Matt shot an uneasy glance in Savannah’s direction. He’d come here today prepared to take Savannah down to the sheriff’s department for questioning, not give her sister away on her wedding day.

“Who was supposed to give you away?”

“Vannah.”

“You don’t mind?” Matt asked Savannah.

Savannah held her arms open wide. “Please, be my guest. One less thing I’ve got to worry about.”

“You could be my matron of honor instead,” Ginger said.

Savannah shook her head. “No, your best friend, Karen, would be so disappointed. I’ll be all right.”

“But I want you to be in the wedding, sis,” Ginger insisted.

“Really, Ginger, it’s okay. I’ll sit in the front row with Cody and act as the mother of the bride.”

“I don’t want to come between the two of you,” Matt interrupted. “Savannah can still give you away.”

“Matt, nothing would please me more than for Ginger to come down the aisle on your arm. Both of you, it’s all right.”

“Well, if you’re sure... But I’m going to run home and get a suit to wear. I want to do this up right,” Matt said.

“Oh, thanks,” Ginger exclaimed, hugging Matt with her palms held out so that she wouldn’t muss up her freshly painted fingernails. “You’re special.”

And an idiot, he thought.

Why did he persist in getting personally involved with Savannah? Hooking up with her again was flat out stupid, especially if she was involved in the disappearance of the livestock.

“Thank you,” Savannah said, gratitude on her face.

Cody awoke and started squalling from the bedroom at the same time Savannah’s relatives arrived on the front porch.

Time passed in a blur as Matt found himself reintroduced to people he’d met briefly years before. The ensuing hubbub provided a decent cover while he dashed home for a change of clothes.

When he returned, Matt pitched in where he was needed—running errands, toting parcels, directing traffic. The whole time he worked, he couldn’t forget the reason he’d come to the Circle B and the ugly task that awaited him as soon as the wedding ceremony was over.

If the suspect had been anyone other than his ex-girlfriend, he would have taken them in right away, but his affection for Savannah prevented him from doing so. He recognized his weakness, acknowledged it with shame. A good lawman didn’t show favoritism.

Face it, Forrester. You’re between a rock and a hard place.

How could he drag Savannah away from her sister’s wedding, particularly when he’d been invited to give the bride away?

By the time four o’clock rolled around, Savannah was a basket case. What with getting herself and Cody dressed, offering moral support to Ginger, and herding a houseful of relatives and taffeta-draped bridesmaids, she desperately needed to stop and take several deep breaths. Yet somehow, she’d managed to pull the whole thing off.

She found herself sitting in the front row under the white awning, Cody clutched in her lap, friends, and family seated around her.

Although she was reluctant to admit it, Matt had been a big help. He’d joked with Ginger, charmed her relatives, doled out words of manly wisdom to a pale-faced Todd. He’d acted as a gofer, a butler, and even stepped in to usher guests to their seats. He was indispensable.

The weather cooperated, issuing a slight breeze and plenty of sunshine. The fragrant odor of flowers hung in the air—honeysuckle mingled with roses, orchids complemented daisies, snapdragons enhanced marigolds. The garden was beautiful in shades of red, purple, blue, yellow, and pink. Nature heralded the festive, happy occasion in exotic splashes of color and intoxicating smells.

The guests dressed accordingly. The women were decked out in bright, cheerful finery. The men sported suits or Texas tuxedoes, the children clad in patent leather and ribbons.

Over to one side, the caterers stood by the tables, ready to set up for the reception once the ceremony ended. Todd’s family sat in the aisle across from Savannah. They smiled, nodding their heads in greeting. She swallowed a lump in her throat, sorry that her mother hadn’t lived to share this joyous day with her daughters.

She clutched Cody tighter.

Lilting music rose and fell as the guitarist strummed a soulful tune of love and sacrifice. The minister assumed his position at the front of the altar. The crowd rustled. Heads turned as the bridesmaids started down the walkway, delicate as mauve swans.

Todd and his best man were in place. And as the strains of the wedding march began, Savannah’s palms grew cold and sweaty with anticipation.

Earlier they had decided Ginger and Matt would enter from around the side of the house and walk down a path of green carpeting rolled out for the occasion. Savannah’s hands trembled, and she clasped them firmly around Cody’s to gain control. She rose to her feet, the congregation following her lead.

She caught her breath as Matt and Ginger stepped into sight.

Her sister looked so beautiful.

And Matt…handsome didn’t begin to describe him. He wore a gray three-piece suit and a crisp white shirt. A smart red tie was knotted at his throat. With his dark hair combed off his forehead and the sunlight dappling over his face, he was utterly gorgeous. He’d gone beyond the call of duty by agreeing to walk Ginger down the aisle. The generous gesture reminded Savannah of why she’d fallen in love with him in the first place.

