back.
She, too, looked at the baby. “You … you want to …”
“Become a family?” he finished.
She gasped. She hadn’t foreseen this! The getting to know each other again part, yes. But she also thought of the worst possible outcome and her mind had fixed on that. This was the exact opposite.
“What’s the matter, honey? Why are you crying?”
She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. After a moment she sensed he’d drawn closer and looked at him. He was a hairsbreadth away. “Zane …”
“Let’s not let ourselves drift apart again, Holly. It was a mistake. A big one.”
She shrugged. “We were teenagers.”
“And stupid.”
She smiled. “We didn’t know what love was.”
“We didn’t know what we had. You were my best friend, Holls, and I was stupid enough to let you go.” He put his arms around her and pulled her against him. “I’m not dumb enough to do that twice.”
Holly looked into his eyes and had to agree. She nodded just as his lips touched hers. This wasn’t the gentle kiss they’d shared earlier. This one was full of promise. He’d thought it all out, but it was up to her. He knew it meant giving some things up. Was she willing to do it?
When he broke the kiss he gazed into her eyes. “I love you, Holly. Walk this path with me, and if it gets too rocky, you can,” he swallowed hard, “turn around and go back. I know it means some changes but …”
She put a finger to his lips. “I’ll make them.” Holly smiled. “I came all this way, didn’t I?”
He rested his forehead against hers. “Yes, you did. Thank you. I’m glad you’re here.” He glanced at Sophie again. “I’m also glad my little secret didn’t make you turn and run the other way.”
“She’s too adorable to run from. Speaking of which, what about her other grandparents?”
He smiled. “They can’t resist her. Mrs. Parker already loves her. Mr. Parker is coming around. He’s still grieving and angry. But at least I know he’s not going to abduct her in the middle of the night.”
She put a hand against his jaw, she could feel the stubble there. “We’ll do this together then.”
Zane smiled, kissed her, and said. “Together.”
“Always.” Holly wrapped her arms around his neck and let Zane kiss her at will.
Epilogue
Three months later …
As it turned out, reconnecting with someone you were already in love with, was pretty darn easy. What made it easier was the fact the Parkers came around and embraced Zane’s idea. It was better to have easy access to Sophie on a regular basis for months at a time, rather than flying back and forth to see her. Zane’s parents felt the same and also gave the idea their blessing.
And that’s not all they blessed …
“By the power vested in me by the great state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He leaned toward Zane and Holly and winked. “Son, you may kiss your bride.”
Zane didn’t hesitate. He gave Holly a wide grin, then gave her a kiss to rival some of the longest wedding kisses in Clear Creek history. Cheers went up from the wedding guests when he finally broke the kiss. “I love you, Mrs. Brody.”
“And I love you, Mr. Brody.”
“Did you know that my great, great, great and so on great grandparents often called each other Mr. and Mrs. Brody?”
Her brow creased. “You mean they never used each other’s first names?”
He shook his head.
“Wow, that’s … old fashioned?”
“I think it’s adorable.”
She smiled as the wedding guests clapped and cheered. They headed down the aisle. “Well, then, Mr. Brody. What’s next?”
“Life, Mrs. Brody.”
She laughed as they reached the church doors and stepped into the bright sunshine. Carol Parker was holding Sophie. “What a beautiful ceremony, Zane. I loved it.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you came. It means a lot to us.”
Carol kissed Sophie on the head. Holly had dressed her all in pink. “I hope I’m not speaking out of turn, but I think Jillian would be happy to see you so happy.”
“I’m sure she would,” he said and squeezed Holly’s hand.
Mr. Parker joined them. “May I kiss the bride?”
Zane smiled and waved at Holly.
He kissed her on the cheek. “Congratulations. I mean that.”
Holly, tears in her eyes, nodded. “Thank you.”
They stepped away to allow more of the well-wishers to give their congratulations. “Well, this turned out just peachy,” Beatrice said. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” Zane said as she kissed him on the cheek.
“You take good care of them,” Beatrice told Holly. “Now I’d better get to your folks’ house and help Janet finish setting up for the reception.”
“See you there!” Zane called after her.
Several other people came forward to congratulate them while others headed for the parking lot so they could get to the Brody’s and help.
The wedding was small, intimate, and Holly couldn’t be happier. She’d been able to get the dress she wanted, a simple yet elegant gown with an empire waist. Zane wore a grey tuxedo with white tie and cummerbund. And of course, Sophie looked fabulous in her pink dress and matching lace trimmed headband.
In a short time, Holly’s life had been turned upside down by a man she thought she’d never see again. She’d buried her feelings for him, chalking them up to infatuation, puppy love, that sort of thing. But love was there. She just didn’t know what it looked like. Now she did. So did Zane, and together, they’d teach their daughter how to recognize it too.
THE END
About the Author
Kit Morgan has been writing for fun all of her life. Her whimsical stories are fun, inspirational, sweet and clean, (G and PG rated) and depict a strong sense of family and community. Raised by a homicide detective, one would think she’d write suspense, and she plans on getting around to those. But in the meantime, Kit likes fun and romantic westerns! Kit resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in a little log cabin on Clear Creek, from which her fictional town from her Prairie Brides and Prairie Grooms series is named after.
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