Page 131 of Beating Heart
And so did I.
epilogue
. . .
Emerson
A winter wedding in Magnolia Falls was as good as it got. Saylor wanted to be married on their property, and Kingston wanted his wife to have whatever she wanted. There was snow covering the ground, and they had several tents with industrial heaters to keep the space warm, and everything was winter white and holiday-themed. Hayes had given Saylor away, and there hadn’t been a dry eye in the room when Kingston and Saylor read their vows.
You could feel the love that surrounded those two. Their reception was the largest I’d ever attended. Everyone in town had come out, and they were all fawning over Lincoln Hendrix, the star QB whom everyone knew well. I’d really enjoyed getting to know Romeo’s brother and his wife, Brinkley, but Nash and I found ourselves at a table with Cage Reynolds and his wife, Presley, gaping over the fact that our kids couldn’t seem to stay away from one another.
Little Gracie Reynolds had met Cutler in the fall when Cage and Presley had come to town with Brinkley and Lincoln to see a ranch that Lincoln was interested in purchasing so he could have a home near Romeo and their sister, Tia, who’d come home from school to attend Kingston and Saylor’s wedding, as well.
Nash and Kingston would be renovating the place, and they’d become good friends, as we’d gone to Cottonwood Cove a couple weeks ago so Saylor and I could try out the Tranquility Day Spa that Presley co-owned with her best friend, Lola.
“Look at the way he’s twirling her,” Presley said, as her son slept in her lap. The little angel was just a few months old, and Gracie adored her little brother.
“He never stops talking about her. I think J.T. is getting sick of hearing about his new bestie.” Nash barked out a laugh.
“He’s about the only kid on the planet that I’d let twirl my little girl around on the dance floor,” Cage grumped. “But I’m a big Beefcake fan.”
I smiled. “They’re pretty adorable. He was so excited you guys were coming to the wedding. He wanted her to see him carrying the rings down the aisle.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Presley said. “We were thrilled to be included in their special day.”
“It was a nice wedding, huh?” Nash said, his hand finding mine, as our fingers intertwined.
“It was beautiful.” I stared out at the dance floor, watching Gracie try to twirl Cutler, and he clearly didn’t love the idea of being spun around, but he went along with it.
I loved him as if he were my own, and in a way, he was.
Things happen for a reason.
I knew that I belonged here in Magnolia Falls with Nash and Cutler.
We visited with everyone as the party just kept on going. River, Ruby, Demi, and Romeo came to join us at the table.
Demi gave me a look, and I followed her gaze to the dance floor, where her brother, Slade, was slow dancing with Peyton.
“I think something is going on there,” she whispered to me.
She was definitely right. Peyton always found an excuse to hang out with Slade.
“I think you’re right. Is that okay with you?” I asked.
“Yeah. He’s been doing really well with his sobriety. He loves working at the gym with Romeo, and he seems crazy about her. I don’t know why they don’t just tell me they’re dating at this point.”
“It’s okay. I like watching her squirm when she’s with him, and she’s always glancing over to see if you notice,” Ruby said over her laughter. “It’s hilarious.”
Just then, Peyton marched in our direction, her hand in Slade’s. “Demi. We have something to tell you.”
“Really?” Demi said, feigning surprise.
“Tell her, Slade.” Peyton raised a brow at the man beside her.
“I don’t know why it’s a big deal, but Peyt and I are dating. I don’t really need your blessing, but she sure seems to need it. And I’m done sneaking around.”
“Baby, that was not as well done as it could have been.” Peyton raised a brow, and he tugged her forward, planting a kiss on her lips. We were all smiling, watching them.
