They shared a smile before Rachel continued to walk toward J.D.
Rachel had decided against having bridesmaids. She’d suggested that she and Madge walk down the “aisle” together, toward a trellis with interwoven ivy and white carnations. When they reached the altar, she and J.D. acted as attendants to Bluey and Madge, and then they changed places, with Bluey and Madge serving as their attendants.
After the beautiful ceremony, the couples led their guests—consisting of the entire neighborhood, Rachel’s family and Madge’s sister, who was moving extremely well—to a table where two majestic cakes awaited them.
Rachel and Madge each cut the first piece of her cake and fed a bite to her new husband, then vice versa. Rebecca and Vanessa continued cutting cake for their guests.
The two couples moved through the crowd, welcoming their friends and family. Little Danny received a lot of attention, which, of course, pleased his doting parents. Joey liked his new family member, but told his aunt Rachel that he wasn’t that great. He couldn’t even play ball yet! Joey was much more interested in the horses he could see in the distance on J.D.’s ranch.
After the cake had been served, Rebecca sat down next to her twin. “I never thought I’d see you living on a ranch, happy to be a cowgirl.”
“But I’m happy, Becca.”
Rebecca grinned. “I can see that. And J.D. seems to be a good man.”
“Yes, I think so.” The smile that had adorned Rachel’s face for weeks suddenly faded as she said, “It’s too bad Jim couldn’t have been here. I told you his leave got canceled, didn’t I?”
“Yeah. And no wonder. Things aren’t going smoothly over there.”
“I know. I’ll be glad when he’s home.”
Vanessa joined them, taking a seat and putting her feet up. “Everything’s going well, isn’t it?”
“I think so,” Rebecca said. “We were just talking about Jim.”
“I know. The news isn’t so good. Will’s still working on finding David. Maybe he’ll turn up soon.”
“I hope so,” Rachel said. “I’d love for us all to be together someday.”
“And speaking of togetherness…” J.D. swooped in and grabbed her. He drew her apart from their guests for a moment of togetherness. “Rachel, you’re so beautiful!”
“You know that’s not what matters,” she chided gently.
He laughed and added, “I meant on the inside, of course.”
They both laughed. Then Rachel gave a sigh of satisfaction. “You asked for some brothers, didn’t you? I’ve managed to give you one, in Jeff, and maybe, if Will finds David and Jim comes home, you’ll have two more.”
“True. Or Vanessa may marry.”
“Have you heard something? She hasn’t mentioned anyone.”
“I’ve just noticed the cowboys circling her. She draws attention, because she looks so much like her big sisters, and they’re beautiful…on the inside.” Then he kissed her before she could say anything.
“Rachel, I’m the luckiest man in the world. I’m sorry we can’t go on our honeymoon at once.”
“It’s all right. It’s like Bluey said. They don’t have as much time as we do. We’ll manage just fine here.”
“I hope we have a century of being together,” he whispered.
She faced him. “However long we have, we’re lucky to have found each other again. Don’t ever let me go, J.D. I’d be lost without you.”
“Never, my love. You’re mine forever. And I’m yours.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5878-9
RACHEL’S COWBOY
Copyright © 2005 by Judy Christenberry.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3K9, Canada.
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