“You already are everything I want and need,” he said, sliding the ring on her finger.
Her mouth dropped at the sight of it. The diamond was blinding, and it was aperfect fit. “Oh, my. It’s beautiful.”
“And you are most deserving. Just so you know, the party I’m having at theAce Barat the end of January is to celebrate our engagement. But just a warning - Dante doesn’t want us to have a long one. He says he needs an extended vacation and won’t take it until after our wedding.”
“Then we can’t keep him waiting, can we?” she asked, smiling happily.
“No, we can’t.” Skylar pulled her closer and gave her another kiss. Then he swept her into his arms and headed for the bedroom. He was a very happy and thankful man.
CHAPTER 31
Wade and Danielle
Dani glanced around the arena. It was the opening night for the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, and she was excited to see Wade perform for the first time. And it was wonderful that the entire family was there. The Montgomerys, the Manchesters, and Haven and Skylar. The place was packed, indicating the popularity of this event.
Over the past few months, her relationship with Wade had grown closer. He visited her in San Francisco, and she made frequent trips to his ranch in Dallas. For Christmas, they had joined the family on Lance and Asia’s island and had a great time. What had made it even more special was that it was her mom and Jeremiah’s first wedding anniversary. They left three days later for a ten-day trip to Europe.
Now they were back, here at the rodeo, and like the other members of the family, they were dressed in western attire. Her twin nephews were thrilled that Wade had taken them behind the chutes for a tour. When they returned, they gleefully told everyone about meeting all the other rodeo cowboys.
Everyone was looking forward to Haven and Skylar’s wedding in March. At the end of the month, everyone would be traveling to San Francisco to attend their engagement party.
An hour later, Dani heard the announcement that Wade would be next in the saddle bronc riding competition. She knew this was a stunt he’d performed numerous times, but still, she couldn’t help but be nervous. From the cheers in the arena when his name was called, it was quite apparent that he was a rodeo favorite.
When it was Wade’s time, she held her breath as she watched him ease his legs over the huge horse. After giving a nod that he was ready, the gate swung open, and rider and bucking horse emerged. Her nephews were screaming Wade’s name. So were other family members. Although she feared for his safety, she could feel the adrenaline surge in the crowd. No matter how desperate the horse was to get Wade off its back, Wade wasn’t going anywhere.
When the buzzer finally sounded, Wade had the best scores so far. And when, thirty minutes later, the announcer declared Wade the winner, it seemed the entire arena applauded. One of the men bought out a beautiful white horse for Wade, and he jumped on the animal’s back and raced across the arena. Dani wondered where in the world Wade was going when she suddenly realized that he was headed in her direction.
The next thing she knew, he had brought the horse to a stop, jumped off the animal’s back, leaped over the railings, and sprinted to a stop in front of her. As if he didn’t care that the entire arena was watching, he got down on one knee in front of her, pulled a small box from his pocket, and said, “I love you, Dani. Will you marry me?”
Dani didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Of course, I’ll marry you, Wade.”
After sliding the most beautiful diamond ring on her finger, he stood and pulled her into his arms for a kiss. The entire arena cheered and applauded. Wade Harrison not only had a big rodeo win tonight, but he also got his girl.
EPILOGUE 1
Skylar and Haven
Skylar’s breath caught the moment he saw Haven enter the church on Jeremiah’s arm. She was so beautiful. “Are you okay, Sky?”
He glanced at Dante, who had leaned over to whisper the question in his ear. Nodding, he answered, “I’ve never been better.” And that was the truth. Today, all his dreams were coming true.
It was a beautiful March day in Sedona Valley. They had decided to get married here, where their love began. He had hired a wedding planner to transform one of his resorts into a wedding castle. He was marrying his golden girl, and he wanted her to feel as special as she was to him. Flowers of every kind were everywhere, but there were more roses than anything else. Roses of all colors. Some had to be shipped in. He didn’t care. He wanted today to be everything his bride had ever dreamed of. There were ten bridesmaids and the same number of groomsmen. Every Montgomery, Manchester, and their spouses--or in the case of Wade, fiancé--were part of the wedding party.
Edwina had died last month. Skylar had ensured she received the best medical care until the end. Those days afterhe left work, he would go by the condo and sit with her, talk to her, and deep down, he believed she had regretted the pain she had caused others. Pain, she believed she was now suffering for.
Carrie and Lance had not changed their minds about seeing her. Lyle had written a letter to her, sending it by Logan. No one knew what it said, but Skylar stated that after reading it, Edwina had refolded the letter and smiled. Logan and Jeremiah had visited her. Logan, more than once. He said he forced his mind to remember the days before she had changed, when she had been a good mom. He had always thought she was beautiful. Unfortunately, the shriveled-up woman who weighed less than a hundred pounds lying in that bed looked nothing like his mother. She was only recognizable to Logan by her eyes.
Skylar was glad that Logan and Dante had become good friends. The two often talked, and he knew that Dante had asked Logan to look out for him when he left for his extended vacation. The request didn’t bother Skylar - he knew Dante was keeping a promise.
And then, his attention turned to Haven as she began walking down the aisle. When she reached him, he thanked Jeremiah as the older man placed her hand in his. He took it and lifted it to his lips, kissing it before they both turned to the minister. They would be honeymooning in Dubai, and he couldn’t wait to get her there.
At the end of the ceremony, the minister said, “I nowpronounce you husband and wife.Youmay kiss the bride!”
Skylar didn’t waste any time. As his lips touched Haven’s, he knew their love would last forever because it was meant to be.
EPILOGUE 2
Wade and Danielle
