Rocky Mountain Wedding (10 page)

Before he could ask her what was going on, she handed him an envelope. “This is the deed to the duplex,” she said. “I want you and Ruby to have it. For your family.”

“What?” He shook his head. He couldn't accept this. He and Ruby had planned to rent the duplex until they'd saved enough to buy a home of their own. “We're not taking your house. We can't—”

“Of course you can,” she interrupted. “You're going to need more space now with that baby coming. I'll move out after the wedding so you can get started on renovations right away.”

He shook his head. Was she being serious? “But…where will you go?”

She shrugged. “I'll stay at the ranch for a while. Until I find a new place. I want something smaller anyway. Less to take care of.”

Sawyer steadied a hand against the wall. “You have to let me buy it from you. It's worth a lot of money. I won't just take—”

“Yes, you will. Because it's a
gift
,” she emphasized. “I don't need the money. Don't even want it, if you want to know the truth.” She said it like they were talking about twenty bucks instead of hundreds of thousands of dollars. “It will be the perfect family home for the four of you.”

Perfect. It was the perfect gift, exactly what he'd been looking for. A home of their own, where they could build happy memories. A refuge. A place for their family.

The stubborn ox in him wanted to argue, to wear her down until she agreed to accept something in return. But it would be useless. Aunt Elsie's generous heart knew no limits. She'd never had any practical boundaries. When she wanted to give, she gave big, no matter what it cost her.

And now so would he. He would live as generously as possible to honor her sacrifice.

“Thank you,” he said, tucking the envelope into his pocket. “You'll never know how much this means to us.”

But the happy twinkle in her eyes said she did.

A
s a little girl, Ruby had dreamed about her wedding day.

In the midst of the ugliness and fear that had filled her world, she would imagine that someday everything would change. She'd pictured it happening the same way it had for Cinderella—the white horse and carriage, the prince, the castle so lovely and enchanted and the entire town celebrating.

What she saw in front of her was even more beautiful than a fairy tale like that. Because it was real. From her place on the top tier of the ranch's back patio, she gazed out on the powdered mountain peaks glowing in the soft pink light of the setting sun. She saw the evergreens—their branches laden with last night's snowfall—sheltering the perimeter of the beautiful stone patio below, where all of her favorite people in the world had gathered near the wooden arch Sawyer had built himself.

Tiki torches lined the edges, adding to the glow of warmth and happiness, despite forty-degree temperatures. They'd known it would be cold, so they'd decided to keep the ceremony short, but she could stand up here for hours, watching their few bundled guests mingle in hushed excitement—Sawyer's parents; Elsie and Thomas, who had agreed to marry them; a couple of the ranch hands and guides; a whole crew of Sawyer's colleagues, dressed in their starched uniforms.

The harpist they'd hired started to play, delicate notes floating on the calm mountain breeze. As if on cue, the door to the pool house north of the patio opened and Sawyer emerged, looking so tall and strong, so handsome in a crisp white shirt and pressed khakis. The groomsmen followed him—Bryce and Ben and Isaac—all of them tugging on their bow ties as though they were being strangled.

Ruby couldn't help but laugh. At least she hadn't made them wear tuxes. They probably would've staged a revolt.

“Ready?” Paige asked, bouncing up and down like she couldn't wait anymore.

Ruby reached over and grabbed Brookie's hand. They were going to walk down the aisle together, but they had to go last.

“After you.” Ruby stepped aside so Paige and Avery and Julia could start the parade. They moved down the center of the crowd in a slow processional, even Paige, which was a miracle given how fast that woman usually liked to go.

“Mom?” Brookie tugged on the skirt of her dress.

She leaned down. “What is it, sweet girl?”

“I'm so nervous,” her daughter whispered. “There's a lot of people down there.”

She knelt. “Don't focus on the people, honey.” She smoothed Brookie's lovely hair. “This is about you and Dad and me. That's all. Focus on the three of us. On our family.”

Biting her lip, Brookie nodded.

“And just think, as soon as we get this part over with, there'll be cake,” she added, knowing that their shared love of baked confections would calm her.

Sure enough, Brookie grinned. “Triple chocolate cake!”

The music changed, and that was their cue. Taking her own advice, Ruby focused solely on Sawyer—on her husband—as she made her way to him, holding tightly to their daughter's hand.

She'd never seen anything as beautiful as the sight of him grinning through his tears. This was exactly why she hadn't worn any mascara.

Underneath the arch, Thomas stood tall, looking so debonair in his best Western shirt and jeans, the light-colored cowboy hat tilted on his head. As soon as she and Brookie stopped at the very edge of the center aisle, he cleared his throat.

