He turned when she approached him and smiled. “What is the bride-to-be doing here?”
“I wanted to check on everything one last time. I’ll be gone for a week and want to make sure everything is in place.”
“I told you, I’ve got this.”
“Are you sure it’s not too much? You’re in the final stages of getting your own place up and running and you’ll still work my garden center?”
“It’s my wedding gift. I thought you could use it more than a toaster,” Nolan said with a grin. “Besides, I have some help.”
“You do?”
“Porter is going to help on the weekdays. Landon and Colton are going to help over the weekend.”
“That’s so nice of them.” Stella was surprised. She hadn’t heard a thing about it.
“That’s Keeneston,” Nolan said as if it were nothing, but it was everything to her. “Porter has a rodeo this weekend. It’s his first without Parker.”
Parker had gone to the US Marshals’ training center. He was going to miss the wedding, but Stella and Jace understood completely. Porter hadn’t taken the news well. But with the promise that they’d run the farm together, he’d relented and at least started talking to his twin again.
Six weeks ago, little Dawson, weighing all of four pounds, went home to his parents. He was thriving. Riley and Matt were tired but had a look of pure bliss about them. Speaking of Bliss, the big dog ran by with Hooch and Jimmy chasing after her.
“I told you she’d be here,” Evie called out.
Stella turned to see Evie and Sienna walking toward her with Cassidy, Camila, and Piper. At eighteen weeks, you could only tell Piper was pregnant if you really looked. There was a slight rounding to her belly and her breasts were larger. Aiden was thrilled, by all accounts.
“It’s time to get ready for your wedding, and you’re out here playing in dirt,” Cassidy scolded. “Thank goodness we called Nora from the Fluff and Buff. She’s meeting us at your house.”
A dust cloud appeared from her house as Eden’s car raced toward them. She slammed on her brakes and shoved the door open. “You are getting married in two hours! What are you doing here?”
The women surrounding her snickered.
“I’m coming. Thank you, Nolan.”
“No problem. I’d better get ready, too. You’ll be a beautiful bride.”
Evie, Piper, Sienna, Camila, and Cassidy herded Stella to Eden’s car. They all crammed in and Eden floored it back to the house. Stella laughed as she saw Jimmy, Hooch, and Bliss running after them at full speed with looks of pure doggy happiness on their faces.
When they pulled up to the house, Tammy was standing on the porch tapping her foot. “Everything is in place. Here, drink this,” she shoved a glass of champagne at Stella. “Take a quick shower and put on your robe. Nora is fit to be tied.” Then suddenly Tammy hugged her tightly. “I’m so glad you’re going to be my daughter. But if you don’t hurry, I’ll pull you out of the shower and wash you in the front yard with a hose and scrub brush.”
Stella chuckled, downed the champagne, and took off up the stairs to get ready for her wedding.
Jace watched April and Cricket throw flower petals on the path leading to the pond. The bench under the wisteria arbor had been removed so that the couple could stand beneath it to be married at sunset.
Following the little flower girls, Jimmy appeared with the wedding rings attached to his bow tie. Then Stella appeared like magic from between the trees at her nursery as Karl escorted her to her groom.
Dylan, Colton, Porter, and Landon stood to Jace’s side. Eden, Piper, Camila, and Evie were waiting for Stella to reach them. Jace’s heart stuck in his throat as his bride walked toward him in a simple lace gown. Her hair was down in soft waves and her veil was attached to a ring of wildflowers around the crown of her head.
Father Ben opened his book as Jace took Stella’s hand. Just a few more words and they’d be husband and wife. Before Jace knew it, he was saying, “I do.” His hands slipped along her cheeks as he kissed her with all his love.
“Help us celebrate Jace and Stella Davies!” Father Ben called out. As they walked down the aisle, everyone held out long-stemmed sunflowers to form an arch of bright, happy flowers.
Hand in hand, they ran toward their future together.
* * *
Ari looked out over the wedding guests. A large dance floor covered the parking lot of the garden center, and lights had been strung from the barn to the trees. People danced under the lights, and tables were set up among the trees now all decorated with lights. It looked as if they were celebrating in a fairy garden. Cody danced with Tinsley, one of Jace’s cousins from Shadows Landing. Cady, the distillery master, danced with Trent, another Shadows Landing cousin to the Davies family. Draven and Addison were telling the story of how she’d won over the people of Bermalia. No date had been set yet, but their wedding planning was well under way.
Jace and Stella danced and gazed at each other as if they were the only two people on the earth. Her eyes moved across the dancers and took in all the happy couples, including her whole family.
“You love them but find yourself jealous, too, right?”
Ari didn’t need to turn her head to know who it was.
“Greer! Welcome back. And yes, that’s exactly how I feel. I’m proud of myself at the same time, though. I found my true calling. I found my passion. Love can find me later.”
