Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Taylor
O ne month later…
There it was. In black and white. Lying on my kitchen counter.
Join us for the wedding of
Taylor Nicole Coleman
and
Cole Michael Montgomery
on November 9, 2024,
at half past four o'clock in the afternoon
at Coleman Ranch
I ran my fingertips over the smooth stock paper, letting it sink in that it was real. It was really happening.
After all these years, I was marrying the man of my dreams in just a few weeks. I'd wanted a small wedding with just family and close friends because regardless of whether my first wedding was real or not, the town believed it was. I didn't want the Montgomery family to deal with the gossip that was going to run rampant as soon as everyone found out I was marrying my dead husband's brother after breaking his heart.
But Cole wanted a big wedding. He didn't care what people thought or what they said. I didn't particularly care what anyone thought of me, either. I only cared how it would affect everyone else. He and I knew the truth.
The door creaked, and I smiled. Life since Cole had moved back was good. Bailey was busy fixing up the bar she'd bought from me, and Cole and I put everything we had into getting the ranch up and profitable. It was early mornings and late nights, but we'd both loved every minute of it.
Cole was back for an early lunch.
"Our wedding invitations came in," I said, sliding the invitation across the counter to make it easier to pick up and show him. "We should probably get them sent out soon."
"So it's true." My breath hitched, and my eyes widened as I stood frozen. It wasn't Cole. "You've already broken my entire family, and now you're back for more." It was Cole's mother.
I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I turned to face her. "Good morning, Ms. Montgomery," I said, my voice steady. I'd spent the last year cowering from her disapproval, from her anger, but not anymore. Cole and I were getting married; we were going to be a family, and I refused to let her shake me. "Is Cole expecting you?"
"You broke his heart." She ignored my question. "So badly he left and never looked back, and then you stole Caleb from me..."
"I didn't steal Caleb from you..."
"You did," she hissed, cutting me off. "You stole him from us and kept his illness a secret. You've ruined this family."
"Those were all Caleb's choices, Mrs. Montgomery. I only followed his wishes."
Mrs. Montgomery's lips trembled as she spat out the word. "You are a whore." For a split second, I caught a glimpse of pain in her eyes before they hardened with anger again. "And..."
"That is enough," Cole's voice boomed from the doorway. He stepped in, his broad shoulders squared, and anger was radiating off him in violent waves. "You will not speak to her like that." He moved his large body between us like he could use it to shield me from her words.
Mrs. Montgomery didn't cower away. "You can't marry her," she shoved her finger in my direction, "she will only destroy you again, and what about Kylie and River?" She shook her head. "They are your family."
He blew out a heavy sigh. "I think it's time we had a talk." He gestured for her to take a seat at the small round wooden table in the kitchen's nook. "All of us."
"I'll stand." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Have it your way." Cole shrugged, pulling out a chair for me. I slid into a chair, and he slid into the one next to me. "River is not my daughter. She's Caleb's."
My eyes widened. I wasn't sure where this conversation had been going, but I didn't think it was going there.
His mother gasped. "What?" She swallowed hard, shaking her head in disbelief. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"None of that matters," Cole said. "I promised Kylie she would never be alone and that I would help her raise River, and I intend to keep that promise, but Kylie's moved on. She's marrying Wyatt next year."
"She will not take my grandson from me..."
"Oh, shut up." Cole groaned. "She's not taking anyone away from you. In fact, none of this is about you. River deserves a daddy who can be present, but her father will always be Caleb. Kylie has no intention of hiding Caleb or us from River, and if Kylie or River ever needs me, I'll be there."
"I still don't understand why you would want to marry the woman who hurt you so bad you left and never came back. The woman who married your brother behind your back."
"It's not really for you to understand," Cole said, pushing out of his chair. His gaze dropped to mine, silently asking for permission to tell her the truth. I really didn't want her to know, but I trusted him, and if he thought we should tell her, then we would.
I slightly nodded before his gaze shifted back to his mother. He stood silently, staring at her for a long moment. I assumed he was trying to find the right words to describe Caleb and I's relationship. "Taylor and I are getting married in a few weeks because I am in love her. I've always loved her." He flashed me a grin. "I always will love her." His eyes flashed back to his mother. "And if you can't accept that, then that is your choice, but know that you are doing what you do best. See, it was never Taylor's fault I didn't come back; it was yours. It was never Taylor's fault that Caleb didn't want you involved as he was making his final wishes. It was yours, and it won't be Taylor's fault if you disappear now; it will be yours." Her brows pulled tightly together. "You have a choice; you can be happy for us and accept Taylor as part of the family with open arms, or you can walk away and never come back."
"That," she pointed to the Montgomery Ranch, "is my home. You can't keep me from it."
He shook his head. "Not anymore." he frowned. "You sold it to me, and you're not welcome here anymore, but you can let Dad know he's welcome any time."
Mr. Montgomery had always been accepting. After Caleb passed, he checked on me every day. The only one who struggled with me was Mrs. Montgomery, and a small part of me understood that she needed to be angry with someone, especially after Caleb's death. I was the easiest target, but I'd always hoped it would pass and that she would realize I loved their family. I loved Bailey as my best friend, I loved Caleb like a brother, and I was head over heels in love with Cole.
"I know you don't believe me, but I never wanted to hurt Cole, and I only followed Caleb's wishes."
Her jaw worked back and forth, as if she was physically chewing on the words she couldn't bring herself to say. A tear escaped, trailing down her cheek, and she angrily swiped it away. "Why would my son's final wish be to not tell me he was dying?"
"Because he knew you couldn't make the tough choices that needed to be made," Cole answered. "He didn't want any of us to have to make those choices for him."
"Caleb had to make a lot of really hard decisions really fast because he had no idea how long he had," I said. "Decisions he never expected to have to make at twenty-eight years old, but he made every single decision with a clear head and lots of thought."
Her face was red and wet with tears as they streamed freely.
"Caleb is gone," I said. "But you don't have to lose Cole, too. We would love to have you walk with Cole down the aisle when we get married."
She shook her head. "I can't do this," Mrs. Montgomery said. "I can't watch you throw away your life for this girl." She stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
"Why didn't you tell her the truth?" I pushed to my feet.
Cole stared at the closed door, his brow furrowed in thought. "I could have told her everything," he said slowly, "but it wouldn't have helped. Not yet." He turned to me, his eyes softening. "She needs time to process, to realize what she's losing. Sometimes, the hardest part of loving someone is knowing when to push and when to wait." He cupped my face, forcing me to meet his gaze, brushing my cheeks with his thumbs. "But I promise you she will never talk to you like that again."
"I don't want to come between you and your family."
"She will come around." He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I promise." He strolled to the fridge and opened the door. "She got a lot of information to process today, but I think once she does and realizes she could lose what's left of her family, she will come around."
I nodded as I stared at the door she walked through. "I hope so."