by Caroline Lee
She caressed his cheek. “You came back, Jace, and that’s what matters. Thank you for considering what I said, and for taking the time to find value in what I value.”
“I kinda figured proposing marriage after knowing you a week was proof enough.”
She had to smile. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
“Aaaand…” He reached up to press her hand against his skin. “I haven’t heard you say ‘yes’, which to me means I’m rubbing off on you, and you’re thinking this thing through.”
Her smile grew. “Well, one of us has to.”
“I haven’t had the chance to do anything really special, Dink, like buy a ring. Heck, I haven’t had time to brush my teeth or change, but…” He dropped her hands and crawled across the room—which, because of his height and the tiny width of the room, didn’t take long—to where he’d dropped his coat in a bundle. From under the navy-blue wool, he pulled out a large shopping bag.
When he came back to sit beside her on the couch, Dink’s eyes widened. She recognized the General Store logo on the bag and her heart began to pound again.
“I’m hoping this is okay, though.” He pulled out a box, and she realized that she was holding her breath again.
When he took off the cover, she saw a pair of boots. The boots. Teal embroidery and turquoise sequins on black leather…the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. The boots she’d positively ached to own, and which ceased to mean anything after their argument yesterday.
He’d gone back to buy them for her, even though he thought they were hideous.
Slowly, she reached out one hand to caress the leather and raised her eyes to his. “I thought you didn’t like these?”
“I don’t. But you do, and I love you.” He shrugged. “And I thought that, if you wanted, maybe you could wear them tomorrow. Down the aisle.”
He was back to looking hesitant, unsure, and her heart expanded with love for him. “Tomorrow?” she teased.
“Yeah.” He took a deep breath, and she was sorry she’d made him wait so long to hear the words. “If you want to. Marry me, I mean.”
Her joy surprised a burst of laughter out of her, and she threw her arms around his shoulders, the boots squished between them. After a frozen moment, his arms snaked around her, pulling her closer. “Is that a yes, I hope?”
“Yes!” She kissed his neck and loved the way he shuddered. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Jace Cunningham.”
With that, he stood up, pulling her with him. “Thank goodness. And the boots?”
“I’ll wear them. They’ll look great with the dress.”
“They’ll look terrible with the dress, but they’ll look great on you.”
“Thank you.” She kissed him again quickly, wanting to linger but knowing they had too much to do. “For the boots. And for understanding.”
“I meant it, Dink. You make me a better man.”
“Well, you’re welcome then,” she said cheekily.
When he inhaled, she felt it in her chest too. “Then I suppose we’ve got a lot to do today. Talk to Pastor Kevin first, then go into town to see about the license. Oh, first I guess we’d better talk to Ellie, to make sure she’s really okay with her maid-of-honor turning into her co-bride.”
“I’m glad to see you’re back to your list-making self, but that’s not the first thing you need to do.”
He blinked. “Oh, I guess you’re right. I’ll go talk to your father, ask his permission—”
She giggled. “No way, I’m my own woman. Although we probably should tell him and Muz.”
“And Elf too. He doesn’t strike me as a guy who likes to sit around.”
“You’re going to like him, I think. But that’s still not the first thing you need to do.”
When he looked down at her all confused, obviously trying to figure out what she was talking about, she took pity on him and wrapped her arm around his neck.
“Silly man,” she said, pulling him down towards her lips. “First thing on your list should be that you need to kiss me.”
He chuckled, then drawled “Yes, ma’am,” right before their lips met.
It was like coming home.
CHAPTER TEN
The chapel was beautiful. Will’s cousin and sisters had been in charge of decorations, and Jace thought they’d done a good job. Bundles of autumn wildflowers and ribbons hung from the pews and the windows, and looked pretty old-fashioned, he had to admit. Jess—Will’s cousin—sat in the front pew with the Redferns, tucked up under her new husband’s arm. She, like the other family members and many of the tourists who’d been invited, had dressed with a nod to the Wild West theme of the wedding; long dresses and fancy vests abounded.
In fact, standing at the altar beside Will, Jace had to admit the whole wedding looked like something out of a movie. Which, he supposed, had been the point. Pastor Kevin, Will and Jace were all wearing simple black suits with narrow ribbons tied into bows under their starched collars. Will’s ridiculous lavender cowboy boots were peeking out from the bottom of his trousers, but Jace had stuck with his comfortable and classy Florsheims, thank you very much. The other Weston brothers—including Wes, who’d returned to the ranch with his new fiancée in time for the wedding—ranged behind him to stand as groomsmen for their brother. They’d made do with dark jeans and vests over their white button-up shirts. Jace figured the only reason none of them were wearing actual cowboy hats was out of respect for the pastor.
It sure looked like a wedding from a hundred years ago, and judging from the frantic whir and snap of the professional photographer’s camera, Jace wasn’t the only one who thought so. This would be a fantastic publicity stunt, and a great way to kick-off River’s End Ranch’s hopes of becoming an Old West wedding destination spot.
