Page 70 of Heal Me
Epilogue
Ric and Kate’s wedding, which was held outdoors at the Jeffries, took place on the third weekend in July. Kate had wanted a completely different ceremony than the one that she and Phil had planned.
She and Ric loved seeing each other in jeans, which had gotten Kate thinking. Ric might be wise to the way of the city and look hot in a suit, but he would always have the heart of a country boy. So, instead of a large church affair, she’d opted for a blue jean wedding because she thought it fit their relationship better.
Despite Robert’s initial protests, Kate had talked him into being her man of honor. Even though she was seven months along now, Emily had jumped at the chance to be Kate’s bridesmaid. She’d never worn a blue jean dress and was excited about it.
As Kate stood in front of the full-length mirror in Emily’s room, she admired the light-weight blue denim, off-the-shoulder dress. It was an old-fashioned design with a tight-fitting bodice and full skirt. Lacy ruffles edged the bodice and the bottom of the skirt. Small rhinestones glittered along the bodice, adding sparkle to the dress.
Her grandfather, Angus, came into the room and smiled at her reflection. “You look like a cowgirl angel.”
She grinned and turned to him, smiling up into eyes so like her own. She was the mirror image of Angus and Kate adored him. “Thank you. Look at you! So handsome.”
Angus spread his arms wide. “Not bad for an old coot.”
Her grandfather was a powerfully built man, and he cut quite a figure in his dark blue jeans, red Western shirt and black string tie.
“You look great. I’m so glad you approve of Ric,” she said. “I was worried that you wouldn’t.”
“What’s not to like? He loves my little girl like crazy and he’s rich,” Angus remarked.
Kate straightened Angus’ tie a little. “I’m not marrying him for his money, Granddad.”
“I know that, but it doesn’t hurt.” He held up his hand. “I know, I know. Your practice is doing just fine. Your mother and the family are so proud of you. Your Dad would have been especially proud.”
“Thank you. I know he’s here with me.” And she’d been to Phil’s grave that morning and spoken with him. Somehow she knew Phil was happy for her.
“Well, Sunshine, are you ready to go marry your cowboy?”
Kate’s smile could’ve lit up the room. “I’m nervous, but I can’t wait.”
“Let’s go then.”
He led her out of Emily’s room and down the stairs. Emily and Robert were waiting for them in the kitchen.
Robert grinned at her. “Look at you, Special K! You look so beautiful.”
“Yes, you do,” Emily said. “Who knew that denim could be so pretty?”
Her own dress resembled Kate’s, but had a shorter skirt so she didn’t trip on it.
Kate hugged Robert. “Thanks again for doing this. You’re my best friend and I wanted you to stand up with me.”
“Happy to do it,” Robert said.
“You look very handsome, too.”
He straightened his blue denim vest, which he wore with a white dress shirt, dark blue jeans and pair of black cowboy boots. “Why thank you, ma’am.”
They laughed at his poor imitation of Chase’s accent.
“Come on all of you,” Angus said. “We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
As Kate stepped outside and took Angus’ arm, she tried to quell the butterflies bumping around in her stomach. There was nothing to be nervous about. She was marrying the man who’d captured her heart with his mesmerizing blue eyes and captivating grin. The man who would be by her side forever and become the father of her children.
Looking at Emily, who lovingly placed a hand on her swollen belly, Kate hoped that she and Ric would conceive soon. Putting that out of her mind for the moment, though, she concentrated on the present and walked beside her grandfather with joy in her heart.
*****
