We all laughed as Liza came and stood next to Layton. “I heard y’all saying dinner. How about you be my guest at some fancy-ass party my wife is a part of?
“How fancy?” Layton and I asked at the same time.
Liza giggled and rolled her eyes.
“Semi-formal. Dixion Bourbon Distillery is having a grand opening this evening. It’s invite only,” Mr. McMurphy said as he raised his eyebrows.
“Sorry, only brought my jeans and T-shirts,” Layton said.
An older woman came over and let out a deep, rumbling laugh. Her silver-grey hair was up in a tight bun. She was dressed in jeans, a blue blouse and fancy cowboy boots.
“Nonsense, Layton Morris. You are not getting out of this that easily. Let’s all head into town. This may be a small town, but the area is known for all its wedding venues. There’s a whole street filled with nothing but fancy dress stores, and even a tux rental place.” She turned to Liza. “My daughter is your age, Liza. I’m sure she’d love to go shopping with us for something that you’ll probably never wear again and your daddy will bitch about all the way back to Texas.”
Liza laughed, then looked at Layton with pleading eyes. “Oh, Daddy. Please? You said this trip was for us. I want to dance with my handsome father.”
I smiled knowing that Layton didn’t have a chance in hell.
“Taylor Elizabeth Morris. You cannot bribe me with that look any more.” Layton said.
I give him ten seconds.
“Daddy…please?” Liza bit her lower lip and threw it up a notch.
Layton looked away as he rolled his eyes. Then he looked at me.
I held up my hands. “Oh no. No way in hell I’m going.”
Layton gave me that look. “Shit,” I whispered. “I’m going aren’t I?”
Layton nodded. I didn’t want to look at Liza—I could already feel her stare burning into me.
Mrs. McMurphy clapped her hands together, startling me. “Let’s go shopping,” she said, lacing her arm with Liza’s.
Layton walked next to me, sighing. “This ought to be an interesting evening.”
I nodded as I watched Liza walking ahead of me. “Yep. Should be.”
I STOOD IN Lori’s bedroom looking at myself in the mirror. Lori was the youngest of the McMurphy clan, with three older sisters and one older brother.
“Oh my, Liza,” she said. “Heads are gonna turn this evening when those boys get a look at you.”
She came up behind me and stared at me in the mirror. I wore a turquoise cocktail dress that fell just above my knees. The chiffon flowed beautifully and the sweetheart neckline showed just enough cleavage to raise eyebrows, but not enough to have my father trying to cover me up all night. The crystal-beaded waistband added a nice touch.
“Now, can I please talk you out of wearing your cowboy boots and into putting on something a bit more…formal?” Lori asked, winking at me in the mirror.
I looked down at my boots. “But my boots are comfortable.”
She handed me a pair of silver pumps and said, “They look great with jeans I’m sure. These? These are what you need to accent those killer legs of yours. Do you run?”
“Nope. I hate running.”
“Elliptical?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at me. “Stair climber?”
“Um…I ride horses a lot and I love to walk.”
She pursed her lips and said, “I officially hate you now.”
We both busted out laughing as I slipped the silver shoes on. I had my hair piled on top of head with a few curls falling loose. I had to admit I looked good. I took a picture of myself and sent it to Keith. Next time he got a signal, he’d have something to look at.
Lori and I walked down the stairs of her parent’s house and rounded the corner to the main living room. Of course, the first person I saw had to be Walker. He had on jeans that should really not be allowed to be on his body with how perfect they made his ass look, a light blue button down dress shirt, and a cowboy hat to round it all off.
Lori leaned over and whispered, “God, that stubble is hot! Hell, he’s hot. Look at his eyes with that cowboy hat on!”
I slowly nodded. I was fucked.
Walker plus cowboy hat equals Liza wet between the legs.
I started chewing my lip. I bet his blue button-down brought out the color in his eyes. My phone buzzed so I pulled it out of the little blue clutch purse Lori had leant me. I smiled when I saw that it was Keith. I couldn’t wait to see what thought of the dress.
