by SJ McCoy
“That’s fine, but I’m not shifting my a…” Cassidy smiled at Ruby. “My butt isn’t leaving this carriage until I see them ride over the hill.”
Corinne nodded. “Let’s wait, I want a good view of them riding down.”
Chance turned back and smiled at them. “I like that, you should all be sitting high and mighty when they come in. Are you ready?”
“Hell, yeah!” said Cassidy.
“Hell, yeah,” echoed Ruby.
Corinne rolled her eyes skyward. “They mean, yes, we are!”
“Okay.” Chance brought his fingers up to his lips and let out a long, piercing whistle.
Gina wasn’t sure if it was the sound of it, or the anticipation of what she knew it meant that sent goosebumps racing down her arms. She looked up to scan the top of the rise where she knew the guys were going to ride in from. Turning back to check on the crowd on the porch, she didn’t want any of them to miss this. “They’re coming,” she called and pointed.
“There they are!” squealed Ruby, ensuring that no one would miss their arrival.
Gina’s heart pounded in her ears as four figures on horseback crested the hill. This was perfect. She recognized each of them immediately, even in silhouette form.
They rode in a line—Mason on the left, then Beau, then Carter and Shane on the right. They rode the horses down a little way, then stopped.
“Don’t you dare change your minds now,” muttered Cassidy.
“Come on, even I know they’re putting on a show,” said Corinne.
As if to prove her right, the four brothers each reached up and removed their hats, then waved them in the air above their heads in greeting.
The girls and the crowd behind them all laughed. Even Monique who was dabbing at her eyes.
“Here come our boys,” shouted Dave.
Everyone turned back to look as they spurred their horses on and came thundering down the hill, still keeping their perfect line formation. They might have decided to go in age order with the ceremonies, but Gina knew that the brothers considered themselves as equals. They rode in the same way they went through life—shoulder to shoulder.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mason closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. He’d spent so many years believing that this day would never happen and now it was here. Just a few more minutes and the girl he’d loved since they were kids would finally be his wife.
“Are you okay?” The preacher leaned in toward him.
He nodded.
Shane punched his arm. “He’s just impatient, isn’t that right, Mase?”
Mason smiled at him. “You’d better believe it.” He scanned the crowd. Everyone was seated on the benches they’d set out. So many people were here to share this day with them. People he’d known all his life—people of the valley. And people who’d become a big part of his life in the last year—people who would be his family after today.
As he looked around, the sun caught his eyes and made them water. It was the sun, not the sight of Gina appearing at the end of the aisle between the benches with her dad. Whatever had done it, he had to wipe a hand over his eyes and swallow the lump that blocked his throat. This was it.
She looked so damned beautiful as she walked toward him. She and Al together, had been a part of his life, a part of his family for as long as he could remember. Shane looked up at him; there were tears in his eyes too. Mason’s heart filled up with love for his little brother. If it weren’t for Shane, Gina wouldn’t have been a part of their lives at all.
As if reading his thoughts, Shane smiled through the tears that filled his eyes and said. “You’re welcome.”
And then she was there standing beside him, as he knew she would stand beside him the rest of his days.
Al dabbed at his own eyes before he stepped forward and placed Gina’s hand in Mason’s. Then he took hold of Mason’s other hand. “I’m not losing a daughter…” His voice cracked and he tried to choke back a sob.
Mason was so grateful to Shane as he stepped forward and put an arm around Al’s shoulders. “You’re not gaining a son either, you’re gaining five of us and we’ve been waiting our whole lives for it.”
Al sniffed loudly and smiled up at him. “That’s right, son.”
Gina hugged him tight. “I love you, Dad,”
He nodded and hugged her back for a second before he wriggled out of her grasp. “I love you, Gina girl, but you’d best get on with it before this fella gets too impatient.”
Mason grinned at him then turned to face the preacher. “Finally,” he whispered to Gina.
