Page 57 of One-of-a-Kind Bride
“I’m supposed to leave right after Julie’s wedding.”
“That soon?” Blake seemed disappointed.
“But anytime Connie wants to speak to me, I’ll be available to her.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. I’ll let her know.”
“Maybe we should head back to the festival now?” She’d eaten her last bite of ice cream, gobbling up the very bottom tip of the waffle cone, her favorite part.
Once they reached the park, she thanked Blake again for the ice cream. “I should probably get back to Miguel and Julie.”
“Sure, okay. Thanks for the walk. Uh, I guess I’ll be talking to you,” he said, lingering awkwardly as if he wanted to say more.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he had to say. “Bye, Blake, thanks again.”
She took off toward the Friends of the Library booth and then spotted Miguel and Julie at the Outlaw Tequila photo booth speaking with Coop and his dad. Deep in conversation, they didn’t notice her, so she spun around and was making a quick getaway when Cassie’s voice stopped her in her tracks. “Taylor, look at me! I’minthe wanted poster!”
Taylor turned and sure enough, Cassie was posing in a cutout wanted poster, twin gun barrels crossing overhead, labeling herWANTEDfor $1,000. She was all smiles as the photographer clicked away, taking her photo.
Taylor walked over and greeted them.
“Where’d you go before?” Cassie asked innocently, shuffling away from the cutout. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“You’ve been looking for me?” Taylor bent to her level. “Well, I saw you in the parade, Cassie, and your poster really stood out. I’m proud of your hard work. Tell me, was it fun being in the parade?”
“It was kinda cool. I’m glad you liked the poster. Grandpa helped me with it, but I wrote all the words and did all the coloring.”
“You did a great job, Cassie. And, hey, I like the dress you’re wearing.” It was a denim overall dress with a bib and straps, and a white T-shirt underneath. Her hair was separated in two perfect braids, blond bangs coming loose on her forehead. Even if it wasn’t exactly the most feminine outfit, it was progress and Cassie looked adorable. Taylor tugged on the denim strap and grinned.
“Daddy took me shopping.”
“You look very pretty.”
“Thanks.”
Taylor stood and smiled at Grandpa Joe and Miguel, keeping her distance from Coop. She didn’t much like how he judged her being with Blake. It was uncalled for.
Cassie slipped her small hand in hers. “Daddy, can Taylor take a picture with us? You said we could take one more picture in the wanted booth.”
Oh, boy, she didn’t want to disappoint the child, but she didn’t belong in a family photo. That was for darn sure. “Oh, well…I don’t know. Why don’t you take one with your dad and grandpa?”
“And you, Taylor. Pleeeze.”
Her sweet, pleading voice traveled straight to Taylor’s heart.
“The three of you go on,” Grandpa Joe said. “I’ve had enough pictures for one day. Go on, Taylor. Coop. Don’t want to let Cassie down now.”
Coop shot his dad a hard look that said he didn’t like his manipulating. Taylor wasn’t thrilled with it either, but Cassie was tugging her hand toward the cutout. And Coop went along with it, presumably not to disappoint his daughter.
“You sure?” he asked softly enough for only her to hear. “Being as it’s a wanted photo, I’m surprised Blake hasn’t dragged you over here with him.”
The smugness of his tone cut deep and she lashed out. “How do you know he didn’t?”
Disbelief stole over his face, as if she’d gotten him good, but then he shrugged. “Nah, ice cream’s more his style.”
How did he know that? “Seems you’ve been spying on me.”
“Get real, Taylor. Cassie spotted you licking at your…waffle cone.”
