Wild Cowboy Ways (Lucky Penny Ranch #1)(94)

“I thought he was going to preach first,” Blake said.

“So did I.” Allie nodded.

The preacher’s wife hit a few keys on the piano and Lizzy stood up in her cute little off-white lace dress. She pulled a small bouquet of tiny little white flowers mixed with half a dozen red roses from a small cooler at her feet. The white ones reminded her of that tiny little snow flower that Blake had brought her that day and the roses—they reminded her of the roses that grew on the barbed wire fence between the Lucky Penny and Audrey’s Place in the summertime.

Folks looked around to see where Mitch was and from the expressions on their faces, Allie could tell that they thought Lizzy was the bride. But then Lizzy laid the bouquet on the altar and took her place on the stage.

Blake and Toby rose to their feet at the same time. Some folks might say they walked up the aisle, but from where Allie sat, there was no doubt that was a Texas cowboy strut or swagger. It definitely covered much more than a walk. She waited until they made it to the front to start down the aisle.

Blake caught her eye and everything else disappeared. She didn’t hear the whispers about her tight red dress or the gasps, or even thumbs working frantically as some of them typed in text messages. All she saw was the man she loved, the wild cowboy she’d been waiting on her whole life. She picked up the bouquet and joined him on the stage.

“You are beyond beautiful today. Words could never describe what a stunning bride you are,” he whispered.

“I love you,” she said loud enough for everyone in the church to hear.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite Alora Raine Logan and Blake Alan Dawson in holy matrimony…” the preacher said.

“I just realized what your initials are,” Allie whispered. “I really did fall for a bad boy.”

“And I fell for an angel.” He grinned.

She handed Lizzy her flowers and held both of Blake’s hands in hers. Six weeks ago she hadn’t even known this man and now she was standing right there before God and her friends and family saying that she would love, honor, and cherish him until death parted them. Not one doubt filled her heart when she said a loud, “I do!”

The ceremony ended with a prayer and the preacher said, “You may now kiss your bride, Blake.”

She wasn’t expecting him to bend her backward in a true Hollywood kiss and then sweep her feet off the floor and swing her around the stage twice before he set her down and kissed her again.

But he did and the whole congregation applauded.

“I am the happiest man right now on this whole planet,” he said.

“And now the bride and groom and these two young people who have stood with them to witness their marriage vows are going on to the fellowship hall. Give them five minutes to catch their breath and we’ll join them,” the preacher said.

Lizzy handed Allie the bouquet.

Allie turned around to loop her arm in Blake’s but he shook his head. “Not that way darlin’. We are doing this our way.”

He scooped her up in his arms and carried her out of the sanctuary and down the short hall to the place where the potluck was set up.

“Would you look at this?” He grinned.

Allie was stunned. Red roses decorated tables covered with white cloths. A gorgeous three-tiered cake decorated with roses and snow flowers sat on a round table with a lovely silver punch bowl.

“Mama, Nadine, Mary Jo, and Sharlene got together yesterday and did all this,” Lizzy said.

“It’s gorgeous,” Allie said.

“I guess I’d best tell you that the church was packed this morning because my family brought campers and RVs and they set up last night on the Lucky Penny,” Blake said. “Surprise! You get to meet them all in about two minutes.”

Allie was sure she’d faint dead away right then, but she stiffened her legs and made her knees stop knocking together. “Bring ’em on. I tamed the wildest cowboy in Texas. I’m not afraid of anything.”

“That’s my girl,” Blake said.



An hour later when everyone had gone through the buffet line, some more than once, and it was almost time to cut the cake, Allie looked around for Lizzy and couldn’t find her. There hadn’t been a formal table for the wedding party so she figured Lizzy had opted to sit elsewhere, but something wasn’t right. Allie could feel it deep in her bones.

“I’m going to make a trip to the ladies’ room, darlin’. I’ll be back soon and then we’ll cut the cake so folks can have a piece of it,” she whispered.

“Don’t take that test without me standing right beside you,” he said.

She kissed him on the cheek. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

She found Lizzy curled up around a toilet in the handicapped stall in the bathroom. Her eyes were swollen and she’d cried so hard that she had the hiccups. She threw her arms around Allie’s knees and sobbed.

“What happened? Did Mitch die?”

“No, worse,” Lizzy said. “But I didn’t want to ruin your wedding day.”

Allie sat down on the floor and held her sister tightly. “How much worse?”

“He’s not going to marry me, Allie. The preacher’s daughter went with them on the mission and he says he’s found his soul mate. That after praying…” Lizzy gagged but nothing came up, “about it, both of them praying about it, that they realize God meant them to be together and for them to preach at the little church in Mexico so they aren’t coming back to Texas. They’re going to be missionaries.”