Epilogue
Monty stood in front of a full-length mirror adjusting his string tie. Darn things never did lay right. Next to him, his mini-me tried to adjust his, not easy when he gripped a ring box that he refused to let go of even for a second.
Kneeling down, Monty gave him a hand. Tex’s outfit was the same as his — white shirt, embroidered vest, black jeans and boots. Finding adult and kid-sized matching vests had been impossible on short notice. Then Auntie Carmen had offered to make them.
His brothers, who were engaged in a raucous card game behind them, had a similar look.
But their vests were a collection of styles and colors — whatever they’d had in their closet.
It worked because the bridesmaids and maid of honor had done the same, choosing their favorite summer dresses for the occasion.
“Mommy says you ‘dopted me.”
“That’s right, sport.” He undid Tex’s string tie and started over. “It’s official. You’re my son.”
“And you’re my daddy?”
His throat tightened. “Sure am.” The responsibility he’d feared was now a treasured privilege.
“Daddy Mister Monty.”
He chuckled. “That’s quite a mouthful.”
“I don’t gots it in my mouth.”
“I mean it’s kinda long.”
“I know. Can I just say Daddy?”
“You can.” Much more of this and he was liable to start bawling. “Okay, your string tie is looking good. See what you think.” Taking him by the shoulders, he turned him toward the mirror.
“Yep. That works. Thanks, Daddy.”
He gulped. Such simple words. Packed a punch. He cleared his throat. “You’re welcome, son.”
Tex popped open the ring box. “Still there.”
“So they are.” Zinnia had convinced him that an engagement ring was silly when she wouldn’t be able to wear it much considering her job. Neither of them would wear their wedding bands during work hours, either.
But he loved what they represented. A Celtic knot etched into the gold surface was identical to the one her parents had chosen for their wedding bands. The symbol of everlasting love gave Zinnia a way to honor their memory and make them a part of the ceremony.
On the inside of each ring was a message special only to him and Zinnia — I gots you. He couldn’t wait for the moment Tex would hand over that box.
As if in response to his wishes, Pastor Ed rapped on the door. “It’s time, gentlemen.”
His brothers gathered up the cards and came over to give him and Tex big hugs.
Monty put his hand on Tex’s shoulder. “Time to get married, sport.”
Tex glanced up, eyes sparkling. “I know.”
Leaving the room, they followed Ed, who’d been pastor for as long as Monty could remember, into the crowded chapel. Cole wrapped up the prelude music he’d been providing with his fiddle and Mila joined him to sing Taylor Swift’s Love Story.
He’d always admired his sister’s voice and never more than now. He gazed at the folks—friends, clients, his mom, grandma and aunties—jammed into the pews decorated with multicolored bouquets of zinnias.
They smiled at him, but Tex got most of their adoring attention. He stood ramrod straight, clearly trying to look taller. The Bridger men lined up next to Tex, going in birth order.
This was happening. He was marrying Zinnia today. The rush of happiness made him want to pump his fist in the air and shout for joy.
Instead he focused on his mom. She’d supported his decision from the get-go, and now the unconditional love shining in her eyes put a lump in his throat. His dad was gone, but he had his mom, who was there for him, for all of them.
When Cole and Mila ended the song and launched into Martina McBride’s I Love You, Monty faced the back of the chapel, his heart rate picking up.
Greta came dancing down the aisle, followed by Claudie, Tracy, Jordan and Mari, each performing whatever steps they’d chosen, each flashing him a grin as they sashayed over to the far side of the altar. By the time they finished up, he was laughing.
Then the tune switched again, to Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s Nobody But You, and he sucked in a breath. This was it.
Zinnia appeared.
His heart thundered so loud he could barely hear the music or notice that Graham was escorting her. She hadn’t let him see the dress, hadn’t given him any hints except that she thought he’d like it.
Understatement of the century.
White and filmy, it flowed around her like… like moonlight. He felt cool grass under his bare feet, caught the scent of pine and wild rose. He was marrying the woman walking toward him. He was marrying this goddess of the night.
“Daddy.” Tex pulled on his sleeve. “You gots to go over there. Mommy’s waiting.”
He blinked. Sure enough, the song continued as Zinnia stood smiling at him. Graham had stepped back.
He quickly moved into position. “Sorry,” he murmured. “I was… blown away”
“Just what I was going for. Let’s do this.”
Which they did. Evidently he responded as he was supposed to. Right on cue, Tex produced the rings.
The sight of those gold bands acted like a cool breeze over his fevered brain, leaving him calm and extremely focused. His gaze locked with hers as he slipped the ring on her finger. “I love you, Zinnia. I will always love you.”
The glow in her eyes intensified. “I know.” She slid the ring on his finger without fumbling, her breathing steady. “I will always love you, Montgomery.”
“They gots the rings. Are they married yet?”
Pastor Ed leaned down. “Almost, Tex. I just have to say the magic words.”
“Please and thank you?”
He chuckled. “The other magic words.” He straightened and smiled. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce Zinnia and Monty married. Blessing on you and your new family. You may kiss.”
Clapping and cheering, the guests rose to their feet as Monty took Zinnia by the shoulders and gave her a slow, deliberate kiss.
Next to him, Tex jumped up and down chanting ohboyohboyohboy.
Monty couldn’t have said it better. When at last he let go, Zinnia’s eyes were sparkling.
Her lips moved in a silent No fair.
He lowered his voice. “Catch you later.” Tex would be with Mari and Graham tonight.
But in this moment, he needed to give that little cowpoke a hug. Hoisting him up, he absorbed the happiness in Tex’s big ol’ smile. “Guess what, son?”
“You and Mommy are married! Finally.”
Made him chuckle considering they’d thrown this wedding together in a couple of weeks. But he agreed with Tex. He’d been chomping at the bit, too.
“It’s not only about your mommy and me, though. Our marriage turns the three of us into a family.”
“I know. Now I gots a Mommy and a Daddy.”
“And we’ve got you.” Zinnia wrapped her arms around them, closing the circle. “Perfect.”
“Yep.” Tex nodded. “Perfect.” Then he paused to study them. “But I gots to have a baby sister.”
Monty choked on a laugh. He and Zin had been busy and there was a good chance she was already pregnant. Did the kid have a sixth sense?
He held Zinnia’s gaze. “Think that could be arranged?”
“I do.” Her eyes glowed with the joy of a shared secret.
“Then let’s see what the future brings.” For the first time in his life, he couldn’t wait to find out.