Laredo rolled to his feet and thrust out his hand. “I can’t say I’m surprised, considering you told me last Sunday you were going to marry her. Congratulations.” He gripped Trey’s hand in a firm shake and slapped him on the shoulder with the other, then shifted his attention to Sloan and winked. “I have the feeling he’s the lucky one in this match.”
His warm and ready approval had a steadying effect on Sloan. Although Laredo Smith claimed to be nothing more than an ordinary ranch hand, it was obvious to Sloan that the Calder family considered him to be much more than that. On various occasions, she’d sensed that there was no one the family trusted and respected more than this man.
“Thank you, but I’m the one who feels lucky,” she told him, then noticed Trey’s mother waiting to take his place.
As always, Jessy Calder conveyed a quiet strength and calm composure. The effect was softened now by the warm light in her eyes and the faint curve to her wide lips. Sloan searched, but she could detect no sign of falseness. Still the tension remained.
“Mrs. Calder,” she murmured awkwardly, unconsciously reverting to a more formal address, mostly as a kind of self-defense, “I know this probably seems very sudden to you.”
Jessy shook her head in silent denial. “Trey has always known exactly what he wanted ever since he was a little boy. I learned very quickly that he knew his own mind—and his own heart. Others have sometimes thought he acts rashly, but I’ve always known better. Welcome to the family, Sloan.” She brushed a kiss on her cheek.
Sloan never had a chance to hear what Jessy said to Trey as Cat came up and gave her a hug. “I’m so happy for you both,” she declared with her usual exuberance. “Let me see your ring. What kind did he get you?” Obligingly, Sloan raised her hand to show Cat. “A solitaire. How perfect. It looks almost exactly like the one my mother wore.”
“It is your mother’s,” Sloan admitted.
Surprise rounded her green eyes. “How—? When—?” Cat abandoned both questions and turned to look at Chase. “When did you give mother’s ring to Trey?”
“Sometime before supper,” he replied.
“You mean you knew Trey was going to propose to her tonight, and you never said a word to any of us about it?” Cat accused.
“That’s right.” He waved a finger in Sloan’s direction. “I thought the young lady had the right to give him her answer before I said anything. It would please your mother to know another Calder bride is wearing it.”
“You’re right, of course.” Cat sighed and smiled wryly at Sloan. “You’ll discover for yourself that he usually is.”
“You don’t mind, then?” Sloan uneasily fingered the ring.
“Of course not,” Cat assured her. “It was just the surprise of seeing it.”
“This calls for a drink, doesn’t it?” Chase challenged and waved to Laredo. “Roll that liquor cart in here so we can have a toast to this couple.”
Drinks were poured, glasses were raised, and toasts were offered with the usual mix of teasing and laughter. But it wasn’t long before Trey stole Sloan away again to go for that walk they’d never gotten around to taking.
After their departure, Chase called it a night and headed to his ground-floor bedroom in The Homestead’s west wing. Laredo trailed after Jessy and Cat when they carried the drink g
lasses to the kitchen.
“Another wedding.” Cat shook her head in amazement. “Do you realize that this will make three at The Homestead in less than a year? It has to be a record.”
“At least you’ve had plenty of experience planning them.” Laredo leaned sideways against the counter, watching the two women at the sink.
“That’s true.” Cat slipped the stopper in the drain and turned on the faucets while Jessy emptied the glasses of their ice and liquid in the companion sink. “I do hope some of Sloan’s friends can come. She doesn’t have any relatives. It would be awful for her if we were the only ones at the ceremony.”
“I imagine that’s why she wants to keep it small and simple,” Jessy inserted.
“I suppose so.” Cat then added thoughtfully, “She’s a very private person, isn’t she? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who talked less about herself. Oh, she talks about her work and the places she’s traveled, but little about her personal life.”
“Maybe that’s it,” Laredo suggested.
“What is?” Cat frowned, not following his meaning.
“Work takes up the bulk of her life,” he replied and slid a pointed look at Jessy. “Like someone else I know.”
Grinning, Cat eyed her sister-in-law with amusement, but Jessy took no notice of either of them. “Do you get the feeling she’s not listening to us?”
“I do.” Laredo nodded, then reached out and gave Jessy a light poke in the arm. “Hey, where’d you go?”
“What?” She looked up with a slight start, before slipping the last dirty glass into the dishwater. “Sorry. I was thinking.”