After church on Sunday, Chloe had planned on spending the afternoon doing laundry and relaxing. The last few weeks had been emotionally draining, and well, she needed some rest - a chance to recharge her batteries for the upcoming months.

She had also been spending a lot of time with her father. Needing to soak up as much of him as possible before he left her.

After lunch, her father said, "Let's take a stroll. I'd like to walk in the town square and then we can head home."

"Sounds nice," she said.

Placing her hand in the crook of his elbow, they walked along the tree-lined avenue.

"Sometimes parents get so wrapped up in their children, they forget to stop and think whether this is good for the child or not. Here, you are, a grown woman and I've been trying to find you a husband. You were right. It's none of my business. I'll do better at staying out of your affairs."

With a glance at her father, she smiled. "Agreed. But you also knew you were sick and you wanted to see me walk down the aisle. Unfortunately, I don't think that's going to happen."

"Oh, I'm still sending up prayers. I ask very little from God, so I think he could give this old man this last request. We'll just have to be patient and wait and see."

Chloe laughed. "Ever the optimist, Dad. Why aren't you praying for your recovery?"

"Maybe because I know my time is at hand and I'm okay with that."

A sigh escaped from Chloe. He thought it was his time, but she wasn't ready to let him go. So far, she had yet to find the time or the right words to say to Drew. The inspiration had not come to her.

The clatter of hooves sounded on the pavement and they both glanced up to see a beautiful white carriage - one that looked to belong in a Cinderella movie - coming toward them.

"Will you look at that," her father said.

A man in a black tuxedo handled the horses and another man sat in the back.

"Someone must be getting married today and this is their transportation to the wedding."

Her father laughed. "Maybe."

Suddenly the carriage halted right in front of them. Chloe's mouth fell open as she recognized Drew in the back wearing a white tuxedo. Funny, she'd seen him at church probably only an hour before. At that time, it seemed he avoided her and now here he was all dressed in white, top hat, tails, the complete outfit.

Oh my! A tremor of nerves went through her.

He stepped out of the vehicle and it was then she realized Jim, his brother, controlled the reins. She glanced up and down the street and saw his sister Kelsey, Shadow, and Tempe standing on the steps of the boutique watching. People from the congregation lined the sidewalks and she clasped her hand over her heart.

She turned to her father who stood by her side.

Drew moved to her father, a serious expression on his face. "Mr. Kilian, I know we spoke earlier, but I would like for you to tell Chloe, that I came to you and asked for her hand in marriage. That you did not ask me to marry her, but I willingly came and told you I loved your daughter and would be honored if you would accept me into your family as her husband."

"Yes, son, you did. After we prayed, I gave you my blessing."

Shock shimmered through her as tears welled up in her eyes and her father slid into the background, leaving just the two of them.

Drew turned to Chloe. "We've had an unusual courtship. You've taught me a lot about myself. Because of you, I'm a changed man, a better man. Sometimes I'm a bit slow, but I love you, Chloe. I've loved you for weeks, months, in fact. I've been waiting for you to come into my life for years and then I almost screwed it up. There will never be anyone but you."

His hand got stuck in his pocket and finally he pulled out the box and knelt on one knee. "Will you marry me and make me the luckiest man in the world?"

Chloe couldn't believe her eyes. There in front of her was the man no one believed could be caught. There was her man, her love. "I just want to tell you, I've always known you were a great man. I love you, Drew. Yes, I'll marry you and love you for the rest of my days on earth."

Standing, he hauled her into his arms, while the crowd around them and lining the streets cheered. "I'm sorry, Drew, for not believing in you and for not giving you the time you needed. Everything came down on me at once and my time with my father was slipping away."

"Shhh...this is our happy moment. Our time to celebrate. Besides, after reading that diary you left me, you are correct. I'm my father's procrastinating son."

"And I'm my father's daughter. Love me till the end of time."

His lips came down on hers and he sealed their promise with a kiss.

* * *

Drew couldn't believe how quickly everyone had come together for this wedding. His sister and sisters-in-law had each taken on part of the tasks and three weeks after he proposed to Chloe, they were getting married. Her father was getting his wish, Chloe was having her church wedding and Drew was marrying the woman of his dreams.

After his initial bout of nerves, he felt more confident than ever. No doubts remained about Chloe or their love.

The music started and he turned to his father-in-law who he'd grown to love.

"I'm putting my little girl in your care from this day forward. Treat her right."

"Yes, sir. I'll look after her."

"Mainly love her," her father said with a tear in his eye.

"Always," Drew promised.

"Come on, son, the bride is waiting."

Drew walked out the door and stood watching while her father went to the bride’s room. A sense of peace overcame him as the scent of his mother's perfume filled the room. He realized her spirit looked down from heaven and probably even his father. Everyone they loved was here, including Chloe's mother. He didn't know how, but he knew and sensed their presence.

Chloe had insisted this be a family event and his sister and his brothers were all in the wedding party. Standing at the altar, he watched his brothers escort their wives down the aisle and Cody his sister. The day couldn't be any more special with his siblings standing up beside them as they took their vows.

The music grew louder and Chloe and her father started walking toward him. At the sight of his beautiful bride in her satin wedding dress and lacy veil, he feared his heart would explode from the love he had for this woman.

If someone told him he'd soon be happily wedded after dancing naked around a Cupid statue, he would have laughed out loud at them. Now, he felt grateful to Cody and Kelsey for being the reason he was forced to do the Cupid Stupid dance.

And that group of church ladies who wanted to take the Cupid statue down would have a fight on their hands. Too many people, including his parents, had found love because of that piece of rock.

But the whole town thought no one would capture Drew's heart. No one but Chloe. Only the preacher's daughter had faith and tamed the bad boy. Tonight, for the first time, he would make her his and he could hardly wait to show her how much he loved her.

Kissing her on the cheek, her father placed her hand in his and she smiled, her eyes brimming with love. Their first night together, he hoped and prayed they made a child, so her father would hopefully live long enough to see his grandchild. More than anything, he looked forward to sharing his love with her and claiming his bride.

Her father cleared his throat. "Bow your heads and pray for God's blessing on this couple."

And now their life together began.