"How's my girl? You seem to like those puffs well enough." Andy said to Harper, picking up the bottle to look at it. She wondered what other things Nora was feeding the baby.
"Oh she's been eating great! You'll never guess what I figured out." Nora smiled at her, wrinkling her nose at Harper. Andy loved the way Nora doted on her daughter. She really was like an aunt!
"I'm all ears." Andy watched Nora's eyes light up. Matt had stopped laughing and was listening intently. He didn't even have a smile on his face and she wondered what had sucked the carefree emotion from him.
"Harper loves cereal and she sleeps better if you feed it to her before bedtime." Nora raised her brows as if imparting some valuable secrets, well it was valuable if you liked your sleep. Andy hadn't gotten much of that since before Harper was born. She couldn't even bring herself to be upset about Nora feeding her daughter cereal without telling her first.
"I can't wait to try that." Andy said, stealing another glance at Matt. His expression was completely wiped clean of his previous anxiousness. The twinkle was back in his eye and looked mischievously at her. Andy tried not to blush, but she wasn't entirely certain he could help it. Matt's mom got up off the floor and stretched her legs. She set the pincushion on the counter.
"Travis, did you get those horses saddled for Matt and Andy?" Lacey asked her husband, who only nodded and smiled appeasingly. Lacey shook her head.
"We saw them. I thought we were all going out there together." Matt asked of no one in particular. Nora smiled at her brother as she stepped off the stool with help from her mother.
"I need you both to go out to crossing pines and make sure the wagon can make it safely. I also need to mark off where we will all be standing and where the chairs need placed. I don't have time to run out there and do it myself." Nora tried to maneuver her full skirt around the table and chairs. She reached for a cloth bag. "I drew you a diagram of what I want it to look like. Take the tape measure and make sure everything will work. Andy can help. She has an eye for how things should look." Nora smiled at Andy, patting her on the shoulder.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but are you sure it should be us? Why not Lacey or Randy?" Andy couldn't help but ask. She didn't really want this to be her responsibility. She didn't want to ruin Nora's wedding if something went wrong. Somehow they always seemed to do just that!
"Put me in the best spot for pictures. I have complete faith in you." She looked from Andy to Matt and back again. "In both of you."
Andy wondered how she could possibly get out of this. She looked at Harper sitting in her chair.
"But maybe I should stay and take care of Harper. I really can't impose on you while you’re trying to get ready, Nora." Andy moved towards Harper, but it wasn't Nora who spoke up.
"She is no trouble at all, Andy. We are happy that she is here. I am happy you both are here." Lacey said calmly, her blue eyes earnest and steady. Andy's heart felt like it had stopped altogether. She didn't think that would ever come out of Lacey's mouth. Andy looked at Matt, but he didn't' say anything or move. He looked almost as caught off guard as she had been.
"Thank you." She didn't know what else to say. Anything else would seem too contrived and now was not the time to stir up any more trouble. If they could remain friendly, maybe they would have a chance at being friends. She owed that to Matt.
"Okay, now off you go! We will be there in about an hour. Call us if the wagon won't be able to get out there. We might have to load everyone up in a couple of trucks." Nora fluttered about, already dismissing them from the room. Andy looked at Matt and she shrugged. Guess it's time to go. She really didn't mind. She liked horseback riding, especially on Miss Sioux.
"Shall we?" Matt opened the door for her and they walked out into the partially sunny morning.
Chapter Twenty Seven
He hoped like hell that Andy didn't notice the nervous shake in his hands. He could still feel the canvas cloth of the bag Nora had given him and it was impossible for him to not notice the blue velvet ring box at the bottom. One look at his sister and he wanted to strangle her and then kiss her. The mischievous sparkle in her midnight eyes said that this was definitely a setup. He was silently thankful as they approached the horses that they had already been saddled. He felt all thumbs just getting Andy into the saddle and reins in her hands. More than once he caught a sideways glance from her.
"Alright, I hope you caught what Nora wanted done in there, because it went over my head." Matt grinned like a little boy who hadn't heard a word the teacher had said. Andy shook her head and smiled.
