Chapter Fourteen
“Good afternoon, doc.”
The rich baritone brought her chin up to look over the cowboy standing in the doorway of the stables. “Yes? Do you have an appointment?” She could have sworn Cheryl said they were finished for the day.
“Sorry. No one was out front. I’m Chance Grimes.”
“The bull rider?”
He took off his hat and pressed it against his chest. “Yes.” His smile reached from one ear to the other.
“Are you looking for Urban?”
“Nah. I came to see you.”
She situated her hands on her hips. “Are you looking for a vet?”
“No, but I’ll keep you in mind. You know, when a buddy is engaged…”
She blinked. “I didn’t know you and Urban knew each other very well.”
His smile faded some as he swiped a hand down his cheek. “Oh, so he’s told you about me?”
“A little.” She led the horse back into the stall and locked the door. “I’m not sure why you’re here, but I have plans in a bit.”
“I’ll be honest.”
“That’d be good.”
“I don’t think it’s fair that Urban landed the documentary.”
Things were getting clearer. “Fair as in you thought you had a foot in?”
He shrugged. “I am married. He’s not.”
“We’re getting married. Leave your address and I’ll invite you to the wedding.” She plastered a smile on her lips.
“A fake wedding? Just to land a documentary. That’s a huge leap.”
Poker faced, she busied herself shoveling the stall. “I don’t know where you got your information—”
“Straight from the horse’s mouth, ma’am.”
She brought her chin up. “Are you saying Urban told you we’re getting married for the documentary?”
“Look, I don’t like to put my opinion in where it doesn’t belong—”
“Or warranted,” she added.
“But I wonder if you know who you’re marrying?”
“Probably better than you do.” She didn’t have time for this. “Is there a means to the end here? How about you just get to the point?”
His smile faded. “You should ask your soon to be husband about his hankering for married women.”
Working her bottom lip, she then sighed. “Why don’t you tell me what brought you here besides making me question my fiancé’s loyalty.” She dropped the shovel and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m guessing Urban didn’t tell you why he and I don’t quite like each other. Of course, why would he? A man doesn’t want to spread it around that he almost broke up a marriage.”
“I really don’t think—”
“Yes, I think we should. I found out Urban was sleeping with my wife. He denied it, but she told me everything.”
Her stomach twisted, but she didn’t falter. “We both know why you’re here.” She swallowed a bitter taste. “You feel the need for revenge.”
“Maybe.” He chuckled. “Does that change the fact that Urban screwed my wife?”
“This doesn’t concern me, Mr. Grimes. I think if you don’t have trust for your wife, that’s something you need to speak to her about.”
He took a step closer, his jaw tightened. “I’m doing you a favor, Miss.” He smashed his hat on top of his head, nodded, then left.
*****
Tap. Tap.
Urban dragged his hat off his face and fluttered his eyes open. Through the rain speckled window, he saw Presley. He had stretched out in his front seat and fallen asleep while he was waiting for her at the church. Sitting up, he slid over and opened the door. “Hey, beautiful.” She shifted and crossed her arms over her chest, her frown speaking volumes. “What’s wrong?”
“Where’s the camera?”
“I snuck off.”
“Does the name Amber Grimes ring a bell?”
Scrubbing his jaw, he pushed her question through his fuzzy brain. “Yes.”
She worked her bottom lip. “Good. At least you remember her name.”
He squinted. “What the hell?”
“So, it’s true?” One thin brow popped up over lethal eyes.
“I’m lost,” he groaned and slid out of the truck, bumping her accidentally. When he reached out to steady her, she backed away.
“I met Chace Grimes today.”
“Oh? He’s a sweetheart, isn’t he?”
“No, he’s an ass, but I didn’t think you were!” She swiveled on heel and stomped across the parking lot.
He quickly moved to catch up to her, blocking her path. “I have no clue what’s going on. Care to fill me in on how I pissed you off while I was sleeping in my truck?”
She stuck her hands on her hips. “What happened between you and Amber? She is married, Urban.”
There was no forgivingness in her expression. “Yeah, I know. What exactly did Grimes tell you?”
“You tell me, Urban. And while we’re at it, I’d like to thank you for telling your buddy riders that you managed to convince me to marry you for this documentary.”
“Outside of the fact that I did convince you to marry me for the documentary, I never told anyone anything. Some of them might have guessed because of the timing, but who gives a shit what anyone thinks? As far as Amber is concerned—”
“Did you sleep with her?”
“There’s no clear-cut answer.”
She laughed, but it was dangerously raw. “Just a yes or no will do.”
He blew out a breath. “Yes.”
Her eyes misted over. If she cried, he’d lose it. “I don’t see myself marrying someone who regards marriage with so little value. My mother had those same distorted views.”
“You’re not ever going to allow me to explain?”
“Oh, I think it’s obvious what the facts are.”
He slumped his shoulders. “Well, it’s nice to see that you think so highly of me. And just so we’re clear, this isn’t about my past. This is about you getting cold feet.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it? Then why did you believe a stranger over me? We’re supposed to trust each other, remember?”
A heavy silence fell between them.
“Exactly,” he muttered, smashed his hat to his head and headed back to his truck. “By the way, Amber and Grimes have only been married for four months. Remember what I told you? I haven’t lied to you, not once. You can either take that to the bank or allow a pissed off jealous cowboy to convince you otherwise.”