Page 62 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

JJ began to fuss, and Taylor sat down on the bed, lifting up her T-shirt and opening her bra. She held JJ to her breast, and he latched on hungrily, the soft sounds of his sucking evidence that he hadn’t forgotten how to nurse.

A warm, sweet, intense feeling of completion overwhelmed Colt. As he watched mother and baby, he realized that this was what he wanted his world to be. The three of them made a perfect whole, and he didn’t want to live in a world without Taylor and JJ in his life.

He knelt down in front of Taylor and took her hand. She raised her eyes from JJ’s face and met Colt’s gaze.

He said, “I realized today that my life will never be complete without you beside me to share it.”

“Oh, Colt,” she whispered, and her lower lip began to tremble.

“Honey.” He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “I can’t imagine growing old with anyone else.” He brought her hand to his lips. “I want JJ to be my son. I’d like to adopt him if you’ll allow it.”

He smiled earnestly into her eyes. “When I look into my heart, I only see you, Taylor.” Holding her hand in both of his, he said, “Sweetheart, will you do me the great honor of marrying me?”

“Colt, Colt. Of course I’ll marry you!” She wrapped her arm around his neck and drew him close, and he heard a quiet sob of joy as she rested her head on his shoulder. “And you’d make me the happiest momma in the world if you’d adopt JJ.”

A thrill of happiness rolled through his chest. At last, he had what he’d yearned for. His world was complete.

***

Taylor clenched herAunt Shannon’s arm as they followed in Lauren’s wake down the long aisle. The bouquet of blue and white flowers in her other hand shook slightly from the tremors in her fingers. She absolutely hated being the focus of attention for everyone in the chapel.

Dane, now healed and off his crutches, made a handsome best man, although he paled in comparison to Colt’s blond, blue-eyed, broad-shouldered good looks. She’d chosen black tuxes for the men, and Shannon, representing Taylor’s father figure, wore a black gown. Blue was Taylor’s favorite color, and Lauren looked beautiful in her pale-blue gown.

Colt’s mom and dad had happily agreed to be in charge of JJ on this special day, and during their honeymoon. Taylor could see them standing in the front pew with him.

The chapel decorations carried through the blue theme with tiny bouquets of blue and white flowers at each pew. A large matching bouquet stood on the dais table.

Many brides wore their hair in an updo, but Colt loved Taylor’s long, thick hair, so she’d worn it down, the mass of luxuriant curls falling near her waist. Her white A-line gown with its fitted bodice had a deep sweetheart neckline and tiny cap sleeves. Its elegant simplicity had captivated her from the moment she saw it.

Then she met Colt’s gaze, and it was as if the sun had come out from behind the clouds. She smiled, no longer aware of the eyes upon her. She was focused only on the man who’d shown her that men could be kind and loving, sweet and tender, and dependable and strong. He was her dream come true, and she was the luckiest woman in the world.

Shannon led her up the dais steps and laid Taylor’s palm into Colt’s outstretched hand. He led her to stand before the pastor, who began to speak of the responsibilities of both the man and woman in a marriage. She listened attentively, wanting to be the best wife she could be for the man whose arm she held, the man she loved with her whole heart and soul.

Colt smiled down at her, his eyes alight with happiness, and she leaned her cheek against his shoulder, reveling in the knowledge that, from today, he would be hers forever.

At last, the pastor said, “Colt, you may now state your vows.”

Colt turned to her and held her hands, looking into her eyes. “Taylor, though we’re getting married today, I’m already thinking about forever—a forever with you that’s about mutual respect, support, and tenderness. I love you with every beat of my heart, every breath in my body, and my every thought and action.

My sweet Taylor, I promise to be there for you whenever you need me, never to disappear or be distant, and to be by your side until the day I die.” He slipped her ring on her finger.

She wanted to wrap her arms around him, to bury her head against his broad chest, but instead the pastor said, “Taylor, you may now say your vows.”

She smiled and looked into Colt’s beautiful blue eyes. “Colt, I promise I’ll laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I’ll share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I’ll listen to you with compassion and understanding, and I’ll speak to you with encouragement. Colt, together, let’s build a home filled with laughter and light—let’s be partners, friends, and lovers, today and all the days of our lives.” She slid his wedding band on his finger.

Colt squeezed her hands, his smile tender and sweet.

The pastor said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Colt, you may kiss your bride.”

With a grin, Colt swept her into his arms and kissed her long and slow, his passion evident to everyone in the room. She didn’t give a damn as she kissed him back with everything she had. She loved this man from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, and she was his and he was hers for all eternity to come. The room erupted in applause.

Colt took her by the hand and led her down the steps, his smile as big as Texas.

Outside the church, in the late morning sunshine, Dillan shook Colt’s hand and gave Taylor a hug. Then his arm went back around Heather, who was holding little Coleman by the hand and baby Marilyn on her shoulder. Dillan said, “Well, bro, good luck on your hunt.”

For their honeymoon, Taylor had suggested that they go on a personal, guided bear hunt in the mountains of New Mexico. She’d seen ads for several trips in one of Colt’s hunting magazines and thought it would be an amazing adventure. The guide she had settled on had said that late in September was their prime hunting season, so they should have a great hunt. Colt had been surprised and excited by her choice in destinations.

He replied, “Thanks, bud. I just want to make sure that I get one. Taylor’s a dang good shot. A real natural. I’m sure she’ll bag a trophy bear.”

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