Conflicted (Everlasting Love)(42)

“Don’t,” Dakota said. “You were always there when we needed you. Maybe you missed some of the small stuff, but the important stuff, you were always there for that.”

He crouched in front of Desiree, took both of her hands in his. “Don’t give up,” he said fiercely. “Whatever Dad said, whatever he did, he didn’t mean it. He loves you.”

She shook her head. “I’m not saying this because of your father. I’m saying this because of me. I look at you three and realize that I’ve done you a disservice through the years. I’ve been so caught up in remaining loyal to my father’s vision of the ranch that I forgot the loyalty that I owed the three of you.”

“That’s not true, Mom.”

She pinned her daughter with a calm, steady stare. “Yes, it is. And I’m sorry for it. I promise, from now on, you’ll see some changes around here. Changes for the positive.”

“What about Dad?” Rio asked.

It took Desiree a moment to let the pain pass before she could answer. “I don’t know.” She shrugged, wrapped her arms around her waist as if to protect herself from a sudden chill. “But whatever happens between your father and me, I want you to know that I mean every word I’ve said here today. I never meant to hurt you. I can’t fix the past, but I can fix the future if you’ll let me.”

“It’s already fixed, Mom. Already forgotten.” Dakota’s voice was almost as hoarse as his mother’s.

“You’re so much more than I deserve.” Desiree sniffed, straightened her shoulders. “Please know that I’ve always loved you and that you’ve always been first in my heart. What I’ve done, I’ve done to protect your legacy, our legacy. I just went about it in the wrong way.”

She stared at her children for a moment, grateful for their presence. “Well, I think that’s more than enough soul-searching for one afternoon.” She glanced at the gold watch she wore, the one Jesse had given her for their fifteenth wedding anniversary, and gasped.

“My God, the wedding’s supposed to start in less than forty minutes.” She pushed her sons toward the door. “Go get dressed and head downstairs—ASAP. I’m sure things are heating up quickly.”

Without giving them a chance to say another word, she ushered them out of the room, shutting the door behind them. Turning to her daughter, she commented, “Well, let’s get this show on the road.”

Willow was already at her closet, unzipping the bag that held her wedding dress. “Already ahead of you. I think I can get everything on, but I’ll need you to zip me up.”

“And chance messing up that work of art on your head? Felipe would have my head.”

Willow giggled. “No kidding.”

“Can we come in?” called a voice from the doorway.

“Of course.” Desiree turned to see all four of her daughter’s bridesmaids at the door, resplendent in their strapless gowns of poinsettia-red silk.

“It’s about time you guys got here,” commented Willow. “What do I do first?”

“Jump out the window and run for the hills,” came her maid of honor’s sardonic reply.

“Ha-ha, very funny.” Willow rolled her eyes at her best friend.

Anna shrugged. “I told you I was the wrong person for this job. I still can’t fathom why you’d want to tie yourself down to the same man for the rest of your life.”

“Because I get to wear this fabulous dress,” Willow answered, completely deadpan. “Is that not reason enough?”

“You tell her, girl,” cheered Sam, Willow’s roommate from her freshman year in college.

“Stockings first,” commented Tori. “Then we’ll worry about the rest.”

The next twenty minutes passed in a blur as Willow dressed to her friends’ specifications. When everything was properly arranged—from the veil to the pale-blue garter—she breathed a huge sigh of relief. “I think I’m good to go.”

“Not quite.” Desiree reached into the bag she’d brought with her, pulled out the pearl necklace both she and her mother had worn at their own weddings. Motioning for Willow to turn around, she fastened it, dropping a quick kiss on Willow’s neck when she was finished.

“And one more thing.” She pulled out a small, red jeweler’s box. “I saw these a couple of weeks ago and thought they’d be perfect with your dress.”

Willow took the box. “What—”

“Open it.”

Willow flipped the lid and gasped, as did each of the other girls in the room. “Mom, they’re gorgeous. Absolutely fabulous.” With trembling hands, she unfastened one of the earrings, holding the cascade of diamonds and pearls up to her ear. “What do you think?”

“I think they were made for you.” Desiree blinked back the tears blooming in her eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. She hated being weak and out of control, but so much had happened in the past twelve hours that her coping mechanisms didn’t have a prayer of keeping up.

“Thanks, Mom.” Desiree found herself crushed against her daughter.

She clung for a moment, savoring the feel of her baby in her arms. “I love you,” she whispered, smoothing a hand over Willow’s veiled hair.