[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Channing laughed.  Because we ll be seeing double tomorrow if we do.
 I forgot to tell you, Eden s coming to the wedding, J.J. said.
They all looked at him.
J.J. shrugged.  I m just as surprised as all of you.
 She isn t going to do something crazy like open fire at the reception, is she? Tyler quipped.
 I m too handsome to be cut down in the prime of my life.
 If you want to increase your life expectancy, stay out of race cars. Tate scooped some dip on a
chip and popped it into his mouth.
The door flew open with a gale force and slammed against the wall. It was Michelle with
Isabelle in tow.
 Tyler Blake, you re a jerk! Michelle yelled.
Tyler spit out his beer and stepped behind Tate.  Michelle. What are you doing here?
 Good question, what am I doing here? You lousy, no good bum. You ve been avoiding me since
I stepped foot on this ranch, Michelle shot back.
Isabelle held up her hands.  Sorry guys. Michelle couldn t hold this in until tomorrow.
 You can t run now, you two-bit gigolo! Michelle advanced toward him.
 Bet you wish you had one of those race cars right now, Tate mumbled to Tyler.
 Tyler, stop hiding and talk to Michelle. Seth pulled Tyler away from Tate.
 Thanks Seth. Michelle tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.  Why can t you be more
like your brothers?
 Like I haven t heard that all my life, Tyler grumbled and took Michelle outside.
* * *
Morgan woke the next morning to find Isabelle standing over her.
 Good morning. Isabelle pulled back the covers.
 Good morning. Morgan looked for the alarm clock on the nightstand.  I have to feed the boys!
Isabelle blocked her path.  Cool your jets. Sydney s on feeding detail.
 Why didn t anyone wake me up hours ago?
 Against the wedding day rules. Isabelle held up a piece of paper.  Seth left specific
instructions. We all have our parts to play today, and your part is the well-rested, blushing bride.
Besides, there was practically a fight about who would help the boys get ready.
Morgan began undressing.  Did anything exciting happen after I left the bachelorette party?
Isabelle furrowed her eyebrows.  Why do you ask?
 I left a bunch of drunk women downstairs eating food and talking shit. Something was bound to
happen.
 Well& 
 Oh no. What happened?
 Michelle stormed out of the house in search of Tyler.
Morgan gasped.
 Relax. We didn t let her drive. I caught up with her walking down the road and gave her a lift
to the cabin. She and Tyler were talking on the porch for a long time. Isabelle shrugged.
 Was Tyler as drunk as Michelle?
 If he was, he sobered up when she burst into the cabin using language would have made my dad
blush. Isabelle chuckled.
 What was she thinking? Morgan put on her robe.
 I think she was hurting. From what I heard when I was listening at the door before Tate caught
me, he was kind of pissed that she s dating that guy Finn. Now come on. Isabelle grabbed her hand
and led her to the bathroom.
The tub was filled with bubbles, rose petals and the sailboat Seth occasionally played with
when he gave the boys a bath. The soft sound of Tate s music from his new CD came from the sound
system, and a note sat on the tray attached to the tub with a mimosa beside it.
 Per Seth s instructions, you are to take a long, hot bath, and then we ll get you ready. No
organizing. Leave everything to your capable family. I would sooner burn my violin than let this day
be anything but perfect for my two favorite people.
Morgan looked around, grateful that she had a man that took such loving care of her. She went
over and opened the note.
Morgan,
Nothing but smooth sailing today.
Love, Seth
 Thank you, for everything. Morgan smiled.
Isabelle put her hand on her hip.  Let s get you married. Again.
* * *
As Seth approached the stables, he saw that his father was waiting for him with his horse Dusty
and Seth s horse Iris.
 Good morning, Daddy. Seth smiled as he slammed the truck door.  I guess we had the same
idea.
 I know, my son, John Jacob said.  You would either take a ride on Iris or jog. I prayed all
night that you would pick Iris. I don t have it in me anymore to be jogging around this ranch.
They mounted their horses and headed out toward the creek near Tate s cabin. There was a
sense of peace here that Seth couldn t find anywhere else. He d gone out into the world and made a
name for himself as a football player, but he knew he would always be a rancher. Living this life
helped him cope with the fame and the attention of being a quarterback. He d had his wild women and
wild moments, but he was fortunate enough not to have taken it seriously. Deep down inside he knew
the road would lead him back to this ranch, raising a family and being one with the land.
John Jacob looked at his watch.  You probably ought to be getting back. You ve got a wedding
to get to.
 This really is what life is all about. Seth smiled.
 Yes, it is.
* * *
After sneaking into the boys room for the fourth time, Morgan s team of wedding coordinators
swooped in on her and kicked her out. Nina did her makeup. Isabelle helped style her hair and put so
much hair spritz on, Morgan was sure she wouldn t be able to comb her hair for a week. Michelle
changed the subject every time Morgan mentioned last night. Her friend looked radiant and confused,
a telltale sign she and Tyler had probably done more than talk last night.
She waited until an hour before the ceremony to put on her wedding dress. When they finally
finished fussing with the pink princess-style wedding dress with its full satin skirt and detailed
embroidery on the bodice and hem, the room went silent.
 What do you think? I know most of you thought I d gone mad when I selected pink. But I think it
works. Morgan twirled around.
 Morgan, honey, you look absolutely beautiful. Teri-Lyn blinked back tears.
 Stunning. Nina smiled.
Michelle clasped her hands together.  Like a princess right out of a fairytale.
Chapter Eight
Morgan allowed for one more group hug before she kicked everyone out. The wedding would
begin in thirty minutes and then it would be time for the good part: good food, cake and dancing with
her husband. There was a knock at the door.
 Come in.
 Morgan, you look beautiful.
Morgan ran to her father and wrapped her arms around his neck.
 Be careful. I don t want all your hard work to come undone.
She smiled at him and stepped back.
He shook his head.  Look at you. Your mother couldn t convince you to put on a dress the first
five years of your life.
 Really?
 She kept trying, though. She was determined not to let you turn into a tomboy because you had
three brothers.
 So how did she finally convince me to wear a dress?
 I told her that you were a strong willed little girl, just like her, and the more she pushed, the
more you d resist. Well, the concept of letting things be just wasn t your mother s style, but you wore
her down. She finally gave up, and one day a few months later, you showed up for breakfast wearing
a pink ruffly thing she d gotten you a year before.
Morgan laughed.  The apple doesn t fall far from the tree.
 I think you ve always wanted to navigate your own way. You came around to the dress, just
like you came around to the braces and letting your brother teach you how to drive. It takes a strong
person to stand up and know what they want in life. I ve always been proud that I had a daughter who
knew her own mind. That s why I didn t worry when you came home from that island and said you d
married Seth. You always know what s right for you, Morgan. And you will always be my baby girl. I
love you so much. Curtis gave her a big squeeze.
 I love you too, Dad. Morgan gave him a bear hug.
The attendants opened the doors. Morgan took a deep breath.
 Ready, baby girl?
She nodded and sniffed back the tears. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]