by Mary Leo
“We both could. Now, about our new website...”
Zoe focused in on her words. “Wait. Since when do we have a new website? We can’t afford a new website. Hell, we can’t afford our old website.”
“We can now with all our new business. Maggie took a look at our site and made some modifications. She refused to be paid for it. Said we can pay her back by planning a birthday party for one of her kids. I agreed. Now get yourself on out of that bed and put on something festive. It’s Christmas and we have a wedding to pull together.”
“What does it matter how I’m dressed?”
“Because Sal and Betty will be getting married today, instead of Marilyn Rose and Carson Grant. You’ll want to look your best. Now, stop asking so many questions and trust me,” Piper said as she sashayed for the door. “I’m your best friend and I always have your back.”
“Thank goodness somebody does!”
* * *
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH sparkled with Christmas, and the pungent scent of incense still lingered in the air from the last Mass. The holiday sights and smells seemed to cheer Zoe, a feeling she didn’t think she’d experience on this Christmas Day. The wedding was in less than an hour, and already the choir had arrived to make sure they had all their music prepared. The organ player filled the church with the heavenly sounds of a joyous Christmas, while the choir practiced scales and the more challenging solos of “Adeste Fideles” and “The First Noel.”
The center aisle had indeed transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, tall white clustered branches, an assortment of white and pink flowers—Zoe had to add some color—and a white carpet leading to the ornate altar, where the bride and groom would say their vows. Zoe sensed that something magical was about to take place.
It was everything Zoe had imagined for Carson and Marilyn Rose. She just hoped Sal and Betty enjoyed the winter wonderland half as much as she’d enjoyed designing it. She truly wanted them to be happy.
She busied herself with rotating the large pots of poinsettias and hydrangeas to make the most of their blooms when she spotted Carson Grant standing in the back of the church. She wanted to ignore him, but knew she couldn’t. Instead, she decided to treat him as any other client, no matter how she felt on the inside.
“What do you think?” she asked as she approached him, trying her best to pretend that nothing had happened between them, as if her knees didn’t buckle with each step, her throat wasn’t tight and her stomach wasn’t shaking. He wore a tailored black suit, a white shirt and a red tie with some sort of design she couldn’t make out. He took her breath away.
A smile creased his lips and sent a surge of adrenaline through her body. She couldn’t help but grin right back at him.
“It’s perfect,” he said as he ambled toward her. She stopped, not wanting to get too close to him. He’d broken her heart, and seeing him again only deepened the wound. He kept walking closer.
“So glad you like it. I hear this wedding is for Sal and Betty. Is that true?”
“Yes.” His voice had that baritone quality to it that caused her pulse to race.
“Snowflakes,” she blurted when he stood directly in front of her. She tried her best not to let his presence affect her. She couldn’t let him see her crack, not when he’d treated her so badly. Not when he’d lied to her for weeks.
“What?”
“Your tie, there’re little snowflakes on your tie.” She loved it, but wasn’t about to give him a compliment. She desperately wanted to keep this meeting all business.
“Sal gave it to me for good luck.”
She should have known it was a present from Sal. It reminded her of Carson’s reindeer gloves that he’d worn at the school.
“Good luck with what?”
“You look beautiful, Zoe. That dress is exquisite.” He said it as his gaze swept over her body, lingering on her breasts a moment too long.
Goose bumps prickled her skin. Just being this close to Carson Grant caused her blood pressure to rise. She could feel the heat building inside her and the blush on her face. Why she’d worn the ruby-red strapless ball gown she’d bought for the Cowboy Christmas Ball last year, she’d never know. It clung to her every curve, was a bit too low cut for a church and accentuated her hips because of the trumpet skirt.
She forced herself out of the trance she’d momentarily slipped into.
“Can we go out into the vestibule? It’s a little too celestial in here,” she said, then without thinking she took his hand and led the way. At once all the magnetism she felt for Carson filled her mind with lust, but she didn’t let go. Instead, she hoped the cold would cleanse her wild thoughts.
When she pushed open the church doors and stepped into the small empty room, he pulled her into him, but she moved away. The cold air helped clear her head, and she took a deep breath that instantly calmed her. The church was heated, but the vestibule felt as if they were inside a refrigerator, which she welcomed.
“Why did you do it?” she asked in a hushed voice. “Why didn’t you tell me there was never going to be any wedding?”
“For a lot of reasons, but I never meant to hurt you. At first I couldn’t admit that I’d been dumped. Then when I learned about what the town was saying about you, I couldn’t give them more fuel. In the end, I just wanted to be with you, Zoe, and planning my wedding seemed like the only way I could be near you.”
“We could have just dated. Wouldn’t that have been simpler?” She was pacing now, the cold causing her to shiver...or was it being alone with Carson?
“Sure, but I wasn’t ready to date anyone. Not until I resolved some things. I was a broken man when you first showed up at my door.”
