When We Met (17 page)

“You don't,” he teased.

She smiled at him. “I'm getting used to them.”

It was a sunny Saturday morning. Angel had called the previous night and suggested they spend the day together. They were going to cruise the festival through lunch, then maybe catch a movie. He would grill steaks for them that night and tomorrow they would work on her garden.

Implied in the invitation was him spending the night—a plan she could totally support. Lately she'd found herself sleeping better when Angel was in her bed. Of course that could be about the things they did
before
they fell asleep, but she was open to that, as well.

Now, as he took her hand, she laced her fingers with his and felt the swell of contentment in her body. Being around Angel made her feel good.

They moved slowly with the flow of the crowds. There were booths lining the streets. A schedule of events promised live music later.

“Angel, Taryn!”

Allison, a little blonde girl with glasses, ran up to them. She wore a pink T-shirt and white shorts. As she reached them, she pushed up her glasses.

“Hi. I saw you and wanted to introduce my uncle Ryder.” She was dragging a good-looking guy behind her. He looked to be around thirty, with tanned skin and a crooked smile. He was tall, maybe six-three, so he towered over the little girl. “He's a really famous photographer.” She paused to beam at them. “He's my favorite uncle.”

Ryder shook hands with both of them. “Hi,” he said. “Allison gets a little carried away. I'm not that famous.”

Taryn liked how Ryder put his hands on Allison's shoulders in a gesture of love and support, rather than getting annoyed with her.

“You're her favorite uncle,” Taryn said.

“I'm her only uncle.”

Allison shook her head. “You'd be my favorite, no matter what. Angel is my Grove Keeper.”

Ryder's mouth twitched. “That's right. You're an Acorn.” He turned his attention to Angel. “How are you enjoying the FWM?”

“You know about it?” Angel asked.

“I lived in Fool's Gold until I was about ten. Then we moved to Denver.” He glanced around. “Great place. I was sorry to go.”

“He's visiting for the weekend,” Allison said, leaning against Ryder. “I showed him my beads.”

They spoke a few more minutes, and then Allison dragged her uncle away to buy her an elephant ear. Taryn watched them go.

“You're good with the girls,” she said. “They adore you.”

“I'm their only Grove Keeper. They don't know any better.”

“Which makes them easier to fool? I don't think so, big guy. They're crazy about you.” She nudged his arm. “Besides, you can French-braid now. You're invaluable.”

“I'd been looking for a skill to round out my résumé.”

She was still laughing when they stopped in front of a display of hats. The hats themselves were cloth, with a brim that could be rolled up or left down. But what made them different were the silk flowers. Some of the arrangements were small, with only a few buds, while others were full-on bouquets.

Taryn tugged on Angel's hand, but he wasn't budging.

“No way,” he told her. “I heard that this year it's all about accessories, so I'm buying you a hat.”

A hat she would never wear, she thought as he selected, then rejected several options. Then he picked up a soft black hat with dark red roses and plenty of green leaves and put it on her head. He adjusted the brim until it was how he wanted it, then turned her toward the mirror.

“What do you think?” he asked.

The hat wasn't anything she would ever wear, but that wasn't the point. She could see herself and part of him. He kept fussing with the way the hat sat on her head. As his fingers lightly stroked her cheek, she felt a tightness in her chest. A tightness unlike anything she'd experienced before.

Her breath caught and the world spun a little before settling. And then she knew. She was in love with Angel.

She who had vowed to never risk her heart, no matter what. She who defined her world by how much she controlled it. She who had always prided herself on her toughness, had fallen deeply and profoundly in love.

“Taryn?” Angel's voice was sharp. “What's wrong?” He turned her to face him. “You went pale.” He touched her forehead, then reached for her wrist and felt for her pulse. “Your heart is racing. Are you sick?”

She was, she thought frantically. Sick with love. Oh God. How had this happened? Why hadn't she been paying attention?

But after the panic came certainty. This was right, she thought. Whatever happened, however this ended, she had fallen in love. And by giving her heart, she'd broken free of the last bond her father had on her. She'd overcome the fear.

She drew in a breath and smiled at him. “I'm okay. Just a little light-headed. I didn't eat this morning.”

He tossed the hat lady the money for the hat, then put his arm around Taryn's waist and led her toward the food booths. “We'll get something into you right now.”

His touch was sure, she thought. She knew he would take care of her. It wasn't love—he'd already given his heart and couldn't do it again. She understood that. Later, she would deal with that pain, but for now it was enough to know that she wasn't as freakish as she'd feared. She was almost like everyone else.

