Lauren bought a dress that had soft cap sleeves and that flowed over her curves into a moderate train. It was simple and made of silk with no embellishment, but it made Jane cry when she saw her friend wearing it for the first time.
Jane went along with the theme of green and found a flattering sage green dress that draped over her growing belly. Missy was also in the ceremony and found something similar. Lauren wasn’t particular about them matching exactly.
As before, several people offered to help with cooking, and the couple also hired the same barbecue place to cater along with the bakery that had helped with Jane and Adam’s wedding.
It came together perfectly, and Lauren found the days passing all too quickly as they got closer to the day. She was an ever-changing combination of nervousness and excitement. Her friends kept her from feeling too much of one way or the other. Underneath it all, Lauren was happy.
Lauren stayed with Jane the night before the wedding and kept her best friend up talking until she couldn’t take it anymore. They had their hair and makeup done the following day with Janice and Missy.
There was no champagne for Jane and little for Lauren since she wanted to remember every detail about this day.
Chapter Sixteen
Lauren looked in the mirror and she felt her heart beating fast inside of her chest. Everything was in place, and she looked beautiful according to everyone who saw her. Lauren had her father’s wedding ring on a chain around her neck, and his blue bandana tucked carefully into her dress. Her hair was in a curly updo with the veil tucked in front of it and falling over her shoulders. She swallowed as Jane walked into the room and smiled at her.
“You’re stunning,” Jane told her and Lauren met her eyes. “The guys look great as well and everyone’s ready.”
“I’m getting married,” Lauren said softly. Jane nodded with tears in her eyes. Missy joined them and they hugged tightly before the girls left to walk down the aisle first.
Once the music started, she took a deep breath and walked down the aisle with a smile on her face. She might be alone but Daddy was with her today. Her eyes rested on Cole. He was watching her come to him, handsome and emotional. There were already tears in his eyes and she smiled to comfort him.
Lauren paused in front of him, and Jane took her bouquet of white roses and lilacs. Lauren met Cole before everyone they knew. Their ceremony was short and their vows brief, but everyone felt the emotions in their words. Lauren spoke tearfully and Cole choked when it was his turn. They kissed slowly, softly before pulling away to applause and cheering.
The reception was simple and fun with a band and loads of food for everyone to eat. Cole and Lauren danced, sipped champagne, laughed and talked with guests before they blushed through the toasts and the tears that came along with them. They left before anyone else, heading back to their house before they went on a road trip the following day.
They fell into bed naked after kissing all the way through the house. Cole whispered the word “wife” over and over. He worshiped her, making her feel every part of his love for her as she came from his fingers and mouth, crying out his name. They made love and everything was perfect. They fell asleep with their bags packed beside the bed.
Their honeymoon was a week and a half of visiting every place they could get to, including The Grand Canyon for a night. It was beautiful, and Lauren smiled on every photo that was taken of her. They explored the land by day and each other by night.
It wasn’t part of Lauren’s life plan to marry her first love, but she wouldn’t have it any other way now. She got to know him more and more every night that they spent together. She knew that their bodies were made for each other and couldn’t believe that she was a wife. Lauren had to say it several times a day to Cole, whispering when they were out in public just to watch him grab her and smile.
They returned home happy to see their bed and pets but also a bit sad that regular life was going to start again. Lauren did have the baby shower to look forward to the following weekend, and she couldn’t wait to give Jane all of the presents that she’d bought for the baby. It was actually a barbecue for everyone since Jane wasn’t the type to sit in a room with a bunch of women and pretend that she was having fun.
The party was being held at Adam’s mother’s house, and Lauren arrived a bit early to help set everything up and get the food ready. They were serving a lot of appetizers, and the guys were going to grill a variety of meat. There was light alcohol and a lot of soft drinks and teas that were piled in coolers full of ice. Lauren walked around to make sure that everything looked good. Jane walked in wearing a beautiful pink dress that curved over her belly with matching lipstick and a huge smile on her face.
Everyone started arriving: friends, family and people from the town, bringing tons of gifts and even more food. Lauren took a deep breath and thanked people over and over for the kind wishes on her wedding. It was casual and Lauren liked this atmosphere. She could just hang with Cole and watch Adam enjoy the party to celebrate the arrival of his son.
The only tradition that the couple stuck to was opening the massive pile of gifts and cutting the cake before they served it to everybody.
It was a fun day, and Cole and Lauren helped bring the gifts into the house later that evening. They put the gifts in the nursery and Jane told everyone how she couldn’t wait for it to be completed, even though they knew that the baby would be sleeping in their room for a few months while she nursed at all hours of the night.
Cole assured Jane that they’d work on the nursery this week since she was due in just over a month. Then he took Lauren home and into their room where he pulled her down onto the bed and kissed her senseless.
“When do you want a baby?” Cole asked her, looking into her eyes in the light of a lamp.
“Did today give you baby fever?” Lauren teased him and she pulled him down for another kiss.
