“Sure does.”

  “He said she taught him to waltz.”

  “It’s true he can waltz, but I didn’t know his mother taught him. She’s coming out here next month. I’m eager to meet her.”

  “You like him, don’t you?”

  “At the risk of irritating the hell out of you—yes, I like him. But I could jerk a knot in his tail—Badger’s too—for what they pulled on you this week.”

  “It makes me feel stupid, and that’s not a nice place to be.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  “Let me show you something else. I took a picture of Raven. Several, in fact.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yeah.” She went back to the desk for her laptop. Looking at those pictures would be torture, but Hayley needed to see what she’d been up against.

  Searching for the images wasn’t much fun, either. A beautiful, innocent moment in the romantic glow of the setting sun had been ruined.

  She located them, brought the laptop to Hayley and knelt beside her chair. “This isn’t a true test, because you already know it’s him.” Reaching over, she scrolled to her favorite sepia-toned one.

  “Whoa. That’s a very cool shot. I thought you guys were inside all the time.”

  “The autumn leaves in his yard are outstanding. I noticed them the first night and asked if I could bring my camera the second night. He came out while I was shooting.”

  “Badger has one of those jackets. I admit I have a thing for flyboys.”

  Her insides twisted. So did she. “Would you have instantly recognized him as Aaron?”

  “If I didn’t know it was, maybe not. Although I’ve seen him stand that way. They never lose that military bearing. Makes them look sort of cocky.”

  “Yeah.” She sighed.

  Hayley gave her a funny look.

  “I mean, yes, so, so cocky. Think they’re all that and a bag of chips.”

  “Right.” She smiled and returned her attention to the picture. “The cap pulled low and the aviators disguise him fairly well. But where’s the scruff?”

  “The second night he shaved it off before I arrived.”

  “And you still didn’t know it was Aaron?”

  “I was so far into my fantasy I wasn’t looking for any reason to doubt the story.”

  Hayley studied the picture. “I get it. Damn, he has it all going on. I see why you wanted to capture this image.”

  And why, before I took these, I kissed him. And later on, we kissed again, and again….

  “So what are these others?”

  “Huh?” Yikes. Caught dreaming of kisses. “Just more of the same. We don’t have to go through them all.” She reached for the laptop. “I just wanted you to get the idea.”

  “Oh, I do.” Hayley closed it and gave it to her. “It was a well-baited trap. Most women would have reacted exactly the way you did.”

  “Thanks. Makes me feel better.”

  “Did you ever see his eyes?”

  “Not until tonight.” So many emotions reflected in that golden gaze—remorse and sorrow. A brief sparkle of laughter. And at the end, a blazing fire of determination when he’d tried to keep her from leaving.

  “His eyes would have been a dead giveaway. They’re such an interesting color.”

  “I suppose I would have recognized his eyes. But maybe not unless he took off his cap and looked straight at me. Even tonight, when he stood in the doorway, it took me several seconds to put it all together.”

  “That must have been a very tough moment.”

  “You have no idea.” She picked up the wine bottle and refilled their glasses.

  “So what now?”

  “Good question.” After taking a piece of chocolate, she sat down. “But rest assured this won’t affect my work. You’ll get my best effort for the next two days.”

  “I never doubted it. I’m just sorry you’ll be forced to spend time with those two. It would be nice if you didn’t have to see either of them for a while.”

  “Sure would. Why in hell would they pull this stunt the week before the wedding? That seems so—”

  “I’m learning how Badger thinks. My guess is he figured they had a better chance of making it work while everyone was concentrating on something else.”

  “Okay, but Rav—I mean Aaron—told me the first night that I’d find out about their experiment by Friday. So they were always planning to drop this bombshell right before the big event.”

  “I did mention the lousy timing to Badger. He said they had no clue how this would turn out. For all they knew, you’d recognize Aaron the first night and it would have been over before it started.”

  “If only I had. Instead…”

  “There was way more emotional involvement than he’d counted on. He used the term runaway train.”

