Chapter 14
Lauren
“Hey, I didn’t think you’d make it on time,” I say to Vale when he slips into Aunt Elaine’s apartment in Wildflower Retirement Community where I’m getting ready for my wedding to the hottest cowboy on earth.
“Told you I would be back for this.” He grins, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
Sometimes, it feels like he’s trying to slot back into his old life, but he’s forgotten how.
I tried to talk with him about it once. He didn’t want to discuss it though, and I let it go.
I’m happy to have my brother back even if he’ll never be the person he was. I just wish he could see that.
Bronco and I have been engaged for a month, and it’s been a whirlwind. I can’t believe I get to marry him today. He’s the love of my life, and pretty soon, I’ll call him husband.
“Where were you?” Menace rushes up to give him an excited bark and a lick of affection that Vale accepts and returns with plenty of ear scratches.
He turns his attention from my favorite doggy to me and offers the one-sided smile that he always gave me when he was keeping something from me. “Here and there.”
It crushed me that after being back for a few days stateside, he immediately left and went away. I don’t know where he went. He never says, but at least, he keeps in contact. He calls me two or three times a week, depending on when he has access to a good connection.
When I pressed him about his mysterious trips, he confirmed he’s been on a mission, but it’s not anything to do with the military. He keeps saying it’s a personal mission and gives me no more details than that.
“We missed you.” Bree hugs him. My best friend adores my brother just as much as I do.
Since Dalton also served in the military for a long time, I think she looks at Vale and sees what could have happened to her husband.
“You have to come over for pie the next time you’re in town for longer than a few hours. ”
“And don’t forget,” Joyce says as she finishes applying my lipstick and glances Vale’s way, “you promised me that you would dance the tango with me.”
“Who has the first dance?” Vale asks.
“Mr. Dunn,” I tell Vale.
Joyce swats at my shoulder, and I can’t help grinning. He’s clearly a little bit in love with her, and I’m pretty sure she returns his feelings, but they’ve been moving slowly.
Vale produces a bouquet of flowers from behind his back and passes them to me. “You look beautiful today, by the way.”
I wave away his words. “You have to say that.”
He shrugs. “Doesn’t make it any less true though. Just so you know, I threatened him. He’s going to be a great husband.”
I roll my eyes. “I already know that.”
“Yes, she abandoned us to move in with him last week.” Joyce gives a little sniff of indignation, like I’ve betrayed her by leaving. I know she’s secretly happy for me.
“Oh, you love the fact that your grandson now has the apartment directly across from you,” I tell her.
Bree gives a soft smile to Joyce. “Ryan is the sweetest. He adores you.”
“He’s a good writer, too” I say.
“He is,” Joyce is quick to agree. “I’ve read some of his work.”
There’s a knock on the door then Ryan sticks his head inside. “We’ve got ten minutes.”
Aunt Elaine surveys the crowd of people all here. “Can I have a moment with the bride?”
After a round of hugs, kisses, and well wishes, everyone leaves the two of us alone. Menace makes a soft whine, but Vale just chuckles. “Come on. You can stand up front with the groomsmen where you belong.”
My aunt smiles at me when we’re alone. “Last month, I told you I chose you.”
I tear up and blink, determined not to ruin the fantastic makeup job that Bree did. “I’m so grateful that you did.”
“Just so you know, I’d still choose you,” Aunt Elaine says.
“I’ll always choose you, and I couldn’t be happier that you’re marrying Bronco.
He’ll be an amazing husband, one who gives you everything that you deserve.
But I need you to know that you’ll always have a place with me.
You can always come home.” She squeezes my shoulder.
I give her a big hug, clinging tightly to the woman who stepped up when my own mom chose a criminal over her kids. “I love you.”
“Here, now.” She steps back and reaches for a tissue, blotting at my face. “Now, you’re ready to get hitched.”
Within a few minutes, Vale and I are taking our place at the end of the aisle.
It’s a carpet of white and red rose petals dropped over the stone path.
We’re getting married outside of the community center here in the lush gardens.
I considered getting married on Valor Ranch, but I wanted all of the Wildflower residents to attend.
These are the people who have raised me and have taken me in.
I want them around me on the most special day of my life.
Vale is giving me away today. Neither of us ever knew our father, and it’s not like Vale hasn’t filled that role over the years.
He’s the one who helped me with my homework, made sure I had food on the table every day, and taught me how to drive.
He’s always been there, quietly fulfilling the duties of a parent even though it wasn’t fair to him.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I whisper, watching Menace take his place at the altar beside Bronco.
“Are you kidding? There’s nowhere else on earth I’d rather be,” he says just as the music starts.
I walk down the aisle on Vale’s arm, my heart beating in time with every step toward Bronco. There’s so much love and affection in his gaze. I can’t believe after all these years we’re finally getting married. I get to call the cranky cowboy my husband.