Keith: Where is your engagement ring?
My heart dropped as I stared at the text message. I’d taken off the ring when Walker and I were working the horses. It was still in Walker’s glove box. Shit! How the hell do you forget about your engagement ring being in another man’s glove box? Wait. Nothing about this conversation in my head is making sense!
Me: I was working some horses and took it off. I just forgot to put it back on.
Keith: So, in other words, you’re going out without your ring.
I sighed. Bastard. My phone immediately began to ring and my father, Walker, Mr. McMurphy, and Lori’s fiancé, Robert, all turned and stared. My father smiled, but what I really noticed was Walkers jaw dropping. I had to admit, I liked that the dress had that much of an impact on him. Our eyes met and I smiled slightly. His eyes widened and he smiled back. I hadn’t even noticed that my phone had stopped ringing. As Walker came over to me, I couldn’t help but notice his eyes moving up and down my body. When he stopped, they landed right on that perfect amount of cleavage.
“My eyes are up here, Mr. Moore.” I said, barely above a whisper.
The way he was looking at me had my body kicking into over drive. I felt like I needed to step into a freezer to cool the hell off. He was about to say something when my phone rang again, making me jump. It was Keith…again.
“Shit! I need to answer this. I’m so sorry.” I said as Walker barely nodded his head.
“Um…hello?”
“Liza? Where’s the ring?” Keith’s voice sounded distant. Cold.
“Hello to you, too, Keith. I’m about to put it back on. I’m sorry. I didn’t notice it wasn’t on.”
Walker immediately looked down at my left hand. If he thought I didn’t notice his grin, he was wrong.
“If it meant anything to you, Liza, you wouldn’t forget to put it back on.”
The hurt in his voice about knocked me over. This wasn’t the person I wanted to be. Wearing one man’s ring while in love with another.
“It was a simple mistake. I’m still getting used to it.” I said as I turned away from Walker. I felt the warmth disappear as Walker walked away from me, heading outside.
Damn it. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Soon he’d be asking Jessica to marry him—I didn’t need to be worried about him hearing me talk to Keith.
“Will you put it back on before you go out tonight? And where are you going, anyway? Who’s going with you? Is Walker going out with you?”
I sighed heavily, frustrated. “Where are you? How come you have a signal? Do you realize you haven’t even said if you liked the dress? If you think I look nice in it?”
“Liza, baby I’m sorry.” Keith said.
I glanced over and noticed that my father was watching me. “I’m with my father, remember? We’re going to a party and, yes, Walker will be there along with a number of other men. Would you like me to stay home and not go?”
“Yes.”
My heart slammed against my chest as I tried to register his response. “Excuse me?”
“I mean no. Of course not. It’s just that I know men are going to eye fuck the hell out of you in that dress. I wish I was there.”
I shook my head in disbelief and spun around to head outside for some fresh air. Opening the door, I ran smack into Walker. He took a few steps back. He must have seen the look on my face—he knew I needed air. But I felt him follow m
e down the porch.
“I’m with my father and…” I turned to see Walker holding up the engagement ring. My mouth went dry as he reached down for my left hand and began to slide the ring onto my finger. His jaw tightened. Without even looking at me, he turned and walked toward his truck. He got in, started it, and just sat there.
“Is the signal…can’t…hear…Liza?”
I couldn’t pull my eyes from Walker. He looked so…sad.
“The signal must be going out, Keith. I’ll call you tomorrow when we head home. Love you. Bye.”
Without even waiting for a response, I hung up. I was about to go over to Walker when everyone came out the door.
My father frowned at me. “Where’s Walker?”
I pointed to the truck. Daddy had rented it for Walker and me to drive out here.
“You want to ride with Walker or with me?” my father asked with a slight smile.
“You,” I replied a little too quickly.
He nodded and stuck his arm out. I laced my arm through his and walked with him to the truck. It took all of my strength not to look over at Walker.
