A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy: Love in Sweet Bloom

Epilogue

Four MonthsLater

Pippa and Rob wander hand in hand across the meadow taking in the carpet of bluebonnets now in full bloom.

“Every spring I’m amazed all over again at how perfect the bluebonnets are.” Pippa smiled up at Rob and realized he wasn’t paying attention to her. “Don’t you think so?”

“Sorry, babe. My mind was wandering. What did you say?”

“Only my normal small talk. No big deal.” She stopped and frowned. “So what’re you thinking about?”

He let out a long breath and looked away. “I”m worried we shouldn’t be rushing the wedding.”

“What do you mean? We’re not really rushing. We had six months and it’s really all planned and ready to go now.” Pippa was genuinely confused at his worry. “Wait. Is this your way out of marrying me?”

“Of course not! I can’t wait to marry you.” He kicked his boot into the grass and looked over at her.

“Whew. You had me worried for a minute.”

“Listen, Pippa. Never say anything like that again. I can’t imagine not being with you.” He took her hands in his, stroking the back of them with his thumb. “I’m feeling like you’d rather have done something bigger. More grand. Special.”

“I don’t want anything other than what we’ve planned. A June wedding in Texas. It’s perfect and exactly what I want.” She dropped his hands and gave him a smirk. “So now that’s all settled, let’s go back and get some lemonade and a cookie.”

As she turned to walk away, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back. “It’s just that I know how you love Christmas. What if we put it off and get married in the square at Christmas?”

“Rob, I don’t want to wait. I’d marry you today if everyone was here already.” Pippa frowned at him. “I’m kind of surprised you don’t know this. Have I given off some crazy vibe or something?”

He laughed out loud. “Not about this.”

She elbowed him as they started the walk back to the ranch house.

“Seriously, Rob. I’m thrilled with our wedding plans. Your mom and dad and Sophie have their plans made and the Duncan cousins are coming, too. I don’t want to upset that applecart.”

“You don’t have to be practical, though. This is the only wedding you’re going to have and I want it to be the wedding of your dreams.” His voice was full of conviction. “It hit me that maybe I pushed you to settle for less than what you want.”

Pippa stopped and stepped to him as he turned back to her. She put her hand up to his cheek and stretched up to kiss him. “Oh, Rob. You proposed to me at Christmas and that’s a memory I’ll always cherish. And I honestly don’t want to wait an extra six months to be your wife. So there.”

He nodded and she noticed a twinkle in his eyes.

“Relieved?” She laughed as she made her one word reply.

“More than I can put into words.”

“You know there’ll be magic in June, too, don’t you? Sweet Bloom delivers magic all year long if you watch for it.” Pippa winked and turned to continue to the house.

Once again, Rob grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him. “I can’t wait to experience this special summer magic you speak of.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and leaned down and captured her lips in a tender kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her close against him as he deepened the kiss, pouring all his love and longing into it. Pippa wound her arms around his neck, melting into his embrace.

They stayed like that for a long moment, lost in each other and the sweetness of the kiss, the rolling hills of bluebonnets fading away. When they finally parted, Rob rested his forehead against Pippa”s, a soft smile on his face.

“Maybe now you truly believe me that I don’t want to wait until December to be your wife.” She raised an eyebrow and didn’t wait for a response. “I don’t know about you, but I’m dying for a cookie.”

“Yeah, me, too.” He reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear with one hand as he held his other hand out to her. “Let’s go.”

Putting her hand in his, Pippa counted her blessings as she headed home with her one and only. Christmas proposals. June weddings. A lifetime with Rob. Magic.

Wantto come to Pippa and Rob’s wedding? Join them for a time of love and magic as they tie the knot in traditional Sweet Bloom fashion!