Once a Rancher (24 page)
Authors: Linda Lael Miller
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
S
HE
WAS
NERVOUS
, which made no sense. Or maybe it did.
It wasn't as if she hadn't done this before.
Well, that was the point, wasn't it? Grace had been a bride before, butâas she reminded herself emphaticallyâshe'd never married Slater Carson. And she'd never had a birthday wedding. Daisy had very sweetly asked her father if they could have the wedding at her party. So she could wear her new dress in front of everyone, she said. That was what she wanted for her present.
Considering that he'd been stumped by what to give her, the look on Slater's face was priceless.
Since the wedding was so last-minute, Blythe and Harry had gone straight into high gear. Grace still had to work at the resort so she was grateful for the help. Not surprisingly, based on what she'd learned about those two formidable women, she hadn't been involved in the plans.
She adjusted the two combs holding her hair in a chignon of sorts and looked at it critically.
“I like it that way,” Raine said. “Although... I'd tell you he loves you for your mind, but that's giving any man too much credit. I think he fell in love with your hair. Wear it loose,” she advised.
Grace turned around. “He likes my sense of humor.”
Raine, beautiful herself in her blue dress, a shade darker than Grace's, rolled her eyes. “Oh, yeah, that's it. He took one look at you and made up his mind. He
told
me so.”
Melody Hogan and Hadleigh Galloway, who had volunteered to pitch in with wedding preparations the minute they heard about it, agreed with her. “Yes,” they said in unison. “Do what she says.”
Grace could hardly argue against such a united front. It actually felt better, more natural, more
her
, to have her hair free in long loose curls. She tossed the jeweled combs aside and just finger-combed it. In the giant living room, she could hear children shrieking with laughter as they played a party game. That wasn't exactly what she would've pictured for her weddingâbut then, she hadn't planned on getting married again, so she really hadn't imagined anything at all.
She and her attendants walked into the living room to see Slaterâhandsome in his suitâtalking to Ryder and his two brothers. Adding to the general mayhem, the two dogs that seemed to follow Drake everywhere were sitting at his feet. All the young girls started clapping at the sight of the bridal party, and a harpist began to play. (Who knew how Blythe had found a harpist in Mustang Creek?)
Most of the guests had birthday cake on their faces. Children's birthday party combined with wedding. Daisy strolled out first, and her friends cheered and she waved regally, smiling a wide smile, probably more the star of the day than Grace, which Grace didn't mind at all. Meg and Raine followed, holding bouquets of white roses provided by Mrs. A.
It made Slater happy to see his daughter happy, and Grace felt the same way.
Red walked her down the makeshift aisle. Her parents hadn't been able to come because of the short notice and the fact that her father had some minor surgery scheduled. Slater had arranged to fly out to Seattle with her next week so he could meet them, and that was met with approval, especially since her mother hated to travel. Although they hadn't been pleased about her divorce from Hank, they seemed much more accepting of her new marriage than she'd expected. And to her delight, her brother and his family would meet them in Seattle.
Red wore new boots, but that was his only concession to the solemnity of the occasion. The usual flannel shirt, old hat (removed for the moment) and jeans. Everything was neatly pressed, probably thanks to Harry.
He grinned as he offered his arm. “You're making a powerful mistake, young lady.” He patted her hand, eyes twinkling. “I'm the better catch. Oh, sure, he has looks, talent and all his hair, but I'm like that old stallion who's proven he can run the course. We could still sashay off together. You positive about that young fella?”
Grace nodded, although she did her best to appear regretful. She knew just what he was asking. “I'm afraid that, tempting as your offer is, I'm positive. He's the one.”
“That, honey, is exactly the answer I needed to hear. Slater's been waiting for you his whole life. That hooligan is like my own son. Good to see him so sweet on the right girl.”
Grace could swear he was misty-eyed. Slater had already said that Red must be getting soft in the head because of that comforting hug he'd given her, but if he cried in front of the Carson boys and their guests, she had a feeling he'd never live it down. She whispered, “Don't worry, I'll keep him in line.”
“Well, he's about to officially become the thorn under your saddle, not mine, young lady. The preacher seems to be ready so I'm handing over the reins. You ready, too?”
“I can't believe it, but I am.”
That was the truth. And nothing but the truth.
* * *
H
APPIEST
DAY
OF
his life, hands down. Took the trophy.
It even eclipsed the day Daisy was born, whole and perfect, because she was part of this celebration, as well, as junior bridesmaid. She wore a long blue dress to match the one Grace had chosen, enjoying her birthday with glowing joy and being quite the little princess. She looked like one to him, but he was her father, so objectivity could be in question.
