Kaitlyn laughed. “Of course you can. I was just thinking how beautiful you look, Mom.” Her smile broadened when her mother blushed prettily. “You and Dad are seriously good looking people.”
“Stop it, Kaitlyn Andrea,” her mother scolded. “You’re the one who is good looking today. Your gown is so beautiful, honey.”
Kaitlyn had to agree with her mother, smoothing her white gown with tiny pearls and lace running through it. It was beautiful with its elegant long sheer sleeves that ended at her wrists. The skirt was long and flared at her hips with a long train flowing behind her.
“I agree with her, Mrs. Garrett. Anyone can see where Katie and Sam get their good looks, and those beautiful blue eyes,” Madilyn said handing her a glass of champagne.
“Oh, hush, both of you.” Genevieve laughed taking a quick sip of champagne. “Let’s get you married, Katie.”
Smiling, Kaitlyn nodded, excitement building in her belly, as the moment got closer. “I’m ready Mom. I love him so much, and I know I’ll be happy this time.”
Since she decided she wanted this marriage to start out right, she insisted they marry before she and Sadie moved in with Riley. He hated the idea, of course, but gave in to her wishes. His concession was that they marry as soon as possible. She agreed that there was no reason to wait. Fall was Kaitlyn’s favorite time of year anyway, so with everyone working together, they pulled it together, which made Riley happy since he was miserable living at the house alone. She knew that because he complained about it often enough.
When someone knocked on the door, her mother opened it and her father stepped in. He really was a handsome man. Tall at six five, he had dark brown hair with just enough grey at the temples to make him look striking. His blue eyes sparkled with excitement as he strode toward Kaitlyn with his arms outstretched. Taking her hands in his, he kissed her forehead.
“Are you ready to marry this man who is so in love with you, he was waiting at the door for you, Katie-bug?”
“He was?” Grinning with the joy of knowing Riley was eager to do this too, she wrapped her arms around her father’s waist. “Yes, Daddy, I am more than ready.”
“I want you happy, sweetheart and I believe that Riley will treat you with respect, honor his commitment to you, and protect you and Sadie. And no doubt keep both of you very happy.”
“He’d better or Sam will kick his butt,” Kaitlyn said with a laugh.
Laughing, her father nodded his agreement. “I have no doubt there. You know your mother and I have always loved Riley like family. We were so happy to hear he’d reunited with his mother and even happier to know he has a real father now. Babs seems a much happier person than the last time we saw her and Jordan is a good man. They are quite proud of Riley and seem devoted.”
Kaitlyn blinked back tears. “I know, Daddy. He’s so happy to have them in his life now.”
Another knock sounded on the door then it creaked open. Her bridesmaids piled into the space with chatter, hugs, and smiles. Olivia, Becca, Emma, Kelsey, Kaylee, and Tessa looked beautiful in their matching gowns of soft green similar to Madilyn’s gown of a darker green. As matron of honor, Kaitlyn wanted her to stand out a little.
“We’re all so happy for you,” Olivia said.
“I’m just glad I can fit into this gown,” Kaylee said smoothing her hands down the front of her gown.
“You barely look pregnant. I looked like a blimp by the second trimester,” Becca exclaimed with a laugh. “I’m so jealous.”
“I’ll probably pop out and look like I’m carrying a basketball in another month.” Kaylee blew out her cheeks and stuck her belly out. Everyone was laughing at Kaylee’s antics when a knock came on the door and a voice announced from the other side that it was time.
“Thank you, I…” Kaitlyn stopped then took a deep breath and exhaled looking around at her friends and parents. She never before felt so full of love. This was what was supposed to happen in her life, everything that came before was just practice. “Let’s do this.”
Genevieve hugged her daughter, gave her husband a quick kiss, and left the room. A groomsman would escort her to her seat. Everyone else headed into the vestibule to wait for the music to start while Kaitlyn and her father hung back. When the music started and she watched as her bridesmaids each started down the aisle, she squeezed her father’s hand. He turned to face her.
“I think you’re going to be very happy, Katie. You and Sadie both,” her father said leaning in to kiss her cheek before pulling her veil down over her face as she smiled up at him.
“I do too, Daddy.” Stepping forward, her arm crooked through his, her heart soared when she heard her entry music begin and she took her first step toward her future with Riley.
****
Standing at the altar, Riley watched as Becca, Emma, Olivia, Kelsey, Tessa, Kaylee, and Madilyn walked down the aisle. Each looked beautiful in their gowns but none was the woman he wanted to see. Each only had eyes for their groomsman who also happened to be her husband with the exception of Tessa. He glanced at Sam who was watching her, but she managed to keep her eyes everywhere as far away from Sam as possible. Perhaps he and Kaitlyn might be able to help along her older brother’s love life somehow.
When everyone suddenly stood, as Kaitlyn’s chosen song began, all thoughts of his brother-in-law’s love life vanished. Riley couldn’t see Kaitlyn past the guests, only the top of her head as she moved down the aisle. When she came into view, the breath rushed out of his chest. He’d always thought her beautiful but today, she seemed to glow like an angel—his sweet angel. Even with a sheer veil covering her face, he could see her stunning smile. As she and her father reached him, he grinned when she glanced his way. Stepping forward, he took her hand.
“Hi sweetheart,” he whispered leaning in, inhaling her sweet scent.
Kaitlyn smiled up at him. “Hi yourself.”
“Ready to do this?”
“I’ve been ready for years, Riley Madison. I don’t know what took you so long.”
Raising his eyebrows, he cocked his head. “Years?”
“I’ve loved you since I was a young girl,” Kaitlyn told him.
Riley shook his head. “I never knew.”
“I know. It’s all right. You’re all mine now.”
Smiling at how right she was, Riley turned them toward the reverend and the ceremony began. They recited their vows, and when the time came to kiss the bride, Riley slowly raised her veil, cupped her face in his hands, and pressed his lips to hers, savoring her taste, and thinking ahead to later when he could peel that dress off and taste all of her. Lifting his head, he stared down into those beautiful blue eyes he wanted to spend the rest of his life looking into, and thanked Roscoe Madison for dying and leaving him a rundown old ranch. If he hadn’t returned to Clifton, he wouldn’t have Kaitlyn in his life, his parents, or an adorable squirt named Sadie, who as soon as they returned from their honeymoon, they planned on starting adoption proceedings to give his little girl his name. He was home where he belonged. “I love you, Kaitlyn Madison.”
“I love you too, Riley Madison.” Together, they turned to face everyone, their family, their friends, and the town of Clifton who had welcomed him home.
**THE END**
About the Author
Susan was born and raised in Cumberland, MD. She moved to Tennessee in 1996 and now lives in a small town outside of Nashville, along with her husband and their two rescued dogs. She is a huge Nashville Predators hockey fan and also enjoys fishing, taking drives down back roads, and visiting Gatlinburg, TN. Although her books are a series, each book can be read as standalone books. Each book will end with a new story beginning in the next one. She loves hearing from her readers and promises to respond to all.
You can visit her Facebook page and website by the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/skdromanceauthor
www.susanfisherdavisauthor.weebly.com
susan@susa
nfisherdavisauthor.com
Other books by Susan:
JAKE Men of Clifton, Montana Book 1
GABE Men of Clifton, Montana Book 2
BRODY Men of Clifton, Montana Book 3
WYATT Men of Clifton, Montana Book 4
RYDER Men of Clifton, Montana Book 5
LUCAS Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming Book 1
MONTGOMERY Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming Book 2
COOPER Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming Book 3
LINCOLN Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming Book 4
RILEY Men of Clifton Montana by Susan Fisher-Davis FINAL (1) Page 19
