Chapter Fifteen
“You’re sure about this, then?” Liam asked three weeks later, standing behind Noah and looking over his shoulder at his reflection in the mirror.
“No. I don’t know which tie to wear,” Noah admitted. He usually wasn’t so indecisive, but he was acutely aware that this day would set the tone for the rest of his life. “Let me see the skinny one again.”
Liam passed him a tie he had tried on five times already. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I know. Go on, let it out,” Noah told his brother. “I can tell there’s something on your mind.”
Liam sighed. “You know what I think of the Coopers. I know you don’t want to hear any of that right now, and that’s fine. If you think being with Olivia is the right decision, then I trust you. But you remember your promise?”
Noah finished putting on the tie and adjusted it slightly. It would do. “Which promise?”
“You said that no matter what happened between you and Olivia, you were going to stay on our side when it comes to the Founder’s Prize. Just because you live on their ranch now doesn’t mean you get to back their claim to it.”
Noah nodded. “I don’t think that will be a problem. I’m not touching that school upgrade, whether to help or hinder. And I was fixing the library for Olivia in the first place. If we happen to win the stupid prize in the process, that’s fine by me.” They’d been hard at work at it every spare moment. He’d arranged a work party and repaired the roof last week. Next they’d paint the exterior. Then they’d move inside and do more renovations.
Liam nodded. “Good enough.”
“One more thing.” Noah turned from the mirror to face his brother head on. “I’m not switching sides, but I’m not taking part in any funny business, either. Don’t expect me to try and sabotage them from within or anything like that.”
Again Liam nodded, this time reluctantly. “You always were the upright one. Dad would be proud, you know? Not saying I always condone the way you handle things, but I sure as hell respect it.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Going to miss having you around the ranch.”
“You’ll see me every day,” Noah assured him. “I’ll live at Thorn Hill, but I’m going to work both ranches, as much as I can. And hey, maybe we’ll have you all over for Thanksgiving.”
Liam snorted. “Fat chance of that.”
“You won’t still be living on that fallow spread come Thanksgiving.” Jed appeared in the doorway, arms crossed. “I wouldn’t trust that new wife of yours to live on the Flying W, but the both of you can move onto the Ridley property after we win it in October. If you raise your children on Turner land, maybe they’ll at least turn out all right.”
Noah put on a pensive expression. “You know, by the time Olivia and I are having kids, we probably won’t be raising them ourselves. We’ll have robots to do that.”
Liam guffawed, but Jed smacked Noah on the head with the flat of his hand. “Don’t even joke about that.” He paused. “Noah?”
“Yeah?”
“You look good, son.”
A short time later they all piled into Liam’s truck. While Liam drove them to the church, Noah thought about what his life was going to look like after today. He knew Jed thought he was abandoning his family, but Noah didn’t see it that way. He was moving in with the love of his life and helping out on his neighbors’ ranch while he was at it. After all, Olivia was his family now, too.
It would take some time to get used to waking up on the other side of Pittance Creek every day, but he was excited to see what challenges and surprises Thorn Hill held for him.
He glanced at the bag that rested under his feet and smiled to himself. He had a surprise of his own for the residents of Thorn Hill. It would be a surprise to his family, too, but they’d get over it.
As soon as Liam pulled into a parking space in front of the chapel, Noah got out and headed for the knot of Coopers gathered around Lance’s truck on the other side of the lot. Olivia hadn’t put on her dress yet, so he thought he was in the clear to talk to her.
“I know it’s a little early to open gifts,” Noah said after greeting Olivia with a kiss. “But I don’t want to make a scene later. Can we talk in private a minute?”
“Of course.” She led him into the church, into a small room set aside for bridal party members to use. “What’s up?”
“I wanted you to have this.” He handed over the bag.
Olivia looked at the bag curiously, then opened it and pulled out the antique grandmother clock she’d tried to steal so many times. “Noah!” she gasped. “Are—are you sure?”
“Of course. Like you said, it belongs at Thorn Hill.”
Olivia held the clock with a reverence she’d never shown while trying to pilfer it. “I’ve never noticed how loudly it ticks before.”
Noah chuckled. “It hadn’t been set in years. I started it again before I came here.” It hadn’t been easy to get it to work, either, but he’d done it in the end. While he’d tinkered with it, he’d thought about how much of his life he’d spent wishing time could run backward. Ever since his father passed away, he’d ached to return to that happy, stable existence.
Now he’d started to look forward to the future. With Olivia, he knew that no two moments would ever be the same. Each day would bring new challenges, new twists and turns as Olivia led him on spontaneous adventures.
He wouldn’t have it any other way.
Even after Noah excused himself and returned to his family, Olivia cradled the clock in her hands, tracing its fine-grained surface with her fingers. When a shadow darkened the door again, she looked up to see Steel.
“He’s a good man,” he said.
“I know,” Olivia said. “Is that your way of saying I have your blessing?”
“As long as you’re sure you know what you’re doing.” He held up a hand when she started to respond. “I take that back. You know what you’re doing. You wouldn’t do it if you didn’t.”
