Page 71 of Hometown Cowboy

They moved to the spot Father Donovan motioned to and turned. Every seat was taken, a sea of faces smiling and laughing. It seemed like the entire town had turned up to see him get hitched. Brendan O’Brien wandered over to his left and placed his video camera onto the tripod he’d set up in the spot he’d deemed best.

As if on cue, the string quartet started the first haunting notes of the song he’d chosen for this very moment.

The crowd hushed and instinctively turned to face the open double doors of the Lodge.

Amy, Emma and Darby’s cousin from out of town stepped lightly down the few stairs onto the pathway.

A vision of utmost beauty filled his sight. Ryan forgot to breathe; didn’t really think he’d be able to if hehadremembered how.

Darby moved toward him on the arm of her beaming father, a man he’d regarded as his own father most of his life, all grace and sophistication. Her long hair was pulled back from her face in what looked like a messy bun, artistically placed and pinned.

Doubt slithered insidiously through him. How could he think he deserved to be with someone like this?

He dropped his gaze to hide his turbulent thoughts. They had no place here today, but it was a difficult thing to let go of years’ worth of mind games his own head had played on him.

An unbidden laugh burst out of him as Darby lifted the hem of her dress to step up the single step to the gazebo. His apprehension dispersed like a fading mist.

Bright pink work boots peeked from beneath her dress.

His gaze jerked to hers. She grinned back at him unrepentantly as her father stepped back to sit.

He took her hand and hauled her to him, cupped her face between his hands and kissed her hard.

Laughter smattered all around them.

“You, lady, are perfect.”

Darby stared up at him, a mixture of laughter and love radiating from her eyes, along with a bright sheen suspiciously close to tears.

“You chose my favourite song.”

His gaze softened. “It was only appropriate. Every word in that song is how I feel about you.” He nodded. “Ed Sheeran is a wise man.”

Darby hiccupped a laugh. “Stop, before you make me cry.”

“I hate to interrupt, but I believe I was asked here to officiate a wedding?” Father Donovan’s voice sounded behind them. “You’re supposed to wait untilafterthe ceremony to kiss her, young man.”

Ryan turned and helped Darby to her place beside him and faced the priest. “Not my fault, Father. I mean, could you resist her?”

To his right Gabe, Max and Simon groaned, while the women chuckled.

He faced Darby, almost overwhelmed by the swell of love threatening to drown him at the sight of the woman he was about to marry.

“You gave me your heart, Darby Jameson, and now I offer you mine. If you want it.”

The sheen in her eyes sparkled. She smiled awkwardly around biting her lip.

“That’s all I’veeverwanted.”

The End