Angel got her a wrap and a soda for each of them, then made sure she ate all of hers. They were still discussing what to do that afternoon when Consuelo walked up and handed them each a piece of paper. There was an address on it.

“Five o'clock this afternoon,” she said, glaring at them. “It's Kent's mother's house. There'll be food. Don't be late and don't tell me you can't make it. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, ma'am,” Angel said.

Taryn smiled. “I'm not frightened by you, and yes, I'll be there, too. What's going on?”

“Nothing I want to talk about,” Consuelo grumbled, and walked away.

* * *

T
ARYN
HADN
'
T
BEEN
sure what to wear to Consuelo's undefined event. She figured it was something like a barbecue so chose a simple summer dress with a sweater to ward off any chill. As walking on grass might be required, she chose a platform sandal.

Angel picked her up at a quarter to five and they drove the few blocks to Denise's house. There were already a few cars parked in front and several people walking up the front walk.

“Big party,” he said, then went around to the passenger side of his SUV and helped her out. As she slid to the ground, he leaned close. “Let's not stay too late.”

The combination of his breath and his voice made her shiver. She looked into his eyes. “An early night sounds nice.”

He brushed his lips against her cheek before they headed toward the front door.

Nevada Hendrix Janack, one of the Hendrix triplet sisters, met them in the foyer. “Everyone's out back,” she said. “Just go through the house. There's plenty of seating.” She paused. “Angel, right?”

He nodded.

“My brother needs to speak to you.” She pointed to a hallway. “Down there. Taryn, can you find your own way to the backyard?”

Ford appeared and grabbed Angel's arm. “You made it. Good. Hey, Taryn.” With that, both of them were gone.

Taryn wondered what on earth was happening. She followed the directions to the rear of the house and entered a large kitchen. From there she could see out big windows. A huge tent had been set up outside. The sides were rolled up so she could see the twinkle lights decorating the poles. Chairs had been set up in rows, with a center aisle. There was a beautiful cake on a small table at the far end of the garden, a dance floor to the left and flowers everywhere. If she didn't know better, she would swear they'd been invited to a wedding.

Dellina came in from the backyard, saw Taryn and grinned. “Can't talk. Way too busy. Who plans a wedding with twenty-four hours' notice? It's not possible, but here we are.”

Taryn didn't have to ask the name of the bride. There was only one couple who would get married in Denise's yard like this.

She walked outside. The guests were talking and obviously excited about what was happening. Servers circulated with glasses of champagne and trays of appetizers.

“My lady.”

She turned and saw Jack holding out a glass to her. She took it and smiled at him. “You're here.”

“We were summoned,” he said, motioning to where Sam and Kenny were talking to some people she didn't know.

“Larissa is going to be sorry to miss the wedding,” Taryn said. Larissa had gone back to L.A. to visit one of her sisters for the weekend.

“I'll save her a piece of cake. Where's your date?”

“I don't know. He was whisked away. He might be part of the wedding party.” Angel had known Consuelo a long time. She would guess the other woman wanted him involved.

“They pulled this together fast,” Jack said. Despite the afternoon sun, he looked comfortable in his suit and tie. Of course Jack was comfortable everywhere.

“You have no idea.” Taryn told him about her recent lunch with friends and Consuelo's meltdown. “Maybe this is how she could get it done.”

Jack put his arm around her. “Marriage wasn't so bad.”

“All six weeks of it?” she asked lightly.

He smiled at her.

Mayor Marsha moved to the front of the tent and asked everyone to find a seat. Taryn and Jack sat together. She saved a seat for Angel in case he joined them later. Music started. Kent, Reese and Ford appeared up by the mayor.

Felicia started up the aisle. The maid of honor, Taryn would guess. The wedding march began and the guests rose. She turned to see Consuelo in a full-on wedding gown, complete with veil, being escorted by Angel and Justice. She looked beautiful and fierce. Taryn had a feeling she was fighting serious nerves.

When she reached the end of the aisle, Justice and Angel lifted her veil and kissed her cheek. Then they stepped to the left, to stand by Felicia.

“Male and female attendants,” Jack whispered. “Very modern.”

She smiled, then turned her attention to the ceremony.

“We are delighted you could all attend this wonderful occasion,” Mayor Marsha began. “While I try to attend every wedding in town, I'm not always lucky enough to officiate at them. Thank you both for this joyous opportunity.”

