“Belle, would you get the door?” Marshall hollered to his sister in her satin baby blue dress as she exited the church.
“Of course, Marsh.” She turned, grinning, as she held the church door open wide.
He swept Ainsley into his arms and carried her down to the carriage waiting for them. Everyone blew bubbles as he jostled Ainsley down the sidewalk. It was a beautiful, sunny June day. It was hard to believe he’d known Ainsley for less than a year and now they were married.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” He set her on the seat of the carriage and helped her arrange the train of her wedding gown.
“About fifteen times, but keep saying it. It doesn’t get old.” She smiled brightly at him.
He kissed the back of her hand and pressed it against his heart. “This heart of mine is yours, you know. Forever.”
“Oh, Marshall...” She let out a swoony sigh, and he tapped Jerry Cornell, Clint and Lexi’s right-hand man at Rock Step Ranch, who’d insisted on driving the carriage to the Department Store, where they were holding their reception.
“You kids ready for the party?” Jerry asked, picking up the reins.
“We are.”
“Well, let’s giddyap.” Jerry made a clicking sound to the team of Belgians pulling the carriage. “Your nuptials reminded me of the time I camped out near Yellowstone. Choked me up, I tell you. You two are like the bison...”
“Did he say we’re like bison?” Ainsley whispered to Marshall.
“I believe he did.” He tucked his lips under to avoid laughing. “I’m so glad you’re mine.”
She snuggled into his arms. The fresh air and blue skies seemed to have been ordered just for them. “Can you believe how much has changed in six short months?”
“No, I can’t. Not that I had any doubt you’d get into nursing school. Two months and you’ll be knee-deep in homework.”
“Well, the Beatty brothers are keeping you busy.” She looked up at him. “I love seeing you so happy.”
“You make me happy.” He pulled her closer.
“Before Christmas, I never would have thought I’d get married, let alone be blessed to have my dad walk me down the aisle. And yet, he came!”
He squeezed her shoulder. “And I had my doubts about Belle ever being motherly to the quadruplets.”
After Christmas, Belle had called Ainsley and tearfully apologized. Raleigh and Belle had committed to weekly counseling sessions, and with the doctor’s help, Belle had made a complete turnaround. Now she doted on the children, and Raleigh did, too. Ainsley and Marshall drove to Dushane Ranch whenever possible to see the babies.
“I know. I can’t wait to hold them again. Their little tuxes and dresses are the sweetest things I’ve ever seen.”
“You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.” He kissed her temple. The carriage turned onto Main Street and stopped in front of the Department Store. “Here we are.”
Lexi and Amy crowded around them as they stepped down from the carriage. Clint and Nash held back. Tara and her boyfriend waved from the door. The only one who hadn’t made it to the wedding was Wade. He had an emergency—and Marshall completely understood. Wade’s closest childhood friend, a woman named Kit, was in trouble. He didn’t blame Wade for missing the wedding.
They all went inside. Nash clapped him on the back. “Clint and I have been talking, and we think when Ainsley finishes nursing school, y’all should move back to Sweet Dreams. You can start your own repair shop here. What do you think?”
“I think it’s your best idea yet.” Ainsley stepped next to Marshall.
“You heard the lady.” Marshall winked at them.
“Excuse me.” A tap on Marshall’s shoulder made him turn. “I wanted to thank you for taking care of my little girl.”
“Of course, Mr. Draper.” Marshall nodded to her father.
“You look beautiful, Ainsley.” Her father was clearly fighting emotions. “Thank you for asking an old coot like me to escort you today. I don’t deserve it.”
Ainsley’s smile broke like dawn across her face. She hugged her father. “Thank you for coming, Dad. We wanted you here. Thanks for celebrating with us.”
He bowed his head. “I did you wrong...”
She touched his sleeve. “We’ve been over this. I forgive you. It’s okay.”
“You’re a fine person. The best I know.” He wiped under his eyes and addressed Marshall. “Take care of her. Protect her with your life.”
“Gladly, sir.” Marshall put his arm around her and held her to his side. “It’s my life’s mission.”
He nodded and retreated.
“Before I take care of you and protect you, though, I want to kiss you.” Marshall shifted her to face him.
“Well, time’s a wasting, cowboy.” She raised her eyebrows to him.
He dipped her and claimed her lips.
“Break it up, you two,” Belle teased. “There are a few fellas here who want to kiss Auntie Ainsley.”
Ainsley flung her hands in the air and let out a holler.
“Ben, Max. The most handsome boys I’ve ever seen.” Ainsley took each boy out of Belle’s arms. The nine-month-old twins wiggled and looked at her in wonder. She kissed each of their cheeks. “You two have gotten so big. I hope you’re being good boys for your mama.”
“They’re the best.” Belle’s smile lit her face. “Oh, here come the girls.”
Raleigh carried each of them. They both wore matching headbands with their dresses and ruffly tights.
“I’ll take these buckaroos.” Marshall lifted Ben and Max from her arms, and she took Lila and Grace from Raleigh.
“Precious darlings.” Ainsley kissed the girls’ cheeks, too. “I can never get enough of your pretty faces. You look just like your mama.”
“I agree. Pretty as can be.” Raleigh put his arm around Belle’s shoulders, and she leaned in, smiling at him. “I’m going to have to walk around with a shotgun when they get older. No one better think about messing with my girls.”
Ainsley laughed. “Something tells me their big brothers will take care of them.”
“Can we get a picture?” Lexi brought the photographer over. “Marshall, get closer to Ainsley, and try to get all the babies to look this way.”
After several attempts, the photographer seemed satisfied. Belle and Raleigh took the quadruplets back, and Belle paused to speak to Ainsley.
“Thank you. Thank you for all your help last year, and for making Marshall so happy. I owe the babies’ health to you, too. I didn’t deserve to be in your wedding.”
“You don’t have to apologize every time you see me. We’re sisters now. I love you. I couldn’t imagine you not being in the wedding.” Ainsley threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly. Marshall got choked up.
“You’re something else, you know?” He circled his arms around her.
“I’m just...”
“Mine. And I’ll thank God for the rest of my life that you said yes.”
“And I’m thankful He led me to you.”
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, pick up these other books in Jill Kemerer’s Wyoming Cowboys miniseries:
The Rancher’s Mistletoe Bride
Reunited with the Bull Rider
Available now from Love Inspired!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from Their Family Legacy by Lorraine Beatty.
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