It just wasn’t right. A day later and Dustin was still grinning every time he glanced at Walker.
“I will hurt you,” Walker said as he passed his younger brother. They were in the Silver Stone ranch house kitchen getting ready for the wedding. “Stop now, or you will be sorry.”
No one else had said a word about Walker’s tumble. Of course, Caleb had been busy making goo-goo eyes at Tamara, and Luke had vanished with Kelli, but still…
It just wasn’t right that his little brother had seen him taken out by a goat.
Dustin held his hands in the air. “Fine. It’s your wedding day, so I’ll be nice.”
“Which means tomorrow you’ll go right back to teasing, yes?”
His kid brother grinned again.
“Ass.” Walker muttered it quietly in deference to the little people running around the room.
Dustin waggled his brows then headed off to answer a call for help from Tamara.
The next second, Lisa stood next to Walker. “Tansy called. They’re on their way. Should be here in ten minutes.”
Walker hadn’t expected butterflies to strike, but they were there, taking control of his gut like when he used to lower himself onto the back of a bull.
“Oh, hey.” Lisa patted her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Your sister sent a letter a few days ago and said to give it to you now.”
“Thanks.”
He’d gotten an email from his foster sister Dare that morning as well, with well wishes from her and her husband, Jesse, and a promise to come visit soon.
He unfolded the page to find Ginny’s familiar handwriting.
Walker
You just don’t take orders well, do you? I told you to wait until I’m back, but nooooo, you had to get married while I’m still off toiling in Italy.
Fine. I get it. I saw the way you looked at Ivy when I was there this summer. Go right ahead and start enjoying married twue luv a.s.a.p.
You two deserve it.
I mean that. You’re an awesome big brother, and Ivy is wonderful, and I look forward to watching your wedding and crying.
(Trust me, that’s a good thing. Chicks love to cry at weddings.)
Love ya, bro.
Your favorite sister named Ginny.
Walker blinked hard even as he grinned. She was just so…Ginny.
He turned to Lisa, who was waiting patiently. “Thanks. You have everything set up?”
The idea had started so they could save the moment to share with his sisters, but then the truth had hit—Ginny and Dare weren’t the only ones who would appreciate watching the wedding.
The rest of the agenda had grown from there.
Lisa pointed across the room to the television monitor brought up from the family room in the basement. A glorious image of an ice-clad waterfall graced the screen. Motionless, until you looked closer. Then it was possible to see delicate branches waving gently as the March wind moved whisper-like through distant treetops.
“I’ve got the recorder going,” Lisa assured him. “I’m recording you guys and I’ve got a camera in the room here. It means you’ve got the legal witnesses you need, plus you’ll get to see all of our reactions. So behave. Or not, your choice.”
“Got it.” Walker watched as his oldest brother stepped closer. “I think this is my cue.”
Walker was caught up in a quick embrace as Lisa squeezed him tight. She let go then winked. “Happy wedding.”
Caleb’s hand came down on his shoulder before he could respond. The next thing Walker knew, he was outside, standing next to Hannibal, his horse.
Luke and Caleb joined him, arms folded over their chests. Expressions tight.
God. Just what he didn’t need right now was bad news. “You’re scaring me,” Walker growled. “What’s wrong?”
Caleb’s face didn’t change, but a muscle on Luke’s cheek twitched a second before he gave up the act and broke into a wide grin. “Damn, knew I couldn’t do it.”
Their oldest brother rolled his eyes and shoved at Luke’s shoulder. “Softie.”
“Yeah, so sue me.” Luke hauled Walker into a hug, patting him on the back hard enough to shake his teeth. “So happy for you, bro.”
“Me too,” Caleb agreed before pummeling Walker with equal enthusiasm.
“Hey, gentle with the bridegroom. If you break me, Ivy will give you both hell,” Walker warned.
But this moment with Luke and Caleb was right and good. An affirmation of belonging shared with Walker’s closest friends, who just happened to be his family. Just like the teasing with Dustin a few minutes earlier was right, and the note from Ginny—
Walker wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
And then she was there, and Ivy was all he could see.
She slipped from the car and he was there to take her hand, staring down at her in astonishment. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Her cheeks flushed, but she met his gaze straight on. “Thank you.”
Ivy’s mom and sisters gathered around to give final hugs before slipping into the house.
Her mom lingered for a moment. She cupped Ivy’s face in her hands and stared with eyes full of love. “You are beautiful, sweetie, from the inside out. Because of who you are and how much you love. We’re so proud of you, your father and I. Blessings to you on this special day.”
Ivy’s eyes were filling with moisture. “Mom…”
“I know, don’t make you cry.” Sophie Fields turned to Walker and shocked the hell of out him when she cupped his face. “And you. Your mom and dad would be so proud of the man you’ve become.”
Walker’s throat closed, and he was rendered speechless.
Sophie leaned in and spoke softly. “I know, don’t make you cry, either, but it had to be said.” She kissed him on the cheek then stepped away. “Have fun, kids.”
The house door closed, and suddenly it was just them. Him and Ivy standing on the snowy ground next to his horse.
Ivy examined him carefully, uncertain at this unexpected turn of events. “Umm, mind explaining what’s happening?”
“Nope.” He lifted her into his arms. Ivy let out a little squeal as she clutched his neck.
A moment later he was sitting in the saddle, Ivy firmly positioned sideways across his lap. Walker clicked at Hannibal and turned toward the mountains.
Ivy pressed her palm to Walker’s face as she chuckled softly. “Is that a nope, you’re not explaining, or a nope, you don’t mind explaining?”
“It’s a ‘we’re getting married, and neither of us really needs an audience’ kind of thing.” They were headed in the right direction at a nice, easy pace, so Walker focused on his bride. “I love you, Snow Princess. So damn much, I could stand on top of the tallest mountain and shout it to the heavens. But I don’t need to have a bunch of people cheering us on—wait, that’s wrong. We do need a bunch of people cheering us on, and supporting us, and for us to know that they’re there for us. We’ve got that. Your family, and mine.”
“Yet we seem to be headed away from the house where I’m pretty sure most of our family is gathered.” Ivy’s eyes softened. “And I’m wearing a puffy winter coat over my wedding dress.”