by Liz Isaacson
Jeri went up the steps and into the house through the back door without bothering to knock. Scarlett stood in the living room with Sissy and Amber, both of whom already had their dresses on.
“Wow,” she said. “You guys look great.” And they did, because they were feminine. They didn’t wield hammers and hold nails between their teeth for a living. Their hands weren’t chapped ninety percent of the time, with cuts and bruises the other ten percent.
Scarlett turned toward her, a huge smile on her face. “Here’s yours.”
“Scarlett,” she said, eyeing the armful of blue fabric. “I mean, Adele will be here. You don’t need me in the wedding party.”
“Of course I do.” Scarlett came around the couch, concern in her eyes. “Sawyer can’t walk someone else down the aisle. Now come on. I need you to go put this on so I can get it altered if it needs it.”
“Can you alter my hips?” Jeri joked as she took the dress from Scarlett. Everyone laughed, and Scarlett hugged her.
“Honey, if that were possible, I’d be first in line.” She shooed her down the hall. “Use my bedroom. I left your mail on my dresser.”
Jeri did as she was told, throwing the dress on the bed and going for the envelope that Scarlett had leaned up against her jewelry box. Her fingers trembled the tiniest bit as she tore it open and took out the letter.
Sure enough, she and Sawyer were now divorced.
She wasn’t sad. Or relieved. She was just the same. At least now, she and Sawyer had the opportunity to do things the right way. A real way.
Moving quickly so Scarlett wouldn’t get concerned and come check on her, she snapped a picture of the top part of the letter and texted it to Sawyer. All official, she said. Our make-believe marriage is over.
She then shimmied into the dress, wishing her arms weren’t as big as they were. “Muscle,” she told herself, though she knew her binge-eating from six to ten p.m. produced more than muscle on her frame.
A knock sounded on the door, and she said, “Come in.”
Scarlett inched into the room, her eyes bright. “Are you divorced now?”
Jeri nodded, sliding her hands down her stomach and over her hips. “You know, this isn’t half-bad. It’s pretty flattering for us bigger girls.” She smiled at Scarlett, but it felt shaky on her face.
“I love you, Jeri,” she said, moving into her personal space and embracing her. “You always see the good in things. In people. In everything.” She stepped back and held her at arm’s length, everything moving too fast for Jeri to comprehend. “I’m sorry about the divorce.”
“Me too,” Jeri whispered. Then she tossed her hair and shook off the melancholy spirit. “But hey, this way, when Sawyer asks me to marry him, I can say yes. And everyone will get to come.”
Scarlett wiped her eyes and looked at the opened letter and back to Jeri. “There’s that silver lining again. Are you…do you think you’d say yes if he asked?”
Jeri had been seeing her counselor a lot in the past few weeks. She didn’t feel like she’d had any major breakthroughs. She just felt better overall. “I’m actually surprised I said that.”
“I’m not,” Scarlett said. “You two are made for each other.”
“Like you and Hudson.”
“Yeah.” Scarlett smiled. “And we didn’t exactly get to where we are easily either. So you and Sawyer will get there.”
Jeri thought she already was, which sent comfort and peace through her. “Hey, it’s easier to smile than to frown,” Jeri said. “And I mean it about the dress. You did a good job picking them out.”
“Thanks. Let’s go show the other girls.” She turned to go right as Jeri’s phone went off.
“Be right there,” she said, grabbing it from the dresser. Sawyer had texted back with the only thing Jeri wanted to hear.
Love you.
Chapter 24
Sawyer couldn’t believe what he was about to do—alter his morning routine. The very idea felt wrong and amazing at the same time, and he pushed away any feelings he had.
Because he was running late and just needed to get things done.
His relationship with Jeri was stronger than ever, despite the letters they’d both received yesterday. He didn’t care that he was now divorced from her—because now he could marry her for real. Invite his family, his friends, his bandmates.
And he’d been planning this proposal for a month. Please let her be ready, he prayed as he hurried to pour his coffee. He just wanted to sit on his front steps and sip it while the ranch woke up, his dog at his feet.
And he was going to.
On her front porch.
After all, she’d walked into the wrong house all those months ago. Walked right into his heart and claimed it.
She didn’t have any furniture on her front porch, but Sawyer had a little table beside a chair, and he usually took his guitar out there too. Moving as quietly as he could so he wouldn’t give anything away, he moved his stuff to her porch, dashing back across the lawn to get his coffee.
He went up the steps, turned, and sat, his nerves firing like a twenty-one gun salute. Cache came out on his front porch, immediately looking toward Jeri’s house. His job was to distract Jeri that morning, and he grinned as he said something into the phone he had pressed against his ear.
Sawyer gave him a thumbs-up, and Cache lowered his phone a few moments later. “She’s comin’ now,” he called.
Sawyer took another sip of coffee, the lock behind him starting to rattle. Had he even remembered the ring? He almost choked but managed to swallow his brew and pat down his pockets, satisfied when he felt the hard lump in his right one.
The door behind him opened, and it took all of his willpower not to turn toward the sound. Jeri’s footsteps rushed out as she muttered something under her breath. The door slammed closed, and then she said, “Oh.”
