"Good," I say. "I guess we need some luck if we're going to the courthouse."
Cole grins. "You mean it? You'll marry me just like that?"
"Well, you might need a few days for a license," Aunt Ella says, "but why don't you go stay at a hotel until you can get one?"
"You're trying to get rid of me like that?” I ask with a teasing look.
She laughs. "Oh, Laura. I've known Cole was a good man ever since we hired him, and if you and him make each other happy, well, that's all I'd want for you. Besides," she says, looking over at my father who's passed out on the porch swing. "You need some space. You guys go away for a bit. And then maybe when you come back the dust will have settled."
"Okay," I say. "This is crazy."
"Well, if it takes a few days to get the marriage license, you think you'll be able to be our witnesses when the time comes?" Cole asks.
Uncle Leroy nods. "I don't think there's anything I'd rather do, son."
"So it's official?" Cole asks. "You're going to marry me?"
I smile, giving him a playful wink. "Well, technically you haven't put a ring on my finger."
He takes my hand and pushes the engagement ring onto my ring finger. "It was my mama's ring," he says. "I was waiting for you. And look, it fits perfect."
Tears fill my eyes and I wrap my arms around my cowboy.
His kisses are better than cherry pie, and damn, I want another slice.
EPILOGUE 1
COLE
Standing with Laura at the courthouse with her aunt and uncle beside us as our witnesses, I must say it's the happiest day of my life. I know we could have waited, had some big old wedding at the ranch, but that's not what either Laura or I wanted.
I've been known for saving my pennies until I was buying something important. And I figure taking Laura away on a honeymoon is worth more than a fancy wedding.
Neither of us have much in the way of family, or friends, for that matter. Our lives haven't offered that quite yet.
Hopefully in time, we'll build a community, a real place of our own, but right now, we're at the courthouse and we're starting by making a family, which is the two of us.
The judge has us repeat after him and suddenly we both say, "I do."
When Laura takes my hand in hers and slips a wedding band on my ring finger, I feel like maybe I've finally died and gone to heaven, a cheesy thing for a man to say, perhaps, but it's the damn truth. This woman, she’s my whole world.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the judge says with a chuckle. "Now I'm going to sign these documents and then I'm going to have your witnesses do the same. Make sure you take a picture before you leave."
Laura grins up at me. "We did it," she says, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"I'm so happy for you both," Aunt Ella says. "We're just going to sign our names and get out of here. Your uncle's got to get back to the ranch. I’m guessing you need to pack for your honeymoon tomorrow."
"I can't believe we're actually going on a honeymoon to Hawaii," I say.
“It feels so decadent," Laura says.
"You two kids deserve it. Go have some fun and make some memories, and then come back here and start building that house of yours," Uncle Leroy says. "But until you have it built, of course, the two of you can stay with us."
When Laura and I leave the courthouse, I lift her up in my arms, swing her around, the Texas sun shining down on us and her bouquet of pink roses in her hand.
“You’re a beautiful bride,” I say, walking down the courthouse steps, carrying her to my truck. "No regrets about the way we did that?"
"None at all," she says. "It was perfect. I'm not a flashy girl. I just have one request."
"What's that, darling?" I ask her as I open the door of the truck for her.
"When we build that house of ours, can you make sure in one of the rooms you give me some floor-to-ceiling bookshelves?"
"I was thinking I could do one better than that. Let's put in a library for you."
Her eyes widen. “You’re the sexiest cowboy in the world.”
We have one night in town before we head to Maui. And I asked Laura the other day where she wanted to spend it. "We can get a hotel downtown or close to the airport," I suggested, but she shook her head.
"Can we do something crazy?" she asks.
"I'd do anything for you, Laura."
"Could we have a sleepover at our new house?"
I chuckle. "You do realize there's nothing but a concrete foundation and some framing."