“Eh,” Daddy says, rising and slapping Stanford on the back, rightfully defusing the situation when we’re so close to the finish line. “It was a groom’s dinner and not a bachelor party. The difference isn’t just strippers.”
Stanford rolls his eyes. “Listen, about tomorrow, I know Jan wants me to ride up, but I’d like you to bring the horses to us right after we say our vows, William.”
I frown. That would mean Daddy would miss the wedding. Not a hardship for him, but inconsiderate all the way around.
Stanford tugs at the collar of his gray dress shirt. “I’m not smelling like a horse when I say my vows. There has to be some sophistication at some point.” Without waiting for Daddy to answer, he starts for the path. “I’m going to check on my bride and turn in.”
“Good idea. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.” Daddy waits for Stanford to step off the pavilion platform. “And the first day of the rest of your life,” he calls.
There’s a stutter in Stanford’s step, and Daddy’s laugh is silent, but his chest is shaking. “If that gives him a hitch in his giddyap, then there’s trouble in paradise.” He circles a finger at Durban. “Pour me the strongest thing you’ve got, Hennessy. I know there’s something hiding back there.” Daddy blows out a breath. “Pour three of ’em. We deserve it.”
He hobbles off to talk to the few staff members loading carts and cleaning out any remaining dishes and garbage. The chairs will remain out, and the tables will get wiped and hauled out tomorrow when it’s daylight.
When the last of the staff clatters their carts across the yard, Daddy takes a seat. I sit across from him, and Durban puts a glass with a finger of what I guess is whiskey in front of each of us. He settles down next to me. The night is warm, but I soak up his heat.
Daddy takes a big drink, downing half of what’s in his glass. “Good stuff,” he says on a sigh. He holds up his drink and rotates it, letting the amber liquid catch the light. “I had no idea you boys could do more than cowboy.”
“Daddy!” How can parents say something so instantly mortifying?
I’m not touching Durban, but I can guess how tense he just got.
Dad shrugs. “They were good cowboys. Damn good.” He lifts his glass like he wants us to clink ours against it.
“I’m not toasting that,” I say tightly.
“It’s all right.” Durban raises his glass and gives me an encouraging smile. “How ’bout we toast to being underestimated. I’m guilty of it too,” he says softly.
I warm inside. He means me. I clink my plastic cup to theirs. “That makes all of us.”
I grin at him, and his eyes twinkle. I want to say more, but Daddy’s watching us. Smiling at my dad, I take a drink. Maybe soon I’ll have something to tell him.
Daddy polishes off his whiskey and slams the cup to the table. He heaves out a weary sigh. “This wedding, kiddo...” Rubbing his hand over his mustache, he shakes his head. “We should just cancel it. Bow out and tell my brother to take it somewhere else.”
Hope surges inside me and crashes just as quickly. He would do it. I wouldn’t even have to beg. So I need to bestrong enough to see this through, all the way around. The ceremony. Keeping my fling with Durban a secret. Maintaining my professionalism. “There’s too much on the line. I can do this.”
“You shouldn’t have to,” he grumbles.
I lift a shoulder. It’s been a long evening of watching my ex boast about himself and listening to him trash many of the things I love. Strain has sunk into my muscles like I soaked in it. “One more day. Maybe I should plan a spa day for Sunday.”
“For the whole week,” Daddy says.
“And the next weekend.” The corners of Durban’s eyes crinkle with his sort of smile. He flicks his gaze toward Daddy and back to me. “Go somewhere by yourself. No exes allowed.”
By myself. Ouch. He was saying that for my dad’s benefit, right? Does Durban want this thing between us to be nothing but a fling? Something to bridge the gap until he finds another uber-smart woman who gets his science jokes.
“Tomorrow is gonna be a tough one.” Daddy scoots his chair back. Fatigue lines his eyes, and even his mustache is drooping. “Honestly, I expected this to be worse. January could’ve been more of a bridezilla, and the silver spoons could’ve been even bigger pricks.”
“They’re still pricks.” Durban glowers at his cup.
“Yeah.” Daddy stands and stretches. “But after tomorrow, my brother can be a prick without his name anywhere on this property. Thanks to Campbell.” I flash Daddy a wan smile. He cocks his head toward the screen. “Let’s head out. The staff is going to flip this in the morning.”
“Go on, Daddy. I need to review tomorrow withDurban in case it’s too chaotic to touch base before the reception starts.”
He pauses, looking at me and then outside. The lights around the lodge illuminate much of the yard, but the pavilion is an oasis with a gravel path lined with temporary solar lights.
“I’ll make sure she gets to her car okay,” Durban says. The man made me a promise and he’s going to keep it. For me.
I’m falling so hard for him. It’s more than how he makes me feel physically. He takes care of me. We might be trying to hide our fling, but he’s still watching out for me.