He looked up at her and took a slow sip of his coffee as he drank in her beauty—and her surprise.
“Sawyer? What are you doing here?”
“My morning routine,” he said. “I always sit on the porch and drink my coffee.”
She glanced toward his house, and then around her porch. “But this is my porch.”
“Is it?” He looked at the guitar he’d leaned against the post, and the little table and chair. “Huh. Looked like mine.” He patted the spot next to him. “Wanna sit for a minute?”
She looked like she did not want to sit for a minute, and Sawyer’s heart thumped out too many beats at once. In the end, she did sit down next to him, a long sigh accompanying her.
“Maybe I should sit on your porch every morning,” he said, taking her hand in his. “This is way better than my routine.” He leaned over and kissed her, feeling her tension and frustration bleed away beneath his touch.
“I’m late,” she said, but she kissed him again.
He ducked his head and took another sip of his coffee, like this was a normal, easy conversation. “Where are you going this morning?”
“Goat yoga.”
He nodded. “I think Amber will understand if you’re a few minutes late.” He looked at her. “I wanted to ask you something.”
No fear crossed her face. Her eyes stayed bright and clear as she looked at him. “All right.”
“Now that we’re officially divorced, I’d love it if we could tie the knot for real.” He dug in his pocket and took out the diamond he’d bought a few weeks ago. “I’m in love with you, Jeri Bell, in the best way, and my loan for the house went through last week, and I didn’t tell you, because I was waiting for us to be divorced, so I could ask you to marry me.” He held up the ring and glanced at it. “I want you to build me a house. Live in it with me.” He touched the tip of his nose to hers, feeling a slight shake coming from her. “Sit with me on the porch in the morning and kiss me good-night.” He looked right into her eyes. “I want you.”
He took a deep breath, having just said more than he usually did in a whole day.
“
Your loan went through last week?” she asked.
“That’s what you’re thinking about?”
“I could’ve been working on the house,” she said. “Instead, I’ve been bored out of my mind—so much so that I told Amber I’d come to goat yoga.” She scoffed. “I don’t want to go to goat yoga. I want something to do around here.”
Sawyer blinked at her, the spark in her expression absolutely gorgeous. He burst out laughing, glad when she joined him. He started to tuck the diamond ring back into his pocket. “All right. Let’s start with the house. I can get an answer—”
Her fingers curled around his wrist and squeezed. “Don’t put that away,” she whispered.
“Oh, you want to see this?” He closed his fist around the ring, playing a dangerous game with a strong woman.
“Sawyer,” she warned.
“It’s a yes or no question,” he said. “I know you heard me ask it.”
“Actually, I don’t think you ever did ask it.”
“Will you marry me, Jeri Bell?”
Love ran through her eyes, and she said, “Yes.”
Sawyer kissed her, this woman he loved so very much. She kissed him back, laughing and crying at the same time. He slipped the ring on her finger, and they both admired it. He didn’t want to press her, but he had to know how long he had to wait to be with her again.
“What are you thinking for a date?” he asked.
“Well, if I start the house today, which I can’t do, because I need to rent an excavator, I bet I could have it done in three or four months.”
“I’m thinking August,” he said, glancing at her. “Specifically, August eighteenth.”
She sucked in a breath and looked at him. “Really?”
“My whole life changed the day you walked into my house instead of yours,” he said. “And then again the day we got married. It’s a good day. Something for us to celebrate.”
Her face softened as she smiled. “All right. August eighteenth.”
Sawyer felt like he’d spent the last year waiting for things to happen. Of course, he kind of had. A few days until they could go to the office in Van Nuys and get married. A couple of months until her official contractor’s license came in. Six months to get divorced.
And now, four months to get married again.
Each day passed, as time definitely did, and Sawyer found himself dressing up in a nice suit once again. This time, though, he and Jeri hadn’t just had their first kiss and snuck off the ranch together.
She had gotten the marriage license again, but he’d asked Pastor Williams to come up to the ranch to marry them. His mother had taken care of all of the food, and they were feeding all the guests after the ceremony.
Scarlett had used the huge horse barn for her wedding, and Adele and Carson, who’d both returned to the ranch after the wedding in April, would be too.
Sawyer and Jeri had opted to set up their wedding right in front of their cabins. After all, that was where they’d spent the most time falling in love.
Guilt pumped through him with every heartbeat as he peeked outside to see Hudson, Carson, Cache, Dave, Lance, and Ames outside, struggling to set up the tents. It was so hot in California in August, and there wasn’t much shade in the Cabin Community.
Two huge tents went up, and then Sawyer couldn’t really see what was happening. Jeri had hired a party supply company for the tents, chairs, and tables, and she’d sketched everything out for him.
He knew intellectually what he’d find under the tents, and he thought of Jeri next door in her cabin, getting ready for their wedding. This time, she wasn’t alone. Her mother and siblings had come, as had Randy and Pearl.
Jeri had involved his mother in a lot of the prep, and she was currently next door too. Sawyer stood in his house with his brother and his father, all of them ready to go. None of them talking.
Finally, his dad said, “I think I just saw your mother.”
