Page 25 of Big Filthy Cowboy

I hurry to her, my hands in the pocket of my blue jeans. “Can I talk to you alone for a minute?”

Linda smiles when she sees me and gestures for me to follow her into the inventory room. “What’s up? Is everything okay? I haven’t seen you around lately.”

I close the door, so we’re alone. “I haven’t been around a lot because I consider you a friend, and I didn’t know how to tell you that I think your son is hot.” My cheeks flame as soon as I admit that. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”

She chuckles. “There’s nothing to feel awkward about. I’m glad that Barrett found someone so sweet and kind.”

A weight that was on my shoulders rolls off, and I tug my hand from my pocket. “I’m so relieved to hear you say that. He asked me to marry him, and I’d really like to hold the wedding today.”

Linda whoops and hollers. “Congratulations! I’m so happy that Barrett has a girl like you to call his own.”

My eyes fill with tears. “You’re really happy about this?”

Linda says, “I just got myself a lifetime supply of donuts. I’m over the moon.”

I’m laughing and crying at the same time, happy tears and delighted giggles. I was so worried she’d be angry with me. “There’s just one more thing.”

“I’m not sure my heart can handle more news,” she says, her own eyes filling with tears.

“It’s just that I don’t have a family. Ever since I’ve met you, I’ve always thought that I would have liked my mom to have been just like you. So would you consider walking me down the aisle?”

“I would be proud to walk down that aisle with you and give you away. Now, come here. Give me a hug.” As she wraps her arms around me, she whispers, “I’m so excited to have a new daughter.”

“You look beautiful,” Ginger tries to apply a coat of lipstick to my face. She tears up again, which she’s been doing ever since she started on my makeup. We all know it’s pregnancy hormones.

“Let me help her,” Dotty says and takes the lipstick from her. She applies it and offers me a tissue to blot with while Evie fastens a pearl necklace around my throat. Lizzy does my hair in an elegant updo twist.

I’m wearing a dress from Sew Cute, a boutique store in town that caters to curvy girls like me. Even though Mallory didn’t have something in stock that was exactly my size, she helped me find a dress that she could quickly alter.

My vintage inspired wedding dress is tea length with a full skirt. The deep V-neck emphasizes my amazing cleavage, and the lace cap sleeves are delicate and feminine. I finished the look with a pair of white kitten heels and a birdcage wedding veil.

We’re exchanging our vows at the Courage County wedding chapel, which thankfully wasn’t damaged in the storm. Inside the chapel, there’s a wall of framed pictures with couples celebrating their happy unions. They say this place is magical, that everyone who gets married here stays together forever.

“Are you ready?” Linda rolls into the room just as I’m surveying my appearance one last time.

I give her a brief nod, my heart overflowing with gratitude for my friends and Barrett’s family. The only one not in attendance today is Zac. He left already, but he sent his congratulations through a video.

Linda pushes her chair forward and holds out her arm. “I’m so happy you’re part of my family.”

I smile at her as I croak out, “So am I.”

The other girls have already slipped out of the room to take their places. As the music begins to swell from the organ, all I can feel is gratitude and love. This big, filthy cowboy fills my heart with so much joy. He’s given me more than his love and his affection. He’s given me a family.

I watch spellbound as my bridesmaids make their way down the aisle. I can’t believe that this is my life. That I get to marry the handsome cowboy standing at the altar. His gaze hasn’t left me since the moment he saw me. Coco and Skip are with him, waiting for me at the altar.

When it’s our turn, I match my stride to Linda’s motorized wheelchair as the two of us move down the aisle together. We reach the front, and she gestures me close, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek before putting my hand in Barrett’s.

“Take good care of her,” she murmurs.

“Always,” he promises.

While our friends and family watch, Barrett and I repeat our vows. The moment he slips the ring on my finger, joy washes over me in waves.

He promised he would gather all the broken pieces of my heart until I was whole again, and he’s done just that. His love is wrapping around my heart and healing all of the achy, hurting places. Because of him, I know that love is good to me.

“You’re my forever,” I whisper as I slip the ring on his finger.

The pastor announces that it’s time to kiss the bride, Barrett slides his hand to the back of my neck. “I love you, sweet girl.”

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