Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Tears are running down my face now. I’m thankful that Evie and the girls chose the waterproof mascara today.
“He’s easy to love,” I tell her. “He’s an amazing man. I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with him. I’ll treasure his heart always.”
She reaches for my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I know you will.”
There’s a knock on the door, and when I call out, Walt ambles in. I don’t miss the way he glances at Mrs. Maple too quickly then looks away.
Mrs. Maple has been sneaking off for “bridge games with Carol” far too often for me to actually think she’s playing bridge with Carol.
It took me some time, but I finally figured out that Walt’s beloved hobby of “fishing with Tank” had nothing to do with fishing or Tank. I haven’t told anyone, not even Noah. I figure they can tell the world on their own timetable.
“You’re a beautiful sight,” Walt says as soon as he sees me. He reaches into his suit pocket and produces his handkerchief, blotting his face. “I never got the chance to do this. Not with your mom, not the way I should have.”
I swallow hard, hating that for him. Hating that the addiction took so much from both of us. “I’m really happy I found my way to you.”
“That was all Noah. He had me sign up to the ancestry site. I didn’t want to do it. I told him it was ridiculous and that he was cruel to give an old man hope. But then one day, there you were, the spitting image of your mother.” He shakes his head. “I have to hand it to that kid. He’s smarter than he looks.”
“I’m here because of him,” I repeat as I glance at the ruby engagement ring on my finger. Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. My cowboy was calling me home long before either of us knew each other.
“He’s the love of my life,” I croak out around more tears. I never thought I could be this happy. I never thought I could have a family of my own. But here I am about to marry into the sweetest family in the whole state.
“Five minutes,” Evie’s voice calls, singsong.
“That’s our cue to take our places,” Walt says.
Within just a few minutes, we’re assembled in the gazebo with Judge Helen. I’m holding hands with the world’s sexiest cowboy. He’s dressed in a dark suit, and his gaze is filled with so much tenderness.
It’s a perfect summer day with an endless blue sky. It feels like all the days are stretching out before us with decades of happiness to anticipate.
We repeat our vows as the soft breeze swishes my dress around my knees. Mr. Darcy looks on with approval, thrilled with his job as ring bearer.
Before he slides the delicate gold band on my finger, Noah tips it toward the light to show me the inscription. It’s marked with three words that I feel deep in my soul. You are mine.
Even though I promised myself I wouldn’t cry during the ceremony, tears stream from my eyes. He always knows just what to say.
After the exchange of rings, he presses a chaste kiss to my lips. His gaze fills with heat and promises of a long, sensual night. Then Judge Helen is announcing us as husband and wife.
Just like that, I’m one of them. After years of searching, I finally found my family, the people I belong with. But most of all, I belong to this gruff cowboy who shows me every day how much he loves me.
Epilogue
Lizzy
“Ugh, this is not working,” I tell Mr. Darcy as I try desperately to get the corset to tighten.
I’ve been married to my handsome cowboy for six months, and today we’re headed to a Regency era event. He wasn’t interested in dressing up, but I loved the idea of getting into a period costume.
I went all out on an outfit with help from Mallory. I try again to tighten it before finally yelling Noah’s name with a tinge of defeat in my voice. His big footsteps sound loudly as he races across the house.
He stops in the doorway, looking disheveled, and asks, “What’s wrong?”
I gesture up and down my body, fighting back tears. “I need help getting into this.”
“I’m more of an expert on getting you out of your dress,” Noah says, trying to make me laugh.
But instead, all his words do is make the tears that were at bay slip down my cheeks. Everything makes me want to cry lately. I saw a video online about baby koalas in the wild and started sobbing for no reason.
Panic flares in his gaze and he steps into the room. “Whoa, whoa, I can fix this,” he promises, even though I’m pretty sure he can’t.