Harlequin Heartwarming December 2020 Box Set

by Cari Lynn Webb, Linda Warren, Mary Anne Wilson

  Fee opened and closed a drawer. “It’s stunning.”

  “Zach restored it.” Pride expanded Georgie’s smile.

  “We know all about his talents,” Amanda teased. “You wouldn’t stop telling us last night at dinner.”

  “I want you to like him as much as I do.”

  Her sisters let out a collective “We know.”

  Georgie laughed and waved her hand. “Back to Lily. There’s more. I have Lily’s something old.”

  “Your suitcase actually arrived on Christmas Day?” Doubt rolled through Peyton’s voice.

  “No, but this is so much better.” Georgie opened the bottom drawer of the jewelry box and lifted out a gold locket on a gold chain. Delight colored her words. “This belonged to Mom.”

  Lily gasped and reached out to cradle the locket against her palm. “Where did you get it?”

  “Thomas.” Her second father had given Georgie the locket after dinner the previous night.

  They’d sat together near the massive fireplace in the dining hall and talked while the young cousins opened gifts from each other. Her sisters had floated in and out of their conversation, easily and naturally, as if Thomas had always been in their lives. Acceptance wasn’t immediate. There were more discussions, deeper and more emotional, to come, but the Harrison sisters were on their way to discovering the power of having two fathers in their lives who’d both loved their mother.

  Georgie unclasped the hook. Fee and Peyton adjusted Lily’s veil so Georgie could put the necklace on her. “Mom gave it to Thomas on his first overseas tour. He has kept it with him ever since.”

  “He wanted me to wear it?” Lily stepped up to the mirror.

  Georgie peered over her shoulder and smiled. “Thomas wants you to have it.”

  “It’s like Mom is walking down the aisle with me now.” Lily pressed her hand over the locket. “It’s perfect.”

  “So are you.” Georgie handed her sister her cascading bouquet of red roses, pine and eucalyptus greenery, and baby’s breath. “And it’s a perfect day to get married. Ready?”

  * * *

  THE MINISTER HELD his hands over Lily and Conner’s bowed heads and recited a quiet prayer.

  Georgie swept her gaze over the wedding barn, taking advantage of her optimal bridesmaid position at the side of the wedding arch.

  Glass globe vases hung from the ceiling. An LED candle inside each one illuminated the wedding barn in a soft glow. Glittery silver and white tulle had been draped from one log beam to the next. Large mistletoe bouquets had been put up around the space, inviting guests to share a kiss. White covers and silver sashes had been placed over the guests’ chairs. Candles and roses floated in shimmery water in tall cylinder vases on the tables. Holly-berry garland extended the length of the aisle. No detail, from the rose and pine-cone arrangements surrounding the couple to the thick curtain of lights adorning the archway from ceiling to floor, had been forgotten.

  Georgie had known the wedding would be beautiful. She hadn’t expected the barn to be transformed into a perfect setting for a timeless Christmas romance.

  She shifted slightly, peeking into the reception area. More floating candles and roses waited on the white-linen-covered tables. More tulle and silver sashes. And even more romance. She’d never considered the appeal of a winter wedding until now.

  “Stop fidgeting.” Fee tapped Georgie’s elbow.

  “Sorry,” Georgie mumbled. “I wanted a peek.”

  “Planning your wedding.” Fee giggled.

  “Maybe.” She smashed her lips together.

  Fee’s eyebrows lifted.

  Georgie had to stop jumping ahead. The first step was driving to Colorado and finding Zach. And there were multiple steps between finding Zach and walking down an aisle to marry him. A sigh built from her toes, swept through her. The kind that made her want to catch the bride’s bouquet and celebrate love.

  She ran her fingertips over her baby’s-breath bouquet. The eucalyptus had been given a silver shimmer. The silver-and-white winter theme was truly lovely. But a deep winter blue would add another level of drama. Or even a royal purple. And a horse-drawn sleigh. Zach would surely approve a sleigh.

  Perhaps that was all they needed. A sleigh. A minister. And family. Nothing more extravagant than a couple committing their lives to each other. Another sigh curved inside her.

  “He’s here.” Fee nudged Georgie hard.

  Georgie blinked. “Who?”

  “Zach,” Fee murmured. “In the corner.”

  Georgie lifted her head. Her pulse slowed as if time stalled. Her gaze landed on Zach as if she’d always known he’d been standing in that exact spot. He wore a dark suit, no cowboy hat and a warm smile. Her cowboy looked devastatingly handsome, as if he’d just stepped out of her wedding wish.

  His focus fastened on her, made her pulse kick into a race and a blush heat her from the inside out. She wanted nothing more than to get to him. To finally speak from her heart.

  She rocked forward in her boots, as if ready for a race to begin. She only needed the starting bell to be sounded. Then she’d be off. She bumped into Amanda.

  “Stop it,” Amanda whispered. “We’re getting to the ‘does anyone object’ part. They’ll think you do.”

