Lost Love (Cowboys & Angels 1)

Me: I’m not in the mood for that.

The phone rang, and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Paxton, please do me a favor.”

“Okay,” I replied, trying to sound normal.

“Go to the hair thing with Melanie. She’s really looking forward to spending time with her girls.”

“Mom, I know.”

“Well, I’m just saying. With you and Chloe now in her life and Waylynn coming in, she’s just happy.”

“No, Mom. I know.”

There was silence on her end before she finally spoke. “You know what?”

“The wedding. Chloe spilled the beans.”

She muffled the phone and said something to someone, then came back on the line. “Don’t move. We’re on our way over.”

When I heard a dial tone, I jerked the phone from my head and peered at it. She’d hung up on me!

Little did I know that an hour later our house would be full of people I loved. People who had worked so hard to keep this a surprise only to have an almost six-year-old rat them out.

Waylynn had flown in last night, much to my surprise. Corina had never left and had been staying at the main house where she, Waylynn, and Amelia had a sleep over last night. I wasn’t going to lie, my feelings were a little bruised I hadn’t gotten to be a part of it, but Corina said it was mainly a wedding planning night.

I was being primped big time. Melanie’s best friend owned the hair salon and spa in town and was buffing my nails while Amelia painted my toes.

Waylynn pulled and twisted my hair while my mother and Melanie argued about the dress I should wear. Amelia had narrowed it down to the top three I had liked.

“Shouldn’t I be the one to pick? I mean, since I know about the wedding and all?”

Amelia glanced over her shoulder. “Mom, seriously, Paxton should pick out her dress. I highly doubt Dad and David are arguing over what Steed’s gonna wear.”

They both frowned. I had already known which one it would be. Once I started to figure out what in the world was going on, I had secretly hoped the Rene Ruiz gown had made the cut. The gowns I had tried on the other night though were all amazing, but that one made me feel like a princess.

I also noticed the Oscar De La Renta was hanging up as well. When I took a peek at the $10,000 price tag I laughed my ass off. But Amelia loved it. I did too, but I loved the much less pricey Rene Ruiz even more.

After what seemed like hours, it was time for me to pick the dress.

Walking up to the one I had picked, I smiled.

“I knew you would pick the Rene Ruiz. It’s classic and breathtaking on you,” Amelia said with a huge grin. “Okay, everyone out except for Paxton, Corina, and Chloe.”

Chloe’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning. “I get to stay?”

“Of course you do, Chloe Cat. I need my two maids of honor to help me get dressed.”

You would have thought I had given her the world.

I caught Melanie’s stare and smiled. She returned it and mouthed, “Thank you.”

With a simple nod, I watched as everyone left the room.

I’m getting married. Holy. Shit.

Placing my hand over my stomach, I breathed in and out a few times to calm my nerves. It was finally happening.

Taking Chloe’s hand, I led her over to the window seat.

“How are you feeling about today, Chloe Cat?” I asked. I had told Corina I wanted to a few minutes to talk to Chloe without everyone in the room. She was making herself busy as she pretended to mess with my dress.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Today isn’t just a big day for your daddy and me. It’s a big day for you too. I want to make sure you’re as happy as we are.”

Chloe’s smile grew from ear to ear.

“You know how happy you are right before Santa comes? Or the tooth fairy?”

With a chuckle, I nodded. “Yes.”

“Well, I’m so much more happy! I’ve been asking God for a long time for a mommy who loved me and my daddy.”

My heart ached.

“I love you so much, Chloe Cat. And I love your daddy. You both make me so very happy. Don’t ever forget that, okay?”

She nodded. “I won’t.”

I slid off the bench and knelt so I could look her in the eyes. “Is there anything you want to ask me before I marry your daddy and become your mommy?”

Chloe’s eyes darted over to my dress. “Can I have your dress when you’re done with it? It would be perfect to play princess in.”

Laughing, I pulled her into my arms. “Yes! Consider it yours, Princess Chloe.”

“Okay, let’s get your mommy dressed,” Corina said as she made her way over to us with the dress. My heart dropped, and my stomach started to flutter. Chloe must have noticed my nerves.