“Would you look at that.” Virginia, Luke’s mom, clasped her hands together. “My son and my future son-in-law dressed for a wedding. If only they—”
“Mom.” Hayley gave her mother a warning glance.
Kendra ducked her head to cover a smile. Everyone in town knew Virginia dreamed of Hayley and Abigail marrying Badger and Luke in a double ceremony, but neither couple was in a hurry to tie the knot.
Warren cleared his throat. “She was going to say if only they’d remembered to polish their boots.”
“Of course I was, Warren, darling.”
Badger glanced down at his boots. “I would purely love to do it to please you, ma’am, but there’s no point to it. They’ll only be gettin’ dusty again when we walk y’all down to the creek. Who’s ready to go?”
Everyone was eager to see the setup. The guys took them in groups of four while Kendra remained at the house to greet new arrivals. She’d be the last person escorted down there and Badger had requested the honor of taking her. What a sweetie.
When the last of the guests were on their way to the creek, Kendra walked out on the porch. Ryker, Zane, Trevor and Badger had gathered in the front yard with Cody. Bryce had gone to the venue earlier since he was playing guitar, both as the guests arrived and during the processional.
Cody spotted her on the porch and climbed the steps to give her a kiss on the cheek. “What a great day, huh?”
Her throat tightened with love. “It’s a spectacular day.”
“I love you, Mom.”
Fierce pride gripped her as she gazed up at her handsome son. Her baby. Her baby no more. “I love you, too, Cody.”
“Hey, bridegroom!” Ryker called from the yard. “Time to get hitched, bro!”
“Can’t wait!” He smiled and squeezed her shoulder before clattering down the steps to rejoin his brothers. They joked around with each other as they started down the path.
Badger turned and came up to the porch. “Ready, pretty lady?”
“I’m ready.”
“Then let’s get ’er done.” He tucked her hand inside the crook of his arm as they started down the dirt path. “How’re you holdin’ up?”
She glanced at him and smiled. “I’m excited for Cody and Faith.”
“Me, too.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “They’re gonna do great together.”
“They are.”
The faint chords of Bryce’s guitar mingled with the chirp of birds in the pines. The music became more distinct with each step down the path. Nicole would join Bryce for a number during the ceremony. Faith and Cody hadn’t wanted any other music.
Until now, Kendra had maintained an even keel. But the mellow thrum of Bryce’s guitar was an emotional trigger. Better make conversation. “Are you working on your scratchboard project?” Yikes, but not about that.
“Yes, ma’am. But we don’t have to talk about it if you’d rather not.”
“No, no, I want to talk about it.” Too late to turn back, now. “I think it’s wonderful that you’re branching out into something new. What’re you starting with?”
“A portrait of that pup Delilah. One of these days Luke and Abigail will get hitched, and when they do, I’m givin’ them something I didn’t buy in a store.”
“Great idea. I guess Virginia’s still on her kick.”
“You know, I’d be all for a double weddin’. But Hayley thinks we’re not quite ready for that step. Luke and Abigail are still tryin’ to figure out their livin’ arrangement, so they’re not ready, either. That said, it would be fun.”
“It would.” The sound of Bryce’s guitar filled the air and she glimpsed the flash of white chairs through the trees. Then they stepped into the open. Oh, my. She gulped. Too beautiful for words.
The guys had put up a white lattice arch near the bank of the creek and decorated it with bright spring flowers. Sunlight flashed on the rippling water of the creek behind it, which added its music to Bryce’s smooth melody. The guests had all dressed in festive colors that were perfectly framed by the white chairs.
And then…her boys. The joking had stopped and her strong, handsome sons stood with shoulders back and pride in every line of their bodies. She was the luckiest woman in the world.
“Like it?” Badger’s deep voice was just what she needed to keep her from dissolving into a puddle of emotional goo.
“Love it.” She took her seat in the front beside Jo. Deidre was in the next chair, with a vacant one reserved for Jim after he walked Faith down the aisle. Judy and Christine plus their husbands completed the row. Every one of them except Jim had known Cody since he was a baby.