“Patience is a virtue,” she muttered.
“I’ve waited a lifetime, I can’t wait anymore.”
“And you don’t have to,” said the preacher. “Can we get started?”
Mason squeezed Gina’s hand and they both nodded.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today….”
~ ~ ~
Chance sat on the back bench and smiled; he couldn’t hold it in. He was so happy for Mason and Gina. He needed to stick around to at least see them finally tie the knot. Mason had apologized to him a million times for not asking him to be his best man, but right now Chance was glad of it. He was going to slip back to the barn in a second.
He looked around the crowd, and it was quite a crowd too. For all the guys had wanted to keep it quiet and simple, the family was well known and well liked in the valley. And it seemed liked at least half the valley was here. He caught Mike Nolan’s gaze and narrowed his eyes at him. He shouldn’t be sitting up here; he should be scouring the place trying to find Preston. Chance shook his head and got to his feet. As he slipped away, he saw April watching him. He tried to give her what he hoped was a reassuring smile before he made his way around the side of the house and out of sight. He wanted to get back into the barn unnoticed—by the wedding guests or anyone who might be sneaking around.
Matt spun around when Chance entered the barn. His relief when he recognized Chance was obvious. “No sign of him yet.”
“Good. Where are Brad and Travis?”
“They’re patrolling around outside. I told them I could hold the fort here.”
Chance wasn’t so sure about that.
Matt nodded. “I can. I’ve got this.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m just glad I can help. It’s nice to feel useful as a man again instead of just being a voice and a face.”
“Well, I need you to be the man for the next half hour or so. I have to go and be best man.”
“Sure thing. I’ve got this.”
Chance had to hope so as he walked back out of the barn. He had to go stand with Beau. No way on earth would he miss that honor. No way would he risk hurting the new bond they’d built. He turned back when he reached the door.
“Thanks, Matt.”
Matt’s face lit up. He was an okay guy.
~ ~ ~
Beau looked at Chance. They were standing at the front; this was really happening. A sea of faces smiled up at them from the rows of benches outside his parents’ house. “Do you have any idea how much this means to me? You standing beside me today.”
Chance smiled. “I think I might. I feel it too.”
Beau nodded. He didn’t want to risk too many words right now, and they weren’t necessary anyway.
Chance nudged his arm. “Look at your dad.”
Beau swallowed as he met his dad’s gaze. He had to blink away the tears as his dad nodded at him. “You mean our dad.”
Chance nodded. Apparently he didn’t want to risk speaking either. He tried, though, and his voice croaked as he said, “Yeah, bro. I do.” Then he chuckled. “Here she comes.”
Beau had to laugh with him as Ruby came skipping down the aisle between the benches. She carried a basket of petals and flung them around merrily on her way.
“Damn. I love that kid.”
Chance nodded toward the house where Corinne was making her way down the porch stairs, holding on
to James’ arm. “Here comes your future.”
That was how it felt, too. Ruby and Corinne were his future—his family, his life—and he couldn’t be happier that his future was here, back at the ranch. Their house was finished. They were going to stay here tonight and begin their life in the place they all belonged. He’d spent too many years feeling like an outsider in his own family. He intended to make up for that and more going forward.
Corinne held his gaze the whole way down the aisle. She looked more beautiful than she ever had, and that was saying something. To Beau she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
When she reached him, James nodded at him and shook his hand.
Beau nodded back.
Ruby stepped forward and showered them with petals. Her cry of, “Marry his ass, Mommy!” had the whole crowd roaring with laughter. Beau scooped her up and looked around for Cassidy. She gave him a shamefaced grin and shrugged.
The preacher looked at him as James and Chance stepped back. He seemed to think Beau was going to hand Ruby over to one of them. Beau shook his head. “This is about the three of us.”
Corinne blinked away her tears and nodded.
“We’ll be a family when you say your thing,” Ruby told the preacher solemnly.
