Chapter Twenty
In the end, it made more sense for Willow to go with her mother into town and stay there until the next day. It definitely hadn’t been what Hunter had in mind, but he understood why.
The dress she’d bought for Willow was there, and apparently her sisters-in-law were all going to have a sleepover at Arlene’s tonight. Tomorrow morning his mom and Jade would join them. Everything sounded good, but he still didn’t like it.
Willow’s brothers stayed behind as everyone else left. They’d offered to help him clean the kitchen. He’d hoped to talk to them before the next day and hopefully he’d find a gap before they left.
When they were putting away the last plates, Luke opened the conversation. “You need a groomsman?” he asked. “I know what to do, I’ve been one for Uncle Becket and Uncle Cooper.”
“Thank you, Luke, I’d appreciate that.” He turned to Willow’s brothers. “I was hoping the three of you would also agree to be my groomsmen?”
“I don’t know,” Becket said, looking at his brothers. “Do you think we should?”
Hayden shrugged, his face unreadable. “I don’t know if I want to do that. He’s taking our sister away.”
“But she can’t cook,” Cooper said. “So maybe we should cut the poor man some slack.”
Grinning, they all slapped him on the back. Maybe a tad harder than was strictly necessary, but he’d take it.
“Of course we will,” Hayden said. “And I’d like to talk to you about your new ranch. I’ve been thinking for a while about acquiring extra land. Maybe we could work together? That is of course, if you’re interested.” Luke had fallen asleep next to him and he pulled a throw over him.
Relieved, Hunter nodded. “I was going to suggest the same thing. You see, I’m going to stay involved in our ranch back in Colorado …”
As he explained his thoughts, they all found a seat again and soon they were talking plans. Becket found a bottle of brandy in one of Willow’s cupboards and by the time they finally left, it was very late.
Hunter took a shower in Willow’s bathroom and got into her bed afterward. Staring at the ceiling, he sighed. How was he supposed to fall asleep with Willow’s scent all around him? He missed her.
His phone rang. Quickly switching on the bed light, he sat up. It was Willow on a video call.
Grinning, he took the call and waited for her face to appear. “Hi, babe.”
She was wearing her flannel pajamas again and had a slightly tipsy smile on her face.
“I think I’m a little drunk,” she said. “Mom had a bottle of bubbly.”
“So am I. We’ve finished that bottle of brandy you had in your cupboard.”
“So, my brothers haven’t given you a hard time again?”
“Nah. I’ve asked them to be my groomsmen. Luke volunteered too.”
“Thank you for asking them. I miss you!”
“Miss you too. What can we do about it?” he asked wiggling his eyebrows.
A slow smiled appeared. “I’m so glad you asked. Shall we continue our sexy video call from the other night?”
His body reacted to her raspy voice. “Oh, yeah? What did you have in mind?”
“Well,” she said opening the first button, “I was thinking we could continue where we left off the first time.” By the time she finished speaking, her top was undone. “If you show me your six-pack, I’ll show you mine.” Slowly, she moved the parts of her top to the side.
“Damn, Willow, you’re killing me,” he groaned. “How the hell am I supposed to sleep tonight?”
“You’ll feel much better afterward, trust me,” she whispered, sending his already heated blood way beyond boiling point.
As her voice continued to hypnotize him, he slipped further down the pillows, obeying her orders. What he’d ever done to deserve such a beautiful, talented, sexy, and adventurous woman, he didn’t know, but he had a lifetime to show her how deeply he loved her.
His bride was certainly full of surprises.
*
Willow was awakened on her wedding day by her sisters-in-law jumping on her bed. While she was still trying to open her eyes, her mom entered with a tray and put it on the table.
“Come on, sleepyhead!” Laura cried. “We’ve been awake for hours and you won’t get up!”
Willow was immediately wide awake. “I’m getting married today!” Laughing, she got up and joined her friends.
“Girls, girls!” her mother said. “We don’t have much time. We still have a Christmas dinner to think of as well, remember, and Willow, we don’t have any details. For instance, what time do you want the ceremony?”
Suddenly, Willow stopped jumping. Quickly, she jumped off the bed. “Just give me a minute.”
“What …?” Rose asked but Willow was already out of the door.
Barefoot, she ran down the stairs. She was in time to open the front door before Hunter could knock.
He had a small packet in his hand. A huge grin broke out over his face. “This is a lovely surprise. I thought I wasn’t supposed to see my bride …”
Leaning forward she kissed him. She simply wanted to tease him, but within seconds his hands were all over her.
