Cowboy Up (Coming Home #3)

Leigh laughs, dropping her cat to his feet. He pads back to his spot and settles in to sit guard in front of the swing.

“Quinn’s feeding Gray and Lucy is gettin’ dressed. Luke and Tate went up to get everything finished. I think Maverick is on the way back up there. He just happened to be checkin’ in on things when you drove up.”

“I feel like there’s somethin’ I should be doin’ other than gettin’ dressed.”

“There is nothin’ you need to be frettin’ about, sister.”

My heart warms and I smile at my old friend, soon to be my sister-in-law. “It’s really happenin’?”

“You betcha ass it is! Come on. We’ve got a weddin’ to get to and a bride who isn’t ready yet.”

All thoughts of John and our bizarre run-in are forgotten while my three closest friends help me get ready to marry the man of my dreams. By the time Luke comes back to let us know everything’s ready and that the groom is waiting very impatiently, I’ve been buffed, fluffed, painted, and sprayed. He takes one look at me in my simple, floor-length lace dress and turns to walk back out the door. I look over at Lucy, seeing her watery smile, and blink furiously to keep my tears from ruining my makeup.

I glance at Leighton and Quinn, seeing them wearing the same simple coral sundresses that we all agreed on as their bridesmaids’ outfits. All three are wearing brown cowboy boots, and their hair is braided simply to rest over one shoulder. Quinn’s holding Grayson, dressed in a miniature version of what the guys are wearing—a black button-down and dark washed jeans. With Laelynn being only two weeks old, there wasn’t anything close to the girl’s outfits that fit her, but I bet Leighton tried anyway.

“Okay,” Luke says, walking back in.

“You okay?” I whisper, walking to his side and hugging him.

“Yeah.” He swallows thickly. “I’m just real damn happy for you, Carrie.”

“Caroline,” I correct with a laugh, not the least bit serious.

“I’m honored that you asked me to give you away, sweetheart.”

“Don’t make me cry,” I warn.

Luke laughs but lowers his head so the girls can’t hear him. “I knew five months ago when you sat next to Davis at Hazel’s that this would happen. You both looked like you’d been zapped. I’m always here if you need me, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the man you’ve chosen to be your husband.”

“Luke,” I murmur, my vision getting wonky with the tears filling my eyes.

“Enough of that,” he exclaims, clapping his hands and rocking on his booted feet. “You ladies ready? Because there’s a man up at the top of that hill who’s about out of patience to get his bride in his arms.”

Quinn gives me a quick hug before walking out and climbing into the front of the golf cart, next to Tate in the driver’s seat. Lucy follows, thankfully having said much of the same that her brother did the night before and sparing me the tears. She winks before settling in.

Leigh is last out the door, holding the pink bundle of her daughter in her arms. “You ready?”

“God, yes,” I answer emphatically.

Her grin is as huge as mine I’m sure, as she walks to the cart and climbs up to sit with Lucy. Tate gives a wave before driving off slowly, careful of the precious cargo, in the direction of Davis property. I look up at Luke and, with just him there, finally let loose some of the pent-up excitement. My hands go up in the air with the bundle of wildflowers held tight in my hand, and I shake my hips as I dance in a circle on Leighton’s front porch.

“I’m gettin’ married!”

“Not if you don’t stop dancin’ around, you aren’t. Come on, crazy girl, your man is waitin’.”

I drop my arms and turn to him, my cheeks burning from the enormous grin on my face. “This is it, Luke. This is my forever.”

His eyes get soft and he grabs the hand not holding my bouquet. “No one deserves it more.”

“Thank you, Lucas,” I tell him after he helps me into the golf cart. “Thank you for bein’ there for me all these years. You didn’t have to be, but you were. I just want you to know how much your friendship means to me.”

He taps my nose with his finger and grins. “You’re family, darlin’. I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. That’s what family does. That will always hold true. Even with you gainin’ a husband I know will protect you completely, I’m always gonna be here if you need me.”

I reach out and grab his hand, not trusting myself to answer him without breaking down like a baby and squeeze. Luke gives me a nod, then presses his foot down and takes off on the trail that will bring me to my forever.





24


CLAYTON


“It Took a Woman” by Craig Morgan

- -

“Jesus,” I hiss, feeling my heart try to burst out of my damn chest when I see Caroline step down from the golf cart and smile at Luke as he walks around to hold his elbow out for her.

She looks like one hell of a vision. Her dress makes her tan skin glow, the bright white lace hugging her small frame like it was made just for her. The low-cut neckline highlights her small breasts—and the fact that there is no way she’s got a bra on. Her long, dark hair is pulled up into some messy curly bunch at the base of her neck, exposing each delicate inch.

It’s her face, though, that holds me captive, openly projecting her happiness to everyone who is with us up on the hill that I used to run to when I needed to feel grounded. The same hill that I made love to her on two weeks ago when I asked her to be my wife. If you’d told me years ago that I’d be marrying the love of my life right here in this spot, I would’ve laughed you right out of Pine Oak.

She and Luke start to walk down the flower-petal-covered path that’ll bring her to the gazebo I built in our spot. I did as much of the work as I could myself, but with limited time to give her something perfect, I had to get help. Drew and I pulled a few of the boys off their normal duties and with the help of my brothers as well, we created something I have no doubt will be standing for many years to come. The large, square base covers the expanse of where I got on my knee, the roof keeps us covered, and the low walls around the opening she’s walking up to ensure I can keep loving her out in the open while giving us some privacy.

With each step she takes toward me, I have to fight the need to rush to her. Feeling a nudge against my arm, I reluctantly look away from Caroline. The handkerchief in Maverick’s hand silently gets passed to mine and I wipe the tears I hadn’t realized I was crying. Caroline takes the last step into the gazebo and pulls the material from my grasp, wiping my eyes for me with the most serene expression on her beautiful face. When she’s done, I take it from her and return the favor when one tear of her own slips down her cheek.