Greer sighed. “It’s been hard. I just want to do my job at Hostage Rescue, but they want to parade me in front of the media, even though my face is covered. It’s so stupid. I want more. I want to make a difference.”
“I’m sure you already have. What does Jackson think?”
“He thinks I won’t be on the New York team for long. It’s the most prestigious. He thinks as soon as I get enough experience under my belt, I’ll be pulled into the FBI bureaucracy.”
Ari turned to her then. “Wouldn’t you be good at that? They need a woman in there to run things.”
“I have to fight every day to prove myself. It’s exhausting. It’s hard to imagine a lifetime of that. Yet I do want to make changes. I want to make that difference.”
Ari put her arm around her friend and hugged her. “And you will. You are.”
“Speaking of making a difference, I hear you’re making an international splash.”
Ari let out a sigh. “Not how I wanted, but at least Daughters of Elizabeth is getting much needed attention. In six months, I’m taking a world tour of the places women and children are trafficked from the most. Some of it’s due to warfare, some of it’s just for money, and then some of it’s all about power. But it’s women’s lives that are affected, and the UN isn’t doing anything substantive about it.”
Greer smiled then as she looked at Ari. “You go, girl. You bring the fight to them.”
“I plan to.”
“What do your parents think?”
“They’re supportive but worried. I usually have a crazy number of Rahmi guards with me. Abby’s been talking to President Stratton about guarding me as well. That looks good, coming in to meet with women with a huge group of armed men around me,” she said sarcastically. “I hate it.”
Greer was quiet for a moment as she thought about it. “Why can’t Abby go with you? I could ask for some time off and go, too.”
“Really? That would be great. I wonder if I can get everyone to agree to it.”
Greer bumped her hip into her. “You’re a princess. You can get whatever you want. Let me know when I should pack my bag.”
Ari watched Conley ask Greer to dance. If only it was so easy. Being a princess wasn’t quite what everyone thought. Outside of Keeneston, every move she made was watched, photographed, and commented on. Still she was determined to use being in the public eye to fight for women’s rights and do all she could to stop sex trafficking.
* * *
Porter took three ibuprofen pills in a single gulp. His ribs still hurt,
but at least the headaches were gone. He’d managed to ride a few times under his brother’s watchful eye, but next weekend would be his first rodeo back without his brother. It was a big rodeo and Porter was focused on regaining his number-one ranking on the circuit.
“Hey, baby,” Nikki purred into his ear as he watched the dancing from the shadows. “You want to dance?”
“Maybe later. I’m enjoying my drink right now,” he said before taking a sip of bourbon.
Nikki grabbed his hand and almost spilled his drink. “I won’t take no for an answer.” She pulled him along the darkened path and then suddenly stopped. “Oh my gosh, panties!”
Porter looked around Nikki and there, hanging next to an apple in the apple tree, was a red thong. “Is that yours?”
“No way. I never wear panties.” She grabbed his hand and placed it on her butt implants. Sure enough—not a panty line to be found. “I wonder whose it is?”
Porter shrugged. “I always thought it was you.”
“Oh Porter, if you ever want to look under my skirt, you just have to ask.”
“Porter.” He heard Colton call out his name and thanked his lucky stars. His cousin had better rescue him. “Sorry, Nikki, I need to borrow my cousin for a moment.”
Nikki pouted, but then Flint walked by. “Flint!” she called out and took off batting her lashes, wiggling her ass, and shaking her tits. It really was a talent. Porter couldn’t pat his head and rub his belly in a circle at the same time.
“Thanks for the save.”
“You looked like you needed it. Come on, the cousins are having a drink together.”
Porter tossed back his bourbon. “And look, my drink is empty.”
* * *
Dani stared at her daughter and sighed. “Ladies, something must be done. I’m so glad Ari has found a cause she’s passionate about, but it’s also time for her to find love.”
Kenna pulled out the old notebooks the Rose sisters had given them to aid in matchmaking. “Well, we’ll just add Stella’s name here. We didn’t get this one, but I’ll still count it as a win. How are we to know someone would move to Keeneston and fall in love with Jace?”
“It’s a total win,” Paige said with a nod.
“So, you need someone for Ari. What about Kale?” Morgan asked.
Dani wrinkled her nose. “They’re like brother and sister.”
“Plus they’ve had some kind of falling-out. That’s something we do need to fix, though,” Bridget said to Dani who nodded in agreement.
The ladies all looked over at the dance floor. “Colton needs to find love,“ Annie mused, looking at her son.
“If we’re nominating our sons, Porter and Parker need someone, too,” Gemma added.
“There’s always Nolan. Or any of the firefighters,” Katelyn added.
Dani sighed. “I don’t know. Ari’s shown no interest in dating recently.”
“Don’t worry,” Kenna said, taking her hand in hers. “We’ll figure it out. We’re the matchmakers after all.”
* * *
Miss Lily shook her head and looked over at her sisters and Marcy Davies. “Bless their hearts, they are the worst matchmakers ever.”
