His mom was the first to notice him. “Come on and join us,” she hollered, a smile wide on her face. She lifted her hands up with Bob’s, and proceeded to twirl beneath his arms. Bob rushed in for a kiss, earning a round of cheers from the onlookers. As sweet as the moment was, Luke wondered if he was ready to be where couples held one another close, walked hand in hand, and danced with cute little babies on their hips.
“Whoever decorated this place is a genius,” a voice came from behind. A voice that pulled Luke’s shoulders straight in an instant. He spun on one heel, slowly, urging himself to stay in check. It sounded like her. Exactly like her. But it couldn’t be Payton …
A pair of heavily stitched cowgirl boots caught his attention first. Had him wondering if in fact he really had been wrong about the woman who’d spoken to him. But as his eyes traveled up the length of her denim jeans, a silver buckle on a leather belt, and a soft pink blouse, Luke knew it was exactly who he’d imagined seeing.
“Payton,” he breathed, throwing his arms around her in one celebratory move. He pulled her warm body against him, lifted her feet off the ground, and spun in place. His heart hammered in his chest, excitement and hope colliding with an inner plea to keep his own feet on the ground.
Gently, he rested Payton back down, resisting the urge to rush in for a kiss; perhaps she wouldn’t say what he hoped she might. Still, he kept her close, brought his cheek next to hers, breathing in the heavenly scent of her. “I wasn’t sure I’d see you again.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I just needed some time.”
He gulped, nodded, and dragged his nose along the soft, silky stretch of her collarbone. “You smell so good,” he breathed. The scent, that amazing sweet smell of sugar and warmth, had long ago faded from the folds of the quilt in Doug’s old room. In her old room. But it was back. She was back. Maybe …
The soft tips of her fingers slipped around his neck. “You smell good too,” she said in that low, sexy voice. “I’ve missed you so much.”
She’d taken the words right out of his mouth. “I …” He searched her face, ready to repeat the sentiment, when a wedge of fear snuck in and stopped him. “How long can you stay?” he asked instead.
When she paused in answering, Luke dared himself to gaze into those gorgeous brown eyes. He thought the chandeliers did something for the outside of the barn—they did even more for the angel within. She glowed tonight.
“That’s what I want to talk to you about …”
The heart thumping came to a screeching halt.
The song blasting from the speakers stopped.
Luke gulped hard. “All right.”
Payton tilted her head as a new song started up, encouraging Luke’s limp arm (he hadn’t even noticed it had dropped) to curve back around her waist. The softer, slower song drifted over the dance floor. “I told you that I needed some space, but that’s because I was thinking about eliminating the actual space that stood between us. At least, 98% of it.”
He had started up a slow dance with her, matching her moves to the lazy song, but what she’d said made him pause. He shook his head. “I don’t know what that means.”
“Well, I let Chloe take the lead at Shades. The fashion line is still technically mine since I created it, but all that means—on paper—is that I still have a say in what we do. And of course, I collect a percent of the profits.”
He nodded, trying to shake the encouragement off the rise in his shoulders. Calm down, Luke. You still don’t know what that means.
“So that freed me up to lease out my penthouse …”
Whoa. This was happening. Maybe this was really happening.
“Which made me feel really good about the offer I put on a place down the street from here. The carpet’s horrible and it definitely needs some paint, but …”
Luke rushed in and lifted her off her feet again. “You’re moving here?” he asked, his voice shaking.
“Yep,” she assured.
He couldn’t stop himself from kissing her. A warm, thorough kiss that didn’t go unseen. Someone let out a long, loud catcall.
“Is there a kissing booth in this place?” Taylor hollered.
Luke pulled back, threw a smile over his shoulder where his brother stood. “Afraid not, Taylor. But I’m sure there are a few ladies out here who’d pay a quarter or two to kiss those chapped lips of yours.”
Jason laughed. “At least for charity. I’d be happy to make you a cardboard sign if you need. Kisses, twenty-five cents a piece.”
