Tessa looked out the large, plate-glass window of Beth’s old room in the McClures’ house. On the patio, guests gathered to witness their wedding. The past six months had sped by, with Tessa and Ethan deciding where they’d live and how to arrange the logistics of Ethan continuing work on the family ranch and Tessa working with her father in their practice.
They had opted to build their home beyond the main ranch house. Their garage would also have a smaller clinic, where she could see patients here at the ranch. Two days a week she’d stay at the ranch and take patients there and three days she’d be with her father at his clinic.
Tessa still marveled at the man her father turned out to be. The amazing thing was that Joan came out several times to see her and Doc while he flew back to Kentucky several times. Her parents were coming to know each other again, slowly, and they both wanted to continue to see each other.
Joan came up behind her and asked, “Are you happy, Tessa?”
Tessa turned and embraced her mother. “More than I can explain.” She pulled back and looked at her mom. “I have two wonderful parents, a man who is more than I could imagine and his big, wonderful, hugging family.
“And I’m practicing veterinary medicine with my father. I’m so happy, Mom. What more could I want?”
“Nothing.” Her mother smiled tentatively. “I’ve always loved you, Tessa. I failed you and I’m sorry.”
Tessa hugged her mother. “Mom, you did the best you could. I am just glad you’re my mother. And look how our journey has ended. I’m happy. And I thank you for being there for me.”
Joan’s trembling fingers pushed a lock of hair off her face. “I love you, Tessa.”
The door to the room opened and her father walked in. “It’s time, ladies.”
Both women wiped the tears from their cheeks and walked out of the room. As Tessa stood in the den of the house holding her father’s arm, waiting for the music to begin, she marveled at how God had turned the broken pieces of her life into a wonderful mosaic.
Doc looked down at her. “This is the proudest moment of my life, escorting my daughter down the aisle.”
Beaming, Tessa smiled at him. “I’m glad you’re here.”
The multiple guitars began to play the wedding march.
They stepped out into the beautiful spring day. As she walked down the aisle between the white chairs on the patio, her gaze locked with Ethan’s.
Love and joy flooded her soul, and Tessa offered up her thanks to Heaven above, because she knew that only God could’ve orchestrated this, giving them all—Doc, her mom, Ethan and her—a fresh start.
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Keep reading for an excerpt of Montana Dreams by Jillian Hart!