At Lucy’s exclamation, Sierra turned. Her heart caught in her throat when she saw Ty, his black western saddle on for the occasion. Because her hands shook with the urge to go to him, to soothe him, she clasped them together. And when Ty saw her and let out a high-pitched whinny, all she could do was turn her back on him and hurriedly say, ‘I’ll let my team take over from here,’ before she walked off in the opposite direction.
Although Ty was well trained, Benji held a training flag in one hand. The small blue triangle, fixed to the end of a three-foot stick was what he used when liberty training Ty. The horse was large, athletic, and smart but he tended to get distracted – especially when given the option to snack or roll. The quick movements the flag made were essential for redirecting the horse’s attention, and Benji wielded it with enough skill to easily maintain control of the twelve-hundred-pound animal.
As the instrumentals for ‘All of Me’ by John Legend began to play and the guests rose to their feet to watch the bride, Benji stood out of the way of the cameraman and videographer.
The bride held the reins in a death grip, and because her face was taut with fear and concentration, Benji caught her eye, mimed taking a deep breath. It wouldn’t help if she looked constipated in her wedding photos, especially because she would probably find a way to blame the poor photographer. Or Sierra. And that just wouldn’t do.
Charlotte Sinclaire nodded shakily and inhaled deeply. She urged Ty forward just as Benji had shown her, and when the horse started walking, Benji flickered the flag, grabbing Ty’s attention.
Benji slowly extended his arm in the direction of the groom, and when Ty turned his shoulders and faced the aisle, Benji gave an almost silent click. He started moving, keeping on the outside of the guests’ chairs and away from the aisle.
For one long moment, Ty didn’t move. He knew the cue, but he was confused by the new distance between them. As guests oohed and ahhed, Benji hurried to the front by the altar. He waved the flag again, bringing Ty’s attention back to him and not the guests. Though he didn’t look behind him, Benji knew that Sierra was nearby. He couldfeelher.
And when Ty faltered, when he gave an anxious snort and stopped walking, confused and scared by all the people standing, crowding around him, it was Sierra who stepped to Benji’s side.
Benji tapped the flag on the ground once to get Ty’s attention, but it was only when the horse saw Sierra up ahead that he started moving forward, excitedly now.
Benji cast a glance down at Sierra. Her face was pale. Her eyes, two huge pools of emotion, were fixed on Ty, and in them he saw everything. That huge black grief, fear, longing. Anger. Helpless to stop himself, he took her cold hand in his, linked his fingers loosely with hers.
For the first time in over a year, she didn’t pull away. And just that touch was like coming home. It was the reminder he needed, the reason he kept coming back.
While everyone watched the bride, he watched Sierra.
And when Ty reached the end of the altar and stopped, and she pulled away, Benji didn’t feel dejected. He felt revitalized, as if that one touch had reminded him why he’d waited, why he’d kept coming back.
After the ceremony, Benji patiently worked with Ty and the wedding party as their pictures were taken. He helped Charlotte up into the saddle and got her down numerous times, positioned Ty in the way – irrespective of how unreasonable – the city photographer wanted, and generally made himself indispensable because it’s what a man who worked in the hospitality industry did even if he hated it.
About halfway through the photoshoot, the bride’s sister, who’d introduced herself as Lucy, came and stood next to him as he held Ty. Though he was nothing but polite, Benji could admit that she was stunning, with short black hair, bright blue eyes, and skin as pale as alabaster. When she smiled, it lit up her entire face, making her look like a mischievous pixie. ‘Thanks for being such a good sport. My sister is a little … particular.’
Benji smiled. ‘No problem. It’s my job.’
Lucy turned to watch as the photographer worked on Charlotte’s dress, arranging it into an elegant fan around her and her new husband’s legs. ‘Do you get any time off?’ Though her voice had been steady, there was a little catch of nerves too. ‘We’re here tonight and tomorrow night …’
Benji was so shocked by the come-on, so unprepared, that he just replied, ‘Ah …’
Lucy gave a quick, vibrant laugh. ‘I’ll take that as a no.’
She took a little step away, but because Benji could see that it had cost her immense courage to ask the question, he reached out and caught her hand gently in his. It was soft and small, and even as he knew it felt wrong, there was a lonely, unloved part of him that knew he could find temporary relief in her.
One hour.
One night.
But that wouldn’t have been fair to her or to him. Or to Sierra. So, he explained, ‘I’m extremely flattered. Any man would be,’ he said gently. ‘But I’m waiting for someone.’
Her eyes softened with understanding. She shook her head. ‘Me too, actually.’ She chuckled, but the sound was self-mocking. ‘I have been for a while. It’s just … Sometimes it’s so lonely, you know. Waiting for them to decide if you’re enough.’
And wasn’t that how he felt exactly? Even with the loss and grief, there was a part of him that wondered if Sierra so easily pushed him away because her feelings had never been as deep, as sure, as his. He would have given anything for a smile or a touch, but Sierra acted as though the mere sight of him made her angry and, worse, sad. He didn’t say any of that to this stranger. ‘Yeah. I know.’
He released her hand, but instead of walking away, she came and stood next to him again. She nudged him with her shoulder, but the gesture was only friendly. ‘Sorry for making things awkward.’
‘You didn’t. Besides, you can’t know unless you ask.’
Clearly looking to move on, Lucy reached up one hand to tentatively stroke Ty’s neck. ‘Lord, they’re so beautiful.’
‘You ever ride?’
She shook her head on a laugh. ‘About as much as Charlotte. We grew up in the city.’
