Wooing In Wyoming (At The Altar #11)

  Wooing in Wyoming

  Book Eleven in At the Altar

  Kirsten Osbourne

  Cover Art Erin Dameron-Hill

  Copyright 2017 Kirsten Osbourne

  Kindle Edition, License Notes

  Erin Krol lost the love of her life, and she knows she’ll never love again. Because of her desire for children, she contacts the owner of Matchrimony Dr. Lachele Simpson. When Erin realizes she’s been matched to her very own chocolate maker, she isn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. A honeymoon in Switzerland sounds just perfect—and spending a week touring chocolate factories a dream come true.

  Al Frank has spent his entire adult life being responsible. The owner of his own business, he works far more hours than he cares to admit. He has no time for love or romance, but he wants children to carry on his name. When he sees Erin for the first time, he realizes he’s in over his head. Will the beautiful schoolteacher end up being what he needs? Or will his propensity for working too much come between them?

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  Dedication: This book is for my friend and fan, Erin Krol. In my mind, you will always be the chocolate empress.

  Chapter One

  Erin Krol paced back and forth in the back of the church, waiting for her wedding to start. Everyone she loved surrounded her, but she got no comfort from them. Her parents were both there, watching her with amused expressions. Her big sister Megan was there, patting her slight baby bump. Even her new brother-in-law Bob was there. And Jean—Jean had flown all the way from Atlanta for her wedding.

  They all understood her mental dilemma though. She had planned to marry in this same church not quite three years ago. She’d stood in this same spot, pacing in her wedding gown—not the same one. Wearing a wedding dress she’d purchased to marry another man would have felt like a betrayal of the only man she’d ever loved.

  Instead of someone sticking their head into the room to tell her it was time, the pastor had come in and taken her hand, gesturing to a chair. Randall had died on his way to the wedding. Her heart broke into a million tiny pieces and she knew she’d never marry again.

  Now, here she stood, about to marry another man. But she hadn’t fallen in love…she was about to marry an absolute stranger whose name she didn’t even know.

  The door opened, and she felt fear wash over her. She may not love her new husband-to-be, but she didn’t want him to die just because he was marrying her! A purple-haired bundle of energy rushed into the room, taking Erin’s hands in hers. “He’s here. Do you have any questions for me?”

  Erin nodded. “I need to know his name, age, occupation, social security number… Can you think of anything else, Dad?”

  John Krol got to his feet with a smile and walked over. “You must be Dr. Lachele. Erin’s told me a lot about you.”

  “Lies! Every word of it!” Dr. Lachele cackled loudly at her own joke. “Sorry. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Krol.”

  Erin stared at Dr. Lachele with a bemused expression. “I’m marrying him in fifteen minutes. Surely you can give me some details now!”

  “I’ll give you one hint. Will that help you?”

  Erin nodded, a bit warily. She trusted Dr. Lachele to find her the perfect man to marry, but she didn’t trust the crazy woman to give her any kind of real information. “Sure?”

  “You’re not marrying me!” Dr. Lachele laughed again. “Going to check on your groom.”

  Erin watched her go, shaking her head. She looked at Jean. “Are you sure you want to put yourself through this?”

  Jean nodded. “I’m honestly not sure how I’ll marry any other way.” She sighed. “I’m so busy working all the time, and there aren’t exactly men lining my sidewalk begging for my hand. I’m ready to settle down and have kids.”

  “Maybe you should wait to see how my marriage turns out before you even bother! What if she just thinks she’s a matchmaker, and she hooks me up with a drug dealer, who also runs guns as a side business? Huh?” Erin turned to her father and rested her head on his shoulder. “Please don’t make me marry a drug dealer, Daddy.”

  Dad patted her back gently. “I promise, if he’s a drug dealer you don’t have to marry him…Your mother doesn’t need grandchildren that badly!”

  Megan sighed heavily. “Hello! Pregnant daughter here!”

