Cook County: Lucky in Love Read online

  “What’s wrong, Cammie? You’re not allowed to be upset on my wedding day.”

  She looked up to see Kenzie frowning and realized she must have allowed her emotions to show on her face. She’d never been good at hiding what she felt. “I’m fine. Quit worrying about me and start looking forward to the start of forever with the man of your dreams.”

  Cammie stood, fighting back the nausea clinging to her, and helped her to smooth her wavy hair into a low chignon before securing it with a pearl hairclip. “Perfect.”

  Kenzie smiled at her reflection in the mirror before turning to encompass Cammie in a hug. “Can you believe it? I’m getting married to Chance Masters today! My childhood dream is actually coming true. Who knows, maybe walking down the aisle with you will put an idea or two in Lucky’s head.”

  She forced a smile, ignoring the sting of tears behind her eyes threatening to fall. She hadn’t told Kenzie she’d slept with Lucky, so her friend had no idea how her statement hurt, or how much of a struggle it was for her to follow through with this commitment. The last thing she needed was to walk down the aisle with Lucky, each step torture because she now knew without a shadow of a doubt that Lucky would never want her, and he would be hating every second spent with her during the ceremony. He hadn’t even shown up for the rehearsal. If not for the brothers’ closeness, Cammie would fear him not showing up for the ceremony either, but he wouldn’t do that to Chance.

  “Of course, if he doesn’t show up for the ceremony, I’m gonna put a few taps of my baseball bat against his head,” Kenzie muttered as she studied herself in the full-length mirror, smoothing her hands over the bodice of her dress.

  “You know he’ll be here,” Cammie assured her. “And the wedding will be perfect. Delia Mayberry and the other busybodies won’t be able to say one negative thing.”

  “Unless Lucky shows up drunk.” Kenzie brushed a ringlet behind her ear. “Chance had to drag him out of Hell’s Belle last Friday morning. We thought his drunken binges were finally dying down, but he’s sinking right back into that black hole again.”

  “Last Friday morning, huh?”

  “Yeah, he was on a real bender. Spent the whole weekend locked inside that awful trailer. I don’t know how he can live there with the memory of his mother. It has to be suffocating.”

  Last Friday morning. The morning after from hell, although Cammie considered it more of an extension of Thursday night seeing as how she hadn’t gotten one second of sleep. To her knowledge, neither had Lucky. She’d lain in bed, tears rolling down her cheeks as she heard the creaking of the couch as he tossed and turned on it.

  After the sun poured through his bedroom window, indicating she’d pretended to sleep long enough, she’d made her way to the small living room to find him lying supine on the couch. She’d hoped that the few hours he’d had to contemplate the events of the night would have softened his demeanor, made him at least entertain the idea of them establishing a relationship, but the first words out of his mouth were, “Are you on the pill?” quickly followed by an offer to take her to get the morning after pill after she’d answered in the negative. He hadn’t even asked her how she felt. He’d just focused on the possible “mistake” they’d made and didn’t waste any time with an offer to “fix” it, but no way would Cammie May ever take a pill that could end a life. Sleeping with a man outside of marriage was one thing, even if she truly did love Lucky Masters, but she would never throw away the gift of a child.

  “You okay, Cam?”

  Cammie snapped out of her recollection of that awful morning, and followed Kenzie’s gaze to her belly, which she had been absently rubbing.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” She dropped her hand to her side and took a deep, calming breath. “It’s about that time.”

  Her friend smiled and nodded in agreement as she looked at the clock on her nightstand. “Let’s head on out before they send in the troops to drag us out there.”

  “You sound as if you’re being forced to do this.”

  The bride chuckled as she opened the door and slipped out into the hallway. “I’m being forced to overcome my nerves as I walk down an aisle in front of the whole county. All eyes will be on me while the jealous, catty women of Cook County are picking me apart. But believe me, I do not need to be forced to marry Chance Masters.” She smiled impishly. “And I’m definitely not being forced to enjoy every moment of knowing that Cook County’s little collection of buckle bunnies are now mourning the loss of one Chance Masters, whose boots will permanently be parking beneath my bed forever and ever, ‘til death do us part.”