Jo took her hand and held it tight as Bryce launched into the processional and the first bridesmaid started down the aisle closest to Kendra.
Once again, Mandy had outdone herself. For her fall wedding, she’d used autumn colors. For Faith’s, she’d drawn from the pinks, blues, and yellows of the season. As she, Olivia, Nicole and April stood in all their ethereal beauty beside the flowered arch, Kendra counted her blessings. She’d given birth to sons, but now she had daughters, too.
At the back of the clearing, a horse nickered and Bryce launched into the wedding march. Everyone stood and turned as Jim led Faith in riding Ernie, who was wearing the saddle Faith had requested in place of a diamond engagement ring. Ernie’s mane and tail were woven with more pink, blue and yellow ribbons than Kendra had ever seen on one horse.
Faith’s gauzy, hopelessly romantic dress made her look like a wood nymph, especially with the crown of flowers she wore in place of a veil.
Walking over to Ernie, Cody embraced Jim. Then he reached up, lifted Faith from the saddle as if she were made of glass, and gently set her on her feet. Luke stepped in and led Ernie to the back of the clearing as Jim took his seat.
Warren smiled at the couple standing in front of him holding hands. The warmth of that smile said so much about the man. He clearly loved his job.
His gaze moved to the assembled guests. “I can’t think of a more fitting place for these two beautiful souls to be united than under a Montana sky, surrounded by sunlight, rippling water and a gentle breeze.”
Kendra gave up the fight. Tears dribbled down her cheeks as Warren continued, weaving in the traditional words of the ceremony with additions he, Faith and Cody had chosen during their sessions together.
Next to her, Jo sniffed. Then Deidre started. By the end of the ceremony, as Cody reverently kissed Faith, the women in the front row were a drippy mess. Jo came through with tissues for Kendra, herself and Deidre. Jim had to make use of his handkerchief for his own watering eyes.
And it was done. Everyone stood and applauded as Luke brought Ernie back down the aisle. Cody lifted Faith onto the saddle and swung up behind her. Turning the horse, he kicked Ernie into a trot. Once they cleared the chairs, Cody whipped off his hat, let out a whoop and the two of them cantered off as the guests cheered.
The groomsmen offered their arms to their respective sweethearts, waited for the dust to settle, and followed.
Jo glanced at Kendra, grinned and crooked her arm. “Let’s go open us some wine, Gramma Ken.”
“It’ll be my pleasure, Gramma Jo.” Arm in arm with her best friend, she marched down the path as they rehashed every minute of the ceremony.
“Two down, three to go,” Jo said as they neared the house.
“That’s only counting my biologic sons. I’m also excited about getting Badger, Luke and Michael married off. That’s six more weddings we can look forward—” She stopped walking and stared at the parking area. “Jo.”
Jo’s arm tightened. “I see him.”
“What the hell? Why would he…”
“Only one way to find out. Go ahead. Do your thing. I’ll organize the troops.”
Kendra’s heart was beating way too fast. She was lightheaded, disoriented, unsure that she could make it all the way to the parking area. As she started toward it, Quinn came to meet her.
Out of breath, s
he stopped and waited, her hand to her chest. Had something terrible happened? Roxanne and Michael were here at the wedding. They were fine. Maybe Wes or Pete? But Quinn wouldn’t come here if something was wrong with one of them.
His long strides brought him within three feet of her before he stopped, chest heaving, his gaze intense. “God, you look great.”
“Th-thanks. Why are you—”
“I’m crashing the wedding party.” He sucked in air. “I apologize for that. I just couldn’t wait.”
“For what?”
“I’ve…made a decision.” He swallowed. “It concerns you.”
“How?”
“I’m moving.”
Her ears buzzed. “Where?”
“Here.”
“To the ranch?”
“No, to Eagles Nest. I’ve put in an offer on the place across the road.”
“You’ve…” She was so confused. “I don’t…why would you…”
His smile was gentle. “Because I love you. Because it’s no good me living up there and you living down here. One of us had to tackle that problem and so I will. I’m not asking to be your husband or your live-in lover. I just want to be…your neighbor. Your favorite neighbor.”