With a chord, the old upright piano in the back of the chapel began to play Vivaldi’s Spring from his The Four Seasons, and Jace smiled. Sadie from the “saloon” hadn’t been kidding; she really did roll the thing over here and up the ramp in order to play at the wedding, and she really was wearing what might pass as a Wild West saloon-girl’s gown, complete with the low-cut front and the exposed garter. She might not be the world’s best pianist, but what she lacked in technical skill she made up for with enthusiasm, and the old piano brought Vivaldi’s masterpiece to life in an unexpected way. Jace felt his throat tighten as the chapel’s back doors opened.
The first lady through was Will’s first love. Indy the border collie came bounding up the aisle, a bunch of wildflowers tied with a big bow around her collar. Will dropped to his haunches, and the dog came right to him, placing her paws on his shoulders to lick his face. Many of the tourists chuckled to see the display, but Will was too busy murmuring praise and scratching behind Indy’s ear to notice.
Jace just grinned, knowing his best friend’s soft spot for the dog, and agreeing there’d been no way they could’ve had the ceremony without a special appearance by Indy.
When the door opened again, Will was still busy with his dog, but Jace and the rest of the Westons—and their guests—turned toward the rear of the church.
Will’s sister Kelsi stepped inside. She was wearing the simple chocolate-colored gown Ellie had picked out weeks ago, cut to fit over her growing belly. Clutching the wildflower bouquet—the florist in Riston had done a great job—in front of her, she stepped into the chapel. Knowing her, Jace could imagine she wanted to skip down the aisle, but instead she kept up a sedate pace, stopping only to blow a kiss to her husband in the second row, before arriving at the altar.
She stopped in front of Will, who slowly stood up and gestured to Indy to lay down. The two siblings shared a look before Jace’s friend opened his arms and she stepped into them for a hug. There was some sniffling from the audience, but Jace was just pleased his best friend was surrounded by his family on such an important date.
And being without any family of his own, Jace had to admit he was glad to be surrounded by the Weston clan today too. This family had welcomed him
years ago, and he was proud to be standing up here between Will and Wade.
When the back door next opened, Kelsi’s twin Dani stepped through. She wore a dress that matched her sister’s, although she didn’t look thrilled about it. Her dark hair was decorated with a flower, and Jace knew her twin had been responsible for that little detail. From what he knew of Dani, she was no more comfortable in the bridesmaid’s dress and flowers than Jace himself would’ve been. She didn’t quite scowl as she made her way down the aisle to stand on the other side of Kelsi, but she didn’t look too happy when the photographer took a close-up to record the moment for posterity.
Will glanced over at him, and Jace was surprised to see a big grin on his face. More surprising was when he felt himself return it. His wedding day! If he’d ever imagined it, Jace would’ve assumed it would be a solemn occasion, but how could today be solemn? He was standing beside his best friend, surrounded by people who’d accepted him as family, and about to marry a woman who brought out the best in him.
The two grooms stood, impatiently shifting their weight, while Sadie finished up Vivaldi’s Spring. This would’ve been the time that Dink, as maid-of-honor, would’ve walked down the aisle. But with the last minute re-arrangements, these last few stanzas didn’t accompany anyone.
Judging from the shifting and throat-clearing from the chapel, Jace wasn’t the only impatient one.
Yesterday was still a bit of a blur. After proposing—proposing!—to Dink, they’d met Will and Ellie at the café for breakfast. Both of them had been thrilled to share their wedding day with the newly-engaged couple and were happy to rearrange things to make it work. Then he’d taken Dink into town to apply for a marriage license—Idaho didn’t require a waiting period, thank goodness, and they’d been able to scrape together all the documents needed—and for a nice lunch. The rest of the day had been spent in a whirlwind of activity with her family, preparing the chapel and the reception site.
Jace glanced over at the front row, and made eye contact with Muz, Dink’s mom. She winked, and he found himself smiling. Yesterday, when they’d announced their plans to the Redferns, she’d wrapped her arms around his middle—she only came up to his shoulders, just like her youngest daughter—and given him a hug so welcoming that Jace had felt tears pricking behind his eyelids. Would she be as loving and supportive a pseudo-mother as Mrs. Raymond had been? In that moment, he wondered if Mrs. Raymond could see him, looking down from Heaven. Would she be proud of the man he’d become? Would she approve of the hasty and impulsive decision he’d made to marry Dink?
As if to answer his question, Muz had stepped back and met his eyes and smiled. “We’re very pleased to welcome you to the family, Jason. You love her and she loves you—it’s not rocket surgery.” That little exchange—complete with the misplaced idiom—had meant more to him than he’d be able to express, so he’d just hugged the little woman and vowed to never give her a reason to doubt him.
Maybe that showed today, because Muz just smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, and he remembered all the things Dink had said about her mother, and smiled in return.
He was still smiling when Sadie finished the last chord of Vivaldi, and launched into Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. The chapel doors opened, and there stood the brides.
Ellie’s long blonde hair had been curled so that it lay perfectly just over the shoulders of her modest, old-fashioned gown. She clung to her father’s arm, and Jace thought he noticed her bouquet shaking a bit as they started down the aisle towards the altar. Beside him, Will whispered something under his breath Jace couldn’t make out, and stepped down to take his soon-to-be-wife’s hand.