“Yeah, a little bit. I just thought ahead to the future,” Cole replied in between kisses. They undressed slowly. He slipped inside of her and Lauren whimpered his name. “I want to see you with my baby inside of you, Lauren. I want all of that for the first time in my life,” he said.
Chapter Seventeen
Lauren came for him, wrapping herself around his body and dropping her head back. She was so comfortable with Cole, and she pulled him close while she smiled and shuddered. “God, I love you.”
“I love you,” Cole replied. He moved beside her and pulled her close. They looked outside at the moon hanging low over the mountains and listened to the dog snoring in the corner. The cat was snuggled beside Lauren. She scratched her head and pressed her lips against his skin.
They were tired from their day and the socialization, and they fell asleep within half an hour, which was good since Cole worked the following day and had to get up early.
Lauren started working early in the morning, already missing Cole. She made a pot of coffee and sat at the table, writing her latest article and looking at the sun rising in the backyard.
Jane came over a couple hours later. She plopped down at the table and looked at her friend. “I feel like a beached whale.” Jane opened her laptop and sighed. “I don’t know how much longer I can write this way.”
“He’ll be out before you know it and you’ll ease into a schedule again,” Lauren told her, tapping at the keys. “You have room for a break since you’ve worked so hard the last year.”
“I guess. This part is just uncomfortable. I can’t wait to hold him, though,” Jane said and smiled. “We’re going to name him Brandon James. Do you like it?”
“I love it,” Lauren told her. She looked down at Jane’s belly and shook her head. “He said…I think…I must be crazy.”
“What do you mean?” Jane asked and Lauren rolled her eyes.
“Cole wants a baby now. He got all starry-eyed after the shower. We’ve only been married for a month.” Lauren stared at Jane, who was smiling at her.
“I started trying right away,�
� Jane reminded her. Lauren licked her lips.
“You knew each other longer. It’s different,” Lauren protested, thinking she was becoming more insane by the second.
“It’s love,” Jane told her and shrugged. “Take a breath and jump.”
They worked together through the day, with Jane napping a bit more than writing. Lauren fixed her snacks and made lunch for all of them when the guys got there. Adam took great care of Jane and Lauren watched thoughtfully.
That night, Cole and Lauren were making love when she looked into his eyes. “I have a surprise for you,” she said.
“What’s that?” Cole asked her. She leaned down and whispered in his ear. He grabbed her and moved inside of her with a big smile. “Really, Lauren? Are we going to make a baby?”
She nodded and kissed him.
They were at the hospital when Brandon was born and first in the room with the grandparents to hold him. Lauren spent every day with Jane after that, helping her with diapers and just cuddling the baby while her friend slept as much as possible. It was the best time of her life, and she especially loved seeing Cole hold the baby. Brandon was a gorgeous little boy and a perfect mix of his parents.
Brandon celebrated his six-month birthday when Lauren told her friends that she was three months pregnant. Jane was with her and Cole when they found out that it was a girl and everyone cried.
Holding Brandon helped Lauren through the difficult parts of the pregnancy, just knowing how amazing the end result would be. Cole spoiled her and did everything that he could while they waited for their daughter. He even helped plan her baby shower at their house.
It was another casual party with tons of food and presents, with people that Lauren was finally getting to know and love. She felt like a part of the town now and knew that her baby would be as loved as much as Brandon was. She knew that the kids would grow up well here, attending the seasonal festivals and holiday events. They could play outside with miles of land and go to the ranch with their dads to spend time with the animals. It was a great place to grow up.
She called Cole at work when she felt the labor pains starting, hearing him yell that he was leaving before the phone went dead.
Cole came home and took her to the hospital while Jane arranged for her parents to watch Brandon so she could be there with Adam. He’d just turned one and was an adorable bundle of walking energy with Adam’s hair and Jane’s eyes.
In the hospital room, Jane told Lauren that she was pregnant again in a whisper. “Why? This hurts, Jane,” Lauren said, gritting her teeth. She dropped onto her back and closed her eyes.
“You’ll see,” Jane grabbed her hand and Cole kissed her forehead as he stared at his struggling wife.
Once the epidural was administered and kicked in, the birth went smoothly. Lauren was pushing Lily out within six hours. Cole held her leg and stared into her eyes. The baby had red hair and chubby cheeks. They stared at her and Lauren held her, feeling utterly happy.
Epilogue
Life was all about the kids once they were born and the girls helped each other every day. Lauren never dreamed that she could be so happy with a husband and a family, but it was everything that she wanted. With help from friends and family, Lauren still managed to work and keep the money coming in while building her business. It wasn’t easy but every moment was worth it, with Lily being such a good baby that she hardly caused any trouble. Everyone loved her at first sight, and the little girl warmed easily to people after getting to know them, though Cole was overprotective of her.
Jane had her daughter Nicole when Lily was six months old, throwing them all into an even crazier schedule than before. The girls joked about the six-month mark and kept up with their activities, still keeping their businesses going with some understanding clients and even more help.
