“I don’t know, but it’s like it was made for me,” I replied back.
The girl who worked at the dress shop beamed at me. “When I took your measurements I almost died. This dress has been sitting here for three months simply waiting for the right bride.”
I smiled and wiped away the tears streaming down my face. Apparently with this baby I was not only going to be sick, I was going to cry all the time. I cried at everything, it seemed like.
Of course, the last two weeks had been a flurry of plans and dress shopping. This was my third time. The first two were with my mother and Janet. My mother had something to say about each dress I put on, while Janet told me I looked beautiful even in the ones that looked like potato sacks on me. I made the decision that Lucy and I were going to Austin, and I was hellbent on finding a dress. If I didn’t find one today, then I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Especially since the wedding was in one week.
Lucy walked up next to me and stared at the reflection in the mirror. Lucy and I had quickly become the best of friends. So I couldn’t help but notice how anytime Roger was around, Lucy became distracted and seemed to drift off. Roger also acted funny around her.
Truitt had a suspicion the two of them liked each other, and Lucy had admitted to me that she and Roger had slept together on New Year’s Eve. Roger had thrown the party, and I swear there must have been a hundred girls invited to the twenty-five or so men. But Roger seemed to only have eyes for Lucy that night and since.
“Saryn, it’s like it was made especially for you,” she whispered. Turning to face the younger girl, Lucy asked, “What’s the story behind the dress?”
The girl looked back to make sure no one was listening and took a step closer to us. When she started to speak, she lowered her voice. “The bride who was supposed to wear this caught her future husband-to-be in bed with her sister.”
Lucy and I both gasped and said, “No!” in chorus.
The girl nodded. “The dress was completely paid for and in possession of the bride. She was due to get married the next day. She came in here, handed the dress back to the owner, and told her to sell it and donate the money to a charity. So that’s what we’re doing.”
“What charity?” I asked.
“All the money we make from the sale of this dress will go toward Dell Children’s NICU. Our owner’s daughter spent a number of weeks there, and she’d like to repay them.”
“Oh, shit, now you have to buy it, Saryn. It’s like a damn sign,” Lucy said.
The young girl looked at us, confused. “I was a NICU nurse,” I explained.
Her eyes widened in delight. “No! Oh, it is a sign! I mean, there hasn’t been another woman who has walked into the salon with the same exact measurements as the other bride. The dress was made for you!”
I looked back at it. The mermaid gown fit me like a glove. It screamed romance with its embroidery and embellishments that created a sexy yet sophisticated look. Beautiful flower designs sat atop the delicate tulle cathedral train and added the perfect touch. The way the neckline plunged deep on the sequined corset gave the whole dress a dramatic look.
My chest warmed at the sight before me, and I placed my hand on my stomach. This was the dress. I knew it the moment I looked at myself in the mirror.
“How much is it?” I asked.
The young girl paused, and when I met her eyes in the mirror, she sheepishly said, “Three-thousand dollars.”
I frowned. I knew that wasn’t much in Truitt’s eyes. He was paying for the entire wedding, with the exception of the dress. My parents had insisted they were taking care of that expense. My father had given me a budget of five thousand, which I had laughed at considering my first wedding dress cost me less than a thousand. I’d bought the second dress I had tried on, thinking at the time it would do. This time around I had wanted the perfect dress, and I was wearing it.
With a wide smile, I let out a breath and said, “I’ll take it.”
Lucy and the young girl jumped for joy.
“Let’s get it off and steamed up and then you are set!”
One week later, I was staring at myself in the same dress. This time Liliana was standing next to me, and it was my wedding day.
February fourteenth. Valentine’s Day.
Liliana was dressed in a white satin and tulle dress that tied in the back with a giant bow. We had stumbled upon it in a little children’s boutique store in San Antonio while looking for dresses for my mother and Janet. Janet spied it first, and when I saw it was Liliana’s size, we all jumped for joy. It was perfect. Yet another sign.
Everything for the wedding seemed to fall right into place. It was small. Family and close friends only. We were getting married on my parents’ ranch in a spot that overlooked the beautiful Texas Hill Country. The reception was being held in one of the barns Ryan and my father had converted into a living area of sorts. Ryan had hosted many a poker game and bachelor party there. Today, though, it had been transformed. The ladies in Mom’s book club volunteered to decorate everything for the reception. We kept it simple. They draped tulle so that it rolled across the ceiling in waves. White roses filled Mason jars on the table, with white lanterns hanging down from the rafters. Old wooden chairs my folks had up in the attic were brought down and simple white lace fabric was tied to the back of each chair. Ryan and Truitt had spent the last week making three, twelve-foot-long tables to be used for the reception. At the entrance of the barn, large white panels of fabric had been hung and tied back to give the barn a more elegant look.
Everything was perfect.
A light knock came at the door, and I turned to see who Lucy was talking to. She smiled and nodded. We were getting ready in the small cabin that had once upon a time been used by the hunters, but was now my mother’s office.
“Truitt wants you to go to the window, he has something he wants to show you.”
I looked at her, stunned. “He wants to see me before the wedding?”
She shook her head. “No, just walk over to the window.”
