Savannah grinned over to her. “Can’t we just have a few more minutes? It’s so nice and warm in here.”
“It’s a nice day outside, Momma,” Sequoia said. “We feeded the chickens already.”
“You did, huh?” Savannah smiled as her mom perched on the edge of the bed. “My alarm hasn’t even gone off yet, so you guys are early.”
“Well, the girls and I have manicure appointments,” her mother said. “You just need to get to Shiloh Ridge.”
“True.” Savannah kissed Sequoia’s head and then Gal’s. “All right, you two go with Grandma. Get your nails all pretty and I’ll see you up at the ranch.”
“Okay, Momma,” Gal said, as she loved all things girly, from sequins to sparkles to dresses. They’d gone shopping for the wedding with Oakley’s mother, who had bought Gal an actual tiara, something that had endeared the woman to Gal immediately. Of course, Gal loved everyone, and everyone loved her too.
Sequoia, the more serious and quieter twin, sat up, leaned over, and hugged Savannah properly. “We’ll see you at the wedding, Momma. Love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
She watched Sequoia slip from the bed and skip to her grandmother. “I’ll see you up there, Mom. Thanks for taking them this morning.”
“Yep, no problem.”
Savannah listened to her mother herd the girls down the hall, the front door click, and then the house—once her complete solitude—settle into silence. The quiet rang through her soul, and she needed it badly in that moment.
I love Wilder, and he loves me.All she had to do was think of those few weeks when he’d left town last summer to know she didn’twant to go that long without him again. That thought alone got her out of bed and on her way to getting ready for her own wedding.
She showered, and an hour later she pulled up to the house Wilder had designed and built on a corner five-acre parcel of Shiloh Ridge Ranch. He’d consulted with her every step of the way—closet space, barns and sheds, stables and pastures for the llamas, ducks, and chickens she relied on at Llama Mamas.
They’d talked about having more kids. Savannah wasn’t sure she wanted to run big weekend eventsandhave a newborn. Wilder had told her she could do whatever she wanted, and he would facilitate the coming true of her dreams.
She was getting ready here at their new house, which Wilder himself hadn’t even moved into yet. Electricity and plumbing were on, but there were still a few finishing pieces to complete. Trap Walker, one of Wilder’s best friends, had assured him it would all be done before they returned from their cruise, so the date they’d set months ago had held.
Before Savannah could get out of the minivan, the front door opened and Wilder’s sister Fawn spilled out of the house. She jogged over as Savannah got out and said, “You are not to do anything today. My brother’s orders.”
Savannah blinked as Fawn opened the back door and lifted out the dress bag.
More Glovers came out fast and furious. Gun’s wife, Camila, smiled and picked up her makeup bag.
“Is this hat box coming?” Pearl Jo asked.
Savannah nodded, because she’d loaded the van with everything she needed for today and the next twelve days.
“Hey, how’re you doing?” Glory Rose asked. Savannah had been out with her and Conrad several times over the past months.
She reached for the baby boy in Glory Rose’s arms. “If I can’t lift anything, does he count?” She kissed the four-month-old’s chubby cheek and grinned. “He is the cutest thing ever.” Chance’s dark hair and eyes glowed in the April sunlight.
“You can have him,” Glory Rose said with a smile. “But I’m pretty sure my momma will take him from you in a few minutes. He’s teething, and we don’t want drool on your wedding gown.”
“Today is definitely a drool-free day,” Oakley Glover said as she approached. She wore a wide, warm smile and opened her arms to Savannah. “Hello, my dear. Are you ready for this?”
“I think so,” Savannah said, giving her a quick side-hug with Chance between them. “I’m more worried about Wilder than anything.”
“Oh, we always worry about Wilder,” Oakley said, smiling as she stepped back. “But he’s proved to be more than capable in a great many things, and I’ve stopped underestimating him.”
Savannah blinked and mentally backpedaled. “I didn’t mean I was underestimating him.”
“I know you’re not.” Oakley tilted her head, taking in Savannah’s shoes and luggage for twelve days—one large suitcase to check, a carry-on, and a backpack. Savannah trusted Fawn would make sure it all got inside.
“What are you worried about?” Oakley asked. “We sat with Wilder for a long time last night, and he’s not worried about anything.”
“I’m not really worried,” Savannah said. “But I’m used to having two little girls around, with their many moods and swings and attitude shifts. Wilder has seen a lot of that, yes, but it’s different when you live with them.”