  “Oh, God, it was, wasn’t it?” She stared at Hayley. “Have you told anybody about this?”

  “Of course not. I told Mom I’d be away from my phone for a while but I didn’t say why.”

  “Aaron said I could tell anybody I wanted, spread it around. At the time that sounded like the perfect revenge. But I wasn’t thinking straight. Gossip like that would affect your wedding.”

  Hayley sighed. “It would, and Badger deserves to suffer the consequences, but Luke and Abigail don’t. My mother and dad don’t.”

  “And you don’t.” Thank heavens she’d punched pillows instead of making phone calls. Disaster averted. “Only the four of us know about this. We need to keep it that way. At least for the next two days.”

  “I won’t say anything.”

  “And I certainly won’t. What about the guys?”

  Hayley pulled her phone out of her purse. “Leave them to me.” Her jaw tightened and her eyes flashed with an unholy fire. “You might want to cover your ears, though. I’m about to tell Badger how the cow eats the cabbage.”

  “Are you kidding?” Caitlin grinned. “I want to hear every single word.”

  Badger’s truck was the only vehicle parked outside when Caitlin arrived at the renovated barn at three the next afternoon. The possibility that Aaron had come along had her stomach in a knot, but Badger was the only one in the building when she walked through the front door lugging her equipment.

  She left it against the back wall and went to meet him. “Hey, Badger.”

  “I should have waited outside so I could help you with all that.”

  “No worries. I’m used to carting it around.”

  He took off his Stetson as he came toward her and placed it against his chest like a shield. “Caitlin, my deepest apologies for what you’ve suffered because of my actions. I talked Aaron into it. He had doubts from the get-go, but I can be very convincin’ and he—”

  “Save it, Badger. I spent three evenings with the man. You might have been the catalyst, but I can testify that he was all in. And for the record, he insisted on taking all the blame. Said you were a very small part of the operation.”

  “I was a major part, but he would take the heat because that boy is as loyal as a golden retriever. You won’t find anyone more willin’ to go the extra mile than—”

  “So now he’s a dog instead of a raven? I can’t keep track of all his personas.”

  “I know this sticks in your throat like a hair in a biscuit, but I promise we didn’t set out to hurt you.”

  Her throat tightened. “Maybe not, but you did, anyway.”

  “And for that, I’m sorrier than I can ever say. Aaron’s even sorrier than that.”

  “Which you both should be.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Because of us, you likely had a miserable night’s sleep.”

  “I slept well, thank you.”

  “Oh. That’s…I’m glad to hear it.”

  “I’m fine, Badger.” Not quite true, but giving Badger a hard time wasn’t nearly as much fun as she wanted it to be. Hayley had done such a good job dressing him down over the phone last night that adding to that was like piling on. “We should get to work.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll show you what Virginia has in mind.” As he put on his hat and moved briskly over to the control panel, he didn’t act the least bit the worse for wear.

  When Hayley had called the guys last night, they’d clearly decided to drown their sorrows in McGavin’s Pale Ale. But Badger had a reputation for drinking everyone under the table and emerging fresh as a daisy the next day.

  “How’s…how’s Aaron?”

  Badger turned, his gaze steady. “What do you want to know?”

  “Just if he’s…you know what? Never mind. Let’s see those lights.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Aaron’s drive from his house to the wedding venue didn’t take long enough. Before he was anywhere near ready to face Caitlin, he’d pulled into the parking lot. Her battered white Cherokee sat in the front row of spaces near the barn doors, which stood open. He chose a spot in the back.

  This is for Badger and Hayley. The mantra had sustained him throughout a day spent regretting the numerous beers he’d consumed. They’d gone through Badger’s six-pack and his.

  He should have learned by now that trying to keep up with Badger was a recipe for disaster. But the guy drew people into the game because hanging out with him, drunk or sober, was so much fun.

