Bridget's Beau Read online

  “Yup, we’re going to be great friends!” Bridget stepped outside looking around her. “Where’s the saloon? What’s an Old West town without a saloon?”

  “It’s down across the street from the mercantile. You were so busy being excited about the apothecary that you missed it.”

  Bridget frowned. “Well, what’s inside?” She’d already figured out that the shops weren’t always what they seemed on the outside.

  “It’s really an old-fashioned looking saloon type place, but they have a soda shop. Fancy coffee, sodas, and ice cream. Want to try it?”

  She bit her lip for a moment before nodding. “Would you mind? I don’t really need to eat there, but I want to see it!”

  “Then let’s go.” Kevin loved to watch her excitement at the place. He’d been just as in love with it when he’d first come to the ranch. History had always appealed to him, and he couldn’t help but be sucked into the magic of the town there. He pointed out a huge tree, off behind the row of houses behind her. “That tree was the tree the original Westons decorated at Christmastime when they moved here. And that house belonged to Frankie Weston…the matriarch of the Weston family.”

  “Wait…the matriarch was named Frankie?”

  “Yup. Her real name was Francine, but she pretended to be a boy until she sent for a mail order groom. She was a bit ahead of her time.”

  “Sounds like it! Do you know when that was?”

  Kevin shrugged. “I’ve heard a couple of different things. Some say it was in the 1880s…some say the 1890s. I’m not sure what the real story is, but I’m doing some research on my time off to put it together. I’m going to gather as much as I can, and have Kaya write out a history of the ranch for me.”

  “She can do it. My sister is the best writer around. I’m surprised she’d agree to write something non-fiction though. She hates non-fiction.”

  “She did ask if she could fictionalize it and write it as a romance. I probably should have told her no, but I was so excited that she was going to do it, I said yes.”

  “So my sister is going to write a romance novel about the history of this ranch. That sounds like Kaya. What’s she going to call it?”

  He frowned, wracking his brain. “I think she said Mail Order Miracle? Something like that. I’m not sure.”

  “I’m sure she’ll tell me when it’s out.”

  “Do you read her work?”

  Bridget nodded. “Not always, but I try to when I have time to spare.”

  “Am I going to blush if I try to read it?”

  “Probably not. She doesn’t get too terribly naughty with her books.” Next to the saloon was a sign propped up against the side of the building. She tilted her head so she could read it. “Sadie’s Soda Saloon.” She watched as he opened the saloon door. As soon as she was inside, she grinned. There was a long wooden bar to the left with barstools and a flight of stairs to the right. “I love this place!”

  “Me too!” he said with a grin. “I like to hang out here and write my sermons sometimes.”

  She frowned at the thought of him being a pastor. “Did you always want to be a pastor?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. My upbringing wasn’t super religious, but when I finished college, I realized what I wanted more than anything was to help people. I had become involved in a local mission during college, and I decided to go to seminary. I’m actually more versed in counseling than I am in preaching, but I can do either. The ranch hired me on to perform weddings, but I preach once every three or four weeks.”

  “I see. But you don’t really have a congregation, right?”

  “Not really. I actually do a lot to help with different things around the ranch. If someone calls in sick or a department is short-handed for a bit, I’ll come in and work. I love the diversity of not having to do the same thing every day. I have to show you my little church.”

  Bridget noticed there were a few people there, sipping coffee. “I’m not thirsty or anything, but this place is cool.”

  “Go ahead and look around. Sadie won’t mind.”

  “Sadie?”

  He gestured to the woman behind the bar. “Am I allowed to go upstairs?”

  Sadie shook her head. “No, it’s just storage up there. Stay down here.”

  Bridget spun in a slow circle looking at everything around her. “I want to live here when I grow up.”

  Kevin laughed. “I’m happy to help you make that happen.”

  They stopped at the church next, and it was just what Bridget thought an old-time church should be. It had stained glass windows, hard wooden pews, and a pulpit at the front. She sank into one of the pews. “Preach it!”

