And Then You Dance (Crested Butte Cowboys Series Book 2) (26 page)

“I thought I was your best friend.”

“You are my best friend.”

“Then how come you never told me how you felt about Billy? I feel like such an idiot. All the times I asked you to fix me up with him, and you didn’t say a word. You lied to me Renie.”

“I didn’t lie to you Blythe.”

“Yes, you did.”

“I just didn’t tell you. I didn’t tell anyone.”

“That’s bullshit. I distinctly remember you telling me that you thought Billy was serious about someone. Remember that? Was it you?”

That had been before she and Billy went from being friends to being more. And Blythe was right, she had lied to her.

“No, it wasn’t me.”

“See?”

“I didn’t tell anyone. It wasn’t just you. I couldn’t admit how I felt to anyone.”

“That’s the part I don’t understand. Why not?”

“It was too personal.”

“Too personal? I’m your
best friend.
”

“I’m sorry Blythe. I don’t know what more I can say.”

“Maybe we’re not as good of friends as I thought we were.”

“Don’t go there. It isn’t that way.”

“It isn’t? Will you tell me the truth from now on? Will you talk to me about how you’re feeling? Because I’m not sure I’ll feel comfortable talking to you when I know how much you hold back. Do you ever give me your honest opinion, about anything?”

No, not always. And there was a reason she didn’t. She never wanted to hurt Blythe’s feelings. It was easier to tell her what she thought Blythe wanted to hear, than tell her what she really thought. That included when Blythe hurt her feelings. It was all part of her life as a doormat. She took on the annoyance, sometimes even the hurt, to spare her friends’ feelings.

“I’m working on it.”

“What does that mean?”

“My mom gave me a lecture about being a doormat the other day. So I’m working on not being one. It isn’t easy. I’ve had twenty-three years practice hiding my feelings.”

“She’s right. It’s time to stop doing that.”

Renie wondered how Blythe would react if she got what she wanted, and she told her how she felt. She doubted their friendship could withstand it. Blythe was used to doing things her own way, and getting whatever she wanted. Especially when it came to Renie. How would Blythe react when she told her to find her own hot skier, and leave her out of it?

When they got back to the house, Liv was sitting at the table and had her feet up on a chair, with a pillow under them.

“Mom, is everything okay?”

Liv started to laugh. “They’re babying me. Because they’ve forgotten I’ve already had one,” she shouted in the direction of the kitchen.

That’s right, her mom hadn’t told Dottie or Paige she was pregnant before today. She’d wanted to wait until she could do it in person.

“What?” asked Blythe. “What is she talking about?”

“My mom is having a baby.”

By the look on Blythe’s face, you would have thought Renie said Liv was giving birth to alien triplets. “Blythe, be nice.”

“But—”

Renie put her hand over Blythe’s mouth. “I’ll work on telling you how I’m feeling. You need to work on the opposite. We don’t always want to hear what you’re thinking Blythe.”

“Bravo!” There were claps and cheers from her mother and Paige.

“’Bout time you stood up for something Renie,” said Paige. “I’ll enjoy finding out how you feel about things.”

Renie rolled her eyes. “It hasn’t been that bad.”

“She never hesitates to tell me when she doesn’t like something,” Billy shouted from the family room. “Never has, never will.”

“Oh hush up you,” she answered.

“See? That’s how she talks to me. Tells me to shut up, tells me she doesn’t like what I’m wearin’, hates my cooking.”

“As if you ever cook.”

“I made breakfast once.”

“What time is dinner? I’m thinking about going for a ride. Blythe are you up for a ride?”

“I will be if you let me ride Pooh.” Blythe was skittish around horses. Whenever the two of them rode together, Renie let her ride Pooh, knowing her horse would be gentle.

“Of course. I’ll ride one of Ben’s. He won’t mind.”

“Hey can I get a kiss before you leave again?” Billy shouted.

“Somethin’ wrong with your legs cowboy?” she answered.

She went into the family room and saw that Willow was passed out on his lap.

“The boys wore her out. I know I should put her in bed, but I miss her sleepin’ on me.”

“I love seeing the two of you this way.”

“She’s usually hangin’ on you lately, not me so much anymore. Thought I’d take what I could get.”

Renie bent down and kissed Willow’s forehead, and then turned to kiss Billy. He put his hand on the back of her neck and held her there. “Give me a real kiss darlin’. And later, you and me are gonna do some dancin’. Got it?”

“Got it.” She loved to dance with Billy. She had all her life, from the time she was a little girl to the first time Billy realized she wasn’t a little girl anymore, to now. Soon they’d be dancing as husband and wife. She couldn’t wait for that day to come.

“It’s so weird.” Blythe said on their way to the barn. “It’s almost as though I’m watching a brother and sister kiss. Ew.”

As they were walking in the barn door, a truck pulled up and honked the horn. Renie turned and saw Jace climbing out. The other man looked so much like him, it had to be Tucker.

“Hey there,” he shouted to Renie and ran over to her.

“Who. Is. That?” Blythe asked.

“Jace. I’ll introduce you.”

“There are two of them? Oh my God, I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

Here she was, faced with her first test, and she couldn’t do it. She wanted more than anything to tell Blythe to stay away from Jace, but she couldn’t bring herself to. Plus, who
ever Jace chose to spend time with was no longer any of her business. Maybe Blythe would end up liking Tucker better anyway.

Jace picked up Renie and swung her around in a circle. “I hear congratulations are in order,” he said when he set her down.

“Yep. I’m uh, you know, engaged.”

“I’m happy for you,” he answered softly. “Sad for me, but happy for you.”

“Who’s this?” Tucker asked.

“This is Irene,” Jace introduced her. “Irene, meet Tucker. And this is…I don’t know who this is.”

“This is Blythe Cochran,” answered Renie. “Her mom and my mom are best friends. We are too. Have been since we were five years old.”

Blythe blushed as she shook each man’s hand.

“Nice to meet you,” she said to both.

“You too,” said Jace, with a look on his face Renie had seen before. But just once, the first day she met him at Black Mountain Ranch.

My books are filled with things that bring me joy: music, wine, skiing, families, artists and cowboys. Not always in that order. 

I’m an author, speaker, editor, teacher, blogger, and in my spare time—became certified as an executive sommelier.

I bring years of experience in the publishing world to all I do. I’ve edited and designed more than two hundred books, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, coffee table, and cookbooks. And then one day, I decided to write my own.

I’m an east coast girl, who spent half her life on the west coast. But now my husband, our two boys, and I happily call Colorado home.

You can find me here:

My website:
heatherabuchman.com

My blog:
thebuzzofheatherbee

Twitter:
heatherbuchman

Facebook:
facebook.com/heatherabuchman

Also available:

Book three in the Crested Butte series,
And Then You Kiss. 
Coming soon, book four,
And Then You Fly,
with more from those Rice boys!

As always, thanks for reading.