  Sometime around one in the morning, he’d insisted they had to waltz around the living room to prove that Aaron hadn’t made that up. Naturally they hadn’t completed the circuit without crashing into the furniture. Two drunk cowboys of their size and weight had far less margin for error than one focused cowboy and a slim, athletic photographer.

  She was somewhere beyond those open doors, preparing to capture the precious moments of the rehearsal. Soon he’d share interior space with her.

  He didn’t know how she’d be. How he would be. He’d changed shirts four times and finally gone with his first choice, a black one with pearl snaps and gold piping on the yoke and collar.

  Badger had sent him a text about fifteen minutes ago. FYI, she asked about you.

  What was he supposed to do with that? Did she sincerely want to check on him or was she being polite? Did she hope to hear he was doing okay or was she fantasizing he’d been strangled by someone’s pet python?

  Probably the first thing, that he was okay. If she’d asked about him, she wanted to know that he was functioning and hadn’t thrown himself off a cliff in despair. She cared about him. The depth of her concern was anybody’s guess, though. After all, she had mentioned boiling his privates.

  He climbed out of the truck wearing his aviators. His black Stetson lay brim-side up on the passenger seat. No hats during the rehearsal, but all the guys would have on their dress Stetsons during dinner and dancing at the Guzzling Grizzly.

  The absence of a hat as he started toward the front door was unnerving. He missed the psychological cover it provided. He’d have to walk in bare-headed, the way he’d greeted Caitlin at the door last night. He’d have to take off the aviators, too. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

  He’d almost reached the open doorway when someone called his name. He turned as Kendra and Quinn approached, all smiles. Would they be greeting him warmly if they knew about his shenanigans? Likely not.

  “Nice shirt! You look great.” Kendra gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “Thanks.” He gave her a hug and shook hands with Quinn, who was also hatless. “I almost don’t recognize you without your Stetson.”

  “No worries. It’s in the truck waiting for me.”

  “Same here.”

  “A double wedding!” Kendra’s blue eyes gleamed with excitement. “I’ve never been to one. Have you?”

  “Can’t say I have.”

  “It’ll be unique,” Quinn said. “Luke and Abigail insist they got rid of the skunk smell on Delilah, but I have my doubts they could do it that fast. Kendra offered to be their official smell tester this morning, but—”

  “They said it wasn’t necessary.” She glanced at Aaron. “Which makes me suspect she still smells like skunk.”

  “Hope not. That would—”

  “There’s the missing groomsman.” Ryker appeared in the open doorway. “Hey Mom, Dad. We’re about ready, so come grab a seat. Aaron, you’re with me.”

  “Yes, sir. On my way, sir.” Aaron winked at Kendra and gestured for her to go in ahead of him with Quinn.

  She flashed him a smile. As she walked through the doorway, she leaned toward Quinn and spoke in an undertone. “I still get a charge when he calls you Dad.”

  “Me, too.”

  Aaron’s chest tightened. His father had died young, just like Ryker’s. He was happy that Ryker and his brothers had Quinn, and, yeah, a little envious. A dad would be nice to have.

  He tucked his aviators in his shirt pocket as he hurried after Ryker and scanned the room for Caitlin. There. On the far side of the room with Abigail and her best buds, Ingrid and Roxanne. All four women were making over Delilah in her wedding tux. Caitlin leaned down and scratched behind the border collie’s ears. Then she glanced up at Abigail and smiled. His throat went dry. So beautiful.

  He’d told her once. He should have said it way more than that. He’d had so many chances. Wasted them. She stood, reached for a camera lying on a pew and focused it on Delilah.

  “Raven? You coming, man?”

  “Yeah.” He tore his attention away and put his feet in motion. “Kendra was talking about the skunk thing. Does Delilah still smell?”

  “There’s debate about that. Okay, Badger, Raven’s here. Does Hayley still want him to meet her maid of honor before we start?”

  “She does.” Badger flashed him the usual confident grin. “She’s over yonder with Hayley.” He tilted his head toward the far side of the room.

  “I see.” The two stood—of course—only about ten feet away from Caitlin’s group.

