Smiling, she put a finger on his lips.“I’m serious about moving to Colorado to be with you, but we can talk about everything tomorrow, I promise, as long as we can agree there will be no talking tonight, okay?”
He kissed her forehead.“As long as I’m with you, I don’t mind when what happens.Oh, I have something for you.”He took out the small box he’d brought and gave it to her.“I didn’t know you were going to ask me to marry you, so I haven’t had time to buy you something yet, but I was going to give you this, anyway.It was my mom’s.If you don’t want to wear it today, don’t worry about it, but she wanted the woman who stole my heart to have it.”
Her eyes shimmering with tears, she opened the box.Inside on a fine gold chain, was a lovely pendant of diamonds and sapphires if she wasn’t mistaken.“This is so beautiful, but I don’t need more presents.”
“She wants you to have it.”
“Thank you, I’ll wear it with pride.Thank you, bridegroom.”
“You didn’t answer my question last night.”
“What question?”
“When did you try on a wedding dress?”
She smiled slowly.“It was after the Winter Dance.”
“Really?”
“Willow!”her mom called again.
“I’d already fallen for you by then, see?You have to go, see you later!”
“Can’t wait.”And pulling her closer again, he grabbed one more kiss before he let her go.
“Oh, there you are,” her mom said.“Who’s at the door?”she asked as Willow closed it.
“My soon to be bridegroom!”
Her mom’s eyes were bright with tears.“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so happy for you.Show me what he gave you.”
*
A couple ofhours before the wedding, Willow quickly texted Laura and slipped away.Her hair and makeup were done, she only needed a few minutes to put on her dress.There was something she had to do first.
Minutes later, she stopped her car at the graveyard and got out.It was quiet, snow was expected a little later.Huddling in her coat, she opened the gate and strolled down the row of graves.
Stopping at her dad’s resting place first, she touched the cold stone.“I’m getting married, Dad.I so wish you were here.You would’ve liked him.He’s a good man.”
In the silence, something warm swirled around her.
“Thanks, Dad.I know you’re always in my heart.I also wanted to tell you Hayden has spoken to the cousins, Dylan and Carson.We’ll all be ranching together.”
Everything quieted down.
“You okay with that, Dad?”
A soft sigh filled the air.
“It’s time, Dad.”
For another moment she stood beside his grave before she moved to Walker’s.“Hey, Bro.I’m getting married.Thanks for letting me see what I needed to do.”
For a moment she saw her brother’s face.He was smiling.
Be happy.
Her heart was breaking.“I will.”