She glanced down at the book she held, then back at the guests. “Today we celebrate and witness the joining of Kent Hendrix and Consuelo Ly. Traditional vows will follow, but first our wonderful couple wants to say something to each other.”

Consuelo handed her bouquet to Felicia, then faced Kent.

“I love you,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Very much. I promise to always show up and to tell you when I'm afraid.” She flashed a smile. “I can't say I'll always be normal.”

Kent grinned. “I'll be normal enough for both of us.” His mouth straightened. “I'll always take care of you, Consuelo. Be there for you.” He glanced over his shoulder.

Reese stepped a little closer. “Me, too,” he added. “We're going to be a family.”

Taryn felt her eyes start to burn. She wondered if Angel would look at her, if he would communicate that while they didn't have that level of emotion between them, he cared. Only he didn't.

Instead Jack took her hand. “This is nice,” he murmured.

“It is.”

“There's something to be said for eloping.”

Which they had done, she remembered. “Less money on catering.”

He grinned. “Good point. I'm glad your friend there was the one who had to deal with the snake. It probably would have killed me.”

She chuckled. “I'm sure of it.”

“You've got a good man there.”

She looked back at Angel. “Yes, I do.”

As if he'd heard them, he turned toward her and gave her a slow wink. She smiled back and knew that her world had gotten just a little brighter.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Y
OU
HAVE
CHILDREN
here to see you,” Larissa said with a grin. “Two girls. They know you by name.”

Taryn held in a smile. “Is that accusation I hear in your tone?”

“Children? It still surprises me to think about you hanging with them.”

“You know I'm an assistant Grove Keeper.”

“I've heard the words,” Larissa said with a grin, and walked back out into the hall.

Taryn was still chuckling when Chloe and Layla, another Acorn, walked in. She stood and circled around her desk. “Hi, you two. What's up?”

Chloe set her backpack on a chair and pulled out a length of rope. “We're having trouble with our knots. Angel's busy and the campout is coming up soon. There's going to be a test after we set up our tents. We know there's a rabbit and a hole, but we can't remember about the tree.”

Layla rolled her eyes. “I asked my dad, but he doesn't know.”

She sounded desperately disappointed in the man.

Taryn kept her smile in place even as her stomach flipped over. Knot proficiency was required of Acorns. Angel had taught them at the last meeting. And while Taryn had been able to go through the motions with everyone else, she hadn't really been paying attention to the particulars. After all, Angel was the outdoor expert. She was simply faking it.

In the past few weeks they'd gone hiking twice and had repeated the kayaking without incident, but with sex, which made it even more fun. But knots? She knew next to nothing about knots.

But she couldn't say that to the girls, she thought. Nor could she fake her way through knot teaching. Before she could figure out a way to confess all and then look up knots on the internet, Kenny walked down the hall.

Taryn called to him. He stepped into her office, took one look at the girls and raised his eyebrows. “Something you want to admit to?” he asked.

She ignored the humor in his eyes. “Kenny, these are two of my Acorns. Chloe and Layla. We were discussing the knots we have to learn and I was wondering if you knew anything about knots.”

Kenny glanced from her to the girls and back. He leaned against the door frame as if he had all the time in the world...and he planned to use every second of it to torture her.

“Camping?” he asked.

Chloe nodded. “We're having an all-grove campout. Layla and I are Acorns, like Taryn said. We're the youngest. The other groves are Sprouts, Saplings, Sky-Reachers and Mighty Oaks. We're going to be Sprouts next year.”

Layla nodded.

Kenny's mouth twitched and Taryn knew it had nothing to do with Chloe's innate cuteness. Instead he was storing information he would use against her when she was least expecting it.

She thought about pointing out that she hadn't been exactly
hiding
her position as assistant Grove Keeper from anyone. She just hadn't been talking about it much. Jack knew, but now that she thought about it, there was a good possibility the other two didn't.

“Sprouts, huh?” Kenny asked. “Which means you belong to the...”

“Future Warriors of the Máa-zib,” Chloe said helpfully. “FWM.”

“Right. It sounds fun and I can see you're fierce warriors. I'm impressed.”

Taryn was about to glare at Kenny when she realized how much Chloe had been talking. Usually she was the shy one but not, apparently, around Kenny. Interesting. He was a big guy. Tall and broad, with massive hands. People were often nervous around him. But not these two.

“Tell me about your knot experience,” Taryn said. “Can you help?”

“Oh, I can,” he said, grinning at her. “I used to be an Eagle Scout.”

