I gasped when I stepped out of the truck. The lake was even more beautiful in person. It was the most vibrant color blue.
“The color . . . ,” I whispered.
“I think it’s from the reflection of the sky.”
I nodded. “Are all lakes in Montana this beautiful?”
Ty laughed.
I looked up at the mountains and around at all the trees. Birds sang together in what almost seemed like a practiced harmony.
I froze when, off in the distance, I saw a moose at the edge of the lake on the other side.
“Ty! Oh my gosh! It’s a moose!”
He grinned and laid out a quilt and then set the basket on it. “You haven’t seen a moose yet?”
I shook my head, staring at the large, stunning animal as he wandered back into the thick forest. What an amazing treat that had been. “No, that was my first one.”
“It’s like he was here to greet you,” Ty said.
I nodded and then turned to see him sitting on the quilt. The spread of food before us. “Wow!”
“I may owe Lincoln a pretty big thank-you. Actually, she’s already called in the favor.”
With a chuckle, I took the glass of wine he gave me and sat down, tossing a little piece of cheese into my mouth and nearly groaning at how good it tasted with the wine. “What’s the favor?”
“She’s booked a getaway this fall with Brock, and she said you and I are on kid duty.”
“For a whole weekend? She’s trusting me with both kids?”
He laughed. “Well, I’ll be there too.”
“I think that sounds fun. We’ll spoil them and let Blayze stay up late and watch horror movies.”
Ty’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re kidding, right?”
I took a sip of wine and shrugged, trying not to break out into laughter.
Ty looked out over the lake for a few moments before his eyes met mine.
“When I was a little boy, my granddaddy used to take us four boys up to this lake that was way up in the mountains. It was called Hidden Pines Lake. I loved going there with him and would sit for hours and just fish with him and my brothers. Beck used to hate fishing, but he loved being with my granddaddy, like we all did. He would tell us stories about when he served in the marines. I really think that was where Beck got the desire to join the military. He wanted to be like Granddaddy. Tanner, he was the one who always caught the most fish, and all the bastard ever did was put earthworms on his hook. Used to piss me and Brock off.
“The final time we went up there, we all knew it would be the last. Granddaddy was getting older, and just trying to get the four of us to spend a weekend up in the mountains was like pulling teeth. Each of us was always going in a different direction.” He looked off, the memory hitting him. “Brock and I had spent hours in the sporting-goods store in the fishing department, asking the guys who worked there about all the lures. We thought for sure we’d have Tanner that year. ‘This will be our year,’ we declared. We’d spent all the money we’d made that summer hauling hay and riding in the semi circuit buying those damn lures.”
I smiled. “Did you catch any big fish with them?”
Ty shook his head and laughed. It was such a beautiful sound, hearing him laugh. I couldn’t explain it, but it somehow made my soul feel happy.
“Not one. Tanner, on the other hand—his basket was full of fish. Even Beck caught a few. Granddaddy said Brock and I didn’t know how to turn off our minds and just be in the moment. At the time, I had no idea what he meant. By then, Brock and I were both bull riding competitively, and I remember the four of us bitching to my dad about having to go that weekend. I’m glad we did, though, because it was the last time the four of us were all together . . .”
His voice drifted off, and I could hear the sadness in it. I placed my hand in his and gave it a soft squeeze.
“Granddaddy pulled me to the side. Actually, he pulled each of us to the side and spoke to us alone. None of us ever shared with each other what he said. I guess it was sort of special for each of us, having Granddaddy give us his words of wisdom. He’d never done it before, and I’m pretty sure he knew his days were limited.
“Anyway, he started with the youngest and finished with me. I remember thinking that he’d begun to lose his mind. Most of the stuff he said made sense, until he got to one thing. He looked out over the lake and said to me, ‘You’ll find the meaning of life at the lake. She’ll show you the light.’”
My chin trembled, and goose bumps erupted over my skin.
Ty turned and caught my teary gaze. “Granddaddy saw something; I think he saw you. I don’t know if I’ve found the meaning of life, but I know you are my life. You light up my world and make everything beautiful, Kaylee.”
Covering my mouth with my hand, I tried harder not to cry.
Ty reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it, and I lost the battle. Tears streamed down my face. I wiped at my cheeks in an attempt to control the water leaking from me like a freaking dam had broken.
It was then I noticed the diamond. I saw sparks of colors in it.
“When I came across this ring, I asked the jeweler why it looked like I could see colors in the diamond. He told me it was a new technology this designer uses that creates flashes of light from the diamond. How incredibly perfect is that?”
I tried to laugh, but it sounded more like a half sob, half laugh. Ty took the ring out of the box and reached for my left hand, then slid the ring on. I gazed down at it, in utter awe at the beauty.
“I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you, and I really don’t think that’s going to be enough time.”
“Ty,” I whispered, not able to say anything else. I’d never in my life felt this powerful a love from anyone.
“I know I already asked and the ring is already on your finger, but this was how I had originally planned it.”
He stood, helping me to stand with him. Then, he got down on one knee, held my hand in his, and looked up at me. My knees felt weak when I saw the tears in his eyes.
“Yes!” I cried out.