He helped her up the step to stand in front of Pastor Kevin, and then it was Dink’s turn.
Jace watched as she smiled up at her big brother. Elf looked out of place in the black suit, but Jace had been glad to hear he’d decided to take Wade up on his offer of temporary employment. It would be good to get to know the big mechanic a little better.
Dink, on the other hand, looked thrilled. And gorgeous. Her smile alone meant she could be wearing a sackcloth and still make Jace’s heart beat faster.
Her gown was the same simple cut as the other bridesmaids’, but the creamy hue set off the teal of her eyes…and her hair. She’d pinned up the front with the same wildflowers she held, so Jace and everyone else could see the teal ombre perfectly. It seemed so perfectly Dink; when everyone else was doing their best to fit into the old-fashioned theme of the wedding, she had to go her own way.
Jace smiled to realize he was looking forward to a lifetime of following behind her as she carved her own path through what was expected.
It wasn’t until she started down the aisle—practically pulling her brother—that Jace realized how unique his Dink really was. Sometime in the last twenty-four hours she’d altered her gown; whereas Kelsi and Dani’s dresses fell in simple pleats to their calves, Dink had somehow managed to pull hers up to her knees. Jace couldn’t tell if she’d cut the dress, or sewn it differently, or what, but he realized he didn’t care.
Because thanks to the cream-colored dress’s alteration, her legs were the focus of that gown. And on her legs? Those boots.
The same hideously wonderful black-and-turquoise boots she loved so much. The boots that had helped him understand her, and his feelings for her. The boots that he’d used to propose the most reckless and brash move of his entire life—marriage to a woman he’d met the previous week.
A woman he loved more than he’d ever thought possible.
Mendelsohn and the gathered crowd faded into the background, and all Jace could see was her. He stepped down to meet her in the aisle, and when she reached him, her smile was bright enough for him to remember forever. Dink dropped her brother’s arm—Elf just smiled and moved to sit beside his mother and father—and grabbed Jace’s hand.
When they touched, he felt that same spark he’d felt last week, the first time he’d touched her. The same spark they shared when they kissed, and the spark he was looking forward to exploring further, now that they could share the tiny house’s back bedroom without worrying about propriety.
His lips quirked upwards. “Nice boots,” he whispered
“You think so?” She stuck one toe out and smiled down at them admirably. “The love of my life proposed with them.”
“Smart man.” When she met his eyes again, he winked. “Lucky man.”
Dink took a deep breath, then squeezed his hand, her expression suddenly serious. “Jace? Are you still sure about this?” Her voice was low enough that he knew only he could hear it.
He dropped his forehead to hers and inhaled, smelling the clean, perfect scent of her. “Sweetheart, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“Really? Because usually...” There was a teasing light in her beautiful teal-blue eyes, and Jace smiled, knowing what she was hinting at. But it didn’t matter, because he was sure. There’d been no considering, no debating, no spreadsheets. He’d made this decision with his heart, and he knew it was the right one.
He had a new job starting next week at a ranch that was like a home to him. He had an agreement from Wade to rent the tiny house on a month-to-month lease, until they could find something in town they liked more. He had his best friend nearby and two different families who were ready to welcome him as one of their own.
And he had the woman he loved beside him.
What more could any man ask for? He was truly blessed.
So Jace kissed her nose and straightened. Turning, he offered her his arm. She snaked hers through it, pulling his elbow up against her side as they faced the altar and the couple already standing in front of Pastor Kevin.
Jace took a deep breath and felt her do the same. But when he glanced down at her, she was already looking up at him, smiling.
He smiled in return. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s be impulsive.”
She was giggling as they stepped up to the altar to begin their new lives together.
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SNEAK PEEK
Gallant Golfer
River’s End Ranch, Book Ten
The golf cart rolled slowly to a stop at River’s End Ranch’s world-class golf course and Chad pressed hard on the brake. He shielded his eyes against the noon-time sun as he surveyed the greens—summer would be ending soon, and the once-lush grass of the course was already tinged with brown.
Fallen leaves rustled behind him as he hopped out of the cart and rounded to the back, rubbing his shoulder before he reached for his clubs. The day was crisp, more so than it had been. Tourists would be arriving soon for winter sports rather than his purview, but he nodded in satisfaction at the happiness the ranch had brought to people all summer, some coming from back east to try their hand at the championship course.
Sunday was the one day the course was closed, and he’d made it a point to play on his own each and every Monday, the expansive greens all his own. Today was no different, except that the crisp, fall air had his old injury acting up. He’d managed to work through it these past few years and provided lessons and coaching to any who wanted, and he was proud of his tenure as resident golf pro.
He hefted his bag on his shoulder—Simon had offered to caddy for him, even play a round with him—but these Sundays were his own. Private. He’d had plenty of commotion when he’d played the pro golf circuit and had enjoyed it—the food, the parties, the camaraderie with fellow pros—but now, what he enjoyed most was the quiet and solitude of the course here at River’s End Ranch. Sure, he missed his friends—many of them were still riding high on the tours, making fortunes, having fun. But he welcomed a different kind of fun. At least on Sundays, anyway.