by Alice Ward
“Willow, you looked just beautiful on television,” Renee added. “You all did. I can’t tell you how many people have sent me links to all of the best dressed lists you were on this morning.”
I cringed when she mentioned the magazines. While everyone had basically agreed that we looked fantastic, most of the reporters had had a field day with our personal story. Arm chair psychologists had crawled out of the wood work offering quotes on the level of dysfunction and perversion involved in stepsibling relationships. They failed to explain that our parents weren’t even married yet.
Two girls I’d gone to college with had sat down with a Colorado new station and explained in an on-air interview that they’d always expected I was a little “off”. I knew the attention was likely to get worse before it got better and I hated putting our family and friends through it.
“You know, I was with Rose when she bought that seersucker dress,” Mary said, taking her turn to hug me. “You wore it even better than she did.”
“Thank you, Mary,” I said, returning her hug. “It smells fantastic in here. Don’t tell me you’ve slacked off on your diet while I was gone,” I teased Daddy as I discreetly slipped the gold band off of my finger and slipped it into my pocket.
“I’ll be having chicken and vegetables,” he groaned. “But Renee wanted to make your favorite meal. It’ll be ready in about twenty minutes. Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” I admitted.
“We’ll get out of your hair so you can eat,” Harrison announced.
“You’re not eating with us?” I asked as the ranch hands moved for the door.
Mason shook his head and rubbed his belly. “We’re all still full from last night.”
“We’re all still a little hungover,” John corrected him. “We may have gone a little overboard celebrating your victory,” he explained with a grin, looking a little embarrassed.
“That’s understandable, man. We did the same,” James assured him. He sat Frost back on the floor and shook everyone’s hands.
We said goodbye to everyone and then Daddy, Renee, James, and I made our way to the kitchen. James, Daddy, and I took our seats while Renee grabbed a bottle of red wine from the cabinet. She joined us at the table, uncorked the bottle, and poured it into the already waiting glasses. Frost wove between my ankles and I lifted him into my lap.
“To Mondo making history,” Renee said, raising her wine.
“To Mondo,” Daddy repeated as we touched our glasses together.
“I have to tell you, Willow, I can’t remember a time I felt this happy,” Daddy beamed, pride etched onto his face.
I swallowed a large gulp of wine and shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I ran my fingers through Frost’s fur, trying to keep myself calm. “Thanks, Daddy. I know some of the articles have been kind of harsh. I’m sorry to bring that kind of attention to the family,” I said, my voice full of guilt.
“Don’t apologize for other people’s ignorance, Willow,” Daddy insisted firmly. “Reporters love a scandal. They thrive on it. Everyone who matters knows that there’s nothing wrong with your relationship. Hell, some people are downright thrilled about it.”
I smiled, thinking of Dallas. “I know Dallas and Mary are happy. But I think we should expect a certain amount of… disdain from most of the people we know. Link Jackson couldn’t get away from me fast enough after he found out. And several people in New York went mute in our presence.”
“I could tell you things about Link Jackson that would make your toes curl,” Renee said with a snort. “He’s the last person who should be placing morality judgments on anyone.”
That’s right. Renee worked with horses when she lived in Kentucky… I’m surprised she’s getting so defensive of us. That’s a good sign.
Daddy nodded. “People are going to talk, kids. Gossip is just human nature. But soon enough, a more interesting story will come along and they’ll forget all about you. I bet this time next year, people won’t think twice about you.”
I shifted again and James cleared his throat. “Actually, Cole, I’m afraid we might be the next more interesting story. I’ve asked Willow to marry me and she’s accepted. I apologize for not speaking to you about it first, but everything happened so fast.”
A look of shock crossed Renee’s face, but Daddy’s broke out in a wide, happy grin. He reached across the table and shook James’s hand.
“No apologies necessary,” he assured him. “Hell, come to think of it, I probably should have asked for your blessing. But I can’t think of anything more perfect than the two of you getting married.”
“Do you mean that, Daddy?” I asked with hesitant excitement.
“Absolutely, pumpkin,” he replied. He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek while James stared at Renee.
“Mom… are you okay with this?”
Tears fell from her eyes and I braced myself for her reaction. But to my surprise and relief, she brushed them away with a smile.
“If someone had told me a year ago that we’d end up here, I’d have thought they were smoking something,” she laughed. “But I agree with Cole. I love both of you so much. I know you thought I was a bitch after I found you together, but I was honestly just trying to protect your hearts. But I see now that your hearts are more than safe with each other. I’d love nothing more than to see you get married.”
I set Frost on the floor, jumped up, moved around the table, and pulled Renee into my arms. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d needed her blessing until she gave it to me.
“Thank you so much,” I cried into her shoulder. “You have no idea what that means to me. That day we had lunch… I meant everything…”
“I did too, sweetheart,” she said, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. She leaned away from me and reached for my left hand. “Let’s see how my son did at the jewelry store.”
James’s face turned pink as I reached into my pocket. “I didn’t really have time to go shopping,” he explained. “I had Lucas get a simple band when he picked up Matt’s ring. I’m going to take Willow shopping and let her choose the one she likes.”
