Page 69 of The Cowboy’s Forever Promise

In the room he put her down slowly. “You remember that song we danced to at the Autumn festival?”

“Mmm, the one about making love all night long?”

“Exactly,” he grinned as he slipped the coat from her shoulders. His breath left his body in one swoosh. All she was wearing were tiny red and black panties and a red and black bra.

“I’m a dead man,” he muttered as he gently put her on the bed. “You’re not sneaking away tonight, I’ll text Laura. I’m going to need a whole night to show you exactly how crazy I am about you.”

*

Saturday morning, Abby stared at herself in the mirror in Laura’s and Hayden’s house where the women had helped her to get dressed. It was nearly time to go down and get married to her cowboy. Excitement, delight, and anticipation were bubbling up inside of her.

When she’d arrived back at Laura’s this morning, all the Weston women had already arrived for breakfast. And since then, they’d been laughing and talking and crying and helping with the final touches of the food and the decorations.

For such a long time she’d been alone. Family get togethers had been something she’d heard about, sometimes she’d been invited, but she’d always been a guest, a spectator, looking on, never a part of it.

Within weeks her whole life had changed. Okay, she didn’t have a plan yet, but she was a part of a family now, she had friends and everyone wanted to help.

For a moment, she stared out of the window. Why her mother hadn’t wanted her, she’d probably never know, but everything—good and bad—that had happened to her since that moment she’d been left at that church, had brought her here to this beautiful town, this ranch, and to this special family she now could call her own.

There was a quick knock on the door and June walked in with a small, wrapped box in her hand. “Oh, Abby, you look gorgeous!” June cried out. “That color is simply amazing on you.” She hugged Abby. “You have to agree, it’s exciting to get an outfit that you haven’t meticulously planned for, isn’t it?”

Abby smiled. “I still feel strongly about having a capsule wardrobe, but my new family has taught me the joy of coloring outside the lines at times.”

“You have no idea how glad I am to hear that because when you get back from your honeymoon …”

“Do you know where Carson is taking me? He just said to pack a bikini.”

“My lips are sealed.” Handing Abby the present she was carrying in her hand, June smiled. “This is for you from your bridegroom.”

“Oh, no!” Abby sighed. “He’s given me so much already.”

“What I’ve learned about the Westons is that they love showering their wives with gifts. You’ll have to get used to it! Come on, open it.”

Voices from outside announced the arrival of the other Weston women and the next moment the room was filled with feminine scent, voices, and soft giggles.

“Oh, Abby, you look beautiful!” Ellie exclaimed.

“I love the flowers in your braid,” Arlene said.

“I had the braid when Carson and I met.” Abby smiled shyly.

“Let her open her present from Carson,” June said.

Abby quickly opened it. Inside the square box was a dainty chain with a smoky-colored stone, a perfect match for her dress. There was a small note.

Thank you for agreeing to be my wife. Forever your red heart, Carson. He’d ended it off with a small drawing of a red heart.

Tears welled up, but sniffing, June took the chain from her. “No crying, we can’t spoil our makeup. Turn around, let me put this on.”

“It’s perfect with the color of your dress,” Willow said, turning her eyes to her mother. “You had something to do with it, Mom?”

“Well, he asked.” Arlene grinned. “Okay, girls, let’s go. Oh, I almost forgot. This is for you.” While she handed Abby a gorgeous bouquet of cream-colored roses and lilies, there was a knock on the door.

Willow opened it and peered outside.

“Your bridegroom drove to Bozeman yesterday to get it,” Arlene said.

“No!” June said quickly as Abby sniffed, “you’re not to cry!”