Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
“You look beautiful,” Ginger tries to apply a coat of lipstick to my face. She tears up again, which she’s been doing ever since she started on my makeup. We all know it’s pregnancy hormones.
“Let me help her,” Dotty says and takes the lipstick from her. She applies it and offers me a tissue to blot with while Evie fastens a pearl necklace around my throat. Lizzy does my hair in an elegant updo twist.
I’m wearing a dress from Sew Cute, a boutique store in town that caters to curvy girls like me. Even though Mallory didn’t have something in stock that was exactly my size, she helped me find a dress that she could quickly alter.
My vintage inspired wedding dress is tea length with a full skirt. The deep V-neck emphasizes my amazing cleavage, and the lace cap sleeves are delicate and feminine. I finished the look with a pair of white kitten heels and a birdcage wedding veil.
We’re exchanging our vows at the Courage County wedding chapel, which thankfully wasn’t damaged in the storm. Inside the chapel, there’s a wall of framed pictures with couples celebrating their happy unions. They say this place is magical, that everyone who gets married here stays together forever.
“Are you ready?” Linda rolls into the room just as I’m surveying my appearance one last time.
I give her a brief nod, my heart overflowing with gratitude for my friends and Barrett’s family. The only one not in attendance today is Zac. He left already, but he sent his congratulations through a video.
Linda pushes her chair forward and holds out her arm. “I’m so happy you’re part of my family.”
I smile at her as I croak out, “So am I.”
The other girls have already slipped out of the room to take their places. As the music begins to swell from the organ, all I can feel is gratitude and love. This big, filthy cowboy fills my heart with so much joy. He’s given me more than his love and his affection. He’s given me a family.
I watch spellbound as my bridesmaids make their way down the aisle. I can’t believe that this is my life. That I get to marry the handsome cowboy standing at the altar. His gaze hasn’t left me since the moment he saw me. Coco and Skip are with him, waiting for me at the altar.
When it’s our turn, I match my stride to Linda’s motorized wheelchair as the two of us move down the aisle together. We reach the front, and she gestures me close, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek before putting my hand in Barrett’s.
“Take good care of her,” she murmurs.
“Always,” he promises.
While our friends and family watch, Barrett and I repeat our vows. The moment he slips the ring on my finger, joy washes over me in waves.
He promised he would gather all the broken pieces of my heart until I was whole again, and he’s done just that. His love is wrapping around my heart and healing all of the achy, hurting places. Because of him, I know that love is good to me.
“You’re my forever,” I whisper as I slip the ring on his finger.
The pastor announces that it’s time to kiss the bride, Barrett slides his hand to the back of my neck. “I love you, sweet girl.”
Then he’s putting his mouth against mine, devouring me in a sensual kiss that has me blushing. He’s no purple alien, but this cowboy sure can kiss.
Chapter 14
Sadie
We host our wedding reception in the town square. It only had minor damage from the storm that was quickly cleaned up earlier. Then some of the women in town decorated the square for our reception.
A few of the cowboys got out their grills, and the scent of hotdogs already fills the late summer air. The breeze ruffles through my hair, and I pull off my veil. I hand it to Dotty who’s holding my bouquet.
Noah and Lizzy are watching over Coco and Skip for us. They’ll drop our fur babies back at home later tonight after our reception is over.
Just as we step arm-in-arm into the town square, thunder cracks and the skies open. Rain drenches us, and I sputter out a laugh. “What is it about us and rain?”
Barrett quickly slides out of his jacket and holds it above my head to shelter me from the rain. I think he’ll spend his whole life doing that, sheltering me and protecting me. “It must be our thing.”
Before I can answer, Ernie is rushing over. He and Lorna own Ernie’s Diner down the street. He gestures behind himself with his thumb. “We’re thinking of moving this inside. That work for y’all?”
Lightning flashes, and I give a grateful nod. We follow him into the diner where Lorna has already started the grill. Our guests have gathered here, and there’s the soft, cheerful hum of community while the storm outside rages.