The Cowboy's Homecoming

It took no time at all for them to get Lacey zipped and hooked into the simple but stunning dress.

“Honey, you’re beautiful.”

“I know I said no to the whole veil thing, but you don’t think white is, well, you know...”

Kailey gave a little snort. “That whole wearing white thing has been out the window for years. So what if this isn’t your first trip down the aisle? We all know it’s your last.”

“Amen,” Helen said, taking Lacey’s hands in hers. “You’ve got a wonderful man in Quinn and a daughter to love now, too. I couldn’t be prouder of you, sweetheart.”

“Even though I’m here at the ranch?” Lacey looked troubled. “I know how you feel about the place, Mom.”

“Ranch life wasn’t for me, at least not without your father. But the nice thing about being an adult is being able to make your own choices. This is a good one. And I can tell because it’s written all over your face.”

Kailey’s nose stung a little, the emotion of the day getting to her a bit as Lacey and Helen hugged. She wasn’t sure if it was Carrie marrying Duke or Quinn finding Lacey or what, but Kailey had been chafing against her own life a little bit lately. Wanting more. Particularly since Colt had asked her that important question and then withdrawn it again once he’d understood how things would have to be.

She loved running the ranch with her dad. But she wanted her own life, too. Maybe... She bit down on her lip. Maybe even her own family. Colt had changed his mind because he’d wanted her to leave Gibson behind, and she couldn’t bring herself to say goodbye to the ranch and the business her dad, and now she, had built. He’d wanted her to choose him. And for Kailey it just wasn’t that simple.

But it had worked out for Quinn and Lacey, and Kailey was thrilled for them. “You just need your bouquet.” Kailey went to the box containing the flowers and withdrew them from the tissue. “These are so pretty, Lacey. And, Helen, your corsage is in here, too. Maybe Lacey could pin it on you.”

While Lacey did the honors, Kailey snapped a few pictures with her phone that she’d send Lacey later. Then she handed Helen the boutonniere for David and let her know her ride was waiting to take them to the church.

It seemed in no time at all and Rylan was back to take them to the ceremony.

“Wait, I thought Duke was picking us up?” Lacey frowned at the sight of Rylan unfolding his legs as he got out of the car.

Kailey could tell that Lacey was getting nervous. There was no way she’d mention an emergency of any sort. Keeping Lacey calm and radiant was job number one, so she fudged a little. “I think it’s nice. He doesn’t have a part in the wedding, and I bet Quinn did it so Rylan would be involved, you know?”

“Do you think?” Lacey looked so pleased that Kailey knew she’d taken the right tack.

Kailey couldn’t take her eyes off him. “Sure I do. Now your whole family has a role to play in your big day.”

Rylan had borrowed Helen and David’s sedan for the occasion, so that Lacey didn’t have to get in and out of a half-ton truck in her gown. Sunglasses shaded his eyes as he held the car door, first for Lacey, and then the other side for Kailey, once she had finished tucking the mini-train in around Lacey’s ankles.

“Forget what I said about you looking nice,” he said in a low voice, his hands resting on the window. “You look beautiful, Kailey. Really, really beautiful.”

Surprise and pleasure had her throat tightening. “Thank you, Rylan,” she murmured.

“You’re welcome,” he answered. Then he shut the door behind her and went around to the driver’s side as if he’d done nothing more important than comment on the weather. The compliment had gone straight to her heart, though, because she knew it had been sincere.

It was a perfect day for a wedding. The early summer sun was warm but not too hot, and a light breeze ruffled the hems of their dresses as they got out of the car at the church. Duke was there, holding Amber’s hand. Kailey grinned when she saw Amber’s face. She was as proud as anything in her white flower-girl dress with a sash that matched the color of Kailey’s. A little basket was in her hands, and once more, the brown-and-blue boots on her feet. She was adorable. Even more so when she ran forward, pulling her hand out of Duke’s grasp.

“Lacey! You look like a princess!”

Ignoring her hem, Lacey squatted down to Amber’s height. “So do you, pumpkin. You ready to do this?”

“Heck yeah.”

Kailey burst out laughing at the slightly inappropriate answer from a five-year-old. Confused, Amber looked up, but then Duke bade them goodbye as he went to meet Quinn at the front of the church, and Rylan sent her one parting look before giving his arm to Carrie—they’d sit together with Helen and David throughout the service.

They were waiting in the vestibule, nearly ready for the walk up the aisle when Lacey spoke. “Amber, do I have bride brain? I thought we got you a yellow and white bouquet like Kailey’s. Not a basket.”

Amber turned troubled eyes on her nearly new stepmother. “Oh. Um. Well.”

“Um well?”

“Molly and Ranger ate them.”

The dogs. Quinn had taken both puppies to his house so that they’d be away from the bridal trappings. But apparently flower-girl flowers weren’t immune to their antics.

“They what?” Lacey’s expression was horrified.

Amber’s lip quivered. “I’m sorry. I just put them down for a minute. Daddy put the dogs on the porch and Uncle Duke went to the store. That’s why Uncle Rylan came to get you. Duke was getting me new flowers.”

Lacey raised an eyebrow in Kailey’s direction and Kailey tried to adopt an innocent look. “I see,” she said, and Kailey shrugged.

“I think they’re pretty,” Amber continued. “Don’t you like them, Lacey?” Her big eyes were worried.

Kailey had to admit that they were lovely. For a rush job, the sunflowers, daisies and baby’s breath were a pretty close match to the other bouquets.

Lacey smiled down at Amber. “Don’t worry. I think they’re very pretty. Maybe prettier than the ones we ordered. Now, are you ready for your walk up the aisle?”

Amber nodded. “Lacey, I’m glad you’re going to be my new mommy.” She wrapped her arms around Lacey’s hips for a quick hug, and Kailey saw Lacey’s eyes mist over.

Moments later Kailey watched from the front of the church as Lacey walked down the aisle to where Quinn was waiting. For the first ten steps she had her gaze locked on Lacey, looking so happy and stunning in her dress. But then she looked at Quinn and her heart turned over. He was watching his bride walk toward him with pure, naked adoration written all over his face. She’d seen him happy with his first wife, Marie, had seen him devastated when Marie died. No one she knew deserved a second chance at happiness more than Quinn.

But more than that, she wondered if anyone would ever look at her that way. As if she was the entire world. As if she was the sun that brought all the light and warmth to his life. Because that was exactly how Quinn was looking at Lacey. And for the first time, Kailey wanted that for herself.

She wanted to matter. She wanted to be more than Kailey Brandt, rancher. Kailey Brandt, friend.

She wanted to be Kailey Brandt, everything.

She turned and focused on the minister and what he was saying as the ceremony got under way. And she definitely didn’t sneak looks at Rylan, sitting with a very pregnant Carrie in the second pew. Because Rylan Duggan was the last man on earth who would ever want her to be that person.

* * *

THE RECEPTION WAS held at a golf course just north of town. Tents were set up outside the club house, and guests mingled around sipping punch and nibbling on snacks as the wedding party arrived after pictures. Kailey hadn’t minded the photos much. The photographer had been efficient and funny, and in no time at all they’d been on their way. Now they were at the country club where there’d be a sit-down dinner and a dance. It still all added up to a long day.

She was already tired. Haying would start in a few days if the weather held. What she really wanted to do now was get out of this dress, put on some pajamas and get a good night’s sleep.

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