the conversation she’d had with Pax. Basically, he wanted the same thing she did. A home, a family, and someone to leave his ranch to when he was finished with life on this earth. She wondered if they’d remain friends and good neighbors after everything was over and done with.
When they reached the church, the parking lot was full. Matt nosed his truck in right beside Pax’s out at the far edge of the lot, shut off the engine, and turned to face Alana. “We got so busy, I forgot to ask about the reunion last night.”
“It went fine, Daddy,” she answered. “Pax and I spent a lot of the time out in the bed of his truck, talking about the future. Having the party at the school wasn’t a good idea. I’ll have to tell you more about it this evening. Looks like Pax is on his way to escort me inside.”
Matt climbed out of the truck and waved at his future son-in-law. “I’m going on in. Y’all hang back a minute or two so you can make an entrance. Folks love that,” he told Alana. “Be sure to look around the room and thank everyone personally as you open the gifts.”
“Yes, sir.” Alana nodded. A month ago his saying that would have upset her, but now that she had only a limited amount of time with him, it was endearing.
“You look stunning,” Pax said as he opened the truck door for her and extended a hand. “But then you always do.”
“Thank you,” she said. “You clean up pretty good too, for an old ranchin’ cowboy.”
“Do my best.” He tipped his hat at her.
His hand on her lower back as he escorted her into the fellowship hall sent tingles of desire up her spine and through her body. When they walked through the doors, she gasped, not because of the heat created by his hand, but by all the gifts piled up on two ten-foot tables. Good God, it would take hours to open them, and sending them all back would take weeks. She thought about owning up to her deviousness right then and there and calling the whole thing off.
Matt slipped up beside her and whispered, “You are loved.”
“Yes, I am,” she said with a wide smile on her face. “Thank all y’all. I’m wondering how in the world we will get through all the presents in only two hours. You’ve outdone yourselves.”
“You’ve always been willin’ for anything from helping with the Christmas program to dinners. This is our little way of giving back to you,” Trudy said. “And, honey, we’re planning on giving you and the wedding party a little brunch the morning of the wedding right here in the hall.”
“That’s so kind of you.” Alana blinked back tears when she glanced over at her father and saw the pride in his expression. “Thank you again. Where should we sit?”
“Right here beside me,” Matt said. “Pax sits beside you, and Iris beside him.”
Alana’s heart felt like it had chains wrapped around it as she passed homemade quilts, fancy needlepoint pillows, and other handmade gifts to Trudy to display on the gift table. She had no idea so many of the folks in Daisy would send such priceless gifts, and guilt wrapped itself around her like a blanket made of ice.
When the last item, a lovely crocheted throw in the colors of a beautiful Texas sunset, had passed through her hands, she stood up with tears flowing down her cheeks and faced all the people. “Thank you for this wonderful outpouring of love. These gifts are really amazing and I love every one of you for your friendship and care y’all have given me and my daddy all these years. It’s great to live in a small town, even if everyone does know everything that goes on.”
Everyone chuckled and then gave her a standing ovation. She didn’t even realize that Pax was standing beside her until he handed her his handkerchief. She dabbed her eyes with it, and said, “I’m overwhelmed with emotion.”
“I’d like to thank all y’all too,” Pax said. “I’m glad that I was raised amongst folks who love and take care of each other. Y’all are the best, and I’ve got to admit, I’m more than a little overwhelmed myself. When we decided to get married in only a month, we had no idea that the whole town would come together like this to support us.”
“Most young couples are overwhelmed. Just keep that fresh love