Page 63 of Sunset Promises
EPILOGUE
“Oh, Colette. You look beautiful.” Abby dabbed at her eyes as she looked at her sister. Colette stood in the center of her bedroom, her two sisters sitting on the edge of her bed.
“Like a fairy princess,” Belinda agreed, her eyes also suspiciously shiny.
Colette twirled around, loving the way the silk wedding gown billowed with her movement, then reached out to embrace each of her sisters. “I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe it’s my wedding day.”
“You’d better believe it,” Abby said with a laugh. “We have a lawnful of people outside and a wedding cake the size of New Jersey. Somebody better be getting married today.”
A knock fell on the door. “Mom, the wagon’s ready.” Cody’s voice radiated with excitement. “Bulldog says it’s time to get this show on the road.”
Abby opened the door to admit her son. Cody danced in, his miniature white tuxedo decorated with smudges of Wyoming dust. “Oh, Cody, you’re already dirty,” Abby exclaimed in dismay.
“Mom, cowboys don’t stay clean,” Cody replied, making the three women laugh.
“It’s okay,” Colette said, ruffling Cody’s hair. “I think you look perfect.”
Abby looked at her watch. “Bulldog is right. It’s time to get this show on the road.” She picked up Brook, who was clad in a ruffled pale pink dress, and handed her to Belinda. “You take the kids and go on to the wagon. We’ll be right out.”
Belinda nodded. With a final kiss on Colette’s cheek, she left the room, leaving Abby and Colette alone.
“I feel like since Mama’s not here and I’m the eldest, I should say something wonderful and wise but I’m too filled with happiness for you to be able to think straight,” Abby said.
Colette hugged her sister. “I don’t know what I’d ever do without you and Belinda. I’m so glad you don’t mind Hank and me making our home here at the ranch.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Abby replied. “This ranch is our home…and there’s plenty of room for all of us here.” She released Colette and wiped her eyes once again. “I’m just so grateful the Collier mess is behind you and you can live the rest of your life without being afraid.”
Colette frowned. “Sometimes I wonder, though. Bob Sanderson says he didn’t push me off that butte, but there are times I’m positive I was pushed.” She shrugged. “And then there are times I’m not so sure. In any case…you’re right. It’s all behind me.”
“And now it’s time to get you married to that handsome hunk of yours.” Abby took her hand andtogether they left Colette’s bedroom and went outside where a flower-bedecked wagon awaited them.
In the distance, Colette could see the people sitting in folding chairs around the dragon tree. As the wagon carried her closer, she saw Hank. Tall and proud, he stood beneath the tree in front of the preacher, his gaze warming her despite the distance.
It had seemed right that they marry beneath the dragon tree. Colette had explained to Hank that the tree was a place for vows. It had been here that Colette and her sisters had vowed their love and devotion to each other, here that they had played out their dreams of handsome princes and happily-ever-afters.
As the wagon pulled to a halt, Hank stepped forward and helped Colette down, his hand warm, his gaze loving.
As their friends and neighbors looked on and with the dragon tree shielding them from the heat of the sun, Hank and Colette spoke the vows to unite them as husband and wife.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the preacher said, then smiled at Hank. “And you can kiss the bride.”
“With pleasure.” As Hank’s lips claimed hers, she tasted the sweet promise of love, knew her fantasy had come true and together they would live happily ever after.
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