Epilogue
Esme clutched Jesse’s hand, eager to hear the announcement of the Houston chapter’s president, the news to be revealed just before the stroke of midnight at the New Year’s Eve soiree. She was doing her best to seem even-keeled and not at all on edge.
The ballroom was packed with members from both clubs, wall-to-wall Texas powerhouses mingling under crystal chandeliers. The men were decked out in tuxedos and their best Stetsons. Designer gowns and jewels to rival royalty draped the women.
But no one outshone the man at her side. She stole a look up at Jesse, her heart in her throat. They’d had a blissful Christmas week together before driving to Houston yesterday for this evening’s New Year’s Eve gala.
Esme had gotten dressed twice tonight. The first time, Jesse had peeled off her gown and messed her updo.
But she didn’t mind. Not one bit. She and Jesse had thrown their clothes on quickly, barely making it to the gala on time.
Trying to restore order to her hair in the car ride over, she’d given up and brushed it into a sleek, straight fall down her back.
She’d smoothed the wrinkles out of her maroon gown with her hands, the silver embellishments glistening in the dash lights.
No one seemed to notice her hastily-put-together look. She slid a smoky-eyed glance up at Jesse. His knowing smile promised a repeat of earlier. An answering heat rose in her.
Her father and Ryder both appeared to be a bundle of nerves, even though they were making nice with each other, Angela smiling between them.
Her sister seemed happy. Genuinely happy. A sight that had been missing for what felt like ages.
And Jesse stepped right up like he’d known them forever. She appreciated how supportive he was of her family as a whole, and hoped to help him grow closer to his sister, Janet.
The music shifted from a fast dance number to a softer tune as the chairwoman for the nomination committee walked around the champagne fountain. Abigail Langley Price, a stunning redhead in a bold sequined gown, had been instrumental in allowing women to join the Texas Cattleman’s Club.
Abigail climbed the steps to take the microphone. “Well, I imagine everyone is eager to hear the election results.” She paused playfully before continuing, “And I won’t keep you in suspense a second longer. I’ll start with the board members.”
She pulled out a card and slid on cat’s-eye reading glasses.
She read name after name off the list with a flourish, waiting for the applause to wane after each announcement.
And every time neither Ryder nor her father was called, nerves ratcheted higher in Esme’s stomach with the growing possibility the president would be one of them.
The woman smiled out at the audience. “There are only two more board positions to fill before I announce the first president of the Texas Cattleman’s Club, Houston branch. Are you ready?”
The crowd roared in response. Esme’s gaze skittered over to her father. She mouthed “good luck” from across the room. Sterling winked at her, inclining his head before turning his attention back to the stage.
Jesse squeezed her hand, a gesture of warmth and support that flooded her. Made her feel invincible. Like anything and everything was possible.
“There’s a bit of a twist. We have a tie for the last two board positions, both having gained equal support. Our last two positions will be filled by…Sterling Perry and Ryder Currin.”
Neither man had won the bid for president?
Shock tingled through Esme, a sentiment she suspected she wasn’t alone in feeling. Whispers zipped from person to person. If not Sterling or Ryder, then who?
The woman tapped the microphone to regain control of the room.
“It is now my honor, as one of the first women to be admitted to the Royal chapter of the Texas Cattleman’s Club, to announce your president…
” A drumroll rippled from the band, then stopped.
“Elected with an overwhelming amount of write-in votes…Angela Perry.”
Angela?
Without a second’s hesitation, the crowd erupted into deafening applause and shouts of approval.
And as Esme thought about it, she couldn’t imagine anyone better for the job than her sister.
She hoped her father and Ryder would be supportive, as well.
Angling to look, she found both men holding their hands high in applause as Angela made her way to the stage.
Her sister was a vision in an off-the-shoulder gown of gold tulle with the tiniest shimmer.
“Thank you, everyone, for the vote of confidence.” Angela pressed a hand to her chest, breathless with surprise.
“I’m stunned, to say the least. But honored and excited to lead the Houston chapter as we launch. ”
She waited for the applause to die down. “I’m especially pleased to serve with my father and my fiancé on the board.”
More applause and cheers rippled through the partiers. Jesse let out a whoop. Esme’s heart nearly burst as her smile grew even wider.
“I hope you’ll indulge me a moment longer as my fiancé and I share some news of our own.” Angela held out a hand to Ryder, her engagement ring glinting. She waved for him to join her on stage. He climbed the steps, his face beaming with pride.
Angela looked up at him, their love for each other clear for all to see. “We were given the best Christmas present of all. We’re expecting our first child together.”
The cheers and applause doubled in a rousing endorsement followed by glasses lifted in toast. Partiers converged around the couple and Esme knew she didn’t stand a chance of getting to her sister anytime soon. But that was okay. They had months to celebrate.
Plans were already flowering in her mind for a joint baby shower for both of her sisters. Twins celebrating the births of their first children. Esme was truly happy for them.
Just as she knew they would be happy for her when her day came.
She looked up at Jesse, wondering aloud, “Are you feeling the baby urge? I know you want children. And so do I.”
Jesse kissed the inside of her wrist before drawing her hand to rest against his heart. Stars and promises glimmered in those green eyes.
“Someday. But first, I want us to have time together, to get to know each other, to build a foundation for our future.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But at the risk of sounding too practical, I want us to have time to savor falling more and more in love with each other.”
“That’s beautiful. Underneath all that rancher practicality, you really do have a sentimental heart, full of emotions as messy as your desk.”
“My desk?” He cocked his head to the side, a laugh spluttering out.
“No need to look offended. I think all that clutter is endearing.” She remembered the time they’d gotten hot and heavy there, a place that had helped her see who Jesse Stevens really was inside.
“Well, then, I’m more than happy to have a messy office.”
The countdown to midnight started, the partiers chiming in until the forty-five-second mark was a thunderous echo of numbers. He pulled her close, swaying with her to the music, then spinning her out onto the balcony.
“How smart of you to have come out here ahead of the crowd to see the fireworks.”
“Actually, I brought you out here to tell you how much I love you.”
She smiled, her heart full of happiness like a champagne glass full of bubbles. “You’ve already told me.”
“It’s something I look forward to telling you every day.” He held her tighter. Closer. Their bodies melting into one. Into a promise of forever.
“Now, isn’t that convenient? Because I love you, too, and I enjoy telling you again and again.” She teased her fingers along the hair at the base of his neck. “I can’t believe how lucky we are.”
“What a way to ring in the new year.”
“And how wonderfully perfect we’ll get to share the midnight kiss.”
His low growl of approval rumbled between them as he angled down to take her up on that kiss.
A kiss that set her senses on fire. Their love made everything all the more special.
And as she arched up on her toes to press herself even closer, she could have sworn the fireworks had already started.