Page 49 of My Billionaire Cowboy Protector

Caroline sighed heavily and said, “Since it was an outdoor wedding, we could have invited a lot more guests.”

Taylor laughed and said, “I think that we have plenty. Seven brothers with their plus ones, Robert, Sam, Franny, and Della, their plus ones along with some of our close friends is more than enough people.”

“Hmph,” Caroline said.

Laughing, Taylor hugged her soon-to-be mother-in-law. She knew that while Caroline loved to throw huge parties, she was thrilled that Lane finally found someone to settle down with.

“You could have at least let me send you guys on a honeymoon,” Caroline said. “You could have gone on a cruise, to the Bahamas, or Hawaii.”

“We might go on a trip sometime but probably not to one of those places. We’re more likely to go on a hiking or camping trip,” Taylor said. “But right now, I want to get my horse ranch up and going. We’re merging the two, but I’m running the horse training aspect of it.”

“Do you have something borrowed, something new, something old, and something new?” Alice asked.

“I have your pearl necklace and earrings that I’m borrowing,” Taylor said. “My garter is blue. The veil was yours, so it is old. The bracelet that Melissa gave me is new. I’m all set.”

Alice helped Taylor slip on the simple white satin dress with a lacy overlay. There was no train or anything fancy.

“You’re beautiful,” Willow said.

“Thank you,” Taylor replied shyly.

A light knock on the door let the women know that it was time. Alice looked at Taylor and hugged her tightly.

“I love you so much,” Alice said, wiping a tear away.

Caroline hugged her, too, and the two mothers hurried outside to take their place.

Jim smiled and said, “Are you ready?”

Taylor nodded. An image of Carl popped into her mind. She had loved him so much, and the last time she had been led down the aisle on her father’s arm was to marry Carl. Instead of feeling sad, though, she felt as though Carl was smiling at her, glad that she was happy.

Melissa went into the hallway and placed her hand on Colton’s. Willow walked out on Ryder’s arm.

They walked down the stairs and outside. Everyone stood, as Taylor walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. Her heart fluttered as she saw the tall handsome man waiting at the altar for her.

Brother Ayhart smiled at Taylor and then began the ceremony. “Friends and family. We are gathered here today to witness Lane Johnson and Taylor Williams be joined together in holy matrimony.”

Taylor suppressed a grin as she heard a small sob come from her mother. Alice always got emotional at weddings, even when the bride or groom were casual acquaintances.

“The bride and groom have written their own vows. Lane?”

“Imagine my surprise when I was trying to hire a ranch hand and a woman named Taylor walked into my office cock-sure that she could do the job as well as any man. I had mydoubts, but you quickly erased them. You worked as hard as everyone else, and you did it with a smile. Along the way, you brought light into my life. You mended my soul and then you stole my heart. Taylor, you made everything in my world right and I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Taylor?”

“You were the enemy but my only hope of getting back my beloved ranch. Somehow, though, enemies became friends, and then so much more than that. You taught me that it was possible to heal from a broken heart and to find love again. You brought peace, comfort, and happiness into my world again. You brought sunshine into my life and shattered the darkness that had hovered about me. I’m proud to walk through this world by your side.”

“Lane Johnson, do you solemnly swear to take this woman, Taylor Williams, as your lawfully wedded wife; to forsake all others; to have and to hold; through sickness and health, through richer or poorer, until death do you part?”

“I do,” Lane said.

“Taylor Williams, do you solemnly swear to take this man, Lane Johnson, as your lawfully wedded husband; to forsake all others; to have and to hold; through sickness and health, through richer or poorer, until death do you part?”

“I do,” Taylor said.

“By the power vested in me, by the great state of Colorado, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Brother Ayhart said.

Taylor looked into Lane’s chocolatey brown eyes, smiling softly. Her heart beat a million miles an hour as he lowered his head. Lane pressed his lips against Taylor’s. Lightning exploded and thunder clapped around them their souls melded together as one.

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