by June Faver
“Baby, we can’t change what happened.” He wiped at her tears. “We can just go forward from here.”
A shiver racked her body. “But I feel sad about the past. I was so stupid not to question my mother. I hurt you. I hurt my father, and I’ll never get to make it up to him.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I think the best way to honor your father is just to live a good life and be happy. That’s what he would have wanted.”
“I know you’re right,” she said, sniffling. “But can you forgive me for all the pain I’ve caused you?”
“It’s already done. Dixie, when you agreed to marry me, you made me the happiest man on the planet. Yeah, I’m sorry I didn’t get to be a part of your and Ava’s lives the past few years, but we have a chance to turn the page. Whatever happens from now on, that’s our life.”
Dixie stared at him, the moonlight clearly defining his features. “A blank page?” That made so much sense. She could envision herself turning a page with the past written on it—and now she had a brand-new page and a pen in hand.
“Yeah, brand-new. Just you, me, and Ava…and any other little ones who come along.”
She leaned over and kissed him. “Thanks, Beau.” He would never know how he had taken the guilt and maybe not erased it but at least given her a starting point. “From now on, everything will get better.”
* * *
The wedding took place a week later. Beau was dressed in his best Wranglers, pressed with a little starch, and his dress boots were highly polished. The rest of his garb was dictated by his beloved sisters-in-law, who had appointed themselves in charge of…everything. This was why he was wearing a “morning coat” with his Wranglers. Leah had informed him that this was what the British princes had worn for their weddings, so she thought he should follow suit. Fortunately, she had compromised on the Wranglers and boots.
Big Jim cheered them on, gleeful that his youngest son was finally marrying the love of his life. To Beau, he appeared to be counting the minutes until the deed was done.
“Relax, Dad. It’s happening right now.” Beau tried to stand still while Big Jim adjusted his tie. “Leave it alone. Misty tied it and said that was the way it’s supposed to be.”
Big Jim took a step back. “All right, Son. You look mighty purty though.”
His similarly attired brothers howled with laughter.
“You were always the prettiest one, Little—I mean Bro.” Colton caught himself.
Big Jim slapped him on the shoulder. “Atta boy.”
A knock on the door signaled that it was time.
“Here we go, Son. Let’s marry that girl.”
The four Garrett men headed down a hallway to the fully packed main church.
Beau had been playing it cool among his male relatives, but in truth, his gut was tied in knots.
The organist was playing something light and fluffy, which only added to his stress. The fancy tie Misty had arranged was choking off his airway. As the foursome clomped down the hallway, his anxiety rose. What if she’s not there? What if she takes off and leaves me again?
One of the church elders was waiting for them, lining them up in readiness for the big event. When the preacher strolled out onto the dais, smiling at the entire assembly, the elder nodded for Beau to head for the altar using a side aisle.
His mouth felt dry, but he managed to smile and shake the clergyman’s hand. He was aware that the entire town seemed to be crammed into the pews and a few men were standing against the wall. Good turnout.
The church organist was playing something classical, and everyone in the church seemed to be smiling. Maybe they had been waiting all this time for Beau to marry Dixie.
The double doors opened onto the central aisle, and there was Ava, looking adorable in a green dress with a circle of white flowers around her hair. The organist smiled but continued playing the same music.
Behind her, Gracie wore an identical outfit. They looked like angels to Beau. The girls seemed to be getting directions from Misty, who gently nudged Ava into action. Ava led the parade, followed by Gracie and then Misty and finally Leah. Everyone was staring at them and smiling.
The four walked down the aisle and took their places on the dais. Then the organist hit a dramatic chord, and the entire congregation drew in a collective breath as all heads turned to the open doorway.
Beau swallowed hard.
Dixie stood with her friend Roger at her side. She looked beautiful, smiling shyly as she gazed around the assemblage. She spied someone at the front of the church and seemed to relax. She took Roger’s arm, and he patted her hand.
Beau saw that Dixie’s mother sat in the front row with Scott, who was still in a wheelchair but, according to Dixie, was recovering quickly from his wounds. The two of them appeared to be happy, at least for the moment.
Everyone except Scott stood as the organist began pounding out the traditional wedding march.
Dixie met Beau’s gaze and took the first step toward him, gliding gracefully.
He was saddened that Vern Moore did not get to give the bride away. Sorry that he was dead, but Beau figured that Dixie was happy that her friend Roger had stepped in. When they reached the altar, Roger handed her up the step, and then reached to shake Beau’s hand before he took a seat in the first row on the bride’s side with Scott and Mamie. When Dixie stood beside Beau, he felt the tightness in his throat release. “Hello, my bride,” he whispered.
She smiled and handed her bouquet to Leah.
The preacher began the familiar words. It felt like a dream. He had wanted them to write their own vows, but Dixie had said she didn’t want to share her feelings with the entire town, so they said their “I dos” and exchanged rings. He leaned down to place Ava’s butterfly ring on her finger and was rewarded with a grin and a hug.
He caught his father’s eye and noted the tears he was trying to hide. Old softie.
The minister pronounced them husband and wife and then said, “You may kiss the bride.”