Ty shook his head and looked down, and then back up at me. “Damn, woman. I haven’t even said anything yet!”
My hand covered my mouth as I giggled. “I’m sorry, go on.”
“Kaylee, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
I dropped to my knees, cupped his face, and kissed him. I’d already said yes twice. Now I needed to feel as close to him as possible.
When we pulled slightly back, Ty rested his head against mine.
“Ty?”
“Yeah?”
“Can we get married at that lake? Where your granddaddy took you? Just you and me. I don’t want a big wedding or anything. I just want to be your wife.”
He wrapped his arms around me, holding me against his body. “That sounds perfect to me.”
Chapter Thirty-One
TY
I paced back and forth, not even able to think straight. It had been a month since that day next to the lake. The day I’d slipped a ring on Kaylee’s finger. We’d decided to get married sooner rather than later, since winter would be setting in, and getting up to Hidden Pines Lake could be tricky.
Kaylee suddenly appeared in front of me. I took a few steps back and placed my hand over my chest.
“You look . . . beautiful.”
She smiled, her cheeks turning the perfect shade of pink. Her eyes moved over my body, and she dug her teeth into her lip. “You look handsome. Yummy handsome.”
I raised a brow. “Yummy handsome?”
“That’s a compliment, trust me.”
Smiling, I walked up to her, but she took a step back. “Don’t touch me!”
“Why not?” I asked.
“Because right now, all I want you to do is take your little guy out and lift my dress and take me right here. The photographer will be really pissed if I ruin my dress and my makeup.”
“M
y little guy? Little?”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine, your big guy. Anyway, it’s hard enough looking at you dressed in a tux. If you touch me, I’ll explode into a horny mess. So no touching.”
“What if she needs us to touch for the photos?”
“That’s different. We won’t be alone.”
I shot her a sexy grin. “So, that’s the key. Being alone.”
“Ty!” she warned, her hand coming up.
“Ty! Kaylee! Come on, Blayze is about to lose his mind!” Brock shouted from downstairs.
I groaned as she walked by, stopping to quickly kiss me. “Come on! I can’t wait to see Blayze and Morgan.”
Carefully making her way down the steps, Kaylee glanced back at me and smiled. It was the same smile she’d given me the first day we met. The day I knew I’d fallen instantly in love with her, even though I hadn’t realized it then.
When we got down the steps, a few gasps sounded, and Lincoln burst into tears.
“You . . . you . . . look . . . so . . . beautifuuuuul!” Lincoln said, rushing over to Kaylee and hugging her.
“Oh, sure, she can hug you, but I can’t.”
Brock walked up to me, reached for my hand, and shook it. “Sorry about that. Lincoln’s been a little emotional lately.”
I laughed as I watched Lincoln wipe more tears away and Kaylee go on and on about Morgan’s beautiful pink dress. “Dude, is she pregnant?” I asked jokingly.
When he didn’t answer, I looked at him. He wore a smile so big it nearly lit up the entire first floor of the house.
“What?”
He leaned in closer. “Don’t say anything—no one is supposed to know. I think Mama knows, though.”
“Of course she does. She has some weird power to detect shit like that.”
Brock nodded.
“Is Tanner here?” Kaylee asked, glancing around the room.
My father grunted, and my mother plastered on a smile that was clearly forced.
“He had a ride in Cheyenne last night that he said he couldn’t miss.”
I saw the look of disappointment on Kaylee’s face, and I made a mental note to punch Tanner the next time I saw him for making my wife sad on her wedding day.
“Oh, okay. Well, should we head on out there?” Kaylee asked.
My father opened the door—and walking up the steps was Tanner. I couldn’t ignore the way it made my chest tighten, knowing that he had probably driven all night to get here in time.
“Tanner!” Kaylee exclaimed at the same time Blayze did. They both raced to get to my younger brother, Blayze winning by a long shot, since Kaylee was dressed in a white gown and heels.
When she got to him, Kaylee kissed him on the cheek. “You look exhausted.”
He smiled. “I stopped at the house and showered and changed first. Sorry I’m late.”
When I walked up to him, he reached out his hand to me, but I pulled him in for a hug. “Thank you, Tanner. It means the world to me. To both of us.”
He slapped my back and hugged me before we broke apart. “You know I wouldn’t miss it.”
Kaylee and I had decided we would have a small ceremony in the front yard of her—scratch that—our house. Last week, we hiked up to the lake with Pastor Thatcher and had our private ceremony. We didn’t wear anything fancy. No one else was there. It was just the two of us, sharing our moment together, like we’d wanted to do. It was one of the most profound moments of my life, up at that lake, marrying the woman who had changed my entire world.
Pastor Thatcher was back today, standing with his Bible as Kaylee and I walked up to the arbor, decorated with roses. Our family stood behind us as we exchanged vows once again, in front of the people who meant the most to us.
It was Kaylee’s idea to have another ceremony after the real one. It was simple and less stressful and was more for my folks than anything. They had understood our desire to get married up at the lake and were supportive, but when Kaylee told my mother we would have another ceremony, I saw the way Mama’s eyes lit up with happiness.
