Page 11 of Rancher’s Healing (Flying Diamond 5)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

TAYLA

W e didn’t need to wait to get married, and Thanksgiving seemed to be the perfect time.

Standing in my old room at the ranch, I looked at myself in the mirror.

How had this happened? When I’d come home, I was sure life would be just me alone.

Now it was Jake and the girls. My heart was so full for them, my nieces and nephews and the ever-expanding family.

“Are you ready?” Kipp asked as he popped his head into the room. Turning to look at him, a tear slipped from my eyes. I couldn’t talk. All I could do was nod. “Well then, let’s go.” He offered me his arm, and I took it.

We walked out of the room, “Wait, Kipp, I want to go to the living room.” I let go of his arm, and Kipp looked confused. My dress swished with each step I took, and I stopped in front of the giant picture of my father.

Looking up at him, the ache was slightly less than it had been the last few years, but I still missed him. “I hope you’re here in spirit today, Dad. It doesn’t seem right that we’ve all continued on without you.” My voice hitched, as I said, “Love you, Daddy.”

Kipp walked up behind me, pressing his hand on my back. “He’d be happy about you and Jake. I’m fairly sure he’s responsible for all these relationships on the ranch, and I know he’s happy we’re all coming home.”

Turning to look at my brother, I smiled, and we left the room. The wind was cold as we walked out of the house toward the event barn.

“Thank you for keeping this family together, Kipp. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where we’d all be, but I’m fairly sure it wouldn’t be here.” I wrapped my arm around him, and we walked the rest of the way in silence.

Kipp knocked on the door, and the music started. Lark and Fallon swung the barn doors open, and I walked down the aisle to the man I was madly in love with. My sisters pulled the doors closed behind us and followed.

“Dearly beloved, we’ve gathered here to witness the union of Jake Gordon and Tayla Miller.” The officiant said, smiling at everyone. “Who gives this woman to this man?”

“We do.” Three voices called out. I turned to look at Kipp, then back to my sisters.

Tears rolled down my face as I looked from them to Jake.

It was more special than anything I could have dreamed of.

Kipp shook hands with Jake and stepped out of the way and went to sit with Nora, Cooper, and baby Halley.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for Doctor Jake to find the woman who challenged him but supported him, would love his daughters like they were her own, and keep the clinic running like a well-oiled machine.

” A bubble of laughter from the crowd made me smile, and I looked back at the girls who stood behind me.

They were all smiles, in their burnt orange flowy dresses, holding bouquets of fall flowers.

I’d made sure they were involved every step of the way. This day wasn’t just about Jake and me, it was about them as well. They needed to know I was joining their family, not taking their dad from them.

“Tayla, do you take Jake as your wedded husband?” The man’s voice shook me out of thinking about the girls.

“I do.” I grinned at Jake. He looked so handsome in his black suit. We might be getting married in a barn, but he looked like he could walk down the runway of a fashion show. The suit hugged him perfectly, and I wanted him out of it.

“Jake, do you take Tayla to be your wedded wife?”

“I do.” He squeezed my hands as he said it, and I felt more love from two short words than I’d ever felt in other relationships.

We spoke our vows, and I turned to look at Libby and Skyla.

“Girls, today I made a vow to your dad to love him forever, but I want to make one with you both as well. When I thought of the man I was going to marry, it didn’t involve a single dad.

But the moment I met you both, I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it.

You girls brighten my day and I love you so much.

” I handed my bouquet to Lark and reached out for their hands.

“Today, I vow to love you until my life is over. I will be there for you whenever you need me, no matter what time of day. I will never stand between you and your dad, and I will always respect your mom. Today you become my girls too, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.

” They hugged me, and I returned their embrace.

Turning back to Jake, his eyes were misty too, and all I wanted to do was kiss him. Once rings were exchanged, we anxiously awaited the words I’d longed to hear for years.

“I’m pleased to announce you husband and wife. Jake, kiss your bride.” Our officiant smiled and stepped back.

