Chapter Ten
L ainey smoothed a hand down the front of her pale peach dress and then adjusted the brim of the cream cowboy hat she wore, adorned with a band of peach ribbon that matched her dress.
She, Brylee, Lisa, and Dani had spent a weekend at the end of July in Boise shopping for dresses, decorations, and anything else they thought might be needed for the house and the wedding.
Between traveling to rodeos, Jason and Lainey had poured every spare minute into making the house on the hill their home.
Lainey felt like pinching herself because it all still felt so surreal. Six months ago, when she’d bumped into Jason, her soul had been weary, and she’d felt completely alone in the world, even if she’d refused at the time to acknowledge it.
Then she’d met a cowboy who changed her life completely.
Not only had she fallen in love with a beautiful, incredible, kind man, but she’d been given a wonderful family to love as well.
Jason loved her unconditionally, shared with her a family who welcomed her, and gave her a place where she felt at home.
Then again, when she thought of home, it was Jason who came to mind. Not a place, but him.
She bowed her head and silently gave thanks for the abundance of God’s blessings and His perfect timing that had brought her and Jason together.
Lainey took one more glance in the mirror in the children’s Sunday school room at the church where she’d gotten ready.
She glanced down at the cream cowboy boots she wore with embroidered roses on the shafts.
The moment she’d spied them in a western store in Pendleton, she’d known she had to have them because they’d always remind her of Jason promising to love her until her silk rose died.
That rose was all she carried today as a bouquet. She’d paired it with ferns and baby’s breath, then wrapped the simple arrangement with white lace and a peach ribbon.
Her dress was reminiscent of something Grace Kelly might have worn with a lace-covered bodice and lace sleeves, a belted waist, and a full tea-length skirt. It was elegant and made her feel classy.
When the door opened, and Mike stepped inside, she smiled at the man who was about to become her father-in-law and already treated her like a daughter.
“You look amazing, Lainey. Are you sure you aren’t related to Grace Kelly?” Mike asked with a grin.
“Positive, but you can spread around all the flattery you want today.” Lainey kissed his weathered cheek. “Thank you for agreeing to walk with me.”
“That is my pleasure, sweetheart. I never thought I’d get to walk anyone down the aisle, so this is a dream come true.” Mike gave her a careful hug. “Thank you for making Jase so happy. I haven’t seen him smile this much for a long, long time.”
“He’s an easy man to love, Pops.”
Mike held out his arm, and when she wrapped her hand around it, he patted her fingers. “Welcome to our family, Lainey. I hope you and Jase know the kind of joy that comes from two hearts joined by faith, hope, and love.”
“Thank you, Pops.” Lainey kissed his cheek again, then they left the room and made their way down the aisle.
Celia Kressley had offered to take photos, so she was there, snapping away as Mike escorted Lainey to where Jason waited for her, standing next to the pastor in a new dark gray suit that made him look unbelievably handsome. He was surrounded by Galen, Lisa, Shaun, and their families.
When it came time to exchange vows, Jason’s love glowed in his eyes as he said his vows, placed the ring on her finger, and gently squeezed her hand.
Lainey swallowed down her tears, held Jason’s hand, and recited her vows with her heart behind every word as she slid the ring on Jason’s finger.
Before the pastor could say anything else, Mike stepped forward and faced Lainey. “I promise to love you like a daughter, and I will be grateful every day for the sunshine you bring to our family.” The old man kissed her cheek, then handed her a light pink silk rose.
Galen was the next to move beside her. “I promise to cherish you for the friend you’ve been and the sister you’ve become. Welcome to the family.” He squeezed her hand and handed her a yellow rose.
Lisa was next, followed by Shaun, then Tyler, and Brylee, as they all made vows to Lainey.
Dani, Carter, and Caitlyn offered their own sweet, heart-touching promises to love her.
Each of them presented her with a silk rose stem of varying colors, until she held a whole bouquet.
Lisa even gave her a white rose with the faintest blue tint to it from newborn Jordan Tyler, who had arrived two weeks ago.
