Abby looked into his twinkling blue eyes and smiled. “I’m ready, my cowboy prince. Don’t we need to tell the girls goodbye?”
“Oh, don’t worry. They’re waiting for us.” He took her elbow to guide her toward the double doors, which had been closed to keep out the chilly evening. The sun, which had shone so brightly and warmly during their outdoor wedding ceremony, was long gone.
As if by magic, the doors opened outward and Abby spied her carriage—Tom’s brand-new pickup truck, the one she’d insisted they purchase from the proceeds of the sale of her house. Today, the top-of-the-line dually was adorned with a hundred pink and white bows. If trucks could look embarrassed, this one positively blushed.
Her father opened the passenger-side door and helped her up to the running board, where she stood and waved while Tom went around to the driver’s side. Being certain to make eye contact with those who mattered most, she smiled and mouthed, “I love you.”
Melina, standing beside a handsome young man in a western suit, waved the bridal bouquet she’d triumphantly snagged. Val hoisted Heather up high enough to wave exuberantly. Miguel and Maria stood beside Abby’s brothers, holding little Rey. Beside them, Grace and Angel, distributing cups of birdseed, chorused back, “We love you, too.” Donna blew her a kiss then wiped the tears from her eyes.
“You done good, sweetheart,” her father whispered gruffly, his eyes moist. “Your grandma would have been proud of you.”
Abby had to dab at her own tears as the truck pulled away, but she couldn’t stay sad for long on the happiest day of her life. She turned in the seat, pushing her vo-luminous wedding gown out of the way. “So, cowboy, where are you taking me?”
He pulled her into the crook of his arm. “To the sun and stars…just you and me and a couple hundred curious cows. Think you’re up for it?”
“Just try and stop me.” Abby snuggled close, content beyond imagination yet alive with anticipation.
As they turned on the main road, Tom had to wait for a tractor to pass. He flashed a glance toward the ranch. “The kids are going home with your folks, right?”
Abby smiled and said softly, “Two of them are. We’re keeping the new one with us.”
“The new one…?” Tom’s confusion turned to dis-belief. “A baby? Really?”
When she nodded, his eyes filled with tears and he pulled her into a tight embrace. “Oh, Abby, that’s the best wedding present in the world. I can’t believe it. How…?”
She chuckled softly and whispered, “The old-fashioned way—love.”
ISBN: 978-1-4603-5113-0
THAT COWBOY’S KIDS
Copyright © 2000 by Debra K. Salonen.
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