“Good. Are you ready?”
He nodded. Escorting his mother outside to the waiting guests, he nodded at both of his fathers.
Standing at the aisle near the priest, he took a breath. He’d never been so nervous before, not even when faced with Sarah, who’d pleaded insanity and was currently serving her sentence in a hospital. The stuff they had found at her place had been sickening. There was a cruel side to the other woman.
Still, he forced those thoughts out of his mind. This was his wedding day. The day Poppy became his and his brothers’. There had been so many times over the past few months when he’d wanted to just take her to Vegas to get it over with. Poppy would give him those sad eyes of hers, and he’d find the patience from somewhere so that she could experience her dream wedding.
The music sounded up, and that was the signal she was coming. His nerves kicked up another notch, and he didn’t know what the hell to do. He couldn’t screw anything up, not his vows or the kiss.
He wanted her to remember this day just like she’d remember him being her first.
She was a vision. His brothers were on either side of her, escorting their bride to him. They’d be wearing rings, but for all legal reasons, she’d be bound to him.
The smile on her face was captivating. Her blonde hair was bound up, cascading down in curls. She looked … beautiful. His beautiful bride.
He stepped down and took his hand. The moment her hand was in his, he knew everything was going to be more than okay.
“Are you nervous?” she asked.
“A little bit.”
“Don’t be, Casey. This is more than I could have ever hoped for.” She gave his hand a squeeze and the ceremony began. Staring into her blue eyes, he listened to the priest say the words, talking to the crowd. Several people from the town had come to see their wedding. The biggest surprise had been Ben.
After Poppy sent him a gift basket, they had formed a crazy truce. Casey preferred it that way. He didn’t want to fear for his woman every time she went into town.
Ben wouldn’t hurt her anymore.
He vowed to be the best husband that he could be. To love her, to father her children, but above all, to cherish her.
When the time came for him to kiss her, he was ready. Pulling her into his arms, he took her lips in a searing kiss.
He heard the applause, and when he pulled away, there were tears in her eyes.
“I’m happy,” she said. “Totally, one hundred percent happy.” She flung her arms around his neck, holding him close. “Thank you for being so patient with me. I wanted to give you the Vegas wedding, but I’m pleased you waited.”
Pulling away, he cupped her face. “I’m more than pleased I waited. Vegas couldn’t touch this.” Nor would it have given her that twinkle.
They partied at the ranch and danced throughout the night. His brothers took their turns, spinning their bride around.
Finally, after so long, they were a family. Casey relaxed, watching his woman and his brothers.
The future looked better than he could have ever imagined.
Epilogue
Ten years later
“Mom, Jesse done a poop again. It stinks real bad,” Lewis said.
Poppy pressed her head against Casey’s chest as Shawn giggled behind her.
“I’ve got it,” Parker said, bending down to pick up their youngest boy. “Wow, what has this kid eaten?”
They were enjoying the last rays of sunshine. “Do you want me to take care of him?” Poppy asked.
“Nope, you’re on complete bed rest,” Parker said. He leaned down to press a kiss to her brow. “Keep our little girl warm.” He rubbed her stomach.
Yes, she’d been put on bed rest, which meant her men were extra protective of her. Shawn had carried her outside so that she could enjoy the last of the summer rays before winter hit. She only had two more weeks to go before she gave birth to their fourth child.
Lewis was their eldest at nine. Bethany, who was blowing bubbles, was five. Jesse was eighteen months.
It was the closest she’d ever had kids.
“Are you okay?” Casey asked.
“Yeah, I am.” Her stomach chose that moment to grumble. “But I’m hungry.”
“Parker’s finished preparing the barbeque. Come on, Lewis, no time like the present to learn how to cook on the grill.”
Poppy watched as Lewis rubbed the dirt from his hands.
She lay back, staring up at the sky. Life had been crazy but so damn good. Ten years of wedded bliss. She couldn’t have asked for a better life. Three men who adored her. Three children with a fourth on the way. Life at the ranch had gone from strength to strength.
“What are you thinking?” Shawn asked, leaning over her.
“That I couldn’t imagine my life being any better.”