As Lucas and Summer walked away, Summer heard Kinsley directing Kane and Faith, showing them where to sit.
“You don’t mind coming back for a Tye family shoot?” Lucas asked.
“I don’t mind at all,” Summer said. “I’ve always enjoyed being with your family, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Lucas was quiet a moment, stopping before they got to the table. Tricia’s twins, Cash and Hope, scooted past them toward the stage at one end of the hall, Mason right behind them. He gave Lucas and Summer a perfunctory wave and grin, his attention returning to his fiancée’s kids.
“What are you waiting for?” Summer asked, puzzled that he had stopped.
“You truly didn’t mind? Not having the big wedding?” Lucas asked. Summer framed his face with one hand, her thumb tracing his scar, feeling another rush of joy and thankfulness for this amazing, caring man. “Not for one moment. I didn’t want the stress of planning, and I wanted to get on with being a family.”
Lucas looked relieved. “Good. Just wanted to make sure.”
“We’re married. That’s all that matters to me.”
“Hey, you two, are you coming over here, or are you going to be doing all that newlywed stuff?” Tricia called out, waving them over.
Summer laughed, tucked her arm through Lucas’s, and pulled up a chair by the computer screen Tricia had angled so they could look at the photos.
Summer had to smile at the pictures, glancing from them to Emma, now sleeping in Lucas’ arms. “I don’t know which one to pick,” she said. “They all look so good.”
“Kinsley is a natural,” Tricia said with an air of authority. “How about I help you out?”
A few minutes later they had decided, and Tricia had filled out an order form.
As they gave her their information, Summer felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She glanced back in time to see Zach smiling down at her. “So, you got it all figured out?” he asked.
“I think so. We’re going with these,” she said, pointing to the pictures Tricia had chosen.
“Excellent choice. Tricia has good taste.”
“Well, it helps to have good subject matter,” Tricia said.
An older woman came into the hall, looking around with a frown. She was tall, her gray hair swept back and held in a clip, her blue eyes bright. “Is this where I go to get the pictures taken for the church directory?” she asked, pulling out a paper from the large purse slung over her shoulder.
“The one and only place, Mrs. Bond.” Tricia pulled over a large binder. “You’re a bit early for your appointment. Kinsley has another sitting before you.”
“Please, just call me Rose. I was sitting at home by myself and thought I might hang out here awhile, but there’s not many people here. Just the Tye family,” she said, looking around.
“That’s because people only come in when they have an appointment,” Tricia said as she got up. “But you can sit down, and if you want I can get you some tea or coffee?”
Mrs. Bond waved her off as she settled in a chair. “I’m fine.”
“Hello, Rose,” Zach said with a smile, coming to join them. “How are you doing?”
Rose glanced from Zach to Hope who had come up to her grandfather and was now holding his hand. “I’m doing okay, but I have to say I’m a bit jealous. You seem to have gathered your brood around you.”
Zach glanced from Tricia to Lucas and nodded. “I’m thankful. It’s been a long, hard road for some of them, but they all came back to Rockyview.”
“That’s nice. A real blessing.”
Summer watched the look of melancholy flit across the elderly woman’s face and thought of Rose Bond’s own family. Her eldest daughter had died, leaving Mrs. Bond to raise her children, Garret and Carter. The other had left one day without a word, leaving behind her children, Shannon and Naomi. She knew Shannon lived here but the other grandchildren, Tanner, Naomi, and Garret had moved away.
Poor woman. Summer knew how happy her own mother was that she was staying in Rockyview and how thankful Zach was to have his whole brood close to home.
“If the Tye family is all here, we can do the group shot,” Elliot called out, breaking into her thoughts, waving everyone over to the corner of the hall where Kinsley was set up. He had gathered some chairs for the family.
“We’ve been summoned,” Zach said to Rose. He patted her on the shoulder. “You take care of yourself.”
Rose settled back in her chair, smiling as she watched the family gather up. Glenda had come to join her and started chatting her up.
Summer turned her attention back to Emma, stroking her daughter’s cheek, another wave of love washing over her.
“Where are you?” Lucas asked, his deep voice washing over her.
“Just thinking about how blessed I am. How everything…” her voice broke and Lucas pulled her close, cradling Emma between them.
“I’m blessed too, you know,” he said, brushing a kiss over her head.
“What are you two plotting?” Tricia asked bending over to pick up Cash, who was pouting about something that Hope had apparently done to him.
