The guests began arriving early because this was going to be the wedding of the season in Honeywell, Texas. Their hometown hero, their war veteran, was marrying a beautiful woman with a sad past and adopting her little girl. It was the stuff Hollywood romances were made of.

Emily glanced at the slim golden watch on her wrist. They had an hour before they were supposed to get dressed, but people had already started parking in the far field, as the invitations had instructed.

Emily shook her head as she looked around her mama's back garden. It had been transformed.

Before, the flowers had been a little wild. For the past two months, they'd been pruned and nurtured with fertilizers. The fall roses were blooming more riotously than they ever had before. The gaps in the beds had been filled with new flowers. Round headed hydrangeas in pale blue and green waved in the breeze and Emily knew they would look beautiful with the bridesmaid's dresses. Early mums had been placed here and there for pops of color.

The wedding party would be walking out of the house, out around the hot tub gazebo and the wedding guests, then back in toward the house. A curtain shrouded walkway had been built so that wedding guests wouldn't see the bride until she was walking toward the front with Daddy. The house had also been shrouded behind a long, tall curtain. All of the blowing white fabric created an ethereal wonderland. Strings of glass jewels hung from the rods as well, glinting in the sun.

The guests’ chairs had been tied with a burlap sash and knotted with a sprig of baby's breath at the back. Chad and Lora would be standing up on the fabric covered patio, about a foot above the guests. Some of the hands had built a rounded arch where Chad and Lora would stand, and it had been woven with burlap and hanging white flowers. Emily couldn't even identify what they were, but they were beautiful.

Everything she looked at had been transformed and she was so impressed.

"What do you think, sweetheart?"

Emily blinked at her father. "Oh, Daddy. I can't tell you how much I love it. It doesn't even look like Mama's garden anymore. You did so good."

Her father grinned, looking like the cat that had eaten the canary. "I have to admit I had a lot of fun doing it, putting it all together. And Lora was pretty easy. She had no idea what she wanted, so once she found her dress I just built everything around it."

Emily looked at her father askance. He didn't even sound like the same man she'd known two months ago.

Garrett noticed her look and grinned, shrugging lightly. "What can I say?"

"And you're not wearing your brace!" Emily cried.

"Yeah, I told the doc I needed to walk my daughter down the aisle and the brace wasn't working with the tux."

Emily laughed, loving this fun, relaxed version of her father. Before he'd turned the ranch over to Brock he'd been grumpier and definitely busier. She hadn't seen him looking this excited and refreshed in years.

"Lora seems pretty calm, considering."

Her father nodded. "I know she and Chad had a nice morning with Mercy. They don't believe in all that nonsense about not seeing each other the morning of the wedding."

Emily nodded. "I saw her a few minutes ago. She sent me out to check on the garden and see if people had begun arriving. And they have."

She waved a hand at the field.

"Yes, I saw. Hope they realize they'll be sitting in the sun if they leave their vehicles now."

Actually, the sky was a little cloudy today and cooler, only in the eighties. Perfect for an outside celebration.

"I talked to Jackson earlier," her father said.

Emily immediately flushed with heat and she glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes. "And?"

Rather than say anything he reached for her left hand. The solitaire glinted in the sunlight, recently resized and etched inside with the date of their engagement. "This is beautiful. Much prettier than the last one. I'm very glad to see it."

Emily grinned. "You wouldn't have approved of the last guy. I knew that but I think I was looking for a way to derail fate."

He squeezed her fingers. "Didn't work, did it?"

She shook her head, careful not to dislodge the pretty updo the hairstylist had just created. "Jackson was always the man for me. We just needed to create a situation that worked for us. I love all you guys, but I couldn't imagine living my life here. I needed more challenge."

"I know, honey. Your mama and I always knew that."

That eased her heart a bit. She didn't want anyone to be hurt by her decisions.

"I could never imagine seeing you with anyone other than Jackson. That man loves you more than life itself."