“Thank you all for being here to celebrate this family today.” His deep tenor carried, bringing a hush over the crowd. “These sacred vows are not just between Ruby and Sawyer, because you will not only be a new couple, but you will be a new family. So, Brookie, will you please join us now for the special family rites of this wedding.”

Still holding tightly to Ruby's hand, Brookie walked forward, looking at her father, only at her father and nothing else, leading Ruby to the archway. With her back to the crowd, Brookie took both of their hands and joined them together as a family.

Thomas handed Sawyer the passage to read.

“Brookie,” he started, then paused, inhaling deeply as though attempting to keep his composure. “Thank you for loving us and for allowing us to love you with all of our hearts,” he said. “We weren't there when you took your first steps, but we promise that now we will love and support you in every step that you take in your life.”

Brookie sniffled loudly, tears streaking down her soft skin.

As though he couldn't stand it, Sawyer knelt and gazed into their daughter's eyes. “We love you, Brookie, and we are devoted to making your life full of happiness and accomplishments, nurturing your creativity, encouraging your independence, and making sure you always know what a gift you are to this world.”

Ruby wiped away tears, then joined him on her knees, holding on to the joy that radiated from Brookie's beautiful face. She wasn't sure she'd be able to speak, but she would try. “We are devoted to ensuring that you thrive to your fullest potential,” she read. “And that while you reach for the sky, you remain grounded by the love of our family and our home,” she murmured, silently willing Brookie to always remember those words.

Thomas gave his throat a hearty clearing, as though he was having as hard a time with the tears as they were. “Brookie, do you have the rings?” he asked, his usually gruff voice soft.

The three of them stood and Brookie nodded, holding up the small box they'd decorated together.

Facing the audience, Thomas positioned himself between them and joined their hands together. “Brookie, please hand the ring to your dad.”

She carefully opened the box and held the delicate band between her fingers. With a wide smile she offered it to Sawyer.

“Sawyer, place this ring on Ruby's finger and hold it there as you repeat after me: I give you my promise to be by your side forevermore. I promise to love, to honor, and to listen as you tell me of your thoughts, your hopes, your fears, and your dreams. I promise to love you deeply and truly because it is your heart that moves me, your head that challenges me, your humor that delights me, and your hands I wish to hold until the end of my days.”

Sliding the ring onto her finger, Sawyer made his vow to her, the sincerity in his eyes, the gravity of his deep voice making her believe. In love. In them. In the gift of their family.

Thomas shifted to look at her. “Brookie, please give the ring to your mom.”

The girl carefully plucked it from the box, as though she feared she might drop it. She opened her hand and Ruby took the gold band between her fingers.

“Ruby, place this ring on Sawyer's finger and hold it there as you repeat after me.”

Nearly breathless, she slipped the ring onto his finger and held it there against his wonderfully warm skin, whispering the words. They filled her heart with an unbending joy and conviction that bound her to this incredible man. Forever. The whole world changed with that one word. That commitment. For the first time in her life, she wasn't alone. She wasn't on her own. She belonged to Sawyer and he belonged to her and that made them stronger.

Thomas rested a hand on each of their shoulders. “Ruby and Sawyer, may all your days be filled with joy and happiness. It is with honor and great pleasure that by the power vested in me by the state of Colorado I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

“Kiss her!” Paige yelled before Thomas could deliver the famous last line.

Ruby saw Ben nudge his wife with a grin.

“What?” Paige demanded. “Come on, Sawyer. Let's get this party started!”

“Yes,” Sawyer agreed, taking her into his arms and dipping her low. “Let's get this party started.”

The heat from his lips melted her heart and she no longer heard the hearty cheers and whoops that surrounded them. She only heard the echoes of his promise beating all through her.

The Walkers had always known how to throw a party. Ruby leaned against the couch cushion, wondering how she'd stay awake for the ride home.

Most of the guests had already gone. The presents had been opened; wrapping paper littered the floor. And now it was just the Walkers and Thomas, the Harpers, the Nashes, and James and Marybeth sitting around the fireplace, sipping wine while they chatted and laughed and simply enjoyed the peace of being together.

“You haven't opened our present yet,” Marybeth said suddenly, scurrying behind the couch and coming back with a large box. She waved at her husband until he set down his wine and retrieved another box.

“Some of our favorite memories are from family dinners,” the woman said warmly. While they'd gotten off to a rocky start, Marybeth was friendly and kind and Ruby was sure they'd get along well.

