by Mari Carr
Jade had heard about her parent’s romance countless times. They’d been high school friends who reconnected in California several years later. Her mom had accidentally told Dad about JD’s cancer, unaware that he didn’t know about it. Her dad had said that the year they fell in love had been the best and worst one of his life. “But you worried about the others? Silas, Seth and Sam?”
Vivi nodded. “Silas had more than a few rough years and I was scared he’d work himself into an early grave denying something that couldn’t be ignored.”
Jade knew about her uncle Silas’s time in Alaska. He’d nearly been killed trying to stay away from Lucy and Colby.
Vivi continued, “Then Seth tromped off to Texas, working with those blasted horses he loves so much. Jody soon taught him there was more to life.”
“What about Uncle Sam?”
“He was so driven to succeed when he was younger. Determined to move up the corporate ladder. For a few years, he placed making money above everything else. Then he came home, met Cindi, and he learned better.”
“Why are you telling me all this, Vivi?”
“Sometimes our destinies aren’t always clear, Jade. But we can’t let ourselves be blinded by stuff that doesn’t matter. Money, society’s opinion, success, grief…even guilt and fear. None of those are important when it comes to love.”
Jade sucked in a breath as her grandmother added the final two reasons to the list. Vivi knew. She understood. “I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“Of losing him.”
“Nothing is forever, Jade.”
Jade rolled onto her back and closed her eyes. “Don’t you think I know that? God, Vivi, you of all people should understand what I’m afraid of.”
“Why? Because JD passed away?”
Jade turned her head, sorry she’d started this conversation. She didn’t want to hurt her grandmother. “I can’t lose anybody else.”
“You’re not just talking about George, are you? You’re upset about me.”
“Don’t go to that assisted living community. Stay here with us. Let us take care of you.” Jade had ached to say those words for two years, but she’d held them in, chastising herself for being selfish.
Vivi ran her fingers along the side of Jade’s face. “Even if I’m living in this house, I won’t be around. My mind—”
“I don’t care. None of us do. You belong on Compass Ranch. Always.”
“This is really bothering you, isn’t it?”
Jade nodded. “Not just me.” She didn’t bother to say how much it killed Uncle Silas every time Vivi showed him a brochure about the place she’d chosen to live out her days or about the shadow that came into Uncle Sam’s eyes whenever she tried to talk to him about the money needed to pay for her care when she left.
Her grandmother was determined not to be a burden on her family. So resolute that she’d been blinded by things that didn’t matter too.
“We’re your family and Compass Ranch is your home.”
Vivi didn’t reply for several minutes, then at last, she quietly said, “All right.”
Jade narrowed her eyes, trying to determine if she’d heard her grandmother correctly. “You’ll stay?”
“I never wanted to leave, Jade. I just thought it would be easier for everyone. I can see now I was wrong.”
“Can we tell everyone at breakfast that you’ve decided to stay here?”
Vivi chuckled. “Determined to tie me to this decision?”
“Hell yeah.”
Vivi sat up slowly. Jade pushed herself up as well. “We’ll break the news together. Tomorrow. I don’t want anything to distract from Sienna’s wedding. It’s her special day. Agreed?”
Jade nodded. “Okay.”
“Now I need something from you.”
“Anything.”
“Stop hiding. You’re not a coward, sweetheart, so stop acting like one. I miss JD and I always will. But I wouldn’t trade one second of our life together even if I’d known then what I know now. We had a wonderful marriage—full of love and laughter. The best thing I ever did was accept that third proposal of his.”
Jade frowned. “He proposed three times?”
Vivi nodded.
“Why?”
“Because I turned him down the first two times.”
Jade wasn’t sure how to respond, but she didn’t need to. Vivi laughed as she added, “I was as stubborn as you when I was younger. The first time JD proposed I was dating Charles. I believe I told you girls about him.”
Jade nodded.
“I rejected JD and told him it was in very poor taste to propose marriage to another man’s girlfriend. JD just laughed and said he’d be back when I was free. I thought he was the most arrogant man I’d ever met. Can you imagine the temerity?”
