Epilogue

Three weeks later

Cattleman Club banquet hall

As the camera zoomed, Ella posed in front of the Christmas tree like a real child model. And why not? She was used to photo ops by now. The last six weeks had seen her dressed in white for another wedding, dressed in black as a Pilgrim maiden at school, and today dressed in holiday plaid. On Christmas Eve, she’d be wearing angel wings in the pageant at church. Like the autumn leaves at the altar, she and Mallie had glued on goose feathers one by one.

Ella’s taffeta dress crinkled as she ran off with Daisy’s three-year old nephew Owen, the ring bearer beyond adorable in his tiny tux. Hoop pocketed the camera, but Mallie held his arm.

“Now, let me see. If they aren’t good, you’ll need to retake,” she told him.

He chuckled, and she figured she sounded as naggy as a wife.

Or as real as a mom.

Something wonderful fluttered through her. True to her word, Lynn went slow in her relationship with her daughter, reassuring Hoop she meant no trouble. Ella, while interested in Lynn, made it clear she was cautious, too, about giving her heart. Although she’d given it completely to Mallie.

With a nod, Mallie approved the digital photos. “I better go after the kids. It’s about time for dinner.”

Again as real as any mom.

Eyes half-lidded, Hoop grinned at her in the way that always caused a tingle. “They got a minute. Pike and Daisy aren’t here yet.” He took her hand and led her to their table. Mallie’s tummy took another tumble as wedding guests gushed over the centerpieces of silver-glittered willow twigs, tufts of pine and white roses, and yes, rosemary. Mallie sighed in pleasure; the floral designs were her own.

“Well, as I reckon it, you done good your first time as weddin’ coordinator.” Hoop exaggerated the whole Wild West thing. “And your second time recitin’ Scripture at a Martin wedding.”

Mallie thrilled again at the beautiful words of First Corinthians thirteen. Love beareth all things, hopeth all things. Endureth all things. Thrilled at Daisy and Pike honoring her in such a way. In fact, everything about tonight pleased her. Uncle Ted’s flower shop and her new venture, Wildflower Wedding Planning, had turned Mountainview Church into a forest of pine and white lights to celebrate Pike and Daisy’s union as well as the holy season.

She shook her head. “I just took care of all the last-minute hysteria. Daisy’s mom and grandmother did a superb job setting things in motion. And Auntie Jeannette helped me with the flowers.” Glancing around the bustling banquet hall, Mallie caught sight of Elaine Martin and muttered, “This is a lovely old building, but I know your mom’s a bit discombobulated. You know, the Densmores are having the reception here in town, not at the ranch.”

Hoop snickered. “Don’t I know. But it’s starting to snow. Easier for folks to get back home from here than the ranch. Town plows the roads right away. And she can’t always get her way, now, can she?”

Scooting his chair close, Hoop wrapped his arm around Mallie’s shoulders. She wriggled close, never before feeling such warmth and safety. “If you had your druthers, where would you get married?” He leaned close to whisper in her ear over the chattering guests. “California?”

Her heart pittered. Was it going to happen already? She had never been more sure about anything in her life, except now, her salvation in Christ. With her, Hoop, and Ella bound for her parents’ home shortly after Christmas, Mallie had thought he might propose there and get her father talked to at the same time. Or make a gift out of his proposal on Christmas Eve.

Trying to act casual, she grinned and shook her head. “Oh, no. Posy’s Grove.” Not only was it the place where she and Hoop found each other for real and forever, but she also loved the story of Hoop’s ancestor making such a beautiful resting place for his faithful mule. The ashes of Daisy’s precious black Lab rested in the woods there, too. To her, the juxtaposition of graves and wedding made perfect sense, for love, loyalty, hope, and even death were all components of a well-lived life in Christ. “And just so you know. I have contracted two real clients for Wildflower Wedding Planning. Linda Morse of the C.C. Rider is getting married in June, and I’ve convinced her to have Heart Crossing’s very first destination wedding.”

Hoop rose and gave her his hand. Reaching for it, she stood up, too. “Nope. That won’t work,” he announced with a firm stance.

“What?” Her face muscles crunched.

“I mean, it’ll work for the second destination wedding.”

“What do you mean?” Mallie asked but of course she did kind of know. Through the throngs, Hoop led her to a secluded little nook set with a leather loveseat and a couple of wing chairs.

“I mean, I’d like us to go first at the grove. April maybe. If you’ll have me, Miss Malia Cameron.”

He knelt in front of her just like the proposal of a little girl’s dreams. Another miracle she’d once thought was out of reach. Her veins flooded with love, and her heart raced.

“Of course, John Hooper Martin. Aw, you had me at hello.”

He stood into her embrace, and his usual scent of man and outdoors mixed in nicely with the whiff of snow. As Pike’s best man, he looked magnificent in a Western-style tux and had polished his boots to mirror-level. Still, it didn’t matter what he wore; he always took her breath away. His hair had grown in nicely, a red-brown that had come from Grim-Gram, and she ruffled it with her fingers.

“Thing is…” he spoke right into her waiting lips. “I want you to come with me to pick out a ring. I know how particular you are.”

“What?” She repeated again. Anything out of a Cracker Jack box would do.

“Well, you picked me, right?” He grinned, smug.

“That I did.” Her arms tightened around his neck, as the strains of “Every Move I Make” filled the club. That meant Daisy and Pike were making their way in to dinner.

The bride glided by, shimmering in silver satin. No veil; her shiny black hair ringed with a wreath Mallie had made from greenery wrapped in pearls. With long sleeves ending in V’s at her fingertips, Daisy looked like something from Camelot, and Pike, well, in his tux and silver tie, he was cowboy and knight-in-shining-armor combined.

Tears misted in Mallie’s eyes. Soon it would be her and Hoop. God was good. He did provide, both here on earth and later, in Heaven. Most Sundays, Pastor Hale said something about the peace that passes our understanding, and tonight more than ever Mallie knew what he meant.

“Let’s tell everybody tomorrow,” Mallie said. “This is Pike and Daisy’s day.”

“Right.” Hoop took her hand, but she suspected if her face shone like his did right now, everybody would know anyway.

As they reached their table where Ella waited, Hoop pointed to table eight where Bragg sat, gabbing with a pretty girl who held Rachel’s baby son in her arms. “And that would be…?”

“I met her today. Tiffany something. Rachel’s hired her as a paralegal with au-pair duties. She needs help, you know. At the office and at home.”

“I can imagine. Being a single parent isn’t easy.” Hoop said wryly. “Bragg deserves somebody nice. Wouldn’t be the first time magic happened at a Martin wedding.” He nibbled her ear. “Now, would it?”

“No. And the magic is interstate. Once my brother found out Katie only lives an hour away, he’s been burning up the freeway.“

“Ah, love stories. Ain’t they grand?” Hoop did the drawl thing again, took her hand to his lips and planted a kiss where he’d eventually place his ring.

“Yes.” Mallie’s heart skittered. “As long as they have happy endings. Um...” She kissed his hand. “No matter how long or how short they may be.”

Hoop nodded. “With God on our side, it couldn’t be any other way.”

“Forever and ever. Amen.”