Anger flashed across Chance’s face, and Emily caught her breath.
“Dr. Denny,” Chance said quietly. “You’re trying my patience. If I break your nose, who will you get to fix it?”
That did it. The color drained from her father’s face.
Since Emily had made the same comment the night she told him about her parents’ divorce, she bit back a laugh. She knew he’d never hit her father, but her dad didn’t.
“Sorry, Emily, Miranda,” he mumbled. As apologies went, it wasn’t much, but it was likely the first time he’d ever said the word. It was good enough.
Chance looked at her, and she nodded. “Dr. Denny, I suggest you leave right away. And exit quietly, please.” He lowered his hand to his side.
Her father adjusted his coat, and ignoring all of them, started toward the exit. A beautiful young woman stepped from behind the crowd and joined him.
“Why, that cad! He did bring her.” The room was silent as they neared the door, and Miranda hollered, “See you in court.”
Emily buried her face against Chance’s chest. So much for not causing a scene. He put his arms around her and held her gently.
Someone clapped, and within seconds, the whole room thundered with applause. When Emily came out of hiding, her mother winked at her and strolled to the stage with the poise and style of all her years of runway.
Reaching the podium, Miranda smiled at the crowd. “That should keep y’all talking for a few days.” After the laughter died down, her smile faded too. “I apologize for our little family drama. I do have some good news to share before you return to the buffet and go back to talking politics and football . . . or about next week’s parties. I expect some of you remember my daughter, Emily.” Several people nodded, though Emily only recognized a few of them. “I’m pleased to announce her engagement to Chance Callahan of Callahan Crossing.”
After polite applause, most folks got back to whatever they were doing before the Denny fiasco. However, within five minutes, over two dozen couples surrounded Emily and Chance to offer their congratulations. She recognized a handful as acquaintances of her parents. A few were people she had gone to school with. But the majority either knew Chance and hadn’t spotted him earlier, or they knew Dub. They were ranchers, oilmen, bankers, politicians, and other movers and shakers.
Her mother worked her way back through the crowd to her side. “How does he know all of these people?”
“He’s a Callahan.”
Epilogue
Grace Community Church was packed as Chance watched his beautiful bride walk down the aisle escorted by Grandpa Doyle. Her soft white gown had a modestly scooped neckline and tiny little sleeves. Venice lace appliqués trimmed the bodice and around the lower half of the skirt. The back of the skirt formed a short train. He didn’t remember the name of the material, but it was soft and draped prettily. She wore her hair pinned up in curls on top of her head. Instead of a veil, a ribbon of bluebonnets circled the pile of curls. She carried a single yellow rose.
Jenna and Lindsey were already at the front of the church, wearing knee-length dresses in bright blue. Will and Nate stood on the groom’s side. Chance considered them both his best men. Zach stood in front of Jenna, his expression solemn until he spotted the bride. “Emily!”
Jenna grabbed him before he raced down the aisle to meet his new aunt. Not that he knew what an aunt was. He just loved Emily.
Her mom and grandparents were there. Miranda and Grandma Rose were mending their fences, despite Emily’s mother inviting a debonair Frenchman from the Riviera to escort her to the wedding.
Her father had ignored the whole thing. Chance had worried that it hurt Emily, but she seemed relieved because he wasn’t there. Chance prayed that God would heal the wounds to her heart – and change Clark – so that reconciliation might happen someday.
He thought of the cartoons he had drawn right after the fire, the ones he had framed and hung in his home office. His heart pounded with excitement and nervousness, and he still had stars in his eyes.
Emily reached his side, and her grandfather placed her hand in his with a murmured, “God bless you.”
Here they were, beautiful bride and love-struck groom standing before the preacher.
Man meets woman. Man loves woman. Man marries woman.
When God had a plan and two hearts sought his will, it really was that simple.
Sharon Gillenwater was born and raised in West Texas, and loves to write about her native state. The author of several novels, she is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and adorable grandchildren.
Books by Sharon Gillenwater
THE CALLAHANS OF TEXAS
Jenna’s Cowboy
Emily’s Chance
© 2010 by Sharon Gillenwater
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
E-book edition created 2010
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – for example, electronic, photocopy, recording – without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
ISBN 978-1-4412-1396-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Table of Contents
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
DEDICATION
COPYRIGHT PAGE
Emily's Chance (v5) Page 28