  Cammie smiled back at her friend, happy that after all the years of having to watch Chance run through his fair share of easy women, Kenzie had finally proven to him that he was in fact a good man and her perfect mate.

  If only Lucky could see his potential as well and let his demons go…

  They rounded a corner and stepped into the kitchen where the bridesmaids and groomsmen awaited. Cammie sucked in a breath as her gaze collided with Lucky’s glossy blue eyes. Glossy and red-rimmed. As dashing a figure as he made in his black suit and tie, there was no mistaking what she’d seen in his eyes.

  Lucky Masters had indeed arrived to his brother’s wedding drunk as the proverbial skunk.

  Chapter Six

  “I can’t believe you showed up drunk to your brother’s wedding,” Cammie whispered harshly as she and Lucky stood before the open door of Kenzie and Chance’s kitchen, waiting their cue from Bernie, the owner of Bernie’s Boutique, and good friend.

  The only response she got was a grunt of irritation as Lucky wavered slightly.

  “Good grief,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. What a mess. She wanted to ask if sleeping with her was really so bad that the man had to keep himself in a permanent drunken stupor just to cope, but knew better than to question something like that within range of anyone. Despite being a good friend to her and Kenzie, Bernie was still a woman from Cook County, Colorado, and every woman in Cook County, Colorado was a talented gossiper. If gossip was ever made into an Olympic sport, Cammie was sure they’d take the gold every time.

  “You’re up.” Bernie gestured with her hand for them to proceed, her bright smile fading a little as she glanced at Lucky.

  Cammie could read the fear in her eyes. Everyone would be holding their collective breath during the ceremony, hoping Lucky didn’t cause a scene and ruin the special day.

  Lucky held out his elbow and Cammie reluctantly took it, afraid he would decide halfway down the aisle that he didn’t want her touching him and shrug her off in front of everyone. But Lucky behaved himself as they walked out the kitchen door into the warm sunlight and followed the trail of scattered pink rose petals winding around the barn and toward the clearing where an arched rose trellis and several chairs had been set up.

  Cammie smiled at Chance as he stood next to the minister, anxiously awaiting his bride’s arrival. The former unruly cowboy had turned into a mature, responsible man with a good heart and undying love for a good woman. She eyed his brother and shook her head. Lucky had the potential to be just as good, if only he would learn to put the bottle down and deal with his problems. If only he would allow someone to break down the walls he’d built around himself and help him out.

  The two separated as they reached their endpoint. She joined the two other bridesmaids as Lucky took his place at his brother’s side. Chance glared at him for only a second before the sight of Kenzie coming down the aisle erased all the anger, replacing the cold fury with warm love. Despite her own heartbreak and disappointment, Cammie smiled, truly happy for her friend’s fortune.

  Kenzie approached, holding a bouquet of pink and white roses as she followed the trail that bisected the wedding guests into two sides of forty. Cammie looked around at the guests, noting the awe on their faces as they gazed upon the bride’s beauty. She felt moisture threatening to fall from her eyes as she realized she may never have a wedding ceremony of her own, but quickly blink
ed back the tears.

  As Kenzie reached Chance and took his hand to stand before the minister, Cammie glanced over at Lucky and caught him staring at her, something sad and lonely in his eyes, before they focused on his brother and soon-to-be wife. She swallowed hard and listened as the minister began.

  She would not cry for Lucky Masters today.

  ****

  “Hey, cowboy.”

  Lucky glanced up from one of the coolers full of bottled beer that had been set up beneath a large tent. Stacy Cove, poured into a light blue, spaghetti-strapped dress that showed an ample amount of leg and cleavage, neared him. “Hey, Stacy.”

  “Honey, you know I’m never one to rain on a party, but I don’t think alcohol is what you need right now. Hell, you look hung over already.”

  “Nothing gets by you,” he muttered as he turned away from the cooler and shoved his hands into his pockets. The cotton material felt foreign to him, and suddenly the entire suit started to itch all over. How the hell was he expected to make it through a formal ceremony without drinking if he wasn’t even allowed the comfort of blue jeans and boots? He looked down at the shiny loafers on his feet and groaned. “When is it socially acceptable to change out of this crap?”

