Epilogue

The following June

After a quick toss of her bridal bouquet, Rachel took Brayton’s hand. The simple touch had her heart pounding as he helped her step into the flower-strewn carriage drawn by two of Addie’s rescue horses. A stiff breeze off Old Joe’s Hole rustled the rosemary and white roses that wreathed Rachel’s head.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?” He leaned close as she settled against him, breath ruffling her hair, his nearness setting her on fire.

She caught her breath. “Only fifty times,” she said, dabbing a quick kiss on the tip of his nose. “You’re mighty good-looking yourself.”

Indeed, his well-cut black suit with just-broken in boots added the perfect combination of dress up and outdoors. Perfect, in tune with the outdoor wedding grotto at Old Joe’s Hole. The venue’s scent of shadowed pine lingered in the wind.

“This was absolutely the perfect place for a wedding,” Brayton mused as if reading her mind. “And your dress…”

With a rush of pure love for him, she smoothed the skirt of the dress he’d picked out. Second time around, they neither believed in bad luck. The detachable tulle ball skirt would leave behind a cream lace sheath for the party.

Chelsea separated from the swarm of giggling females, ran close and waggled the bouquet at them. “Did you really have to throw me this?” she grumped with both a grin and an eye-roll. “It’s weird enough, being my own mother’s maid of honor.”

“Not quite as weird as having a double wedding with her,” Rachel said, chuckling. For a second, she caught sight of their mother, almost majestic in a lovely but practical tea-length gray jacket dress, her one splurge the elaborate concoction of silk roses and feathers on her head. Hands clasped with her new husband, Ma steered him toward his helicopter in a clearing a hundred yards away. They’d be back at the ranch in ten minutes, but the other guests on horseback or riding in hay wagons would slowly follow Rachel and Brayton to the ranch for the reception.

“Can’t believe she hooked Doyle Calhoun.” As Brayton shook his head, his manly ocean scent drifted over her. “What a guy. I’ve watched his ‘Last Real Rancher’ reality show for years.”

Rachel shrugged against him. “Maybe that’s part of why you came here.”

“Could be. Our God works in mysterious ways.”

“That He does.” Rachel pondered the mystery of His grace. Both she and Ma would be splitting time between Hearts Crossing and their husbands’ ranches–the log cabin Brayton had designed on Rachel’s inherited acres was nearly complete. After much prayer, both had decided to return to Hearts Crossing and leave Woodside Meadows to other happy families. And the horse rescue operation at Red Hill was strongly underway, with folks from everywhere—including Crusty and his Scout troop and Carol and her kids—helping out.

“I guess we better make tracks. Matty’s in good hands,” she said, unworried. Kelley, who had declined to be anybody’s matron of honor in her ninth month, had undertaken nanny duties along with Jason. Addie, although she adored the little ring bearer, had been too occupied standing up for Rachel in a sweet lilac dress she’d worn to the seventh-grade spring dance.

With a loud laugh, Brayton pointed. Right now, Rachel’s new daughter and her little boy chased through the trees the military service dog they’d taken into their “forever home.” Stanley, a black and tan German shepherd, was magnificent even with the white satin bow around his neck. Nate, Brayton’s best man, corralled the kids and critter. Rachel laughed, too. Joy all but choked her. “Once we start off, everybody will follow.”

“Step up.” Brayton soft voice and gentle hands on the reins set the horses to a brisk trot. Such a good man, she mused. So gentle with kids, with animals.

Rachel had long forgiven Nick forever and for real. But she’d never forget his goodness, the good times, and would always keep him alive in Matty’s mind.

God had known it all, all along. Each tomorrow, each week, month and year. Leaning hard against Brayton’s shoulder, she breathed out a prayer that had no real words.

God was listening anyway.