by Dylann Crush
“I had a fantastic time getting to know the folks in East. If you’re ever in the mood for a romantic trail ride or date night at the most charming barbecue joint west of the Mississippi, East is where it’s at.” Delilah stepped back from the podium as Mr. Plum welcomed East’s mayor and his wife to the stage. They snapped a few photos and he handed them a small trophy in the shape of Texas with a heart placed over East’s location on the map.
“I’ll be honest, I had a hard time choosing the second-place winner. Both Hartwood and Ido welcomed me with open arms.” She paused, glancing down to see Lacey grip Bodie’s fingers and sit up straighter in her seat.
“Both towns have tons of personality. The residents were so friendly and welcoming. But a decision had to be made, so I’m thrilled to announce the second-place winner is Hartwood.” Delilah posed for pictures with Mr. Plum and the mayor of Hartwood, who was clearly annoyed at the perceived snub.
Mr. Plum took the mic. “As you’ve all figured out by now, we have a winner. But before we make it official, Ms. Stone was kind enough to go above and beyond her official duties to prepare a slideshow of some of her favorite moments in Ido.”
The lights dimmed as a screen lowered behind the stage. Music filtered from the speakers, and the tune “Cowboy Take Me Away” began to play. Images of Ido flashed on the screen. First, the kickoff celebration where she’d had her first taste of Helmut’s cooking, then heard the musical magic of Kirby and the rest of the Wicked Washboarders. There were photos from the vineyard tour, her luncheon with the ladies’ group, and the speech she’d given at Abby’s school.
Delilah managed not to cry until the picture she’d taken of Jasper and Buster on the blanket at the Hamptons’ movie barn appeared on-screen. She dabbed at her cheeks with a tissue. Even though she’d chosen waterproof mascara because she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to hold it together, she still didn’t want to have streaks running down her cheeks.
Light from the hall spilled into the room as the ballroom door opened. The slideshow froze, a picture of her and Jasper covered in butterflies and mud stuck on the screen.
“That right there was the moment I knew I’d fallen in love with you,” Jasper’s voice boomed from the back of the room.
Delilah’s heart pounded in her chest as she squinted into the darkness. All she could see were the silhouettes of the people who were coming through the door.
He wound his way through the sea of tables, each step bringing him closer to the stage. “Although I was pretty sure you were going to steal my heart the very first time I set eyes on you.”
Delilah closed her eyes, the tears free-falling down her cheeks. She tapped on the mouse, desperate to get the slideshow playing so she could leave the stage. The next picture showed her and Abby with the crazy goat, then faded into the shot she’d captured of the butterflies being released into the air.
“Delilah.” He stood at the foot of the stage, his hair tamed, his cheeks freshly shaved, his broad shoulders encased in what looked like a brand-new dark gray suit coat. His tie was yellow, her favorite color.
“You can’t do this now, Jasper,” she whispered. “It’s too late.”
Lacey made a move to get out of her chair but Bodie put his arm around her and muttered something in her ear. Any chance of being saved by the mayor disappeared.
“I love you, Delilah Stone. Someone once told me it’s never too late to do the right thing. Please, tell me you meant it. Say you’ll give me a chance to explain myself and prove I’m the man you fell in love with.”
Mr. Plum gasped and grabbed for the mic. “Lights, please. We’re thrilled to congratulate the town of Ido . . . the most romantic town in Texas.”
Jasper’s eyes went wide. “You picked Ido?”
She moved to the edge of the stage and squatted down as best she could in the tight yellow dress she’d picked to wear that night. “You missed it. I did pick Ido. You could have saved yourself the trip.”
“Delilah, what you saw in the barn that night, it’s not what you think. I was trying to save my family from finding out the truth about my brother. I should have come clean when I’d had the chance but I didn’t want my folks to get their hearts broken.”
Her mouth went dry and she tried to swallow but the emotion welling up in her chest made it almost impossible. “I know.”
“How?” Jasper’s gaze searched hers.
She took in a breath, trying to stabilize her pulse. “My dad called and told me.”
“Helmut.” Jasper’s shoulders rose and fell. “But why, after everything I put you through, why would you pick Ido?”
She didn’t want to look at him, didn’t trust herself not to lose it when she saw the hope and love shining in his eyes. But then he put his finger under her chin and nudged her head up, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“Because that’s where I fell in love. And what’s more romantic than that?”
“Come here.” He reached out and swept her off the stage, cradling her against his chest before he set her down on her feet in front of him.
“Ask her, Jasper.” Abby came close and Delilah slowly shifted her gaze from Jasper to see his family had joined them.
“What are all of you doing here?”
Suzy stood next to Abby, her hands covered in those black lacy gloves she’d been wearing the first day Delilah met her. Mitchell, Trent, and Davis had all cleaned up. She almost didn’t recognize Jasper’s brothers without their cowboy hats and jeans. And there was an extra. She assumed that was Noah, the only Taylor brother she hadn’t met in person yet. He must have driven down from college. He stood next to Lucas, who held little Maggie in his arms.
“Yeah, ask her.” Helmut stepped next to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, who smiled like they’d just won the lottery.
