How to Switch a Groom Read online

  Probably because fate hated her, as her thoughts strayed to the Jepson boys, she approached their parents’ property. Slowing to a walk, and then a complete stop, she stood next to the driveway and stared through the trees at the two-story house. It was a tenth the size of her parents’ home, but there was so much love and so many memories here that it felt larger than life. What would Big Momma do if she knocked on the door? Cally smiled, knowing she’d probably be invited in for breakfast. Big Momma loved everyone. The kind lady had been surrounded by friends last night, and then Cally had left early, so she didn’t get the opportunity to talk to her or Colt’s dad, but she thought they would both be kind to her. They both welcomed everyone, even a woman who had deserted their son for her career. That decision had come back to bite her in the butt, so maybe it would be easier for Colt’s family to forgive her for it. Except for Tate; he hadn’t been very forgiving.

  A deep whoof hit her, and then a huge, tan Great Dane rushed out from behind the house loping across the driveway and into her space. He barked and wagged his tail.

  Cally rubbed his head. “Hey, boy, I haven’t met you yet.”

  “Ike!” Tate jogged from behind the house, heading straight toward her.

  Cally’s hand froze on the dog’s head. Tate was in a tank top and board shorts. Those firm shoulders she’d felt under her fingertips last night were on fine display. They looked every bit as perfectly defined as she’d imagined they would be. Tate’s handsome face was conflicted as his eyes lit up at seeing her but his brow squiggled, and his full, appealing smile didn’t come close to appearing.

  “Hey, Cally.” He approached them, and the dog left her and hurried to his side. Tate scratched the dog’s ears and nodded somewhat cordially to her. At least he was trying, not telling her that she looked good and he hoped he wouldn’t see her for at least another five years. Last night, she’d determined she could never commit to Emma’s challenge, but she would like to be friends with Tate again. She’d always loved any time spent with him before he became so upset with her.

  “Your dog?” she asked.

  “Ike is Colt’s dog.” A shadow passed across his face. “He got him five years ago, to … help him through things. Ike’s been at Momma’s since they’re so busy with wedding and honeymoon prep.”

  Cally’s stomach felt sick as she realized exactly what he was saying. Colt got the dog to comfort him after following Cally to Chicago and her telling him to go home. It was humiliating to remember how selfish and mean she’d been, but she’d done it and couldn’t change the past now. “Oh,” was all she could think to say.

  Tate scratched the dog’s ears absently for a few seconds, his face filled with indecision. It was clear to Cally. Tate was a good man, and they had great memories, that’s why he’d greeted her this morning without any hurtful quips. Yet he couldn’t forgive her for the way she’d treated his brother. She didn’t blame him.

  She sidestepped back toward the running path. “I’d better go,” she mumbled.

  Tate said nothing, which just confirmed her misery. Her lifelong friendship with the Jepson brothers was gone. She needed to accept it and move on. Her feet slowly got into motion, but her vision swam with unshed tears, and the world was a little blurry. She wasn’t sure if she was on the path or not and cussed herself for being so silly. Even if these men had saved her as a child and were her favorite memories of her life, they were just boys.

  “Wait,” Tate’s voice came from behind her.

  Cally immediately stopped and turned around. Tate came out of the driveway, Ike on his heels. Cally blinked to clear her vision. She needed to get out of this valley. At least down in Ogden there weren’t quite as many memories of what she’d left behind, what was lost to her forever. Maybe she just needed to go back to Chicago. There were many opportunities and business contacts for her there. Nothing was working out right in Utah.

  He tilted his head toward the house. “It would make their day if you came in for breakfast.”

  Cally shook her head quickly, though she’d love to see his family. What if they were all reluctant and uneasy around her? If there was censure or disappointment in Momma’s eyes she would crumble and race back to Chicago.

  “I’ve got to finish my run.” It was a lame excuse, and Tate probably saw straight through it.

  “Momma felt bad she didn’t get a chance to talk to you last night, and it would be really good for my dad to see you.” He paused here, and guilt rushed through her. She’d heard about their dad’s stroke, but she hadn’t been ready to come home yet, hadn’t proven her worth to herself. She loved Colt’s dad; he’d always insisted she call him Papa Jepson.

  She nodded, steeling her spine and putting a smile on her face. “I’d like to go say hi.”

  Tate extended his hand, and Cally wasn’t sure what that meant. She walked slowly to his side, and Ike barked in excitement.

  “He’s a pretty dog,” Cally said, avoiding taking his hand, though she was sorely tempted.

  They fell into step, and Tate rested his hand on her lower back, escorting her toward the house. The mere touch of his fingers sent a zap of energy through her. What was happening? She’d been certain she loved Colt throughout high school and college, and she’d dated off and on in Chicago, but a man’s touch and nearness had never affected her like Tate’s did.

  “He’s a great dog.” Tate smiled wryly at her. “He brought Colt and Bri together.”

  Cally bit at the side of her lip. “Oh?” She didn’t really want to hear this story, but Tate seemed intent on sharing it. Did he want to rub it in her face or just make certain she knew Colt was taken?

  “Bri was attacked by a dog as a child.”