  Georgie lifted her bouquet to cover her face. “Zach is here.”

  Amanda’s gaze lifted to the crowd. Her smile broadened. “Yes, he is.”

  Georgie took Amanda’s hand. “How much longer?”

  Peyton eyed them, disapproval in the narrowed glance she aimed their way. Amanda leaned toward Peyton and whispered. Peyton’s eyes widened. Her smile shifted into radiant, her head tipped toward Grandpa E, Rudy and Thomas seated in the front row.

  Her dad turned first, glancing over his shoulder, followed by her grandfather, then Thomas. Grandpa E faced forward and gave Georgie two thumbs up. Thomas nodded, his grin kind and gentle. Her dad brushed his fingers against the corner of his eye. His smile was tender, proud and steeped in the affection he’d always shown his daughters.

  Fee leaned in. Her voice as wispy and delicate as the baby’s-breath bouquets they each held. “I love love.”

  “I love you guys,” Georgie whispered. And she loved Christmas. And she loved Zach.

  Finally, the minister announced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  It was past time Georgie kissed the man she loved, too. She joined the cheers and hollers for the new Mr. and Mrs. Conner Hannah. Waited her turn to leave the ceremony area. Grandma Dot and Big E followed Lily and Conner. Jon escorted Karen, Conner’s mom. Her dad and her second father stepped in behind them. Finally, Tyler held his arm out for Peyton. Amanda linked her arm with Ben’s.

  And it was Georgie’s turn. She curved her arm around Ethan’s and squeezed. “Zach is here.”

  Ethan laughed. “He made it back.”

  “Where was he?” Georgie glanced at Ethan.

  He leaned toward her, as if to tell her a really good secret. “You’ll have to ask him.”

  Georgie couldn’t wait a second longer. “Just tell me.”

  Ethan stared straight ahead and ignored her. His grin never faded, despite her best badgering efforts. At the end of the aisle, Ethan hugged her. “You didn’t really think we were going to let you drive off in Big E’s motor home, did you?”

  Georgie embraced her cousin. Her extended family wasn’t stifling or interfering like she’d first assumed. They were generous and caring, making her even more grateful to be able to call them her family.

  Ethan released her and gave a last piece of advice. “Don’t leave any what-ifs on the table.”

  Georgie turned, wove around several guests and made her way to Zach. Tall arrangements of roses and more tulle draped from the rafters framed him. The candlelight from the hanging glass globes added a soft
, inviting glow to the shadows, as if the space had been created just for Georgie and Zach. A private moment in a crowded barn.

  Georgie closed the distance, until it was only herself and Zach. One leap away from each other. Her footsteps slowed. Her heartbeat chased around her chest.

  “I have something for you.” Zach reached into his suit jacket pockets. He lifted his hands and revealed a ceramic penguin in each palm. One penguin wore a white knit scarf and hat, the other a red knit scarf and hat.

  Georgie caught her laugh in her bouquet. “You went to the antiques mall?”

  “They’re the last items on our scavenger hunt list.” He raised the salt and pepper shakers. “Light and dark duo. We have to win.”

  “I thought it wasn’t always about winning.” Georgie took one step closer.

  “This is about winning the heart of the woman I love.” Zach returned the penguins to his pockets and closed the distance. Only the baby’s-breath bouquet separated them. “I had to go all in for love.”

  Georgie set her hand on his chest, over his heart. “What does ‘all in’ mean?”

  “After Cody passed, all I had left was my horse, my gear and the rodeo, as well as a few dreams Cody and I talked about over the years.” He reached up, curved his fingers around hers and held their hands in place. “Then I met you. And I realized the real dream, the one Cody meant all along, was giving my heart to a woman like you and building our life together.”

  “I want that, too.” Georgie wrapped her arm and the bouquet up and around his shoulder. Then stepped fully into his embrace. Right where she wanted to be. Right where she belonged. “I want to build our life together.”

  “I know it’s complicated.” His arm tightened around her waist. His words rushed together. “But I love you. And if we want it badly enough, we can work it out. If we…”

  She placed her fingers over his mouth. This man—this cowboy—was hers. And she wasn’t letting go. “Zach, I love you.”

  He inhaled and exhaled. His fingers flexed on her back. “I never knew.” His words started and stopped. “There’s so much inside those three words. So much inside me now. Because of you.”

  She leaned in. He met her halfway. Their lips connected. The moment stretched. Unhurried and captivating. Deliberate and absorbing. Giving and taking. A joining of hearts. A belief that now anything was possible.

  The kiss slowed and ended. But not the connection.

  Zach set his forehead against hers. “Wherever you are is where I belong.”

  “I understand what Pops meant now.” Georgie set her hand against Zach’s cheek. “Zach, you’re my home.”

  Together, they fell into another kiss.

  “You two need to stop stealing all the kisses under the mistletoe.” Peyton’s voice interrupted their moment.

  Georgie pulled away, curved into Zach’s side and faced her sister and Matteo.