Her eyes filled with tears but she forced them back, determined to keep her makeup intact. "I know."

The past month had been exhilarating. Emily had taken a few days off from work to get used to their new relationship dynamic. Actually, they'd been making love like rabbits and it had been nice to lose track of time for several days. They'd played like lovers, relearning what the other loved and didn't. Within a couple of days, Jackson was living with her and Emily couldn't be happier. Jackson brought along some mess and clutter, but he also brought incredible caring and hours of orgasms. She would put up with clutter for that. Oh hell, yes.

Within a week he had hired a contractor to start on the new property, a man that Holt recommended for being honest and a true craftsman. They worked with an architect to draft up plans and Emily was flattered to be asked for her approval on the final designs. "You're going to be living there with me," Jackson had told her simply. "I want it to be as perfect for you as possible."

He was the most thoughtful man she'd ever known.

It was proven all over again when they'd taken a day to move Gary into the apartment above the garage.

The old man was a hoot and loved talking to Jackson about the horses on the property. Emily was charmed when she first met him. He’d whipped off his hat, exposing his mostly bald head to her in a courtly bow. It was so unexpected but so sweet that she'd immediately fallen in love.

The Saturday after Jackson had moved in with her they'd gone out to help Gary pack up the rest of his stuff from the house. Holt and his daughter Holly had joined them, as had Kendra, and it had turned into a pretty fun work party. Gary had decades' worth of accumulated stuff, most of which he pitched or donated. The one thing that hadn't been in disarray had been the breeding and stock records. Those had been kept in pristine ledgers, written in by a careful scrawling male hand.

"These are incredible," Emily breathed. Pictures had been taken at birth, one year and four years for most of the animals and there were running timelines for each animal. Gary had been doing this such a long time though that there was one book that was marked almost completely deceased. Gary rubbed his hand over that cover carefully and Jackson made sure to slip the book into the stuff they were moving upstairs.

"If I need to know something Gary will let me know," he'd told her softly when she'd caught him.

The entire day was devoted to Gary, and the old man loved the attention. Since most of his own family had passed on, Emily knew Gary would be a welcome part of their lives for as long as he wanted to be.

Kendra loved the old man as well, teasing him about being her new boyfriend. Emily forgot what she'd said but at one point Kendra had had the old man blushing, and everyone else laughing. It had been a wonderful day, and she was looking forward to having Gary to dinner quite a bit.

For a while Emily had worried about the drive from the city, but the more she was on the new property the more she loved it. Jackson showed her one room that faced the east and the city skyline. "We can either make this an office or our bedroom, whichever you prefer. Then you'll always be able to see your skyline."

She'd shaken her head, amazed all over again at the lengths he was willing to go for her. It reminded her very much of the love between her mother and father.

Daddy was looking out at what he had done and Emily leaned into him. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, baby. Let's get this wedding on the road."

She grinned and nodded, and they headed back into the house.

---

Chad ran a finger into the collar of his shirt and Jackson laughed. "It doesn't stretch, boy. Quit fussing."

Chad sighed and looked around the room. "I know it doesn't. How much longer do we have?"

"One minute less than I told you a minute ago," Brock laughed, smacking his younger brother on the back. "Why are you so nervous? You've been together a couple years now. This is just a formality."

Chad blinked. "I know, but what if she changes her mind? It's not crazy to have cold feet. I've heard of brides and grooms being left at the altar."

Brock shook his head and shared a look with Jackson. Jackson shrugged, not sure how to ease his fears. He was sure that whenever he and Emily set a date he would probably be in the same state.

"I have men at the ranch entrance directing traffic,” John told Chad. "I'll radio them to let them know not to let anyone leave."

Palmer kept a completely straight face, but Jackson could see the humor dancing in his dark eyes.

"Okay. That's a really good idea, Gunny."