Ginger and Matt moved forward, and Savannah couldn’t take her eyes off him. Her sister’s elbow crooked through his, her bouquet grasped to her chest.

Pride swelled inside Savannah. She’d vowed she wouldn’t cry, but that had been a stupid promise. Tears ran down her cheeks as she watched her sister head for the altar on the arm of the man who should have been her husband.

This is how her wedding should have been—full of hope and promise. The joining of two people who truly loved one another embarking on life’s greatest adventure together instead of a sad, brittle marriage of convenience. She should have married Matt instead of Gary. But cancer had had other plans.

Savannah caught Matt’s eye. He seemed to read her mind. An expression of pure longing crossed his face. That yearning look gave her hope. She’d made so many errors. Was it too late to undo them?

The music reached a crescendo at the same time Matt and Ginger arrived in front of the minister. The preacher raised his hand, and the music stopped.

“Friends! Family! Welcome!” the man began enthusiastically. “We have gathered here today to witness the union of these two young people in holy matrimony.”

His words blurred as he continued the ritual. Savannah didn’t hear him. She focused on Matt and Ginger, her pulse thumping so hard and fast she feared she might faint.

Cody squirmed, and she absentmindedly patted his back.

“Who gives this woman to be wed?” the preacher called out, glancing directly at Matt.

“Her sister and me,” Matt said, his voice rumbling so deep and resonant, it created a quiver in Savannah’s stomach.

Her sister and me.

As if she and Matt were together.

Matt stepped back to join Savannah on the front row.

“She’s breathtaking,” he whispered.

“Thank you for giving her away,” Savannah whispered back. “It was definitely above the call of duty.”

They stared forward, every eye on Todd and Ginger as the minister led the couple through their vows.

Cody tugged at Savannah’s hair, and she shifted him into her left arm. Before she knew what was happening, Matt reached over, grasped Savannah’s right hand, and squeezed it.

His touch suffused her with warmth. His nearness sent her emotions spinning out of control. His fingers twining with hers had her pulse skittering a frantic beat. Goodness gracious, was she falling in love with him all over again?

The thought terrified her. She twisted her hand away just as the couple pledged their troth.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Matt’s jaw stiffen.

The minister pronounced Todd and Ginger husband and wife. After a memorable kiss, the newlyweds turned and started down the carpeted path, followed by their attendants. The guests watched them disappear into the house, then they dispersed about the lawn to wait for the reception.

Anxious to distance herself from Matt, Savannah allowed Aunt Pearl to hold Cody while she went to oversee the buffet setup. Matt positioned himself out of the way, his arms crossed over his chest, his eagle-eyed gaze missing nothing.

Various friends and relatives came up to Savannah to offer their congratulations, and she used the opportunity to ignore him.

Ginger and Todd returned to the gathering, flushed and beaming. Savannah suspected they’d exchanged some heavy-duty kissing while in the house. A trace of lipstick clung to Todd’s collar, and her sister’s hair was attractively mussed.

They formed a receiving line, and to Savannah’s dismay, Ginger tugged Matt over to join them. Sandwiched between Matt and her sister, Savannah plastered a smile on her face and endured.

“I’m not enjoying this any more than you are,” Matt mumbled out of the corner of his mouth.

“What do you mean? I’m thrilled,” she growled, low and gruff so only he could hear.

“Liar.”

“Why did you come here today?” she asked through clenched teeth, forcing a smile as she shook a guest’s hand.

He slid a sideways glance in her direction, then nodded at the row of people extending their hands in congratulation. “Soon as these folks leave, Savannah, you and I are going to have a serious discussion.”

His reply and the look on his face alarmed her.

“So you did come for some other reason besides Ginger’s wedding. I knew it.” Savannah’s facial muscles ached from smiling. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Branch, glad you could make it.”

Hiram and Myra Branch, whose nearby ranch, The Triple Fork, specialized in training thoroughbred racehorses, responded kindly but Savannah barely heard a word. She kept thinking about what Matt had said. What did he want to speak to her about? The sun beat down, suddenly no longer merely warm, but uncomfortably hot.

Thankfully, the procession of well-wishers ended, and everyone dispersed to enjoy the refreshments. The photographer called for the wedding party to assemble themselves while the guitarist broke into a lively tune. Whimsical chords filled the garden.

“Come on, folks, gather round,” the photographer said. “You too, sis,” he called to Savannah. “Don’t go running off, I’m sure Ginger wants you in the pictures as well.”

