Page 68 of The Rancher's Christmas Bride

Jade and Wilder also joined them.

Jade lifted the glass she had in her hand.“I love the way you do weddings in Montana.”

“Have I mentioned I don’t mind a small wedding either?”Wilder asked.

Jade turned to him.“Well, if that is the case, we don’t…”

“…have to wait,” Wilder finished her sentence for her.

“Mom?Dad?”Jade asked.

“I love the idea of a small intimate wedding,” her mom said.

Wilder grabbed Jade’s hand.“Come on, we have to talk.”

Willow also got up; she missed her husband.As she turned to walk away Hunter’s dad took her hand.“You’ve made our boy very happy.Thank you.”

Leaning into him, Willow hugged the quiet cowboy.“We’re looking forward to your first visit on the new ranch.”

*

Much later, theband, existing of local Marietta folks, were still playing when Willow saw Hunter move toward the lead singer.

Moments later as the band changed to a country song, Hunter walked toward her, the light in his blue eyes leaving her short of breath.

As he pulled her into his arms, he was humming with the words.“I’ve heard this song a while ago, even before I knew how I felt about you.Listen to the lyrics, he’s singing about a girl he’s met who has made him smile.”

As he swirled her around, his blue eyes dark with emotion, he mimed the words.

Laughing, she put her arms around his neck.“A bit corny, but beautiful.”

“Oh, I love corny,” he said.He was smiling but as he looked down at her, his smile faded.“I will probably make mistakes, but I love you, Willow, I hope you know that.”

“Willow Grant has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

His eyebrows rose.“I didn’t think you’d want my name.”

“Oh, I told you I’m all in, cowboy.”

His eyes darkened.“How long do we have to wait before we can leave?”

“I was ready two hours ago,” she said.

Before she knew what he intended to do, he’d picked her up.

“Good night, everyone!”he called out as she strode through their family and friends.“This rancher is taking his Christmas bride home!”

Amidst laughter and well wishes they left the house.Outside, it had started snowing.

“How absolutely perfect,” Hunter picked her up.“Snowed-in just got a whole new meaning.”

“Yeah?”She slipped her arms around his neck.

“We are now forced to stay inside.”

Laughing, she snuggled up against him, embracing all his emotions washing over her.He couldn’t wait to be with her.

“Me too,” she whispered.

Smiling, he helped her in his truck.“I love that you know what I feel without me having to tell you.”

She moved closer and waited for him to get behind the wheel.“Oh, no, sorry, you’re not getting away that easily.The words, cowboy, I also need to hear the words.”

Pulling her closer, he whispered against her lips.“Love you.Always.”

As his words swirled around them, heating the cold air in the truck, he kissed her.

The End