Olivia shook her head. “I think you’re giving me a lot more credit than I deserve. I rarely know what I’m doing. But in this case, yes. I’ve never been more sure about anything.”
Steel nodded, then looked away. “I supposed you won’t need me anymore now that you’ve got Noah around. Wish I could have done a better job protecting you.”
“You did fine. Besides, I can take—”
“Care of yourself,” he finished for her. “I know. Doesn’t stop me from wanting you to have the life you deserve.”
“I think that’s happening.”
“You’re happy, huh?”
“I am.” The realization swelled inside her. She was. She had Noah, her family, her ranch, her community. What more could she want?
Olivia shifted the clock to the crook of one arm so she could poke him in the ribs with the other. “Now you’ll need to find a new damsel to look out for.”
“Bit of a stretch to call you a damsel,” Steel said, but he seemed suddenly distracted. Olivia followed his gaze to see Noah and his family entering the chapel.
“I’d better get changed,” Olivia said.
“What’s the holdup?” Virginia groused as she joined them. “This heat is ungodly. Let’s get on with it already. No wonder your mother decided not to come. Anyone would be a fool to sit in a church that isn’t air-conditioned in conditions like this.”
Olivia’s heart gave a pang. She’d understood why Enid was staying away—sort of. Her mother hated Chance Creek and never wanted to come back. Olivia had thought she’d make an exception this once, but instead her mother had asked her to bring Noah for a visit later in the summer. Aunt Joan had come. It was good to see her again, but it wasn’t the same.
“And here I thought you wanted to put off my wedding to Noah as long as possible,” she answered Virginia lightly. She wasn’t going to let any member of her family ruin her day. Noah’s mom wouldn’t be here, either. She’d had lots to say about him marrying a Cooper, none of it good, and Noah had told her to stay away.
“Nonsense,” Virginia returned. “You think I would have allowed all this if it wasn’t part of my plans?”
“Allowed?” Olivia scoffed.
“Think of it. We’ve got plenty of grunt work for Noah to take on. That means the Turners are down a pair of hands. Good luck keeping their ranch running and still stealing the Founder’s Prize from us. At least one good thing will come of this hellish drought, if it keeps the Turners out of our hair.”
Olivia started to point out again she’d be a Turner soon but elected to keep her mouth shut. Let Virginia justify it however she wanted. As long as they were all on the same page.
“And what have you got there?” Virginia asked. Before Olivia could stop her, she snatched the clock. “Did you really give this back to Turners just so you could steal it again yourself?”
“I didn’t steal it,” Olivia said. “Noah gave it to me.”
Virginia pursed her lips. “Hmm. Very well. It’s a little tardy of him to try and bribe me for permission to marry you an hour before the wedding. Lucky for the both of you, I was raised to be gracious. You have my blessing.”
Olivia opened her mouth, then shut it again. No sense arguing. At the end of the day, the clock, and Noah, would find a new home at Thorn Hill.
Where they belonged.
She turned when Caroline tapped on the door and came in. “Let’s get you ready. Everyone else out.” She made shooing motions at Virginia and Steel.
“Come on, Virginia.” Steel led Virginia away. Caroline closed the door behind them and quickly helped Olivia into her gown. Olivia had visited a salon in town to have her hair, makeup and nails done. Once the gown was on, all she needed was her veil.
“Have I said how glad I am that you’re here?” she asked as Caroline secured it for her.
“Several times.” Caroline laughed. “I’m glad, too. Thank you for everything.”
Now that Devon was being held without bail, Caroline had felt comfortable coming home. She had hired a lawyer who was helping her to untangle Devon from all her financial doings, but that would take some months.
“I would do it all over again, you know that, right? You’ve been such a good friend when I really needed one,” Olivia told her.
“Right back at you.” Carline gave her a quick hug. “Now come on. Let’s line up. But first I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?”
Caroline moved to the door, opened it a crack, stuck her head out and then flung it wide. “Ta-da!” She made a flourish with her hands.
Olivia shrieked when a pixie-faced brunette came through the door. “Tory! You made it!”
“How could I stay away when my little sister’s getting married—to a Turner, no less.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Mad?” Tory looked like she’d deny it, but then she laughed. “I don’t know what to be if I’m honest.”
“But you came anyway.”
“I did. You’re my sister, after all.”
Music swelled in the church as Tory reached out to hug her. “That’s your cue. Good luck, and I’ll see you afterward.” She slipped back out the door, and Ella, Olivia’s second bridesmaid, came in.
“Everyone ready?”
Olivia, head spinning, turned to look in the mirror and smooth the full skirts of her gown. This was it. She was marrying Noah. Tory was here. She wasn’t sure how her heart wasn’t bursting from her chest. She was so full of happiness she could hardly breathe.
“Come on,” Caroline said. “Let’s go. Olivia? You okay?”
Olivia nodded, overcome with emotion. “I think so.”
“Hold my hand. I’ll make sure you get to the altar.”