He accepts my hand when Vale passes it to him. He nods solemnly at his best friend who claps him on the back and takes his place in the wedding party. I pass my bouquet of magnolia blooms and baby’s breath to Aunt Elaine, my maid of honor.
“You take my breath away,” he murmurs softly, for my ears only.
I’m wearing a tea-length vintage inspired wedding dress with half sleeves made of lace and an A-line skirt that swishes around my legs with every step. The veil pinned in my hair is elegant and classic, a true vintage find at a thrift shop.
“Back at you, cowboy,” I whisper and give him a wink. He looks stunning in his blue suit and tie. His thick, bushy beard is trimmed and well-oiled. I can’t wait to run my fingers through it tonight.
“Don’t get that look in your eye right now,” he warns me just as the officiant starts.
“Then don’t be so handsome,” I tease.
The look he sends me tells me he thinks I’m trouble, but he loves my brand of trouble. I know that from the last month we’ve spent together. Every waking moment when he wasn’t tending to the farm, Bronco has been with me.
As we repeat our vows, I watch the love shining on his face.
I know this man is going to be with me forever.
I never have to doubt that he’ll be on my side, and that’s a pretty amazing thing to realize about the person that you’re marrying.
Nothing I face I’ll ever face alone, because Bronco’s going to be there with me.
And what’s more, he believes in me. He’ll follow me through every crazy idea I have.
He reaches for the rings and our ring bearer Ryan produces them. He was pretty excited to be included in the wedding, and I love the way he’s letting himself be loved by the community here.
Bronco slides the wedding band on my finger, and it nestles perfectly against the vintage engagement ring that he proposed to me with. I slide a ring on his finger then we’re kissing and my knees are going weak in front of the whole community center.
“Happy wedding day, wife,” he says and gives me a grin that promises the best days of our life together are still to come.
Bronco
The photos are almost done when the photographer calls for another round of photos with the bride and her mother. Lauren pulls her aunt forward, and I love the way Elaine’s eyes tear up. It’s obvious she wasn’t expecting this moment.
I step back so I’m out of the frame. Most of the wedding party is already on the other side of the hedges where the reception is being hosted. Judging from the soft music and easy chatter, everyone is having a good time.
I step toward Vale who’s leaning against a tree and surveying the crowd. He glances subtly at his watch. He catches my eye and realizes I’ve seen him. “I have another flight back out in a few hours.”
“Are you going to tell me why you keep leaving?”
He looks around, making sure no one is listening to us. Then he says in a lowered voice, “I’m looking for someone.”
I keep my voice quiet, hoping I don’t regret asking this question, “Who are you looking for?”
“My wife.”
I’m quiet for so long that finally, he explains, “When I was missing and not sure who I was, I spent some time working as a mercenary on one particular job. There was a woman. She spoke several languages. She may have been a translator. We hit it off. She was only in town for one night, so we got together and got married.”
“Shit, you don’t move slow.”
He grimaces. “I think there was some alcohol involved. No, scratch that. Definitely some alcohol involved. We spent a great night together. But when I woke up the next morning, she was gone.”
“And you need to annul this marriage,” I say. It makes sense. It’s the last thread from his time overseas. Once he’s got this resolved, he’s free and clear. The military already processed his honorable discharge.
He shakes his head. “You don’t understand. The same way you and Lauren look at each other, that’s how I felt about her.”
My heart breaks for him as soon as he says that. “I couldn’t imagine if I couldn’t find Lauren.”
“She didn’t just take my heart. She took my soul. I feel like a fucking zombie wandering through the days. Don’t know how much longer I can go without her.”
“You’ll find her,” I tell him, clapping him on the back. “But if you need backup, you let me know. Me and the boys will hop a plane. Any time. Any place. Say the word.”
He smiles. It’s one of the few real ones I’ve seen since his return. “Thanks, man.”
After Vale gets waved over by the photographer, I head toward Cord and Flint. They’re deep in discussion about something, and as I get closer, I hear Flint say, “I’m telling you, show up with the white horse.”
I look at Cord, trying to figure out what’s going on. “Show up with the white horse where?”
“It’s a long story.” Cord grimaces and leaves without another word.
“Where is he going?”
Flint gives me a big grin. “The man is on his way to break up a wedding.”
I don’t even know what that means, but fortunately, the photos are done and now the world’s hottest wife is walking toward me. Her eyes are brimming with joy, and the happiness radiating from her is brighter than the evening sun.
She leans up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my lips. “I can’t wait to start my life with you.”
“Me too,” I tell her. Her future is going to be filled with late nights under the stars, beautiful babies, and all the love this cowboy can give her. Yeah, we’re going to have an amazing life together.