Ever After at Sweetheart Ranch by Emma Cane Page A

been a long day, and he can be exhausting. But seriously—­the reception?”
    It was Kate’s turn to let out a sigh, and Jessica eyed her with interest before saying, “Trouble in paradise?’
    â€œNo, not at all,” Kate scoffed. “The wedding is on schedule to be at the Rose Garden, where we first got married. But the reception is going to be at Carmina’s.”
    â€œYour parents must be thrilled.”
    â€œThey are, but . . . I feel like Tony is settling. We’re having the rehearsal dinner here, but he would have loved to host the whole thing.”
    â€œThat’s sweet of him,” Jessica said dreamily.
    Another single girl in Valentine thinking about true love, Lyndsay thought. Jessica was a few years younger, and Lyndsay almost teased, “Wait your turn.”
    Lyndsay leaned toward Kate with sympathy. “Tony knows logically that there isn’t room here. He’ll get over it.”
    â€œI know, but . . . I’m sort of flattered he’s upset he can’t do this for us.”
    â€œNow it’s getting a little overly sappy around here,” Lyndsay said.
    Kate laughed. “I know, I know. It’s not like it’s a major problem, I just . . . worry.”
    â€œAnd it’s sweet,” Lyndsay insisted. “I shouldn’t tease you. You know how utterly thrilled I am that you two are back together again.” She glanced at Jessica. “It was a long nine years, let me tell you.”
    Smiling, Kate said, “It was long. And pointless. I wish I’d done so many things differently.” She suddenly focused on Lyndsay with that penetrating lawyer stare. “Don’t you sometimes wish you’d done that?”
    â€œDon’t we all have occasional regrets? I’m sure you don’t regret having me as your maid of honor—­again. Not sure what else you’re saying.” Lyndsay thought about her book, and how weird it was going to be to break the news now. She wished she’d done that differently. But she had to talk about it with her whole family together.
    And then there was her teaching career. She’d always wanted to teach, and though she loved her kids, it was still shocking and sad that she wasn’t content. But what would she have changed?
    â€œWho else would be my maid of honor but my once-­and-­future sister-­in-­law?”
    The wording was getting to be a joke between them.
    Lyndsay looked around her with exaggerated care, then leaned forward so secretively that both Kate and Jessica did the same. “There is one particular thing I’d like to do that I’ve never done before.”
    When she paused dramatically, Kate said, “Don’t keep us in suspense!”
    â€œI’m going to ask Will out on a date.”
    Lyndsay spoke just as Kate took a sip of her beer, and Kate coughed, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Lyndsay chuckled and offered a napkin.
    Jessica eyed Lyndsay with interest. “You’ve never dated him? I thought almost everyone in his dating age range had.”
    â€œI know you dated him,” Lyndsay said, then almost wished she hadn’t mentioned it. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the details of what had happened between Will and her friend.
    Jessica waved a hand. “Only for a ­couple weeks. We never even—­” She broke off, wearing a lame smile.
    That made Lyndsay feel better. “Why did you break up?”
    â€œIt’s not like we even had anything official enough to warrant a breakup, ” Jessica began slowly. “We just . . . went out a few times and that was that. I think we both found other ­people or something. I don’t think we had a lot of sparks.” She shrugged. “It was last year. I barely remember.”
    â€œThen it’s settled,” Kate said happily. “Lyndsay should date him. There were a lot of sparks at this