“I know what that is,” Layla said. “My brother wants to be an Eagle Scout.” She wrinkled her nose. “But he said he wouldn't help me with my knots.” Her lips turned up at the corners. “He's mad because he snuck out to be with his friends last weekend and I told.”

Taryn nodded at Kenny. “Still want to mock the FWM?”

“I wasn't mocking,” he said as he walked to her desk and sat in one of the chairs. “But I'm impressed with your tracking skills,” he told Layla.

“He goes out the window at the end of the hall,” Layla told him. “It's right by my room and the floor creaks really loud right there.”

“Sounds like he deserved to get caught. Did he get in trouble?”

Layla nodded. “He's grounded.”

“And pouting,” Kenny said. “Otherwise, he would have helped you.”

Both girls giggled.

Kenny held out his hand for the rope. Chloe passed it over. They told him what they were trying to do, and faster than Taryn would have thought possible, he'd twisted the rope into place and handed it back to them.

“Wow,” Chloe breathed. “Can you teach us that?”

“I can.”

Taryn sat back in her chair and watched as Kenny slowly went through the steps of the knot. The girls watched and nodded, and then each of them repeated his actions. She noticed that both of them crowded closer and closer until they were leaning against him. Chloe seemed especially smitten, watching his face when he talked and smiling up at him as if he were some kind of superhero.

When they'd mastered the knot, they thanked him and left. Taryn waited until they were gone to thank him.

He shrugged. “No big deal. Happy to help.”

“You were good with them,” she said. “They liked you.”

Kenny's blue eyes gave nothing away.

“You're great around kids,” she continued, watching him carefully as she spoke.

“Forget it,” he said flatly.

“Kenny, you need to get over it.”

“I have.”

“No, you haven't. You're ignoring what happened. You don't talk about it.”

“There's nothing to say.”

He got up and left. Taryn sighed, not sure how hard to push him. Everyone had things from their past—she knew that better than most. But she hated to see Kenny avoiding getting involved because of what had happened before. It wasn't fair and it wasn't right. But it also wasn't her problem to solve.

* * *

D
ESPITE
THE
QUICKIE
wedding Dellina had pulled together with what Taryn would guess was maybe fifteen minutes' notice, she still managed to get the clothing exchange organized in a matter of days.

The soon-to-be finished retail space at Paper Moon had been cleared of all construction equipment. The new carpeting was in place, as were most of the fixtures on the wall. Temporary racks held hanging clothes, while large tables were covered with sweaters, bags and shoes. There was even a display of costume jewelry. The dressing rooms were clearly marked and several mirrors had been set up around the room. Music played through hidden speakers.

All the clothes had, per the invitation, been delivered in advance. There were notes attached to most of them. Things like “I wore this once. Not sure why I bought it.” Or “It shrank in my closet, which is weird because I never wore it.”

Against the far wall was a mobile bar and buffet. Mostly finger foods easily eaten while shopping, along with a constant supply of girlie cocktails.

Taryn had been hoping to get ten or fifteen women to come to the exchange, but there were at least twice that many. Several were unfamiliar, but Isabel quickly made introductions. It didn't take long for the noise level to start climbing.

Madeline was in charge of the exchange. She suggested pieces to different people and offered to find matching shoes or bags.

“She knows about the outfits for Bailey, right?” Taryn asked in a low voice.

Isabel nodded. “I got her a suit but also bought her a dress.”

Taryn stared at her. “Why?”

“I thought it would look good on her. It's navy, with a jacket. She can dress it up or down. Take off the jacket and it's a nice dress for dinner out. A suit is more limited. This is Fool's Gold. Where is she going to wear a suit every day? But a dress can be worn a lot of different places.”

Taryn nodded. “You're right. I'm just so nervous.”

She'd left the shopping to Isabel. The other woman already had her credit card number on file. What were a couple more purchases?

“Holy shit, Taryn, what size are you?”

Pia Moreno stepped out of one of the dressing rooms wearing one of Taryn's castoffs. The purple dress looked great until Pia turned and Taryn could see the zipper was about three inches from closing.

“You just had a baby,” Montana said sympathetically.

“Yeah, but my waist will never be
this
small.” Pia glared at Taryn. “Seriously, you're what? A four?”

Taryn nodded. “Mostly.”

“They'll fit me,” Noelle said, studying the dress Pia had on. “But your clothes are way too sophisticated. I am, however, having a serious love affair with some of your shoes.”