“Willow?” her mother called from behind her.
Giggling, she pushed against him. “Oh, my mother wanted to know what time we’re getting married?”
“I don’t care. Whatever you want.”
“Around five, maybe? We’ll have dinner afterward …”
“And then I’m taking you home. We have so much to talk about. Where do you want to live? What …?”
Smiling, she put a finger on his lips. “I’m serious about moving to Colorado to be with you, but we can talk about everything tomorrow, I promise, as long as we can agree there will be no talking tonight, okay?”
He kissed her forehead. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t mind when what happens.
Oh, I have something for you.” He took out the small box he’d brought and gave it to her.
“I didn’t know you were going to ask me to marry you, so I haven’t had time to buy you something yet, but I was going to give you this, anyway.
It was my mom’s. If you don’t want to wear it today, don’t worry about it, but she wanted the woman who stole my heart to have it. ”
Her eyes shimmering with tears, she opened the box. Inside on a fine gold chain, was a lovely pendant of diamonds and sapphires if she wasn’t mistaken. “This is so beautiful, but I don’t need more presents.”
“She wants you to have it.”
“Thank you, I’ll wear it with pride. Thank you, bridegroom.”
“You didn’t answer my question last night.”
“What question?”
“When did you try on a wedding dress?”
She smiled slowly. “It was after the Winter Dance.”
“Really?”
“Willow!” her mom called again.
“I’d already fallen for you by then, see? You have to go, see you later!”
“Can’t wait.” And pulling her closer again, he grabbed one more kiss before he let her go.
“Oh, there you are,” her mom said. “Who’s at the door?” she asked as Willow closed it.
“My soon to be bridegroom!”
Her mom’s eyes were bright with tears. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so happy for you. Show me what he gave you.”
*
A couple of hours before the wedding, Willow quickly texted Laura and slipped away. Her hair and makeup were done, she only needed a few minutes to put on her dress. There was something she had to do first.
Minutes later, she stopped her car at the graveyard and got out. It was quiet, snow was expected a little later. Huddling in her coat, she opened the gate and strolled down the row of graves.
Stopping at her dad’s resting place first, she touched the cold stone. “I’m getting married, Dad. I so wish you were here. You would’ve liked him. He’s a good man.”
In the silence, something warm swirled around her.
“Thanks, Dad. I know you’re always in my heart. I also wanted to tell you Hayden has spoken to the cousins, Dylan and Carson. We’ll all be ranching together.”
Everything quieted down.
“You okay with that, Dad?”
A soft sigh filled the air.
“It’s time, Dad.”
For another moment she stood beside his grave before she moved to Walker’s. “Hey, Bro. I’m getting married. Thanks for letting me see what I needed to do.”
For a moment she saw her brother’s face. He was smiling.
Be happy.
Her heart was breaking. “I will.”
*
By five o’clock everyone was gathered in Hayden and Laura’s house. Willow looked at herself in the mirror. She was getting married to the love of her life and she couldn’t wait.
Touching the lovely pendant that belonged to Hunter’s mother, she swallowed her tears. For one who never used to cry, she was going all out trying to make up for lost time.
Someone knocked on the door.
“I’m ready, Mom,” she called out, but it wasn’t her mom who entered, but Hayden.
“May I have the honor of walking you down the aisle?” he said, his voice strangely gruff.
Blinking back her tears she took his arm. “Thank you, big brother. You know I’ll always be there for you?”
“I know. Happy looks good on you, sis. Shall we?”
Taking his arm, she leaned against her big brother for a moment. She was too clogged up to speak, but she knew he didn’t need words.
*
Hunter’s eyes were on the door where his bride would appear any moment.
Beside him stood Becket, then Luke. He didn’t know what happened to Cooper and Hayden.
Maybe there was a crisis on the ranch, maybe they didn’t want to be here, nobody volunteered anything.
Right now, he wasn’t going to worry about other people, he couldn’t wait to see Willow.
Everyone had really gone all out to turn Hayden and Laura’s house into a Christmas wedding venue.
The huge Christmas tree in the corner had been beautifully decorated.
His mother and Jade had also arrived earlier with the Weston’s friends to help with the final decorating and food.
The end result was something extraordinary, like the people gathered here today, their families and friends to celebrate Christmas and love.
