she said, feeling brave and bold and everything Ward always felt. “If you’ll have me, I’ll come live with you in Bull House after we get married. Heck, I’d like you to drive me to the party with your family and let me stay in that bedroom I slept in over Christmas. Maybe we could do a late breakfast tomorrow.”
He nodded, already dipping his head to kiss her again. She stopped him, those delicious lips only a millimeter from hers. “I’ll let you fuss over me, Ward Glover, because I love you, and I know it’s how you show people you love them.”
“I love you too, Dot.” He kissed her then, and Dot lost herself to the taste and touch of Ward Glover.
“Oh, my goodness.” Dot stalled in the doorway with Ward. The music pumping from the barn had alerted her to the vibrant atmosphere of the New Year’s Eve party, but she’d been completely unprepared for so much silver. So many brightly colored sparkles. “I guess this year’s color is pink.”
Ward laughed and tugged her further into the room. It was a large space, and Dot had been in True Blue for Preacher and Charlie’s wedding. So many people had gathered to Shiloh Ridge that it looked like standing room only, which worked because they weren’t serving dinner.
Chairs lined the wall to Dot’s right and left, surrounding the doorway, but most people either danced near the front of the hall or stood in groups talking near the back.
“There’s Mother,” Ward said. “Let’s go talk to her.” He wove through a few people, saying hello and smiling. Dot couldn’t erase the smile from her face if she’d tried.
She’d met Ward’s mother before, but Ward had simply introduced her as Dorothy Crockett and nothing else.
She was something else now. Someone else.
“Mother,” Ward said, releasing Dot’s hand to hug his mother. Ace and Holly Ann backed up to make room for Ward and Dot, and she smiled at them. Holly Ann was a taller woman too, and she returned Dot’s grin.
“This is quite the party,” Dot said, glancing around. Streamers hung from the ceiling stories above, and a legit disco ball had been installed at some point over the past couple of days.
“Bishop says if you’re going to have a party, you might as well go all-out,” Ace said, smiling. “He and Cactus and Judge have been working on this all day.”
“It’s great,” Dot said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party with this many people before.”
“I ran the Christmas Festival a couple of years ago,” Holly Ann said. “I’ve had my share of people.” She leaned into Ace, and he put his arm protectively around her waist.
“I thought you guys were kind of isolated up here,” Dot said as Ward stepped away from his mother.
“Don’t buy into that,” Holly Ann said. “There’s people up here constantly.”
“Yeah,” Ward said, facing them. “Like your dad and sister.” He indicated the doorway behind her with his head.
Holly Ann’s face lit up, and she and Ace hurried toward the three people, as Bethany Rose had also brought her husband, who had arrived and stood in the doorway as if they’d never been to a party with this many people before either.
“Dot,” Ward said, grinning. “This is Dawna, my mother. Mother, this is Dot, and I’m going to marry her one day soon.”
“So lovely to have someone who’s finally captured Ward’s heart,” Dawna said, extending both of her arms out to Dot. She hugged her, and Dot sank into the matronly embrace.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“He adores you,” Dawna whispered in Dot’s ear. “I’ve been praying so hard for him to find the right woman, and I’m thrilled he did.”
Dot wasn’t sure if she was really “the right woman” for Ward or not. Was there one right person for everyone? If so, why did people get married more than once? Why wasn’t everyone with their exact right person?
“Do you want to dance?” Ward asked as Dot separated from his mother.
“I do,” his mother said before Dot could even consider dancing with him. She beamed at her son and linked her arm through his. “I’ll bring him back in one piece, dear.” She laughed and Ward did too, giving Dot a look of joy over his shoulder as his mother led him toward the front of the hall.
Dot migrated toward the outside edge of the party, spotting Arizona, Montana, and Willa sitting in a cluster of chairs near the refreshment tables. Her first inclination was to turn