“Now those two look almost as happy as we do,” Ty noted. “Can’t wait for their wedding next month.”
“That’s because my mother was worried I would never marry and she’d never be a grandma. And now we’ve given her both. And I didn’t have to give up Prescott to do it.”
She felt the squeeze of Ty’s hand. “We are very lucky, Mandy.”
The song ended, and dancers dispersed to their respective tables. Except little Jake and Delanie, who decided to run across the dance floor and out of the room, their respective parent in pursuit.
As Mandy and Ty settled on the dais, Brian approached, a grin on his face.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to be attending this wedding,” Brian said as he looked around the chandelier-lit ballroom filled with guests. “Or should I say re-wedding.”
“Call it a do-over,” Ty said as he gave Mandy’s knee a pat.
“Well, I have one more thing to do.” Brian reached into the interior pocket of his suit jacket. He pulled out an envelope and laid it on the linen-clad table before them. “A note from your grandfather.” With a nod he walked away.
“Should we read it here?” Mandy asked, feeling a little apprehensive at the prospect. After all, her grandfather’s will had caused quite a bit of havoc in her life, good intentions aside. Not that it hadn’t been worth it all in the end. Or that she hadn’t learned a thing or two about herself along the way.
“I think it only fitting that we read it here, today, don’t you?”
Mandy handed it over to him. “Whatever it says, I still love you.”
She felt the brush of Ty’s lips across her cheek. “And I, you, Mandy Martin.”
Ty opened the envelope and withdrew a single sheet of manila paper. Her eyes welled up at the sight of her grandfather’s handwriting. All that had been missing to make this day truly perfect was his presence. She missed him still. Would always miss him, despite his meddling ways—or maybe because of them.
Mandy leaned against Ty’s shoulder as they read the letter together.
Dear Ty and Amanda:
If you are reading this letter, it means that the biggest bet I ever made has paid off. You two are married, planning on staying married, and Prescott Rodeo Company continues on in good hands.
I know neither of you is probably thrilled with how I went about things. My excuse is that, as your elder, I did what I thought was best. I knew I was running out of time. Death would come too soon for me to play matchmaker and get you both to see you would be perfect for one another. Especially considering before that could take place, I had to teach you both what was important in life.
Mandy, you had to learn to believe in yourself, even when others doubt you—as every stock contractor in the industry undoubtedly did. You also had to recognize that there is more to life than the company—something I learned a little too late. I didn’t want my only granddaughter to make the same mistake I did. And your father did. Tucker, bless him, is right about that.
That was the lesson Ty had to learn too. Using the yardstick of the almighty dollar isn’t a good measure of a successful life. As good a businessman as you had become, Ty, there was nothing else in your life. Hopefully, you have learned there is value in letting someone into your heart, someone who will appreciate you as my granddaughter will and as I expect you will appreciate her.
Have a wonderful life. Give me lots of grandkids to watch over, and always remember what really matters in life.
Your loving grandfather,
J.M. Prescott
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed writing Ty and Mandy’s story. Please consider leaving a review on the book’s page on Amazon’s website. This helps increase visibility of the book so other readers can find it. All you need to write is a sentence or two. It means the world to authors to know what readers think of their books.
If you haven’t read it yet, Loving a Cowboy is Libby and Chance’s story and the first book in the Hearts of Wyoming series, though you do not need to read these books in order. The Rancher’s Heart will be coming out in 2016, where Cat will finally find love with a man she thought she never had a chance with.
And you can weigh in on whose story you would like to see in subsequent books by sending me an e-mail or commenting on Facebook. Would you like Trace to find a wife and a mother for little Delanie? What about that heartbreaker Tucker Prescott? Or Doug Brennan, Libby’s brother from Loving a Cowboy?
There are lots of characters who need a second chance at finding their true love in the Hearts of Wyoming series!
Hugs,
Anne