  Erin glared at her sister. “Hello! Having a prewedding meltdown here!”

  Megan seemed to consider that for a moment. “Very well. Carry on!”

  *****

  Al Frank paced the floor in the little room at the back of the church. They’d stuck him back here to wait for his bride, and the wait was getting long. Why had he been told to be at the church at ten when the wedding didn’t start until eleven? Didn’t they realize time was money?

  “You’re going to wear a hole in that carpet.”

  Al spun around to find the purple-haired matchmaker who had gotten him into this predicament. Why couldn’t she just help him make babies magically appear? He didn’t want to have to deal with some crazy woman to get them. (And she’d have to be crazy to marry an absolute stranger.) While she was at it, maybe she could provide a nanny for them so he didn’t have to marry. That would be good. “Please tell me my bride is here!” He was ready to get this show on the road.

  “She’s in the bride’s room, anxious to meet you.” Dr. Lachele looked him up and down. “You clean up pretty good for a man who was covered in chocolate the last time I met him.”

  Al shrugged, smoothing the front of his black suit. “Did you tell her to bring her passport and warm clothes for the honeymoon?”

  “Yes, I told her. You are spending one night here in town, right?” she asked, frowning at him. “I told you it would be easier that way.”

  “We’ll spend a night here in Wyoming. We’re driving to Cheyenne after the reception. And I’ll have her back before January third, but I think that’s a strange and random date to have to have her back by.”

  Dr. Lachele rolled her eyes at him. “You’ll survive. Time for you to head to the front of the church anyway. Where’s your best man?”

  “He’s out there. His wife and kids are in the front row, so don’t get any ideas about matching him up. Dave’s quite happy as he is.” Dave had been Al’s best friend since junior high, and they cared about each other deeply. Dave’s kids were part of the reason he wanted some of his own so badly…and his kid sister’s twins.

  “Can I get one quick peek at her before we marry?” he asked.

  “Absolutely not. Just get to the front of the church and wait. You’ll see her when you see her.” Dr. Lachele left the room, heading toward a closed door.

  Al followed and stood trying to see what was behind the door in the other room, but she caught him, making a shooing motion with her hands. “Go on! I’m not breaking any of my rules for you. Get out of here!”

  He shrugged. “Can’t blame a man for trying, can you?”

  “Yes, I can. Now go!”

  He had a grin on his face as he took his place at the front of the church, and Dave leaned toward him. “What’s so funny?”

  “Oh, that crazy matchmaker I hired. I swear that woman is going to be the death of me.”

  “The one that told you she wanted to lick all of your fingers, because they were covered in chocolate when she interviewed you?”

  Al nodded. “I wouldn’t want to be her husband. He must feel like he’s got a fight on his hands every minute of every day.”

  “Good thing she’s got someone else in mind for you then, huh?”

  Al looked over at Stacy, Dave’s wife, and waved
. Dave’s two-year-old daughter waved back. “Unca Al!”

  Al didn’t care if waving at a child right before your wedding started was good etiquette. He loved little Sasha with all his heart. “Hi, Sash!”

  Stacy held little Benjamin Albert on her lap, and she lifted his hand to have him wave as well. His namesake was only three months old and not really up to the task on his own yet.

  Everyone was seated and music began to play. He watched as two women in lavender walked down the aisle one after the other. He couldn’t help but wonder if either were related to his future bride.

  The music changed, and suddenly she was there, floating down the aisle on an older man’s arm. He assumed it was her father, but he couldn’t be sure. When they got to the front, the man kissed her cheek, and Al’s bride hugged him close. “I love you, Dad.”

  “Love you too, Erin.” Her father stroked her cheek and walked away.

  Erin. My bride’s name is Erin. And she’s…beautiful. He breathed a sigh of relief. He wanted good-looking children after all. To him, her dress was more suited for spring, and he was thankful they’d had some unseasonably warm weather. The dress was strapless, leaving her shoulders completely bare. That was a summer dress and it was December!

