He also came back with a gift wrapped in a small black box from Mr. Pickering’s Personals. The antique store I’d crashed into and the place where Jacob had bought my locket all those years ago.
As I cracked the lid, he’d lowered to one knee and proposed all over again, slipping a square solitaire with lacy gold filigree onto my wedding finger.
He said the lace was for the locket-wearing, lace-named girl who would always own his heart.
“Ah well, at least I don’t have a thousand bridesmaids who will miss me if I don’t walk down the aisle.” I forced a laugh.
“You’re walking down that aisle. I planned a wedding for you guys. Least you can do is go through with it.” Cassie grinned. “I’ll tell my nephew not to murder you. How about that?”
“Gee, you’re so sweet.”
She laughed.
Cassie had planned tomorrow and kept it simple at our request. She’d shown me photos of the wedding she’d put together for Ren and Della. A simple altar in the meadow, a marquee for after, and a guest list of mostly family.
That was what I wanted.
I’d ordered a dress online with a sleeveless lace top and full cream skirt, and Jacob sourced new jeans, boots, and a shirt.
Nice and easy.
Magazines called for rights to photograph the ceremony, but I told them I was no longer part of their world. I had never belonged, and they’d most likely never see me on the red carpet or on the big screen again.
I was soon to be a farmer’s wife, and that role fit me better than any other.
As we pulled up to Cherry River, a horse kicked the trailer again.
“I’ll have Chip help me with the ponies. You better go find Jacob before he sees the surprise on his own and has a heart attack.”
I flinched. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”
“Too late.” Cassie laughed. “God, I’m so glad I’m not you right now.”
“Stop it. It won’t be so bad. He’ll be okay with it.”
“Yeah, suuuuure he will.” Parking outside the barn, she slapped the steering wheel, blew me a kiss, and leapt out. “Come find me if you need somewhere to sleep tonight!”
I slouched in my seat. “This is going to be bad.” Twisting to look in the back, I steeled myself against my mistake. But two gorgeous eyes met mine. A nose sniffed in curiosity. And I melted all over again.
It’s not a mistake.
I’d done my best to stop pushing Jacob—after all, he’d done so well dealing with his past and accepting that he couldn’t control every little thing.
But this new addition? He might see it as a push.
He might resent me for doing something he wasn’t ready for.
But…I couldn’t leave him there.
The little dog was scruffy, flea-bitten, and skinny, but his eyes…they were pools of trust even after the scars left by cattle irons that’d been pressed into his puppy skin.
He wasn’t pretty with grey and black fur, a muzzle of white and half an ear. But he belonged here. With us.
“He’ll love you just like I love you,” I murmured.
The dog wagged its tail once, timid and scared. His black, soulful gaze tracked me as I climbed from the truck and went to open the back door.
Only, Jacob was there.
Talking to his aunt.
His smile broad and cowboy hat tilted low against the sun’s glare. His Wranglers and plaid shirt were multi-colour with grass stains and mud, and his boots held a day’s worth of grime.
He worked so hard.
He was so capable.
My heart melted for my husband-to-be just like it’d melted for the dog.
The dog who’d been hiding in a pile of horse manure to avoid the farmer’s wife and her beatings.
After I’d helped Cassie round up the two rescue horses—seized by the SPCA and given to us for fostering—I’d seen a little shadow watching us before zipping away to hide in such filth.
As Cassie signed the paperwork, I’d snuck away, squatting down by the manure pile, whispering calm things.
It’d taken ten minutes for the dog to creep forward. Another twenty for him to come close enough to smell me.
Cassie wanted to leave.
But I couldn’t leave without him.
I’d let one stray dog down by letting others give him away to an uncertain future. I wouldn’t do it again.
With a quick plea not to bite me, I’d scooped him up, tossed him in the backseat and stole him.
Now, I was about to face the consequences.
Cassie laughed at something Jacob said, then turned to face me, pointing.
Tattle tale.
Jacob followed her finger, his grin growing wider when he saw me. His white-blond hair from Bali had grown with darker regrowth, framing his perfect face with the shaggy length tied in a knot at his nape.
He was rugged and rough and utterly sublime.
And he’s probably going to kill me.
Striding away from his aunt, he pushed his cowboy hat farther up his head, then ducked and kissed me, sweaty and salty and so deliciously him.