Her sisters nodded and Marcy sighed. “They raised excellent babies, though, and can shoot better than their husbands.”
“That is a consolation,” Miss Daisy said, patting Marcy’s hand.
“I do agree that Ariana needs to be next,” Miss Violet said as the others nodded. “Ari dear, yoo-hoo!” Ari saw them and made her way over to them. “How are you doing, dear? You look stunning tonight!” Marcy smiled up at the young woman.
“I’m doing well, thank you. Can I get you ladies anything?”
“Well, now that you asked, tell us the scoop on these single men. We’re old and just not in the know anymore,” Miss Lily said as she added a little sigh and a pout.
“Of course, what do you want to know?” Ari asked before Miss Lily led her through every single man at the wedding while her sisters and Marcy asked supporting questions. Bless her heart, she never even knew she was being interrogated.
“Thank you for amusing us old ladies for a while,” Miss Daisy told her.
“You’re a gem. Now, go have fun. We insist,” Miss Violet added.
“Nolan!” Marcy called out. The young man hurried over. “We just love seeing you young people dance. Do you think you and Ari would mind showing us what it was like to be young?”
“Of course. Then I’ll be back to get my dance with each of you.” Nolan winked at them and held out his hand for Ari.
“Well, that was enlightening,” Miss Lily told her table.
“She needs someone as strong as she is or she’d run roughshod over the poor guy,” Miss Daisy added and they all agreed.
“And she’s not interested in anyone here. That was clear,” Miss Violet said with a frown.
Marcy pulled out her cell phone and pressed the voice recognition button. “Call Dare Reigns.”
“He’s already married, or did you forget?” Miss Lily asked as the phone rang.
Marcy rolled her eyes at her friend.
“Hello, Marcy.”
“Hello, dear. Would you like an extra apple pie this month?”
“You know you never have to ask that question. What do you need?”
“I have a dear friend, a young diplomat, who is going to be traveling to dangerous locations to help women’s rights and to bring attention to sex trafficking. You’re in the government. Who is used to dealing with diplomats and isn’t afraid to stand up to them?”
“That would be the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security.”
The ladies shared a look and Marcy smiled. “Thank you, dear. I’ll mail the pie out tomorrow, express. Give Harper our love.”
Marcy hung up and the ladies all smiled at each other. “Easy as pie,” Marcy said with a laugh.
* * *
Jace looked down at his wife and ran his hand over his cheek. “Is this real?”
“It sure is. Now take me home, husband.”
Jace leaned down and placed a kiss on his wife’s lips. He’d never get tired of feeling like this. The pure unadulterated happiness and love were indescribable. “And then you’re mine for a full week.”
“I’m yours for longer than that. It was so nice of the Mueez family and Katelyn’s family to get us a week at Able Resorts.”
“You, me, one week all alone on a beach—that’s just the beginning of our lives together. I love you so much, Stella.”
Stella rose up on her toes and placed a kiss to his lips. “I love you, too, husband.”
Sparklers were lit as the crowd formed a tunnel. Jace leaned down and kissed Stella with all the hope of the happiness they would share before lacing his fingers with hers. They laughed as they ran together toward their future.
* * *
THE END
Bluegrass Series
Bluegrass State of Mind
Risky Shot
Dead Heat
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Bluegrass Brothers
Bluegrass Undercover
Rising Storm
Secret Santa: A Bluegrass Series Novella
Acquiring Trouble
Relentless Pursuit
Secrets Collide
Final Vow
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Bluegrass Singles
All Hung Up
Bluegrass Dawn
The Perfect Gift
The Keeneston Roses
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Forever Bluegrass Series
Forever Entangled
Forever Hidden
Forever Betrayed
Forever Driven
Forever Secret
Forever Surprised
Forever Concealed
Forever Devoted
Forever Hunted
Forever Guarded
Forever Notorious
Forever Ventured
Forever Freed
Forever Saved
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Shadows Landing Series
Saving Shadows
Sunken Shadows
Lasting Shadows
Fierce Shadows
Broken Shadows (coming October 2020)
Framed Shadows (coming Apr/May 2021)
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Women of Power Series
Chosen for Power
Built for Power
Fashioned for Power
Destined for Power
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Web of Lies Series
Whispered Lies
Rogue Lies
Shattered Lies
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Moonshine Hollow Series
Moonshine & Murder
Moonshine & Malice
Moonshine & Mayhem
Moonshine & Mischief
About the Author
Kathleen Brooks is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Kathleen’s stories are romantic suspense featuring strong female heroines, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Her Bluegrass Series and follow-up Bluegrass Brothers Series feature small town charm with quirky characters that have captured the hearts of readers around the world.
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Kathleen is an animal lover who supports rescue organizations and other non-profit organizations such as Friends and Vets Helping Pets whose goals are to protect and save our four-legged family members.
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Email Notice of New Releases
https://kathleen-brooks.com/new-release-notifications
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