Olivia laughed. She squeezed Caroline’s hand. “Thanks, but I’ve got this.” She waved Caroline and Ella ahead of her and followed them out the door to the head of the long aisle that led to the altar where Noah stood. She already felt steadier, and with Noah’s gaze on her, and with Caroline and Ella leading the way, she straightened her spine and began the journey toward him.
Noah stood at the altar next to Liam and Eli, his cousin and the one man in the world he always could count on, and waited for the wedding to start. His relatives sat on one side of the aisle, including Eli’s siblings, who had arrived with him the previous day to attend the ceremony. Brandon and Christie sat with them. Deputy Mahoney was there, too. On the other side, as far away as possible, was Virginia, Lance and Steel. Marta from the library sat with them, and the rest of the pews were filled with people from town. Noah had worried that resentment at the tensions the two families had caused might prevent some people from coming, so he was happy to see the benches filled with well-wishers. Their union hadn’t brought Jed and Virginia any closer together, but he’d noticed a bit of a thaw between his siblings and Olivia’s, and he hoped any children he and Olivia had someday might help heal the rift between the Coopers and Turners further.
“Hey,” Liam whispered, leaning close. “Isn’t that Tory Cooper?” He jutted his chin at a cute brunette sitting near Virginia.
“I think you’re right.”
“Huh.” Liam looked intrigued.
Noah forgot about Tory—and Liam—the moment the wedding march started. First Caroline and Ella stepped slowly through the door and made their way toward the altar. When Olivia emerged, Noah’s breath caught. Dressed in a beautiful gown with a square neckline and beaded bodice, she looked like a queen, and Noah hoped like hell he was worthy of her. He found it hard to look away from her during the rest of the ceremony. Dimly, he was aware of himself reciting his vows, but his focus was on the beautiful, wonderful woman by his side. When, at Reverend Halpern’s bidding, he cradled Olivia’s face in his hands and kissed her, something shifted in his chest as if the armor encasing his heart had broken apart.
For the first time in years, Noah felt free. This was everything he’d always wanted—
And they didn’t have to hide anymore.
Olivia never wanted to let go of Noah’s hand again. While they waited for dinner to be served, their relatives came up to congratulate them, each greeting more awkward than the last. Underneath the table, she and Noah kept squeezing each other’s hands. They were both hard-pressed not to laugh. Olivia didn’t mind. She was positive she and Noah would see this through, no matter how bumpy the ride got. The rest of the Turners and Coopers would have to adapt.
Still, Olivia tensed when Jed rose from his seat and signaled he wanted to give a toast. Up until now, the wedding had progressed much more smoothly than she’d dared to expect, but looking around the room, she noticed she wasn’t the only one cringing in anticipation of what Jed would say.
“We’ve all come here today to show our support despite wondering what these two young folks could be thinking. That’s what people do for the ones they love,” he began. Not too bad so far, Olivia thought with a private smile. “I want to do my part, so I’m offering this gift.”
Instead of turning toward the bridal table where she sat with Noah, he headed for Virginia.
Uh-oh.
She shot a warning look at Noah. They needed to stop this right now. Noah half stood.
“Here you go.” Jed put something into Virginia’s hands—her umbrella, Olivia realized.
“How did you get that?” Olivia called out. She’d given the pieces back to Virginia the day she brought the clock back to the Flying W. Virginia had tossed them down on the kitchen table in anger. Olivia hadn’t seen them since.
“You’re not the only one who knows how to sneak into an unlocked house,” Jed said with satisfaction.
“Thief!” Virginia squawked at him. “What did you do to it?”
“I had it repaired.”
Virginia took it from him and held it at arm’s length, eyeing it suspiciously. “Why would you do that?”
“Think of it as your consolation prize, now that my family has the Founder’s Prize sewn up.” He turned half-away from her and projected his voice, ensuring the whole room would hear him. “After my rafting business single-handedly saved the library for many future generations to enjoy, it seemed only fair to leave you Coopers with something.”
Virginia stood up faster than Olivia would have thought her old joints could manage and brought Jed’s gift down on his head. Tory lunged to grab it before Virginia could hit him again. Liam rushed from the Turner table, took his uncle by the arm and led him away. “Come on, Jed,” he said loudly. “Let’s go get some ice cream.”
Virginia examined the umbrella again. “Strong,” she said approvingly.
“You’re welcome,” Jed called back, following Liam willingly.
Noah sat down again. “Ice cream is Jed’s kryptonite,” he explained under his breath. Olivia filed that away for future use as he lifted her hand and kissed it. “Sorry for my ornery relatives.”
“Sorry for mine. But there’s not a thing Jed or Virginia, or anyone else, could do that would ruin this day for me,” she assured him. “As long as I have you, that’s all I need.”
“Well, you have me, Olivia. For good.” He raised his glass of champagne and toasted her. “To the future.”
“To the future.”
It was late in the evening when Lance approached Maya. “Want to dance?” he asked off-handedly. “Song’s pretty good.”
“Oh, what the hell,” Maya said. “It is a wedding after all.”
To find out more, look for , Volume 3 in the Turners v. Coopers series.
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