“Yes. It’s yours. I planned to propose to you next week after Declan and Skye were married. I didn’t want to steal the spotlight from them, but I guess all they want is for you and me to be happy.”
“True. And they know once I get an idea in my head there’s really no stopping me.”
“True,” Adria, Roxy, and Sonya said in unison.
He lifted his chin toward the box in her hand. “Do you like the ring?”
“I haven’t looked at it. I wanted it to be a surprise when you gave it to me.” She handed over the box.
Emmy stared up at him. “I’m the flower girl.”
“And a beautiful one. You stay with Trinity then, and I’ll go take my position and we’ll make Trinity officially your mommy.”
Emmy bounced on her feet. “Yes.”
The day he returned from seeing Steph and told her that Steph would be out of her life for years, Emmy asked if she could call Trinity Mom. It made his heart ache to know that his little girl wanted Trinity instead of, not in addition to, Steph. But he knew she would be loved and thrive with Trinity in her life, so he told her yes. And when Trinity woke up from her nap because she needed some quiet time to help heal her injuries, Emmy asked, “Can we make brownies, Mommy?” Trinity’s eyes had filled with tears that silently rolled down her cheeks, but she said, “Of course,” and held her hand out to Emmy.
And that was it. Emmy called her Mommy all the time now. When he stayed for sharing time at her preschool, she told the whole class she got a new mommy who made the best brownies and gave the best hugs.
Jon turned back to Trinity. “Hurry up.” Now that he knew they were getting married, he wanted her to be his wife immediately.
He followed the justice of the peace into the banquet room and was immediately taken aback by the smiles and clapping.
His father came forward holding a pink rose boutonniere and pinned it to his lapel. “Now I know why Trinity asked me to wear my nice black suit.” She’d laid it out on the bed for him with a basic white dress shirt and simple black tie to match.
A photographer took their picture, capturing the moment. Trinity had thought of everything.
“You ready for this?” his dad asked.
“More than I can say.” He thought about how he and Trinity met. “You know, I met Trinity on a Thursday, that first day I came back to town and I found her dragging you out of the house. I thought it might be the worst day of my life if I lost you.”
“Turned out to be a good day. I was fine and you met her.”
“We had some difficult Thursdays in between, but I think getting married today, on Thursday, is the perfect day.”
“Every day you get to spend with the love of your life is the perfect day. Today, let the past go. Be happy with your wife and Emmy. Enjoy the life you make together.”
Jon hugged his dad like he hadn’t done in a long time. “I will, Dad. Thanks for encouraging me to move back home and reminding me what’s most important.”
“Family, son. Nothing else matters more.”
Jon pretended to straighten his father’s tie. “Looking sharp. Will you stand up with me and be my best man?”
“I thought you might ask.” And no doubt Trinity had asked his father to wear a similar black suit like his and gave him the matching boutonniere as well.
They walked down the aisle. He nodded to each of Trinity’s brothers and their respective wives and fiancée, waved to his aunt, uncle, and cousin, who he hadn’t seen in years, and smiled at Roxy and Sonya sitting with their husbands, he guessed. He’d get to know them better later. Especially Sonya, since they’d be working closely together on the new expansion of Almost Homemade and his grocery business.
Tate had also bought and delivered nearly fifty head of cattle to his place. His new foreman had hired two ranch hands. They’d expand that fifty head soon, but right now, he had a working ranch set up and ready to thrive.
He had everything he wanted and needed. It made his head spin because it had all happened so fast, but he loved it. All of it.
When he reached the front, the couple sitting there stood to greet him. The man held out his hand to shake. Jon took it.
“I’m Trinity’s dad. We don’t have a lot of time to talk now, but we will once you all are married. She’s told us a lot about you and your little girl, Emmy. Can’t believe we get a son-in-law and a grandchild in one day, but we sure are happy for you all.”
Jon couldn’t believe the warm welcome. “Thank you, sir. I know this may seem fast. I mean the first time we’re meeting is at the wedding.”
Mr. McGrath shook his head. “Trinity’s a smart girl with a big heart. When she loves, she loves deep. Ask her stubborn brothers. But she never loved a man the way she loves you. We see that in her. We hear it in the way she talks about you.”
“I had no idea she’d spoken about me to you.”
Mrs. McGrath touched his arm. “Every Sunday the kids know they’re getting a call from their mama. Now we’re back in town to stay awhile with the grandbabies coming. So we’ll have time to get to know each other. I can’t wait to spend time with Emmy. We’ve been waiting to spoil our grandchildren.”
“I’m sure she’d love that.”
Mr. McGrath smiled. “Who knew the youngest would give us our first granddaughter?” He slapped Jon on the back. “I better go walk your bride down the aisle. As fast as she put this wedding together, I bet she can’t wait to get it done.”
Jon liked Mr. McGrath.
He kissed Mrs. McGrath’s cheek. “Thank you for coming and embracing me and Emmy.”
“Welcome to the family.”
He felt welcomed and included and amazed by how Trinity’s family rallied around her when she needed them whether it was at the hospital when she was hurt or when she was putting together a wedding in a matter of days.
He took his place between the justice of the peace and his dad.
Soft music began to play as the back doors opened and Emmy stepped into the room wearing the pretty purple dress he’d brought her in, and a halo of tiny white roses on her head. She held a basket of red rose petals and tossed them on the floor in front of her. She smiled so bright his heart melted. She hadn’t been this happy in a long time. When she got close to him, she ran the rest of the way and buried her face in his thigh. He scooped her up and held her close.
“You did so good, sweetheart.”
“She’s coming.”
Actually, Adria walked down the aisle next, carrying a bouquet of white roses. She looked beautiful in her purple gown, her baby bump very prominent. But she glowed when she winked at her husband, Drake, as she passed him and took her place on the other side of the justice of the peace.
The wedding march began and everyone stood for the bride.
His heart pounded as he waited to see her walking toward him. And then there she was on her father’s arm, gorgeous in a classic white gown that had a scoop neckline and hugged her curves to her waist, where a crystal-encrusted belt wrapped around her. Layers upon layers of white billowed around her hips and legs to her feet.
“Princess.” Emmy hugged his neck and stared at Trinity.
She looked like an angel with her golden hair falling in thick curls and a crystal headband sparkling in the overhead lights. The black-painted ceiling with the tiny white splotches that looked like a million stars made the room feel like they were outside.