“Yes, ma’am.” He chuckled, hooked her arm through his and led her out to his truck. She let him help her into the passenger seat, then smoothed the white lace fabric over her legs. Eden had insisted Renata wear her wedding dress. It was simple and elegant—just like Eden. The tea-length dress had a full bell skirt, extensive lacework and delicate beading around the sweetheart neckline. It was a little snug on her belly and a little short, but Renata felt pretty anyway. And, as Eden pointed out, it was her something borrowed.
She’d considered the selection of heels and pumps her sisters-in-law had rounded up, but none of them worked. Instead, she’d slipped on her favorite pair of embroidered ostrich-skin boots. After a long debate on what to do with her hair, she’d put her booted foot down. Ash liked her hair and she was leaving it down.
Her sisters-in-law had the whole wedding luck thing covered. A blue silk garter for something blue. Her engagement ring—something old. And the strand of pearls her father had left wrapped for her under the Christmas tree was her something new.
But she and Ash wouldn’t need much luck. They had love.
The drive to town had never been so quick. Kylee and Josie rode with her and Fisher, filling the otherwise silent drive by sharing stories about the kids, their favorite Christmas gifts, the newest recipes that were a hit, and a handful of pregnancy tips Renata was too distracted to remember. When they parked in front of the small whitewashed building that was City Hall, Renata all but jumped out of the truck.
“Careful.” Kylee laughed. “He’s not going anywhere, believe me.”
“He’s right where he wants to be.” Josie pressed a kiss against her cheek.
Her father was waiting for her outside the front door. “You make the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen, Renata Boone. Your momma is smiling down on you right now, make no mistake about it.”
She’d been fighting tears all day, but her father’s words had them flowing. “Daddy...” When he wiped a tear from his eyes, Renata hugged him tight. “I love you. I’m sorry, I know this isn’t the way you imagined this.”
He patted her back. “Nothing to be sorry for, Renata. You found your fella. He’s a good man, a good fit—and I’m mighty fond of the way he loves you and his boy. Besides, I’m tickled pink to have more grandbabies coming. These will be extra special because they’re yours.” He smiled down at her. “I’d say today is just about perfect.”
“Isn’t it?” she agreed.
He hugged her again, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Well, let’s not keep your fella waiting. He’s been pacing the floor, itching for you to get here.”
She swallowed, remembering the love in his eyes last night. He hadn’t been happy about saying good-night, knowing he wouldn’t see her until the wedding. But tradition mattered to her family and to her, so he’d relented. Because, he reminded her, if she was happy, he was happy.
“If I didn’t see how Ash feels about you, I might have some reservations about all this. But that boy?” He smiled at her. “It’s in his eyes. Plain as day. Does a father’s heart good to see, let me tell you.” He kissed her cheek. “Enough talking.”
The doors opened and, beyond the small crowd of Boones, Ash’s mother and Betty, Ash Carmichael stood, shifting from foot to foot, looking
every bit the nervous groom. But when he saw her, she heard her father’s voice. There was tenderness in his eyes—and so much more.
His sudden swallow. The tightening of his jaw. The rapid blinking. That this man wanted to be here, wanted to marry her, filled her with pride. And love. So much love.
His smile was all for her.
Someone, probably Eden, had created an impromptu aisle—with rose petals. Her father led the way, his hand covering hers. She heard the whispers and murmurings of her brothers, their wives and the passel of kids packing the small one-room building, but had no idea what they were saying. All she saw, all that mattered, was Ash.
Her father placed her hand in Ash’s.
“How the hell did I get so lucky?” Ash’s hands were shaking.
“Make sure you never forget it,” her father said. “I’m giving you my daughter but I won’t hesitate to take her back.”
Ash nodded, grinning widely. “I give you my word that will never be necessary.”
“We ready to get this wedding started?” Judge Mack McCoy asked. “I hear there’s some sort of shindig over at Cutter’s tonight and I don’t want to be late.”
* * *
Ash considered himself a patient man. But since his proposal, he’d been a man with a purpose. Now that she’d said yes, nothing was more important than marrying her. And now, with her hand in his, the fear that she’d back out, change her mind, began to fade away. Just like everything that had to do with Renata Boone, today had turned into something altogether unexpected. And wonderful.
She was wonderful.
Now she was there, wearing her boots and a smile that shook him to the bone. Holding her hand in his melted whatever lingering fears he had. He was here for her, because she was home. This place, this town, this family. He’d been given a second chance at a good life and he was going to grab on with both hands and hold tight.
She was what he wanted. Needed.
And this was perfect. Almost. “Wait,” he said, turning toward his mother.