I could hear Lincoln softly crying behind us, and at one point, I was pretty sure I heard my mama asking my father for a tissue.
“You may now kiss your bride . . . again!” Pastor Thatcher said.
“Uncle Ty?” Blayze said, stepping up and pulling on my jacket before I could kiss Kaylee.
Kaylee and I both looked down at him.
“What’s up, buddy?”
“I just thought you should know. I don’t feel mad toward ya anymore—you know, for taking our girl.”
Kaylee’s head snapped up, and she looked at me, her eyes wide with both shock and happiness. “Our girl?” she repeated.
“Anymore?” Brock asked.
Once Kaylee and I had started dating, I took Blayze out to dinner one night. Just us two guys. I explained to him that I loved Kaylee and that we would be dating. He was mad and told me he’d need some time to get over his broken heart. He also asked me to keep that a secret between us two . . . men. Which I had.
“I’ll tell ya later,” I said to Brock as I looked at Kaylee and winked. “What can I say? I’m sure we’re not the only two men who have fallen for the same pretty girl.”
“Amen to that,” Dirk added.
Kaylee spun around, a small yelp slipping from her lips. “You came!”
Dirk walked up and shook my hand before kissing Kaylee on the cheek. “Of course I came. I got here just in time. You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thank you for coming, Dirk,” Kaylee said, giving him a quick hug.
He took a step back and turned to walk over to where Brock was standing with Tanner.
When Kaylee faced me, she looked down at Blayze and gave him the sweetest smile. Blayze beamed up at her—then looked at me and smirked.
I rolled my eyes. Damn kid was exactly like his father.
Kaylee and I both chuckled.
“Can I kiss my wife now?” I asked as everyone laughed.
“Do it before Blayze does!” Tanner shouted.
My hands cupped her beautiful face, and our eyes met. I couldn’t help the tears that had built in mine. “I love you, so much.”
Her eyes sparkled, and I swore I could see the reflection of the mountains in those eyes of hers.
As a tear slipped free and made a trail down her cheek, she whispered, “I love you more.”
While we didn’t want a reception, my mother overruled us, as did Lincoln. So after our second ceremony, we headed back to my folks’ place. A large tent had been put up, with a makeshift dance floor. White edison lights hung down from the ceiling, and tables lined the perimeter of the tent.
Kaylee had done most of the planning, making sure things stayed simple. White roses with white lights decorated the tables. We went with a good old-fashioned barbeque catered by one of the restaurants in town.
I sat in a chair and watched as Kaylee danced with Blayze. I didn’t think my heart could feel any fuller than it did in that moment.
“You got yourself a damn good woman, I hope you know that,” Dirk said, sitting down and hitting the neck of his beer against mine.
“You better believe I know. Not sure what in the hell she sees in me, but I’m going with it.”
He chuckled. “You’re good for each other. You make her as happy as she makes you, dude.”
I gave him a nod of thanks. “When are you going to settle down, Dirk? It’s gotta be getting old?”
“Old? Hell no. I’m perfectly happy with my life.”
“You don’t ever wish for something like what Brock’s got?”
We both turned and looked at my brother. The happiness practically shot off him like bolts of lightning. He was dancing with Morgan.
“He deserves all that happiness. I’m glad he found Lincoln,” Dirk said, a smile on his face.
I nodded. “She’s pregnant again, but no one is supposed to know.”
Dirk took a sip of beer and shook his head. “Well, then, no one told
your mama, ’cause she’s been telling everyone who’ll listen that Lincoln’s got a bun in the oven.”
“I’m not the least bit surprised by that.”
Laughing, Dirk shook his head. “She’s telling folks she’s going to be having a new grandbaby soon. Someone asked if Kaylee was pregnant, and Stella said no. So, that only leaves Lincoln.”
“Brock’s not gonna be happy about that,” I mumbled.
“He’ll get over it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a pretty girl I’ve never seen before walking this way.”
I followed Dirk’s gaze. I’d never seen the blonde who was walking up to the tent either. She looked familiar, and when Kaylee let out a loud scream, I knew instantly this was kin.
“Timberlyn! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!”
Timberlyn was Kaylee’s cousin, and she’d recently graduated from nursing school in Georgia. From what I’d gathered from Kaylee, Timberlyn had also had a tragic incident happen to her, but Kaylee hadn’t told me what it was, and I hadn’t asked. I was just happy that Kaylee at least had family here, since her parents couldn’t be bothered to come to their daughter’s wedding.
“Who’s that?” Tanner asked, taking a drink from his beer. I looked at him and saw the light in his eyes. Aww damn, both he and Dirk had the same thing on their minds. This was going to be amusing as hell.
“I saw her first, dude,” Dirk shot back.
“You’re calling dibs on her?” Tanner asked.
I stood. “It’s Kaylee’s cousin. She’s thinking of moving here after seeing all the pictures Kaylee’s been sending her. She just graduated college.”
Dirk smiled. “Well, I’d be more than happy to show her around town.”
“Bullshit, I’ll show her around town,” Tanner said.
“Maybe you should leave that to me and Kaylee,” I said with a slight smirk.
Always Enough Page 26
