hand. “I know Boone is encouraging UT-Austin to set up an outreach program here in Three Rivers. Then you don’t have to travel.”
“He is?” August asked. “That would be awesome.” He looked at Etta, his eyebrows raised. Yes, he was just a simple cowboy. Etta had already met with her brothers and cousins about building them a house at Shiloh Ridge. The spot had been chosen for it, and Bishop and Montana had started plans. They wouldn’t be able to actually break ground until next year, but the house would sit between Bear’s and the Ranch House, on the same road that led out to the Edge and led along the side of the cliff and then down to the highway.
When they’d gone to dinner with Cactus and Willa at the Edge Cabin just after they’d gotten engaged, all Cactus could talk about was how much work he had to do on their growing ranch. “We need another vet,” he’d complained, and the seed had been planted in August’s mind.
He couldn’t take the time to attend eight years of college, especially as there wasn’t one nearby he could reasonably get to. Veterinarian school wasn’t exactly conducive to online learning either.
But becoming a veterinary technician…that was something August could do, and he’d been looking into programs all over the state, and even into Oklahoma, for the past few months.
August looked at Etta. “Who’s Boone?”
“Boone Carver,” Etta said. “He’s Squire’s cousin. I thought he was considering a move back to the Hill Country.”
“Boone’s always considering something.” Cal semi-rose from his seat. “He’s right over there. See the woman with the red and blonde hair? That’s his wife.” He sat back down and picked up his fork.
“Let’s go talk to him,” Etta said, but she stopped to introduce August to two teachers at the high school, a Mr. Bays, who taught woodshop and coached the junior rodeo roping teams, and a Mrs. Lovesick, who taught home economics. She gushed and gushed about Etta’s sweet and sour meatballs, and as August had eaten them before, he knew why.
“It’s time for the first official dance,” Ranger said into the microphone, and Etta paused in her journey toward Boone Carver. “Can I get the bride and groom out here, please?”
August led Etta onto the dance floor while Ranger cleared everyone else off of it, promising they could come back once August and Etta officially opened the dancing.
“The new Mister and Missus Winters want all of their siblings and cousins on the floor with them,” Ranger said. “So stuff that last bite of cake into your mouth, Cactus, and get your wife up on her feet. Bring the babies if you have to. Come on now, Glovers and Winters. Don’t be shy. Line up on the sides there.”
August held Etta’s hand while people did what he said, until they were ready. Finally, the first strains of Bless the Broken Road came on, and August grinned at his new wife. “You chose my song.”
“It was better than mine,” she said, falling easily into his arms. “Plus, you’ve done literally everything I’ve wanted for this wedding. I figured the one thing you actually had an opinion on, I should listen to.”
“I would’ve danced to Keeper of the Stars,” he murmured, bringing her nearer to him and positioning his mouth at her ear. He pressed his lips there, excited to be even closer to her later.
“I know,” she said. “And we will. Later.”
He moved with her, getting lost in the gentle strains of music of this song, which he loved. On the chorus, both he and Etta sang along.
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
He kissed her right there on the dance floor, and Ranger said, “All right, folks. Let’s join ‘em out there, because as Judge said, we all have our problems, and God has blessed all of our broken roads.”
August felt Etta’s smile against his lips, and she pulled away and leaned her head against his shoulder. He met Judge’s eyes, and the man pressed his fist to his heart.
August knew then, with that gesture, that he was truly a Glover, and he’d never experienced such comfort and happiness because of it.
10 months later
Etta Winters pulled up to what would be her house, smiling at all the cement and wood. “Wow,” she said to herself. Well, and her unborn baby. She liked to sing to her baby boy inside, and he sure seemed to like it too, if the