Epilogue

Hearts Crossing Ranch

The following October

“Hello, gorgeous.”

Pike peek-a-booed with Daisy from behind the tall wedding cake Kelley had created. Displayed in the middle of the big dining room of the Hearts Crossing ranch house, the chocolate masterpiece was surrounded by a circle of fall-colored flowers and leaves. As Pike held out Daisy’s bouquet of orange gladioli, he plopped a teasing kiss atop her head, then nibbled her neck. “This sure beats chasing down split peas.”

She smiled at the memory, taking in his delicious scents of leather and outdoors…even in his Sunday best. “That it does. But you better do better than that.”

On tiptoe, she raised her mouth to his, and the velvet bridesmaid’s gown the color of Pike’s russet eyes rustled beneath his arms as he held her close. While their lips lingered together, she tasted him—and their future.

“Hello yourself, handsome,” she said, tingling, as she pulled away at the sound of footsteps. And she meant it. If they lived to be a hundred, and she hoped they did, Pike would never stop taking her breath away.

“Whoa.” Hooper gave out a low murmur of approval as he entered the room and nodded at her, pale but striking in his Sunday best, a bolo tie, and shined-up dress boots. The crucifix their pa had given all his sons during his last days hung over his collar, too. “You’re sure gorgeous there, Daisy.”

At his use of the same adjective, Daisy’s face warmed with pleasure, the hot embarrassments of last summer long gone. The family had had far more important things to contend with these last months since she joined their ranks that warm June night. What Hoop had suspected was a hernia acting up had proved to be a sudden fast-growing cancer. “No, it’s you, Hoop. You look awesome.”

“Aw, I’m skinny and haven’t ridden in months.”

“You’re getting your strength back. That’s all that matters now. And you’re still a hottie.” Daisy left Pike to give Hoop a heartfelt hug. Surely it had to have been part of God’s plan to have her there by Pike’s side to support him through some dark moments of nearly losing his brother. She and her own brother Daniel had grown so close lately she’d never be able to say good-bye. Praise God, Hoop was in remission now, a full cure expected. She trembled with joy.

“Yeah, right.” Hoop snickered, rubbing his peach-fuzz head, laid bare by chemo.

“I mean it,” Daisy insisted. “That baldy look is very fashionable these days. Guys do it on purpose.”

He shook his head with a bark of laughter, but sobered right up. “Every day’s a gift. And I’m glad I get to be here for this one.”

His little girl Ella clomped in behind him on the hardwood floors in her new black patent leather Mary Janes, and lifted one from the hem of her long white dress. “See my new shoes, Aunty Daisy? I love my shiny shoes.”

Daisy knelt to hug the little girl, overwhelmed by the moniker since they weren’t quite related yet. Slung over Ella’s arm was the empty flower-girl basket, and Daisy realized Hoop held a bunch of yellow roses in his hand.

“I need help getting my petals ready,” Ella complained, “and I can’t find my gramma.”

“She’s helping Aunty Christy get dressed at the chapel,” Daisy told her. “Maybe I can help.”

Hoop handed her the stems. “Yep. Much obliged. My fingers don’t work too good yet.” The moment might have been somber at the reminder of his terrible ordeal, but he grinned. “I’ll take a little peripheral neuropathy any day. Sure beats the alternative.” He touched the top of Ella’s head, wreathed in yellow rosebuds. “You go ahead, honey girl. I’ll meet you at the truck.”

Ella scampered off, and Hoop said in a voice thick with emotion, “I do want to get to heaven someday, but I sure want to see my little girl grow up. Give her away at her wedding.” His voice trembled, and Daisy’s eyes filled with tears.

She and Pike hugged Hooper at the same time. “You and Ella go ahead. I’ll bring her basket to church,” Daisy assured him and Hoop gave a thumb’s up sign and headed out the front door. Her heart thumped with affection. “Aw, maybe the bride has a single friend. Hoop deserves somebody nice.”

“Don’t we all?” Pike said softly, reaching for a stem and pulling off petals. “Soon it’ll be you and me.”

Love almost like a liquid poured over Daisy. “Christmastime.” She stopped pulling apart petals and kissed his cheek. “December twelfth can’t get here soon enough.”

“On the other hand, if you wait until spring, we could be the first couple to get married in Posy’s Grove.”

The mention of Posy’s Grove hurt a bit. The pretty tree-shaded grotto on the shore of Old Joe’s Hole was the final resting place of sweet Elway. However, the place was going to be perfect as a wedding venue after Christy, a landscape architect, completed the final design for the Martin clan’s new destination wedding venture.

“Tempting but no. I don’t want to wait.” She said the words with her whole heart in her voice.

“Me either,” Pike said huskily.

“Besides, your mom has already started making Ella’s flower girl dress. Green and red plaid taffeta. My mom’s got the invitations addressed. Owen’s been measured for his tiny ring bearer tux,” Daisy said with emphasis. Along with Pike, she had to admit her little nephew was the latest love of her life. And she and Mom, Grammy too, were getting along great. Daisy didn’t dare do anything to upset a bridal applecart this time around.

“I’m sure Ella and Owen will be adorable and steal the show.” Pike fiddled with the flower in her hair, his breath warm and tantalizing on her ear. “Flower girls and ring bearers always do. But me, I’m more interested in the bride.”

“Me, the bridegroom.” She nestled into him, careful of his boutonniere.

Her heart couldn’t help a tumble. Daisy Densmore was getting married. To the love of her life. They’d climbed both mountains and molehills to get here, and she thanked God every day. For so many things. Her new sister-in-law for one.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes. Christy actually asking me to be a bridesmaid.”

Pike shrugged as he tossed a handful of petals into the basket. “It’s called forgiveness. And being an adult. You’re both family now and part of each other’s lives, so why not?”

Why not? Daisy had hurt Kenn, true, but they’d talked out their differences and he’d bestowed forgiveness willingly.

“Talking about a being an adult,” Daisy sniffed a teasing little snort. “I remember when you wanted nothing to do with me. Well, because of Kenn.”

“Yep. That lasted about two days.”

Both smiled at the struggles and joys of last summer. Of her holding Pike’s hand, proud and in love, arriving at Tim’s engagement party amid gawks and grins. Of them holding their heads high at the Fourth of July reunion picnic with Tony outrageously among the group. Deep down she suspected he had trouble up his sleeve, but he’d gone on to Reno. And she’d gone on to trusting the Lord.

And of sneaking those kisses during the wagon train trips when Daisy did her scheduled share of chuck duty. Summer over now, Kelley was working twenty-five hour days at Vegeterra, but so far her little restaurant was hanging on.

“Besides, I get those three weeks off school for Christmas,” Daisy reminded him. “I am so looking forward to skiing all day in Vail, and getting cozy all night.” Her body already trembled in anticipation.

Daisy added another blessing to her list of nightly prayers. Her former school had recommended her heartily to a Christian junior high in Rustic Canyon. The drive might be a bit much in bad weather, but every mile was worth it.

Pike laid his warm callused hand on her cheek. Every day was worth it, too. His lips met hers.

And every kiss.