Hope and Robbie’s was a simple ceremony, officiated by her brother, Tom, who had gotten a one-day permit to perform the wedding. After he pronounced them husband and wife, his beautiful sister and her groom turned radiant and happy faces to the audience that included family, friends, ranch staff, and townspeople. Hope wore a light pink silk gown with plunging vee neck, darts to the chest, a fitted waist, a plunging back, and flared skirt. Her long, sandy hair was free, desert flowers held by silver combs her only adornment.
“Breathtaking, isn’t she?” Polly whispered.
“Sure is. Her groom’s none too shabby either,” Lynn said, watching the blond Morgan son hug his parents and siblings as everyone flocked around the couple to offer congratulations. Robbie, his brothers, and his groomsmen wore simple gray suits. Their pale pink ties matched Hope’s dress. The bridesmaids—Beth, Ruthie, Betsy, and Hope’s friend from home—were in sage green. The dresses were made locally, and each woman had chosen a style that flattered her figure.
Lynn’s eyes scanned the crowd, finally spotting Gus to the far left. She couldn’t see his companions, except for the top of Laurie’s head. As people headed to the receiving line, she lost sight of him completely. After greeting the bridal party, she and Polly headed for the place cards table to discover where they were seated. Polly found their names and called, “Table Ten, we’re together!”
Before she turned from the table, Lynn scanned the list and found that Gus and his group were at Table Fourteen. She breathed deeply, wondering if she dared eat in her dress that fit like a glove. As she followed Polly and Kevin to one of the bars, Spark Foster intercepted them. “Well, don’t you ladies put the sun to shame!”
“Hi, Spark,” Lynn said, hugging their tall, robust employer. “Another glorious party here in the Valley.”
“Don’t I know it. Have you gals met Lucy, Helen’s daughter?” he asked as the lovely lady herself chatted with Richard Morgan at the edge of the tent.
“Yes, Leonora brought her by the Cottage on the Grand Tour early last week,” Lynn said.
Spark winked. “Dickie seems quite taken with her. We’ve barely seen her this week. He’s been squiring her around, monopolizing her every free minute.”
“Another Valley romance?” Polly said.
“P’rhaps so. Here comes her beautiful Ma now,” he said, beaming. As Helen said hello, his arm circled her shoulders.
“How’s your visit going?” Lynn asked.
“Wonderful, as always,” the tall, slender Helen replied. Elegant and lovely in a simple gray linen dress, she wore her long salt-and-pepper hair pulled back in a braid that reached her waist. She patted Spark’s arm. “There’s not a more gracious host than this man.”
“You’re right about that,” Lynn said, smiling.
She liked Helen Winthrop, Leonora’s friend who had made several trips to the Valley in recent years. Her last two visits, she had stayed with Spark, and the two had become good friends. Freed from the receiving line, the elder Morgans approached and said their hellos, after which Lynn and Polly excused themselves to find their table.
“I’m gonna go find Kev and make sure Jasper isn’t in trouble,” Polly said. “You okay to find your way, or do you want to come along?”
“Go,” Lynn said, waving her hand. “I’m not helpless, you know.”
To her surprise, Valley Stables assistant manager Tom Jacobi appeared at her side as Polly scurried off. “Hey, Lynn, you look… Well, you look amazing.”
She blushed. “Thanks. You too.”
Harley’s right-hand man, Tom, was tall, lean, and, like all Valley men, handsome. When he smiled, the features of his craggy face lit up.
“Another great party, huh?”
“Yes, it’s lovely. Robbie and Hope seem really happy.”
“They’re good people.”
“How’s things at the farm?” she asked, amazed to be having the longest conversation she’d ever had with Tom. She had pursued him several months earlier, but he’d remained aloof and definitely standoffish.
“Goin’ along. How ’bout you? Kids behaving?”
She smiled as Jasper and Bennie ran by using calla lily fronds as weapons. “Always. There are two of our live wires now.”
As Lynn watched the boys, she spied Cal chasing after them, trying to keep up. In his wake ran his dad. Gus stopped short when he spied his boss. “Hey, Tom,” he said, shaking his hand. He turned, his face registering shock as he recognized her. “Lynn? I didn’t… You look so…”
“Amazing, isn’t she?” Tom said, studying his assistant trainer with a curious look.
“Sure is,” Gus sputtered, one eye following Cal, the other on her. “Sorry,” he said finally. “I’ve gotta catch my son before he runs headlong into the wedding cake.”
As Gus ran off, Tom turned to her. “Nice guy, Gus.”
She smiled. “Yes, he is.”
“Are the rumors true, then?”
“Excuse me?” she said, knowing full well to what he referred.
“Someone said you two are dating.”
“A bit.”
“Glad to hear it. Couldn’t happen to two nicer people,” he said as Weezie Morgan bore down on them.
“There you are, Tommy!” she said, grabbing his arm. In a strapless red sheath, she dazzled. “I’ve been looking all over for you! Hey, Lynn, you look terrific. Can I steal Tommy for a sec?”
“Of course,” Lynn said, returning Tom’s wink as he allowed himself to be dragged away.