  He was startled for a moment, but how could he resist? He walked to the front and talked softly about the love of God. After five minutes, he was done, and he came out and sat beside her. “Are you a Christian, Bridget?”

  She nodded. “I am. Not a very good one, I’m afraid, but I am.”

  “Why aren’t you a good one?” he asked, frowning.

  “Good Christians don’t offend people. I have a hard time opening my mouth without being offensive.”

  “I haven’t noticed that. And a lot of good Christians offend people.”

  She shrugged, not wanting to get more into it. “I love your town, and this little church. This really must be an amazing place to work. Especially for a history buff.”

  He frowned, not wanting to change the subject, but he nodded. “I wouldn’t trade my life here for anything.”

  She thought for a moment he might kiss her, but he just looked into her eyes. His hair was dark and his eyes were a deep brown, and Bridget just wanted to melt into them. He was so incredibly sexy…it was wasted on a pastor in Bridget’s opinion.

  “Let’s walk,” he said. “Are you hungry? I thought I’d get us boxed lunches to eat on the trail, but it’s already past one. We took a long time in the town.”

  “Yeah, I’m very hungry. Isn’t there supposed to be a café here or something?” She put her hand over her eyes and looked around. There had been a diner in the “town” but he said it wasn’t open at the moment.

  “Yes, Kelsey’s Kafé. It was named after the grandmother of the Kelsi who currently runs it. The grandmother opened it, and taught Kelsi everything she knows.” He walked beside her, stealing glances out of the corner of his eye. Why was he so attracted to this crazy little woman? He was certain he’d seen her stab her sister with a tiny fork the previous evening, but both sisters had just laughed, so could that have been what happened?

  “I met Kelsi last night. She’s really fun!”

  “She is! Is she the reason you want to hunt for Bigfoot?”

  “She inspired it, but I love the idea. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hunt for Bigfoot?”

  Kevin shrugged at that, stopping in front of a building with a huge sign reading, “Kelsey’s Kafé.”

  “What’s good here?” she asked as they went in and found a booth off to one side.

  Kelsi herself came to the table immediately. “Everything’s good! Bob is the best cook in all of Idaho. Maybe in all of the world, but don’t tell him I said that or he might get a big head, and what would we do with a big-headed cook?”

  Bridget grinned. “Lop off his ears and serve them as an appetizer?”

  “I like the way you think! Just enough gruesome details to make me smile. Do you like horror films?”

  Bridget nodded emphatically. “I love them! You?”

  “Oh, yeah! You two should come over for a movie night. How’s tomorrow night?”

  Bridget shrugged. “I think the only day I’m booked is Saturday. Today’s what? Tuesday? I always lose track of my days on vacation.”

  “Yeah, it’s Tuesday. Well?”

  “Sure. I’m game!”

  Kelsi looked at Kevin who squirmed a bit. “I’ve never really been into horror films.”

  Kelsi rolled her eyes. “Then you and Shane can sit around talking about guy stuff while we girls watch them. Don’t be a pain, Pastor Kevin.”

  Kevin shrugged. “I can hang out with Shane, I guess.”

  “Good. I’ll make my famous enchiladas. Do you like hot or burn your tongue off and never recover scorching?”

  Bridget shrugged. “I would probably prefer hot, but Kaya would be all about burning her tongue off.”

  “Yeah, we like the same brand of Cajun seasoning! We discovered that when she first got here.”

  “Of course you do.” Bridget shook her head. “She said you two got along very well. I should have guessed.”

  “Does this mean that you won’t eat our Cajun seasoning topped everything with us?” Kelsi asked, her eyes wide.

  “Nope. Maybe I should meet your twin, since you love mine so much.”

  Kelsi smiled. “I’m sure you will! It’s a big ranch, but the whole family will be at Glen and Kaya’s reception. I’ll make sure I introduce you.”

  “Kaya said you guys are identical.”

  Kelsi shrugged. “We were at one point. Her hair is shorter and darker. And she’s much thinner. No protrusions.” Kelsi patted her pleasantly rounded belly. The clothes she was wearing showed her belly off more than the clothes from the previous day.

