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Chapter

Twenty-Two

K elby stood in her childhood bedroom, staring into the mirror.

She was a bride again, something she had been before, a decade ago.

This time, however, the love which poured through her for West couldn’t compare to that first occasion.

She realized now that she had been too young to wed, only twenty-one and fresh out of college.

Though she had dated Bax for two years, she hadn’t truly known him.

Heck, she hadn’t even known who she was.

Thanks to West, though, she was blossoming.

Her fiancé had helped her confidence to soar.

It had been West who had encouraged her to start her own business, and already, Social Synergy Creations was thriving.

Each day would be new and different, something that appealed to her a great deal.

Not only did she have his support, but she had his love.

Their shared childhoods had built a bond which had proven to be unbreakable, and Kelby felt truly blessed to make something of the second chance they had been given.

She studied her image. For her wedding, she had driven to Ft.

Worth and found she was drawn to minimalist wedding dresses, which featured simple, clean lines.

She found a flattering A-line, tea-length dress in the softest of blush hues, only a hint of color, and fell in love with its silhouette.

It was elegant and showed off her curves, and she felt beautiful in it.

West would be wearing a dark suit, and she thought they would complement one another.

A light tap sounded on her door, and she said, “Come in.”

Darby appeared, wearing a dress in arctic blue, a pale, icy, muted blue that looked soothing and suited her best friend. Her maid-of-honor set down the two bouquets of flowers she held in her hands.

“Hope this is all right,” her friend said, running her hands down the skirt. “I also brought another dress in case you didn’t like this one.”

“It’s absolutely perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Darby smiled ruefully. “I hope you’re not thinking about your last wedding. Or elopement.”

“I couldn’t help but remember it. Bax rented a tuxedo in Vegas, but he was drunk during the ceremony.

His tie was undone and his eyes were glassy and red.

I bought something off the rack at a bridal sample place.

No time to have it tailored to me. It was too frou-frou.

Not my usual style. The ceremony lasted all of two minutes, and the officiant had to prompt Bax to speak his vows. I think he was about to fall asleep.”

She shook her head. “It was a disaster from the beginning. Dad was mad that we’d eloped and he didn’t get to walk his little girl down the aisle, but Bax didn’t want to go through months of wedding planning, not with training camp coming up.

” She sighed. “I wish we would have waited. Lived together. Instead, we both went straight from a dorm room into a marriage, and then Bax got hurt. It was all downhill from there.”

Darby grinned. “I guess it’s nice to know I was a better roommate than your ex-husband.” She took Kelby’s hands. “You and West just seem to be two halves of a whole. In sync with one another.”

“I’ve known him all my life. Well, we did have a long break where we never saw or contacted one another, but the thing is that we fell right back into a perfect rhythm the moment we ran into each other here in Hawthorne.

It’s weird, in a way. I feel utterly comfortable with West, as if he’s a favorite pair of old jeans.

At the same time, he’s grown and changed, and every time I see him, my heart quickens.

I literally get goose bumps and butterflies in my stomach. ”

Darby squeezed her hands. “I don’t think that’ll ever change for you, Kel. You were perfect for each other back then, and you’re still perfect for one another now. I know Big Jim is looking down from heaven, mighty pleased with the match you’ve made.”

They embraced, and Kelby said, “You’ve been with me through the best of times and worst of times. I’m so glad you could be here today and serve as my maid of honor.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll find my own West Sutherland, and you can return the favor and stand up with me.”

“Are you seeing anyone? You barely talk about that. I don’t know who’s tighter-lipped, you or Chance.”

Darby shrugged. “I’m on the road so much, any guy I start seeing quickly loses interest. I’ve had a lot of fabulous first dates and several nice second ones.

Then I’m gone for work, and I don’t come home for two or three weeks.

Guys have short attention spans. They want the here and now, not the I’ll see you in twenty days kind of relationship. ”

“Maybe it’s time for a change.”

Her friend grew thoughtful. “Maybe it is. But today is all about you and West.” Darby glanced at the clock on the dresser. “Looks like we need to get you downstairs.”

They retrieved their bouquets, made up of two of Kelby’s favorite spring flowers.

The plumbago was star-shaped and a bluish-purple, delicate bloom, while the daffodils were the color of bright sunshine.

They left the bedroom and proceeded down the stairs.

Autumn stood in the doorway of the great room, watching for them.

The minute she saw them, she signaled Summer, who was inside the den with a violin.

She’d had to borrow one from the orchestra teacher at the high school since she’d forgotten hers in New York, but Kelby was grateful Summer had offered to play for the wedding.

As they approached, anticipation flooded Kelby as she listened to the strains of what Summer had said was Vivaldi’s Spring: The Four Seasons .

The tune was joyful, matching her mood, and Kelby caught herself smiling as Darby rounded the corner and disappeared from view.

She followed a few steps later, immediately spying West.

At six-two, he had broad shoulders and a lean, muscular build.

His dirty blond hair was beginning to lighten some, thanks to all the time he was spending outdoors at football practice.

His deep turquoise eyes focused on her, and she felt adored as she reached him and he took one of her hands in his.

She handed her bouquet to Darby and glanced over West’s shoulder. Chance, his best man, winked at her.

The same preacher who had spoken at her father’s funeral was officiating today’s ceremony. She and West had met with him earlier in the week after they had purchased their wedding license. He had asked them a few questions and seemed satisfied by their responses.

“We’re here today to join West and Kelby in marriage. Those gathered alongside are happy to share this moment with you. They’ve known you your entire lives. They’ve supported you and loved you, and so it’s fitting that you share these precious moments with them.”

