Page 13 of Buck Me (Kingridge Ranch #5)

DANNER

Ten Months Later

The golden sun’s setting over our garden, everything is drenched in light. It filters through the wildflowers and softens the edges of everything, like the whole ranch is holding its breath for us. It’s been nearly a year since we dreamed this up, and the whole thing has taken shape.

But it isn’t the plants taking my breath away. It’s Becca in a white dress.

This is nothing like my first wedding. There’s no band, no guest list, no stiff suit, and sure as hell no choreographed vows.

Today is just about us, Becca and me… Well, and Pa too. We needed a witness other than Thrusty the Goat. Pa was more than happy to volunteer. As it turns out, he’s pretty good at keeping a secret, too.

The trellis we built together is wrapped in honeysuckle. Lavender sways around the benches. The Bloom Room glows behind us like a promise kept. I can’t think of a more perfect setting to make it official with the woman who has captured my heart.

Becca walks slowly down the center of the garden path. Her bare feet brush the gravel, and the hem of her dress catches the breeze. Her hair’s half up, messy and perfect. Tucked behind one ear are the wildflowers we planted weeks ago. They are fully bloomed.

When she reaches me, I wrap my arms around her. She’s strength and beauty and fire and softness all tangled up in one person, and she’s mine . I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and let my thumb linger against her cheek. She’s floating as we join hands.

“Becca Bellcourt, the mayor’s daughter. The dreamer. The artist. The visionary. My wife. You are beautiful.”

She laughs, soft and full of disbelief. “We’re really doing this.” She’s smiling up at me like I’ve made her dreams come true when anyone can see that I’m the lucky one.

“Damn right we are.”