Taylor shook his head. “I could raise millions that way, I’m sure.”
Mel danced her way toward them on her tiptoes, grinning at Payton before turning to Luke. “You finally saw that she was here?”
“What? What do you mean, finally?”
Pete appeared out of nowhere, galloping in a circle around them. “She’s been here since yesterday,” he piped.
Luke looked back to Payton. “You have?”
She nodded. “Worked a few things out with your mother.”
He lifted a brow. “Like what?”
Payton tilted her head. “Like becoming business partners. We’re going to make that vision she had about renting this place out a reality. Special events, weddings …”
He liked the sound of that.
“I’ll tell you all about it,” she promised. “But right now, I think we should dance. I love this song.”
“Yeah,” Mel said, twirling in place in her pink cowgirl boots. “Dance with her.”
Luke took Payton’s soft, silky hand and led her to the dance floor. “Sounds good to me.” His feet moved to the music, and he even managed to spin Payton a time or two as they danced. But still, Luke couldn’t be sure the moment was real. He’d spent the last few hours convincing himself that he’d spend the rest of his life without her.
Thank heavens he’d been wrong about that.
Now he’d get to slow down and revel in the warmth of Payton in his arms. In the potential that sparked like wildfire between them. Potential they would now get to explore. Luke had to admit—being wrong had never felt so good.
Chapter 29
“I have to tell you,” Payton said to Dee as she looked over the barn’s crowded dance floor, “having a snowball dance was brilliant.”
“It’s just Bob and I’s way of giving back, seeing that we’ve been so lucky in love. ’Course, if a couple finds love and wants to get married right here in this conveniently placed, well-designed barn, we’ll be happy to oblige, right?”
Payton laughed. “You’re right about that.” January proved to be the perfect time for the winter event. There wasn’t much happening between New Years and Valentines.
“The best surprise of the evening, I have to say, is your parents showing up. With their … new significant others, no less. It shows they really love you, Payton. And they’re doing their best to show their support.”
Payton sighed as the woman brought an arm around her back. “Thanks, Dee,” she said. “It’s encouraging.”
Mom sat up to a table sampling one of the sweets with Ralph, the guy she was dating. He was obviously younger, but Payton would hold off on asking just how much younger he really was. He seemed nice, though.
As did the gal her father brought. It wasn’t hard to see that he was with the geek girl her mom referred to. She wasn’t nearly as geeky as Olivia made her out to be, but the glasses and conservative clothes definitely had that librarian feel going on. They looked happy together, the two learning a few new dance steps to the country song blasting overhead.
“Where’d Luke and the boys run off to, do you know?” Dee asked.
That was a good question. Payton had wandered off to refill the dessert trays only to return and find that her dance partner was nowhere to be found. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen him,” she said, eyeing the sea of heads.
“Okie-doke, folks,” Lyle Jenkins said through the mic as the song ended. “We’ve got a special little number hap
pening here. If I could have everyone’s attention, we’ll get back to the next song in just a bit. Can we have everyone create a circle around the dance floor?”
Payton shot a curious look at Dee, wondering what sort of thing Lyle might do next. The seasoned deejay always had plenty of activities to keep the night interesting. She hoped Luke would show up so they could participate.
“I’ll be right back,” Dee said before weaving off into the crowd.
“Ms. Payton Keller?” the man said over the speaker next. “You’re wanted in the kitchen area for a moment. The rest of you, please continue creating one giant circle around the dance floor. There we go. Looking good, folks.”
Payton scurried her way behind the formation of guests, figuring their adorable servers for the night (Melanie and her friends) were out of napkins or cups. Mel and Pete were waiting for her instead.
“You have to tie Mel’s shoe,” Pete said.
Payton glanced down at Mel’s pink tennis shoes. “Where’d your cowgirl boots go?”
“I outgrowed them.”
“Outgrew them,” Pete corrected.
Mel nodded. “So I’ve got to get new ones now.”
Pete folded his arms. “She won’t let me tie them. She only wants you to do it.”
