Page 72 of Rawhide and Ransom

“I’m totally wearing a non-traditional wedding dress whenIget married someday,” Miley gushed as she walked in a full circle around her mother. “Just like you.”

Not only hadn’t there been time to shop for an all-white wedding dress, Annalee didn’t think it would’ve “fit” the tiny rustic church building she was about to get married in. So, she’d paid a visit to Modello’s in downtown Heart Lake and splurged on a floor-length gown that felt perfect the moment she’d laid eyes on it. It had embroidered wildflowers on a backdrop of the palest lavender chenille. Instead of a veil, Miley had helped her weave real wildflowers down one side of her hair — and one tiny red rose to commemorate the first flower Hawk had given her.

“You’re only eighteen,” she reminded gently. “You have your whole life ahead of you, hon. There’s no need to rush into anything.”

“Except college.” Miley rolled her eyes. “You would be more than happy if I rushed into college.”

“We-e-ell, now that you mention it…” Annalee reached out to enclose her in a hug. “I only want what’s best for you. Please tell me you know that.”

“I do,” Miley murmured against her shoulder. “That’s why my wedding gift to you was enrolling in my first online class at the junior college.”

Annalee gasped. “You did what?” She shoved her back to arm’s length to get a better look at her.

“You heard me, Bridezilla.” Her daughter danced out of the way, laughing, to avoid the playful swat her mouthing off had earned her.

“I amnota bridezilla,” Annalee protested. Sure, she’d been under the burden of planning a wedding with only a week to spare, but she thought she’d done a pretty good job of it.

Miley pointed at herself, still laughing. “You made me buy a dress, and I’m not even getting married.”

“But you look so beautiful in it.” It was only a sundress, for crying out loud, in a cozy shade of dusty blue that brought out the blue in her eyes.

“And you wouldn’t let me wear my Converses,” her daughter pouted, sticking out a foot so that Annalee could see what she was actually wearing beneath the long hem of her sundress.

She nearly choked at the sight of Miley’s new white sneakers with wedge heels. “When I said heels, I meant sandals.”

“But you said heels, mother dearest.” Miley swung her leg playfully back and forth, showing off the satin white bow tied behind her ankles. “And there’s no denying these are heels.”

“You’re a brat,” Annalee sighed. Somehow, her daughter had managed to make a pair of sneakers pretty stinking cute. They were soher, too. Before the end of the week, half the girls on the rez would be wearing high-heeled sneakers with bows.

“Yep. Your brat,” Miley reminded. “A brat who loves you more than anyone else in the world, though Hawk has been giving me a run for my money lately.”

Hawk.Annalee pressed her hands to her heart at the reminder that her groom-to-be was waiting for her outside the tiny nursery in the back of the church that they were using as a bridal dressing area. Actually, he was probably down at the altar by now. Running Bear was the one who was waiting for her just outside the door of the nursery.

A triple knock sounded on the door, making her heart race even faster.

“It’s time!” Miley rubbed her hands together excitedly. “We’re ready,” she called.

The door cracked open, and Tucker Pratt’s head appeared on the other side. “Whoa! You have on a dress. Didn’t know you even owned one.”

“I didn’t until Bridezilla over there dragged me to the store by my hair.” Miley stuck out her tongue at him. “Who tied your tie? It looks like it’s choking you.”

“Miley,” Annalee moaned faintly.

Tucker clutched his neck and pretended to gasp for air until Miley shoved his hands aside and loosened his tie for him.

“There. Now smile and look pretty, so you don’t embarrass my parents. Still can’t believe they thought you were best man material.”

“Miley,” Annalee bleated again, not sure why she bothered scolding. Her daughter enjoyed saying stuff to get a rise out of others, and that was probably never going to change.

“I’m not,” Tucker retorted cheerfully. “Told him that catching a murderess together didn’t make us friends, either, yet here I am.” He extended his arm to her with a long-suffering sigh. “Come here, you.”

Annalee shooed them out the door. “You’re both brats.” After all Tucker had done for her family, he felt more like a brother than anything else. Beneath his many rough edges was a heart of gold that he didn’t let others see very often. She felt blessed, indeed, that he’d chosen to give her, Hawk, and Miley a glimpse of it.

With a wink and a mock salute, Tucker disappeared around the corner with her maid of honor on his arm.

Running Bear stepped into the room. “My turn.” He held out his arms to Annalee. “You’re the most beautiful bride.” His voice trembled with emotion as she stepped closer to embrace him.

“Thank you for walking me down the aisle,” she murmured against his feathers and one of his braids.

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