“Where are you from?”
Katie smiled at the girl. “I’m from Missoula.”
“I’d love to live in the city. All the lights and noise and people. What do you do?”
People always wanted what they didn’t have. Katie glanced around the crowd, not really looking for a way out, just looking. “I’m an assistant manager of a clothing store.”
“Oh.” Lilibeth looked down at her spiky-heeled, bright red pumps. “I’ve always wanted to do something in fashion. I’d like to be a model. But I can’t even win a beauty pageant in Jasper Gulch, so figure the odds.”
“Maybe someday,” Katie offered with what she hoped was an encouraging tone. “You know, modeling and beauty pageants aren’t really the same.”
Lilibeth shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. I don’t know. I’d probably leave tomorrow if I could. People always think I’m up to something.”
Katie only nodded because the conversation seemed too personal for strangers. She sympathized, though, because she knew how it felt to be the younger sister, always in trouble. Words of wisdom evaded her. What did she tell a young woman that even a newcomer like herself had heard whispers about? Small talk at the party had included a discussion of the time capsule that seemed to be missing.
And then Gwen was heading her way, waving and smiling. Katie shot a look past her sister to Jeffrey and the man at his side. She got a tangled feeling in the pit of her stomach. What had made her think this trip with Gwen would be a good idea? Had she really thought it would be easy, to come here and watch her sister get married, to be the bridesmaid again?
At least this time she didn’t have feelings, other than the brotherly kind, for the groom.
* * *
Cord Shaw listened to the doctor, groom to one of their brides, tell him about his practice in Missoula. As he listened to Dr. Jeff, Cord’s attention wandered through the crowd. He was looking for Helen Avery, the wedding coordinator. She should have been here by now, seeing to the needs of their couples, tying up loose ends, making sure everyone had what they needed to go forward with the wedding. Instead, she was missing in action. Again. It wasn’t the first time she’d been late or a no-show.
And that left this mess of a wedding on his shoulders. He was the last guy who wanted to plan weddings. He loved his parents and would do anything for his dad, but maybe this had gone too far.
Finally.
He caught sight of his little sister Julie and her fiancé, Ryan Travers. His sister’s auburn curls framed her face. And even though this event was supposedly evening dress, or the Jasper Gulch version of evening attire, Julie wore a long sweater made with her wool, leggings, boots and a scarf around her neck. He shook his head and refocused on Dr. Jeff, who was still talking about his practice.
“Oh, Gwen wants you to meet her sister.” Dr. Jeff took a break to indicate his fiancée and the woman she was dragging toward them.
The woman didn’t look at all like Gwen Archer. The sister was tall, with brilliant red hair held in a clasp at the back of her head. A few stray curls had come loose and framed her face. A porcelain-doll face was his first thought. One of his sisters had collected those dolls and she’d had one with a perky nose, high cheekbones and creamy skin. But then he realized the sister of Gwen Archer had somewhat more defined features than those dolls. She was the exact opposite of her dark-haired, petite sister. Rose Red and Snow White came to mind as he looked at the Archers.
The bride’s sister wore a black dress with a flimsy black sweater that shouldn’t even have been called a sweater in his opinion. She said something to her sister and then she looked up, smiling at him, her green eyes flashing a warning. She had No Trespassing written all over her face. This was not a woman wanting to be fixed up, introduced or paired off.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
“Cord Shaw, this is my sister, Katie Archer.” Gwen held her sister’s arm and he noticed the firm set of the younger woman’s back. With her green eyes she could have been a cat about to scratch someone.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Archer.” He held out a hand, forcing her to make the next move even if she didn’t want to. She hesitated and he felt a little bit guilty for forcing her hand, so to speak.
After the moment of hesitation, she reached and he took her hand in his. His attention focused on the jangle of silver bracelets around her wrist. When he looked up, she was watching him, her smile soft but genuine.
“Mr. Shaw, I believe we were already introduced.”
Had they been? He tried to remember but couldn’t. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” But the look in her eyes bothered him. Something about that look said she expected to be forgotten. And Cord couldn’t imagine anyone forgetting this woman. Even a confirmed bachelor like himself wasn’t immune to a beautiful woman. He just knew to avoid them for all he was worth.
Gwen Archer had an arm around her sister’s waist, but her dark eyes were on him. It would have been a good time to walk away, but curiosity kept him standing in front of them.
“I’m afraid Jeff and I are going to have to leave tonight. We were planning to stay at the ranch until Monday or Tuesday, but Jeffrey got a call and they need him in Missoula. I have to ride back with him so I can be at work Wednesday. I’m a resident at the same hospital. Your parents would have given Katie a ride, but their truck is full. Your dad said to see if you could give her a ride.”
Yes, that was the moment he should have seen coming. With all this romance in the air, people were going to get crazy and start expecting everyone to want to join in the fun. His dad had already been on the matchmaking crusade with his sisters. Cord managed an easy smile and opened his mouth to object.
“I can go home with you, Gwen. I don’t think I need to be here. I’m just the bridesmaid.” Katie shot him an apologetic look and he realized they were definitely kindred spirits.
Gwen’s eyes narrowed. She looked at Dr. Jeff, then at Cord and finally back to her sister. “You have to stay. They’re going to start planning the wedding procession, picking flowers and even cakes. If I can’t get back here in time, I’ll need you here to stand in for me. You, more than anyone, will know what I want. You probably know better than me.”
Katie blushed and her green eyes glistened. Cord was taken by surprise. She had the appearance of a woman who could handle almost any situation. Maybe it was the determined look in her eyes or the way she carried herself. He used to watch John Wayne movies with his dad. Katie reminded him of the actress Maureen O’Hara, the redheaded heroine who was often in those movies. Maureen O’Hara had never backed down, or at least he didn’t remember her backing down.
“Gwen, this is your wedding.”
“And you’re my sister. I have my residency and I know this is bad timing...”
“But I can’t stay here without you and expect everyone to haul me around.”
“I need you here,” Gwen continued. Next to her, Dr. Jeff looked at his watch. Cord glanced from the doctor to Katie and saw a woman who was probably used to caving in when it came to her sister.
“I’d be honored to give you a lift over to the ranch, Miss Archer.” He nearly groaned as the words slipped out. Thinking she looked like the redheaded Irish actress Maureen O’Hara didn’t mean he had to start talking and acting like John Wayne.
He was thirty-four and the last thing he needed was to get caught in this family drama. He especially didn’t like the look on Julie’s face as she headed his way. Now that she’d fallen in love, she seemed to want everyone to have a happy ending. Cord’s happy ending included him sitting by his lake with a fishing pole, his best dog and a thermos of coffee. Like their dad, Julie would have to realize that everyone was fair game in the matchmaking business but him.
“Really,