  Bridget laughed. “So tell me what to order.”

  “Special today is a taco burger, served with a small mountain of fried cheese curds.”

  Bridget handed the menu back to Kelsi without blinking. “You sold me.”

  Kevin looked back and forth between the two women. He was pleased Bridget got along with everyone so quickly. “I’ll take the special as well. No need to hurt Bob’s feelings.”

  Kelsi rolled her eyes. “Like Bob has feelings.” She raised her voice as she said it.

  From the kitchen, Bridget heard a g
ruff voice say, “One of us has to be able to keep a stiff upper lip while the other one cries and blames it on pregnancy hormones!”

  Bridget giggled softly. The place was pretty full, but no one blinked an eye. They must all be regulars.

  “I’ll go put this in. Back in a few.”

  Kelsi hurried off, and Bridget turned her attention to Kevin. It was the first time he’d sat across from her, and she was suddenly at a loss for words. Why does he have to be a pastor? Why? Why? Why?

  “Are you and Kaya close?” Kevin asked, nodding at Kelsi to thank her for putting the water in front of him. He had to say something to break the silence. Bridget suddenly seemed incapable of speech.

  Bridget shrugged. “I don’t think we’re as close as most twins. I mean, we love each other. I can’t think of anyone I love more than my sister, but we don’t always get along great. We don’t exactly share a brain or anything.”

  “Why don’t you get along?”

  Bridget shrugged. “She gets on my nerves. I get on her nerves. We have no siblings other than each other, and I think sometimes we just are around each other too much and annoy each other.” She sighed. “And we disagree on the most fundamental of all things—who the best Disney princess is. I say it’s good old Cindy, but she says Belle. How could a book worm be the best Disney princess, I ask you?”

  “Cindy?”

  “Cinderella of course. Please tell me you received a proper education and you’ve seen all the Disney movies.”

  “I—well—I’ve seen more Disney movies than I have horror films. That should count for something, shouldn’t it?”

  She frowned at him. “We’ll get you educated before I leave. I’m sure there’s a library of movies to borrow from here. I read about it on the website.” She sighed. “You’ll choose before I go, won’t you?”

  He laughed. “If I absolutely need to, I will.”

  “What about you? Any siblings?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Don’t even know my parents. I was raised on a Boys’ Ranch in Nowhere, Texas. It was a nice place, but it was for kids who the system had failed or who were in so much trouble their parents didn’t know what to do with them. My parents dumped me there as a baby, and they took me in.”

  “I’m sorry.” Her hand covered his on the middle of the table, and she immediately wanted to remove it when she realized who she was with. Had they just declared their engagement?

  “Nothing to be sorry about. It was a great place to grow up. I was loved, and I doubt I would have been with my parents. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have given me up.”

  “I guess not.” It was odd…thinking of him as a young boy alone tugged on her heart strings more than she would have expected. And when he turned his hand over and gripped hers, her stomach flipped and flopped. She was in trouble. Bad trouble. Why did he have to be a pastor?

  Chapter Three

  When Kelsi came back to the table a few minutes later, Bridget asked her the question she asked any woman she was contemplating having for a friend. The most important question she knew. “Cinderella or Belle?”

  Kelsi grinned as she placed their water on the table. “That’s easy. Belle, of course. Who would like someone else?”

  Bridget made a face. “I do. I think Cinderella is the perfect Disney heroine for any era. She’s the one whose story is retold again and again. Any writer who knows how to use a keyboard rewrites Cindy’s story. Not that many rewrite Belle’s.”

  Kelsi frowned, her hands on her hips. “Don’t make me throw you out of my place, Bridget. You know as well as I do that Cinderella is just a Belle-wannabe. Don’t try and make me mad. I’m pregnant and hormonal!”

  Kevin looked back and forth between Kelsi and Bridget. Bridget’s face was turning a little red, but she sat back and crossed her arms across her chest. “Fine. Be on the wrong side.”

  Kelsi sighed. “How does Kaya feel?”

  Bridget wrinkled her nose. “She’s on the wrong side too.”

