Page 61 of Naughty by Nature

An older man walked into the room, silver haired and dark eyed, with a beautiful redheaded woman on his arm. Cheyenne immediately flung her arms around the man, then turned to Sheridan. “This is Chad’s boss and partner, Duncan Wilde. Duncan, Sheriff Sheridan Lane. Not sure if you’ve met or not.” She turned to the woman at his side. “And you must be Alex. It’s such a pleasure to meet you!”

Cheyenne knew immediately that they would get along like long lost friends. Actually, she’d felt an immediate kinship with all of the women that had arrived today. Some of them were bridesmaids in the wedding party, like she and Payton were. Shannon, assuming the babies were delivered fine, was supposed to be the maid of honor, but Cheyenne had cheerfully offered to take over the shower responsibilities for her.

They all agreed that they needed to have a meeting about the dresses they would be wearing for the wedding—assuming Daddy would give them a color—before the Colorado contingent left Texas.

Mama and Daddy came out in the midst of all the arrivals. Her father’s eyes gleamed as they looked around at what she and Payton and Brock had done. “I see you’ve been taking plays from my playbook,” he murmured.

Cheyenne laughed. “Oh, really? Maybe we both just have great taste.”

“I love you, baby.”

“I love you too, Daddy.”

He glanced at Sheridan standing behind her. “You gonna let me plan your wedding too?”

Sheridan laughed and shook his head. “That’s completely up to her.”

Cheyenne narrowed her eyes at her father. “We’ll see…”

Cheyenne lost track of all of the men and women that came. There were so many of Chad’s military friends from the Lost and Found group she lost track of names. Marlene’s NBC group showed up early, because they wanted ringside seats to see who all arrived. They claimed one far side table where they could watch everyone. Cheyenne saw a few other disabled men and women arrive and asked Chad if they were part of his group as well, but Chad shook his head. “Brock said he invited some of the guys from the Sweetwater equine therapy place down the road.”

Ah, yes, there was Ryan Whitfield, the woman that ran it, weaving her way through the crowd to sit with Payton.

Emily arrived late to the party, her skin flushed, her pale green eyes looking tired. “I’m sorry I’m late. It was hard getting away from the city today.”

Cheyenne wrapped her in a hug. “Hey, Chicken. No worries. Just glad you’re here now. Mama and Daddy are over there,” she pointed.

With a nod, Emily headed in that direction, after grabbing a flute of champagne.

All of the people in the room took time to talk to Chad and Lora and wish them well. The happy couple ate and danced and played ridiculous games that Cheyenne and Payton had dreamed up. Cheyenne thought Lora looked ethereal in the pale blue dress swirling about her legs as she moved.

The guests played along when the kids started running around with digital cameras taking silly pictures, and by the end of the night the wooden chest was overflowing with helpful advice cards and all of the Jenga pieces had been signed. Three boxes worth. The toilet paper wedding dress, made by Sophia herself, hung in a place of honor near the bride-to-be.

Lora caught her eye several times, thanking her over and over again. Chad joined her at one point where she and Sheridan had settled and wrapped her in a hug. “Sis, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for us today. You’ve made Lora feel like an important part of the family.”

“She is an important part of the family,” Cheyenne told him sternly.

“I know, I know. Sometimes it takes people a while to realize that, and a really big demonstration.”

“Yes,” she agreed, laughing. “But remember. It wasn’t just me. Brock has been working on this for the past week, and Payton has helped me with planning for longer than that.”

“I already spoke to Brock and thanked him. I’ll find Payton next.”

With another squeeze, Chad returned to Lora.

There was a general feeling of goodwill in the room, and Cheyenne took a moment to absorb it. There were a lot of disabled men and a few women here, but no one reacted to the disabilities themselves. She had worried that the general public wouldn’t understand what all the men shared, but she’d been mistaken. Every one was talking and laughing.

“You know,” Sheridan said softly. “There’s a lot of love in this room right now. Chad has amazing friends. And this community has really stepped up as well.”

“Yes,” she whispered, leaning back against him.

“I’m not trying to steal anyone’s thunder, but I have something for you.”

Cheyenne looked up at him curiously. “What’s that?”

He fished in his pocket for something, and Cheyenne’s heart began to race.

“I’ve only loved twice in my life, so this might be a little rusty.” He pulled the ring from his pocket. “Cheyenne Lowell, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”

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