Love Under Two Cowboys - By Cara Covington Page 0,4

as she turned her attention to the bride. "Ginny, from the moment you came to Lusty, you belonged to us - although it did take you some time to understand that fact."

Carrie saw the grins on the faces of the Kendalls and Benedicts on either side of her. She knew a little of Ginny's story, of course. The young woman had been very open and frank about how she came to be here.

She'd heard from others about the way Ginny had, not all that long ago, taken down the bastard who had abused her, and then stalked her. Carrie felt a special kinship for the woman, based on that alone.

She turned her attention back to Kate.

"And now, finally, we're here to celebrate that you belong to us in name, as well as in heart."

Carrie thought Kate looked right at her then, although she knew it must have been the family surrounding her that had the matriarch's attention.

"The history of our families is rife with tales of women and men who have defied the odds, and convention, and have dared to love. This town was created as a sanctuary where that love could be indulged and nurtured. Our forebears, in their wisdom, and yes, in their love, saw to it that we not only had a place to call home, a place where we could live freely as our hearts demanded. They also provided a solid moral, legal, and financial foundation for their children, and their children's children. This legacy remains strong even to this day. And it is in the tradition of those first Kendalls, Jessops, and Benedicts that we are gathered here, for this very special occasion.

"Today, we celebrate the marriage of Ginny Rose to Adam and Jake Kendall."

"Me, too, Grandma Kate!"

Everyone laughed, but that laughter didn't faze Benny Rose one bit. He wore a huge smile, and positively preened under the attention of the adults surrounding him.

Kate Benedict smiled. "Oh yes, my darling, and you, too." Then she looked to the celebrants. "Mom and Dads, are you ready to give and receive your vows?"

"We are." The three of them answered as one.

To Carrie their tone sounded reverent. She marveled that just that simply, the three adults who stood there stepped forward, and seemed as one. The men each held one of Ginny's hands. Benny stood in front of his mother, close enough to lean on her, but clearly included.

Adam brought Ginny's hand to his lips and kissed it. "My darling Ginny, I was a man who always saw things only in black and white. I was rigid in my thinking, and although I always did my duty, in truth, there was very little joy in my life. And then I met you. You brought the color, and the joy - so much more joy than I could ever have truly hoped for, or I can ever truly deserve. I love you, my sweet Ginny, and I will until the day I die. I'm going to spend the rest of my life loving you and taking care of you. And I promise to turn to you when I need someone to lean on, too." Then he looked down at the young boy gazing up at him. It seemed he so naturally squatted, put himself on eye level with the child. "Benjamin Joseph Rose, I love you with all my heart. I promise to be a good father to you. You'll always be able to count on me to be there for you."

Adam straightened and then met Jake's gaze. "Jake, as kids we were inseparable. You're my closest brother, my best friend, and it pleases me more than I can say that you're my partner in caring for our wife and our son, and however many more children we add to our family. We've been best friends all our lives, and there's not another man I could count on more, and not another I'd want at my side."

Carrie was certain everyone standing as close as she was could see the emotion on their faces. Even Benny seemed to understand the solemnity of the moment, for his gaze rested on Adam. When Jake began to speak, the little guy gave him his full attention.

Jake raised Ginny's other hand to his lips and kissed it. "Ginny, I never truly believed I would ever find you. And, finding you, I didn't know if I could win your heart. You, and Benny, are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don't