By the time they finished their vows, Lainey couldn’t hold back her tears. It was a moment and memory she would always cherish, and it deepened the beautiful bond she already felt for Jason’s family.
Jason used his thumbs to brush away her tears, then took her hands in his again.
Although it wasn’t part of a typical ceremony, the pastor looked at Lainey and repeated the question, “Do you take Jason to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” Lainey said, heart overflowing with love.
“And do you take his family to be yours?” the pastor asked.
“I most certainly do,” she said, smiling at them.
The pastor turned to Jason. “Do you take Lainey to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“You betcha I do,” Jason winked at her.
“Do all of you take Lainey to be part of your family?” the pastor asked the others.
“We do!” they said in unison.
The pastor grinned. “Jason and Lainey, and family, have proclaimed their love and commitment to each other in the eyes of those gathered here today, and before God. By the power vested in me by the state of Oregon, I am delighted to pronounce you husband and wife, and family! Jason, kiss your bride!”
“Gladly,” Jason said, then wrapped Lainey in his arms and gave her a kiss that wouldn’t embarrass his children, but held enough heat to make her look forward to the honeymoon they would leave for in the morning.
One of the artists she’d interviewed for her A Life of Color book had offered the use of a private condo on a beach in Kauai as a wedding gift.
Lainey and Jason planned to spend ten days doing nothing but soaking up the sun, strolling along sandy beaches, and falling more in love.
When Jason started to pull back, Lainey bracketed his face in her hands, gave him a sweet, tender kiss, and whispered, “thank you for marrying me.”
“No, thank you, Gypsy. I can’t thank you enough for bringing joy and love back into my heart.”
Suddenly, Shaun thumped Jason on his back, and Galen swept Lainey into a hug that lifted her feet off the floor. After a round of hugs and congratulations, they headed back to the ranch, where a reception for all their friends and extended family would soon begin.
Many of their rodeo friends were already there when they returned, and a steady stream of guests were arriving by the time Lainey and Jason made it into the backyard, where everyone was gathering for a catered barbecue dinner.
Celia seemed to be everywhere at once, taking photos, both posed and candid. Lainey could hardly wait to see them when she and Jason returned from their honeymoon.
Later that evening, after they’d enjoyed the meal, cut the cake, and tossed a bouquet Lainey had ordered just for that purpose, she and Jason spoke to each guest, thanking every person who was there for attending.
Then they made their way out to the side-by-side that had been bedecked with streamers and tin cans and drove up the hill to their home.
Jason carried Lainey across the threshold. “Welcome home, Gypsy girl.”
She smiled and caressed his cheek. “Don’t you know, Jason, I’ve been home since the day I met you. Wherever you are is where my home will always be.”
“And my heart will always be with you, Lainey, my love.” He set her down and led her into the living room, where candles glowed on the fireplace mantel and around the room.
She walked over to look out the windows at the valley below them, lights glowing golden in the darkness that had settled for the night.
Jason moved behind her and slid his hands around her waist. She leaned back against him, savoring his strength, wrapped in his strong arms, and so grateful for the gift of his love that she wanted to weep. Not out of sadness, but of joy.
They stood in peaceful silence for several moments before Lainey turned in his arms and hugged him.
His hands brushed comfortingly up and down her back.
“You are so beautiful, Lainey, you take my breath away,” Jason whispered, his breath warm on her ear. “I still can’t believe you agreed to marry me.”
She pulled back and looked up at him. “Believe it, Slim. Celia told me you are a unicorn, and she was exactly right. There is no one else like you, no one else for me. God blessed us both so richly when he led us to this love we share. I never thought I’d find love again, never intended to, but I’m so incredibly thankful, Jason, that you didn’t give up on me. ”
“Never, Lainey. I’m yours, always, and I will always be here for you, no matter what the future brings.”
Lainey kissed him and slid her hand down to clasp his. “It’s going to bring more love than we could ever imagine, Jase. More than we could dream.”
He swept her into his arms again and kissed her tenderly. “May it be so.”