Restoring Scott's Soul

   Scott regretted the year or so after Diana had left him. He knew he had worried his family and could now recognize that he had grown withdrawn. But he had pulled out of that and was certain he was back to his old self. He didn’t think of her every day, wondering where she was or what she was doing. Or agonizing over the fact that she was with Eric. It simply didn’t matter anymore.

   He sighed into his steaming mug, resigned to the fact that he would be alone in life. He had become okay with it and accepted his lot.

His mind drifted to Claire. It would be nice to see her when she flew in for the wedding. His lips quirked at the fact that he’d get to walk her up the aisle as a groomsman. She’ll be beautiful, he thought. But then, she was always beautiful.

   It was foolish to think of her in this way. He had big, rough hands from his work and towered over her like a behemoth. Not to mention, she was across the country in Chicago. No, she would prefer another lawyer or an accountant or a banker. Someone who wore Italian suits to work during the week, and polo shirts on the weekends while they went sailing on Lake Michigan.

   Abruptly he wondered if she would bring a date for the wedding, and his stomach lurched. Perhaps he would see for himself what type of man she liked. He shook himself; it didn’t matter what type it was because they were just too different.

   Jake’s kitchen light came on like clockwork, drawing his gaze across the pasture. He knew Lora had gotten into the habit of rising with Jake so they could have breakfast together. That would be nice, he thought, pushing the small jealously aside.

   The sky was brightening in the distance so at least it would be a sunny day. Brushing away the wanderings of his imagination, he washed his favorite mug, put it to dry in the dishrack, and wiped down his kitchen counters. It was easy to keep the house clean when you lived by yourself.

Sliding into his heavy Carhartt and grabbing his truck keys, he went out to feed Sam and his bunkmates before driving to the ranch for breakfast. For some reason, his mom still wanted him to come by in the mornings. He didn’t mind a hot meal to start the day, and although he liked to cook, he hadn’t been able to master the egg. And he knew she was up nearly as early as he was, coffee ready.

   “Hey, Sam,” he greeted his horse as he slid open the large barn door on a well-greased track. His head protruded from his stall, eager for his breakfast, his breath steaming in the cold air. Scratching his large head for a minute, he brushed his forelock out of his eyes, wondering why he talked to him. He supposed everyone talked to their horse. Sam seemed to talk back, in his own way, making Scott smile as he nodded his head up and down happy about some attention. “I’ll get your breakfast, buddy,” he said as he patted his neck.

 

 

Chapter 1

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   Jean had been at it for hours, trying to get everything done in time for the ceremony later that day. Jake and Lora would be tying the knot in less than six hours and somehow, Jean felt more stressed about Lora’s wedding than she had for her own. Claire had been an amazing help, too, and had flown in a couple of days early to keep things running smoothly.

   Lora had opted for a December wedding to be sure that she and Will wouldn’t be away with the band. They were getting married at the church in town and using the hall downstairs for the reception. There weren’t many choices in a small town, and they didn’t want everyone to have to drive all the way to Bozeman for the event. The church was beautiful; Lora had it all decked out in bright red poinsettias and pine garland for the occasion.

   Their mom and dad were staying with Jake and Lora, but she and Will had been hosting Claire and Alonzo, Will’s head of security/chauffeur who had turned into a close friend. Other people had taken the five cabins at the main house, and more were staying at the hotel in town. Their wedding would be larger than hers had been, but that was to be expected with all of Jake’s close friends in the ranching community.

   She finished tying off the last of the little organza bags filled with Jordan almonds. She had done a hundred of those and a hundred bows on the little bottles of bubbles. Yesterday, she and Claire helped Lora make all the bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres for everyone. Her fingers hurt and her shoulders were stiff from sitting too much.

   She heard truck doors outside and realized Will was home with the boys. They had taken Jake for brunch and then were coming back to get ready here. Looking up she heard them laughing as they walked up the front porch steps. Scott’s low laugh was nice to hear. Alonzo opened the door, still playing chauffeur and now butler as they all walked in, Tom’s face pink from the alcohol they had undoubtedly snuck him.