  “That’s horrible.”

  “For sure.” He paused next to the porch and finally brought his hands back to Ike’s head. Cally should’ve been relieved to have him not touching her, but she definitely wasn’t. “When Ike chased her up the canyon by Colt’s house, Bri was terrified. She yelled at Colt, and then the next day they saw each other again at Emma Jensen’s house where the whole deal happened with Emma assuming they were married.”

  It wasn’t as painful as Cally thought it would be to hear about Colt and Bri. “Was Emma involved?” She was getting a little suspicious of that lady. What was she, some kind of matchmaker?

  Tate nodded. “She knew they weren’t married but kept going with the farce.”

  He pushed his hand through his hair. Cally got distracted by the innocent move. That tank top showed too much firm skin and muscle. “You look really good, Tate.” She clapped her hand over her mouth and gasped.

  Tate lifted one eyebrow. “Thank you. You look perfect, as always.” Cally felt warm all over from the compliment and the look in his eyes. It was like last night, when he’d relaxed around her, and she’d felt appreciated and desired.

  She wrapped her arms around herself and muttered, “Thanks, Tate.”

  “What?” He cocked his head to the side.

  “What what?”

  “What was that? You don’t think you look really good?”

  “I’m too thin,” she admitted, rubbing her hands up and down her arms, suddenly chilled. Why was she spilling all kinds of weird things to Tate? He’d always had this soothing personality that made everyone relaxed enough to spill their guts. It used to be a joke between them, but right now she didn’t appreciate the quality too much.

  His eyes carefully roved over her, and then he took a large step closer. He was so close his arm brushed against hers, and she trembled from the warm touch.

  “You look amazing as ever,” he said. “But you could gain a hundred pounds and still be absolutely gorgeous.”

  Cally’s stomach tumbled. Tate said the right things, but he didn’t like her because of what she’d done to his brother, right? “Thank you, Tate.”

  He studied her, and she wondered if he would say more or touch her again. Was it just his calming personality that made his touch so intriguing to her or was t
here something special between them that she’d never recognized, because she’d been so committed to his brother?

  “Cally.” His voice was a low rumble that she felt clear through her body. Pulses of pleasure washed through her as his warm palm found her lower back again. He easily ushered her closer with that firm hand, and heaven help her, she didn’t resist in the slightest. Her hands found his chest as if they were magnetized to it. She bit at her lip and may or may not have moaned with pleasure at the feel of his strong muscles under her palms and fingertips and the appealing smile on his lips that were growing closer and closer.

  The front door banged open and there was a shriek of, “Cally!”

  She jumped and whirled out of Tate’s embrace. Momma rushed out onto the porch, her apron covering a wild-patterned tunic and bright pink tights.

  “She’s here! My girl!”

  Momma opened her arms, and Cally couldn’t blink away the tears that stung her eyes. Cally pumped up the stairs and straight into Momma’s soft embrace. They held each other tight for a few sweet seconds. No words were needed. Cally was finally home; she was finally loved. She couldn’t believe she’d wasted any time worrying about how Momma would treat her.

  Momma pulled back sooner than Cally would’ve liked but grasped her arms. “Oh, my sweet girl, I’ve got to look you over. I saw you last night from afar, but then you disappeared. You looked so exquisitely beautiful in that dress.”

  Cally darted a gaze to Tate. His mouth tightened at the mention of her dress.

  “Thank you, Momma. I’ve missed you so much.”

  “We’ve missed you. What have you been thinking, girl? Five years! You deserted us for five long years and now look at you!” She tsked. “Gorgeous, still absolutely gorgeous, but you’re too skinny, love.”

  The words would’ve been harsh from anyone else. From Momma, they were full of love and they were true.

  “Well, how about you try to fatten me up?” Cally asked.

  Momma chuckled. “That’s my plan. Come on in, come on in.” She gestured to Tate, and he followed Cally through the door.

  Cally drew in a breath of breakfast and the woodsy smell of their cabin-style house. They’d done some renovations to the kitchen, but it still felt like home. She glanced up at Tate. He was tall and glorious and standing much too close. His gaze focused in on her, and the wood floor shifted. Cally might feel at home here, but being here with Tate wasn’t her place.

  Tate’s eyes kept straying to Cally throughout breakfast. She sat next to Papa Jepson. His dad had a stroke five years ago and struggled with his coordination and speech. Cally seemed as tuned to his dad’s needs as any of the family. It shouldn’t be a surprise. Cally had pretty much been a member of the family before she ditched Colt, well, really all of them to go be a big shot designer in Chicago.

  Anger stirred inside him. Cally didn’t have the right to stride back into all of their lives, making him want to stare at her, hang on her every word, obey her every command. He was a successful podiatrist who had graduated with his undergrad in two years instead of four, put himself through medical school, and grown his business to be one of the top three in his specialty in the state. And this gorgeous woman in a fitted t-shirt and running shorts was reducing him to a pre-teen, simply by sitting next to his dad and helping him get a drink of milk and cutting his ham, teasing with Brody, and complimenting his mom. She could have all of them under her spell in seconds.

