Page 67 of Wasted

I sucked in a breath as I touched my fingertips to my lips fending off the tears. "Are you sure?"

"I am." He nodded. "I want to marry you in the same barn where we took each other's virginity. I want to raise our kids onthe land we grew up on. I want to grow old with you on that porch swing. So will you please marry me?"

I nodded. "Yes," I choked out through my sobs as I dropped to my knees with him. "Yes, I will marry you." He slid the diamond on my ring finger.

Gripping his face, I crashed my lips to his so hard we tumbled backward, with me landing on top of him.

It felt like a dream. After all we'd been through, I never thought I would hear Cole Montgomery say those four words to me down on one knee.

Maybe I would get my happily ever after.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Taylor

One month later…

There it was. In black and white. Lying on my kitchen counter.

Join us for the wedding of

Taylor Nicole Coleman

and

Cole Michael Montgomery

on November 9, 2024,

at half past four o'clock in the afternoon

at Coleman Ranch

I ran my fingertips over the smooth stock paper, letting it sink in that it was real. It was really happening.

After all these years, I was marrying the man of my dreams in just a few weeks. I'd wanted a small wedding with just family and close friends because regardless of whether my first weddingwas real or not, the town believed it was. I didn't want the Montgomery family to deal with the gossip that was going to run rampant as soon as everyone found out I was marrying my dead husband's brother after breaking his heart.

But Cole wanted a big wedding. He didn't care what people thought or what they said. I didn't particularly care what anyone thought of me, either. I only cared how it would affect everyone else. He and I knew the truth.

The door creaked, and I smiled. Life since Cole had moved back was good. Bailey was busy fixing up the bar she'd bought from me, and Cole and I put everything we had into getting the ranch up and profitable. It was early mornings and late nights, but we'd both loved every minute of it.

Cole was back for an early lunch.

"Our wedding invitations came in," I said, sliding the invitation across the counter to make it easier to pick up and show him. "We should probably get them sent out soon."

"So it's true." My breath hitched, and my eyes widened as I stood frozen. It wasn't Cole. "You've already broken my entire family, and now you're back for more." It was Cole's mother.

I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I turned to face her. "Good morning, Ms. Montgomery," I said, my voice steady. I'd spent the last year cowering from her disapproval, from her anger, but not anymore. Cole and I were getting married; we were going to be a family, and I refused to let her shake me. "Is Cole expecting you?"

"You broke his heart." She ignored my question. "So badly he left and never looked back, and then you stole Caleb from me..."

"I didn't steal Caleb from you..."

"You did," she hissed, cutting me off. "You stole him from us and kept his illness a secret. You've ruined this family."

"Those were all Caleb's choices, Mrs. Montgomery. I only followed his wishes."

Mrs. Montgomery's lips trembled as she spat out the word. "You are a whore." For a split second, I caught a glimpse of pain in her eyes before they hardened with anger again. "And..."

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