"It looks like you're getting married just in time." She didn't say it derogatorily or judgmental. It was simply a fact.
And she wasn't wrong. Sarah sighed. "Yeah. Just in time."
"I think I have the perfect dress for you. Come on. Let's try it on."
Joey and Vinia had a seat while Sarah was helped into the gown. It was beautiful, and Sarah's eyes watered. "It's like the dress was made just for me."
"I just got that delivered the other day. And you're right. It's perfect."
Vinia gasped when Sarah walked out. "Oh, my God. My baby." Tears rolled down her face.
Joey sat in awe. "I thought this was going to take a while, but I think we hit paydirt first time out."
The saleswoman found a matching veil. "I think we've found perfection right here."
Sarah stared at herself in the mirror. "Luke is going to love this."
"Well, you can't let him see it before your wedding."
Sarah grinned. "I know. I can't wait to see the look on his face."
I can't wait to be his wife.
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Start of Forever
Luke Ardec
When Luke landed at the ranch the following afternoon, there was no one at Vinia's cabin. He walked over to Sarah's and found Wren pulling some cookies from the oven.
"Hey there. Is Sarah around?"
"No, they're all down at the lake."
Luke frowned. "Did they go fishing?" It seemed like a weird time to go, but it was possible.
"No, Drake and Joey wanted to get married before they moved. They've been planning a small wedding, so they just moved it up a little bit."
"Thanks." Guilt dragged Luke's feet as he headed toward the lake. He and Sarah had really disrupted several lives in the making of their life together. He hoped that Drake didn't have any ill feelings for having to change their plans.
His concerns dissipated when he reached the dock. He had just missed the ceremony, and everyone was clapping and cheering for the new couple. Joey wore a white Western dress with a white cowboy hat, and Drake wore a white button-front shirt with his jeans.
Sarah waved when she saw him. His heartbeat faster as he saw her face light up when he approached. She stood and kissed him. "You just missed the ceremony."
"Sorry, I didn't know there was a wedding. I came to help everyone move."
She giggled. "Yeah, they didn't know there was a wedding today either. Joey was packing and pulled out the dress. It was kind of a quick decision thing."
"Are they upset that we messed up their plans?"
"No," she answered with a frown. "Why would they be?"
He kissed her. "We've screwed up a few plans, I think."
"They're just happy to be married. Kind of like how I feel."
"I know the feeling." He put his arm around her while they went to congratulate the happy couple.
Ezra and his brothers had cooked up a feast, while Wren had created an impromptu wedding cake. They sat around the picnic tables under a pop-up tent and enjoyed the delicious food.
