Page 3 of Falling for the Maverick

* * *

Lucas forced himself not to smile when he discovered he would be seated next to Michelle during the reception. He hadn’t believed she could improve on perfection, but she had.

The colors of the bridesmaids’ dresses were reminiscent of autumn leaves in shades of gold, green, orange and red. Each held bouquets with pom-pom chrysanthemums and copper roses, with red maple, yellow poplar, brown oak and green and amber leaves tied with bronze streamers.

Michelle’s red off-the-shoulder floor-length gown had a generous slit in the skirt that offered a glimpse of her bare legs. The dress was molded to her chest and a narrow waist he could span with both hands. Her hair was a mass of curls that seemed to take on a life of their own whenever she moved her head. Her makeup accentuated her best features—her eyes and mouth.

Walking over to Michelle, Lucas offered her his arm. Within seconds his confidence evaporated like a drop of water on a heated griddle. Not only did she look incredible, she also smelled delicious. Swallowing a groan, Lucas wondered if he would be able to make it through the reception until it came time to walk away and put some distance between them.

Careful, bro. If you keep staring at Michelle like that, she’s going to think you’re interested in her.

Lucas recalled Ethan’s words as if he were standing next to him reciting them again. His brother was right. He had to remind himself that he and Michelle were in a wedding party, and once the reception ended, they didn’t have to see each other again. Unless there was a big family get-together. Her brother was marrying his sister, which would make them part of an extended family.

But with Tiffany on her honeymoon, his matchmaking sister would no doubt have other things to occupy her. Like her husband.

Lucas waited for the planner to give the signal to open the doors as the sounds of a string quartet greeted the wedding party. Resting his hand over the smaller one tucked into the bend of his elbow, he asked, “Are you ready?”

Michelle smiled. “Yes, I am. Are you?”

Chapter Two

“Are you?”

The two words played over and over in Lucas’s head as he made his way into the room with Michelle on his arm. Why was she asking him if he was ready? For what? If it was to see his sister marrying her brother, then yes. But if she was asking whether he was ready for something to happen between them, then the answer was a resounding no.

Lucas didn’t want to believe he was reading too much into Michelle’s query. Though perhaps in the back of his mind he wanted something to happen. There was more to Michelle Corey than just a beautiful face. Sure, he’d noticed her looks when he talked to her, but he’d also been aware that she actually made eye contact while listening to him.

He knew if he didn’t get his emotions under control, then he was going to fall into the trap Ethan had predicted. And that was something he’d wanted to avoid at all costs, because getting into a relationship with a woman, especially one as alluring and distracting as Michelle Corey, was not an option. He needed all of his energies to concentrate on making Big Doggo a profitable horse ranch.

Lucas didn’t know how his sister did it, but Tiffany had transformed the ballroom into a fairy-tale forest with tubs of faux trees, gossamer nets with colorful monarch butterflies and vases filled with a profusion of fall flowers in hues matching the bridesmaids’ gowns. Tiffany’s floral artistry was on display for everyone to admire and would no doubt boost her shop, Tiffany in Bloom.

Despite staring straight ahead, Lucas was more than conscious of the woman by his side. Her heels had put the top of her head at his ear, making him aware that his height eclipsed hers by at least seven or eight inches. Women he’d dated in his past were usually taller. When he compared them to Michelle, he realized he had unconsciously had a type.

He took his place next to Josh Aventura, who would’ve been Shane’s best man if he hadn’t agreed to a double wedding, and met Michelle’s eyes as she stood next to Stephanie. Was she feeling the same thing he was?

* * *

Michelle smiled. Between Brittany as the event planner and Tiffany as the floral decorator, her brothers’ wedding was as close to perfection as it could get. There was no doubt in her mind that when the time came for her to marry, her sisters-in-law would be the ones she wanted to coordinate it. The ballroom had been transformed into an ethereal setting for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Someone from a local television affiliate and a couple of reporters were even on hand to record what had become somewhat of a rodeo celebrity wedding with a Hawkins bride and both Hawkinses and Burrises in attendance.

She looked at her brothers, standing ramrod-straight, while awaiting their brides to be escorted into the room by their fathers, Phillip Brandt and Steve Bristol. Remi’s parents were separated, but her father had been forthcoming when he claimed he wanted to give her away in marriage to Shane Corey.

The familiar chords of the “Wedding March” coming through speakers replaced that of the string quartet, and everyone rose, then turned to watch the brides and their fathers come down the white runner.

Her new sisters were stunning in their gowns and the wedding jewelry that had been delivered to them earlier that morning. Shane and Ellis had gifted their brides with pearl and diamond earrings destined to be passed down to another generation of women.

Michelle watched the ceremony, becoming more of a spectator than a participant as the officiant spoke, followed by readings selected by the brides and grooms. She held her breath when the officiant asked about the couples’ intention to marry, then questioned if anyone could give a reason why the people should not be wed. Michelle was certain bedlam would’ve ensued if someone had objected to the couples marrying because there were enough Coreys and Hawkinses in attendance to start another world war.

She glanced up to see Lucas staring at her again when the couples exchanged rings.

Tiffany had led it slip that her brothers had no intention of giving up their bachelor status. It was different with the Corey men. All of Michelle’s uncles were married with lots of kids. Everyone in Tenacity was aware that the Coreys were a large tight-knit bunch. With two of her four brothers married, Michelle realized she had time to date and have fun before settling down with one man.

Michelle was certain those close to her overheard her exhale as the ceremony ended with the grooms kissing their new brides.

Although everything had gone according to plan for the double wedding, Michelle realized when she married, she wanted something small and intimate, with just family and friends in attendance, and for everything to take place on the Circle C.

The wedding party was ushered into another room for photos while the ballroom was reconfigured for the cocktail hour, to be followed by dinner and dancing.

Michelle jumped slightly when Lucas took her hand.