Page 61 of A Family With the Cowboy

*

The next Fridaymorning, Hayden stood outside the homestead, grinning. They’d done it. With the help of the cowboys on their ranch as well as their neighbors, they’d converted the lawn in front of his house into a wedding venue. His mom had found a catering business who had put up a stretched tent, brought chairs, and who would also do tomorrow’s catering. There were flowers everywhere—also thanks to his mother. They’d been working nonstop the whole week.

Willow walked closer. “It looks perfect, bro. I’m not sure how we’ve done it with everything else going on, but you have a wedding venue. And your bride has a dress, even though she doesn’t know it yet.” She laughed.

“Thank you for helping Mom with that,” he grinned. “Everything okay for tonight?”

“Everything is perfect. I will let you know when we’re on our way to Grey’s Saloon. It is, after all, the place where you first saw her.”

Shaking his head, Hayden grinned. “You know about that?”

“Of course I do. You just make sure you guys are on time.”

*

Friday night, Lauraparked her car in front of Ellie’s Yarn Cove. It was raining and miserable outside. She missed Hayden. He was working again tonight and said he couldn’t see her. All she wanted was something to eat and her bed, but her friends had other ideas. For some reason or other, the book club had been moved to tonight, and all her excuses were ignored.

Wearily, she got out of her car and walked toward Ellie’s shop. The soft drizzle had her hurrying.

Strange. The place was dark. She peered through the glass door, but couldn’t see anything. Maybe they were in the back? Or had she completely misunderstood Arlene?

Sighing, she tried the door. It opened. Okay, so that meant…

As she stepped inside, the lights came on.

“Surprise!” yelled the whole book club, each with a glass of bubbly in hand.

Laura was so flabbergasted, she couldn’t get a word out.

Arlene, with a bride’s veil in her hands, walked up to her. “You better brace yourself, sweetheart, there are a few more shockers in store for you tonight. This is the first one. You’ve just arrived at your kitchen tea/bachelorette party/whatever.” Dazed, Laura stared at her friends as Arlene put the veil on her head.

“Come on, get your coat off.” Willow laughed. “We have presents for you!”

A wonderful warm feeling spread throughout Laura’s body. And to think she’d been so miserable. There was so much to be grateful for. Not only was she engaged to a gorgeous cowboy and had become part of his family, but she’d also found the most wonderful friends.

Laughing, she hugged Arlene. “So that’s why you didn’t want a lift tonight. I suppose everyone in town knows by now Hayden and I are engaged?”

“Everyone already knew by Sunday night.” Arlene grinned.

“I told you about this town,” Maria said. “Everyone knows everything. I heard the news Monday morning before school.”

Laura shook her head. “I was wondering how everyone at school knew about it.”

“Well,” Arlene said, “Carol Bingley phoned me on Sunday evening to confirm the rumor.”

Laura groaned. “We only got engaged on Sunday!”

Janice patted her arm. “It’s Marietta, my dear. Everyone knows everything.”

“We are leaving for Grey’s Saloon after you’ve opened your presents.” Willow smiled. “I cannot tell you how happy I am that one of my siblings is getting married. Mom will hopefully stop pestering me about getting a husband.”

“Well, you never know.” Janice grinned. “This is Marietta, after all. Anything can happen.”

Smiling, Ellie gave Laura a glass of bubbly. “Cheers, Laura. I’m so happy for you. Good men are few and far between, but from what I’ve heard in town, you’ve struck gold.”

Annie also came closer for a hug. “I like to think Annie’s is the reason why you and Hayden got together. If you and your friend hadn’t stayed with us on your way to Yellowstone National Park, you may never have fallen in love with Marietta!”

Laughing, Vivian raised her glass. “To Marietta and Copper Mountain. There is a certain kind of magic at work here, whether you’re looking for it or not.”

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