Mel’s eyes shot from Pete to Payton. “I only want you.”
Payton shrugged. “All right, then.” She hunched down, tied one shoe, and then the next. “Are you guys having fun tonight?” she asked.
“Heck yeah,” Pete said.
“Me too,” Mel assured. “I’m having a blast! But I can’t wait—”
Pete reached over and flattened a hand against Mel’s mouth. “Shh …” he scolded. “Don’t say anything.”
Mel scowled as her older brother removed his hand. “I wasn’t going to.”
Pete hurried over to the doorway, peeked into the crowded area, then darted back to Mel and Payton.
“What are they doing out there, buddy?” Payton asked.
“I don’t know. Still making a circle, I think. Are you done with the laces?”
Payton finished up and gave Mel’s shoe-covered toes a squeeze. “I sure am. Let’s go see if we can find your Uncle Luke. Should we?”
Mel took her by the hand. “Okay.”
As they stepped through the doorway, Payton stopped walking, confused by the sudden transformation of the place. The lights had gone out, at least most of them, including the dance lights that had been flashing over the high-pitched beams. No music had started back up, and a hush had fallen over the crowd. A crowd that parted in time for Payton and Mel to step through. For a moment Payton wondered if the power had shut off, but as the group forming a circle around the dance floor rejoined, she realized the guests held flickering faux candles. The flames created a beautiful glow over the space.
Rachel hurried over, placed one light in Mel’s hand, and gave her some sort of prompt. Mel nodded proudly and straightened her shoulders.
“Follow these,” she said, her small voice carrying due to the still of the crowd.
Payton squinted as she noticed something on the floor, illuminated now by Mel’s artificial candle. It was a trail of bright red rose petals. Payton followed the trail with her gaze as she stepped forward. Her eyes were still adjusting to the low light when a silhouette became visible in the shadows.
A thrill shot through her as she realized just who it was, lowering himself onto one knee as she approached. A few stepped away from the ring of guests, closer as Payton neared, further illuminating the action in the center, along with the faces surrounding them. Mom wiped tears from her cheeks. By the moisture welling in the corners of Dad’s eyes, he was fighting back emotions of his own. Dee and Bob stood nearby too, smiles as wide as Jason and Taylor’s. The rest of Luke’s family gathered in as Payton set her now teary gaze back to the center.
When her focus settled on Luke’s face, she noticed the same emotion evident there. Her heart was beating hard enough it could pick up where the bass drums left off.
“Hi,” Luke crooned, bringing a bouquet of roses from behind his back. Red, like the petals that led her to him.
“Hi,” she said, taking them from him and smelling them. “Thank you.”
“Payton, you rolled into town like a cloudburst and took my life by storm.”
A few chuckles sounded throughout, Payton’s included.
“I feared that after you left, I might never be the same,” he continued. “I’m happy to report that that fear came true. I’m not the man I once was. Afraid to give love another chance. Set in my own, lonely ways. But now that I’ve had you in my life, I can’t imagine going back to a life without you in it.”
Pete stepped in and handed him something, shooting Payton a grin before stepping back.
Luke pried open a small box, revealing a beautiful diamond ring inside. “We’ve often talked about what a life together might look like. We’ve shared hopes for our future, stories from our past, and a longing to live a life out here on the country.
“I think it’s time we take the next step and make things official. Payton Naomi Keller, would you do me the tremendous honor of being my wife?”
If happiness could be measured, Payton’s was off the charts. “Yes,” she blurted.
Luke stood in time to accept her embrace. The two spun in place as the crowd cheered. The lights came on once more as Luke slid the ring onto her finger with shaky hands.
“You’re gonna be mine, honey bun,” he said in a country twang.
She chuckled, pressed a kiss to his lips. “Baby,” she said, mimicking the accent, “I already am.”
Epilogue
Payton couldn’t wipe the grin off her face as she took one last look at the view from the loft of the barn. They’d already hosted two weddings there, in addition to half a dozen parties. Not bad, seeing that spring had just begun.