“We hope your family will build those same memories together,” she said, nudging the box closer to Ruby.

Carefully, she tugged on all of the corners until she could lift the paper away. “Oh, wow.” The boxes held a set of the most beautiful china she'd ever seen. White plates with a delicate gold band circling the edges.

“Those were Grandma's,” Sawyer said, inspecting the box.

“And it was her mother's before that.” Marybeth beamed, and Ruby saw how much this offering meant to her. It meant Marybeth accepted her as a daughter, that she wanted her as part of their family.

“It's so beautiful.” She opened the box and took out a plate, running her fingers over the smooth surface. She'd never had anything so lovely. “We'll think of you every time we use it.” Every time she set the table for a special occasion, she would feel that connection to family.

Sawyer shifted next to her, stretching out his legs. “I guess this is a good time to give you my present.”

Brookie, who had been leaning her head against her father's shoulder barely able to keep her eyes open, perked up. “A present?”

“Yes.” He stood and snatched a large manila envelope off the mantle. “It's actually from Aunt Elsie and me.”

Ruby took the envelope from his hand.

Brookie scooted to the floor and peered over her shoulder. “What is it?”

“I'm not sure,” Ruby said, carefully breaking the seal. She pulled out the papers inside. “Floor plans?” She flipped through. The last one was a drawing. Of Elsie's duplex. Or…what would've been the duplex. Except in the drawing it had been converted to a single-family home. Mouth gaping, she peered up at Sawyer.

“Aunt Elsie wants us to have it. It's ours,” he said simply.

Ours.
Her eyes burned with the flood of tears. She turned to look at Elsie, this woman who'd given her hope and a family and a place to belong. This woman who'd already offered her so much. “This is too much,” she whispered. “We can't take your home.”

“It's not my home any longer,” Elsie said in her kind motherly way. “You two will make it yours.”

Ruby looked down at the plans again.

Sawyer lowered himself to the ground beside her. “See? That'll be the new living room, open to the kitchen.” He pointed to the room at the back of the house. “And this'll Brookie's new room. I'm thinking we'll add in a bathroom all for her.”

“Really?” Brookie gasped. “My own bathroom?”

“Really,” he repeated.

“And the baby's room will be right next door to yours, Brookie.” He pointed to the other square, but Ruby could hardly see past the tears.

“You're going to do all the work?” she asked, amazed that he had planned all of this.

“My crew and I,” he said, hiking his thumb toward Bryce and Ben.

Isaac grinned. “Damn. Too bad we have to head back to Dallas. Hate to miss out on the manual labor.”

“I'm sure you can come back and visit,” Ben shot back.

“Pass the plans over here,” Paige said, holding out her hand. “I gotta see how much work this is gonna be.”

Ruby handed them over, and Avery and Paige
ooh
ed and
ahh
ed.

After everyone had gotten a good look at the plans, Thomas cleared his throat as though he had an announcement to make.

He slipped off his cowboy hat and gazed at Elsie. “Don't you think this is a good time to tell them our news?”

“What news?” Bryce demanded, his head pitched forward like he was sizing up Thomas.

“Well…” Thomas fidgeted with his hat, turning it in circles with his hands. “Elsie and I are dating,” he said firmly.

“Pshaw, Thomas,” Elsie squawked, whapping his shoulder. “We go to dinner once in a while, but we are
not
dating. Don't be ridiculous.”

Ruby raised her hand to hide her smile. Elsie's face was redder than a scalding-hot oven burner.

Thomas seemed to ignore the desperate look that Ruby was sure was meant to shut him up.

“Damn it all, Elsie,” he said, tossing his hat aside. It landed in the middle of the scattered wrapping paper. “I'm tired of just going to dinner once in a while.”

The room went so silent, you could've heard a mouse cough. Ruby glanced at Sawyer, who didn't bother to hide his amused smile.

“Now, I've loved you for a long time,” the man went on, as though he didn't want to give her another opportunity to interrupt. “After Judy passed, I didn't think I'd love anyone else. Ever. But I was wrong.”

Sawyer moved in closer to Ruby. He slipped his arms around her waist and held her, and she knew it was because they'd both been given the impossible. They'd felt the same way Thomas had. That they'd never find love again, and yet here they were, surrounded by more than they ever could've dreamed of.

“Thomas…oh, my dear Thomas,” Elsie breathed, tilting her head, gazing at him in that affectionate way older women have.

He pushed off the couch and stooped to one knee. “Elsie Walker, you are the loveliest woman in this world. And I would move heaven and earth to make you happy. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”