AT THE TABLE, I took another sip of whatever my father had put in front of me. Bourbon? I needed this. The more I drank, the less I felt. Walker hadn’t bothered to look my way all night. I knew I shouldn’t be disappointed. No, I didn’t feel disappointed. I felt defeated. Something caught my eye, and I looked up to see Walker dancing with some girl. My nostrils flared as I watched them. Ugh. She can’t even two-step right.
The waiter walked by and I jumped up. “I’ll take another one of…whatever this is.”
He smiled politely and said, “I’ll bring you one right away, Miss.”
I nodded. When the waiter walked away, Walker was standing there. His eyes felt like they were trying to capture my every move.
“You might want to slow down, babe,” he said.
I let out a gruff laugh. “I’m not your babe.”
He nodded. “No, you’re not.”
My eyes threatened to tear up. “What do you want, Walker?”
He held out his hand. I stared at it as if he was offering something offensive. But when I looked into his eyes, they softened.
“Dance with me, Liza.”
My head was telling me not to take his hand, but my heart seemed to be running the show. I placed my hand in his and Walker took us out onto the dance floor. I took deep breaths, preparing to be close to his body. When I woke this morning to find that Walker had held me all night, I was so pissed that I’d fallen asleep so fast. I’d slept the best I’d slept in months, and I knew why. I was in the arms of the man I’d loved since childhood.
Walker spun me around once and pulled me to him as I laughed.
“Do you remember how good we were together?” He said. When I made a face, he quickly blurted, “I mean how good we danced together.”
I looked away as I nodded. “I remember,” I said, biting the inside of me cheek.
Hunter Hayes song “Storyline” was playing. Walker put his hand on my neck, pulling me closer as we took off two-stepping. It didn’t take long for us to fall back into sync. I saw my father talking to a few older men. He did a double-take when he saw Walker and me. I gave him a quick wave. He smiled and waved back. Then it happened. The fast song stopped, and a slow song began to play. The heavens were not on my side, it seemed.
Jessie Ware’s “Say You Love Me” began playing and Walker held me closer to him. I buried my face in his chest. I couldn’t bear the thought of looking at him. His touch alone was beginning to bring my defenses down. Keith. I’m engaged to Keith. Well…not really. I haven’t said yes.
Walker moved his hand softly up and down my back. I sucked in a breath as the craziest feelings zipped through my body. I’d never really gotten over Walker. I’d just pushed my feelings down for so long, convincing myself that I was okay.
I pulled back and looked into Walker’s eyes. It was as if the entire room disappeared and it was just the two of us. He gently placed his hand on the side of my face.
“You look so beautiful tonight, Liza. You’re absolutely breathtaking. No other woman in this room holds a candle to you.”
I tried to hold back a sob. If only Keith had said those words to me.
I tried to talk, but all that came out was an awkward sound. I cleared my throat and whispered, “Thank you. You look…so handsome.”
I wanted to reach up and feel his face, rough with stubble. I needed him to touch me so badly that I wanted to cry out. His eyes fell to my lips and I licked them, anticipating the kiss I knew he wanted to share. He slowly leaned in, and I moaned quietly. His lips barely brushed against mine, and I sucked in a breath. “Walker…” I whispered.
“Liza,” he said against my lips. “You’ll never know how much I wish we hadn’t…”
“Walker?”
My father’s voice made Walker let go of me. He took a step back as he removed his cowboy hat and pushed his hand through his hair. My breathing was erratic and I felt dizzy. Now we’d almost kissed twice in the last two days. And twice we’d been stopped. Fate was stepping in—we both needed to listen.
I swallowed as I turned to see my father. The look in his eyes said it all.
“Taylor, are you ready to head back to the McMurphys’?”
My father only ever called me Taylor when he was upset or disappointed. And he’d just called me Taylor. My eyes darted back to Walker. He looked like he was about to puke. I knew the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint my father.