  Stacy chuckled. “Aw, honey, you look kind of dashing. Why, if you weren’t plastered, you’d be absolutely flawless.”

  “I’m not plastered.” Lucky ignored the compliment. “I can hold my liquor.”

  “So can I,” Stacy said as she retrieved a bottle from the cooler and popped the cap before tilting it to her red lips. “However, I think I might just let you get me drunk and take advantage of me tonight. How about it, cowboy?”

  “Nobody takes advantage of you, Stacy. Your heart is never in it.” Which was why she would be the perfect woman for him, he thought as he exited the shade of the tent to lose himself in the crowd of people dancing to the country tunes blaring from a stereo that had been set outside.

  Others were eating at picnic tables scattered about or talking to each other in small clusters. Roughly eighty people had shown up for the wedding, and he swore all of them had looked at him with thinly veiled disgust at least twice during the course of the day. Hell, maybe he deserved it. He wasn’t plastered by any means, but he definitely had a buzz going on. He needed it just to keep from bailing out. Walking down the aisle with Cammie May after what he’d done to her was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. Never had he wanted to run away so much in his life. He should have stuck to women like Stacy Cove, women who knew he was only good for a night and didn’t ask for more. Women who didn’t stir things inside him that were better left alone.

  “Really? By the beer tent? You didn’t get enough already before showing up here?”

  Lucky looked over to see his brother standing at his side, his anger and disappointment on clear display in his dark eyes.

  “Hey, bro. Nice wedding. Congrats.”

  Chance made a sound in his throat that was a mixture of a scoff and a sarcastic laugh as he shook his head. “At least you didn’t puke on my shoes or pass out during the ceremony.”

  “Glad I didn’t totally ruin your day.” Lucky looked past the throng of people before them to where Kenzie hugged an older couple wishing her well. “Is Kenzie pissed at me?”

  “She’s worried about you. We both are. You have to pull yourself out of this funk, man. Talk to Cammie.”

  “It’s best I leave her alone. I’ve ruined her enough.” Lucky rubbed his sore, grainy eyes. “Look, bro, I’m happy for you, I really am, but this life you have…it’s never going to be for me. I’m not going to be the prince who saves the day and sweeps the princess off her feet. I’m just a cowboy. Plain and simple.”

  “I used to think like that, and I almost let Kenzie go because of those thoughts, but you talked sense into me. Dammit, Lucky, why can’t you do the same for yourself?”

  “I’m not you, and Cammie’s not Kenzie.”

  “Do you care about her? She’s a good woman. You deserve a good woman.”

  Lucky laughed. “A good woman deserves a hell of a lot better than me.”

  “I reckon you’re right. Cammie deserves someone who’ll at least try, instead of tucking his tail between his legs like a whipped mutt when things get tough.”

  Lucky watched as his brother walked away, crossing the yard to greet his new wife with a long kiss. “Good for you, bro,” he murmured as he banked down the brief flare of anger his brother’s words had evoked. The man was only telling the truth. He’d spent a long time in his trailer thinking about the incident with Cammie May. In no way was he good for her.

  He went back into the tent, glad to see Stacy was no longer there, and grabbed two bottles out of one of the coolers. He’d done his job. He’d arrived on time and walked the maid of honor down the aisle where he’d stood in front of eighty or so people, all of them judging him. He’d even worn a freaking suit. Duty performed, he was free to go home and be alone with just his thoughts to torment him and the alcohol to serve as a band-aid.

  He avoided eye contact as he made his way through the throng of wedding guests, knowing the judgmental looks cast at him would make him angry, and an angry Lucky was not a good party guest. He’d held it together during the ceremony, he was not about to ruin his brother’s day now. He definitely wouldn’t do that to Kenzie. He’d reached his quota on hurting sweet women for the month already when he’d taken Cammie to his bed and gave her the worst first time ever.

