth dropped open, she grinned. Who said you always had to behave like an adult?

But when he stood and took a step toward her, she threw the fight without raising a hand. Hurrying out the door, she tugged it shut.

Brawley leaned against the kitchen sink and watched her stroll down the drive in those sexy-as-hell shoes. That bluish-green outfit, with her hair and eyes? Incredible.

As good as Dottie's cookies tasted, it was Maggie, always Maggie, who made him salivate. She affected him on some deep-down level.

The woman exuded sex appeal. She didn't dress in overtly sexy clothes. Didn't tease. But oh, boy. Maggie Sullivan was some kind of beautiful.

And his memories didn't help. Not one bit. He remembered the taste of her. The softness of an eighteen-year-old Maggie wrapped around him. How it felt to bury himself deep inside her.

What would this older, even sexier Maggie feel like?

He slapped a hand on the counter. He'd so screwed up. Young and dumb. Then pride had stepped in and kept him from fixing things. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

He'd never meant for their separation to be permanent. Had assumed—what? That she'd be here waiting? He'd told her not to do that. And for once she'd listened to him. Damn it all to hell.

He'd come home to stay—to make a home—with her. And now she wanted to leave.

Well, he couldn't hang out here mooning over her. Dottie said Sophie and Annie were meeting with Maggie and Rita tonight, which meant Ty and Cash would be free to help him get his project started. Ty would have the kids, but that was okay. Jesse, Jonah, and Josh. The Triple Threat.

His friend had done a hell of a good job with the boys. Had to have been a hard road to hoe, what with Julia dying right after the triplets' birth.

Then, this last year he'd met Sophie. She'd embraced the boys the way the parched earth did rain on a hot summer's day. Living on a Texas ranch still posed a big challenge to the city girl, but he gave her credit. No quitter there. She was gaining ground.

Hopefully, Ty could toss the kids into the van, and they could all meet at the clinic for pizza, then start tearing down walls. The kids should get a real kick out of that. Hell, Cash could even bring Staubach, his ugly, loveable mutt. The more, the merrier.

B
rawley flustered her.

As Maggie drove to her parents' house, Dottie chatted happily about food and flowers. When she asked a question, Maggie blinked. “I'm sorry. What?”

“I asked if you knew Ollie offered to provide sweet tea and coffee for the reception.”

“No, I didn't. But it sounds like him. He's quite a guy.”

Ashamed of herself, Maggie forced her mind back to her grandfather's bride-to-be and swore not to do or say anything to ruin this evening. They'd have fun tonight. That meant pushing the dark, broody veterinarian from her mind.

She tooted the horn when she pulled up to her parents' house.

Her mother, bless her, had a pitcher of sangria chilling in the fridge and poured her a glass the minute she walked in. And sitting at the dining room table? Annie and Sophie. Yes, the night would be fun!

“You beat us,” she said.

Annie nodded. “The men decided to go into town, so I rode to Sophie's with Cash. He hooked a ride from there with her guys in their van.”

“What are they up to?”

“Knocking down walls.”

Maggie frowned.

“At the clinic,” Sophie said. “After tonight I'll probably have to keep anything resembling a hammer out of the boys' reach.”

Maggie laughed. “If anyone can keep them from tearing down the ranch, you can. You ride herd on those triplets like no one I've ever seen…and they love it.”

Sophie smiled. “So do I. I thank God every day Annie ended up in Maverick Junction when she ran away.”

“I didn't run away.”

“Sure you did. For a good reason. Still…” She shrugged.

Her mom held up the pitcher. “Ladies?”

“I'm driving, and I've been up since early this morning, so I think I'll pass,” Annie said. “Maybe a decaf soda?”

“I'm not driving,” Sophie said. “Bring it on.”

Drinks in hand, a tray of appetizers within reach, they settled down to business.

Maggie studied the two cousins, their heads bent over a magazine. So very different. Annie, her long dark hair scraped back in a ponytail, wore faded denims and an incredible blue T-shirt that set off those ice-blue eyes. Sophie resembled a fairy straight out of a little girl's storybook, her pale-blond hair a little longer than when she'd come to Maverick Junction, her brown eyes huge.

Both had overflowing idea folders from their weddings. They dug into them, chatting a mile a minute, and pictures and clippings soon littered the table.

Dottie insisted the day be kept easy and informal.

“You don't want to be rushing around on your special day,” Annie said. “Delegate as much as possible. Just because it's at your home doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself. And because it
is
at your house, you'll be tempted to try.”

She reached across the table. “As part of our wedding gift, Cash and I are hiring a cleaning lady.”

When Dottie opened her mouth to object, Annie shook her head. “Not negotiable.”

“No use arguing with her.” Sophie scooped up a tortilla chip and popped it in her mouth. “I've known her all my life. Believe me, when she gets an idea, there's no stopping her.”