“Matt’s ring?” Daddy asked, raising his eyebrows.
“They’re engaged too,” I told him. “In fact, we’re thinking of having a double wedding.”
“How wonderful.” Renee beamed.
“This is just perfect,” Daddy agreed, pushing his chair away from the table. “Everything but that band. Wait right here, I’ll be back in a minute.”
A look of realization crossed Renee’s face and, with a mischievous smile, she followed him out of the kitchen.
“What do you think that’s about?” James asked as I sank back into my chair.
“I have no idea,” I replied. “But this went a lot better than I expected it to.”
“Things are finally working out for us.” He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
“The two of you really do make a cute couple,” Renee said matter of factly as she and Daddy returned to the table.
“Thanks,” I blushed, pulling away from James. It was going to take some time before I felt comfortable showing him affection in front of our parents.
Daddy and Renee each set a small box on the kitchen table. Daddy’s was black, Renee’s white. I had a feeling that their contents were the same.
Daddy opened his box and I looked down at my mother’s wedding set. The engagement ring was a one carat emerald cut diamond set in a simple white gold band. The wedding bands on either side were rose gold, inspired by Mom’s name.
Renee wordlessly opened her box and I knew James’s dad had given her the ring inside. The stone of her engagement ring was significantly smaller, but the wedding bands were stunning. They were obviously vintage, with intricate filigree details.
“You’re welcome to either of these,” Daddy explained.
“Or, you could take the stones and have your rings custom made,” Renee added. “I put this away in case James ever wanted to use it. I’d be honor
ed for you to have it, Willow. But please don’t worry about hurting my feelings. I completely understand why you’d want to wear your mother’s ring.”
“Thank you so much, Mom.” James reached across the table and took Renee’s hand.
“It’s nothing, honey,” she insisted with a dismissive wave.
“It’s everything,” I corrected her. I took both of the rings from their boxes and studied them for a moment. “I think what I’d like to do is take the middle band from Mom’s ring and the outer two from yours. That way, I’ll carry a piece of each of you with me. Would you be okay with that?”
Tears fell from Renee’s eyes again and she didn’t bother to brush them away. “I would be wonderful with that, sweetheart.”
CHAPTER 4
“Good God, it’s sweltering up here,” Matt sighed. He brushed sweat from his brow with a dirty bandana.
“I know,” I frowned. “I hope its cooler on Saturday or all of the wedding guests are going to melt.”
It was Wednesday afternoon and we were on Eagle Point, arranging square bales of hay into wedding seating. The area had miraculously been spared from the landslide. The flowers James and I had planted were thriving, the grass was freshly brush-hogged.
“Please tell me you don’t want an outside wedding,” Matt continued as Frost skipped around the hay bales. “Because if that’s the case, we may have to rethink the double ceremony.”
I grabbed two bottles of water from the cooler and tossed one to him. “I don’t really care about the ceremony. You can plan the whole thing if you want,” I said as I poured half of my bottle into Frost’s bowl.
Matt choked on his water. “Come again?” he said, wiping his chin.
I smiled at him. “I distinctly remember spending hours with you, planning our dream weddings. But now that this ring is on my finger, I can’t remember one detail of what I thought I wanted. I can’t stop thinking about the marriage. I suddenly care very little about the ceremony,” I confessed.
Matt took my left hand and admired the engagement ring. James had taken both of our mothers’ rings to the Durango jeweler first thing Monday morning, and he’d easily separated the engagement and wedding bands. Renee’s contribution to the ring was in a velvet box, waiting to be added at the altar.
“I’m jealous that you get bling,” he confessed, looking at his own hand. Matt’s infinity band was beautiful, but not nearly as flashy as my rock.
“You won’t have to take yours off in the barn,” I reminded him. “Mine could scratch the shit out of the horses.”
“Point taken,” he agreed. He looked to the ground and was silent for a moment before clearing his throat. “So… you really want me to plan the whole ceremony? I was kind of looking forward to doing that together.”
The look of disappointment on his face was all it took to renew my interest in the wedding. “Of course we’re going to plan it together,” I assured him. “I think we’re supposed to ask Lucas and James’s opinions as well,” I teased.
“Lucas’s only request is no tacky cake topper,” Matt laughed. “He said to do what we want and tell him when and where to be.”
“James said pretty much the same thing. Neither of us wants to wait very long. How do feel about short engagements?” I asked as I drug the final bale of hay into the front row. I grabbed a bolt of purple fabric from one of our totes and we started threading it through the hay twine.
“I’m definitely a fan of that idea,” Matt assured me. “And I vote that we have actual chairs for our guests. I’m afraid this is going to be incredibly scratchy and uncomfortable, even with the fabric over it.”
“Short engagements, indoor wedding, actual seats. See, we’re making progress all ready,” I laughed.
“What about colors?” he continued. “I’d like to stay away from pastels if it’s all the same to you.”
“No problem,” I quickly agreed. “Do you want to wear a tux, or were you thinking of something more casual?”
“I don’t know… what do you have in mind?”
“Well…” I hesitated. “What would you think about turning one of the empty hay barns into a sort of chapel? You know, we could hang chandeliers from the rafters, have candles set up everywhere.”