The clergyman paused. “Often, a wedding day causes couples to miss family members no longer with them. I know Kelby is missing her father and mother terribly right now, but others present are here to share in your joy. Remember, marriage is a lifelong commitment, where you will do your best to bring out the best in one another. Today, you embark on a journey of a lifetime. You’ll make promises to one another and strive to keep them.

Sometimes, things will get rough, but you’ll always have the other to turn to, a person you love who can help you back to the good times. ”

They spoke their vows, their eyes never straying from one another.

Both had chosen simple, gold bands as their wedding rings, purchased at the jewelry store on the town square.

Kelby hadn’t worn an engagement ring, and she wasn’t certain she wanted one.

For now, the eternal circle of gold would be the ring she never removed.

The preacher offered a prayer, and then he announced that they were husband and wife. West moved in, wrapping his arms about her, giving her a firecracker of a kiss that made Kelby want to forget about the wedding dinner and rush home to tear off his clothes.

He broke the kiss, grinning unabashedly. “You’re finally mine. Of course, it’s a mixed marriage, with you being a Longhorn and me an Aggie. Hopefully, our kids will see the light and head to College Station.”

Before she could protest, he kissed her again, much to the whoops of those present.

West released her, and Kelby went to Tammy, hugging her tightly. “Thank you for being my mom. You have been in every sense of the word. I know you and my mom were good friends, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

“I love you, baby girl,” Tammy responded. “Big Jim would be so proud of you. You got a good one, Kelby. West is like one of those penguins, who mate for life. He’s got a pure core of goodness. You’re both going to make for terrific parents.”

“Wait a minute,” she said playfully. “Let us enjoy being married a while before we bring up having kids.”

“Don’t wait too long. I’m ready for grandkids now. I’m sure Meg and Joe would say the same thing.”

She made her way around to everyone who had come, telling Summer and Autumn how grateful she was to finally have sisters after having only Chance as her sibling all these years.

The Sutherlands embraced her, both assuring Kelby that she would be another daughter to them.

Darby and Sawyer congratulated her and West, and then Chance pulled her aside.

“I can’t say that I saw this day coming, but it makes perfect sense to me,” her brother said. “I like the fact that my sister and best friend are together forever. It just feels right.”

“I think so, too,” she said quietly. “I love you, Chance. I hope that you’ll find someone who makes you as happy as West makes me.”

He snorted. “First, I’d have to find someone to put up with me. I may remain that bachelor uncle to your kids, the one who spoils them like crazy.”

“You can teach them to ride. That would be nice.”

“Oh, that’s a definite, Kelby,” Chance promised.

They went to the dining room. The weather had turned breezy today, with sudden gusts of wind, which is why they held the ceremony inside the ranch.

The table was beautifully set, thanks to Tammy and Meg.

Meg told everyone to grab a plate and head to the kitchen.

Kelby had no idea what the two women had decided for the meal and was more than pleased to see Shorty and Marge Bliss, who owned BBQ Bliss in downtown Hawthorne, bustling about the kitchen.

“Congratulations to the bride and groom,” Shorty declared. “We’ve got a little bit of everything for you. Ribs. Brisket. Smoked sausage and chicken. Beans and slaw, and those yeasty rolls you like, West.”

They filled their plates, buffet style, and returned to the dining room, where everyone had a story to tell about West or Kelby. The time together was full of laughter and sweet reminiscences.

Meg and Tammy excused themselves, returning with a wedding cake baked by Luscious Layers, the local bakery.

It was an almond cake with white chocolate buttercream layers and looked almost too good to eat.

She and West shared a knife and cut it together.

Meg also brought out Bluebell ice cream to accompany it, which pleased everyone.

Tammy collected Kelby’s bridal bouquet, saying she had something in mind to preserve it in a unique way. Meg took one of the slices of cake and said she would wrap it up and freeze it so that the happy couple could taste it again on their first anniversary.

Kelby looked around the table and said, “I want to thank all of you for being here. I know the wedding was small, but it is exactly what West and I envisioned.”

West added, “You are the people who mean the most to us. Thank you for being a part of this special day.” With a wicked grin, he added, “And now here’s the part where we say goodbye to everyone so that I have my way with my new wife.”

Everyone laughed. Meg invited those present to come to brunch at ten-thirty the next morning, and then looked at the bridal couple, saying, “You’re welcome to show up, but we understand if you can’t make it.”

Hugs and kisses were exchanged, and she accompanied West to his truck, the others following them outside. The back window, painted in white shoe polish, proclaimed Just Married . Strings of tin cans and cowbells were tied to the truck’s bumper.

“It had to be Sawyer,” West said, glancing to his cousin.

Sawyer looked the picture of innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Cuz. As my own attorney, I advise myself to plead the Fifth.”

Laughing, West opened the passenger door, helping Kelby inside. He climbed behind the steering wheel and started the truck. As they pulled away from the house, he tooted the horn a few times. Then his fingers found hers, closing around them, bringing them to his lips for a tender kiss.

“How’re you doing, Mrs. Sutherland?”

“I’m feeling pretty darn good, Mr. Sutherland. Glad that all that’s behind us now.”

He stopped the truck at the gates to the ranch and before pulling out onto the highway, leaned over and gave her a tender kiss.

“I already like being married, Kelby. Promise you’ll hang around for at least fifty or sixty years before you decide whether to keep me around or not.”

She laughed, looking adoringly at the man who had changed her life. West had brought a deep, abiding love, and she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it.

“I promise. But only for the first fifty years. We may need to negotiate things after that.”

“You’re on,” West said, kissing her again and then turning onto the road, heading to the house they would call home for now.

And moving together into a future filled with love.