Jackson blinked, staring at Chad. The response had been completely straight-faced, and Jackson barked out a laugh. Chad apparently didn't realize how crazy he sounded, because he continued to fuss with the fittings of the shirt. Now he was adjusting the cuff over his damaged left hand. "Should I wear a glove over this? I know it bothers people."

Jackson shook his head. "It's eighty degrees outside. I think if you wear a glove it will be a sweaty mess in no time."

"Okay," Chad murmured.

"Time to break out the whiskey?" Brock murmured.

A silver flask was thrust toward him. Zeke Foster shrugged and grinned when the rest of the men in the room looked at him. "I-I've b-been to weddings before. A swallow will take the edge off. I s-s-swear."

Shrugging, Brock took the flask and thrust it into Chad's hand. "Take a drink," he ordered.

Chad did without even flinching. Then another. Brock had to grab the thing from him before he drained it.

It worked as Zeke had promised, though. Within just a few minutes Chad was more relaxed than he had been all day. At least until the knock came at the door.

Cheyenne ducked her head into the room with a broad grin. "We're good to go, guys!"

She gave Sheridan a solid head to toe perusal before winking and ducking back out the door.

Jackson watched as Brock adjusted the fit of Chad's tux and turned him toward the door. Chad had gone a little pale. Pale enough that Sheridan gripped his arm in a massive fist. This would not do.

Jackson stepped in front of him, looking Chad in the eye. "Lora loves you. You know that. That little girl also loves you more than anything. Today is very precious to them both, because their family is growing exponentially. Everyone here loves them just as much as they love you. Let's go show them what a Texas wedding is all about."

Grinning, looking more like himself, Chad nodded, and left the room with a spring in his step. Zeke pounded Jackson on the back. "Good job."

Just inside the shrouded tunnel, the groomsmen paired up with the bridesmaids. Jackson couldn't help but lean down to kiss Emily on her glossy mouth. The woman looked stunning today, her hair wound up in curls and sprigs of baby's breath woven through it. He'd seen the dress before, but today she looked exceptional. He glanced at the cowboy boots all of the girls were wearing. Brown leather with little pale green accents in the leather to match the dresses. Personally, he thought Emily wore it the best. "You take my breath away," he told her honestly.

She ran her hand over his lapel, her expression softening as she looked up at him. "I love you, Jackson."

The music began to play.

---

Emily couldn't imagine a more beautiful bride. Lora was a beautiful woman, but today she was breathtakingly stunning. There were gasps through the crowd as she appeared from the tunnel, clutching Garrett's arm in a death grip. It wasn't normal for the bride to walk on the arm of her father-in-law, but Garrett had been more of a father to her than any other man, Emily knew.

The dress was perfection. With capped sleeves that matched the style of the bridesmaids’ dresses, it was a confection of handmade lace with glittering star points down into the long A-line skirt. There was a bit of a train to the dress, but no more than a couple of feet. Shannon, her Matron of Honor, straightened the train just as the wedding march sounded.

The bride also wore a veil. It hung down the length of her exposed back, fluttering gently in the breeze.

Lora's bright green eyes were luminous with joy as she looked down the aisle to her groom, and the audience felt the connection like the aftershocks from a quake. It was so silent in the field Emily was sure they could have heard a pin drop to the grass.

It also wasn't usual for the bride's young daughter to walk down the aisle with her, but it worked for their relationship. Chad had told Emily that he'd proposed to Mercy as well as Lora, and it was only appropriate that he 'marry' them both as well. For Chad, the ceremony was as much about making the three of them a family as it was marrying a husband and a wife. Mercy was wearing her purple cowboy boots, and if you watched carefully you could see Lora's blue boots peeking from beneath the hem of her gown as well.

Emily never would have believed the depth of the feelings she could sense from her brother, but as she looked at him now as he fought tears looking at the woman he loved walking toward him, she was reminded all over again. For a moment she looked at Jackson, standing tall and handsome in his tuxedo. He was looking at her exactly the same way Chad was looking at Lora, and it was a struggle to control her emotions.