“You mean like the proposal scene from last season’s The Bachelor?” he asked, his voice full of excitement. “I think that would be perfect! We can wear khaki tuxes and we’ll find you a gorgeous vintage dress. It’ll take some man power to get any of the barns cleaned up, but I bet we could get it done.”
“We can get started as soon as this wedding’s over with,” I promised. “Do you think we should ask anyone to stand with us?”
“You mean like bridesmaids and groomsmen?” he asked. “I hadn’t really thought about it. If I was going to have a best man, I’d want you. And you’ve already got plans that day,” he added with a grin. “I guess we could ask some of the guys, or our families. But honestly, Willow, I think it’s already going to be pretty crowded up there with the four of us.”
“You’re right,” I agreed with a sigh of relief. “Let’s keep this as simple as possible. How about wildflower arrangements and green accents for the décor?”
“What color green?”
“The color of Mondo’s racing silks,” I said with a grin.
“Perfect. In fact, I think that’s my new favorite color. It definitely won me plenty of green.”
Everyone on the ranch had won big at Belmont, but no one brought home as much money as Matt. Not only had he bet on Mondo to win, but he’d also bet on Denver’s Pride to place and Jupiter’s Starlight to show. It was a risky bet, but it had paid off. If Matt wanted, he’d never have to work again. Fortunately for me, what he wanted was to go back to the races with his name on a horse’s title.
“Okay, we’ve agreed on the venue, the décor, the time frame. What else do we have to decide?”
“Minister or justice of the peace, band or DJ, and what kind of food do we want to serve,” Matt rattled off. “After that, it will just be a matter of nailing down the specifics.”
“You’ve put a lot of thought into this,” I observed. “I’d prefer a DJ, nothing too messy food wise, and I think a justice of the peace would be best, considering…”
“Considering some ministers may object to your situation and nearly all of them will object to mine?” he finished with a laugh.
“Yeah, considering that,” I agreed. I heard the buzz of an ATV engine and turned to see James at the mouth of the trail. I tossed the bolt of fabric to the second row of hay as he jumped off of the ATV and rushed over to greet me. He lifted me in his arms and spun me around the same way he’d done when I accepted his proposal.
“What’s gotten in to you?” I asked, smiling as he lowered my feet back to the grass. He grabbed my face and planted a rough kiss on my lips.
“I have the best news,” he told me. “I just got a call from Katelyn’s doctor’s office.”
My heart beat quickly in my chest and I prayed he wasn’t thrilled by impending fatherhood. “And…?” I pressed.
“I said good news, Willow.” He rolled his eyes at me. “The baby isn’t mine.” He beamed.
“Oh my God, that’s the best news I’ve ever heard,” I said as I let out my breath. I jumped back into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist. As he spun me around again, Frost jumped from his hay bale and darted around our feet.
“I think someone else wants to celebrate with us,” I laughed as James sat me down again. Frost was growing like a weed, but he was still light enough for me to lift him into my arms.
“That’s right,” I baby talked to the puppy as he licked my face. “You’re Daddy’s only baby.”
“For now,” James added with a sly grin. He put his arms on my hips and pulled me close.
“Hey guys?” Matt chimed in. “I’m still right here. I’d love to give you some privacy, but there’s nowhere for me to go.”
James released me and turned to Matt, grinning.
“Sorry, man. Guess I got a little carried away.”
“Oh, I was just teasing you,” Matt said with a wave. “Congratulations on the news. I know you must be incredibly relieved.”
James shrugged. “I knew the baby wasn’t mine. But I’m relieved that Willow knows it too now.”
“If you guys want to get out of here and celebrate, I can finish this up,” Matt offered.
James shaded his eyes with one hand and surveyed the point. Eleven rows of hay still needed covered in fabric and we had a collection of antique lanterns waiting to be hung from all of the trees.
“We can’t let you do this all on your own,” James insisted. “I’ll help and we’ll have it knocked out in no time. Willow and I have the rest of our lives to celebrate.” He grabbed the bolt of fabric and we continued on with our work.
***
“You know in a way, I’m glad the landslide happened,” I told James as I studied the waterfall on my lot. A huge pond had pooled around the base of it, flooding the pasture land beneath the mountain. “I always imagined building my house right there. I guess that’s not such a great idea anymore. On the bright side, we have plenty of space to choose from.”
After James and I announced our engagement, Daddy swapped the five acres he’d originally given to James for the five directly in front of my land. Given the landslide, we’d decided it would be best to build near the front of our property, as far away from the base of the mountain as possible.
“Once the flood waters clear, we could build a little park area near the waterfall,” James suggested. He glanced down at his phone and looked back up at me. “What time is Stan supposed to be here?”
“Five minutes ago,” I replied. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
“Are you sure he’s not expecting to meet us up near the house?”
I shook my head and leaned back in the passenger’s seat of James’s truck. “When I spoke with him this morning, I told him we had a proper driveway and asked him to meet us here. I’m hoping he’ll have some suggestions on getting this mess cleaned up. Then, I want to walk out the property line and find the best possible place to put the house.”