“Lora’s not here, is she?” Will asked when they saw her as they piled in the door.

   “No. I’m headed to the church to deliver these, then back to the house to get ready with the girls. I just needed to box these up,” she said as she finished packing the last of them. “Want to help me carry them to the car?” she batted her eyes at him.

   He grinned, kissing her softly, “You shouldn’t be carrying them anyways,” he whispered, resting his hand lightly on her belly.

   “I’m only a couple weeks along, Will,” she whispered so no one would hear them. They hadn’t wanted to tell anyone yet. She was grateful she could still fit in her dress, or that she hadn’t gotten pregnant sooner. She wanted today to be all about Lora and Jake, and it was too early to tell people anyway.

   The boys filtered back to the kitchen, where she heard them breaking into her stash of cookies and the refrigerator door opening as she walked out with Will, a smile on her face. She wouldn’t have it any other way, glad they were making themselves at home.

   He walked her out to her SUV, boxes in his arms, bending to kiss her when she got in, “Have someone at the church help you. See you in a few hours, beautiful.”

 

   Pulling up to Lora’s house, Jean was worried she would be late to get her hair done. The woman Lora hired had agreed to come to the house which made getting ready so much more convenient. Jean walked in the door to find a flurry of noise. Excited female voices flitted down the staircase, her mom was busily fixing sandwiches in the kitchen, and her dad sat on the couch watching college football, smiling as he kept glancing toward the stairs and the noise cascading down them. Lora and Claire were laughing like teenagers, their voices carrying over the television.

   Jean snagged a half sandwich, “Thanks, Mom,” she grinned as she unconsciously rested a hand on her belly. Taking a bite, she turned and walked up the stairs.

   Lora knew her face was flushed as she sat trying to calm down. She was just anxious, excited that she would be a married woman in just a few hours. She breathed as Mandy tried to tame her curls into an elegant style on top of her head.

   She didn’t feel nervous, she just wanted to make sure that everything she had been working on for months would go smoothly. Wanted to make sure everyone had fun, the food was good, that it was served hot, the music wasn’t too loud, that the cake didn’t tip over, that the bathrooms didn’t flood, that all the little things that could go wrong, wouldn’t.

   “Take a breath, Lora,” Jean said as she walked into the room. Taking one look at her sister she knew all the thoughts and worries that were swirling in her head. “I just came from the church. The sanctuary is gorgeous, all the flowers are in place. I set up all the favors in the hall, the two baskets with the bubbles, the tables are beautiful, the DJ is setting up, the cake is there and is lovely.”

   “Is the knife and server by the cake?”

   “Yes. Yes. Everything is just where it should be. Try to relax. You are going to be beautiful; Jake is going to be handsome. It’s going to be perfect,” she squeezed her shoulder, feeling her sister release a breath. “Where’s Claire?”

   “Doing her makeup.”

   “Have you eaten anything?”

   “I don’t think I can.”

   “Mom, can you bring Lora a sandwich?” Jean called.

   Carol magically appeared at the door with a plate in hand. “Just eat half, Lora,” she said passing it to her. “You need to have something before you do your makeup,” she coaxed.

   “Okay. Okay.” Lora took a bite and realized she was famished. “Thank you both. I’ll be glad when all this is over,” she laughed. “We should have eloped.”

   “Now that wouldn’t have been fair to me,” Ben leaned against the door frame smiling at his daughter.

   “Do you want the other half of your sandwich?” Carol looked at Jean, glancing down at her belly with a little grin she couldn’t quite hide.

She knew. Of course, she knew, Jean thought. “No, thank you. I’m good.” Jean gave her a small smile and turned to find Claire.

Mandy had finished twirling Lora’s long curls up and pinning them in place, spraying them with what seemed like a whole can of spray.

   “How are you doing?” Jean asked Claire as she leaned into the guest bedroom door. She sat applying mascara to her long lashes in front of a mirror. “Wow! Your hair is gorgeous.”

   Claire had opted for having Mandy pull her long black hair back into a stylish chignon and leaving a few wisps down to frame her face. She grinned, “Thanks. I’m just finishing up.”

