It Happened One Wedding Night by Karen Rose Smith

Author:Karen Rose Smith [Smith, Karen Rose]
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Fiction - Romance, General, American Light Romantic Fiction, Romance: Modern, Contemporary, Romance - Contemporary, Romance - General, Adult
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-10-15T20:09:41.859000+00:00

That night at supper, Daisy glanced at Ryder often as he sat across the table from her. Collin had left to go back to Garrett’s ranch in Elk Springs, and with one less at the table, she was even more aware of Ryder. She passed mashed potatoes and beef and joined in the conversation whenever it rolled around to her. Daisy felt that Ryder was just as aware of her as she was of him.

Midway through dinner Leanne said, “There’s a Valentine’s Day party at the Hip Hop tomorrow night. Is everybody going?”

Garrett shook his head. “I’ll probably stay here and work on the books, but you young folk go and have a good time.”

With a forced sigh, Cade said, “Would you believe my wife expects me to dance with her? It could be a long night.”

Leanne jabbed him in the ribs. “Keep it up, and I might leave you at home.”

Everybody grinned as Cade mumbled, “Over my dead body.”

When the phone rang, Leanne hopped up and reached for the extension on the buffet. “Ryder, it’s for you,” she said, holding it out to him. “A woman.” Her tone was slightly disapproving.

Standing, he went to the buffet and took the receiver from Leanne.

Daisy kept on eating, pretending she wasn’t interested. But she listened to every word.

“Ryder, here,” he said into the receiver. He listened, then responded. “Sure, I remember you, Sue. How could I forget? My dad gave you this number?”

His voice had a laugh and a familiarity in it that Daisy didn’t like.

“No, I won’t be back in San Antonio for another few weeks at least.” His gaze met Daisy’s. “Ah…sure. Maybe we can get together when I come back. I’d be glad to show you around the ranch. Okay. A few weeks, then. I’ll call when I get back.”

Sue was obviously a woman he’d met in San Antonio. And, obviously, a woman he wanted to see again. Daisy felt irrationally hurt. She blamed it on hormones as much as on the cowboy with the sexy smile. It took everything in her for her to try to finish the food on her plate. Each bite tasted like sawdust and she could hardly get it down.

Avoiding Ryder’s gaze, she kept silent until Leanne said, “I’ll get the dessert and coffee.”

No way could she sit there any longer and pretend as if she wanted to socialize or had an appetite. Rising from her chair, she said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to turn in early.”

Her sister gave her a concerned look. “Are you okay?”

“Fine. I didn’t rest this afternoon, and I guess it just caught up. Good night, everyone. I’ll see you in the morning.”

After a round of good-nights, Ryder’s not among them, she left the dining room and went through the living room to the staircase.

But Ryder was beside her before she took the first step. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“About that phone call—” he started.

“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Ryder. As we discussed earlier today, our life-styles are very different.

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