Jasper got down on one knee in front of her. “Delilah Stone, I know I’m not an easy man to love, but I’m also not a man who love found easily. That’s why I know in my heart we’re meant to be together. You bring out the best in me and I hope you’ll let me do my very best, every single day for the rest of our lives, to bring out the best in you.”
“Get to it,” Stella said. She’d joined Helmut at the edge of the circle, her eyes taking on a kind of shine Delilah had never seen before.
“That’s why I’d like to ask you . . .” Jasper looked up at her. The light in his eyes shut out everything else in the room.
“Will you marry us?” Abby shouted, jumping up and down.
“Abby!” Jasper jerked his head toward his sister.
“What? You were taking too long.” She shrugged, her cheeks flushing pink.
“Us?” Delilah asked.
Jasper stood and took both of her hands in his. “Yes, us. You told me once you’d always wondered what it would be like to have a big family.”
She nodded. “That’s true.”
“Well, here we are.” He glanced around at his brothers, his sister, his parents, and his aunt. “If you say yes, you’ll be getting more than a husband. You’ll be getting all of us.”
It was too much. She’d never known the kind of love that seemed to pour from the Taylors, wrap around her and Jasper, and fill her so full of happiness she felt like butterflies were beating their wings against the walls of her chest.
She looked straight into his eyes. “Yes.”
He immediately caught her lips in a kiss while his family clapped and shrieked around them.
Delilah had gone into the contest with no expectations, but she was leaving with everything she’d ever wanted.
Ido may have won the title, but there was no doubt in her mind that she was the real winner.
epilogue
Delilah stood at the back of the newly renovated Taylor Farms Event Barn. She’d spent the past six months working with a handful of young girls from the surrounding area, the pilot group for the program she and Mo
nique would be launching soon. By this time next year they’d be able to offer a summer camp program as well, which would match the girls with one of the dogs from For Pitties’ Sake, something she’d been wanting to do since the first time she’d visited the rescue shelter.
“How do you think they’re going to do?” Jasper came up behind her and circled her in his arms. His hands came to rest on her stomach and she leaned into him.
“I don’t know. I’m so nervous right now I feel like I could puke.”
His breath brushed against her ear as he let out a soft laugh. “You’ve done what you could. It’s up to them now.”
Stella had arrived the day before, insistent on being the one to emcee the competition, and now walked across the temporary stage Jasper and his brothers had constructed. “I’d like to welcome you to the first annual Pucker-Up Pageant, a competition that recognizes the hard work these young women have done, working with their canine partners for six months, training them in the areas of agility, behavior, and following basic commands.”
Delilah turned her head to whisper into Jasper’s ear. “She looks like she was made for this, doesn’t she?”
He nodded, the scruff of his cheek rubbing against her skin. “Poor Adeline. I almost feel sorry for her, don’t you?”
Biting back her smile, Delilah squeezed her fiancé’s hands. Stella and Adeline were a match made in pageant heaven. They’d only been working together for a few months and with Stella’s coaching, Adeline had already been crowned Mrs. Blushing Bluebonnet. Stella had her sights set on a state title next, and based on Adeline’s level of enthusiasm, Delilah had no doubt they’d be successful.
Jasper stood straighter as Abby walked across the stage. She’d been matched with the shy pup Delilah met the day she’d toured the rescue. There was nothing shy about Chantilly now. Under Abby’s constant care and attention, the pup had come out of her shell. Abby put Chantilly through her paces, stopping as they reached center stage.
“Smile. That’s it. Now let the dog give you a kiss.” Franco stood right in front, snapping photos.
Delilah had scrapped the cosmetics line Stella had been working on and decided to develop something that would be 100 percent vegan, and cruelty-free. Fifty percent of their profits would go to charity: 25 percent to For Pitties’ Sake and 25 percent to the program she’d be running that would empower girls.
Franco surprised them all by offering to donate his time and skills, and the pictures he was shooting today would be part of their new “Beauty Isn’t Only Skin-Deep” campaign, which would promote their line while raising awareness about the evils of dog fighting.
“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” Jasper nibbled at her ear, causing ripples of goose bumps to pebble her skin.
“Well, I’m proud of you right back.” She meant it, too. He’d busted his butt to turn the old barn into the beautiful building they stood in today.
“I told you we make a good team.”
“And you were right.”
Franco finished snapping photos and Stella introduced the next pair. Today’s run-through was supposed to get the girls comfortable onstage. Tomorrow the real pageant would take place and the seats would be full. Just thinking about it made Delilah’s knees go weak.
“What do you think about making it official?” Jasper’s chin rested on her shoulder.
“Making what official?”
“Us.” He ran his thumb over the engagement ring he’d given her. “The barn’s ready. I figured we ought to be the first ones to get married here.”
She shivered at the idea of standing in a gorgeous white dress and saying her vows in front of all their family and friends. “Weddings take a long time to plan. We’ve both been so busy, I haven’t given it a ton of thought yet.”
“I’m sure our families will want to help. I figure we’ll need about a thousand butterflies.”
