Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

“Mel, your wedding dress.”

“Wait, this is your wedding dress, Mom?” Steed asked.

“Yes! Amelia kept it and look how it fits Corina like it was made for her.”

John stood in front of me and took my hands in his. Lifting my right hand, he kissed the back of it. “Once upon a time, a beautiful young girl wore this dress. I was mesmerized by her when she walked down that aisle. It felt like a dream and I prayed she didn’t take one look at me and run, thinking she’d made a mistake.”

“Never,” Melanie whispered, and my chest felt light.

John took another look at me in the dress and then caught my gaze. “I dare say, you are just as beautiful as my beloved bride, and my poor son has no idea what is about to happen to him.”

I let out another stupid giggle-sob.

“It’s time we find out,” Steed announced. “Chloe, you get Patches and Lincoln ready?”

“Yes! Mommy, the petals!”

Paxton walked over to the table and grabbed a bag. “Got them!”

Amelia clapped her hands. “Okay, people, this is it! It’s show time! Mom, pull yourself together!”

“I am together, I’ll have you know,” Melanie said as she shot Amelia a dirty look. John and I both laughed.

“Waylynn, flowers! We need the flowers stat!” Amelia called out.

Waylynn shot Amelia a look as she started gathering the bouquets. “Jesus, when did the wedding planner from hell show up?”

Amelia pushed Waylynn lightly, “Shut up, we need the flowers! Paxton! Here is your bouquet.”

Paxton moved a sleeping Gage as she took the flowers. Then Waylynn handed me mine. They were stunning. A little bit larger than the ones the girls were carrying. Pink and white roses.

Everyone started to head out of the cabin, but John and I stayed back.

“I have something to give you,” he said.

My heart dropped when he handed me a small Bible. “It was my mother’s. You’re wearing her engagement ring.”

I gasped. “Oh, John.”

“Melanie carried it at our wedding, and I know it blessed our marriage, just like it will yours and Mitchell’s.” Tears filled my eyes again. “Don’t cry. The girls will be mad if I make those beautiful blue eyes bloodshot.”

I kissed him on the side of the cheek. “Thank you for the Bible. And thank you for walking me down the aisle.”

Now it was his turn to have watery eyes. “It is my honor, Corina.”

Paxton peeked back in. “I’m about to walk! Get ready!”

Taking in a deep breath, I nodded. We would step outside onto the cabin porch and make our way down the steps. Once we rounded the corner, I would have a clear shot of the lookout and Mitchell.

Each step seemed to go in slow motion as John and I made our way out of the cabin. My heart hammered in my chest.

“Slow down there, darlin’. He’s not going anywhere.”

I chuckled and squeezed his arm. “I didn’t realize I was walking fast.”

“Speed walking is more like it!”

Another laugh and we turned the corner. The only person I saw was Mitchell and what he did next knocked the wind right out of me.

He dropped down, covered his mouth, and started to cry.

I sucked in a breath and kept my eyes on him as John guided me to the love of my life. Mitchell stood back up and gave me a beautiful, brilliant smile as I made my way closer to him.

John lifted my hand toward Mitchell’s. “She’s a treasure, son. Honor her always.”

Wiping his tears away, Mitchell replied, “Yes, sir. I will.”

As I stepped next to Mitchell, we turned to face each other. He hadn’t let go of my hand, and I didn’t want him to. I was completely lost to him. His touch was the only thing keeping me grounded. Keeping my knees from going out from under me.

The pastor started talking, but I didn’t hear a word he said. In that moment, it was only Mitchell and me. And our baby. I didn’t even flinch when Patches briefly got away from Chloe and took off running before Wade whistled and got the goat back. Nothing else in the world mattered except for Mitchell. The man I had given my heart to over a year ago. Since the first moment he kissed me, I had known this man would forever be the one to hold my heart in his hands. He had showed me a life I’d never dreamed imaginable.

Before I knew it, we were exchanging rings. I was getting ready for the kiss when Pastor Burch threw me a surprise.

“Corina, Mitchell would like to say something before I pronounce you husband and wife.”

I looked at the pastor and then back to Mitchell. “O-okay,” I whispered shakily.

Mitchell held onto my hands, rubbing his thumbs over my skin. “The first moment I knew I loved you, it scared me to death, and I ran from you. I wasn’t ready. Then when my heart finally let that love in, I felt like a new man and I ran to you, but you weren’t ready to forgive me.”