   “You’re up, Jean,” Mandy called down the hallway, already getting ideas on how to style her shorter hair.

Forty minutes later, Jean’s hair was in a sexy loose braid that wrapped around to the back of her head, stylishly pulling the tresses, and tucking them up and under, pinning them in place, and exposing her long neck. She wished she had Mandy do her hair for her own wedding a few months earlier, she thought, admiring her reflection.

   An hour later, makeup done, and bridesmaid dresses on, Jean and Claire helped Lora get dressed while Carol watched, blotting away tears.

A caravan of vehicles made their way into town to the church. They parked in the back, entering through a side door so Jake couldn’t see her, and they could easily sneak into the small room designated for the bride. The flowers were waiting there for them, and Jean passed Lora her bouquet as the wedding photographer walked in to begin capturing these moments. She had already photographed the church and Jake with his groomsmen.

   “I’d like a photo here with Jake,” she began motioning toward the doorway.

   Lora shook her head, ever the traditionalist. “Not until after the ceremony.”

   “He won’t see you,” she smiled. “I promise.”

   She positioned Lora on one side of the door frame, and Jake on the other, directing them as to which direction to look, or what to do. Then she had the bridesmaids and groomsmen stand behind each of them to snap a few more. Lora couldn’t wait to see all the photos she would capture today.

   Retreating to their separate areas, they heard the music start and knew that Tom was busy seating the guests.

   Jean peeked out from the back room to make sure Jake was already in the sanctuary. She watched as Tom was ushering the last of the guests to their seats, looking over to Claire, “Feels a little like déjà vu.”

   Claire laughed, “I guess a bit. What’s going on out there?”

   “Everyone is where they’re supposed to be.” She looked at Lora and her dad. “You ready?”

   Lora smiled, less anxious now that they were about to start. She squeezed her dad’s hand, “Yes.”

   “Let’s go,” Jean said, opening the door.

   Tom stood waiting for them to come out. His eyebrows rose when he saw the three of them and his smile grew wider. He would escort his parents to their seats, then Carol, but knew they would all want to see Lora first.

   Betty came to her, “You are simply stunning. Jake is so lucky to have you in his life.” She squeezed Lora’s hand, “We all are.”

   “Don’t make me cry, Betty,” Lora grinned softly and brushed a kiss across Betty’s cheek.

   Betty took Tom’s arm and they walked into the church, Bill following behind them.

   “You look beautiful,” Carol said, fluffing at her dress a bit. “I love you, baby.”

   “I love you, too, Mom.” Lora smiled as Tom came back to escort her to her front-row seat.

   The opening notes to Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major began, and Scott and Will came halfway up the aisle, waiting for the girls to enter so they could walk them to the front of the church.

   Claire walked in first, her smile dazzling, holding white poinsettias against the red fabric of her gown. The long asymmetrical dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves left the tops of each shoulder bare, and the skirt hung to the floor in the back and was shorter in the front so you could see nearly to her knees. The fitted bodice was overlaid in lace with silver beading, and the layered skirt flowed gracefully with her movement. She wore silver heels to match the beading of the dress and silver accents in her bouquet.

   Scott felt his heart stutter as he watched her walking toward him like a rose petal floating on a breeze. His mouth had gone dry, realizing belatedly that it was hanging open. He heard Will stifle a chuckle and chose to ignore him. Grinning softly at her, he turned and offered her his elbow, and when her hand slipped around his arm, he stood a little taller as he escorted her to the front of the church.

   Will’s eyes locked onto Jean as she walked toward him in the same gown and shoes. He didn’t often see her with her hair up unless it was in a ponytail. She looked beautiful, and he looked down at her stomach and smiled softly so happy she was pregnant. He was going to be a dad. He beamed, grinning broadly as she took his arm.

   Lora took a breath and stepped forward with her dad as the traditional wedding march began. The dress she had chosen for a winter wedding was simple and sophisticated. It was fitted and high-necked, secured with a pearl button, and the sheer sleeves had narrow cuffs and matching buttons. The A-line cut flowed down her figure. The lower back was laced up but left her upper back bare, and the red poinsettias she carried popped against the white fabric.

