My Cowboy Crush

Chapter 3

Chapter 3Levi

"Well, I think that's it for the park shots." She consulted the binder and the notebook that she was carrying. "Onto the wedding chapel, do you know where that is?"

"Yep, I sure do."

I made my way to Katie. I grasped her small hand in mine and led her across the green grass of the meadow to the little white chapel hidden behind some evergreen trees. Her hand was warm and soft in mine. They were stained a little bit at the tips of the fingers. I was about to rub my thumb over hers when a gasp escaped her lips.

"Oh, it's so romantic." Her eyes lit up and she dropped my hand like a hot potato.

Her jean-clad legs carried her through the front door. They hugged her perfect curves as if they were painted on. My hand ran through my hair before I followed her. The little chapel had large stained-glass windows with designs of flowers and animals that let the light streak across the floor. White folding chairs had been placed in rows leading up to the archway filled with balloons. I leaned against the wall as she took the area in.

"I don't get it. Where is Annie going to get ready before the wedding?"

"At the pavilion. She and her girls are going to get dressed, and, I guess, take pre-wedding photos. Then, a carriage will take them up to the chapel."

"How romantic." She pulled up her very large camera from around her and took some pictures. "Lightning in here is odd." She scrunched up her nose. "I'm not exactly sure, but I think I'll have to get you to set up some lights in the corners for the shots of the ceremony."

I grunted in response. I was mesmerized by the concentration on her face.

"I want you to go to the front and stand there like you are getting married yourself."

She was looking through the viewfinder in her camera and didn't see me smirk at her. My boot heels clicked along the wooden floor as I made my way up to the archway of ivory and white balloons. I thought about if I'd ever had the desire to get married. I closed my eyes for a moment. There stood Katie in my dreams with a white dress. Her long curly hair pulled up into some sort of fancy updo. She walked down the aisle on the arm of her daddy, carrying a large bouquet of whitish flowers. Wow, where did that come from? I hadn't seen her in several years, and only spent the last couple of hours with her. I mentally shook myself and opened my eyes. Katie was busy snapping shots of the room from the middle of the aisle, over in the corner, and another where the couple would be standing. She was so engrossed with her photography that she seemed not even to know that I exist. It allowed me to check her out freely. Her golden hair was pulled back into a bouncy ponytail. A white blouse with blue flowers gapped when she crouched down. She grew into a beautiful woman. When did that happen?

Katie glanced around the inside of the building until her gaze settled on a platform raised in the air. There was a rickety old ladder that led up to the platform.

"I need to get up there. I think I can get some absolutely fabulous pictures from there." She waved her hand at it before settling her camera against her chest.

"I'm not sure that is a safe idea." I scratched my head.

I studied the platform. It probably hadn't been used in years. Sunlight showed through the gaps in the boards where they had rotted away. Katie was already on her way up the ladder. She climbed up hand over hand, grasping each wooden rung of the ladder. I rushed to her side from across the room just as she put her foot on the next stop. A loud crack sounded throughout the room. She let out a cry as she fell back toward the floor. My arms reached out and caught her. She felt warm and soft in my arms as I held her close to my body. My heart thundered in my chest. Her yellow locks fell across my shoulder. Her big blue eyes widened as she searched my face. My heart pounded as my chest constricted. My mind blanked. Her lips parted with a little gasp. I leaned in close. My lips closed the distance to her lips, as the door swung open.