“Oh, at least. And it’s probably best if we catch them ourselves.” She smiled as she remembered the day they’d spent covered in mud by the creek.
“I bet Zina would break down and let us incorporate some of the rescue dogs. Lacey’s been trying to get her to do it for years, but I’m sure she would if you asked.”
Delilah nodded. “Buster will be the ring bearer.”
“Of course. Hopefully that new food you started him on will cut down on his gas.” Jasper swayed back and forth. “Kirby will be devastated if we don’t ask the Wicked Washboarders to play the reception.”
“And Helmut will have to do the food. He’s been working on a whole vegetarian menu. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with.”
“What do you say, Ms. Stone? Seems like we’ve got a good handle on the plans. Want to pick a date?”
Delilah closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. “September thirtieth. That’s the first day I laid eyes on you. It can be the first anniversary of the day we met. I think that will be perfect.”
“I’m glad we got that settled.” His arms tightened. “There’s one more thing I think we need to discuss.”
“What’s that?”
“When do we get to go on a honeymoon?”
Her belly fluttered. “If you’ll stop yapping in my ear so I can pay attention, we can start practicing for that in about forty-five minutes.”
“You don’t have to entertain your mom while she’s in town tonight?”
Delilah shook her head. “She’s got a date with Helmut.”
Stella held her hand to her forehead, shading her eyes against the spotlights Davis had rigged from the rafters. “If you can’t keep it down back there, why don’t you go do something more productive?”
Jasper bit down on his lip, though Delilah could feel the laugh bubbling up in his chest.
“You heard her.” Delilah shrugged. “It’ll be more fun to watch the competition live tomorrow anyway.”
“Does that mean you want to head back to our place?”
Our place. She loved the sound of that. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Jasper pinched her behind, making her squeal and earning her a scowl from Stella. But it was worth it. Delilah twirled out of his arms and tugged him by the hand toward the big barn door.
She was going to officially become a Taylor.
And she couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than at their place, with the love of her life wrapped in her arms.
acknowledgments
Huge thanks to the entire team at Berkley for all of the behind-the-scenes work to bring my books and so many others to life. Special thanks to my editor, Kristine Swartz, for continuing to believe in my stories. To my agent, Jessica Watterson, I’m so grateful to have you in my corner.
A special shout-out to Crushin’ It Crew member Megan Hiesterman for providing the name for the Wicked Washboarders. After hearing that suggestion, I don’t see how Kirby’s band could ever be called anything else.
To all of my fellow authors who inspire and encourage me every day to keep doing this crazy thing called writing. There are too many to name but know that your enthusiasm lifts me up, and I wouldn’t be able to survive the world of publishing without you having my back (and making me laugh).
To my reader group, the Crushin’ It Crew, thanks for showing up for me. We’re in this together, and you put a smile on my face every freaking day. I do this for you!
And finally, to my family . . . it’s been a year full of challenges and loss. Despite the ups and downs, you’re still and will always be my why. Love and hugs to Mr. Crush, Honey Bee, Glitter Bee, and Buzzle Bee. XOXO
KEEP READING FOR AN EXCERPT FROM THE FIRST BOOK IN THE TYING THE KNOT IN TEXAS SERIES . . .
the cowboy says i do
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one
“I do.”
Lacey Cherish blinked multiple times, trying to see through the obnoxious f
ake eyelashes her assistant had talked her into wearing at the last minute. Her fingers fiddled with the microphone in front of her as she silently willed the reporter from the television station in Houston to give it a rest. Not even forty-eight hours into her term as the newly appointed mayor of the little town of Idont, Texas, and she already had a full-blown crisis on her hands.
The reporter didn’t back down. Instead, she got up from the metal folding chair, causing the legs to scrape across the linoleum. Lacey squinted as she fought the urge to cover her ears. Her upper and lower eyelashes tangled together and she struggled to peer through the dark lines barring her vision.
“Let me rephrase that.” The reporter cocked a hip while she consulted her notebook. “You expect us to believe you’re going to find a way to put a positive spin on this?”
Lacey inhaled a deep breath through her nose in an attempt to buy some time and answer with what might sound like a well-thought-out response. The problem was, she was winging this. No one had been more shocked than she was to find out the biggest business in town, Phillips Stationery and Imports, had closed their doors. The company had made their headquarters in Idont for over a hundred years, starting as a printing press then moving into manufacturing, and importing all kinds of novelties from overseas.
“I’m sure Mayor Cherish will have more to say as the situation unfolds.” Leave it to Deputy Sheriff Bodie Phillips to bully everyone back into line. He was part of the problem. Granted, he wasn’t the ogre who decided to shut down the warehouse, but he did share DNA with the two men in charge.
“I’ll have a statement to the press by the end of the week,” Lacey promised.
Her assistant stepped to the microphone as Lacey moved away. “Thanks, everyone, for coming. As Mayor Cherish said, she’ll be prepared to address the closing by the end of the day on Friday.”
“You okay?” Bodie appeared at her side. He angled his broad chest like a wall, as if trying to protect her from the prying eyes of the people who’d turned out for the press conference at city hall. All six of them.