  Badger glanced at him. “How’s it hangin’, good buddy?”

  “I’m doing okay, bridegroom.”

  “Then let’s go meet Sheila. She finally arrived about two hours ago.” He ambled in that direction.

  “Cutting it close.” Aaron fell into step beside him.

  “Plane malfunction. She got stuck overnight in Chicago.”

  “Rotten luck.”

  “For her.” Badger slowed and lowered his voice. “For us, it was a blessin’. I couldn’t have asked Hayley to do that little favor if Sheila had flown in yesterday like expected.”

  “How are things with Hayley?”

  “She vented most of her frustration with me during our phone conversation last night. So we’re good, but I’m scared to drink. Might loosen my tongue.”

  “That would be bad.”

  “Can’t imagine goin’ on the wagon at this particular time, though. It bein’ my weddin’ and all.”

  “Yeah, but if you let something slip when you’re toasted…”

  “She’ll cream my corn.” He glanced in Hayley’s direction and raised his voice. “Darlin’, you ladies got a minute?”

  “Absolutely.” She smiled at Aaron as they approached. “Hey, you.” Only a slight flicker in her eyes indicated she wasn’t totally glad to see him.

  “Hey, gorgeous.” He gave her a quick hug.

  She hugged him back and murmured you’re an idiot in his ear.

  “Duly noted.” Then he turned on the charm as she introduced him to Sheila something-or-other. With Caitlin in his peripheral vision, he had trouble concentrating on anyone else.

  Sheila was much more focused. “Aaron Donahue.” She clasped his hand in a firm grip. “I know a guy with that exact name.”

  “Doesn’t everybody? I had no idea it was so common. It’s the new John Smith.”

  She laughed. “The one I know isn’t as funny as you.”

  “Likely a lot more handsome, though.”

  “I wouldn’t say that, either.”

  She was flirting with him. Badger gave him a nudge, clearly a signal this was a golden opportunity to show Caitlin that other women found him attractive. He didn’t give a damn whether Caitlin understood that or not. She wasn’t the type to be influenced by such things.

  Badger loyally steered the conversation in his direction and threw in comments designed to make him look good. Crackerjack pilot. Great dancer. Nobody can waltz like this guy—all spoken loud enough to reach Caitlin in case she might be listening.

  He appreciated Badger’s effort, so he played along as best he could. Joking around with Hayley’s friend wasn’t easy when his focus was on the sweet lilt of Caitlin’s voice as she took pictures of Delilah and talked with her friends.

  “Hey, troops!” Ryker’s commanding voice carried without benefit of a mic. “Let’s get this show on the road! Groomsmen, front and center. Ladies, to the back of the room, please.”

  “Looks like Cowboy’s gettin’ serious.” Badger glanced over his shoulder before turning back to the women. “It’s been a pleasure talkin’ with you, ladies.” He gave Aaron another nudge.

  “Sure has.” Movement off to his left distracted him. Caitlin had stopped taking pictures. She was looking directly at him. He forced himself to keep his attention on Hayley’s maid of honor. “Nice meeting you, Shirley.”

  “Sheila.”

  “Sheila. Right, sorry. I should be able to remember that. I have a cousin named Sheila.”

  She grinned and repeated his line. “Doesn’t everybody? Save me a dance tonight, okay?”

  “You bet.” He figured she walked away with Hayley after that, although he was too distracted to say for sure. An unsmiling Caitlin was coming straight for him.

  “Bogie at ten o’clock,” Badger said under his breath.

  “I see her.”

  “I’ll be leavin’, now.”

  “Coward.”

  “Facilitator.” Badger squeezed his shoulder and left.

  Aaron stood alone. And waited.

  Caitlin’s blue gaze was troubled and a small frown line creased the space between her eyebrows.

  His doing. All his doing. He swallowed. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” She took a breath. “I just thought it would be good if we spoke to each other. Broke the ice.”

  He nodded. “Good idea. Ice can be damned slippery.” He worked hard to breathe without gasping. “How are you?”