Page 93 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
Casey was radiant with happiness. He assumed the dress was nice and the veil and makeup. He was sure the ladies of Aspire would have plenty to say about it all—giggles and gushing were a definite part of their imminent future.
All Nash did know was that he’d never seen his little sister glowing quite so brightly.
And because of that, she’d never looked more beautiful.
As she and Ryan exchanged vows, all he could think about was the true meaning behind the words. The commitment. The promises.
All of which he’d shied away from for years because he’d never been able to imagine wanting to make those vows. He couldn’t fathom them being anything but an albatross around his neck. He couldn’t imagine ever wanting his life to change in such a drastic way.
He’d always been so content with what he had. But now…
His gaze stole over to Emma as the minister spoke.
Now he couldn’t imagine going back to life the way it had been. He didn’t want to imagine a future without Emma’s laughter and her teasing. He didn’t want to picture a day when he didn’t see her smiling face.
A partner. A best friend. She could become that so easily. She’d already started to, and in such a short time. His head was spinning.
Time. He didn’t have much left. The clock was ticking too fast, and soon she’d be on a plane back to Chicago.
He winced at the memory of her words just before the rehearsal dinner. If he’d had any hopes that she’d change her mind about staying, overhearing her say she wished she’d never come at all had certainly squashed them.
She’d go back to Chicago, to the life she’d known before arriving in Aspire. Before him. His heart thudded so loudly it was a wonder it didn’t interrupt the service. He knew without a doubt that he couldn’t do the same.
He couldn’t imagine going back to life before Emma. But he could perfectly imagine a future with her in it. And it was a future with her by his side, with a family of their own and a life filled with love and joy and laughter.
He could barely breathe, the onslaught of images were so vivid and filled him with such longing.
His gaze flitted over his mother and his aunts in the first row. He could only imagine what they’d say if he told them this new revelation.
All these years he’d said he didn’t want to get married.
But maybe he did.
He wanted to marryEmma.
The one woman who definitely didn’t want him in return.
30
The ceremony was perfection. Everyone said so, and Emma couldn’t agree more. Despite her own heartache, she’d been so grateful to see such a beautiful display of love and happiness.
And if her heart had ached just a little more at the sight of Nash at the front of the wedding…
If she found herself daydreaming about him being the groom and her the bride…
Well, that was an issue she and her brain were going to have to tackle at a later date. Like, after the reception.
She looked at the clock on the wall. They’d moved to the reception hall, a separate building adjoining the church, about forty minutes ago. Elaborate starters were laid out on tables in the smaller room, so guests could nibble while they waited for the bridal party and family to join them. Emma had taken a peek into the main hall and it looked stunning. Whoever was on the decoration committee for this wedding had done a phenomenal job, turning a plain church hall into a rustic fairytale. She snapped some pics for Lizzy who was always looking for ideas, although she doubted her sister would be interested in this quaint wedding, oozing with country style and warmth.
Emma guessed it was more her thing, and the thought that she’d probably never get it made her throat constrict.
She sipped from her champagne flute while she waited for the festivities to begin. Surely it wouldn’t be too much longer. As she chewed her lower lip and spun the glass between her fingers, she couldn’t stop her foot from tapping.
The pictures were taking forever.
She flinched when she saw Nash’s Aunt Angela wrangling a group of Donahue cousins for yet another family photo.
Please don’t see me. Please don’t see me.