Jake pulled me to him and smiled. I gazed into his eyes for a split second before he pressed his mouth to mine. Longing, need, and passion were unleashed in our kiss. We didn’t want to embarrass the girls, so we kept it short and sweet.

Our crowd cheered as we turned to look at them.

Jake wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me tightly to his side.

“Girls, come stand in front of us.” I said, looking at them.

Libby stood in front of Jake, and Skyla in front of me.

The flashes were almost blinding, and my stomach flipped when Sky reached for my hand and clung to me.

This was my family, and I couldn’t picture anything I wanted more.

* * *

Night fell over the ranch, and we were warmed by a bonfire.

Gathered in a circle with our loved ones was perfect.

“When we were little, we used to end Thanksgiving around a fire much like this one. Everyone would say something about what they were thankful for, so tonight I’d like to start that tradition again.

” Kipp said as he took a seat beside his wife.

“Mom, since you’re the matriarch of this crew, why don’t you start? ”

She was sitting across from me, and I could see her eyes glisten.

“I’m thankful for this year. It’s been trying in some ways, but so wonderful in many more.

My kids are all in one place, I’ve got grandkids galore, and my children have picked wonderful spouses.

And I have a wonderful partner.” She reached for Phil’s hand, and he kissed her knuckles.

As everyone spoke what they were thankful for, I felt my dad’s presence wash over me when it was my turn.

“I guess you know what I’m thankful for.

” I laughed as I gripped Jake’s hand. “But I’m also thankful for Dad.

I don’t want to make this sad, but I’m thankful for the legacy he left, the type of man he was, and I’m so thankful he taught me how a man should treat his wife.

He’s who I measured every man to, and I’m so grateful I found one that embodies those same morals.

” Leaning over, I kissed Jake again. “I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you too.”

We sat around the fire, and people started filing out when they were ready to leave. Once there were just embers, Jake’s parents went to start their car.

Jake, the girls, and I huddled together. “We’ll see you two in a few days,” he said to the girls as we wrapped our arms around their shoulders.

“I’m going to miss you both so much,” I said, squeezing them.

“We’re only going to grandpa and grandmas,” Skyla said.

“I know, but I’m kind of used to you being around.” I laughed as she wiggled out of my hug.

“You two have a nice few days alone. Plan to stay for supper when you pick the girls up,” Jake’s mom said as she hugged me. “We’re so happy to welcome you to the family, Tayla. Thank you for loving my three.”

“They’re easy to love, Mrs. Gordon.” I smiled, still a little awkward around his parents.

“Tayla, it’s Eleanor.” She smiled and ushered the girls to the car.

Jake walked up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me back to him. Waving as the girls left, he kissed my neck, nibbled on my earlobe, and let a hand travel down my abdomen. “Are you ready to go home, wife?” Pressing against him, I felt how ready he was to get home.

“Yes, husband, take me home.” I pressed my ass against him, and he groaned.

“We might not make it home.”

“I’m sure the loft is free.” I said, as I turned to look at him. Jake grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the barn. Laughing, we barrelled through the door, and Jake turned and pressed me up against it, his mouth devouring mine.

We didn’t make it to the loft. An empty stall was where my dress fell and we made love for the first time as husband and wife. “I’m too old for concrete floors and straw,” Jake said as he rolled off me and caught his breath.

“So let’s go home, have a bath, and crawl into bed?” I traced my finger over his chest.

“That’s the best thing I’ve heard today. Let’s go.” He sat up and we got dressed. Peeking out the door, we ran hand in hand to his truck.

“Good night, Tayla.” Kipp called from his front porch.

“Night, Kipp.” I yelled back, trying to stifle my laughter. Jake and I got in the truck and broke into hysterical laughter.

“He’s going to start locking that barn,” Jake said as he pulled away from the yard.

“If he does, it won’t be the first time I’ve broken into it,” I said as I slid across the bench seat and sat beside my husband.

“What don’t I know about you, Mrs. Gordon?” Jake asked as he ran his hand up my thigh.

“I can’t reveal all my secrets at once. What fun would that be?” I rested my head on his shoulder, and we drove home with the radio playing old country songs.