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Noelle joined Hallie at the window. “Lord have mercy. It is Jace Carson. I thought he was living in Galveston with his mama after leaving that Canadian football team. All I can say is no wonder he had a fan club that called themselves Jace’s Junkies. The man is sex in a Stetson.”
“I remember hearing about Jace Carson.” Sunny joined Noelle and Hallie at the window. Belle had to admit the three women looked stunning together. Sunny with her long strawberry-blond hair, Hallie with even longer wheat-colored hair, and Noelle with her short black hair. “Is he the guy talking to your daddy?” Sunny asked. “He is hot.”
Noelle sighed. “Too bad he’s covered by the Secret Sister oath.”
Hallie started choking and Belle hurried over to thump her on the back. “Are you okay, Hal?”
Hallie cleared her throat. “Fine. Just fine.”
But she didn’t look fine. She looked as white as Belle’s dress. Belle had to wonder if maybe Mimi was right. Maybe Hallie did need a break from big city life. Or maybe she was just worried that most of her sisters were starting families of their own and would forget about her. Belle decided right then and there to spend more time with her sister.
“The Secret Sister oath?” Sunny asked. “What’s that?”
“It’s an oath we all took when we were younger,” Noelle explained. “No dating, or hooking up with, other sisters’ boyfriends—past or present.” She sent Sunny a pointed look. “Everyone who joins our club has to take the oath.”
Sunny nodded sagely. “I would never poach on any of y’all’s boyfriends.” She hesitated. “None of you have dated Casey Remington, right?”
Noelle visibly blanched before she pinned on a smile. “Absolutely not. Casey Remington is nothing to me. Absolutely nothing. Kenny is the love of my life.”
“Kenny?” Belle asked. “What happened to George?”
“He was much too clingy. But Kenny is the perfect—”
Belle cut her off when she glanced out the window and saw Daddy waving. “We’ll have to hear about your perfect man later, Elle. It’s time.”
Liberty turned from the mirror. “It’s time?” She looked terrified. Belle figured it was up to her to make sure her sister didn’t bolt.
“Pip, get the dogs on their leashes and everyone head to the barn and line up in the order we practiced last night. Libby and I will be there shortly.”
Once everyone was gone, Belle walked over to her sister and took her hands. “It’s okay, Libby. This is the day we dreamed about. We always knew we’d walk down the aisle together on Daddy’s arms and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.” She smiled. “We even planned on marrying brothers.”
The fear left Liberty’s eyes, and she smiled. “First dibs on Nick Jonas.”
Belle laughed. “I think the Cates/Whitlock brothers are much better looking than any ol’ Jonas. Now let’s go get our brothers.”
Overwhelming joy filled Belle when she saw Corbin waiting for her in the barn. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo it took her breath away. Or maybe it was the look in his cobalt-blue eyes that took her breath away. There was no vulnerability or fear.
Just pure love.
When he spoke his vows, his voice was strong and steady. She knew in her heart that his love would be the same. After the preacher had pronounced them husband and wife, Corbin lifted her veil and kissed her. Or she kissed him. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she would remember the kiss for the rest of her life.
After following Jesse and Liberty down the aisle, she and Corbin were supposed to pose for photographs. But as soon as they got outside, Corbin drew her around to the paddock where Homer and Sadie Mae were saddled and waiting. Most brides would have asked what was going on, but Belle didn’t. She knew Corbin wasn’t a man who did things randomly. He had planned this . . . for her. So she didn’t say a word. She just gathered the train of her dress, thanked the Lord she was wearing boots, and allowed Corbin to help her mount.
She smiled when they headed straight for Cooper Springs. The smile faded when he led her around the trees to a plot of land that had been corded off with string and wooden stakes.
“What’s this?”
He glanced over at her. Once again, he looked uncertain and vulnerable. “A front porch. Or at least, it will be one once we start building. I didn’t want to come up with any plans for the rest of the house without your input, but I thought it was safe to plan the front porch. A big front porch with plenty of room for a porch swing and decorations for every holiday.” He paused. “And a rocker to rock our babies.”
She couldn’t help it. Tears started falling. Corbin quickly dismounted and helped her down. Once she was in his arms, he cradled her face and brushed the tears from her cheeks.
“I hope these are happy tears, Bella.”
“The happiest. So I guess you read my letter.” The guilty flush was answer enough. She laughed. “So you also know I really wanted Nick Jonas.”
“Yes. But I’m afraid you’ll have to live without him.”
She heaved an exaggerated sigh. “And I was so counting on my husband singing to me every morning and night.”
