“Congrats, Riv.”
“Thanks.” I kneel down, hugging Gunnar as he licks my face. “Guess I’m going to have to teach Gunnar how to be a flower boy for the wedding.”
Caleb finally grins. It comes on slow with a shake of his head. “Seriously?”
“That or Shasta. And I’m pretty sure she would just cause some kind of trouble like eating the decorations.”
“I’m gonna be a bridesmaid,” Rae Lynn announces. “We’re wearing steel gray. It’s my best color.”
I laugh at her. That’s so Rae Lynn.
“And what about you, Caleb?” she asks. “Scared to dance at the reception?”
“Dance,” he snorts. “Girl, I will two-step your dress right off of you.”
I slap my knee, laughter making me shake. “Oh boy. Nothing like cowboys fighting in tuxedos.”
Because Diesel is going to lose his mind and I’m going to love every minute of it.
EPILOGUE
One Month Later
I’ve stepped into a dream. Only it’s been going on for months. But today is the pinnacle and it’s a day fit for celebration.
Golden light of sunset skims across the ranch, catching on the bright archway of flowers set at the edge of the yard.
There’s a flurry of activity. All of which the horses are ignoring.
Nothing here to distract them from the patch of grass that has their heads down in the pasture.
Gunnar, on the other hand, is in heaven. Scratches all around.
“So,” Rae Lynn appears at my elbow. “How you holding up, big guy?”
Hoarse. Shaking inside. “Good,” I say, because I’m betterthan good. I’m on a fucking cloud. Surprised my boots will touch the ground.
“Your bride is gorgeous.”
“Without a doubt. I’m just ready to see her.”
She laughs. “Alright, Patience-isn’t-my-strength, it’s almost time.”
I straighten my cuffs adjust my bow tie, reseat my cowboy hat on my head. For the tenth time.
Sheriff Baker grins at me as he passes by, heading to the spot where he will make River my wife.
Wife.
Fuck, I love that word.
“What are you thinking about?” Rae Lynn tilts her head as she studies me suspiciously. “That’s a weird smile.”
“That’s theI’m about to be married to the hottest woman in Texassmile.”
She rolls her eyes and leans up to give me a kiss. “Proud of you, you did good.”
“I almost didn’t.” I grumble. “We didn’t exactly start off on the right foot.”
