The Texan's Wedding Escape by Charlene Sands

Author:Charlene Sands [Sands, Charlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-01-18T13:09:14+00:00

Six

The dark moonless night made the drive from Dallas with Cooper intense. A grating silence sliced the air. Cooper drove down the highway, his foot heavy on the pedal, the wheels of his SUV quickly eating up the asphalt.

Lauren’s phone rang, the sudden sound nearly making her jump out of her seat. A photo of her mama’s smiling face stared at her from the screen. She assembled her wayward thoughts and answered her cell. “Mama? Is everything all right?”

“No, dear. I’m sorry to say Sadie had another stroke. It’s a mild one, but the doctors are concerned and I can’t leave her side. She’s going in and out, and it puts her mind at ease when she wakes up and sees me here. I wanted you to know I won’t be coming back to the ranch tonight. Maybe not for a few more nights.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. But I’m worried about you. Where are you sleeping?”

“I’ve been showering and catching naps at Sadie’s house. And I know my way around this hospital, honey. Everyone’s been very accommodating. Don’t forget, I’ve worked here for years.”

“I know. But, Mama, I’m not far from Dallas right now, I can come. Give you some relief.”

“No. Don’t do that, honey. I’ll be fine. You have enough going on. And, honestly, I’m just sitting here with her.” Then almost as an afterthought, she asked, “What do you mean you’re not far from Dallas?”

“I went to see a band play tonight. We might use them for our wedding. Katy recommended them and they’re just outside the city limits.”

“It’s late, honey. Is Roger with you?”

“No, Mama. He’s not with me.”

“Then Katy?”

“No, she’s sick. Poor thing caught a flu bug. I’m with...Cooper.”

“Oh, good.” The relief in her mama’s voice grated on Lauren’s nerves. Blind faith, that’s what it was. In Cooper’s ability to keep her safe. The moon and the stars were lining up in his favor and she fought the notion, waging a war inside her head.

“Maybe I should move into Roger’s apartment in town,” she said. “To be closer to you.”

Cooper’s head jerked in her direction and she turned away from his intense stare. “I mean, he’s out of town for several more days and I’m sure... I don’t think he’d mind.”

“Don’t you dare leave Stone Ridge. Not on my account.” Her mother’s voice had a stern tone she didn’t often hear. “You have appointments at the ranch. I know you’ve got tables to rent and caterers coming to give you quotes and florists coming out to see the lake.”

“Yeah, that’s all true, Mama.” She thought about it a few moments. It would be inconvenient to move into town, even temporarily. She’d told Roger, since their engagement was short, she wanted to spend the remainder of that time with her mother. And he’d seemed perfectly fine with that. “Okay, I guess you’re right. It’s just... I feel bad for Sadie and for you.”

“I’ll be fine. You just concentrate on what you have to do.

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