“That's right,” Annie agreed. “So save your breath.”

“What are your thoughts about flowers?” Rita asked.

Maggie watched as sweet, always cheerful Dottie crumpled. Her bottom lip trembled, and tears spilled from her eyes. She quickly swiped them away with the back of her hand.

“Dottie?” Maggie rose and started around the table, but Dottie waved her away.

“Sit down.” She sniffed. “I'm fine.”

“But you're crying.” Sophie sounded horrified.

“I know. Old fool that I am.” A little hiccup escaped. “It's just that—oh, I'm getting married.” Fresh tears ran unimpeded down her cheeks. “I never expected this. Never even considered it. Harry and I were happy. I spent my life with him, bore his children. Now Fletcher and I—”

She made a fluttering motion with her hand.

“It's not too late to call it off if you're not sure,” Annie said.

“Not sure?” Dottie sniffed again. A watery smile lit up her face. “I've never been so sure of anything in my life. I love Fletch.” She shook her head. “I never thought to say that again.”

Her gaze moved around the table. “And what's truly amazing is he loves me back.”

The women stood and moved in for a group hug.

After whispers, hand pats, and exchanged kisses, Dottie cleared her throat. “Okay, girls, I think I've got myself under control. I'm sorry.”

“Sorry?” Rita grinned ear to ear. “Honey, you've made my year. I love my man more than the day I married him. You and Fletch are further proof that love isn't only for the young. We're never too old to tumble head-over-heels.”

“No, we're not.”

Maggie, halfway back in her chair, felt four pairs of eyes on her. “What?”

“It seems to me…” Rita's gaze drifted around the table. “My daughter is the only non-bride here.”

“Brawley seems interested,” Sophie said.

Maggie snorted.

Annie shook her head. “Whatever happened between the two of you took place a long time ago. It's possible he's changed.”

“Oh, yeah,” Maggie said. “The leopard lost his spots. Annie, Sophie, you're both romantics. Newlyweds. It's not going to happen. Ever. Besides, in case you've forgotten, I'm leaving in a week and a half.”

A traitorous sliver of her brain cried out that her timing stunk. She tried to squash it, but the idea dug in its heels. Would she and Brawley have a chance if she stayed?

No. Absolutely not. She'd end up another notch on his bedpost. But wait. She was already there, wasn't she? Shoot! A big mistake. One she would not repeat.

Dottie interrupted her thoughts. “To get back to the flowers. Maybe we could simply do some bouquets from the garden.”

Maggie wagged her finger. “Uh-uh. Leave the blooms there. You want the backyard to look beautiful. Full. We'll call Bitsy at Heaven Scent and hire her to do your flowers.”

When Dottie hesitated, Sophie whispered, “You're getting married. Everything should be perfect—without running yourself ragged.”

“All right. But I want lily of the valley in my bouquet. They represent happiness.”

Sighs escaped around the table.

“You need a photographer,” Maggie said.

“Taken care of.” Dottie's eyes glinted.

“Excellent.”

“Brawley's doing the pictures.”

“Brawley?” Her jaw dropped.

“The man's a genius behind the lens.”

“Brawley?”

“You're sounding a bit like a broken record,” Sophie said.

“I know, but Brawley?”

“Have you seen his work?” Dottie asked.

Mutely, she shook her head.

“You need to. After his things come from Dallas, you need to stop by. Check out some of his photography.”

A little off-center, Maggie listened as the discussion drifted to food and seating and candles. As they ate homemade taco salads, Dottie informed them she and Fletch had already made arrangements with Father Tom.

Maggie helped her mom with the flan and coffee. She took a bite of her sweet treat, then said, “One last thing.”

Reaching into her luggage-size purse, she withdrew the sketches she'd done earlier.

Tears pooled in Dottie's eyes for the second time that night. “Oh.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “These are magnificent, honey.”

“Decide which you like best, and that will be your wedding dress. Unless you already have something.”

“No, I don't. I thought I'd make a quick trip to Austin, but—”

“No buts. I'm counting on Pops never getting married again. The least I can do is deck out his bride in a Maggie original.”

She grinned and watched as the others bent over the drawings, pointing out details.

Her mom shot her a pleased glance. “These are delightful, Maggie. What a great idea.” To Dottie, she said, “I don't think you can go wrong with either. They'll both suit you.”

“They're spot-on,” Dottie agreed. “And pink.”

Maggie shrugged. “I can make them any color.”

“No, you can't. Not for my wedding. It's pink or nothing.”

She grinned. “That's what I figured.”

“A little more coverage than you girls needed.” Dottie shot a quick glance at Annie and Sophie. “But they're not at all matronly.” She shook her head. “Definitely not matronly.”