   She watched Jake’s face as she walked, a slow smile starting on her lips.

   Jake felt his knees buckle when he saw her, couldn’t peel his eyes away as she glided toward him, and found he had sprung sudden tears. When she started to smile, he felt his own grow. She was exquisite, this dramatic look a new one. He shifted his feet nervously and felt Will and Scott staring at him with broad grins of their own.

   Ben passed him Lora’s hand, and Jake nodded to him, unable to speak past the lump that had lodged securely in his throat, his hands sweaty. Ben winked as he kissed Lora’s cheek, whispered something in her ear, and sat with Carol.

 

   The reception was going precisely as planned, and Lora began to relax. The food was very good, and the DJ was doing a nice job with dinner music. She looked around as though supervising the proceedings, making sure each table looked happy and content. There was conversation and laughter everywhere she looked, helping her to breathe a little easier.

   She had wanted everyone to enjoy the evening and was hoping people would dance and celebrate with them, but she was looking forward to getting away with Jake on their honeymoon the next day. She had wanted to stay while her parents and Claire were there and leave afterward, but with some coaxing, everyone had convinced her to just get away. She was glad they did.

   Their first dance was coming up and after that, Jake and Lora had instructed that the bridal party and their parents should join them on the dance floor.

   As he took her hand and led her around the floor, he leaned in whispering in her ear, making her smile and blush when she looked up at him. He twirled her, caught her in his strong arms, leading her around the floor again, a shared grin on their lips.

   The second slow song began as the bridal party and their parents made their way to join them. Jake pulled Lora close, whispering to her again and making her laugh. Will wrapped his arms around Jean, smiling softly at her. And Scott politely took Claire’s hand, his other resting lightly on her waist.

   Nervously, he cleared his throat, “Are you having fun?”

   Grinning up at him, she replied, “Of course. Are you?”

   Her smile dazzled him, “I am.” He lifted his hand, gently pressing her hip to spin her before resuming their dance. “You look lovely by the way.”

   “Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself, Big Guy.” She wondered how long she could look up at him before her neck would start to ache since he was so tall, but her heels helped. At least she could comfortably rest her hand on his chest while they danced. The broad chest that led to the muscled shoulders that rippled when he worked. His tanned skin last summer had glistened with sweat when she had watched him working with his shirt off. She hadn’t been able to look away. Stop it. She swallowed, feeling herself grow warm.

   The evening wore on with lots of fun, and when it was near its end, and most of the guests had made their way back to their beds for the night, Jake and Lora changed. He wore jeans and a pressed shirt, and Lora black fitted pants and a sleek sweater. They were headed to a hotel in Bozeman before they flew out in the morning for a honeymoon cruise in the Caribbean. Their suitcases were already in the limousine they had rented for the evening.

   The family said goodbye, following them outside and waving as they drove away. Scott found himself standing next to Claire who looked decidedly exhausted although she was smiling.

   “They are perfect together,” she beamed looking up at him.

   “That they are,” he agreed. “Would you like me to take you back to the house?”

   “I can ride with Will and Jean.”

   “I think they’re loading all the presents into their truck with Alonzo.”

   She looked over to see that they were doing just that and felt bad that she wasn’t helping. “Oh. Well, if you don’t mind then. Thanks,” she smiled softly. “I’m ready when you are.”

   “Do you have everything?”

   She nodded and was surprised when he stuck out his elbow like he had when he had walked her up the aisle a few hours earlier. She took it and felt the strength beneath his suit jacket as they picked their way through the light snow that had fallen in the parking lot. He walked her to his black Ford F-350, opened the door for her, and held her hand while she climbed up awkwardly in her long dress.

   He was glad he had running boards on his truck, or she wouldn’t have been able to get in wearing those heels. He chuckled while he held her hand to steady her, then helped her gently tuck her dress in so it wouldn’t get caught in the door.

