“Did it work?”
“They’re better.”
“You must have been tortured since you reconnected with me.” Her soft hand cupped his cheek. “Trying to handle it on your own. Maybe we can dust off the ashes of that night together.”
He quaked at her touch. Couldn’t they stop talking, so he could kiss her now?
But he had to tell her all of it. “I moved to Aubrey because I knew his widow and best friend lived here. I planned to get to know them, be neighborly, and help in any way I could. I guess I thought it might ease my conscience. But I didn’t know Mel’s widow was you. Not until we ran into each other in that bar in Fort Worth.”
“I don’t blame you for his death. I hope you don’t blame yourself.”
Quinn closed his eyes. “I did. For a long time. Until Hank died and I got back in church. But I still should’ve told you.”
“I understand why you didn’t.”
“Basically, I was afraid you’d never love me. And I couldn’t deal with that.”
She took both his hands in hers. “But I do love you. And I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“Oh, baby, you didn’t hurt me near like I hurt you. And I deserved it. I don’t deserve your love.”
“Yes, you do.” Her fingertips traced his jaw. “Quinn Remington, are you gonna ask me to marry you, or am I gonna have to ask you?”
“I never got around to getting a ring.” He shot her a sheepish grin.
“I don’t have to have a ring, not until the wedding, at least.”
“Do you think we can build a happily-ever-after? Together?”
“I do.”
He slid off the couch and knelt at her feet. “I wanna hear you say that in our wedding vows. Lacie Maxwell Gentry, will you marry me?”
Her arms wound around his neck, and she kissed him to within an inch of his life.
When she let go, his breathing was ragged. “Can I take that as a yes?”
“I’d never kiss a man like that unless I planned to marry him.”
“Soon?”
“Definitely.”
❧
Hay bales formed makeshift pews in the clearing in the woods behind Quinn’s ranch. A white lace runner covered the carpet of spring wildflowers to form an aisle between the rows of bales. Lacie stood with her father behind the guests. Rayna and Kendra guided Max and Kayla down the long aisle. Kayla’s ivory rose petals fell in clumps along the way.
Lacie’s gaze riveted to Quinn at the end of the long aisle. A heart-shaped archway woven with ivy and aqua carnations framed him and Brother Timothy. Clay, Stetson, and Trent stood at Quinn’s side.
The casual setting fit her and Quinn. Her aqua-carnation and ivory-rose bouquet went nicely with her rhinestone-embellished denim skirt, cowgirl boots, and crisp white blouse, lined with more rhinestones. She wore her turquoise jewelry that Quinn liked.
After their ceremony, they’d ride Quinn’s horse into the sunset and end up at Trent’s old cabin for their honeymoon night. Lacie shivered with anticipation.
Quinn wore black jeans, cowboy boots, and a celery-colored shirt, with his hat pulled low over his gorgeous eyes. One fine cowboy, and he couldn’t seem to look away from her either.
Finally, Kayla ran out of petals, and Rayna hurried the children along.
The church pianist began the wedding march on her portable keyboard, and Lacie had to concentrate to keep her slow, stutter-step pace, when all she wanted was to run at full tilt and leap into Quinn’s arms.
God was so good. Twice, he’d given her a godly man who loved her to pieces. How could one woman be so blessed?
Yes, part of their hearts had died with Mel that night. But God led them to each other and gave them strength to rise from the rodeo ashes and find happily-ever-after. Together.
Thank You, Lord, for letting him worm his way into my reawakened heart.
Max escaped Rayna and hurled himself at Quinn. Rayna scurried to catch him, but Quinn scooped him up.
“Howdy, little partner.” Quinn kissed Max’s temple.
Now, only a few feet away from her husband to be, she dashed toward him.
Quinn’s arms came around her, and Max wriggled between them.
Her heart filled to overflowing.
Laughter swept over their guests.
Brother Timothy cleared his throat. “Should I skip to the end?”
“No.” Quinn’s lips brushed her ear. “I’ve been worming—I mean—waiting to marry this woman for ten years. Give us the works.”
Lacie pulled away just far enough to get lost in Quinn’s eyes. In their celery-colored depths she could see her past and her future. And their future shone with a brilliant rhinestone shimmer.
About the Author
Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife/writer. When not writing, she runs circles in the care and feeding of her husband, Grant, their son, and their church congregation. Home is a central Arkansas zoo with two charcoal-gray cats, a chocolate lab, and three dachshunds in weenie dog heaven. If given the chance to clean house or write, she’d rather write. Her goal is to hire Alice from The Brady Bunch.
Dedication
To my awesome critique group—Brenda Anderson, Jerri Ledford, and Lorna Seilstad. Without your support, input, and suggestions, my editors would have their work cut out for them. Thanks for putting up with my first drafts and helping me hone them into something readable.
I appreciate DeeDee Barker-Wix, director of sales at the Cowtown Coliseum, for answering countless rodeo-Stockyards questions. Nancy Trammel-Downes, Aubrey City Hall secretary, and Deborah Goin, Aubrey Main Street Committee member, helped with information about Aubrey. Steve and Krys Murray, owners of Moms on Main, let me use their restaurant in the books and allowed me to have a signing there when I finally got to visit. I appreciate everyone in Aubrey, Texas, for embracing me as one of their own.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
Rodeo Ashes Page 17