“Um…sure,” I said.
My father had decided we’d stay this evening instead of traveling back to the resort. I turned and headed for the table. Then it hit me—I’d had a lot of alcohol. Damn it.
My father held the truck door open for me as I climbed into the cab. When I glanced out the window, I saw Walker walking to the rental truck. I leaned my head on the seatback and sighed. Daddy got in and shut the door, started the truck, and pulled out. The entire ride back to the ranch was in dead silence. I could feel his questions burning.
When he pulled up and put the truck in park, he dragged in a deep breath. “Liza? I just need to know something.”
My lower lip twitched as I tried to hold back tears. I stared straight ahead, watching the lights of Walkers truck as it came down the drive.
“Are you in love with Walker?”
My jaw trembled. “Yes.”
“Are you in love with, Keith?”
The tears could no longer be held at bay. I let them fall freely as I turned to my father.
“Not…like…I…I love…Walker.” I cried as my father pulled me closer. I buried my face in his chest. “Daddy, please tell me what to do. I don’t know what to do. I’ve never stopped loving him. Please tell me what to do.”
“Shh…it’s okay, baby girl. I promise you, it’s okay.”
I couldn’t control my tears. It was like three years of pushed down feelings were bubbling up to the surface all at once, breaking free. My father held me, and I cried until I had no tears left.
I’d admitted it. Now what was I going to do about it?
THREE WEEKS HAD passed since the Kentucky trip. Liza had done everything in her power to avoid me. I couldn’t blame her. Twice I’d almost kissed her, making both of us break promises to people we cared about.
I was attempting to repair a fence, and my built up frustrations were starting to peak. When the wire snapped, I picked up my hammer and yelled as I threw it as far as I could.
“Do you feel better?”
I whirled around to see Layton. His arms were crossed over his chest and he had a smirk on his face. I’d been waiting for him to talk to me about what had happened in Kentucky, but he had yet to bring it up.
I shook my head. “No, sir. Not at all. I’d like to beat the shit out of something.” Dropping my hands to my knees I took deep breaths. “No…everything is fucked up.”
Layton placed his hand on my back. “Let’s go for a ride.”
/>
I stood and watched him walk back to his truck. I slowly followed. It felt like I was walking in thick mud, fighting to take every step. When I got into the truck, I waited for him to start talking. When he began driving in silence, I decided to keep my mouth shut. The longer I could put off hearing how disappointed he was, the better.
Layton pulled up and parked. I looked around.
“You brought me to where you and Whitley got married?”
Layton smiled and nodded. “Sure did. Come on.”
He got out of the truck and made his way down the sidewalk. When we came to the gazebo, he stared at it.
He cleared his throat. “Sometimes, we want nothing more than to go back in time. Change a time or place that something happened. Change what happened altogether.”
I nodded, looking at the gazebo where I’d first told Liza I loved her. It was the night before leaving for college, and I’d given her the ring that she now wore around her neck. I knew she didn’t think I noticed, but I could see it under her shirt every day.
Layton walked up the steps, sat down, and looked at me. He gestured for me to sit across from him.
Oh shit. Here we go. I slowly made my way up and sat down. I didn’t want to look him in the eyes, but what kind of man would that make me?
“How is Jessica?”
Ugh. He was going in for the kill.
I swallowed. “She’s good. She’s um…she’s back in town. I would have gone to see her, but she asked me to give her a day to get rested up.”
Layton cocked his head at me. “Really? I would think she would be eager to see you.”
I shrugged. “I guess I didn’t think about it like that.”
“And you—you’re not eager to see her?”
I was about to answer, but I stopped myself. It hit me like a brick wall. “I have to tell her. It’s not fair to her. Not when I love Liza.”
The corner of Layton’s mouth rose in a slight smile. Like he was glad I’d figured it out on my own. I didn’t need him to beat it into me. I looked down to the ground and then back at him. “Did you know when you sent us to the McMurphys’?”