   When he came around to get in, Will had called out to him, something Claire couldn’t quite make out, making Scott turn back. Claire looked out the window to see them and heard his deep voice call back, “I’ve got Claire,” before he gave him a quick wave and came back to the driver’s side door. When he climbed in, he gave her a shy smile and started the engine.

   Alone now, Claire found she was almost nervous as he backed out of his parking space and made his way through the lot.

   “She’ll warm up soon enough,” he said about his truck, “and I’ll get some heat on. I have a blanket in the back seat if you’re cold,” he offered looking over at her.

   “No, I’m fine.” She hesitated, pulling her coat tighter around her shoulders. “Thanks for being such a gentleman tonight.”

   He looked across the cab at her again as he pulled out onto the main road, “I always try to be a gentleman,” he grinned.

   “That’s not what I meant,” she stammered, “I mean, I appreciate that you are one.” This was all coming out wrong. Why did he make her so nervous? 

   He nodded but didn’t say any more as they drove along. After a few moments, he asked “How long are you staying?”

   “I fly home the day after tomorrow. I’m going to help Jean pick out some things...” she broke off abruptly. They hadn’t wanted to tell anyone they were expecting yet, but Jean had told her and Lora, unable to contain her excitement. She quickly adjusted, “… some things for the guest room. They’re doing it in different shades of green.” She smiled over at him.

   He chuckled, the deep rumble emanating from his chest making her warm all over. He was so fully and unapologetically male, that Claire was fascinated by him as she watched him across the cab.

   “I was wondering how quickly they would start a family,” he said softly, a grin on his face.

   She stuttered, “I … I didn’t …” then she laughed. “I’m a terrible liar. I can’t even pretend not to know what you’re talking about.”

   “Do you like kids?” He asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but he wasn’t sure since she seemed career-driven. He wondered if she wanted kids of her own.

   “Love them. I was an only child, but maybe someday I can have a passel of my own.”

   He smirked at her, “A passel?” He would consider it a country word and was surprised the city girl had used it.

   “Three or four,” she laughed, allowing her mind to drift to thoughts of big family dinners and Christmases and her kids playing with Jean’s and Lora’s. Her heart ached a little that she was no closer to finding the right man for the job. “Maybe someday.”

   He said no more as they pulled into Will and Jean’s driveway and parked as close to the front steps as he could. “Just a minute. Let me help you to the house,” he offered already getting out of the truck.

   Her heart warmed a bit, wishing she could meet someone like Scott in Chicago. She liked the old-fashioned, male sentiments of holding doors and pulling out chairs. She sighed as he walked around the truck and opened her door, offering his hand once more to help her down.

   He gently gripped her elbow to steady her as she climbed down, then offered his arm again as he walked her up the steps to the door so she wouldn’t slip.

   She had her key out, unlocked the door, and turned, “Thank you for the ride home.”

   “My pleasure.” He wanted to kiss her, she was so beautiful. Of course, he couldn’t, even though the urge was strong. But it would make things awkward. She was going home to Chicago and didn’t seem inclined to move to Montana. He bent and pressed a chaste kiss on her cheek, the way a friend might do. “Goodnight, Claire.” He saw the surprise on her face when he leaned back and worried that he had still gone too far.

   She wished he would have kissed her softly and taken his time about it, then realized that was a horrible, terrible idea. His heart had already been injured by his ex-wife, and she certainly didn’t want to lead him on and hurt him again. They would presumably be around each other a lot in the future. Instead, she laid her hand on his chest, wanting to keep him for a moment longer, “Keep their secret, okay?”

   He nodded with a grin, and opened the front door for her, turning to go. Back in his truck, he watched the front door close behind her and the kitchen light come on a moment later. Knowing she was safe inside, he let out a sigh.

   The ride back to his house was quiet and he was thoughtful with visions of him and Claire. Realizing how much he should push them aside and get them out of his mind left him feeling hollow when he did. He swallowed and figured it was just all the weddings and now a baby on the way that had him feeling that way.

   If he was going to harbor any feelings toward Claire, they would be one-sided, so it was best to keep them buried.