Beau tensed, hoping he’d go along with it. He needn’t have worried. The preacher smiled at Ruby. “I’d better get on with it, then.”
“Yes, please.”
~ ~ ~
Carter felt as though his heart might burst with happiness as he watched Beau and Corinne take their vows. He loved that the whole family had come back together like this. He’d stayed closest to Beau over the years, and he’d always hoped that he’d come back into the family fully. He’d done that and more in the last few months, and seeing Chance stand beside him as his best man, made clear that all the rifts were healed.
He scanned the crowd around him, looking for Summer. It was their turn next, and he couldn’t wait. He kept wanting to pinch himself to make sure this was all real. She caught his eye and smiled. It was. She was no longer just his dream girl, though she was still that, from today and for the rest of their days, she would be his wife. She looked like she’d stepped out of a fairy tale in her pretty dress. He’d worried about the brothers seeing their brides before they married, but there was no choice if they all wanted to be there for the others’ weddings—and of course they did. So it’d been decided that while they waited the girls would sit on the brides’ side while the boys sat on the grooms. They’d each come together when it was their turn. As Beau and Corinne walked back down the aisle with Ruby skipping ahead of them throwing her petals, Carter knew that his turn was here. He looked for Summer again, but her seat was now empty. Clay was gone, too. Autumn sat by herself busily tapping away at her phone. He had to hope she’d stop that by the time Summer came out. There was no sign of Matt at all.
Mason tapped him on the shoulder. “Are you ready, big guy?”
He nodded and got to his feet. “I’ve been ready for this my whole life.”
Mason grinned and escorted him to the front.
It was strange to stand up there before God and all his friends and family. He’d done this once before, after all—and he’d sworn he’d never do it again.
Mason put an arm around his shoulders. “You’ve got this Carter. Enjoy every second of it, think about now, and about your future with that little lady of yours. The past is gone.”
Carter smiled. “Was I thinking so loud you could hear me?”
Mason shook his head. “I know you too well.”
Carter sucked in a deep breath when he saw Summer start down the aisle. For a second he panicked—where was Ruby? She made the guests laugh again as she came running after Summer and threw some petals in front of her. Summer bent down and gave her a hug and Carter smiled at the way Ruby cupped a hand over Summer’s ear and whispered something. Summer nodded and Ruby planted a kiss on her cheek before running back to her mom and Beau. Summer straightened up and smiled at him before continuing down the aisle. She looked tiny next to Clay who held her arm and beamed the whole way. She looked so delicate and fragile and beautiful. No matter what vows he was about to make, Carter vowed to himself in that moment he would take care of her the best he could for the rest of his life.
She stopped when she reached him and smiled the smile that had stolen his heart.
Clay stepped forward and gave him a solemn smile. “Take good care of her, son.”
Carter nodded. “I will, and I want you to always be a part of our lives so you can make sure I am.”
It was weird to see that big bear of a man’s eyes fill with tears. Carter swiped at his own face; probably no weirder than him. He met Summer’s gaze and smiled. She smiled back and reached up to kiss Clay’s cheek before he stepped back.
The preacher turned to him and he nodded, then looked at Mason. “Rings?”
Mason patted his pocket with a grin. “Ready when you are.”
~ ~ ~
Shane sat with arms around his parents as they watched Carter and Summer say their vows. “I’m so proud of him,” he muttered.
His dad grinned. “Then you know how I feel.”
His mom blew her nose. “I never thought his heart would heal.”
“None of us did,” said Shane. “It took one special little lady.”
“And she is so special, so sweet.” His mom met his gaze. “She’s perfect for him. But you, little one, you didn’t need sweet. You’re sweet enough.”
“Cassidy’s sweet, too.” His dad gave him a worried look.
“Oh, I didn’t mean…” his mom began.
“Don’t worry.” Shane looked over to where Cassidy was sitting with her dad and Kirsty. “Cassidy is many things.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “She can be sweet when she wants to be. But she’s so much more than that. She’s strong and smart. She can do small and sweet—sometimes.”
