Page 40 of Bryson

"You're a cruel man, McNab."

"Just a very elated one at the moment. We'll take a run to the orchard and then turn around. I have things to do."

"You lied to him." Julianne was enjoying a late breakfast in the small informal dining room when Brian made his appearance and told her where he had been. Barbara had already left for the morning to attend several meetings.

"I used your name, which is magic where that man is concerned." He poured a cup of coffee and stacked a plate with flaky croissants and poached eggs. He had eaten already, but zipping through the cold, bracing air had made him hungry.

"Bryson is a very busy man, and I'm almost certain he did not appreciate you coercing him to take you on a tour."

"Oh, he paid me back in spades," Brian told her wryly as he pulled up a chair and sat next to her. "He had me freezing and told me some gruesome stories about slaughtering and whatnot. And he just happened to pass by the section where the branding was going on. It was inhumane." He shuddered. "I'm sure he was expecting me to puke, but I have my dignity and held on until he dropped me off at the front door and left. Dear Barbara's stunning white rose bushes got watered with my stomach lining."

He lifted his plate. "Hence the second breakfast. Your man is a heartless one and I would try to persuade you to rethink the wedding, but I fear you're too far gone." He sent her a baleful look when she burst out laughing. "It's not funny."

"Serves you right for baiting him like that and lying to him."

Brian shrugged, choosing a homemade strawberry compote to coat his croissant. "It seemed like a good idea at the time." His mood lightened, and he grinned at her. "The man knows his business."

"He does," Julianne concurred proudly as she rose to get some more tea. Sitting back down, she cradled the cup, her expression pensive. "I'm getting married tomorrow."

"How do you feel?"

"Wonderful and a little scared."

"I suppose that's a normal reaction. It's a big step. And you love him."

"Like crazy." She laughed softly. "And cannot wait to be his wife." She blew out a breath. "I never thought I would say such a thing."

Chapter 12

It was all over town. Bryson McNab was getting hitched and to an out-of-towner no less. The same woman who had up and left a few months ago was now back. The wedding was an intimate affair, just a few close friends, some out-of-towners as well, rich people who were part of the McNab society.

But unlike his daddy who thought his crap could make patties, Bryson and his mother and everyone knew the deal. It was most likely Bryson and that gorgeous and completely down-to-earth woman he was marrying who had decided to open the reception to all and sundry. So, the barn dance was going to be the reception, and everyone was buzzing about it and looking forward to such a momentous occasion.

Poor Sara-Lee who'd had high hopes and dreams of becoming the next Mrs. McNab had hightailed it out of town on the pretext of visiting her sister in West Palm Beach. But they all knew it for what it was: a desperate ploy to be as far away as possible from the wedding and the talk involving her, not to mention the pitying looks she had been receiving whenever she stepped inside the bank. When asked when she planned on returning, no one at the bank could give a date.

So, the speculations were rife. Some were saying she might be gone for good. McNab Crossing was a small intimate town, and people knew each other's business sometimes before they knew it themselves. And the McNabs were the biggest deal there was.

Not only were the couple getting married, but they were also expecting. The excitement was at its highest level. They had all seen the couple around town, going to dinner and taking walks in the park. They also noticed that they held hands. As far as the town knew, they had never seen Mr. Bryson taking walks in the park and holding hands with any of the ladies he had been with. Ever. This was a new thing. And the way he looked at her, it made one want to sigh with envy.

He was completely gone over her.

Rumor also had it that the mother who had wanted Mr. Bryson to marry someone from their circle had come around and was learning to accept a colored woman as her daughter-in-law.

The day of the wedding dawned bright and sunny with just a few clouds dotting the clear and brilliant blue of the sky. The couple could not have asked for a more perfect day. The weather forecast had sealed the deal. No rain on the horizon.

Standing in front of the mirror, Julianne Angela Merrywood stared at the end result of a full two hours of getting ready for her wedding. The stylist was local, something she had insisted on.

Barbara had suggested they fly someone in, but she had firmly declined. "How else am I going to get the people to accept me if I behave as if I'm better than using their services?"

The woman had not been pleased, but Julianne had stood her ground. And Pauline, the chatty and exuberant stylist who owned one of the three salons in town had done an excellent job.

"I did my research and consulted with my cousin. She's a stylist to some minor star in Hollywood," Pauline informed her proudly. "And she told me what to do. Besides, with your perfect complexion, you don't need much. I want to do a very good job so that you keep coming back to me. And your hair!" She exclaimed, running her fingers through the thick natural curls. "I'm going to have so much fun with it."

Bryson had been kicked out of their bedroom last night much to his disgruntlement, because she wanted to get a good night's sleep. His mother had insisted on it and Julianne had agreed.

"I want it to be perfect. Our wedding night."

The dress was stunning. An electric blue wool that clung to every curve of her body and accented her skin tone. It had a cowl-like neck and tightly fitted sleeves that came to a point at her wrists. Bryson had included an exquisite diamond necklace and matching earrings to go with the ring he had given her.