The Weston’s cousins, Dylan and Carson, had also arrived early this morning to help with preparations. There hadn’t really been time to discuss Hayden’s plans for all the ranches, but everyone seemed happy about the idea of working together.
All he needed now was his bride to complete the picture.
The first notes of some music filled the air. His heart tripped. Willow’s sisters-in-law walked in, all looking pretty and happy. His eyes were back on the door before they’d found their places. Cooper appeared with his mother on his arm.
Smiling they walked down the aisle. Arlene took her seat, and Cooper kissed his wife before he joined his brother and Luke.
As Hunter looked back to the door, Hayden appeared with Willow on his arm.
Hunter’s breath left his body in one swoosh.
Looking radiant in a watermelon-colored dress billowing around her, his bride floated toward him on her brother’s arm.
It was still difficult to believe this beautiful creature wanted to be his wife.
He had a hard time swallowing back the tears. Days ago, he was still miserable, not knowing how he would face the future without Willow and here she was, walking toward him, her eyes telling him everything he needed to know: she loved him, she couldn’t wait to start their future together.
Hayden’s grip on his hand was harder than it needed to be, but today Hunter didn’t mind.
“You’ll look after her?” Hayden said gruffly.
“Always,” Hunter said.
“Welcome to the family, to the ranch, brother.”
Finally, he could look at his bride. “Beautiful,” he whispered before his lips found hers. Everyone laughed but he couldn’t be bothered. It felt like a lifetime ago he’d last kissed her.
Behind them, the pastor cleared his throat.
“Let’s get married, cowboy!” Willow whispered.
He grinned. “I can’t wait to start my life with you.”
*
Willow had just put her feet up after a few dances when Hunter’s dad and mom joined her.
“Thanks for the beautiful pendant, I love it.”
Hunter’s mom leaned forward and gave her a hug. “I’ve always wanted another daughter, welcome to the family.”
Jade and Wilder also joined them.
Jade lifted the glass she had in her hand. “I love the way you do weddings in Montana.”
“Have I mentioned I don’t mind a small wedding either?” Wilder asked.
Jade turned to him. “Well, if that is the case, we don’t …”
“… have to wait,” Wilder finished her sentence for her.
“Mom? Dad?” Jade asked.
“I love the idea of a small intimate wedding,” her mom said.
Wilder grabbed Jade’s hand. “Come on, we have to talk.”
Willow also got up; she missed her husband. As she turned to walk away Hunter’s dad took her hand. “You’ve made our boy very happy. Thank you.”
Leaning into him, Willow hugged the quiet cowboy. “We’re looking forward to your first visit on the new ranch.”
*
Much later, the band, existing of local Marietta folks, were still playing when Willow saw Hunter move toward the lead singer.
Moments later as the band changed to a country song, Hunter walked toward her, the light in his blue eyes leaving her short of breath.
As he pulled her into his arms, he was humming with the words. “I’ve heard this song a while ago, even before I knew how I felt about you. Listen to the lyrics, he’s singing about a girl he’s met who has made him smile.”
As he swirled her around, his blue eyes dark with emotion, he mimed the words.
Laughing, she put her arms around his neck. “A bit corny, but beautiful.”
“Oh, I love corny,” he said. He was smiling but as he looked down at her, his smile faded. “I will probably make mistakes, but I love you, Willow, I hope you know that.”
“Willow Grant has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
His eyebrows rose. “I didn’t think you’d want my name.”
“Oh, I told you I’m all in, cowboy.”
His eyes darkened. “How long do we have to wait before we can leave?”
“I was ready two hours ago,” she said.
Before she knew what he intended to do, he’d picked her up.
“Good night, everyone!” he called out as she strode through their family and friends. “This rancher is taking his Christmas bride home!”
Amidst laughter and well wishes they left the house. Outside, it had started snowing.
“How absolutely perfect,” Hunter picked her up. “Snowed-in just got a whole new meaning.”
“Yeah?” She slipped her arms around his neck.
“We are now forced to stay inside.”
Laughing, she snuggled up against him, embracing all his emotions washing over her. He couldn’t wait to be with her.
“Me too,” she whispered.
Smiling, he helped her in his truck. “I love that you know what I feel without me having to tell you.”
She moved closer and waited for him to get behind the wheel. “Oh, no, sorry, you’re not getting away that easily. The words, cowboy, I also need to hear the words.”
Pulling her closer, he whispered against her lips. “Love you. Always.”
As his words swirled around them, heating the cold air in the truck, he kissed her.
The End