“How to convince you and Kinsley to let Emma be a flower girl at your wedding,” Lucas returned quick as a shot. “I think Cash and Hope could pull her in a wagon. That’d be adorable.”
The puzzlement on Tricia’s face made Summer laugh.
“He’s kidding,” she said, letting her off the hook.
“I should have known, but you know, it might just be the sweetest thing after all. All the grands coming down the aisle together.”
Again, that easy acceptance of her daughter made Summer want to cry. This family was flawed, she knew that, no family is perfect. But she’d never realized, even when she was dating Lucas, how easily the Tye family took in the stranger, the helpless, and the hopeless.
“Enough chitchat,” Elliot called out, waving his arms. “We need to get moving. Other people are coming after us.”
And even as he spoke, another family with a couple of kids entered the hall.
“Be with you in a flash, literally,” Tricia called out to them.
“Good joke, Sis,” Elliot said, giving her a high five.
Kinsley clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention, and the next few minutes were spent sorting everyone out, keeping family groups together. Finally Kinsley had everyone where she wanted them.
“And how is this going to work, my lovely future bride?” Elliot asked from the empty chair he stood behind. “How is the photographer going to become the photographee?”
“Technology, my cowboy. Technology.” Kinsley returned to the group holding a small remote in her hand. She glanced around, seeming pleased with the setup. “Okay, Tye family. Look at the camera and smile.”
And the Tye Family did.
Reader Group
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Other Series
Introducing my latest series called
FAMILY TIES
Four siblings trying to finding their way back to family and faith
Click on the series title to be taken to the series page.
A COWBOY’S REUNION
He’s still reeling from the breakup. She’s ashamed of what she did. Can a chance reunion mend the fence, or are some hearts forever broken? If you like second chance stories, buried passions, and big country settings, then you’ll love this emotional novel. Tap the link to start the adventure.
PURCHASE HERE
THE COWBOY’S FAMILY
She's desperate. He's loyal. Will a dark lie hold them back from finding love on the ranch? If you like determined heroines, charming cowboys, and family dramas, then you’ll love this heartfelt novel. Click on the link below to find out more.
PURCHASE
HERE
TAMING THE COWBOY
A saddle bronc trying to prove himself worthy to a father who never loved him. A wedding planner whose ex-fiancee was too busy chasing his own dreams to think of hers. Two people, completely wrong for each other who yet need each other in ways they never realized. Can they let go of their own plans to find a way to heal together?
PURCHASE HERE
THE COWBOY’S RETURN
The final book in the Family Ties Series:
He enlisted in the military, leaving his one true love behind.
She gave herself to a lesser man and paid a terrible price.
In their hometown of Rockyview, they can choose to come together or say a final goodbye...
PURCHASE HERE
* * *
SWEETHEARTS OF SWEET CREEK
This is series of mine that is complete and out now. Tap the title to get to the series page or click on each book to find out more.
#1 HOMECOMING
Will past bitterness blind her to future love?
#2 - HER HEARTS PROMISE
When the man she once loved reveals a hidden truth about the past, Nadine has to choose between justice and love.
#3 - CLOSE TO HIS HEART
Can love triumph over tragedy?
#4 - DIVIDED HEARTS
To embrace a second chance at love, they'll need to discover the truths of the past and the possibilities of the future…
#5 - A HERO AT HEART
If you like rekindled chemistry, family drama, and small, beautiful towns, then you’ll love this story of heart and heroism.
#6 - A MOTHER’S HEART
If you like matchmaking daughters, heartfelt stories of mending broken homes, and fixer-upper romance, then this story of second chances is just right for you.
* * *
HOLMES CROSSING SERIES
The Only Best Place is the first book in the Holmes Crossing Series. Click on the series title to get to the series page or click on each book to purchase.
#1 THE ONLY BEST PLACE
One mistake jeopardized their relationship. Will surrendering her dreams to save their marriage destroy her?
#2 ALL IN ONE PLACE
She has sass, spunk and a haunting secret.
#3 THIS PLACE
Her secret could destroy their second chance at love
#4 A SILENCE IN THE HEART
Can a little boy, an injured kitten and a concerned vet with his own past pain, break down the walls of Tracy’s heart?
#5 ANY MAN OF MINE
Living with three brothers has made Danielle tired of guys and cowboys. She wants a man. But is she making the right choice?
The Cowboy’s Return Page 24