"We will figure it out. First thing's first, we need to get going." Andy raised a brow when he looked at her blankly. She jerked her head towards Raven and suddenly he understood. He wasn't on his horse.
"Right." He could hear her chuckling behind him as he stuck one boot in the stirrup and swung up onto Raven's back. The black horse blew out an impatient breath. Matt looked to the side and saw Andy with Miss Sioux watching him carefully. Both females weren't fooled by his sudden absence of mind. I am in so much trouble! Stuffing down his nervousness, Matt nudged Raven down the road with Andy right behind them. He tried to focus on getting them there and wondering how he was going to pull this off. He felt like there was so much to say and yet, he wondered if they had said it all.
"Well looks like the gates won't be a problem getting multiple vehicles through." Matt said just loud enough to engage Andy. She looked around them, sitting taller in her saddle to take special note of the way the land rolled and straightened.
"It is beautiful out here. Although I have to be honest, the vehicles won't have the same romantic feel as the wagons would have." The bloom in her cheeks as she looked about them made Matt inwardly sigh. Her long hair and green eyes made her pretty. Her troubles and her strengths made her beautiful to him.
"You're beautiful." Matt hadn't realized the words had sprung from his mouth, but Andy's lovely confusion made him realize it had. He swallowed hard and then looked around him hastily. "I mean you're right. It is beautiful." Now he felt like an ass. Have you been talking long?
"I think you're pretty special too." She laughed at him, a carefree smile wreathing her face. He shook his head and felt himself blush. His eyes couldn't help but drink her in. How could I have been so lucky? The volume of his emotion was almost too much to contain. He wanted to make these moments special. He wanted to make her remember this their whole lifetime together.
"Okay, look over there." He pointed across the prairie toward the clump of pine trees that crested on a low rise. "See the two trees out front? Those are Granddad Samuel's crossing pines. The transportation will bring the guests along this trail here and up just shy of the hill." Matt dug into the canvas bag careful not to disturb the precious box at the bottom and pulled out the map. He looked it over as Raven slowly walked along the cow trail. "According to Nora, she wants the guests seated in two sections, four rows each, and they will stand under the two pines with the pastor." He looked at Andy.
"All right, so let me grab my camera." Andy halted Miss Sioux and pulled her camera bag from the leather saddle bag behind her leg. She pulled the device from bag and began turning it on, focusing it and snapping a few pictures from their vantage point. Matt watched her. He could see the seriousness of her eye, the steadiness of her hands and the passion for photography in every line of her body. He could feel that same passion when they were together as well.
"Ready to get closer?" Matt asked, his reins ready in his fingers and Raven shook his head. Miss Sioux snuffled softly, shifting her weight from hip to hip.
"Okay, but let's go slowly. I want to make sure I get some good shots. I've never taken any pictures while I was moving before." Andy cautiously let Miss Sioux have her head and in unspoken direction, the mare tread softly along the ground. Matt could hear the clicks of the camera as she fired off photos in succession.
"I'm glad that you wanted to stay with me, Andy. I wasn't sure that you would." Matt
relaxed his hands on the reins, but his back was ramrod straight. The tension coursing through his body was ridiculous. This shouldn't be so hard!
"I feel a connection here, Matt." She halted Miss Sioux and lowered her camera. Her green eyes looked into his only a couple feet away. "I think I can be happy here and I want Harper to have a family who loves her." She smiled at him. He knew that family was still important to her even after all the grief her own had given her. He felt courage welling up inside him as he swung down from Raven in one long step. She didn't say anything, but her eyes were curious. Matt reached into the canvas bag with his back turned to her and stuff the blue box in his front pocket.
"You do know that I love you and Harper. You both have a family." He said as he turned around, patting Miss Sioux's nose as he passed by her. Andy lowered her camera further and nodded.