  “Might is right.” With that, Kelsi turned on her heel and walked back to the counter where she was refilling the salt shakers from all the tables. She kept looking up at Bridget and mumbling something under her breath, but she said nothing else Bridget and Kevin could actually hear.

  Kevin looked at Bridget as if she’d lost her mind, because he wasn’t sure that she hadn’t. “Why are you picking fights with people about who the best Disney Princess is?”

  Bridget shrugged. “It’s just my thing. I have a favorite princess, and I think everyone else should love the same one.”

  “That’s a bit crazy, you know.”

  “I never claimed to be sane.” She dug a tiny fork out of the pocket of her jeans. “Would a sane woman carry a shrimp fork everywhere for the express purpose of stabbing her sister?”

  “I thought I saw you with a shrimp fork! Why do you have that?”

  “I told you. I carry it so I can stab Kaya with it. It keeps us from arguing so much.”

  He frowned for a moment, not wanting to ask, but… “How does that keep you from arguing with her?”

  “If she starts to get on my nerves, I stab her. If I get on her nerves she stabs me. There’s a whole lot of stabbing going on, but no one is really getting hurt, and we’re not wanting to kill each other because of disagreements either. See? It makes sense.”

  “So basically, you take out your aggression on your sister by stabbing her?”

  Bridget nodded emphatically. “We were on a cruise together recently, and we were annoying our friend, Jenni. We discovered the shrimp fork trick by accident, but it was fabulous. Of course, we ate all our meals with our tiny shrimp forks and annoyed the waiters, but we tipped extra to make up for it.”

  Kevin stared at her. He was very attracted, but he worried she may need a mental health professional. “How exactly does Kaya feel about this?”

  “We got each other boxes of shrimp forks. We seriously got each other the same gifts.” She frowned down at hers. “Of course, I got hers with Cinderella on the end, and she got mine with Belle, which is really a dirty rotten trick.”

  “Have you sought out professional help?”

  Bridget laughed, the sound filling up the diner. “I thought about it, but I’m as sane as the next person. I just found a way to take out my aggression on my sister without it eating away at me.”

  “I guess.” He shook his head. “I’ve never heard of anyone doing anything like that before.”

  “I shipped nerf guns ahead. If she makes me really mad, I’ll give her a gun and three hundred ammunition, and I’ll take the same. We’ll warn everyone there’s a war going on and just make it happen.”

  He shook his head. How did a sane person respond? He did remember summers when tensions ran high on the boys’ ranch when they would each be given a squirt gun with a jug of water filled with food coloring. Each boy would get a new white shirt, and they’d run around shooting each other and creating shirts with one of a kind designs. It was a way to get out their aggressions without hurting anyone. Why couldn’t adults do it too? Think of the lives that could be saved if the rulers of opposing countries were given shrimp forks instead of armies. Maybe she was onto something.

  “Do you want to go up in the mountains on four-wheelers after lunch?”

  “What time is it?” she asked.

  He pulled out his phone and checked. “Just after two.”

  Kelsi put their plates in front of them. “No need to hurry, but we’re going to be closing up shop around you.”

  Bridget frowned. “I had no idea you were closing! Do you want us to take them to go?”

  “Of course not!” Kelsi shook her head. “You two eat. It’ll be a while before we’re done with everything anyway.”

  Bridget grabbed one of the cheese curds and popped it into her mouth, immediately fanning it with her hand. “Hot!” She took a huge gulp of her water. “But good!”

  He frowned at the cheese curd. “I’ve honestly never had these. What exactly is a cheese curd anyway?”

  “Mom is from Wisconsin, so I grew up eating them. She says they’re what’s left in the vat after the cheese is made. Doesn’t sound terribly appetizing when you phrase it that way, but it’s so good!” She popped another into her mouth and immediately fanned it with her hand again. “You distracted me and made me forget how hot they were!”

  He picked one up, turned it over in his hand, and then dipped it in ranch. “I bet it would cool off if you dipped it.” He put the whole thing into his mouth as she had, chewing slowly. “These are really good!”