Jade shrugged. “Maybe I’d be more offended by it if I didn’t know the end of the story.”
Her grandmother lightly patted her on the face. “Cheeky little thing. Anyway, Charles and I did indeed break up…for reasons I’ve explained before.”
Jade blushed. “JD asked Charles if he’d be interested in a threesome.”
Vivi laughed. “And Charles refused. By then, JD had turned my head and made it hard for me to remember what it was I’d seen in Charles that was so attractive. So we ended things. And sure enough, JD appeared on my doorstep less than a week later, offering the same proposal.”
“What was your reason for saying no that time?”
Vivi’s eyes took on the same faraway, dreamy look they did whenever she talked about JD. Jade started to understand that even the passage of time—decades—hadn’t dimmed her grandmother’s love for her cowboy husband. In the past that expression had bothered Jade, made her feel sad for all Vivi had lost. Now she appreciated how beautiful it was.
“Charles had been my first boyfriend and I’d been single less than a week. I told JD I wasn’t about to settle for the first yahoo who looked my way. I planned to play the field, live a little. He gave me that same cocky grin and said that was a smart answer.”
Jade tugged her knees to her chest, enjoying the story. “What happened then?”
“He returned the next day, offering to take me out for a ride, and I accepted.”
“No proposal?”
Vivi shook her head. “No, but he came back nearly every single day for almost two months. We went to the movies, out for picnics, took long rides on horseback. He taught me what a proper kiss felt like…among other things.”
“Is this where Landon comes into the story?”
Vivi nodded. “JD encouraged me to experiment, to try new things. The ménage was fun. So was the bondage.”
“Vivi! Seriously?”
“Charles had always been a bit of a stick-in-the-mud when it came to the amorous arts—only gave me lots of quick, closed-mouth pecks. JD opened my eyes to a world of long, luxurious, open-mouth kisses that lasted for hours on end. In so many ways, he set me free to truly be myself, to explore my desires. And the things that man could do in the bedroom were scandalously wonderful.”
“That sounds so romantic.”
“It was. Then, at the end of two months, JD appeared on my doorstep again and when I opened the door, he was on his knee with a ring in his hand. He said, ‘Vicky, I love you. I’ve asked you twice before to marry me and I’ll do it again if you turn me down. Put me out of my misery, love, and marry me.’”
“And you said yes?”
Vivi looked at her. “Not right away. I asked him to let me think about it.”
“What was holding you back?”
“The same things you’re probably worried about right now. That held my boys back when they fell in love. JD was a good bit older than me. What would society think? He was a strong man who needed a wife who could stand beside him as an equal and not lose herself in him. I was young, nowhere near as confident as I am now. And I was afraid of losing him because he had come to mean the world to me.”
Jade apprec
iated that fear. “You felt all that and still said yes?”
Vivi clasped her hand. “Any life worth living needs to be experienced in extremes. You can’t have happiness without sadness or love without loss. It’s just not possible. Besides, Jade, if you really think about it, you’ll realize you’re already there.”
“What do you mean?”
“How have you felt this past week without Liam?”
“Miserable. It’s been the worst seven days of my life.” As Jade spoke, the walls came crumbling down. She’d lost him. And she was devastated. “I’m so in love with him, Vivi.”
Vivi stroked her hair. “And he didn’t even need to propose three times for you to figure it out.”
Jade laughed, reaching out to hug her grandmother. “I love you.”
“I love you too, darlin’. Now what do you say we get your cousin married off and then we can start throwing a little positive energy toward your future.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Chapter Eleven
“You look beautiful.” Hope ran her hand along Sienna’s veil, straightening the tulle.
Sienna smiled, then took a deep breath, staring at her reflection in the mirror. “I can’t quite believe I’m standing here.”
Sterling attached the clasp on the bride’s necklace, a lovely silver love knot pendant Sterling had designed for Sienna’s wedding. “Well, you are. But make sure it’s what you want. There’s still time for us to smuggle you out of the house if you’ve changed your mind.”