Lora was also struggling as she looked at Chad. If she hadn't been holding onto Garrett's arm Emily wasn't sure she would have kept time with the march. She and Mercy both looked like they wanted to run to Chad, but they stuck to the rhythm of the processional. At the front of the seating area, Lora and Mercy both placed a single white rose on an empty chair to commemorate Lora's mother. When they finally reached Chad, Mercy snugged in beneath his right arm. Garrett kissed Lora on the cheek and moved to his seat, wrapping his arm around Francine. Shannon moved to her spot with the other attendants and the officiant, an older gentleman in a cowboy hat, started the proceedings.

For some reason, the words had a huge impact on Emily. She'd been to weddings many times before, but hearing the words as she looked past the bride and groom to the other half of her own heart, she understood them so much better. Shannon reached over and slipped her a tissue. That was when Emily realized she was crying. And they hadn't even gotten to the vows yet.

"Chad, I know you have some words for Lora and Mercy," the officiant said. "Go ahead."

Chad swallowed heavily and seemed to be gathering his courage. He cupped Mercy's shoulder in his hand and looked down into her eyes. "Mercy, I know you haven't known me very long, but I hope that when I tell you I will love you and your mother forever that you will believe it." Mercy nodded her head without saying anything, tears flooding her eyes. "Your mother is an incredible woman and I believe she will raise you to be an amazing person. But I want to be there to protect you both. Anytime you have a dragon to slay, I will be right there, guiding, protecting, loving you any way you want me to be. When your mother questions your dating choices or the college you want to go to, know that while I stand with her, I will always have your best interests at heart, even if you can't see it at the time."

Mercy nodded again, sobbing. Chad knelt and kissed her cheek, then slipped a silver chain over the little girl's neck. "This is a symbol of my love. It says, 'Today I tell your mother I do, but I promise to love you forever too.’ And it has your name on it. And some bling, too," he pointed out, garnering some laughs and sniffles from the crowd.

Then Chad stood and looked at Lora. He held Mercy's hand in his right, and Lora's in his left. "I know we didn't meet under ideal circumstances, but I will be forever thankful that our stars aligned. You are perfection to me, Lora. I look at you and I wonder what I did to deserve you. Every day," Chad stopped and had to clear his throat. "Every day I chase your smile, because it makes me complete. Somehow, you've seen past all the hard edges to the man beneath, the man who loves you more than life itself. I would die for you, without hesitation or question. I will always choose the two of you over myself. I will fight your demons with a ferocious love and I will always, always have a Starlight mint ready."

Chad reached onto his pocket and pulled out one mint for Mercy and a second for Lora.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house, including Lora's, but she wiped her tears and smiled at the man before her. "Chad, it's amazing to me how what you’ve just said could be turned around. Everything you just told me, I could say about you, plus much more. You wooed me with your mints, but you kept me with your steadfast heart. Our love together, the three of us, will light our way forward, through every trial or challenge. I gave you my heart, and most importantly the heart of my daughter, because I trust you with everything in me. I know that you will support and treasure us to the absolute best of your ability, and when I lose my way, our light will lead me back. I love you with every fiber of my being and I can't wait for us to be a family."

Lora took the Kleenex Shannon slipped into her hand and mopped her face. Emily glanced at the audience. Most of the people there were doing the same thing, drying their tears. Even the officiant seemed choked up as he swallowed and straightened to finish the ceremony.

Lora lifted Chad's injured hand in hers and when she gently, lovingly straightened his scarred finger to place the wedding band, they all got choked up again.

Chad pushed the wedding band onto Lora's finger, but his hands were shaking so badly he almost dropped it. There were a few nervous laughs from the guests, then he was looking up at Lora with joy in his eyes. Even before the officiant pronounced them 'Husband and Wife and Daughter', Chad was reaching out to cup Lora's face for a kiss.