  Matteo pointed at the large mistletoe bouquet fastened to a beam above their heads. “Save some of the mistletoe magic for the rest of us.”

  “Just one more.” Georgie laughed and pressed her lips against Zach’s cheek.

  “Okay.” Peyton cleared her throat and raised her voice. “We need to take wedding pictures now. And you don’t want to make the bride mad on her big day. I’ll tell Lily we’re late because you and Zach wouldn’t leave the mistletoe alone.”

  “Fine.” Georgie released Zach and tried to look downtrodden but failed. Her smile wouldn’t weaken. “I’m going to take pictures.”

  Matteo shook hands with Zach and grinned. “Do you think Peyton and I could have a minute?”

  “Sure thing.” Zach wrapped his arm around Georgie’s waist.

  “Now she’s going to be late,” Georgie teased.

  Zach guided Georgie away from her sister, Matteo and the mistletoe. He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Save the first dance for me?”

  “It was always yours. And the last dance, too.”

  EPILOGUE

  “MERRY CHRISTMAS, RUDY.” Big E tapped his etched-crystal whiskey glass against Rudy’s. “We did good. Real good.”

  Rudy nodded and drank his cocktail. “Never would’ve guessed five months ago that we would end up here at the Blackwell ranch celebrating Lily’s marriage.”

  “The heart is full.” Big E gazed out over the couples crowding the dance floor for one of those fast-paced pop songs. His great-grands twirled and swayed, holding on to their parents’ hands, heads thrown back, gleeful smiles aimed to the roof. So much laughter the vaulted ceiling should be raised. So much joy the wedding barn should burst.

  “Susan would’ve loved this.” Rudy swirled the whiskey in his glass. His tone was pensive.

  “She’s here.” Big E lifted his glass and pointed. “In the hug just now between Lily and Georgie. And Peyton and Fee’s joined hands as they sway across the dance floor. And look, there in Amanda’s head resting on Blake’s shoulder.”

  “Susan and I used to sit the same way on the back porch.” A small laugh escaped. Rudy added, “Usually when the girls were asleep, and the house was finally quiet.”

  “I always wanted the peace. Wanted the silence.” Big E slanted his gaze toward Rudy and chuckled. “Then the boys would fall asleep and I’d wander around the house, restless and plotting our activities for the next day.”

  “Do you miss it, Elias?” Rudy asked, his tone earnest. “Do you miss the days when the boys lived at home and you didn’t have to share them?”

  “I’ve got the great-grands to fill the quiet now.” Big E searched until his gaze landed on Dorothy. She spoke to Thomas on the edge of the dance floor. “And the love of my life to share the nights with. Man can’t ask for much more than that.”

  “Grandkids.” Rudy finished his whiskey. “Hadn’t considered them.”

  “I’d imagine you’ll have one or more on the way soon,” Big E said.

  “Only Lily has gotten married.” Rudy frowned.

  Big E set his hand on Rudy’s shoulder. “You seem to be forgetting that twins and triplets run deep in our family lines. The girls are bound to have a pair or two along the way.”

  “Kids will need help with twins.” Rudy grinned. “Not easy raising children these days.”

  “You’ll want to have a place in California,” Big E said and shifted to look at Rudy. Such a good and honorable man. One Big E counted himself fortunate to call family. “And you’ll always have a home here on the ranch.”

  “Thank you, Elias.” Rudy tipped his head toward the dance floor. “Shall we wager if we have another wedding or a baby announcement first on the Harrison side?”

  If Big E guessed right, the engagement news would be dropping between New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day. And that baby announcement… He watched Conner pull Lily in for a slow dance. That’d be coming along soon enough. “Family, Rudy, is the biggest blessing I know.”

  “Sure is.” Rudy rose and picked up his glass. “I’m going to head over to the dance floor myself. I think your other half is coming to get you, too.”

  Big E laughed and watched Dorothy make her way to his side, pausing only to press a kiss on Rudy’s cheek. She slipped into the chair beside him and slipped her hand into his. He squeezed her fingers. “Want to take a turn across the dance floor? Show ’em how a couple is supposed to dance.”

  Dorothy chuckled. “I’ve requested a two-step. We’ll show them how soon enough.”

  “Good thing I polished my boots.” Big E straightened.

  “What’s wrong?” Dorothy followed his gaze.

  On the edge of the dance floor, Amanda walked over to Thomas and held out her hand. Thomas grinned, set his hand in hers, and the pair stepped onto the dance floor. Rudy took a slice of cake to Karen and settled into a chair beside Conner’s mom, closer to their kids. As for Big E’s grandsons and granddaughters, they filed onto the dance
floor surrounding Lily and Conner.

  “Nothing.” Big E raised Dorothy’s hand and kissed the back of her wrist. “Everything is finally right.”

  * * * * *

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  ISBN-13: 9781488068355

  Montana Wedding

  Copyright © 2020 by Cari Lynn Webb

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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