Savannah went over.

“Let’s get your husband over here, too.” The cameraman waved at Matt.

“He’s not my husband.”

“Can Matt be in the picture anyway, Vannah?” Ginger asked.

Savannah sighed. She could refuse her sister nothing today, and Ginger knew it. “Sure. Why not?”

Matt joined them. The wedding party stood in the broiling sun, following the photographer’s instructions—changing position, posing, pasting smiles on their faces. First Matt’s arm across Savannah’s shoulder, then around her waist, finally him holding her hand. Savannah gritted her teeth and endured.

Thirty minutes later, the photographer clapped his hands. “Okay, everyone, that’s a wrap.”

Savannah searched the crowd for Aunt Pearl, eager to retrieve Cody and distance herself from Matt.

“Why he’s the most precious angel,” Aunt Pearl cooed as she relinquished Cody. “But I must be getting old. Holding him for so long has worn me to a frazzle.”

“Thanks for watching him, Auntie. Why don’t you go get some cake and punch and sit down? I’ll come visit with you in a sec. I think Cody needs changing.”

Aunt Pearl fumbled in her pocket for a blue tissue and pressed it to her eyes. “Your mama would have been so proud. It was a lovely wedding, Savannah. You outdid yourself.”

She patted her elderly great-aunt’s shoulder. “That’s nice of you to say so.” Head down, she scurried through the throng and finally made it to the house.

“Let me get the door for you.”

Matt stepped from nowhere to open the screen. Damn him. Why couldn’t he simply go away and leave her alone?

Without another word, he followed her through the house and into Cody’s bedroom. Savannah flicked on the light, settled her son in his crib, and grabbed a fresh diaper.

Matt leaned against the wall, his long legs stretched out in front of him, his arms folded across his chest. “Savvy, we’ve got to talk.”

Her hands trembled slightly as she eased the wet diaper off Cody and wiped his bottom with a moist towelette. She cleared her throat. “What about?”

“That Santa Gertrudis herd.”

Her stomach fluttered ominously. He seemed so serious.

“So talk,” she said lightly.

“Not here,” he replied.

“Where?”

He moved across the room, reached out, and took her elbow. Spinning her around, he forced her to look him in the eyes. “I’m sorry to do this to you, Savannah, but I have to take you back to the sheriff’s department for questioning.”

Savannah blinked. Had she heard correctly? She was a suspect?

Cody gurgled, pulling her attention away from Matt and back to her son.

“Did you hear me, Savvy?” he asked.

“I have to diaper Cody,” she mumbled, her mind whirling with the implications of Matt’s statement.

“You have to go to the sheriff’s department with me.”

She bit her bottom lip. “Am ... I under arrest?”

“No,” he said. “Not yet.”

“But... what did I do?”

“We need an official statement from you, but I can’t discuss the details here. Please. Let’s just see your guests off, and then we’ll leave.”

“That’s why you came here in the first place, wasn’t it? To arrest me?”

Matt sighed, threading his fingers through his hair. “I came to take you in for questioning, not to arrest you.”

She fastened the diaper securely around Cody’s body. What had she done wrong? Confusion clouded her mind, and she couldn’t think straight.

“I’d forgotten it was Ginger’s wedding day,” he mumbled.

“Well, thank you for waiting until the wedding was over. It would have ruined everything for Ginger if you’d interrupted the ceremony.”

“I know.”

“We don’t have to tell her about this, do we?”

Matt shook his head. She picked Cody up and held him to her shoulder. Matt stuffed his hands into his suit pockets. He appeared weary, exhausted, A five o’clock shadow shaded his jaw, and a worried furrow creased his brow.

“Okay,” she said quietly.

Because she felt confident the whole matter would be straightened out in a few minutes, she refused to get upset. No cause for panic. She’d done nothing wrong.

They joined the group outside for the reception. Three hours later, Todd and Ginger left for their honeymoon trip to Cancun while the guests slowly filtered away. By nine p.m. only Matt, Savannah, Clem, Cody, and the caterers remained.

“You ready?” Matt asked, dangling the Jeep keys from his index finger.

Her satin dress was crumpled. Her new high-heeled shoes bit her toes. She wanted to ask him if she could change, but he’d been kind enough to postpone this ordeal until after the wedding. She didn’t feel right asking for more favors.

“What am I going to do with Cody?” she asked fretfully, pushing back a lock of hair that had fallen from her elaborate hairdo.

“Bring him along. I’ll watch him during the questioning.”

“You won’t be conducting the interrogation?”

“No,” Matt said.

And Savannah couldn’t decide if that made things better or worse.