The audience was an array of family and friends, not more than about thirty people, including Mrs. A and her husband, the Galloways and Hogans and Caldersâand the vet, Jaxon Locke, and his wife. His mother's desire for the typical big wedding had been eclipsed by Daisy's request, and he knew Grace was relieved since, short notice aside, she'd been through that kind of very public event before and had no interest in doing it again. He also knew she would've preferred more time... Still, to her credit, she embraced the idea of small children running amok and causing general mayhem on her wedding day.
He didn't care one way or the other. He just wanted Grace Emery to become Grace Carson.
She looked incredibly beautiful.
His brothers were acting ridiculous. If they weren't unmistakably kin, he'd disown them both. They grabbed her away from Red and kissed her soundly before the ceremony had even started, undoubtedly to irk him.
“Sorry,” he told Grace as they joined hands in front of the preacher once the shenanigans were over. “They have a...quirky sense of humor.”
Drake merely smiled as he took his place next to Slater. With his dogs, for heaven's sake. Harold and Violet just sat politely, ears forward.
Mace winked at Grace. Ryder grinned.
She was laughing, with that lovely telltale blush on her cheeks. She squeezed his hand. “Your problem is you don't think you have an expressive face, but you do. They know how to get to you. Now, if this makes you feel better, they came to me individually and said I'm the luckiest girl on earth to be marrying you.”
His brothers looked at each other accusingly. Drake said, “You did something that sappy?”
Mace countered, “Apparently, so did you.”
Standing beside Grace, Daisy piped up. “Uncle Drake, Uncle Mace, I win! I told her first.”
One of the most touching moments in his life was when Daisy had said on the day she heard about the engagement that she thought Grace was making a “perfect” decision.
From the mouths of babes...
Except that she was eleven now, today, so not a baby anymore. She'd become a wise little girl.
Grace pointed out, “Maybe we should get this started. It might not be the most orthodox wedding ever, but it's still a wedding.”
He couldn't agree more.
And after the ceremony and the celebration came the wedding night... Enough said. The minister spoke, and Slater was fairly sure he repeated the right words, but if he didn't, not one person called him on it. Finally he heard the magic phrase.
You may kiss the bride.
He leaned down and threaded his fingers through her hair, looked at her luscious mouth, and then, just to tease her, kissed her forehead.
A nice kiss. Soft and affectionate, but he knew Grace, and she wasn't having that.
“No way, Carson.” She caught his tie and pulled him down for the real deal, and then they were both laughing. He picked her up to the cheers of a group of eleven-year-olds and the enthusiastic guests, all applauding as he carried her out of the room. Even Ryder was clapping.
“
Yes
way, Carson,” he said as he headed for the front door. “We have a date at the finest suite in a certain resort right here in Bliss County. I'm going to fill out the satisfaction questionnaire afterward, by the way. Just giving you fair warning.”
She tossed back all that gorgeous hair and gave him a sultry stare as he carried her to the truck. “I'm expecting to get an A-plus rating.”
She did.
* * * * *
Read on for a sneak preview of
TEXAS REBELS: JUDE
,
from award-winning author
Linda Warren's
TEXAS REBELS
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When Paige Wheeler returns to the small Texas town where they both grew up, will Jude Rebel be able to tell her he kept the child she gave up for adoption...or will he continue to protect his heart?
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Once a Rancher
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Carsons of Mustang Creek
series by #1
New York Times
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The women of Bliss County are ready to meet the men of their dreams! Don't miss any of the titles in the charming Brides of Bliss County series:
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“Linda Lael Miller delivers a powerful novel of love lost and love regained⦠The author does a great job of letting you into the heart of these characters.”
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Looking for a Western romance filled with rugged cowboys who'll get your heart racing?
If you can't get enough of romantic ranchers and you love a sexy Stetson-wearing hero, don't miss this:
One Night with a Cowboy: A Western Romance Sampler
In this new sampler, we've rounded up some of our hottest Western reads by some of our most popular and bestselling authors!
Once a Rancher
by Linda Lael Miller
Untamed
by Diana Palmer
One Night Charmer
by Maisey Yates
Rustler's Moon
by Jodi Thomas
Home on the Ranch
by Trish Milburn
Hard Rain
by B.J. Daniels
Texas on My Mind
by Delores Fossen
Texas Rebels: Jude
by Linda Warren
Out Rider
by Lindsay McKenna
Hard Silence
by Mia Kay
From traditional cowboys to modern mystery-solving wranglers, you're sure to find the right Western romance for you! So kick off your boots and get ready to be roped by these hot cowboys as they rein in the women of their dreams.
Available wherever ebooks are sold.
Connect with us on
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