Cole and Lauren had a son a year later. Declan was dark-haired like his dad, but he had Lauren’s pretty eyes and made their family complete for the moment.
Holidays became a big tradition, seeing Christmas lights and doing all of the holiday festivals together. The kids grew up together as if they were siblings. They did Easter egg hunts at the park and attended all of the various sales around town, and Lauren loved her busy life working and spending time with her family.
She still talked to her Dad during the rare moments outside alone, looking up to see a shooting star occasionally as his answer. Declan had her Dad’s name as his middle one and Lauren swore that he looked like his grandfather.
Cole made her his focus at night when it was just the two of them, talking or making love. Sleeping together for a few hours was a treat these days, but they wouldn’t trade their life for anything.
Jane had told Lauren to just take a breath and jump into love, so she did. It was the best move that she ever made.
*****
THE END
The Rancher's Virgin
Description
Love is like a shooting star – catch it before it’s gone.
New York is Brie’s life. But when her mother suddenly dies, the 18-year-old doesn’t have a choice. She moves in with her family at a ranch in Texas to start over. Turns out that the ranch owner is one of the most gorgeous men she’s ever laid eyes on.
But she has to forget about him. She’s too young and inexperienced for him, not to mention his son’s nanny.
Little does she know that her aunt’s got it all planned out.
Ranch owner Lance is every woman’s dream with his tousled hair and blue eyes. But underneath the muscles and sun-kissed skin, this wounded cowboy hides his scars. He’s focused on his work and his little son. He has no time for love.
But everything changes when he sees Brie that first day, all curves, beauty and warmth.
Is this wrong? Is this right? Despite their age difference and working relationship, Lance and Brie can’t deny the attraction.
Will Brie be able to move past her loss and start her first relationship? Can Lance let his walls down and give into his feelings? Can they be a family and enjoy a simple life of love and joy together?
Chapter One
The overly cheerful flight attendant greeted me and I boarded the plane with a half-smile, uncertain of everything my future was going to bring. I was going to live in Texas but I knew nothing about the lifestyle there. I used to live with my mom in New York before she died from a heart attack, likely from the stress of working three jobs so that I could live a comfortable life. She didn’t have life insurance at any of the jobs, nor was there any other way for me to keep going to college there.
It’s even sadder that she’s all I had, apart from an aunt with a family in Texas. I didn’t know Aunt Irene well. My mom’s and aunt’s parents, my grandparents, died when they were young, and they lived with an aunt. Ironic, wasn’t it? That aunt died a few years ago and now it was just Aunt Irene. She’d graciously offered me a room in her family’s home. She seemed to be a nice woman, and I appreciated the gesture, but I missed my mom and our apartment in Brooklyn so much. My mom was a big part of the community, selling art at one of the galleries that she worked at on weekends.
I looked out of the window to the place I’d called home for the last six years. I knew that I’d miss it, but Irene offered me a stable home and a chance to make something of myself. I wasn’t ready to curl up into a ball at eighteen and stop fighting, even if I wanted to sometimes. Mom always told me to stick to my dreams no matter what and I was going to make her happy. She was watching over me.
I settled into my seat for takeoff and licked my full lips in a nervous gesture. Mom drove me everywhere, so flying was new to me. I secured my thick strawberry blonde curls in a low ponytail and gripped the armrests with my hands as the engine screamed all around me. Oh God. My heart was pounding. I closed my big blue eyes as the panic set in.
“Think of something pretty, Brie,” Mama said in my mind. I smiled. That was always her way of distracting me from a stressful situation, and I imagined the painting of hers that I love
d the most as I took a few deep breaths. It was the Eiffel Tower with a gorgeous sunset behind it, a photo that Mom had seen somewhere and immediately copied. Paris was a trip that we were going to make together someday. I wondered if I’d ever have the heart to make it there alone.
I felt the plane even out and opened my eyes to watch the distance grow between myself and New York. It was an evening flight and the sun was setting. As I watched for several moments, I felt a peace settle over me. Mom was here. I could feel it.
Once the sun had set and the sky started to darken, I looked around, watching the other passengers receive drinks and snacks while they prepared their electronic devices for whatever it was they were going to use them for. I pulled the phone my mother had paid for from the pocket of my jeans and held it in my hand.
I read the texts that Irene had sent me detailing Texas. She lived in a small house on a big ranch where she served as a cook for the owner. She also took care of her daughter, my cousin Sarah, and his young son, Landon. I didn’t know where I’d fit into the picture, but it seemed like a safe place to go. I knew how much Mom loved her sister and I trusted in that, even if we hadn’t met in person due to distance and finances.
My father leaving when I was one didn’t help matters in that regard. Mom did what she could and worked a lot to keep our heads above water, though she never had a chance to make that little extra for trips and vacations. We just moved a lot instead until she discovered her place was in New York.
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