Penny gave her a look. “Oh, come on. The two of you have been staring at each other like the rest of us don’t exist.” Her eyes dropped to River’s hand. “And four months ago, my mother gave Mathew her ring.”
River gasped and looked down instinctively.
“I knew it!” Penny practically squealed, grasping at River’s hand.
“Shh!” River hissed, catching Penny’s hand right back. “Today is not about me. It’s Jason and Isabelle’s day.”
Penny smiled, warm and knowing. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe.” Her gaze softened. “I’m just glad he finally got out of his own way. He’s really happy.”
“Yeah,” River said, her eyes drifting over the crowd. “Me too.”
Penny pulled her into a hug. “Congratulations,” she whispered before pulling back.
That was when River saw it. There was something in Penny’s eyes that seemed almost sad. “Is something wrong?”
Penny shook her head too quickly. “No. Of course not. I’m fine.” She let out a small, shaky laugh. “It’s just… today’s been a lot.”
River took a small step closer. “A lot how?”
Something like worry flashed through Penny’s eyes, but it vanished almost as soon as it appeared. “It’s nothing. Really.”
Her attention shifted over River’s shoulder, and River turned to see what had caught it.
A man she hadn’t seen before stood near the edge of the crowd.
Tall. Dark hair. Suit fitted to his body like it had been made for him. Handsome enough to make a woman look twice—and apparently Pennyhadlooked more than once.
“Penny…”
Penny squeezed River’s hand. “We should get coffee soon. And I wantallthe details.” Her smile looked distracted now, stretched too thin.
Before River could stop her, Penny was already walking toward him.
His eyes locked on her, and then he gave the smallest shake of his head.
Penny’s steps faltered and she turned a different direction.
River watched as the man watched Penny go. He didn’t move at first. He just stood there, jaw tight, like he hated letting her walk away.
A warm hand settled at River’s waist, and she leaned back into Mathew. Then he went still.
“What is he doing here?” Mathew muttered, more to himself than to her.
“Who?” River asked, turning her eyes up to her fiancé.
Mathew tipped his chin toward the man. “Royce Meyers. I can tell you right now, he wasn’t invited.”
River looked back at the stranger. “Maybe he’s someone’s plus-one?”
Mathew shook his head, his arm tightening around her. “Maybe. But a Meyers would know better than to show up at a wedding where my family is concerned.”
She snorted softly, then saw the look on his face. “You’re serious?”
Rose had never mentioned this.
Mathew let out a breath. “So, there was this feud that started between my uncle’s family and the Meyers family. It’s decades old, and I’m not sure of all the details. But I do know one thing. My uncle hates that family with a passion, and they hate my cousins.”
River looked from him to Royce again. “But this is Isabelle’s family’s ranch, isn’t it?”
