she offered helpfully.
“No, I reckon not.”
“Let me grab my purse, then, and we’ll get going.”
Once outside, she was ready to find a pickup truck waiting. What she hadn’t expected was a bright yellow Mustang. She hadn’t taken Wade for the sports car type, but maybe she’d misjudged him. Could her perceptions be that far off?
He laughed when he saw her expression. “Not exactly a limousine, I admit. I had to bring my truck into town for some work so I borrowed a friend’s car. Or rather, I ended up with my friend’s son’s car.”
Leah blushed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I was just caught off guard.”
His manners were flawless as he helped her into the car, but that was no surprise. Country boy or not, he was a gentleman. And she wasn’t surprised when he pulled into the crowded parking lot at the Broken Spoke. She’d hardly expected him to take her to the country club, considering the man she was coming to know, and she had no doubt she was being tested again. Well, she’d eaten her share of chicken-fried steak, and she could probably remember how to dance the schottische in a pinch.
As soon as the waitress had taken their orders, Leah got down to business. “What would you like to talk about first?”
Wade folded his hands on the table in front of him. “I don’t like Pennington Bradford, and I don’t like his daddy even more. But I do love my daughter, and I want her to be happy.”
He paused. Leah waited.
“Myra Jo doesn’t think so, but I was young once, and I remember what it was like to be impulsive, to believe love was enough to solve any problem. I don’t think she has a clue what she’s facing if she goes through with this marriage, and I’d do anything to keep her from getting hurt.”
Warning bells went off in Leah’s head. “I think most fathers feel as you do,” she said, treading softly.
He raised one eyebrow. “Even in this day and age, I don’t think most fathers raise their daughters by themselves.”
Despite her earlier vow to be cautious, Leah decided to go ahead and say what was on her mind. If Wade was as up-front as he claimed, he’d respect her. If he wasn’t, it would be better to lose the contract now instead of risking a second disaster.
“Wade, I’ve been doing this for a long time, and one thing I’m sure of is that it’s a mistake to play God. I’ve seen couples I was certain were doomed become inseparable, and vice versa. So if you’re asking me to help you to keep Myra Jo from marrying Pennington, I’m afraid I can’t oblige you.”
Wade cast her an amused glance. “I’m not asking you to. I know the quickest way to get a child to do something is to forbid it, so my goal hasn’t been to stop her. I’ve dragged things out as long as I could to see if she’d open her eyes.”
“Start seeing things your way, you mean,” she said, unable to stop herself.
His look turned mocking. “No, I meant it the way I said it. If I thought she had any inkling of what marrying Pennington really means, I’d feel more at ease. The way it stands, I’m not convinced. The long and short of it is, I’m going to give Myra Jo the biggest wedding money can buy. And I’m also going to do my best to ensure her a chance at a happy future.”
“And if things don’t work out that way?” Leah asked quietly.
“Then my little girl can come home, and her daddy’ll do his damnedest to heal her broken heart.”
Hot tears sprang into Leah’s eyes despite her most valiant effort to contain them. It was clear that Wade would gladly play the bad guy, even risk his daughter’s rejection, to assure her happiness. Considering her “I’ll do it on my own” philosophy, Leah should have been scornful, convinced Myra Jo would never stand on her own two feet as long as she knew she had her daddy to fall back on. Instead, all she felt was a pang of envy.
“Maybe someday Myra Jo will know how lucky she is to have you for a father,” she finally managed to say.
“Maybe,” Wade echoed in a lighter tone, “but I’m still not wearing a tuxedo.”
Leah had to roll her eyes, but was grateful that Wade had lightened the mood.
“Come on, Wade. Surely that’s just another delaying tactic?”
“Maybe.”
Hope quickened in her breast only to fade as she realized he was serious about not wearing a tuxedo. The wedding was only a month away; now was not the time for him to be unreasonable.
“I’m no weekend cowboy, Leah, living in Westlake and thinking I’m a rancher because I own a few acres and run a few head. I work my land and my herds. My hands get dirty and my boots aren’t for show.”
He took a breath and continued. “I can still remember the year we got indoor plumbing. I remember the year we didn’t eat meat until fall and we butchered a hog. I remember skipping school because I had to help my dad. Those things mold a man.”
He studied his clean, square nails.
“My Daddy’s word has always been worth more than gold, so if my family wasn’t good enough for people like the Bradfords then, we’re sure the hell not good enough now.”
“I can understand how you feel, but in the end this is your only child’s wedding.”
“I’ve told you that I’ll give Myra Jo the full three-ring circus, but I won’t play the trained bear for anybody.”
Wade suddenly looked weary, and Leah felt her heart pull. She had to believe growing up poor was not the only reason Wade was so firmly set in his ways. She wondered if Myra Jo’s mother was to blame for him putting up such high walls, or if some other woman had turned him so self-contained.
Whatever the reason—sheer cussedness or deep conviction—it was clear a battle would wage to put some shine on a man who wore his humble beginnings like a badge of honor.
“So,” he said, drawing her attention again, “have I scared you off?”
Leah loved a challenge, but she doubted Wade knew how reasonable it was for her to be afraid. Her reputation was at stake. Wade might not think she understood pride, but she did. Just like him, she knew the desire to be judged for who she was, not what she could do or how much money she made. Oh, how she knew the desire for people to see past the trappings and accept her for the woman she was on the inside.
She gave her head a little shake to stop her wandering thoughts. She could take comfort in the fact that Wade would play fair. Tough, but fair. That she could handle.
“Nope,” she finally said, holding out her hand. “You may have met your match, Wade Mackey.”
He paused a long moment before a smile slowly grew and he took her offered palm. “That would be a rare treat, Leah Houston.”
They sat back and let the waitress serve their dinners, and Leah discovered her appetite had returned.
“So what’s the next shindig on the list?”