His dad grinned. “She’s perfect for you is what she is.”
“She’s perfect and she’s beautiful.” Shane nodded as Carter and Summer started to make their way back down the aisle. “And she’s about to be my wife.”
He looked around and spotted Beau standing by the cottonwoods at the edge of the yard. He was ready.
“Can I ask you one thing?”
“Anything, Dad.”
“I’m just curious. Why Beau, as your best man? I would have thought you’d ask Mason or Chance or Carter, but I would never have guessed you’d pick Beau.”
Shane grinned. “No one would, but today is about cementing the foundations of our family as we go forward. We have a lot of strong bonds between us all, I wanted to strengthen my bond with Beau. We’ve come a long way in the last few months. He’s come a long way. One brother was going to miss out on being someone’s best man. Carter’s been nervous enough about getting married, and he’s close to everyone. I didn’t want Beau to be the one left out.”
His mom leaned against him with a smile. “You’re a good boy, Shane.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
His dad held his gaze as he stood up. “You’re a good man.”
Shane nodded and swallowed as he went to join Beau. He couldn’t cry—wouldn’t cry.
Beau grinned at him. “Here we go, littlest brother. Your time has come.”
Shane grinned back. “You’ve been married for minutes and minutes now, do you have any wisdom you can pass on to the baby of the family?”
Beau held his gaze for a long moment and Shane started to fear he’d offended him somehow. He hadn’t intended to come off as sarcastic.
Beau grasped his shoulder and smiled. “Yeah, I do.”
“What?”
“Just keep being you, Shane. You’ll never go wrong in life if you do that. I love you, bro.”
“Damn!” Shane had to swipe at his eyes. “I love you, too.”
Beau nodded. “And we’ll never mention this moment again, right?”
Shane laughed. “Deal.” He winked. “B
ut we’ll both know.”
Beau groaned. “Whatever. Look, here she comes.”
Shane turned to see Cassidy standing with her dad and had to wipe his eyes again. He needed them dry before she got here. She’d tease him mercilessly.
While the other girls had walked toward the front clinging on to their escorts or leaning on them, Cassidy walked proud, her dad dangled from her arm as if he were a purse. He looked proud, and Shane was happy for him, but all his attention was on the beautiful, strong, free spirit who was about to become his wife.
He was stunned to see her eyes glistening when she came to a stop beside him. She held his gaze for a long moment then gave the slightest hint of a nod.
Her dad took hold of Shane’s hand and placed Cassidy’s in it. “She’ll always be my girl, but now she’ll be your girl, too. I’m so glad she found you, Shane. Love her well.”
Shane nodded. “I will. You’re gaining a son, you know.”
He nodded and then grinned. “Good luck!”
Shane and Beau laughed as Cassidy turned to her dad. She didn’t scold him like Shane expected. Instead a tear escaped and rolled down her face. “I love you, Dad.”
His face crumpled and he hugged her tight. “I love you, Cassie.”
The preacher cleared his throat. The poor guy must be tired by now; this was his fourth time in two hours.
Cassidy straightened up and dabbed at her eyes, then patted her dad’s shoulder. As he and Beau stepped back she pushed her long blonde hair back over her shoulders, and Shane realized for the first time that she’d left it loose the way he liked it. She hadn’t put it up like she’d wanted to. He reached out and brushed a few stray strands off her face. “Thank you.”
Her smile was so soft in that moment. “Anything for you, cowboy.” Then her usual grin was back. “Are we going to do this or what?”
He laughed and turned to the preacher. “We’d better get on with it.”
“Yeah,” said Beau. “I want her to hurry up and be my sister.”
Cassidy surprised everyone by stepping forward and kissing Beau’s cheek. “Thanks, Beau.”
Shane didn’t know how much more he could take before he’d be blubbing like a baby. He gave the preacher a pleading look.