Page 70 of The Cowboy’s Forever Promise

“Mom,” Willow grinned, opening the door. “Your date has arrived.”

Jeff Thomas appeared in the doorway, looking ill-at-ease but with a determined expression on his face.

“Jeff?” Arlene said as she rushed to him. “What are you doing here?”

“You’re here,” he said. “And where you are, that’s where I want to be.”

“Jeff,” Arlene said as he took her hands in his. “I … don’t know …”

“But I do,” he said. “I’ve waited for you for all this time, I’m not letting you slip through my fingers again. We can go as slow as you want to.”

They were all holding their breaths, staring at the older couple. Arlene glanced over her shoulder at Willow.

“You love him, Mom, go. We’ll see you downstairs.”

Very gently, Jeff put his arms around Arlene as they walked away.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, they were all sniffing.

“Oh, my goodness.” June laughed through her tears. “We have a wedding to go to. Come on. Abs, we’ll give you a minute. See you downstairs.”

As the women left, Abby took a deep breath, pressing her hand to her tummy. She was so happy for Arlene.

“You ready, Peanut? Let’s do this.”

Inhaling, she opened the door to find Dylan waiting outside. Lifting his elbow, he grinned. “May I have the honor of walking you down the aisle?”

Swallowing back the tears, Abby took his arm. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Patting her hand, he grinned. “I’ve always wanted a sister. You’re family now, Sis. And if my brother ever does anything to hurt you, you tell me, okay?”

Talking wasn’t possible. She hugged her soon-to-be brother-in-law’s arm.

*

Carson kept his eyes on the opening of the door where Abby would appear. His cousins and Luke were standing next to him. He wasn’t sure what happened to his brother, but there was probably a crisis somewhere. Life on a ranch didn’t stop, not even for a wedding.

Soft music filled the room, his heart tripped. She was on her way. Expectantly, he kept his eyes on the door, but there was no movement. Had something happened? What if she was feeling sick again?

A movement closer to him, had him dropping his gaze. George, a blue ribbon around his neck, was running full speed toward him. Laughing, Carson crouched down to grab his collar. “She’s on her way, you can relax,” he whispered.

And as if George understood every word, he sat down next to Carson.

As a ripple went through the small group of guests, Carson looked up. His eyes met Abby’s. Her smile was wide and relaxed and lit up the whole room. His heart settled. She was here. On his brother’s arm. His throat clogged up and blinking, he tried to keep the tears at bay.

Just look at his Abby. She was a vision in pale, dusty colors. He was deeply grateful this gorgeous and sexy and sweet and feisty woman had agreed to be his wife. The one he’d met only weeks ago but who had managed to turn his whole world upside down and showed him what love really meant.

As they reached him, he stepped forward.

“You treat her well, you hear me?” Dylan said as he gave him a hug.

“Of course I will.”

And then he was able to finally touch her. Pulling her close, he inhaled her softness, her scent. “What color?” he asked in her ear.

Her eyes twinkling, she pulled away. “It … uhm … it’s not possible to wear anything under this dress,” she whispered under her breath.

As his blood roared through his veins, he inhaled sharply. “I’m going to get you for this. How am I supposed to survive the rest of the night knowing that?”