"I know you do. I've been given an amazing opportunity to show my daughter just what love really is. I want to create a family that loves unconditionally, Matt. Harper deserves that. I deserve that." Andy's expression was one of hope mixed with sadness. Before now all he could see was the sadness in their discussions of the future and now he knew she wanted more. Sliding his hand up her leg to rest on her thigh, he looped the other around her waist and pulled her down from the saddle. She came gracefully into his arms. He could feel her breath on his face and he breathed in the perfume she wore that so enticed him. They stood there, bodies touching and hearts embracing. Matt smiled gently as he leaned in the extra inches to kiss her. Her lips reacted to his and her hands slid around his neck. He tilted her head to plunder her mouth further with their tongues dancing. He tried to keep it civilized, but it was difficult when he wanted and needed her so badly. She was his addiction. His pulse quick and his breathing shallow, Matt pulled back. His gaze met hers as she opened her eyes.
"Marry me, Andy?" His words weren't loud. They were breathless and intimate. A fine sheen of tears filled the luscious green pools he could drown in. "Please." His heart hung in the balance of what she was going to reply. His chest squeezed and he did his best not to stare her down. Still she stared up into his face, searching his eyes. Slowly she raised her hand from his neck and slid her fingers along his jaw line. It was a tender touch. One he wasn't sure how to interpret. She closed her eyes and took a breath. His heart tumbled in his chest.
"Yes." She nodded softly at first and then she let out a sob. Tears slipped down her cheeks and Matt lifted her into his arms, twirling her in a circle. She kept her hands on his shoulders until he let her down and then she was buried in his arms. Matt held her as tightly as he could while trying not to smother her. She trembled in his embrace and he appreciated how much of a leap she had just taken.
"I have something for you." Matt smiled softly.
Andy swept her hair back behind her ear as she look up into his face. If it were possible, she was even more beautiful than she had been moments ago. He reached into his pocket and produced the blue velvet box. He watched as she reverently touch the box and opened it to reveal the star sapphire ring inside.
"It's amazing, Matt!" The light glinted off the oval stone to produce the twinkling star across the top. Matt took the ring from its resting place and placed it on her left hand. It fit as if it were made for her and now more than ever, Matt knew it had been.
"It was my grandmother's engagement ring." He continued to watch her face go through a myriad of emotions. She shifted her finger, letting the stone wink in the sunlight. He leaned in to kiss her again and Andy clung to him. Her fingers delving into the hair at his nape and her body molding to his. This moment really was made in heaven! My real life angel.
"Are we going to tell your family? I imagine since this is your grandmother's ring that your mother knows?" Andy leaned back, smiling shyly. Matt chuckled at her question. He understood her worry about his mother.
"She does know. Nora knew too. That's how we ended up on this wild goose chase." Matt couldn't contain the laugh when Andy's face reddened. He wondered how she hadn't guessed. His sister was as subtle as a steel trap!
"It's all starting to make sense now." Andy couldn't stop looking at her ring and Matt couldn't stop grinning.
"Well I've been wanting to ask you for some time now and maybe I just needed a little push in the right direction. I meant what I said, Andy. I want to make a life with you and I want Harper to be my daughter. I want you to have that family that loves you both unconditionally. We can have that and so much more." Matt watched her blink back the tears that had snuck in again. She sniffed.
"You've shown us how it can be, Matt. I want to be your wife. I want Harper to be your daughter. I want us to be a family and I want us to live here in the Black Hills." Andy smiled into his face and he knew nothing could be sweeter. It was all finally coming together. He cupped her cheek and rubbed her nose playfully with his.
"I love you so much." His words hung between them before he kissed her hard and wanting. It was raw, unbridled desire that begged to be sated. Such satisfaction would have to wait until later, but it didn't stop them from making their demands known.
***
Andy wasn't sure if she could have been hugged any tighter than when Nora embraced her. Matt's sister had started for them the moment they had ridden back into the yard. The whole family was outside waiting for them. One brilliant grin from Matt had confirmed the answer. Garrett was the first to pound his brother on the back and wish him luck. By then Andy had been released by her future sister-in-law and Travis was there smiling.
"Welcome to our family." Her future father-in-law said as he kissed her cheek. Andy felt a glow start inside her that had been dim for too long.