“You should do a line of these,” Annie said. “There has to be a huge market for dresses for the more mature bride.”

“I agree.” Sophie trailed a finger over the first pencil drawing. “These are brilliant.”

“Do you have time to do this?” the bride-to-be asked.

“You bet I do. I can work fast when I have to. Right, Annie?” Maggie looked at her friend. She'd made a red carpet–worthy dress for her in less time than she had now. And that dress had started this whole fantastic New York ride. Had earned her national attention.

“Remember the one I wore in Dallas, Dottie, when you attended the fund-raiser with Cash and me?”

“How could I ever forget it…or that night? Pure magic.”

“And now you're getting married.” Annie wrapped the woman in a hug.

“I am. And I want to do it in this dress.” She pointed to Maggie's first choice. “I feel like I've fallen into a fairy tale.”

In the sketch, the soft pink silk flowed to the floor. The skirt had a sheer overlay. Silvery beads traced over the delicate jacket. Its asymmetrical hem would trim a few pounds off Dottie's ample figure.

“It's perfect, Maggie. Absolutely perfect.” Dottie clasped her hands over her heart.

“When Fletch gets a sight of you in this, he's going to wonder what he did to deserve you.”

“Oh, go on.” Dottie batted at Sophie, then turned back to Maggie. “How can I ever thank you?”

“You already have. You've given Pops a new lease on life. Made him feel whole again.”

“Isn't it wonderful?” Her mom breathed the question.

Dottie wrung her hands. “I was so afraid you'd all be upset about this.”

“Upset?” Maggie frowned. “Why would we be upset?”

“I don't know.” Dottie toyed with the edge of the tablecloth. “I worried you'd think I was trying to take your grandma's place. I'd never do that.”

“We know,” Maggie soothed. “How do Wes and Lacey feel about it?”

“They're ecstatic.”

“So are we.” Maggie took Dottie's hand. “This is the beginning of a new chapter, but it doesn't erase the ones that went before.”

“No, it doesn't.”

“Okay,” Annie said. “We'll all be crying like babies if we don't cut this out.”

“You're right. Let's talk jewelry,” Maggie said. “Diamonds to be exact. Is Pops buying you one?”

The rich, pungent smell of pizza mingled with the scent of disinfectant, and the high, shrill laughter of the young bounced off the clinic's walls. Staubach, Cash's homely mutt, roamed from one boy to the next, hoping for a bite of pizza, a slice of pepperoni. Ty had left Trouble, their pup, at home, figuring he'd be underfoot the whole night.

Brawley took a long drink of lukewarm soda. He'd been right to do this tonight. They had no overnighters scheduled, and he'd arranged for alternate boarding in the event of any emergencies. It sure beat the heck out of anything else he could think of to take his mind off Maggie.

He'd already hung plastic over the door openings between the back office area and the front reception and examination rooms. Hopefully, they'd be able to keep the clinic open for emergencies.

And speaking of emergencies. His apartment more than qualified. Doc Gibson had promised to work the clinic tomorrow so Brawley could have the day to pull his place together. Make it his own.

Right now, everything in his life was in upheaval, and he felt more than a little out of kilter because of it. He needed someplace he could relax. That felt like home. A small piece of sanity. His mom had promised to help him with it tomorrow. Go, Mom!

“Where will you board any animals that need to be put up for the next few days?” Ty snagged a piece of pepperoni off the last pizza slice.

“At my cousin Dawn's. She does kenneling along with her dog-grooming business. It would be impossible to make the kind of mess we're going to with animals here.”

Cash wiped his hands on a napkin, looked at Ty and the boys. “You guys ready?” He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “Nothing better than all-out destruction.”

“Yeah,” three voices chorused.

Ty pulled a face. “Hope we're not creating monsters.”

Brawley reached into a bag and passed safety glasses to Cash and Ty, then grabbed a smaller bag off the front counter.

He knelt. “Okay, guys, come over here. Safety first on any job site.”

Jesse, Josh, and Jonah crowded around him and nodded solemnly.

A quick stop at Sadler's Store had netted no eyewear small enough to fit the tykes. So, after some head-scratching, Brawley had headed into the sports section and found exactly what he needed. Swim goggles. Then he'd spent five minutes digging through the bin to find three exactly the same to avert any fights over who got which one.

“Here you go. Put these on and leave them on whenever we're working. Sophie'd never forgive me if one of you put out your eye.”

“Our eye?” Josh raised a hand to his. “That would hurt.”

“Yes, it would. But keep these on, and you'll be safe.”

“'Kay.” Jonah turned to his brother. “We won't get hurt, Josh.” He pulled his goggles over his head.

The other two did the same, looked at each other, and giggled hysterically. Then they all tore off to check themselves out in the bathroom mirror.