Page 67 of Texas Made
Marshall laughed and carried her to the bed. “We need to get some practice in before the honeymoon.”
“You read my mind.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Marshall and Jaclyndidn’t catch up with everyone until lunchtime on Monday. They’d gotten in late the night before and while Marshall went to the barn first thing Jaclyn stayed at the house. First, she called her parents to tell them the news. She was a little apprehensive that they’d be upset that she eloped but they took it in stride, promising to come down and meet Marshall as soon as they could. Then she video-conferenced with Rachel, telling her the news as well, which was no surprise at all to her friend. She asked all of them to keep quiet about their news until after Chase and Ella’s wedding. They’d tell everyone then. Before they left for Aruba, they’d realized that if they told everyone about their own wedding it would impact Chase and Ella’s big day. They didn’t want to mess up their special day for them.
Ruthie had made a big pot of chili so the kitchen was full of family and some of the ranch hands. Everyone loved Ruthie’s chili.
“How was the getaway?” Damaris asked Jaclyn as they served themselves from the big kitchen island.
“It was wonderful. I’d never been to Aruba so that was cool.”
“Aruba? Marshall took you to Aruba? For a weekend?” She followed Jaclyn to the table, sitting on her left while Marshall made room for Jaclyn in between them. “I just thought he’d taken you to San Antonio or something.”
“No, it was Aruba. We loved it.”
“Obviously,” Damaris said. “Since you both look smug and satisfied with yourselves.”
“I don’t see a ring,” Chantel said. “Shouldn’t you two be engaged by now?”
“We’re taking it slow,” Marshall said. “We’re talking about it.”
Jaclyn squeezed his hand under the table. She’d taken off her rings until after Chase and Ella got back from their honeymoon. They’d decided they’d let everyone know they’d gotten married then.
“Won’t your parents be upset with you since you aren’t going to tell them when they’re here for Chase’s wedding?” she’d asked Marshall earlier.
“Probably. But if I tell my mom there’s no way she’ll be able to keep quiet. First, she’ll tell family, swearing each of them to secrecy, of course. Then she’ll tell her old friends here who she still keeps up with. Swearing every one of them to secrecy too.” He shook his head, smiling fondly. “Mom thinks she’s great at keeping secrets but she’s the absolute worst. So no, we can’t tell them.”
“I hope she forgives me.”
He pulled her close and kissed her. “She will. She’ll know it’s my fault.”
“Maybe at a later date we can have a party announcing our marriage. We can invite all our family and friends then.”
“Don’t you think you’ll be a little busy with your new operation?”
“True. Well, we can think about it.”
*
Jaclyn wasn’t thetype to cry at weddings, but Chase and Ella’s wedding got to her. She wasn’t sure why, exactly. Maybe it was because the two of them were so obviously in love and happiness rolled off of them in waves.
The wedding was held at the Methodist church on the square. Ella looked gorgeous in a V-necked long white lacy wedding dress. She wore white beaded cowboy boots with it, which suited her perfectly. Her long dark-blonde hair was down curling and waving around her shoulders and down her back rather than held back in a braid as she usually wore it. Chase looked at her like she hung the moon. His brothers all stood up with him, four men who made a breathtaking sight in their tuxes. Damaris, Chantel, and one of Ella’s good friends from Amarillo stood up with her, all wearing cowboy boots.
Jaclyn suspected if and when Damaris married, cowboy boots would be the required footwear for her bridesmaids and her. The reception was a blowout held at Blue, the restaurant by the winery. Guests spilled out into the gardens planted with beautiful flowers and flowering vines. Jaclyn walked with Marshall along one of the footpaths until he pulled her aside and kissed her silly.
“What was that for?”
“Because I wanted to. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You’re not too bad yourself.”
Marshall kissed her again. “Are you sure you don’t miss having a wedding like this? I know I rushed you into it and—”
Jaclyn put her fingers on his mouth. “Our wedding was perfect. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She kissed him to settle the matter.
*