Sienna laughed. “I’m not going anywhere. Daniel’s promised me a hell of a honeymoon, and I intend to collect on it.”
“Dirty bitch. Figures you’d be more excited about the sex than the ceremony,” Sterling teased.
Jade laughed as she listened to her cousins and retrieved the overnight bag where she’d packed all the things she needed to get ready for the ceremony. The four of them had decided they’d get dressed together in Vivi’s bedroom. The wedding was set to take place in the backyard, a Compton tradition that had started with JD and Vivi’s small ceremony nearly fifty years earlier and continued with all four of the Compass brothers.
Sienna was the first of the third generation to use the beautiful setting for her special day, but Jade knew she wouldn’t be the last. The night before she’d overheard Clayton and Wyatt trying to talk Hope into making today’s big event a double wedding, but Hope refused, declaring she wasn’t about to steal Sienna’s spotlight. Even so, Jade wouldn’t be surprised if Hope followed in their cousin’s footsteps very soon and took her own trip down the makeshift aisle behind the family homestead.
Jade opened her bag and pulled out the bottle she’d lifted from her dad’s liquor cabinet early this morning. While they were indulging in tradition, Jade thought she’d start one of her own. She waved the Patrón in the air. “Who’s in?”
Sterling’s eyes lit up. “You didn’t!”
Jade grinned. “I think such an important occasion calls for something special.” She’d tucked shot glasses, a shaker of salt and a sliced lime behind Vivi’s jewelry box earlier. She grabbed them and carried the whole load to a small table beside the window.
Sienna watched as Jade poured each of them a shot. “I can’t get drunk before my wedding, Jade.” While her words were a protest, Sienna’s face gave away how much she really wanted to participate.
“We’re not getting wasted, See. Just taking one small nip so I can propose a toast.”
“Well…” Sienna hesitated for only an instant. “If it’s just for a toast.”
Hope laughed. “We better make it quick. The Mothers will be up here any minute and if they spot that bottle, we’ll never get our drink.”
Sterling frowned. “I don’t think they’d take it away from us.”
“I mean they’ll drink it all!” Hope clarified.
Jade handed each of them a glass and was about to lift hers in tribute when Vivi walked in.
“What are you girls doing?”
“Busted,” Sterling whispered.
See lowered the glass guiltily. “Jade was going to toast me, Vivi. For my wedding.”
“Well, in that case, pass me one of those.” Vivi stepped next to Sienna, her hand outstretched.
Jade hesitated. “Vivi. I don’t think you’re supposed to drink with the medication you’re on.”
“Good lord, child. Are you trying to kill me? I don’t want any tequila. I just want to pretend.”
Jade handed her grandmother the empty glass with a giggle. “Here you go.”
Vivi looked around at each of them. “You’re all so very beautiful.”
Jade felt a lump form in her throat. From the expressions on her cousin’s faces, she knew they felt the same way she did. For today, they had their loving, wonderful grandmother. If they could freeze time, hold on to this moment for the rest of eternity, Jade had no doubt every single one of them would.
“Can I say something, Jade?” Vivi asked.
Jade nodded. “Of course.”
They lifted their glasses. “Here’s to my Compass girls. May each of you find happiness, laughter and love.”
They licked the salt, drank the tequila and sucked the limes. Then each of them took a turn hugging their beloved grandmother as the tears began to flow.
Vivi swiped at her eyes. “Enough of that. Today is a celebration. Let’s not waste it crying. It’s time to head down.”
They laughed, then Jade followed her grandmother downstairs—wobbling on the high heels she’d donned—her cousins right behind her. She’d break her damn neck before the day was over.
The sound of her mother’s music drifted in from the backyard to greet them. Jade loved to listen to Mom play the guitar, to hear her beautiful voice. She smiled, letting the magic of the day, the warmth of the tequila and the sheer joy of being surrounded by everyone she loved envelop her.