She and Dee had also booked several weddings and parties for the upcoming year. Payton had known she’d enjoy organizing the events; she just hadn’t realized how much she’d actually love nearly every detail.
But this one took the cake. She grinned as she eyed today’s décor, grateful that no one else had requested a vintage rustic wedding theme yet. Call her spoiled, but Payton liked being the first. And the best part was, the wooden, rectangular boxes, square-shaped mason jars, and vintage lights would take on a new life with different colors, flowers, and linens, allowing each couple to create a unique design.
The details of this wedding had been handpicked by both Payton and Luke, thank you very much. Because she’d found the right person for her. A man who was equally invested in the details of their lives.
With the other wedding party members in place, “Here Comes the Bride” started to play over the speakers.
“You ready, sweetheart?” Michael Keller asked as he held his arm out for her.
She nodded, her grin growing impossibly wider. “I’m more ready than I ever imagined,” Payton said.
For the third time in her adult life, Payton saw emotion well up in her father’s eyes. “That’s what I want to hear. I’m so happy for you, Payton.”
“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
With her wrist curved around her dad’s arm, bouquet in one hand, Payton grabbed a fistful of her vintage-style dress and took the first step down the old barn stairs and toward her future. She could hardly believe that the old familiar song drifting through the structure was for her. She was the bride!
It was hard to know where to look once she’d cleared the stairs. Every seat held someone of importance. True, there were a few guests on Luke’s side of the family she didn’t know real well, but if they were important to Luke and his family, then they were important to her.
One of those very people sat beside Ross and Rachel up front. Camille, Luke’s sister, had flown in from Italy to attend. Payton had been following her work online and was starstruck by his sister’s talent. Her paintings were breathtaking.
And there was Ch
loe, Grandma and Grandpa Keller, and Mom. Bob and Dee wore grins as wide as their faces. Taylor and Jason stood up front beside the one sight Payton had been saving for last.
She nearly gasped at the vision of Luke in a tux. Head-to-toe perfection. Cowboy-hat-to-boot perfection was more accurate. Her heart hung mid-beat, not wanting to complete even one more thump without him by her side. One grin from Luke put it back on track, his flawless smile nearly forcing her system into overdrive.
“Pst,” came a little whisper. Mel sat beside Bob, a small basket in one hand, a fistful of petals in the other. “Do you like the petals?”
Rachel reached over to shush her, but Payton only grinned, feeling bad for not noticing the sweet little flower girl’s job well done. Sure enough, petals had been scattered in a trail leading right to where Luke and Pastor Zack waited up front.
Payton gave the wide-eyed girl a thumbs-up. “They’re beautiful,” she assured. A small rumble of laughter rose over the crowd.
“Guess this is where I hand you over,” her father mumbled, stopping to face her. Crow’s feet lined his eyes, adding to Dad’s life story in a way. “Thank you for giving me this honor, my beautiful Payton girl.” He held her face, pressed a kiss to her forehead, then turned to Luke.
Payton watched as a look exchanged between them. As if Luke were answering an unspoken question. Yes, he’d be good to her. Very. And she knew it was true.
With a satisfied nod, Michael took his place, and Pastor Zach took over. Payton had opted to share her vows first. She’d written them on a note card, but with all the tears getting in the way, Payton was glad she’d memorized most of what she wanted to share. Nothing too poetic; words weren’t exactly her strong point. But upon vowing her love and devotion to him, Payton expressed one final thought.
“I came here thinking I knew what was best for me, my brother, and my family too.” She chuckled, and Luke did too. “But God knew better, and thank heavens He had other plans.”
Luke squeezed her hands once she finished, searching her face as she took in the hypnotizing appeal of his eyes. Deep shades of green accented by silver flecks. And as he offered heartfelt vows of his own, Payton felt the depths of her love for him stretching and swelling beyond anything she’d known. “After what I’d been through, I worried I wouldn’t be able to give my heart away,” Luke explained. “But that didn’t exactly matter since—ready or not—you up and stole it from me.”
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