I opened the large wooden shutter doors and the moment I looked out, I gasped. Sitting out front was a carriage. A horse-drawn carriage.
“Because every queen and princess needs a carriage.” The voice came from the side of the window and my heart jumped at the sound of it.
“Truitt,” I whispered. Liliana was holding my hand, looking at the large princess-cut diamond ring Truitt had slipped on my finger last night when we spent the evening alone having supper and just relaxing. While everyone else was at the rehearsal, we were home in bed, making love and eating leftover barbecue. Once midnight approached, Truitt kissed me goodbye and walked towards my parents’ house where he had then stayed the night.
“Are you nervous?” he asked.
I laughed. “No. Are you?”
“Nervous as hell, but happy beyond belief.”
His hand came around, and I reached for it. I could hear the photographer behind me snapping picture after picture.
“So pwetty, Mommy,” Liliana said, twisting the diamond back and forth on my finger.
“Hey, princess,” Truitt called out, causing Liliana to yell out Truitt’s name and nearly dive through the window. Luckily, Lucy saw that coming and grabbed her.
“Are you ready to become my wife?” Truitt asked, still holding onto my hand.
“Beyond ready. What about you, ready to give up the bachelor life for an instant family?”
“It’s what I’ve been praying for every night.”
My heart jumped, and I clutched my chest. This man knew how to make me weak in the knees and speechless.
“I love you so much,” I said as I squeezed his hand.
Truitt stepped in front of the window, a blindfold wrapped around his eyes and a smile on his face.
“Kiss me and prove it.”
I laughed and leaned out the window. “You goofy man. Please tell me you’re not walking around with that on. You’ll break your leg!”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got him covered,” Roger said, appearing next to his brother. He looked past me, and his eyes widened in delight when he saw Lucy.
“Wow,” he said, unable to tear his gaze away from her.
“Does she look beautiful?” Truitt asked.
Roger nodded. “Most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I cleared my throat and tilted my head as I regarded Roger. His eyes snapped up to me and a blush hit his cheeks.
“Um, I mean, Saryn looks stunning, yes.”
Truitt frowned and spun around. “You better not be checking out my future wife, you asshole.”
I covered my mouth and giggled. “He was actually looking at someone else and not me.”
“Oh, is that so?” Truitt said, intrigued.
“Shut up or I’ll spin you around and tell you to find your own way to the altar.”
Truitt laughed and then turned again, his back to me.
“I’ll see you in a few minutes?”
Roger sighed. “For the love of Christ, man. Has love made you stupid?” He placed his hands on Truitt and turned him so he was facing me.
I fought to hold back the giggles. “I’ll see you in a few.”
Before I knew what was happening, I was being handed my bouquet, ushered to the carriage, and driven up to the spot where we were getting married. Everything had to be done down to the minute since we were attempting to time the wedding with the sunset. The day had been beautiful and warm for a Texas winter. The few clouds in the sky meant we would have a brilliant sunset, and I was beside myself with anticipation.
The carriage pulled up and stopped. My father got out and helped Liliana down first. She promptly took Lucy’s hand. She was given a basket and told not to throw the petals yet.
My father blocked my view of Truitt and, to be honest, I didn’t have the courage to look at him yet. I knew the moment I saw him my knees would most likely buckle and my poor father would have to carry me to him.
I took Daddy’s hand and allowed him to help me out of the carriage. He placed his hands on my upper arms and said, “You look so happy.”
“I am happy, Daddy. He makes me happy.”
He kissed me lightly on the cheek. “I know he does. Let’s go get you married to the right guy this time.”
With a half laugh, half groan, I nodded. I looked down and waited for him to stand at my side. The music started. That was my cue to walk, and when I looked up, Truitt was turning around to watch me. He must have had his back to us, waiting for the music to start.
When our eyes met, my breath caught in my throat and I stumbled slightly. Daddy held onto me and leaned down to say, “I thought he was the klutz, not you.”
I giggled and squeezed his arm. Truitt must have seen me trip, because he laughed slightly and shook his head. My eyes drifted to Liliana skipping down the aisle.
“Mommy’s getting hitched!” she cried out as everyone laughed over the music. I quickly searched for Ryan and gave him a stern look. He had taken it upon himself this past week to teach my daughter that when she walked down the aisle she needed to sing a special song. It was supposed to be a surprise for me. He laughed and shrugged.
“Mommy’s getting hitched!” Liliana cried out again. Then she saw Truitt and ran to him. He bent down and caught her in his arms, lifted her up, and pointed for her to look at me. He whispered something into her ear, and she nodded and smiled as she waved to me.
“Oh, Daddy,” I mumbled at the sight that nearly had me tripping again.
“He’s a good man, Saryn. There’s no doubt in my mind that he loves you and Liliana. He’s going to make an amazing father.”
A single tear slipped free, and I didn’t even bother to wipe it away.
My father stopped in front of Truitt and gave him my hand. I didn’t even hear what the preacher was saying because my gaze was locked on the man I had loved since I knew what love was. The man I had once dreamed would be mine and then thought I’d lost. The man who not only loved me but loved my daughter. Our daughter. And would love the child growing inside me just as fiercely.
