Page 87 of A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

“You guys ready?” Maxwell looked between the Kline brothers.

“I guess.”

“Consider it a dress rehearsal for your own wedding. That’s, what, only three months away?”

Weston let out a long breath. “Is that all? I mean, how time drags.”

Maxwell knew what Weston meant. Time was such a weird thing, appearing to speed and linger at the same time. He could hardly believe it had been three months since he’d reconnected with Eryn. She’d come so far — they both had, actually. But she was so much more confident now. It was wondrous and beautiful to see.

Jude checked his watch. “I think we’re supposed to be downstairs in like zero minutes.”

“Is Nana ready?” Weston asked.

Jude nodded. “She was so tickled Mom asked her to stand up with her.”

“What an interesting wedding party.” Maxwell laughed. Keith and Nadine had asked their three kids, then immediately included Maxwell and Paisley. Jude would be paired with his grandmother, but he claimed to be honored rather than insulted.

“Let’s do it.” Weston brushed his hands together. “The sooner we get them hitched, the sooner I can get back in jeans and a Henley.”

“After all the photos and the reception.” Maxwell couldn’t help goading his cousin. It was simply too much fun.

“I’ll talk to Paisley again about eloping. Why does she have to be an event planner, anyway? I can’t believe how extravagant she’s making everything.”

“But you’re getting married here, at the ranch…” How extravagant could it be?

Weston mock shuddered.

“Time.” Jude pointed at the door. “Let’s not be the ones holding up the show.”

Maxwell followed his cousins down the back stairs to the office hallway, where Pastor Marshall Smith from Creekside Fellowship met them. “You boys ready?”

They nodded just as Keith joined them from a side room. The groom looked like he’d been born to a tux instead of to overalls, and the smile on his face could not be contained. He looked around the group. “Is everything running on time?”

“Paisley would have our heads if it wasn’t,” Weston muttered.

Maxwell tried not to smirk, but the truth was, he couldn’t wait for a glimpse of Eryn in her scarlet — not red — gown. Weston might be alternating cold and eager feet, but Maxwell had yet to pop his own question and formalize his relationship with Eryn. Oh, they’d talked about marriage and kids and the pros and cons of living at the ranch versus in town, but always in a hypothetical sense.

Cadence poked her head around to see the men. “I was sent to tell you to make your entrance now.”

Keith nodded and pumped his shoulders. “Let’s do this.” He followed Pastor Smith down the corridor, the younger men behind him, Maxwell sandwiched between Weston and Jude.

The great room had been mounded with greenery and assorted white flowers to offset the bank of leftover Christmas poinsettias, the perfume of them filling the air. Guests, including Maxwell’s parents and aunt and uncle, sat in rows of folding chairs facing the crackling fireplace and the wide windows with their lake view.

Maxwell faced the gathering, but his gaze strayed beyond to the grand log staircase from the second floor. The string quartet’s selection shifted, and Eleanor began her descent of the steps. She might be 77, but she was steady on her feet and elegant in her gown. Jude met her and ushered her to her spot.

Then it was Paisley’s turn. A quick glance to Weston showed the surly cowboy spellbound, his mouth slightly agape as he watched his fiancée.

Maxwell elbowed him lightly and whispered, “Maybe the hoopla is worth it?”

“Maybe,” Weston whispered back then stepped forward to escort her.

And then Eryn stepped into view, and Maxwell forgot to breathe. She was so beautiful in that gorgeous dress. Her hair, like Paisley’s, was in an updo with a few trailing tendrils framing her face. Eryn’s gaze latched onto his, and he couldn’t have stayed standing where he was if his life depended on it.

Thankfully, it didn’t. Thankfully, he’d been ordered to meet her, and he did. She tucked her hand behind his elbow and pressed against him.

“You’re stunning,” he whispered.

“You clean up pretty well yourself,” she whispered back.

---