  When she moved to stand next to him, and took his hand with hers, he felt a jolt go through his system. Wow. Dr. Lachele may be strange, but she did good!

  Erin peeked up at him through her dark lashes. Tall dark and handsome. Exactly what she hadn’t been expecting, but definitely what she wanted. He was absolutely adorable, and he smelled like…why did her new husband smell like chocolate? If he smelled like that every day, she’d keep him forever!

  She paid little attention to the short sermon the pastor gave before he started the vows. She could barely pay attention to the vows. The man beside her was very hot, and he smelled like chocolate! She just couldn’t get that fact out of her brain. Why, oh why, does he smell like chocolate?

  She repeated her vows smoothly, surprised that she’d made it through them. When it was his turn, she looked up into his eyes, and saw they were brown. Chocolate brown. This man…she was going to gain fifty pounds in three months married to him. He made her think of chocolate and only chocolate. And kissing. She wanted to kiss him and see if he tasted like chocolate.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Erin stepped closer to him—she couldn’t remember what the pastor had said his name was…she was married to a man whose name she didn’t know! What on earth was wrong with her?

  Al saw the panicked look in her eyes, wondering what had caused it to happen suddenly. Was she afraid to kiss him? “Don’t be afraid, Tootsie Pop. I won’t bite.”

  She gave him a startled look, just as his lips brushed against hers. Her hand went to the back of his neck, and she held him in place. He did taste like chocolate! When she broke the kiss, she pulled his head down so she could whisper to him. He was very tall, and she wasn’t. Her diminutive stature made her feel like they’d never be able to communicate for a moment. “Why do you taste like chocolate?”

  He chuckled softly. “I’ll explain when we’re alone. Wanna go be alone for a minute?”

  She nodded emphatically. “I’m Erin by the way.”

  “Al.”

  “Al? What kind of name is Al?”

  “It’s my name. If you don’t like it, you’ll have to come up with something better to call me.” There was nothing wrong with his name. It was better than Maynard or Eugene. She’d have to live with it. “Come on. I hid a gift for you in the room they hid me away in at the back of the church.” He caught her hand in his and tugged her down the aisle, ignoring the people trying to talk to them. His long strides ate up the distance until he felt a hard tug on his arm.

  Erin dug in her heels and stopped walking. “You’re going too fast. I have tiny little short people legs, and I’m wearing a floor-length gown. You’re going to end up flying me around like Piglet on a blustery day if you’re not careful!”

  Al stopped and looked down at the feisty little woman beside him. “Sorry. I didn’t realize I was going too fast.”

  “Your legs are at least half again as long as mine. Just be careful!”

  “You’re a bossy little thing, aren’t you?” He wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. He’d figure it out eventually. Walking toward the back room again, he was careful not to walk too quickly.

  “I’m a high school teacher. Sometimes I need to let my boss flag fly.”

  “That explains a lot. What do you teach?”

  “Public speaking.”

  He shuddered. “Do you actually like to give speeches?”

  “I love to, but I understand there are people who don’t. Do you realize that more Americans are afraid of public speaking than death? I think that’s a bit overboard, but I guess I’m just not most people.” She followed him into the room and was a tiny bit alarmed when he closed the door behind them. “Do we need the door closed?”

  He raised an eyebrow at her. “We’re married. It’s okay if we’re alone with the door closed.”

  She shook her head, laughing at herself softly. “I never dreamed I’d be married this way.” She wanted the door open in case he was a dangerous man, but she was married to him. She needed to learn to trust him.

  He shrugged. “I never dreamed I’d be married at all, but I’ve discovered I want children.”

  Erin nodded. “Me too.” And looking at you, all I can think about is how those children will be made.

  “Do you want your wedding present?”

  “I didn’t get you anything.” She hadn’t expected him to have a gift for her. Now she felt bad.

