Chapter 45Peggy Warner
Chapter 45
A Day of Her Own
Peggy Warner
N ervous excitement grabbed Peggy and wouldn’t let go of her all day. The past couple weeks she had been planning for her wedding. It was small, and most of the decorations were homemade, but for her and Duke, it was perfect. Her mother made most of the decisions, but Peggy didn’t mind. She was just ready to start her new life with her cowboy.
She hadn’t seen much of Duke since they’d rushed off to the Double K to help with the search and rescue of Charlotte Lane and Wade Parsons. He’d spent most of his time fixing up his folks’ place so they could move in on their wedding night. She remembered how surprised he’d been when Staten and the other ranch hands had offered to help.
The men had worked through the night after long, hard days on the ranch, and gotten the house in decent shape in a matter of days. There was still a lot of work to do, but it was theirs.
Peggy smoothed the flowing white lace of her dress and glanced up at Duke sitting beside her in his truck.
He turned to her with a smile. “You all right, Mrs. Evans?”
A thrill shot through her. Today she’d become Mrs. Duke Evans. She was no longer the youngest Warner or “Hey you, kid.” Now she had a new name. One all her own.
“I’m perfect, Mr. Evans.”
“That you are, Peggy. You’re even more than perfect.” He kissed the ring gracing her left hand. “Was the wedding everything you hoped it would be?”
She smiled. “Everything and more. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
“Well, I would have.” Peggy’s gaze whipped to his, but he was laughing. “I would have made everyone leave as soon as we said ‘I do’ so it was just you and me. I’ve been trying to get you alone all night.”
Anticipation swept over her. She might be inexperienced, but she knew being with Duke would be amazing.
The whole day had been a blur. Walking down the aisle. Reading her vows. Running through rice amidst an eruption of cheers. Slow dancing in her parents’ backyard, which had been turned into a dance floor. Cutting the cake. Family and friends surrounding them with hugs and congratulations as they’d left.
It felt like she’d blinked and it was all over. Now everything was moving in slow motion. And she wanted to remember every moment.
Her heart was bursting as they pulled into the driveway of their house. Theirs. She smiled. She may not have gotten a place all her own, by herself. But Peggy had found the perfect man to share her life with, and she was ready to start living.
Duke’s hands circled her waist and he lifted her out of the truck and into his arms. She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him slow and long.
“I love you,” he whispered as he carried her over the threshold.
She kissed him again and again, showing him how she felt with every touch. The best she knew how.
“I’ll love you forever,” she said. And forever started right now.