  “So, what brought you back to Eden?” Tate asked when everyone had eaten their fill, and there was a lull in the conversation.

  Cally shifted in her seat, and her pale blue eyes focused in on him. Tate sucked in a breath. She was powerful with those eyes. She was a strong, impressive woman. Period. Together, they would be a successful and beautiful couple. But he wanted a woman who had a heart. Cally didn’t fit that bill. Yet she had a pull that yanked him in. He would’ve kissed her on the porch if Momma hadn’t interrupted. He needed to stay in control, or she’d have him under her enchantments and at her beck and call, before he could break free of the web she spun.

  “Colt didn’t tell you?” she asked, her voice so low he barely caught the words.

  Tate shook his head. Colt had been too caught up in Brikelle since he met her to spend much time with anyone else, the brothers included. Tate and Brody tried to come up to visit their parents in Eden as often as they could, but they both had busy careers and worked long hours. They were only both home this weekend because of Colt and Brikelle’s engagement celebration last night.

  The table was quiet as everyone waited for Cally to expand on her answer.

  “Well, I just … needed a change of pace.”

  Tate may or may not have harrumphed and rolled his eyes at her cop-out answer. Brody gave him a covert wink, but his mom sent him a dirty look and covered Cally’s hand with hers. “Well we’re just right glad you’re home, love.”

  “Thank you.” Cally studiously avoided looking at Tate. He could agree to being glad she was here, but it felt fishy to him, her arriving back in the quiet valley she couldn’t wait to escape, right when Colt found the right woman for him. And there was something underhanded about the way Cally looked at Tate. What secrets were hiding in that beautiful mind of hers? If she thought she could stop the wedding, she was wrong. Colt and Bri were crazy about and perfect for each other. Still the thought of Cally and Colt together again turned his too-full stomach and made hot jealousy trace through him.

  Cally stood and started stacking dishes.

  “Oh, you stop. I’ve got this,” Momma said.

  “No, I want to help,” Cally insisted, “then somehow I’ll run back home, or waddle.”

  Tate smiled. Cally could never waddle. She was thin, but she wore it well. Her tall, willowy build and sharp features reminded him of a European model. She was the most perfect woman he’d ever known in every which way, except for the most important characteristic to him: loyalty to those you love.

  Tate and Brody pitched in, and the kitchen was clean in no time. Cally started backing away. “Well, I’d better get home.”

  “Tate will run you,” Momma insisted.

  Brody pumped his eyebrows. “I’m sure Tater Tot would love to run you.”

  Tate shot his brother a warning glance, not for the stupid nickname but for the underlying message that hopefully no one else got.

  Cally backed away. “Oh, I’m fine. It’s not that far, and all that breakfast is going to give me lots of fuel to run faster.”

  Tate’s shoulders tightened at her lame excuse. All that breakfast would make her sick to her stomach if she tried to run. On the porch, she’d melted into his arms, and now she didn’t want to be alone with him? She’d become a diva and was probably still mad about her dress and last night. He walked to her and took her elbow in his palm. “I’d better drive you home, don’t want you burning off any of the calories Momma worked so hard to get in you.” He winked, to try and keep things light.

  Cally stared up at him, and her cool blue eyes seemed warmer. They got caught in a non-verbal interchange, and she seemed to be asking an odd question, did he truly want to be with her, or was he just following Momma’s instructions? If only he could answer that.

  Tate leaned closer and murmured, “Please let me run you home, Cally-boo-boo-boo-boo.”

  Cally gave him a genuine laugh at the stupid nickname they’d given her after she forced the brothers to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and they all claimed she looked like Kate Hudson. “Okay,” she said.

  Tate smiled at the victory, but then he wondered. Was it a victory? He was still mad at her for ditching his brother for so long, or maybe for ditching him. That was stupid. They’d never been together, so her ditching him didn’t matter at all. Plus, he was a grown man who didn’t need to be dwelling on childhood fantasies that would never be fulfilled, mostly because he was too smart to fall under her bewitching spell.

  He waited as she hugged the family goodbye, wondering how to stay
strong when she looked at him. The good news was Cally wouldn’t be interested in him. Or maybe that was the bad news.

  Chapter Five

  Cally exited the Jepson home with Momma telling her repeatedly to, “Come back soon”, and Tate’s hand on her lower back. What was he doing—touching her all familiar, as if they were close friends or … more? No matter how impressive and irresistible Tate Jepson was, even if he didn’t hate her, she couldn’t date her ex-boyfriend’s brother. She cringed just imagining the awkwardness of family reunions. This morning had been great. Colt and Brikelle had been kind last night, but she just didn’t think it would work letting herself fall for Colt’s brother.

  They walked in silence to his truck, and he got her door, waiting while she climbed in. She expected him to shut the door, but he stood there. Turning to him, she felt like invisible threads were tugging her. There was a lot of conflict in his blue eyes, as if he couldn’t decide whether to tease her like a brother, hate her because of his loyalty to Colt, or give her a smoldering look that any sane woman would fall for.

  “You’re confused,” she blurted out, wishing she hadn’t.

  Tate grunted in surprise. “That’s a mild way of putting it.”

  “Welcome to the club,” she said.