“I love it,” Sam said in a hushed voice. “I look like a cowgirl princess.” She turned to grin at all her friends, some of whom were actually shedding a tear. “Enjoy it while it lasts because I doubt I’ll ever look like this again!”
Yvonne clapped her hands. “Then perhaps we’d better take some pictures so we don’t forget.”
* * *
HW fiddled with the collar of his new shirt again and Ry nudged him.
“Stop it.”
“I’m not doing anything,” HW muttered. “What time is it?”
“Five minutes after twelve. Plenty of time for the bride to arrive,” Ry said soothingly.
“I’m not sure what’s taking so long,” HW said. “She only has to walk across the yard.”
“She’ll be here. Don’t worry. Everyone else is in place now.”
Ry sounded way too confident, but HW couldn’t keep turning around and staring at the assembled guests every ten seconds. He guessed he’d just have to be patient.
As it was a family wedding, and it was such a beautiful day, Avery and January had decided to hold the ceremony outside in the garden attached to the guest center at the ranch. Rows of chairs framed a center aisle that was laid with a blue carpet. Fragrant flowers surrounded the space, both in the flowerbeds, and in the beautiful arrangements Daisy Miller had provided. Soft music played in the background and everything was perfect.
Maybe too perfect . . .
The hairs on the back of HW’s neck rose, as there was a small disturbance at the back of the space. Moments later, the music changed, and an arrangement of “She’s a Little Bit Country” started playing, which made HW want to laugh out loud. He suspected he wasn’t the rock and roll person mentioned in the song, but Sam’s very own country boy.
Too afraid to turn around in case he spooked her, HW stared fixedly at the Morgantown pastor who was now standing right in front of him. Ry turned and grinned at Sam as she approached the dais on her father’s arm. From what HW could tell, she had a white cowboy hat with a little veil and embroidered silver boots. The rest of her was in white.
Sam kissed her father on the cheek and stepped up next to HW. In his dazzled eyes she looked like some kind of angel come down to earth.
“You made it,” HW murmured as a wave of thankfulness rolled over him and he took her hand in his.
“Duh.” Sam rolled her eyes. “How could you ever have doubted me?”
Chapter Seven
Sam smiled up at her new husband as they took to the floor to celebrate their first dance together. After the wedding lunch and way too many speeches, the hall had been cleared to create a sizable dance floor for the guests.
“Aren’t you glad this is over, Hoss William?” Sam inquired.
“Damn glad that no one needs to use my stupid name in public again for a long time.” He smiled down at her. “And it isn’t over.”
“What do you mean?” Sam asked.
His smile was a thing of beauty. “Our life together is just beginning.”
“That’s really romantic,” Sam breathed. “Who are you?”
“Just a man in love.” He gently twirled her in a circle. “And by the way, that dress January lent you? It looks fantastic. I didn’t even recognize it. You took my breath away when you came down the aisle.”
Sam tried not to laugh, but HW wasn’t a fool.
“What’s so funny?”
“When this dance finishes, go and ask Yvonne about this dress, okay?”
“Not January?”
“Definitely not January.” Sam smiled up into his golden eyes. He’d gone for fancy western wear for his wedding look, which matched hers perfectly and suited him like a dream. “It’s a bit of a tale.”
“Like our wedding morning.” His smile was crooked. “I suppose it’s something to tell our kids.”
Sam snorted. “Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here, Hoss. We just got married.”
The music ended and HW kissed Sam, making everyone in the room cheer and whistle at them. Sam didn’t think she’d ever felt happier in her life. Her family was here—even her baby brother. They’d stuck by her during some of the worst years of her life and helped her regain her strength and independence. She would always be immensely grateful to them for that.
She’d found a whole new tribe of Morgans, who had accepted her into their lives without question, and she was now married to a man of great worth. Working on the ranch with the horses, the kids with special needs, and the vets with PTSD helped her give back something of herself to those who now needed support.
So many blessings, so much love . . .
Sam walked off the dance floor and was immediately claimed by HW’s father, Billy, for the next dance. For quite a while she was busy and didn’t see much of her bridegroom, who was being swamped by the ladies in his life. She didn’t mind sharing him just a little bit, but as the night wore on, she found herself missing him more and more.
Coming back from a trip to the restroom, which had been something of an experience in itself, she bumped into her bridegroom in the reception area of the center. For the first time all day they were actually alone.
“Are you okay, Sam?” HW eyed her flushed face. “You were gone so long I was starting to worry.”
“I just had to pee, and let me tell you, HW, getting myself, this dress, and all my underthings into that tiny stall was a sight to behold!”
His lips twitched. “Yeah, I can see that.” He tilted his head to one side. “Ah, you might want to do something about the skirt at the back before you scandalize our guests.”
Sam reached around and encountered a huge wad of fabric sticking out from her butt like a feathered tail. “Oh Lord! It must have gotten stuck in my spandex!”
HW started laughing, grabbed her by the hand, and whisked her into one of the business offices that lined the hall.
He framed her face in his hands and kissed her. “Never change, Sam Kelly Morgan. Promise me that.”
She frowned at him. “How about you help me with my dress, and we get to the lovey-dovey stuff in a minute?”
“Okay, turn around.”
She presented him with her rear. “I think the top skirt has gotten caught up in the petticoat.”
“Yeah.” She waited, but nothing else happened. “To be quite honest, Sam. I don’t know where to start.”
“How about you try and extract the top layer of the dress?” Sam suggested.
“Got it.”
She craned her neck to look over her shoulder as he carefully released each delicate panel.
“It really is a beautiful dress, Sam,” HW murmured as he worked. “I’m glad Yvonne went and found it for you.”
“It was very sweet of her and I’ll never forget it,” Sam reassured him.
“You could’ve told me, you know.” He looked at her, his amber gaze serious.
“In retrospect, I wish I had.” Sam sighed. “But knowing our luck, if you’d gone to get the dress, you would’ve ended up stranded in Vegas or something. How’s it going back there?”
“I’ve released all the top skirt, so you should be able to untangle the petticoat from your underwear now,” HW said.