She gasped for breath. “Can you do that?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll try my damnedest not to be a pest. You’ve made it clear you don’t want your life to change, so I’ll—”
“I mean can you move? What about your ranch?”
“As of today, it’s up for sale.”
“Quinn! You put your life’s blood into that ranch. You can’t just—”
“I can when it’s the ranch or you. I choose you.”
“Oh, my God.” She put a trembling hand to her mouth. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious.” He came closer. “I can’t live without you.”
“I can’t believe this.”
He frowned. “Does that mean you don’t like the idea?”
“No, I love the idea, I just can’t—”
“That’s all I need to hear.” Swooping in, he took off his hat, wrapped her in his arms and captured her mouth.
That kiss was all it took. That wonderful, achingly familiar kiss. This was real. This was happening. She hadn’t lost him forever. She hadn’t lost him at all.
He lifted his head. “I know I can’t keep this up. You have—”
“Gramma Jo’s handling it. Kiss me some more.”
“Gramma Jo? Is Mandy pregnant?”
“Don’t know. But I do know one thing for sure.”
“What’s that?”
“I love you, Quinn Sawyer.”
“So you said a week ago.” He held her gaze. “You changed my life, sexy lady. And it’s never changing back.”
“I sure hope not, because you’re going to make a fabulous neighbor.” And she pulled him down for another kiss.
He was right. They couldn’t keep doing this. But after the reception, after everyone had gone home, they could do this all night long.
But Wait, There’s More!
Coming in July! A COWBOY’S CHALLENGE, book ten in the McGavin Brothers series.
Saddle up for all the stories in the McGavin Brothers series!
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Want more cowboys? Check out my Sons of Chance and Thunder Mountain Brotherhood series!
MIDNIGHT THUNDER – (TMB #1) Cade Gallagher must save his foster parents’ ranch and win the heart of the woman he left behind.
WANTED! – (SOC #1) Can sexy cowboy Nick Chance convince a beautiful photographer to see the man behind the muscles?
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Praise for Vicki’s cowboy series
“Vicki Lewis Thompson has a reputation for putting enough sizzle between the pages to actually create steam.”
Fresh Fiction
“This modern cowboy tale expertly balances sex and emotion with a touch of humor. It’s one of the hottest western romances of the year!”
RT Book Reviews
“Once again Ms. Thompson’s writing is crisp and straightforward, with an uncanny ability to weave the beautiful western landscape of the Grand Tetons into the storyline. Overall a hot, sexy read.”
Harlequin Junkie
Also by Vicki Lewis Thompson
The McGavin Brothers
A Cowboy’s Strength
A Cowboy’s Honor
A Cowboy’s Return
A Cowboy’s Heart
A Cowboy’s Courage
A Cowboy’s Christmas
A Cowboy’s Kiss
A Cowboy’s Luck
A Cowboy’s Charm
Thunder Mountain Brotherhood
Midnight Thunder
Thunderstruck
Rolling Like Thunder
A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe
Cowboy All Night
Cowboy After Dark
Cowboy Untamed
Cowboy Unwrapped
In the Cowboy’s Arms
Say Yes to the Cowboy
Do You Take This Cowboy?
Sons of Chance
Wanted!
Ambushed!
Claimed!
Should've Been a Cowboy
Cowboy Up
Cowboys Like Us
Long Road Home
Lead Me Home
Feels Like Home
I Cross My Heart
Wild at Heart
The Heart Won't Lie
Cowboys and Angels
Riding High
Riding Hard
Riding Home
A Last Chance Christmas
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson’s love affair with cowboys started with the Lone Ranger, continued through Maverick, and took a turn south of the border with Zorro. She views cowboys as the Western version of knights in shining armor, rugged men who value honor, honesty and hard work. Fortunately for her, she lives in the Arizona desert, where broad-shouldered, lean-hipped cowboys abound. Blessed with such an abundance of inspiration, she only hopes that she can do them justice.
Connect with Vicki online!
VickiLewisThompson.com
[email protected]
A Cowboy's Charm (The McGavin Brothers Book 9) Page 19