“And are you still broken?”
“No. You’ve made me whole again. I’ve learned how to live again. You taught me that, Zoe. When I’m with you, I’m that guy I’ve been striving to be. I’m right here. I’m him.”
He took a couple steps closer to her. His scent surrounded her and her thoughts went all foggy.
“Don’t come any nearer. I can’t think straight when you’re too close.”
She turned away from him, trying to regain her bearings.
“Then don’t think. Just feel. I love you, Zoe Smart, and I want to marry you. Today. In this church. In front of my entire family. In front of this entire town, if it comes to that. I am so very sorry I lied to you, but I’d do it all over again if it meant that we could spend time together. That you would confide in me. That we could laugh and cry together. I’d do anything for you, Zoe. Those things I said about the perfect guy. I was talking about me. You’re my end. My beginning, and in the middle, all I want is to love you. Look at me, Zoe, please.”
She gazed at him as he knelt on one knee. “I promise to love you with all my heart and never leave you. Zoe Smart, will you marry me? Today? In this church that you decorated so beautifully?”
She hesitated, not ready to answer him. Not ready to commit.
He continued. “You don’t have to answer me now. We still have time.” He checked his watch. “Fifty-two minutes, to be exact. I’ll be waiting for your answer at the front of the church with Sal. You can stand me up, if that’s what you think I deserve, but if you feel anything for me and if you think we have even a glimmer of a chance, please join me inside this church and marry me, Zoe. Today. In—” he glanced at his watch “—forty-nine minutes. I’ll be in there waiting for you, hoping that you’ve forgiven me and that you’ll be my wife. I love you, Zoe Smart. Nobody in this entire world will love you as much as I do.”
“I—” Zoe began just as Travis Granger and his wife, Bella, walked in. At once, they were followed by an endless parade of guests.
Instead of giving Carson an answer, she escorted a group of invitees into the church.
* * *
T
HERE SEEMED TO be more people inside the church than essentially lived in Briggs, and Carson was thrilled to see each one of them. Every pew, extra folding chair and empty space had been filled with well-wishers. Lights twinkled, a rich floral scent wafted through the air, and the choir sang with enthusiasm.
Father Beau, dressed in his priestly garments, waited in the center of the sanctuary for the wedding to begin. Carson stood between Sal Hastings and Jimmy Bartley. All three men held their collective breaths as the back doors slowly opened. Everyone in the church turned to face the open doors, the choir stopped singing and those first three notes of what was sure to be the entrance for the bride or hopefully brides chimed through the packed church.
Then, within a few moments, Colt and Helen’s youngest daughter, Loran, entered through the doors, dropping pink rose petals from a small pink basket. No one moved as all eyes watched the sweet child carefully drop each petal.
“I can’t handle the suspense,” Sal whispered. “If I have a heart attack, please tell Betty I loved her like the dickens and I’m sorry I missed our honeymoon.”
Carson took his arm in his. “You’re not going to have a heart attack. Betty will be here.”
And as soon as he said it, Betty Green appeared in the doorway, wearing a cream-colored gown. She beamed as she wrapped her arm around a young man.
“That’s her son,” Sal whispered, sounding relieved. “Now I got me a ready-made family. Always wanted a family. Betty’s got three sons and five grandkids. I’m the luckiest old feller in the world.”
Carson glanced over at Sal and could see tears brewing in his eyes. He held his arm even tighter until Betty was close enough to take hold of him. They stood arm in arm, each teary eyed and grinning.
“Do you think she’ll be here this time?” Jimmy asked Carson, his voice shaky as he kept watch over the open doorway.
“Let’s wait and see,” Carson told him, hoping with everything that was in him that his sister had come to her senses. The choir sang a soft rendition of “O Holy Night” when Kayla and their dad started down the center aisle. Carson let out a sigh and slapped Jimmy’s back. She wore the same gown she’d worn for their first attempt at a wedding, only this time, her baby bump accentuated the front of her dress.
“She’s here. I love her so much,” Jimmy said as big tears rolled down his cheeks.
“Just promise me you’ll take good care of my sister,” Carson warned.
“The best. I promise. I don’t know if you had anything to do with this, but thank you if you did, from the bottom of my heart.”
“Believe me, her being here had nothing to do with me. I just provided the venue, you and she did everything else.”
When Kayla approached Jimmy, the guests let out a collective sigh.
Then it was Zoe’s turn to appear in the open doorway. The choir began “Adeste Fideles” while everyone waited, but the doorway remained empty.
An eternity passed as Carson waited for Zoe to make an appearance, until Father Beau took charge and motioned for Sal, Betty, Jimmy and Kayla to face him.
Carson took his cue and headed toward the side door of the church to discreetly slip out before he had to face anyone. His heart was breaking, and with each step, tears filled his eyes. He’d known there was a chance she wouldn’t show up, but he’d prayed that wouldn’t happen.
Now he knew, she truly did hate him.