"Thank you." Andy smiled, her eyes filling with tears again. Lots of tears today! Garrett moved to her next while Nora hugged her younger brother. His dark blue eyes searched hers. She had lived in his house for a couple of weeks and still she knew very little about Garrett Johnson.
"You're good for him." Garrett mumbled as he kissed her cheek as well. She nodded.
"I need him too." She whispered to him and he offered her an understanding grin. Garrett stepped out of the way and Lacey moved forward with Harper in her arms. Everyone watched this moment unfold. Matt moved to Andy's side and reached out to take Harper in his arms. Her daughter reached for her daddy and received a kiss on her chubby cheek. Andy pulled her focus from Matt and Harper to see Lacey standing there as much enamored by that heart-tugging picture as she had been.
"Andy, can I speak to you privately?" Lacey raised her brows slightly. Andy took a breath and nodded. They walked a few feet from the rest of the group and Andy wondered how this was all going to go. She wanted to at least be civil to each other. This was Matt's mother and family after all. Why can't she accept me like everyone else has? She wanted to do this for Matt at the very least. Lacey stopped and turned to her.
"Andy, I wanted to tell you that I think you are a good mother. Harper is an amazing little girl." Lacey's eyes were the same blue as her son's, but right now they looked sad. "I know you think that I hate you, but I really don't. Matt is my baby and I only want him to be happy." Lacey blinked back tears and Andy thought maybe now would be a good time speak. Lacey shook her head. "He is happy with you and I didn't take the time to see it. I'm sorry."
Andy was a bit shaken by this unexpected admission. It was far from the cold shoulder and dagger looks that she had been getting. She let the surprise show on her face.
"Thank you." Andy tucked her fingers into her front pockets. "I want us to get along for Matt and Harper if for no other reason." She glanced back over her shoulder to find the rest of the family watching them. She swallowed hard again and looked back to Lacey. Matt's mom brushed a tear away and before Andy could understand what was happening, she was being hugged tightly. Lacey sniffed loudly in her ear.
"I want you to be a part of this family, Andy. I want you to feel like our daughter and Harper is already our granddaughter. Could we please start over?" The last words were
a plea unlike any other. Andy felt it in her heart and she felt herself nodding in agreement. There weren't words that she could say that would sound sufficient to the declaration Lacey had made.
Leaning back from their embrace with tears in both their eyes, Andy and Lacey went back to the group. It was clear enough to the rest what had happened. Nothing was said and Andy was grateful for that. Matt still held Harper in the crook of his arm and he pulled Andy into his chest as she circled his waist with her arms. Our little family! Andy closed her eyes and Matt rested his chin on top of her head.
***
The afternoon of wedding rehearsal and the last minute preparations flew by quick enough for Matt. He was lost in some foreign land and more than once did Garrett and his father make it known to him that he was shirking some of his brotherly duties. Nora didn't seem to notice or mind if she had. His sister, the oldest sibling was about as tied up with nerves as it was possible to be. She fluttered back and forth in a huff about the flowers being too small or the service being too long. Andy, bless her, was trying to be a calming force about his chaotic sister, but that was like blowing on a forest fire to put it out! Everyone but his mom and Andy stayed out of the way. Randy was patiently waiting, which was always what he did best. Matt wondered how Randy was ever going to influence Nora.
"Nora, everything will be fine. You will see." Lacey tried to soothe her daughter, but it only won her an annoyed shake of a dark head. Andy looked out of her depth, but she and Nora had become fast friends. Soon they would be as thick as thieves given that she and Matt would be staying near home.
"Mom, how can this be right? It's Saturday afternoon and we don't have enough chairs for everyone to sit during the ceremony! Where are we ever going to get more? And the flowers! Oh don't get me started on the flowers!" Nora raved like a mad woman. Maybe brides were a bit crazy. Matt chuckled at his errant thoughts. Maybe Andy and I should just elope. One glance at his father and Matt got a discretionary head shake like Travis knew what he was thinking. Damn!
Black Hills Angel (Black Hills Series) Page 31
