Page 38 of Forbidden Cowboy

“We can enlist the help of the twins.”

A laugh bursts out of me. “No. Involving them is asking for trouble.”

She taps her fingers on my skin. “The quilt queens can arrange for our parents to meet at Bucky and Kiwi’s bar for supper. If they set up a table in the hole, your parents can eat on one side and mine on the other side.”

“Bucky and Kiwi will never go for that.”

“If Wilma and Faye are calling the shots, what choice do they have? Those women don’t take no for an answer.” She pokes my chest. “You said we were devising one helluva a plan and I’ll tell you now, any plan with Wilma and Faye is a helluva plan.”

He doesn’t look as convinced.

“This is all we have left.”

“Then I guess we better make it one helluva meal.”

Chapter Fifteen

HOPE

––––––––

“I’M MORE NERVOUS than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.” I fix the flower arrangement on the table between Bucky and Kiwi’s bar — again.

Levi lifts my hands away from the white hydrangeas. He smoothes his rough palms down my bare arms. “You’re shivering.”

It has nothing to do with the air conditioning and my spaghetti strap white lace dress. “When they discover we’ve tricked them —” I take a deep breath.

“From what you’ve told me, your mom is already on our side and your father would do anything for you.”

“It’s his opinion of you that scares the death out of me.”

Levi chuckles. “Imagine standing on my side. I wouldn’t put it past your father to punch me.”

“My papa wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s actually the biggest teddy bear ever.”

“You do remember he punched my pa square in the jaw, right?”

“He’s really protective of his girls.”

“I rest my case.” He hooks a finger under his chin and turns his head sideways. “Take a good look darlin’ cause it might be the last time I look this pretty.”

I sink my face into my hands and groan through my fingers. “Maybe this is a bad idea.”

“This is the best idea you two have come up with.” Faye positions a wine and water glass at the six place settings.

“Buckle down. Stick to your decision. At your age, it’s about damn time you made the right one.” Wilma fusses over the linen wrapped cutlery.

The twins have gone all out to make tonight perfectly special. In the short time since our phone call, they’d managed to rope Bucky and Kiwi into pushing together a couple tables in their feuding hole. Three settings on Bucky’s for the Wildes and three settings on Kiwi’s for the Foxes. The table is decked with a burlap runner stretched over an ivory tablecloth. Fancy plates sit on floral placemats. I’m sure the entire getup is from the sisters’ bed and breakfast, Quilt House B&B.

“There’s no way in hell we’re backing out.” Levi cups my face and plants a long kiss on my forehead before pressing his forehead on the exact spot. “Right?” His whisper is only for me, but I’m sure the sisters are hanging onto every word.

“Right.” I run my hands along the stubble of his jaw.

“You ready?”

I nod against his head. “Yes.”

He softly brushed his lips over mine.