The Cowboy Lassoes a Bride by Kate Pearce (free ebook reader txt) 📕

She was the only woman he’d ever met who was one hundred percent in his corner. When Sam Kelly loved you, you darn well knew it. She might argue everything out with him toe to toe, but he knew in his soul she would never abandon him. And that was the most amazing thing in his whole world....

HW’s last thought as he succumbed to sleep was that they’d both survived their bachelor parties, and that in two days’ time, barring any more accidents like his fiancée ending up in the town jail again, they would finally be married.

Chapter Three

“Here you go, Sam. Try this.”

For some reason Cam’s voice was incredibly loud this morning. Sam groped her way over to the table and sat down with a thump. A glass full of something fizzy awaited her, and even that was too noisy.

“Drink up,” Cam said. “It really will help.”

“Thanks.” Sam picked up the glass, braced herself, and drank it down in one. “Gah . . .” She shuddered.

“Exactly.” Cam looked way too smug as she ate her granola and yogurt.

“I swear I will never drink tequila again,” Sam croaked as her stomach rolled uneasily.

“You’re not a big drinker, and last night was a special occasion,” Cam reminded her gently. “Just take a day to rehydrate and relax, and you’ll be all set for Sunday.”

“Is HW here?” Sam looked around, but there was no sign of her cowboy.

“He left about six this morning.” Cam grinned. “I caught him coming out of the bathroom, which was a bit embarrassing.”

“Was he naked?’ Sam asked with interest.

“Not quite. He had a towel around the important bits.” Cam ate another spoonful of granola and chewed extra slowly. “But what I did get to see was pretty spectacular. Well done, you.”

“Thanks,” Sam said. “He is pretty fit. Was he embarrassed when you bumped into him?”

“I think he actually blushed and then he stuttered a bit, held on to his towel like it was a lifeline, and skedaddled for your bedroom.”

“Sweet.” Sam contemplated Cam’s granola. “I think I want to eat something, but not that rabbit food.”

“I saw waffles in the freezer. You could have them with maple syrup.”

“What a great idea!” Sam perked up. “And lots of whipped cream.”

She made herself a plateful of fat, sugar, and carbs and ate her way through the whole lot while Cam sipped green tea and answered e-mail.

“Is there anything we have to do today?” Cam asked.

“Loads.” Sam sighed. “I have to go and see Daisy at the flower shop to make sure my bouquet is how I want it, and then check the post office in case my dress has ended up there.”

“Your dress?” Cam looked up from her phone. “Not your wedding dress?”

“Yeah, that one. I had a message this morning from the store saying that they sent it five days ago and have no idea what has happened to it.”

“That’s not good.” Cam frowned. “Did they give you the tracking information?”

“I think so. I didn’t read the whole thing I was too busy hyperventilating.” Sam got up to unplug her phone from the charger. She didn’t remember Nate giving it back, so HW must have got it. She scrolled through her messages and found the one from the shop.

“There is a tracking number. I’ll check it out.” She copy-and-pasted the number into the relevant site and frowned. “It just disappears around Friday. I suppose I should call them.”

“Check the address as well,” Cam suggested. “Sometimes they get it wrong. Maybe it went up to the ranch?”

Sam sent a text to January to see if that had happened and finished her coffee. “I’ll still call at the post office. They might have been the ones to make the final delivery, and that’s why we can’t track it.”

Cam put all the breakfast things into the dishwasher and Sam got ready to go out. It was weird worrying about the nonappearance of her wedding dress when she knew HW wouldn’t mind what she wore. But trying on the dresses and looking so different had secretly made her want to surprise him. She still had her beautiful white embroidered boots, and a new white cowboy hat with a veil. What she wore in the middle might turn out to be January Morgan’s wedding dress.... She reminded herself not to worry. It was all good.

She zipped up her fleece, followed Cam out the door and down in the elevator. As they exited the elevator, the outside door of the building opened, and Dr. Tio came in. He smiled when he saw Sam and waited for her to reach him.

“Hey, it’s my favorite patient.” He looked her up and down. “What have I told you about wading in fountains?”

Sam felt herself blushing. “Oh jeez . . . does everyone know?”

“Pretty much.” Dr. Tio grinned as Sam groaned. “Most exciting thing that’s happened in Morgantown for years.”

By way of a desperate diversion, Sam turned to Cam. “I’d like to introduce you to my friend Dr. Cam Lee. She’s a pediatrician in Sacramento.”

“Nice to meet you.” Dr. Tio shook Cam’s hand. “If you ever want a change of scenery, please consider the exciting, bustling metropolis of Morgantown. I’d love to find a great pediatrician to add to my team—preferably one who would stick around for a while.”

“Yeah?” Cam smiled at the doctor. “I’m always willing to check out new things. Do you have a website or contact number?”

“I have them,” Sam intervened, seeing as the other two were still busy shaking hands and making the most blatant eye contact. “I’ll give them to you before you go back, Cam.”

“Okay.” Cam finally stepped back. “Nice to meet you.”

“Right back at you.” Dr. Tio winked at Sam. “See you tomorrow at the wedding.”

Sam hustled Cam out through the door and onto Main Street. “I told you he was cute.”

“You were right.” Cam sighed. “Cute and smart. The perfect combination.”

“And he loves his grandmother,” Sam added. “Which means extra points in my book.”

“And in mine.” Cam linked her