For Her, He Will

Chapter Twenty-Seven - Let me hold you tonight.

"I booked the band," Beth said, plopping down in the booth across from Oakley.

"Band?" Oakley looked up from her menu.

"The Sweet Pokes," Beth smiled. "You'll love them."

"How much do they cost?" Oakley asked.

"They owe Daddy for letting them do something years ago," Beth shrugged. "Said they'd play for three hours for free."

"Three hours?" Oakley raised her eyebrows. "Just how long is this wedding gonna be?"

"The ceremony is eleven minutes," Beth held out one finger. "Then there's the reception, add the dinner and it'll probably go into the evening."

"Still sounds long," Oakley mumbled.

She had met Beth for lunch to discuss wedding things. After ordering their food Oakley leaned back in her seat.

"I think I'm gonna try and go to Helena and look at dresses," Oakley said. "I figured I'd have better luck there than anywhere near here."

"What are you thinking?" Beth asked.

"Something simple," Oakley nodded. "Maybe a tiered look? Simple white lace that's comfortable."

"Flowers?" Beth tilted her head.

"Just wild ones," Oakley smiled. "All the colors we can find...and I'd like for Kayce and Tate to have a few small ones in their jacket pocket."

"Cake?" Beth continued.

"I like cake," Oakley giggled.

"Do you care?" Beth rolled her eyes.

"No," Oakley shook her head. "Just make it pretty."

"Done," Beth smiled. "How are you?"

"Good," Oakley answered honestly. "For once in a long time...I feel good about things."

"I saw Kayce the other day," Beth said. "He looked happy too."

"No one deserves it more than him," Oakley sighed. "What he's been through."

"You deserve it too, Oakley," Beth said softly. "Don't ever forget that."

"If I could just get Tate to be happy," Oakley ignored Beth.

"What's wrong with him?" Beth asked as their food was placed in front of them.

"He hates his school," Oakley bit into a fry.

"On the reservation?" Beth asked and Oakley nodded. "Then move him closer to the ranch...or homeschool him."

"He needs to keep that part of him," Oakley sighed.

"Does he?" Beth asked.

"What?" Oakley eyed her.

"Or do you need him to keep that part of him?" Beth chewed her food.

"I take it you also talked to Kayce when you saw him," Oakley frowned. "You sound just like him."

"I asked how you and Tate were," Beth held up her hands. "But he is my little brother, Oaks...he's allowed to talk to me about things."

"I don't mean it like that," Oakley sighed. "I just mean that I wish he'd tell me that it bothered him like it clearly does."

"I don't think it bothers him where Tate is," Beth shrugged. "I think it bothers him how intense you are about it."

"That I care about our son's education?" Oakley asked, irritated.

"Our?" Beth looked up surprised.

"His," Oakley said quickly but it was too late, Beth was smirking at her. "Fine...yes, ours. With everything that happened and how we've been living, I'd argue with anyone who says I have no right to Tate."