For the first time in a long time, Jade felt good. Really, really good.
They walked out a side door, gathering out of sight of the wedding guests, the groom and the best man. Liam would be standing next to Daniel near the rose-laden arch Jade’s uncles had constructed for today.
Jade watched as Jody hugged Sienna before taking Seth’s arm.
“Let me get your mom to her seat, Sienna, then I’ll be right back for you.” Seth gave his daughter a quick kiss on the cheek. They walked around the corner of the house together, Aunt Jody already wiping away tears.
“This is it,” Sienna whispered.
Jade smiled at the excitement in her cousin’s voice, marveled—and even felt a twinge of jealously—at Sienna’s complete lack of nervousness. “I’m so happy for you, See.”
Sienna smiled at her. “I was worried about you last night. Afraid today would be too hard for you. I know you and Liam broke up.”
“I’m fine. Promise.”
Her cousin studied her face. “You are?”
Jade paused to consider the question, then she shrugged. “Let’s just say I have a goal and with any luck, by the end of the night, everything will be okay.”
Sienna sighed. “I wish I was a less selfish person so I could ask you what the hell you’re talking about, but I’m excited and having trouble focusing.”
Jade laughed. “You’re getting married to Daniel. At this moment in time, that’s all that matters.”
They took a few steps toward the back corner of the house, halting when Jade muttered, “Shit.”
Sterling turned to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t walk in these heels.”
Hope frowned. “You were supposed to practice.”
Jade tilted her head. “Oh yeah, Hope. Because heels are really practical footwear for tending bar and training rodeo bulls.” She tried to take another step, her ankle twisting awkwardly. “Crap.” She attempted several more shaky efforts before frustration kicked in. Bending down, she pulled off the size-nine death traps, relieved when she found herself on steady ground once more.
&
nbsp; Sienna laughed as Jade rubbed her feet in the soft grass and released a long sigh. “That looks pretty comfortable.”
Hope gasped when Sienna toed her shoes off as well. “But…but…we spent days looking for them.”
Jade giggled, understanding Hope’s dismay. She’d been roped into shopping detail during what they jokingly referred to as Sienna’s Bridezilla phase. There had been a month in the spring when Sienna had sort of flipped her lid, insisting that everything for the wedding had to be perfect. Poor Hope had suffered the most, spending close to a week trudging behind Sienna as they scoured every shoe store within a two-hundred-mile radius looking for the perfect pair.
They weren’t sure what Daniel had done or said to rein in Sienna’s control-freak episode, but they’d bought a fifth of Jack to thank him for it and promised him more if he managed to keep her calm until the wedding. Jade grinned when she recalled the wedding gift she, Hope and Sterling had purchased. It was two open-ended tickets to tour the Jack Daniels distillery in Tennessee. While Sienna wouldn’t get the joke, Daniel certainly would.
“Sorry, Hope.” Sterling kicked hers off, her eyes closing in bliss. “But damn, that grass is so cool. Feels amazing. Try it.”
Hope blew out an exasperated breath but followed suit.
Sienna grasped Hope’s and Sterling’s hands, who used their free hands to pull Jade into the circle. “My barefoot bridal party. I love you girls so much. Thank you for being my best friends.”
The music changed, the strains of the wedding march starting. Seth peeked his head around the corner of the house. “You girls ready?”
They nodded, then formed their line. Sterling would lead, followed by Jade. Hope was serving as Sienna’s maid of honor, so she would walk in just before the bride, who was being escorted by Uncle Seth. Jade glanced down, wondering what Liam would think of her in her bridesmaid attire. Her mind raced over the past, and it occurred to her that the only time he’d likely ever seen her in a dress was at Hope’s sixteenth birthday party. They hadn’t known each other then, so she doubted he even remembered it.
She stepped into the yard, letting her gaze take in the scene. Her family had outdone themselves with the decorations. The entire area was a sea of colorful flowers and pristine white chairs. It was beautiful, but Jade didn’t take long to admire it.