He lifted my veil and drew in a sharp breath. His voice cracked slightly as he whispered, “My God. You are so beautiful.”
I smiled and felt every nerve ending in my body tingle.
“You look awfully handsome, Mr. Carter.”
Truitt leaned down and kissed me. It wasn’t a quick kiss.
Roger stepped up and placed his hand on Truitt’s shoulder, giving him a slight jerk to get him to stop kissing me. Roger was now holding Liliana in his arms. He looked beyond handsome in his tux, holding his niece. I could only imagine what was going on in Lucy’s head right now. The two of them tried to pretend they weren’t attracted to one another, but both Truitt and I saw the sparks.
“Um, Truitt, as much as we all love to see you displaying your affection for Saryn, I don’t think we’re at that part yet, dude.”
Truitt winked at me and took a step back.
We hardly took our eyes off each other during the ceremony. And when it finally came time for the kiss, Truitt gave me another searing kiss. Then everyone cheered as we were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Carter.
Truitt took Liliana from Roger, and we walked down the aisle hand in hand. Our little family of four. No, our family of five. Rus raced past us with his little black tie around his neck and made a beeline for the open field. All that sitting still must have been too much for him.
Truitt placed Liliana in the carriage and then took my hand and helped me up. He sat down next to me and let Liliana crawl onto his lap.
“I don’t know how it happened, but God has answered almost every one of my prayers,” he said.
With my brows raised, I asked, “You have more requests?”
He nodded and flashed me that smile of his that made me want to strip him down and lose myself in him. “Just one more.”
“Now what?” Liliana asked.
I looked down at her and said, “Well, now Mommy and Truitt are married and we’re all going to live together in Truitt’s house and be a family.”
Her eyes lit up, and she turned to face Truitt. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she cried out in joy, “I wuv you, Daddy.”
My heart instantly felt full, and a rush of happiness raced through my body. Truitt seemed utterly shocked at first and didn’t move. We hadn’t talked to Liliana about her calling Truitt Daddy.
He wrapped his arms around her and I watched as the tears he had been fighting to hold back broke free.
“I love you, too, baby girl. So very much, Liliana.”
Truitt reached for my hand and smiled. “Now he’s answered all of my prayers.”
Truitt — Two years later
“DADDY, MAY I ask you a question?”
Turning my attention to my five-year-old daughter, I smiled. “Of course you can, pumpkin. You can always ask me anything.”
She grinned. “When can I have my own horse?”
I laughed. “Always in a rush to grow up, aren’t you?”
Those blue eyes looked up at me and sparkled. Nearly every day, Liliana and I went for a ride on my gelding, Marco. From the first time Saryn placed her in front of me in the saddle, Liliana had been hooked. It was our thing, and I fucking loved it.
“Get her to fall in love with horses, and she won’t be interested in men,” Will had told me time and time again.
“I’m a big girl now, you said so.”
I nodded. “I did say that. What kind of horse do you want?”
Feeling her almost vibrate with excitement, she answered, “I don’t care, as long as she’s a girl. It’s got to be a girl, Daddy.”
“A mare.”
She nodded. “I forgot. A mare. I’d like a mare, Daddy. Maybe one like Uncle Ryan’s horse.”
“A paint. My girl has good taste.”
Liliana giggled.
“I’ve got an idea. I need to swing by the shop today and check out a playhouse, and I’m going to need your e
xpert advice on it.”
She nodded and said, “I’m on it!”
Since I’d married Saryn, Liliana had become the official tester for all the playhouses we built. We would send her in when they were almost complete and see what she liked and didn’t like. There were many times when we followed her around and she asked where something was; in her little mind there should be a telescope here or a chair to read in there. Liliana was very much like her mother, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up working for the business someday. Hell, she’d probably take it over and do better than me. She was a valuable member of the team and even had her own T-shirt with her name on the back of it and the title, Official Playhouse Tester.
“How about this. We stop by, check out the playhouse, then stop and pick up a surprise for Mommy and then head home and make Mommy dinner.”
“Yes! I love that idea. Can we get a surprise for Nolan, too?”
My heart melted. We had named our son after Nolan, my best friend who had surprised me and came in for the wedding. I knew how hard it was on him to be back in Boerne after the loss of his child and Linnzi leaving him.
When baby Nolan was born, he made the trip back to Boerne again. I was hoping he could come again for Nolan’s second birthday party.
“If you want to get a surprise for your brother, we certainly can. That’s very sweet of you. You’re a great big sister.”
Liliana leaned her head back against me and let out a very dramatic sigh. “He can be a pain, Daddy.”
“Well, he is only two, or almost two.”
Another sigh. “I hope the next baby we have is a girl.”
I laughed. “You’re ready for another baby, huh?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure. Today I am, but tomorrow, well, I might not want her tomorrow so maybe we should wait.”
I kissed her light brown curls and turned the horse toward the barn. To my surprise, waiting for us was Saryn and baby Nolan.
“Hey there!” I called out.
My wife and son both waved in excitement.
I slid off of Marco and helped Liliana down. She ran over to Saryn and hugged her.
Lucky in Love Page 31