“Almost ready then,” Sawyer said, so much more nervous this time than last time.
“I’m happy for you,” his dad said. “I could tell there was something special between you and Jeri when you brought her to the picnic last year.”
“Yeah?” Sawyer asked.
“Definitely.” His dad hugged him. “Now, if we could just get James to propose to Peach, I wouldn’t have to listen to your mother talk about it all the time.” He flashed a smile at James, who held up both hands in an I surrender gesture.
“Hey, it’s not up to me,” he said, smiling. “I’ve asked her. She said she needs more time.”
Sawyer frowned, a blip of concern moving through him. “More time? For what?”
James’s smile slipped. “She’s, uh, working through some things.”
“I get that,” Sawyer said.
“Yeah?”
“Definitely.” Sawyer looked at his brother. “Just give her time.”
Someone knocked on the front door, drawing Sawyer’s attention there. His mother came in without waiting to be invited, and she gasped when she saw Sawyer. Tears filled her eyes, and she drew him into a tight hug that made Sawyer’s emotions fly all over the place too.
“You two are perfection,” she gushed. “You should see her dress. It’s gor-ge-ous.” She stepped back and brushed her hands down his lapels. “And you are the best looking man anywhere.” She beamed at him, her dramatic personality perfect for weddings.
“Time to go,” she said. “Everyone’s here.” She linked her arm through her husband’s, and they led the way out.
Sawyer went down his front steps and took a few steps toward the altar that had been placed right on his front lawn. Blue lay down at his feet, already panting though there were misters and fans mounted in the corners of the tent.
He looked out over the sea of faces, finding all the ranch personnel he loved so much. Everyone was in place and ready—except Gramps and Jeri. Over the months of their engagement, she’d gone with him to visit Gramps, ultimately asking him to escort her down the aisle.
Maybe something had happened.
Fear and doubt struck him like lightning, and he looked at his mother, who swiveled her head around as if Jeri should’ve come out an hour ago and not just five minutes.
Scarlett stood up from her spot in the front row, and touched Sawyer’s arm. “Let me go check. Be right back.”
Sawyer wanted to call after her, get her to stop. Come back and reassure him that Jeri was going to come down the aisle and marry him. Or go inside in Scarlett’s place. Then when he found out Jeri wasn’t coming, he’d already be out of the spotlight. Away from the eyes.
A few minutes later, Scarlett came hurrying back toward him. She leaned into him and whispered, “Gramps brought the wrong shoes. They’re coming now.”
Relief spread through him, and he turned with everyone else when the wedding march started. There were no bridesmaids and no groomsmen. Just Jeri and Gramps, stepping slowly down the middle of all the people, one of her crazy chickens behind her.
Her dress was glorious and beautiful, with a tight bodice and then yards and yards of fabric that flowed down to the ground. She looked royal and majestic, and Sawyer’s whole body went on alert.
The chicken squabbled, and Blue’s ears perked up. Sawyer shushed him and told him to forget about the chicken while a few guests giggled. He forgot all about everything when Gramps passed Jeri to him and demanded a hug of his own.
Everyone laughed then, including Sawyer, and he was so glad he’d been able to have this wedding—if only for Gramps.
Scarlett came over and helped her grandfather to an empty seat beside her, and Jeri and Sawyer faced Pastor Williams.
“What a blessed event,” he said, and this wedding was so different than their first. Peace filled Sawyer, and he listened with rapt attention as the pastor pronounced marriage blessings upon him and Jeri.
He said, “I do,” when it was time, and when she did, a smile exploded onto Sawyer’s face.
He’d kissed this b
ride before, but the second time was so much better than the first.
“For real,” he whispered, kissing her again, the crowd cheering behind him.
“Always and forever,” she whispered back, pressing her forehead to his.
“I love you,” they said together, and Sawyer had never felt such joy.
I’m so glad Jeri and Sawyer didn’t give up when things got hard! If you are too, leave your review now.
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Read on for a sneak peek at HER LAST SECOND CHANCE, coming on April 9. You can preorder it now!
Sneak Peek! Her Last Second Chance Chapter One
Sissy Longston adjusted the temperature in the brand new administration building, the air conditioner actually working a little too well. She hadn’t dressed for such chilly conditions, and she wished she had a sweater to put on.
To remedy her icy hands, she stepped outside into the brilliant California sunshine. May really was the most beautiful month in the state, and she faced east, out into the openness of Last Chance Ranch.
She took a deep breath, the good, earthy smell of the air clearing her mind. Well, at least a little. She worked long hours, yes, but she sure did love the ranch she’d landed at a couple of years ago.
She’d usually had a seething, insatiable need to move on after two or three years, but she didn’t see that happening here. Maybe her gypsy heart and wandering spirit had finally found a place to call home.
She inhaled and exhaled again, her fingers and toes tingling as they warmed up beneath the sunshine. She pulled out her phone and logged into the dating app she’d started using a few months ago. She wasn’t terribly active, and most of the time, men messaged her and she didn’t get it for days.
But she’d been chatting with someone named CowboyDan, and he’d asked her out three days ago. Just dinner, he’d said. Nothing fancy. If it’s a no, it’s a no.
