Page 59 of The Cowboy's Miracle Baby

That drew a laugh from the guests, most of whom clearly wanted that, too.

They exchanged rings and kissed deeply to seal the deal. It was a kiss that brought the audience to their feet and as they walked down the aisle of chairs, everyone applauded and, Gus imagined, were as inspired as he was by this new beginning.

Weddings. They always got to him.

*

There were photosto be taken and after that, Cami helped Izzy out of her wedding gown and into the reception gown she’d decided to wear, which facilitated the line dancing that would be happening.

“Well, you did it. How does it feel to be a married lady?” she asked her new sister-in-law.

Izzy sighed happily. “I know I’m supposed to say it feels different… amazing, and I guess it does. But honestly, since we met—Will and I—in that very unlikely way, I’ve felt exactly the same as I do right now. That bond we share has never faltered. So, this”—she indicated the beautiful gown on the chair—“was more of a celebration of what we already had that we wanted to share with all of you. Does that sound weird?”

“Not at all. You two are solid. We can all see it. And the rest of us can only hope for that kind of love and commitment finding us someday.”

Izzy met her gaze and took Cami’s hands in hers. “I know it’s kind of early days, but what about Gus? Don’t tell me you don’t see how he looks at you.”

She clucked her tongue. “Today is not the day to be discussing my love life or lack thereof. It’s all about you and Will. Now, let me zip you up. You need to get back out there to your admiring public.”

“My parents are out there. Promise you’ll run interference with my mother if she starts getting political.”

“I’m your man,” Cami said. “She’ll be fine. I think she’s come around about Will.”

Izzy’s family—mostly her mother—was none too happy about her running off with a limo driver after her failed wedding, but Cami knew Izzy was glad they’d come to Montana to meet him and his family, which, in the end, had eased most of their fears. Though ranching in a place as remote as Montana was far outside their Dallas society circles, they might just have accepted that Izzy was never again going to be that girl who followed their rules.

Back at the reception, the band had started up again and Cami searched the crowd for Gus. She found him across the barn, talking to a local rancher named George Smartt, who looked to be deep in conversation, probably about his cows. Gus snuck an apologetic look in her direction, unable to get free. She started to make her way across the room to rescue him when she was waylaid by a half-dozen friends and school colleagues who wanted to talk about the pageant and other questionable things she’d rather not talk about right now. But before she could say no, one of her male teacher friends tugged her out onto the dance floor and insisted on a dance.

Greg Wilson was a handsome, single, thirty-something third-grade teacher who was loved by all of his students and the faculty as well. His family and hers had known one another for years. Many of her friends had tried to fix them up, but Cami had always argued that she had firm rules against dating colleagues. And despite being in proximity to him for the whole past school year, he had never once made her feel the way Gus did—like she’d just stepped out of an airplane into thin air.

Greg caught her looking at Gus. “So, that’s him, huh?” he said.

She jerked her look back to Greg. “Excuse me?”

He tipped his chin toward Gus who was still watching them. “I hear he’s a good guy.”

She felt herself blush. “What are you talking about, Greg?”

“Alden’s replacement vet. Hey, it’s a small town, Cami. No real secrets around here, really.”

“We’re just… friends, Greg.”And he’s leaving town soon.

“Oh. Well, I guess that means I haven’t totally lost out yet, then.” He laughed awkwardly and Cami stopped dancing.

“Greg, we’re colleagues and—”

“I’m just kidding. Sort of. If we were gonna happen, we would have by now. Right?”

She sighed. “It’s me. It’s not you, Greg. Please, don’t take it personally. You’re a great guy. Any girl would be lucky to date you.”

“To date me? Yeah. That’s the problem. I’m kinda looking for more than that. But I get it. Don’t worry. I don’t want this to make things weird between us.”

She was kind of looking for more than that, too. Just not with Greg. “It won’t. But I do see that Izzy has some cute friends here for the wedding. I’m just saying…”

“Okay, okay. Thanks for the dance. But if I don’t miss my guess, that guy over there?” he said, gesturing at Gus with a nod. “He’s not thinkingjust friendswhen he’s looking at you.”

Indeed, Gus was circling the crowd closer to her. And when the dance finally ended with Greg, she found Gus waiting at the edge of the dance floor for her.

“I was beginning to think I was never going to see you tonight,” he said with a grin as she walked up beside him.

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