Page 40 of The Texas Cowboy's Rescue

“Yes.How could I refuse a man who likes sprinkles? And gives me the best cupcake of all? I love you, Deke Hayes. I will fly anyplace with you because I give you my total trust, once and forever. Will you fly me home with you, cowboy... always?”

She didn’t have time to ask twice before he stood and pulled her into his arms.

Epilogue

Three months later…

“That’s very interesting,”Matt said, taking in the four-tier wedding cake.

“What’s interesting?” Laurel asked. “It’s a wedding cake. You’ve seen plenty of them.”

“Yes, but usually they have roses and doves and all that wedding stuff on them. This one is covered in sprinkly things, and there’s a helicopter on top.”

“Your point is? A wedding cake is special to the bride and groom. That’s all that matters... that and, hopefully, it tastes good.”

“And a picnic for a reception? Granted, this is a gorgeous spot at sunset from this patio, but an early October evening with dinner on that patio down by the river? Remind me not to have too much of the spiked punch and try to navigate those steps.”

“Make yourself useful. Round up the guys. We are starting this on time. The groom wants to fly away as the moon rises... very romantic,” Sammi Jo added, joining the duo.

“Ah, romance, yes... that’s what gets a guy in trouble,” Matt mumbled. But he followed the orders given to him.

Five minutes later, the music began, and the guests gathered in the half-moon circle as indicated, with the pastor standing in the center. Once again, the couple had chosen to do things a little differently. The groom, in a dark-blue suit, walked hand in hand from the house with the bride in her white-lace tea-length dress, a bouquet of scarlet roses in her hand. They were accompanied by their one attendant, Brooke, in sparkly pink ruffles. The three of them stopped in the center with hands joined. The vows were spoken from their hearts and the rings were handed over by Brooke. Before the kiss and pronouncement, Deke went down on one knee and presented the little girl with a necklace and made a vow to her as well—the three became one family, and tears flowed throughout the assembled guests. Happy tears and then cheers from all erupted. The reception could begin for the next two hours.

And then, on cue, the moon began its rise. The guests were enjoying themselves in earnest. “You throw quite a party,” Jaxson commented to the groom, as they waited on the bride to rejoin them for the bouquet toss and then the honeymoon getaway.

“Thanks. It was what we wanted. Kenzie planned it all, and I wanted it to be extra special for her. Including the timing of the full moon—it has special meaning for the two of us, and I am thankful for a cloudless sky. And very thankful and blessed for all the family and friends who helped make this night what it is. I’m a lucky man. Now I know why you and Beaudry are always smiling. You married awesome ladies and I did also... much to my unending amazement.”

“The best is yet to be or some such,” Matt joined in, raising his champagne glass on high.

“You realize this leavesyouas the last man standing, right?” Beaudry pointed out.

“Yes, well, I will gladly hold that title.”

“It’s time to toss the bouquet, everyone. I hope Kenzie likes the surprise in store for her. It took a lot to pull it off, and I was afraid it might not make it on time,” Deke said, as the guests and the single ladies lined up for the traditional toss on the patio. The helicopter stood waiting for the bride and groom several yards from the festivities.

Laurel moved to stand closer to Matt and lowered her voice. “I recall one time that you said you didn’t care much for surprises. In fact, not at all.”

Matt grinned at her. “I believe I said that, yes. Why?”

“Just checking. You might want another glass of champagne.” He turned to do just that as the waiter passed by. The bouquet went into the air, and then laughter and clapping arose. And then, there was a cry of surprise from the bride and a collective gasp from the guests, then hardy applause.

“Wow, that’s some gift Deke pulled off. He really shocked Kenzie, judging by the look on her face. It’s a great surprise!” Sammi Jo clapped louder and even had tears in her eyes.

“Damn, I missed it. What happened?” Matt turned from the server, the glass sloshing liquid. The crowd was keeping the gift out of his sight. He searched over heads and saw nothing. He moved to stand on the rim of the patio next to the river for a better view.

Beaudry moved closer. “You might not want to do that, friend.”

“I’m fine. Why not? No worries about me.” Matt steadied himself on the stones, looking for a better footing around him.

“Hello, Matteo.”

His gaze shot up. He saw the wedding bouquet first, and then he saw the woman holding it. Twelve years ago... it was happening all over again. Matt blinked twice. It was the champagne. It had to be. But the person, the apparition, did not disappear.

And then he made a miscalculation when he went to step off the stone rim. Amid gasps and hands reaching for him, the splash was inevitable. The gasps gave way to full-out laughter. Luckily, the water was not that deep, and he was able to find his footing, half his body out of the cold water. Hopefully, the chilled water had cleared the fog in his brain that had created such a bad dream. He looked upward and yet, she was still there.MaKenna.

“I should have warned you. But it was to be a huge surprise for Kenzie. Deke was able to bring MaKenna home for the wedding. Isn’t it great?!” Jaxson gave Matt a helping hand. Then he was standing on dry land, still feeling like he had stepped back in time.

“Better late than never,” MaKenna said, with a laugh glittering in those emerald-green eyes.

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