HAL BRADEN’S RANCH encompassed a few hundred acres of rolling pastures set against the backdrop of the majestic Colorado Mountains. The air was crisper than at the Cape, fresher, cleaner. The grassy yard fell away to the east, ending at a large barn, and just beyond, there were more horse pastures, bordered on the far side by a thick forest.
The yard beside the house had been set up for Jack and Savannah’s wedding, reminding Kurt of the last time he’d been at the Bradens’ ranch, for Savannah and Jack’s engagement party. Kurt wished Leanna were there with him.
White lilies and red roses adorned the hand-carved wooden gazebo that had been brought in for the wedding. Wooden chairs were lined up in neat rows with an aisle in between. The interior and exterior chairs were decorated with white satin bows and flowers. Kurt watched as everyone took their places in preparation for the wedding, and noticed, not for the first time, how similar the Braden family and the Remington family were. The men were tall and fit, with dark hair and, as he watched Treat with his arm slung over his younger brother Dane’s shoulder, then caught a glimpse of Sage standing with Dex, both leaning in close, he realized that both families were also closely knit.
His father approached, looking important and imposing in his dark suit and starched collar, with a chin that could chisel granite and a serious look in his midnight-blue eyes.
“It’s good to see you, son.” James Remington wasn’t an openly affectionate man, but over the past few months, since he and Jack had reconciled their differences, Kurt had noticed his father softening. Not just in his mannerisms, which included a smile more often than they used to, but also in the way he spoke to them. His father would always be a four-star general, retired or not. That stern, strict military skin was hard to shed. But he was also making strides at becoming more of an integral part of his children’s lives, and Kurt was glad for that.
“Hi, Dad. I was just watching everyone. They all seem happy. Look at Mom. She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?” His mother wore a long lavender skirt with a white blouse. Her gray hair flowed in natural waves down her back, and the smile on her lips hadn’t faded for a second since he’d seen her last night.
“Yes, she does. How did your writing go at the Cape?”
Last night his brothers had ribbed him about Leanna, and it felt good to hang out with them again. His father and mother had been happy for him, and they were all looking forward to meeting her. Talking about the Cape only made him miss her more.
“It went well. I submitted the manuscript, and I actually think this one might be my best one yet.”
His father smiled and nodded, then patted him on the shoulder. “I’d say I expect nothing less from you, but you’ve heard that too many times in your life. So instead, thanks to your mother’s late-in-life lessons, I’ll say…I’m proud of you, Kurt. I always have been, and not just for your success.”
Kurt and his father had enjoyed the least challenging relationship of all of his siblings. Kurt challenged his father only when his convictions were strong enough to be worth the battle, and as a quieter child growing up, he usually did what he was told. He followed the path of least resistance, except when it came to writing. He and his father had gone head-to-head about his pursuing a writing career, and Kurt hadn’t backed down. In the years since, his father had grown accustomed to, and even taken pride in, Kurt’s career and success. Kurt felt a little bad for his father. He’d wanted so badly for his sons to follow in his military footsteps, but they’d each gone their own way. After college, Jack had joined the Special Forces, but after he’d lost his first wife in a terrible accident, he’d left his military career behind.
“Thanks, Dad. I really have you to credit for how well I’ve done. At least on some level.”
His father drew his thick, dark brows together.
“It’s true,” Kurt insisted. “You instilled in me the value of being one hundred percent focused on my goals, and in doing so, you taught me determination and drive. I worked every waking hour to be better than everyone else.” He met his father’s gaze. “And, hopefully, I’ll use that same fortitude to be the best man that I can be for Leanna.”
He was rewarded with a wide smile that smoothed the creases across his father’s forehead.
“Just don’t make the same mistakes I did.”
Kurt shook his head. “Mistakes?”
He followed his father’s eyes as they shifted to his mother as she approached. He reached a hand out to her and pulled her close. His mother put a hand on his father’s chest.
“Are you men ready?” she asked with a smile that Kurt had missed over the past few weeks.
“We are.” His father kissed the top of his mother’s head; then his voice turned serious again and he set his eyes on Kurt. “Be there for those who matter most. Not just with lessons, but with life, Kurt. It goes by far faster than you can imagine.”
“Ah,” his mother said with a smile. “I see I interrupted a moment.”
“No, sweetheart,” his father said as he pulled her close. “You are our moment.”
Kurt was struck mute. Rooted to the ground. He’d never witnessed such intimacy initiated by his father, and as he watched his parents walk away arm in arm, he tried to send a message to his legs to move.
You are our moment.
Four words that changed the way he saw his father.
Four words that seeped into his heart and found Leanna.
You are my moment.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
FROM HIS PLACE by the gazebo, standing beside his brothers, Kurt watched as Jack took Savannah’s hand in his and promised to love, honor, and cherish her for the rest of his life. Three words that resonated with Kurt when he thought of Leanna. Love. Honor. Cherish. He’d add a few of his own to that short list. Trust. Desire. Protect.
He eyed Jack and Savannah, wishing Leanna were there, and longing to have her in his arms again.
Ribbons of yellow and orange hovered over the mountains as the sun shone brightly and the day took on a romantic glow. Treat had become ordained to officiate at resorts he owned all over the world. His deep voice rang out in the silence.
“Jack, I invite you to kiss your bride.”
Jack took Savannah in a deep, loving kiss that brought both families to their feet. When they drew apart, Jack wiped a tear from Savannah’s cheek with the pad of his thumb.