  “That’s okay…I made you something.” He walked to the counter and picked up a small white box off of it. It had a big red ribbon tied around it. “Here you go!”

  It was a few days before Christmas, and while an odd time for a wedding, she’d thought it would be best if she waited to marry until the Christmas break. Carefully untying the ribbon, she lifted the top off the box. “You made me chocolate? Are you perfect?” With as stressed as she was feeling about the wedding, it was exactly what she was needing.

  He laughed. “Far from it. I was just trying to fly you like Piglet on a blustery day, if you’ll recall.”

  “But you made me chocolate!”

  He nodded. “I wasn’t sure what kind you like, so I made a mix of milk chocolate with caramel and dark chocolate with caramel. I hope you like those.”

  “We’ll find out!” Erin chose a piece at random and popped it into her mouth, doing her best not to moan at the creamy deliciousness. “You can make me chocolates any time you want.”

  He chuckled. “That’s a good thing…because I’m a candy maker. I’m the owner of Frank’s Fudge downtown.” He was thrilled to see her enjoy the chocolates so much. He loved to make them, but without someone to get so excited about eating them, it wouldn’t be half the fun.

  “Oh! One of my students got me a box of your chocolate for Christmas. I love Frank’s Fudge!” She frowned at him. “But your name is Al.”

  “My name is Al Frank. I thought Frank’s Fudge had a better ring to it than Al’s Fudge.”

  Erin nodded. “It does. You’re a candy man!” The tune of the old song ran through her head. “That’s what I’m going to call you. The candy man!”

  “And now you know why I smell like chocolate. I always smell like chocolate.” He shrugged.

  “This isn’t a bad thing!” Erin couldn’t believe she had a man who smelled like chocolate and not like man-sweat or cologne. She’d definitely won the lottery with him. “I heartily approve.”

  “Does that mean I can kiss you again?”

  Erin swallowed hard. “I—yeah, I guess. You mean now?” Until fifteen minutes before, she hadn’t kissed a man since before Randall died.

  He nodded, slowly walking toward her. “I want to see if I like it as much as I think I do.” That first kiss, even with t
he whole world watching them, had been nothing short of miraculous.

  “You don’t know? You just kissed me in front of a couple hundred people!”

  “Well, now I want to do it with no one watching. I need to see if you are as sweet in my arms as I remember.”

  Erin nodded emphatically. “And I need to see if you still taste like chocolate. I can’t believe I married a man who tastes like chocolate!”

  He chuckled as his hands went to her waist. “I’ll make sure I smear chocolate on myself every day before I head home from work.”

  “See that you do.” She felt terribly bold as she reached up and pulled him down for another kiss. The height disparity was alarming, but the taste of milk chocolate assailed her senses and she forgot everything else. She couldn’t believe it. She’d married the candy man.

  Chapter Two

  The reception was held right there in the fellowship hall of the church. Erin felt very self-conscious as she introduced Al to all the people who were important to her. “These are my parents,” she said, stopping in front of an older couple.

  “It’s very nice to meet you!” her mother said with a smile. “Welcome to the family.”

  Her dad was a bit warier, studying him carefully. “Where are you going on your honeymoon?” he asked. “I was told she needed her passport, and if you’re taking my baby out of the country, I have a right to know where.”

  “Switzerland,” Al replied. “I’m taking her to stay in a little cabin in the mountains of Switzerland.”

  “And where do you live? I know you have to be close, because Erin refused to relocate.”

  “Right here in Laramie. I’m the owner of Frank’s Fudge.” Her father had a blank look on his face, but her mother looked excited.

  “I love Frank’s Fudge! There’s a family discount, right?”

  Al laughed. “There sure is. Come by any time you need a chocolate fix.”

  Her mom frowned. “But you’re going to be out of the country. What will I do until you get back?”

  He shook his head. “I’ll write you a note for my manager. He’ll fix you right up.”