A collective gasp was the only sound for a few seconds.
“What’s happening?”Luke whispered.
“Shush,” Laura said.
Stunned, Hunter stared down at Willow, not sure what she was doing.
Clearing her throat, she looked up.Her eyes were wet with tears.“Hunter Weston, I love you.I never thought anyone would be able to love me.I mean, I’msoweird.But you love me anyway, weirdness, baggage, issues, and all.I’ve led you on a merry dance so I’m going down on my knees for two reasons: one, I owe you and two, I’ll be able to tell our kids one day I was the one who asked their daddy for his hand.Will you please marry me?I’m difficult to live with, I don’t cook, I have to warn you, but I’d love to be your bride.You also have to know you don’t have to move back here, I’m happy to join you wherever you are.”Her last words were a mere whisper, but every single one went straight to his heart.
He blinked, wanting to make sure he wasn’t dreaming this, but when he opened his eyes, Willow was still kneeling in front of him.His heart burst wide open.Pulling her up, he cupped her face.“Nowyou tell me,” he said.“Yes, of course I’ll marry you.I don’t need a cook, I need you.You see, I love you and that means everything about you.There is nothing I want more than to see you as my bride.I have just one requirement: I’m not waiting.”
“Oh, my goodness,” Arlene groaned.“Here we go again—another quick wedding on the Weston ranch.When do you want to get married?”
Hunter kept his eyes on Willow.“Your mother mentioned a Christmas wedding at some point, so what about tomorrow?The legal stuff can wait until later.Will you be my Christmas bride?”
“Yes, I’d love to be your bride!”Willow cried out before she frowned.“But what about your family?”
“They’re already here.They’re staying at Annie’s.I didn’t know we were getting married, but I wanted to show them the ranch and I also wanted them to meet your family.”
Her eyes were bright with tears.“That’s perfect.”She turned to her mother.“Mom?”
“But what about a dress?”Ellie asked before Arlene could answer.
“I’ve already made everything ready for Christmas dinner at our house, you can get married there.”Laura said.
“We should have enough food, even if you want to invite the O’Sullivan and the Millers,” Rose said.“There’s enough for a whole town and I have flowers.I’m sure we can bake a cake before tomorrow.That leaves only the dress.”
Ellie leaned forward.“Maybe we can go to Bozeman tomorrow early.I know it’s Christmas Day, but if we phone now…” She looked at her watch.
Laughing, Willow’s mom held up her hands.“No need, she has a dress.So, we’re having a Christmas wedding after all.”
“What dress?”Willow asked.
“Remember when we all went to Bozeman when Laura and Hayden were talking about getting married?Willow, you tried on… I don’t want Hunter to hear what it looks like, but you remember the beautiful dress you tried on?”
Hunter turned to Willow.“You’ve tried on a wedding dress?When?”
*
Looking into Hunter’seyes, she finally knew why she’d tried on a wedding dress that day, not something she would ever have considered doing before.Her heart had already known way back then what it wanted.It had taken the rest of her all this time to figure out.
“I’ll tell you later,” she teased softly before she moved to her mother.“Mom!I don’t believe it.Really?”
Her sisters-in-law joined her and with her arms around them, her eyes bright with tears, her mother nodded.“I’ve seen the way Hunter looked at you and knew it was just a matter of time and even though I’m not fey, it wasn’t hard to see how you reacted to him.I’ve bought the shoes as well.You are going to be such a beautiful bride.”Sniffing, she enveloped Willow in a warm hug.“My baby is getting married, I’m so happy!”
“Oh, Willow, it’s the best news, I’m so happy for you,” Ellie sniffed.
As Laura and Rose hugged her, Luke cleared his throat.“I’m hungry.”
As everyone laughed, Laura hugged him.“I agree, sweetie, I agree.The food is getting cold, people.Come on, Hayden and Becket, loosen up and slap Hunter the shoulder or whatever it is you men do and make up.He’s not going anywhere.I want to toast these two so that we can eat.”
All three her brothers got up but first went to Willow.
“He messes with you, you tell me, okay?”Hayden said gruffly as he hugged her.
“I’m watching him, too.”Becket finally smiled.“So happy for you, sis.”
As the two of them moved to where Hunter was still standing, Cooper gave her a hug.“You spoke to Walker?”he murmured.
