His smile never faltered. “I think that would be great. Believe it or not, I’m the one who wanted the Christmas wedding. Before she died, we both loved Christmas. It was one of the things that brought us together. And even if I didn’t love it, I’d want to marry you then. I think Janice is looking down with a smile and a kiss farewell, knowing that I’m better than okay since I met you.”
Tears welled up in Kaylie’s eyes. “That’s great. If you were in love with her, she must have been a great person.”
“She was.” He cupped her cheek. “But you are, too. I figure you’ll get your stitches out the day before Christmas. You know it will be a small wedding. Just the cowboys at the ranch and if you don’t mind, Janice’s brother.”
“Sure. I’d like to meet him.”
Ryan laughed. “Honey, you already know him. He’s Paul Morel, your WitSec handler.”
Her jaw dropped. “You never told me that. Yes, I’d like very much for Paul to be here.”
“Good. I think he’ll like that, too.” He bent over and kissed her.
A gentle kiss that grew deeper and deeper.
Finally, he pulled back. “I love kissing you.”
* * *
“I lovefor you to kiss me.” Kaylie thought, even as she lay there with a bullet wound and sorer than she’d ever been, that she was the luckiest woman alive. She’d determined to do the right thing and she’d found her heart, her other half, the one man in the world made especially for her.
Life was bliss.
EPILOGUE
Christmas Day
Kaylie had gottena dress at a little boutique in Bozeman and the wedding was at the ranch in the living room. The window was replaced and the room was thoroughly cleaned by a private company. The furniture was moved temporarily to the barn to make room for folding chairs which were set up with an aisle in the middle.
Ryan had bought just about every yellow and peach colored rose in the City of Bozeman, because the colors were her favorite. He’d had the driveway graded so everyone could easily get to the house.
She’d taken Paul aside.
“Will you walk me down the aisle and give me away to Ryan?”
He smiled and took Kaylie’s hands with his. “Nothing would make me happier.”
“Thank you.”
Ryan invited his parents and his sister who brought her fiancé, much to Ryan’s surprise and pleasure. He wanted Sophie to be as happy as he was.
Paul walked her slowly down the aisle toward Ryan.
He looked so handsome. He was wearing a black western style suit with a white shirt that showed off his tanned skin. He wore a bolo tie, black cowboy boots that were polished to a high shine, and a new black Stetson.
Just looking at him made her giddy.
Ryan smiled the entire time she walked down the aisle.
Reverend Bailey presided over the ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses to join this man and this woman in holy wedlock. Who gives this woman to marry this man?”
Paul took her hand and laid it in Ryan’s. “I do.”
“Good. Be there anyone here who sees reason why they should not be joined as one this day?” The reverend looked at the audience members. “Good. Now, do you, Ryan James Evers, take this woman, Kaylie Smith, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer for as long as you both shall live?”
Ryan grinned. “I do.”
The reverend turned to Kaylie. “Do you, Kaylie Smith, take this man, Ryan James Evers, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer for as long as you both shall live?”