“Sara won’t need more than a bikini,” Natalie said with a knowing smile. “And Josh will probably have her out of that most of the time anyway.”
“I sure hope so.” Sara winked then shook her head at Olivia’s expression. “You’re blushing, Olivia.”
“I don’t know...yes...well...”
Natalie gave an indelicate snort. “Was Craig such a limp fish even on the honeymoon? It’s not a surprise, but still...”
Olivia shrugged. “It was fine.” But nothing about her relationship with Craig had been fine, including their honeymoon. She knew she was to blame for that as well, or at least that’s what he’d convinced her at the time.
She busied herself with folding Sara’s bridal veil before carefully placing it in the box.
“You won’t leave before I get back?” Sara’s voice was so soft it made Olivia’s eyes prick again.
“Why do you have to leave at all?” Natalie asked, rising to stand next to Sara. “You love it in Crimson. This town is great for you.”
She smiled slightly at Natalie’s indignant tone. It had been so long—forever really—since Olivia had felt like she had friends in her corner. “Craig ruined both our reputations. Even if I had the money to stay, I doubt I’d feel at home here anymore.”
“He was the dirty, cheating scumbag. Not you.”
“You know how things work in a small town.”
Natalie’s lips thinned into a frustrated line and she flipped a strand of soft caramel-colored hair behind her shoulder. She’d grown up in Crimson and knew better than any of them about life in a small town. “The best things about Crimson are also the hardest,” she said. “Always have been. People here are ready to help someone in need at the drop of a hat, but they also want to learn all your business in the process.”
“People in town mean well. You know they do.” Sara wrapped an arm around Natalie’s shoulder. “Even if your trust tree has very few branches. We all know you like to keep your secrets even closer than your friends.”
“I don’t have secrets, you brat,” Natalie answered with a grin. She gave Sara a playful flick on her bare shoulder. “I’m an open book and everyone knows it.”
As both women erupted into laughter, a subtle ache started in Olivia’s chest. In her ivory gown, Sara, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty, looked every bit as ready to walk the red carpet as when she actually would for a movie premier. The turquoise necklace bright against her fair skin and the cowboy boots she wore with her wedding dress were the only things that gave a hint to the work she did running the guest ranch nestled at the base of the mountains outside of town.
Natalie was a good six inches shorter than Olivia, her light brown hair and matching eyes warm and kind. But the faint shadows under her eyes proved that Natalie worked too hard balancing her jobs as a nurse at the local retirement home and a part-time private caretaker.
Along with Sara’s long-time friend April, these two women had become the sisters Olivia had always longed to have. They’d accepted and supported her, pulled her out of her rigid shell and were teaching her how to enjoy life.
She’d almost been happy until Craig had walked out on her two months ago, taking her life savings and her self-respect along with him.
But that was too maudlin a topic for a night such as this. She plastered a bright smile on her face. “No more depressing Craig talk. Let’s get back out there and join the party.”
Sara pointed a finger at her. “You need a man,” she said, ignoring Olivia’s fake smile.
“Josh has two brothers,” Natalie offered.
“I don’t need a man,” Olivia sputtered, feeling heat rise to her cheeks again. “I just got rid of one.”
“Craig was a snake, not a man.” Sara waved a dismissive hand. “He doesn’t count. Josh’s brothers aren’t staying in town long enough to be useful. Plus, Jake said he’s due back at the clinic by Tuesday morning. Logan is too much of a wild card to depend on.”
“What about—” Natalie started.
Olivia threw up her hands. “Stop!”
Both women turned to her. “I’m not looking for a man,” she repeated.
“You’re in a bad place,” Natalie argued. “You need to let loose.”
“My husband left, taking most of my money with him. Heck, yeah, I’m in a bad place.” Olivia placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her gaze at Natalie. “I’m not the only one who needs to let loose. How about we find a man for you?”
Natalie’s shoulders stiffened. “This isn’t about me.”
“We just want you to stay,” Sara said softly.
“I know.” The tension went out of Olivia’s shoulders. She wanted the same thing. She just couldn’t figure out how to make it happen. “I won’t leave until you get back. I’m meeting with the new mayor this week. Maybe I’ll have some great epiphany before then.”
A knock sounded on the door and Josh Travers walked in.
“Hello, husband,” Sara said, her dreamy smile returning.
“Hello, wife,” he answered and came forward to wrap her in his arms. “The guests are asking for you.” He nodded at Natalie and Olivia. “Mind if I have a few moments with her, ladies?”
“Of course not,” Olivia and Natalie answered in unison.
“Come on, Livvy,” Natalie said with a smile. “Let’s round up a couple more glasses of champagne.”
Sara touched Olivia’s arm as she walked past. “You deserve happiness, too,” she whispered.
Olivia’s throat clogged, but she nodded and then followed Natalie back to the reception.
* * *
Logan Travers tipped the beer bottle to his lips as he scanned the guests at the reception. They’d sent off Josh and Sara half an hour ago in a flurry of well wishes and whistles, but the absence of the bride and groom hadn’t seemed to dampen the party atmosphere in the least. He was happy for Josh, and Sara seemed amazing, but that didn’t mean he liked wedding receptions.
He curled two fingers into his collar and tried to stretch the starched fabric. This was the first time in his life he’d worn a tuxedo, and he hoped it would be the last. He was ready to head back to Josh’s ranch and crawl into bed for the night. His brother Jake had left already, using the fact that he was driving Josh’s daughter, Claire, home as an excuse. Logan figured it had more to do with Jake’s need to get away from the boisterous crowd drinking and dancing in the private reception hall above one of Crimson’s popular downtown restaurants.
Logan had been close to making his own escape, but his new sister-in-law had cornered him on her way out and made him promise to dance with one of her single friends before he left. He’d worked his butt off all night to avoid getting entangled with any of the women at the wedding, limiting his dancing to his thirteen-year-old niece. But he’d been unable to resist Sara’s plea.
Now he surveyed the couples on the dance floor and the people scattered at tables around the room. His eye caught on a woman seated by herself to the side of the dance floor. She looked as uncomfortable as he felt. Her dress was pale pink and her hair was pulled back from her face in an almost severe knot at the back of her head. Sara had described her friend Olivia as a very pretty librarian type. Logan didn’t know if he agreed with that, but decided she must be the woman.
As he approached her, the music changed to a slow ballad.