Page 38 of Running to the Mountain Man

We’ve all gathered at Sterling Ranch before heading into town. Louisa, Olivia, and Curly are coming with us to the courthouse.

It’s a warm spring day, and Curly and Barrett are having coffee on the three-season porch.

Louisa and Olivia are helping me get ready.

“This one?” Olivia holds out a slinky dress with a plunging, draped neckline.

“Maybe not for court,” I say.

The three of us finally pick something that looks innocent but pretty.

When I come out of the bedroom, I’m wearing a simple white dress, my hair is done in long, golden curls, my lips are stained red, and my lashes have mascara for the first time.

Barrett looks too stunned to speak.

Curly slaps him on the back. “Here you go, friend.”

My future husband can’t take his eyes off me. Curly clears his throat, and the rest of us chuckle.

Finally, he looks down to find the opened ring box that Curly hands to him. Inside it are two simple gold bands. Barrett takes the box and looks at Curly. “What is this?”

“Something borrowed. My late wife’s and my wedding bands. You two can wear them until you pick out something she likes.”

Barrett looks from Curly to me. “Baby, what’s going on?”

“A compromise. I said I wanted to wait until my legal troubles are behind us. No matter what happens today, I need you, Barrett.”

I stop short of making it an official proposal.

Barrett comes to me and drops to one knee. “Goldie Locke, will you marry me?”

With everything in me, I say, “Barrett Fowler, yes, I will.”

Chapter Twenty

Barrett

The borrowed rings and wishful thinking worked.

Audrey worked her magic today and convinced the judge that Goldie had been kidnapped and was, therefore, in immediate danger and entitled to use whatever force necessary against her kidnapper.

The prosecutor dropped the additional charge of possession of a stolen firearm.

Goldie and I marry in the judge’s chambers barely an hour after that.

We place the gold bands on each other’s fingers and say the vows.

I lift her up and kiss my bride, marking a new beginning for both of us.

But the new beginning is bittersweet.

“I’m sorry this isn’t the big, fancy wedding you deserve,” I say, not ready to put her back down on her feet.

“Are you kidding me? Look around you. This is magical.”

I won’t take my eyes off my wife.

I just smile and feel the support of everyone around us.

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