The Last Cowboy
Page 20
Seeing the expressions on their faces, she added, “Unless, of course, our lady leader couldn’t keep her mouth shut.” They guffawed, clapping their hands in a boisterous round of applause.
Troy said, “I want to thank all of you for being the best part of my first visit to Texas. Other than finding the girl I thought I’d lost, of course.”
That sparked anther burst of laughter. The party was on, serenaded by a bluegrass trio who played nonstop through the meal of tacos and enchiladas that Will prepared. And kept playing into the night as they danced and drank, toasting the couple endlessly.
When it finally broke up, Troy asked Samantha, “You want me to go back to the motel tonight?”
“Not unless you take me with you. Now you’re here, I don’t want to take a chance on losing you again.”
He said, “Hey! That’s supposed to be my line. So, where will we sleep?”
“In my apartment. I think I can squeeze you into my bed, though it will be tight.”
He chuckled. “Sounds like the kind of challenge I can rise to.”
“As you certainly did this afternoon. Will you ever get those grass stains off your pants?”
“Who cares? As long as I have you, we can dye them green if we want.”
She grabbed his hand and headed for the door, turning back to wave to Marybeth and Will, who were grinning from ear to ear. She looked up at her lover. “In the morning, we can plan how to put together a wedding we’ll remember forever.”
“Yeah. In the morning. Meanwhile…”
* * *
Labour Day dawned cool and clear, a perfect day for an outdoor Texas wedding. Samantha fidgeted as Missy kept adjusting her dress. “Missy, for goodness sake, I’m fine.”
“I know. I just want you to look perfect for Troy.”
Samantha laughed. “You don’t have to worry about that any more. He’s told me a hundred times I’m all he ever wanted.” She paused. “He’s as perfect as any man can be, Missy. We’ve both made mistakes but we’ve benefitted from them. From here on out, it doesn’t matter how perfect we are as long as we’re honest with one another.”
Missy sighed. “Oh, that’s so romantic. Tom and I feel that way, too.” She put down the brush she’d tried to use on Samantha’s hair. “Will you guys be able to come up for our wedding? I want you to be my maid of honour. Oh, I guess that will be matron, won’t it?”
“We’ll be there, Missy. Wouldn’t miss it for anything. And, yes, I’ll be your matron of honour. You guys tying the knot soon?”
“We want a Christmas wedding. Does that sound hokey?”
“You kidding? Sounds delightful. What better way to celebrate the holidays than getting married?”
“That’s what we thought. My folks wanted us to do it before cold weather, but we told them there was no hurry. Besides, we’ll want to go somewhere warm for our honeymoon.”
She stared at Samantha. “You didn’t tell me where you’re going for yours.”
“That’s right, I didn’t. Las Vegas. Well, close to there. One of Troy’s clients, a musical luminary who divides his time between Branson and Vegas, told him about a cabin up near the head waters of Lake Mead, where we can get away from civilization for a week or two. He can get in a lot of fishing and I can do my writing in peace and quiet.”
“Fishing and writing? Samantha, that doesn’t sound like much of a honeymoon to me.”
Samantha laughed. “Well, how does this sound? We decided we’ve waited so long to get married, we’re going to do what it takes to start a family while we’re there, in between all the fish and fiction, of course.”
“Oh, Lordy! Samantha Turner and Missy Coward having babies the same year? The idea positively scares me.”
“You’re having a baby? Missy? What are you trying to tell me?”
Missy blushed, her glowing cheeks revealing more than her words. “I may as well get it off my chest. I’m pregnant. Only a month or so. Why do you think my mom is having a cow we’re not in front of a preacher now?”
Samantha reached out and pulled her dearest friend into a hug. “What about Tom?”
“He’s busting buttons, knowing he’s going to be a daddy. And he doesn’t care that my tummy will no doubt be sticking out front when we say the I do’s.”
Samantha laughed, a merry chuckle, as she remembered Rose’s dilemma. “You know, this seems to run in our circle of friends.”
Missy said, “Do you know for sure you’re not in a family way yet?”
“Yes. I’m sure. But I’m also sure that I want to be, and I will be within the month. I expect to have my first child while I’m thirty, and that’s coming up next month.”
Missy shook her head. “If you’d told me we’d be having this conversation last spring, I’d have told you you’re crazy.”
“I know. Isn’t it exciting?”
“Yeah.” A knock at the door stifled further talk.
Samantha opened the door to see Marybeth. “Samantha, it’s time. Troy’s out there with the preacher, and everybody’s dying to see you walk down the aisle.”
“Coming, Marybeth.” She took Missy’s hand. “Okay, my very best friend in the world, lead the way.”
Missy went out with her and hurried to take her place in line. The Werners had set up rented chairs so that a makeshift aisle led from the veranda to a podium near the edge of the lake. All the residents from the lake community who’d been there for the party days earlier sat on either side of the aisle. Troy’s mom and dad were at the front of his side, and Samantha’s folks sat in front on the other side. A number of relatives of both had come down for the wedding as well.
Samantha had her wish, an intimate wedding with friends and relatives present. She also had a bonus, for she’d been able to form friendships with so many of the local people, the combined group would have a wonderful celebration.
And so they did, the biggest surprise of the day being the arrival of JT and Aggie, bulging with her soon to be born child. His band was set up for a performance in Austin on Labour Day evening, but he’d insisted on flying in for the wedding.
A perfect gift for the writer and her cowboy.
The End
Other books by this author from Books We Love
Longview Romances Series
Storm’s Refuge Book 1
Come Hell or High Water Book 2
A Longview Wedding Book 3
A Longview Christmas ~ Seasonal Novella
The Cornwall Adventures
Laurel’s Quest Book 1
A Step Beyond Book 2
Go Gently Book 3
Arabella’s Secret
The Selkie’s Song Book 1
Arabella Dreams Book 2
Historical Fiction
No Absolution by N.M. Bell
With Pat Dale
The Teddy Dialogues
She’s Driving Me Crazy
The Last Cowboy
Henrietta’s Heart
Nancy M Bell has publishing credits in poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Nancy has presented at the Surrey International Writers Conference and the Writers Guild of Alberta Conference. She loves writing fiction and poetry and following wherever her muse takes her.
Please visit her webpage www.nancymbell.ca
You can find her on Facebook at Author Nancy M Bell
Follow on twitter @emilypikkasso
Books We Love Ltd.