Page 110 of Tough Love

She decided I was worth her forever, and I will spend the rest of mine making damn sure I earn it. Even if it’s one kiss at a time.

One milestone.

One hurdle.

Whatever comes our way.

And there is only one way this cowboy knows how to make sure that happens.

Chapter Thirty-Two

ADDY

Twelve months later. . .

Imay be his captain, but Hudson is my anchor. The solid ground I walk on. And with that sentiment, I squeeze Sergeant forward. We trot up the hill on the far side of the vista. My dress, white, lacy, and studded with rhinestones, flows over the gelding’s rump.

As we near the crest where our family and friends are seated, I imagine them in perfect rows of white chairs, yellow petals scattered as far as the Montana four winds care to take them. Of course, I wasn’t allowed to see the actual setup. Ruby’s rules, of which there are many. But this one she is ruthless about.

I glance at my wrist, where an identical bracelet to the one I gave Louisa jangles as I move with Sergeant. But unlike hers, mine has only one charm, the captain’s wheel, and on the back engraved in script font isHudson.

When Reed appears beside me on Magnet in dress jeans, jacket, tie, and black hat, the butterflies in my belly turn to full on eagles.

“Ready, Adds?”

“Of course.”

He beams at me, and I lean forward in the saddle. Sergeant takes off up the hill. My hair flows around my shoulders. Crisp Montana mountain air hits my lungs. Sunshine warms my face, and for a heartbeat I let my eyes drift shut. There was a long, long period of my life that I thought I would never have this again. This freedom. The part of me that lights up my soul.

Reed lopes beside me, and when we crest the rise, the rows of seated people I love stand as one. Ruby has outdone herself this time. And I’m glad she did. Hudson deserves nothing less. The Rawlins deserve nothing less. Dad waits for me at the start of the aisle. I slow Sergeant to a walk, and Reed follows my lead.

Before we reach the gathering, I give him athank yousmile and he veers left, saluting with two fingers to his forehead, the widest grin stretching his face.

Sergeant slows to a halt, and I look down to Dad. His hands on the reins steady the gelding before he offers me a lift down.

“I got it, Daddy.”

“Yes, you do, baby.”

Shifting the dress to my left, I swing out of the saddle, feet landing on the grassy hilltop. Mack takes Sergeant and leads him away to where Reed is handing over Magnet to a young boy. They walk toward the front of the aisle. I adjust my skirts, tidy my hair, and lift the front of the dress a little to walk to where the aisle begins. Dad loops his arm through mine, dotting a kiss to my head. “Don’t keep the man waiting, Addy.”

“Never.”

The music starts. A six-piece string ensemble with an acoustic guitar. A rendition of “Oh Love” by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood starts. Ma sits with Ruby to the right, up the front.

Standing at the end of the aisle, hands clasped in front of him, is my Huddy. In dress jeans, a white shirt, jacket, and tie, with his trusty Stetson hat over those blue eyes. And the biggestsmile I have ever seen on that gorgeous face. A single yellow daisy is pinned to his lapel. And then I see him...

Charlie.

Sitting by Hudson’s side, calm as a cat in the sun. Small black bow tie, and all clean. No growls at the guests. No barking at the boys or Harry. Dad nudges me, and we walk down the aisle as the song reaches a crescendo. Louisa is all tears. Harry’s crinkled eyes meet mine and his jaw feathers. Fancy that—never thought I’d live to see the day Harry Rawlins gets emotional.

When Dad releases me, I step to where Hudson stands. His warm hands wrap around mine. “Hey, sweet girl.” His voice is soft, a little wobbly.

My heart skips a beat or two and I steady my galloping breath. “Hello, Huddy.”

The preacher leans in. “Okay if I start, you two?”

We nod and he chuckles. Charlie barks, as if to saycome on, already. Hudson throws him acalm down, buddylook. Mack and Lawson smile at me and Reed beams, all of them with their hands clasped in front like their brother’s were moments ago. The preacher clears his throat.

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