As soon as he opened the door, he spotted a bright red sleigh, two majestic horses and Travis Granger holding the reins. Bella Granger and Piper Hanson seemed to be acting as footmen, and a most beautiful Zoe Smart was waiting in the sleigh, wearing a long white coat and holding on to a red bouquet. Big snowflakes slowly fell all around her, causing the entire scene to appear surreal.
Carson couldn’t move. The vision took his breath away as he remembered what Zoe had told him about wanting a private wedding while in Travis’s sleigh. He should have known better, should have known she would never show up inside that church, the church she’d decorated for Marilyn Rose.
“If you want to get married today, Carson Grant,” Travis called over, “you’ll jump on up here so we can get this carriage on the road.”
Carson finally came to, stepped into the sleigh along with Bella and Piper, then as Travis guided the Clydesdales around the back of the church, Piper began, “We are gathered together today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
“I do,” Carson said, wanting to get past any unnecessary words.
“I do, too,” Zoe said, smiling up at him. Her face seemed to glow with happiness. He wondered if his did the same. He was filled with so much joy, he almost couldn’t contain it and feared tears would soon come pouring out.
Bella handed them each simple gold bands.
“Forever,” Carson told her, holding on to Zoe’s hand, then slipping the gold ring on her finger. It fit perfectly.
“Forever,” Zoe repeated, slipping the second gold ring on his finger, which amazingly also fit.
A wide smile spread across Piper’s face. “By the powers vested in me, from the online Universal Life Ministry, I now and forever more pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss each other.”
They stood gazing into each other’s eyes and he couldn’t believe this fine woman had just married him. Never in his life had he felt so blessed as he did just then. Standing there, his fingers grasping hers, he knew this was the beginning of his life. Everything else, all his accomplishments, all his trophies...none of that mattered. Only this. Only now.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Kiss already!” Piper insisted as the sleigh slowly made its way up the long pathway beside St. Paul’s. The horses seemed to trot at a snail’s speed, or was it simply that the world had stopped spinning, anticipating him kissing his amazing wife?
“I think it’s time,” Zoe said, a big smile creasing her lovely lips.
“Right out here in the open, for everyone to see?”
“Absolutely everyone!”
Carson took Zoe in his arms, held her close, and just as Travis guided the sleigh in front of the church, they kissed. Church bells rang and the sleigh stopped. Suddenly everyone came pouring out of the church, cheering, whistling and hooting. The town hero had finally gotten married to his one true love: Zoe Smart, his wedding planner.
More cheers went up as Zoe and Carson turned to face the group who held up their cell phones and cameras to record the historic moment. Carson’s sweet mom dabbed her eyes with a hankie, while Zoe’s mom, tears streaming down her cheeks, waved.
There was simply no getting around it, the residents of Briggs, Idaho, loved a happy ending.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from TEXAS REBELS QUINCY by Linda Warren.
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Texas Rebels: Quincy
by Linda Warren
Prologue
My name is Kate Rebel. I married John Rebel when I was eighteen years old and bore him seven sons. We worked the family ranch, which John later inherited. We put everything we had into buying more land so our sons would have a legacy. We didn’t have much, but we had love.
The McCray Ranch borders Rebel Ra
nch on the east, and the McCrays have been a source of stress for my family. They’ve cut our fences, dammed up creeks to limit our water supply and shot one of our prized bulls. Ezra McCray threatened to shoot our sons if he caught them jumping his fences again. We tried to keep our boys away, but they are boys, young and wild.
One day John was out working and two of our youngest, Jude and Phoenix, were riding together bareback. When John heard shots, he immediately rode to find his boys. They lay on the ground, blood oozing from their heads. Ezra McCray was astride a horse twenty yards away with a rifle in his hand. John drew his rifle and fired, killing Ezra instantly. Both boys survived with only minor wounds. Since my husband was protecting his children, he never spent one night in jail. This escalated the feud that still goes on today.
The man I knew as my husband died that day. He couldn’t live with what he’d done and started to drink heavily. I had to take over the ranch and the raising of our boys. John died ten years later. We’ve all been affected by the tragedy, especially my sons.
They are grown men now and deal with the pain of losing their father in different ways. One day I pray my boys will be able to put this behind them and live healthy normal lives with women who will love them the way I loved their father.
Chapter One
Quincy: the second son—the peacemaker
The cowboy who couldn’t ride away...
Always being the nice guy must have finally brought out the bad boy in Quincy Rebel. There was no other way to explain how he could have fallen in love with Jenny Rose Walker, his brother’s girlfriend.
It broke the brothers’ code, as told to the Rebel boys by their father: never betray your brother with a woman. There will be many women in your lives, but a brother will be a brother forever. Strong words. Their father’s words. As the peacemaker in the family, Quincy would not do anything to cause a rift with his brothers or to dishonor his father’s memory. This was his heartache. His pain. His secret.