Wendy could hear the sound of the party in the background. There weren’t any real reasons for her not to want to participate. Serenity had become a very good friend over the last year or so. They worked well together and she was one of the only people Wendy would step in front of a bullet for.
To say she’d been surprised when Serenity asked her to join the wedding party last minute was an understatement. There was so much to be done. Dress fittings. Activities. This wedding wasn’t the typical sort. This one was like a giant party that would end up spanning an entire week beginning in one week’s time. Today was just a getting to know you event to break the ice.
Wendy slipped out the back door and locked it behind her, the cellphone still at her ear. “I’m happy to be part of your weird wedding celebration,” she teased. “It’s going to be fun.”
“Are you sure? You’re not exactly the social type.”
Not with strangers, no. Back home? That was another story.
“I’ll manage. It’s fine, truly.”
“Okay, so I’ll see you in a couple of minutes?”
Wendy winced. “Maybe closer to ten?”
“Wendy!” Serenity gasped with a laugh. “I knew you were still at the shop. The party is already starting and we’re making introductions.”
“Buy me some time,” Wendy laughed. “I’m getting in the car now. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” They both hung up and Wendy climbed into her beat-up Ford. It was rusty in spots. And it was probably bigger than most would expect someone like her to drive. But it was perfect for making deliveries and it was bought and paid for.
Nine minutes later, she pulled onto Sagebrush property. She’d never been out this way, but she’d heard of the family who ran it. They seemed like good people. And the fact that they took care of Serenity when she’d really needed it made her like them all the more.
The property was massive. There were several houses, barns, and other structures. Fields for crops and livestock spread for as far as the eye could see. If she had to guess, she’d say the Reese family owned a good chunk of the farming land she drove past on a daily basis.
Wendy tugged at her pink sundress, smoothing it. Her family had been well off enough to be comfortable, but nothing like this. If she were honest with herself, it was intimidating. The truck door creaked when she gave it a push to shut it.
There were signs indicating where the party was being held and it was over at the largest house on the premises. Muffled music filtered her way and the distinct sound of chatter did as well. Several cars and trucks lined the drive. How many people did Serenity and her fiancé know? Sheesh, this was a lot.
She clenched and flexed her hands then shook them out. Serenity had been right. Wendy didn’t like big groups. She didn’t like socializing when it was with people she didn’t know. There was a reason people like her took time to warm up to others.
It was different at the shop. When people came and went, she could stay behind the counter. She could put on a mask of cordiality while she helped people with their purchases. But when thrown into situations like this one?
Everything was fine. Wendy had made it through before, and she’d do it again. She just needed to find her focus. Maybe she would track down Hallie. With one familiar face at her side, she’d be just fine.
Wendy blew out a breath, nodded to herself, then entered the fray.
This wasn’t as bad as she’d originally thought. A lot of the faces were familiar. And apparently they were mostly family.
“This is Bo and his wife Gabrielle,” Serenity introduced. “He’s Reese’s cousin. And he’s head of most of the operations around here.”
Bo was tall. Handsome, too. His eyes crinkled when he smiled, indicating he found plenty to be joyful about. Wendy liked that. Gabrielle was striking in a simple maxi dress and with her hand linked to her husband, it was clear they were still very much in love.
Serenity introduced Wendy to Bo’s siblings—there were four of them. Three brothers and a sister. Then they moved onto the other cousins.
Wendy had already met Leo, Reese’s brother. Then there were three men—Caleb, Mack, and Noah—and their wives.
“Brent, where’s your brother?” Serenity asked.
A brawny young man turned from an older woman—his mother? He glanced from Serenity to Wendy and back. “I think he went inside to refill the lemonade.”
Serenity’s hand squeezed Wendy’s forearm. “His brother is going to be your counterpart in the wedding. He’s nice. Charming, too. I’m sure you’ll like him.” There was a hesitancy in her voice that caught Wendy’s attention.
But before she could ask what that was about, the door to the house burst open and a man backed out of it. That must have been Brent’s brother. He looked tall. Maybe as tall as Bo. His hair was trimmed nicely—good, he wasn’t one of those guys who didn’t care to keep up their appearance. He wore a suit with a vest which was a bit more formal than most of the others who wore dress shirts with jeans. The guy liked to impress. Interesting. Maybe being stuck with him wouldn’t be so bad. Serenity had said she needed to put herself out there more—find love instead of just reading about it in her favorite romance books. This could be that chance.
Wendy glanced to Serenity just as her friend hurried forward to help the guy. His arms were full and she took one of the jugs he held.
Then he turned and the air was knocked straight out of her lungs. Her eyes widened for the briefest of moments as recognition flooded every sense in her body. Muscles went tight. Breathing sharpened. She felt dizzy and sick to her stomach all at once. Even the music seemed to shift into an annoying buzzing sound.
Serenity said something to him and gestured in her direction. That was the only warning she got before Tripp found her.