A radiant Dixie lifted her chin and placed her hands on Beau’s shoulders. “I love you, Beau,” she whispered.
He laid a kiss on her and lifted her off her feet, swinging her around in a circle. “I love you, Mrs. Garrett,” he shouted.
“Whooee!” Big Jim’s howl echoed off the stained-glass windows and brought the crowd to their feet, applauding and cheering wildly. It seemed everyone was glad these two had made it official.
Everyone except one sad-looking woman sitting in the front.
Beau met the gaze of his new mother-in-law. He hoped that time would change her attitude, but in the meantime, he was ready to celebrate.
Their reception was held in the back room of the Eagles Hall. Leah and Misty had decorated the room and hired a local restaurant to cater the event.
He sat grinning and accepting congratulations and well wishes from the guests with Ava on his lap.
Dixie was given the task of opening wedding gifts. Leah and Misty were making notes of who had given which gifts for future thank-you notes.
Big Jim drew a chair up beside Beau. He appeared to be supremely satisfied.
“Thanks for everything, Dad.”
Big Jim held out his hands, and Ava crawled into his lap. “It doesn’t feel like I’ve done anything. Leah and Misty have been working their little tails off though.”
“Yeah, they’ve been troupers.”
“I’ve had a little trouble figuring out what to give you for a wedding present.” Big Jim set Ava on her feet, and she ran across the room to her grandmother, who opened her arms, pulling her into a tight embrace. Big Jim shook his head. “Don’t know what you’re going to do about that.”
“Not a problem, Dad. I think time will soften her up.”
Big Jim gave a curt nod. “Hope you’re right. I—uh, I got something for you her
e someplace.” He patted his pockets and drew out a fat envelope, passing it to Beau.
Beau weighed the envelope, thinking it might contain cash, but when he opened it, there were several sheets of paper and a smaller envelope. “What’s this?” he asked.
Big Jim leaned back in his chair and folded his arm across his chest. “When we were delivering those two little girls, I saw what a beautiful place South Padre Island is and thought maybe you and Dixie might enjoy taking a little honeymoon there. There are two tickets to fly down there and a rental car you can pick up at the airport in Brownsville. You’ve got a week at a beautiful hotel right on the beach. It’s mighty romantic there, so I thought you might think about giving me another grandchild.” He let out a bellow of a laugh as though that was the funniest thing in the world.
“That’s really nice, Dad. What about Ava? Where will she be while Dixie and I are enjoying all this romance?”
He made a scoffing noise. “Why, I will be treating that little princess to a week of being totally spoiled. What do you think?”
“Sounds great to me. Let me run it by Dixie.”
“You should check out the other papers in that envelope. I deeded two sections of good pastureland over to you. This land butts right up to the Moore property, so it should be pretty easy for you to manage.”
Beau half rose. “Damn! Dad, that’s twelve hundred and eighty acres. This is the best gift ever.”
Big Jim blew out a lungful of air. “I’ve given so much to the other two. Just tell Dixie this is your wedding present and a legacy for Ava.”
Beau was stunned by his father’s generous gifts. He was also surprised when Big Jim walked over to where Mamie Moore was sitting with Ava and struck up a conversation. It seemed his dad was going to make the first overture in healing old wounds. Good man, my dad.
Beau crossed the room to where his two sisters-in-law were clustered around Dixie.
She greeted him with a wide grin as he approached. “Well, here’s my husband.”
He returned her smile, holding out his hand to her. “And here is my beautiful bride. Can I borrow her for a few minutes?”
Dixie rose, and he drew her out into middle of the room. “The band is tuning up, so I thought we should stake out a place here on the dance floor.”
“How romantic,” she said. “I’m so glad I called dibs on you when we were in grade school.”
“Me too.” He drew her closer into a dance position. “I wanted to tell you that my dad made arrangements for our honeymoon.”
“Oh, I thought we were going to Dallas. Mom is counting on seeing us…and I think it would do her good to know that we will visit her with Ava.”
“We can do that anytime you like, but Dad is sending us to South Padre Island for a week of sun and fun. How does that sound?”
Her eyes opened wide. “Are you kidding? That sounds great. What about Ava?”
“He said he will take care of her and spoil her something awful.” He paused to gaze into her eyes. “And he gave us a couple of sections of land…the sections that butt right up against the Moore property, so we’ll have lots of work to do.”
“Whoa! That’s quite a gift. I’m totally blown away.”
He gave her a gentle kiss. “Me too. I think he is just glad to have you and Ava as part of the Garrett clan…I am too.”
Dixie turned to him with a smile. “Oh, Beau. I’m so glad we did this. Everything is going to be great.”
He brushed the backs of his fingers over her cheek. “We are great.”
About the Author
June Faver loves Texas, from the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, from the Mexican border to the Piney Woods. Her novels embrace the heart and soul of the state and the larger-than-life Texans who romp across her pages. A former teacher and healthcare professional, she lives and writes in the Texas Hill Country.
Also by June Faver
Dark Horse Cowboys
Do or Die Cowboy
Hot Target Cowboy
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