Christmas in Dalton Mill was magical. Lorri and Ryder cut a Christmas tree down right there on his property. Turned out when Ryder was nine he’d had the idea of having his own Christmas tree farm. Pop-Pop had helped him plant a row of twelve Virginia pines to get started, teaching him how to shape them throughout the year. To this day, Ryder still planted a dozen pines each year to keep enough fresh trees for family and friends. That Christmas, the towering tree in the town square was one of Ryder’s too.
They worked on the scholarship together—everyone in the family had a role—and Lorri felt like a part of the family already. She made time in her schedule for what she loved most. Ryder, painting, and Mister, of course.
By the time the Lisa Scholarship event took place she and Ryder had put every concern from their pasts behind them, fully embracing the gift that came from that day at the fair when Billy Ray Helms’s steer got loose and their lives collided.
“Welcome to our inaugural fund raiser for the Lisa Scholarship,” Reece announced from the podium at the front of the big barn.
The Wedding Ranch was decorated in lovely yellows and blues, setting off the logo that Lorri had designed with the butterfly on it that now hung as a backdrop on the stage. This may have been the largest sample of her work she’d ever seen.
Reece spoke eloquently. “Our family is so excited to launch this special scholarship helping our next generations garner the education needed to keep Dalton Mill sustainable by awarding graduates in the fields of animal science or agriculture.”
It was standing room only and everyone had dressed for the elegant affair. Lorri stood near the stage in the same emerald-green dress she’d been wearing the day Ryder had accused her of crashing Cody and Kasey’s wedding. She reached over and squeezed his hand. “You sure do clean up nice, cowboy,” she whispered.
“Got to look my best on this special day.” He adjusted the cavalry knot in the scarf tucked into his western jacket.
Lorri scanned the room. Twelve of her paintings had been hung gallery style, with lighting and all, along one wall. In glass trophy cubes they’d displayed the feathers that Ryder had created on black velvet jewelry stands. They were exquisite. Bob Timberlake, a local artist who had become quite famous, had even donated some original pieces.
Cody sat with Kasey and Jake at a table at the edge of the stage. This concert and sale had drawn a crowd.
“Bidding is open on all of the items around the room. Can everyone join me in a round of applause for our generous donations?” Reece lifted her hands to clap, and the guests responded in a ruckus that rolled like thunder. “Kiosks are available at each corner, or you can download our app if you haven’t already. We have a scrumptious dinner which will be served as soon as I get off this stage, and I know everyone is chomping at the bit for Cody Tuggle to play for us tonight.”
The crowd cheered even louder with a few shrill whistles this time.
“We have one more piece of business standing between you and dinner. Ryder, it’s all yours.”
Lorri cocked her head. “What?”
His smile was bright. “I can keep a secret.”
She laughed, remembering how he’d bragged about Cody coming to get married at The Wedding Ranch. He was a man of his word. She knew that now.
Someone touched her shoulder as Ryder walked up on stage. She turned. “Mom? Dad?”
Ryder took the mic. “I didn’t figure you’d mind one little song before dinner. I won’t be doing the singing, but my friend over here has put some words to music for me.”
Cody stood and ambled to the stage carrying his guitar. He waved, flashing that big Nashville grin he was known for.
“Lorri, will you join me up here?” Ryder requested.
“What is going on?” She glanced at Mom, who looked like she was having the time of her life standing there in a beautiful dress and Dad in his Sunday suit. Mom nudged her toward the stage.
Cody started singing while she made her way through the crowd to the stage. In a flurry of excitement, she crossed behind Cody and took Ryder’s hand.
She’d only half heard the words to the song in all the confusion, but when he sang the chorus again they spoke to only her.
“I love you,” Ryder said. “You are my happiness.”
Cody finished the song to a huge round of applause. “Thank you,” he said. “Ryder wrote that for my dear friend Lorri. We’ve known each other since high school. Girl, I have never known you to be happier than you are with this guy, and he’s a good one.”
She swept tears that wouldn’t stop.
Ryder dropped to one knee. “My friend Lorri, you make me as joyful as the morning sun. I’d be so honored to have you be my wife. Will you marry me?”
She gasped for a breath.
Cody stood there grinning and nodding. She looked to where her parents had been standing, and beside them Pam was crying too and giving her a thumbs-up.
“Yes, Ryder. Yes, I’ll marry you!”
He took her shaking hand and slid a ring on her finger. A simple wide gold band with a feather etched across the front and a perfect row of rubies running down the center.
Cody strummed his guitar and everyone clapped. The commotion swirled as fast as her beating heart. Ryder stood, hugged her, and then picked her up, kissing her full on the mouth and turning three hundred and sixty degrees before putting her down.
Reece’s voice came over the crowd. “Well, I guess we know who will be getting married at The Wedding Ranch next! And now, dinner is being served. Bon appétit.”
“I’ve never been so happy in my life,” Lorri said.
“Hey, look.” Ryder motioned over to where Diane stood much closer than usual to Mark. Her arm hugging Mark’s biceps, she waved to Ryder and Lorri and blew them a kiss.
Mark gave him a thumbs-up.
“Is it just me or do you think there’s a spark there?” Ryder said, barely moving his lips as he waved back.
“Oh, that is most definitely a spark.” Lorri’s smile widened. “Seems to be a lot of that going around tonight.”