Page 53 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
"My turn?"I ask, and she nods, biting her lip in the cutest way."Jolene Callahan, you stole my heart the first time I saw you in Tampa.Your hat was askew, your boots were muddy, and you were yelling at a judge who made a bad call.I thought, 'Now there's a woman who knows her own mind.'"
Jo's eyes sparkle with the memory, and I can see her fighting to maintain her composure.
"I didn't plan on falling in love with the most stubborn woman in three states.I didn't plan on spending half my life arguing about proper rope technique or whose turn it is to feed the horses.But darlin', I wouldn't trade a single second of it."
My voice hitches, and I take a deep breath before continuing.The entire room has gone silent, hanging on every word."Jolene Callahan, I promise to stand beside you in the winner's circle and pick you up when you fall.I promise to respect your independence while offering my strength whenever you need it.And I promise that even on the days when we're both too stubborn to back down, I'll still choose you every single time."
I reach out and touch her cheek, brushing away a tear with my thumb."You're my best friend, my toughest competition, and the only woman who's ever made me want to be worthy of a happy ending."
Jo's composure finally cracks, and she lets out a watery laugh that's half sob."Damn it, Clay, you're going to make me ruin my makeup."
"Language," Pastor Williams chides gently, but his eyes are twinkling.
"Sorry, Pastor."
The ring exchange goes smoothly---thank God, because my hands are shaking so badly I'm surprised I haven't dropped the damn thing.When I slide the simple gold band onto Jo's finger, she stares down at it like she can't quite believe it's real.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Montana," Pastor Williams continues, his voice placid but his eyes sparkling, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."He hesitates, glancing between us with a knowing smile."Clay, you may kiss your bride."
I don't need to be told twice.I slide my arm around Jo's waist, pulling her close as she rests her hands on my chest.For all her tough talk and competitiveness, the way she melts against me makes my heart fill up with a joy I've never experienced before.
"Hi, wife," I whisper.
"Hi, husband," she whispers back, and then I'm kissing her.
Time slows down as I cup Jo's face in my hands.Her eyes meet mine, but only for a moment.Then, I press my lips to hers and kiss Jo like it's the first time.I lean in, brushing my lips against hers softly at first, then with growing ardor as her arms wind around my neck.The crowd erupts in cheers and whistles, but all I can feel is Jo---the silk of her dress beneath my hands as they move to her waist, the subtle scent of wildflowers in her hair, the smile I can feel against my lips as she kisses me back with enough passion to make Pastor Williams clear his throat.
"Mrs.McKendrick," I whisper against her lips.
"That's me," she whispers back.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Pastor Williams announces, clearing his throat with the practiced timing of a man who's seen many newlyweds get carried away, "I present to you Mr.and Mrs.Clay McKendrick!"
The string quartet launches into an upbeat number as Jo and I turn to face our cheering families.We make our way back down the aisle, and I can't stop stealing glances at her profile.The happiness radiating from her is almost tangible, like heat from a summer sun.My wife.Jolene Callahan ismy wife.
"Can we go home yet?"I whisper.
"Not yet, cowboy.We need to sign the papers first."
The next hour passes in a blur of congratulations, champagne toasts, and more hugs than I've received in the last decade combined.Jo stays glued to my side, her fingers laced through mine like she's afraid I might disappear if she lets go.
No chance of that.I found my best friend, my soul mate, the only woman who could ever make my heart race just from seeing her smile.I will never let her go.That's what a fairy-tale ending means---happy ever after.
Epilogue
A New Family
I'm halfway through shoeing a stubborn gelding when my phone buzzes in my pocket like an angry hornet.I've been married to Jo for slightly more than a year, and I've learned that ignoring her calls is about as smart as turning your back on a bull in the chute.Pregnancy hormones have really done a number on her too.Yep, we are having a baby.But we aren't sure exactly when that will happen.Jo and I agreed we didn't want to know the gender because we'd rather be surprised.
"Hey, darlin'," I answer, wedging the phone between my shoulder and ear while I finish hammering in a nail."Just finishing up with Thunder here and then I'll grab those jalapeño poppers you've been craving."
There's a beat of silence, then a sharp intake of breath that makes my blood run cold.
"Clay."Jo's voice is tight and controlled in a way I've never heard before."My water just broke."
The hammer slips from my hand, narrowly missing my boot."What?But you aren't due for another week."
"Tell that to the little bronc rider in my belly who wants to kick her way out."