  Delia Mayberry approached him as he cleared the last of the people between him and where he’d parked his truck. A low growl issued at her sent the woman shrinking back. He tugged at his collar as he passed vehicles parked along the gravel road leading to the ranch, cursing women for forcing men to dress up for weddings.

  He heard raised voices as he neared his truck and groaned. The voices were female. To his knowledge, there had yet to be a wedding in Cook County that didn’t result in a catfight between two or more of the guests. Usually the throwing of the bouquet started it, which was why Kenzie had decided she was forgoing that tradition. Apparently, she needn’t have bothered to skip it.

  Lucky rounded an SUV and came to an abrupt stop as he took in the scene before him. Hurling insults, Cammie and Stacy were in each other’s faces next to his truck.

  “Call me a slut if it makes you feel better, but at least I knew how to please your man,” Stacy snapped vehemently. “Can you still smell me on your sheets?”

  A hardness Lucky had never seen in Cammie settled in her eyes before she unleashed a powerful growl and shoved Stacy to the ground. Within a second, she was straddling the blonde, one fist drawn back, prepared to strike.

  “Whoa!” Lucky dropped the bottles as he rushed forward and grabbed Cammie around the waist, hoisting her off the other woman. “What the hell is going on between you two?”

  “I’m teaching this skank a lesson!” Cammie hollered as she swung her fists like a windmill, so caught up in the act of swinging that she didn’t seem to pay any notice to the fact she was hitting nothing but air.

  “Too bad nobody taught you any lessons in bed,” Stacy retorted as she struggled to her feet and adjusted her dress. “Maybe you could have kept Jim, and you wouldn’t be out here fighting over someone who’ll never want you.”

  The feisty blonde lunged forward to attack Cammie, who was still in Lucky’s arms, helpless to defend herself. Lucky swung her to the side with one arm and used his other hand to hold Stacy back by her forehead, a maneuver Chance had done to him several times during their youth. The woman couldn’t gain any ground that way, but it didn’t stop her from swinging in the same manner as Cammie.

  “What in tarnation?”

  Lucky looked up to see Sheriff Mayberry stepping out from between two cars, his deputy, Kyle Lincoln, close behind.

  “Hey, Roger,” he greeted the heavyset man. “Think you could give me a hand here?”

  “I don’t know.” Roger folded his arms and took in the scene as a grin sprea
d across his face. “This might just be the saddest, yet funniest catfight I’ve ever seen.”

  Lucky rolled his eyes as the sheriff shared a chuckle with his deputy before stepping forward to intervene.

  “Stacy Cove, we’ve had a chat about this type of behavior before,” he chided the blonde as he gripped her arm and pushed her back into the waiting deputy’s hold. “Put her in the car, Kyle. Party’s over for this one.”

  “That bitch started it!” Stacy squalled. “Lock her ass up!”

  “First of all, I’m being generous and letting you off,” Roger said, a warning tone in his voice, “and second, I highly doubt Miss May started anything.”

  “Oh, that’s bullshit!”

  “That’s enough, Miss Cove. I can easily tell Kyle to put you in a cell.”

  The wind taken out of Stacy’s sails, she quit resisting the deputy and allowed him to lead her away. Sheriff Mayberry turned around, shaking his head as he observed Cammie still struggling in Lucky’s hold.

  “Fight’s over, girl. Now would be the time to stop swinging before you pull a muscle.”

  Cammie stopped the windmill action, her head jerking up as if coming out of a trance. Feeling the fight drain out of her, Lucky loosened his hold and lowered her to her feet, keeping an arm loose around her waist in case she needed the support. The pretty brunette’s cheeks bloomed with color as she ran her hands down the front of her silky pink dress and patted her hair.

  “I’m…I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.”

  Roger nodded. “It’s all right. I don’t know what it is about you Cook County women, but get ya in the vicinity of a wedding and ya’ll turn into hellcats.” He shook his head again and nodded toward Lucky. “Get her home, Lucky, and I’ll see to it Miss Cove gets home, too. I see no reason Kenzie has to know this happened. From her maid of honor, no less,” he muttered as he walked off in the same direction Kyle had taken Stacy.