Annabelle Stryker, a petite redhead, walked up. “Everyone here is too tall. The only one I could exchange with is Consuelo, and we don't share the same fashion sense.”

Taryn thought about Consuelo's love of cargo pants and tank tops, then looked at Annabelle's floral-print dress. “I can see how that wouldn't work.” Not that Consuelo was at the exchange. She was still off honeymooning with Kent.

Taryn saw Bailey stepping out of one of the dressing rooms. The other woman had on a navy dress that came to just above her knees. It fit well, skimming over her curves. The scoop neck flattered without being too low. When she slid into the cropped jacket, Taryn understood what Isabel meant about the outfit being versatile.

Taryn crossed to the accessory table and grabbed a couple of scarves, then picked up a necklace and earrings.

“Try these on,” she said, offering the costume jewelry to Bailey. “Nothing says a woman is accomplished more than chunky jewelry.”

Isabel grinned. “I hadn't heard that.”

“It's a little-known truth in boardrooms across America.”

Bailey laughed. “I'll try them, but I have to warn you, I've never owned a scarf—except to wear in the snow.”

“Then this is a first,” Taryn said as she put the scarf over Bailey's shoulders.

Five minutes later they'd all agreed the dress was a hit, that the navy, cream and gold scarf worked, but with the dress alone. With the jacket, it was too busy. And that, yes, chunky jewelry made a woman look as though she was in charge.

“You did good,” Taryn whispered to Isabel when Bailey had returned to the dressing room. “That dress fits her perfectly.”

“I do have an eye,” Isabel said with a grin.

Nevada Janack, the triplet who'd greeted her and Angel at the wedding, came over with a deep purple Jimmy Choo tote in her hands. The leather was soft, with rows of buckles on the front.

“I don't understand this,” Nevada said, lightly stroking the bag. “I don't even carry a purse. But I have to have this. I have to.”

“Bag love is pure,” Taryn told her. “Especially the first time. I hope the two of you will be very happy together.”

Nevada nodded. “I'm putting in more than five dollars. It's so beautiful—how could I buy it for so little? It would be wrong.”

As the money was going to a women's shelter, Taryn was happy to encourage people to put in as much as they could afford.

She looked around at the event, pleased to see so many women trying on clothes and shoes. The bowl they were using to collect money for the exchange had already been emptied once that night, and it was going to have to be emptied again.

Taryn thought about how Mayor Marsha had forced her to solve the Bailey problem on her own and had a feeling that once again the wily politician had been right.

* * *

T
HE
SITE
OF
the FWM all-grove campout was about fifteen miles outside town. It was a public camping area that the groves had taken over for the weekend. Not only were there lots of trees, permanent restrooms and big fire pits for group bonfires, but the campsites themselves were separated into two levels. The lower level, by the stream, and the upper level, closer to the parking lot. The latter provided parents who wanted to stay close but not get in the way of the experience a place to hover out of sight. If one of the girls needed a parental hug in the middle of the night, Mom and Dad were there to provide it.

Angel had parked in the designated “Grove Keeper” section of the parking lot. His SUV was filled with all kinds of gear—most of which was new. He was the kind of guy who loaded up a backpack and took to the mountains. But this was different. He wanted his girls to enjoy everything about the experience. Which meant roughing it had to be done in a gentle way.

He loaded up with as much as he could carry and headed down the steep trail to the lower campsite. A couple of other Grove Keepers were already there.

Large trees provided shade and cover. The east side of the site was up against the mountains. The stream cut through on the west side, then flowed along the edge of the grounds. With the warmer days, the snowpack was melting and the water moved at a fair clip. But it was shallow—eight inches or so. From what he could tell, the area wasn't prone to flooding.

He found the Acorn section and put down his pack and a couple of boxes. There were two picnic tables and a marked, paved path led to the restrooms. The area for the tents was big enough for them to be pitched in a circle, with the entrances facing each other.

Angel had brought along a mallet to help secure the stakes, and a rake to clear the site before they pitched the tents. Although there were eight Acorns, they would be sleeping two to a tent. Including his tent and one for Taryn, that was a total of six. The space was plenty big.

For a second, he thought about sharing a tent with Taryn. They could zip their sleeping bags together—something he would enjoy. He gave himself a minute to think of her naked, her long legs tangling with his, then shook off the image. He had a feeling somewhere in the Grove Keeper Handbook was a rule forbidding unmarried Grove Keepers to have members of the opposite sex in their tents.