Page 46 of The Maverick

Jake had taken to horseback riding like he was born in the saddle. He was almost as good as Bailey.

After clearing her throat, Rachel glanced between them. “Kids, Nick and I have some news.”

Jake narrowed his eyes. “What kind of news? Did my father come back? I don’t want to see him. Will he hurt us, Mommy?”

“No.” Rachel reached down and placed her arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. “It’s not anything like that. It’s good news.”

“Yeah, what?” asked Bailey.

“Well—” Rachel looked up at Nick for support.

He grinned. “Rachel and I are getting married. We’re doing it in two weeks. What do you two think about that?”

Bailey furrowed her brows. “You’re really doing this? You’re not teasing us, right”

Nick gazed at his daughter. “We’re really doing this. Rachel and I love each other.”

The children looked at each other and then hollered “Yay,” in unison.

Jake put his arms around Rachel’s waist. “That’s great. Bailey and I want to be brother and sister. We’re already best friends.”

Bailey jumped off her chair, ran to her father and squeezed him with her arms around him.

Nick chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “I guess they’re okay with it.”

Relief that Jake was accepting of this news, Rachel eyed her soon-to-be husband. “Yeah, I guess they are.” She wrapped an arm around Jake. “So, Jake, do you want to be the ring bearer in the ceremony?”

“Yes.”

“What about me?” asked Bailey.

“I thought you would be the flower girl, if that’s all right.”

“Yay. I’m gonna be the flower girl.” Bailey danced around the room while singing.

Jake, not to be out done, started dancing, too. “And I’m gonna be the ring bearer.” Then he stopped, tilted his head, and looked up at his mother. “What’s a ring bearer?”

“You’ll have our wedding rings on a pillow and bring them down the aisle to us.”

The little boy grinned. “That will be fun.”

“I get to spread flower petals in front of the bride when she comes down the aisle. Right, Daddy?”

“That’s right, and you’re the perfect girl for the job.” He grinned at the kids.

“Well, that’s all settled. I’ll take Bailey to find us dresses.” She looked over at Nick. “You can take Jake with you to get a suit or a tux, if you want one. I leave that up to you.”

He shrugged. “Since we’re being casual about this, I think a suit is appropriate.”

She turned on the stool to face Nick. “Which of your brothers will you ask to stand up with you? I thought I’d ask Megan to be my maid-of-honor.”

“Cole, of course. Just don’t forget which twin you’re marrying.” He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.

She smiled. “As if I could. I’m finally marrying my best friend.”

“So we both are. And Ray will be back from his honeymoon, so you’ll get to meet Lyris.”

“Having both of our families together again will be nice.”