And the little church outside Red Hollow glowed with lanterns that had been hung along its wooden entrance.
Nathaniel woke before sunrise.
He didn't sleep much.
For most of the night, he sat near the fireplace thinking about the extraordinary changes in his life.
Four months earlier, he'd been a lonely rancher with a damaged hand, a failing property, and almost no reason to believe the future would be different from the past.
Now he was about to marry a woman who made him laugh, challenged his stubbornness, and gave him a reason to look forward to every morning.
He'd expected marriage to be practical.
Instead, it had become the most emotional decision of his life.
Mateo entered the kitchen shortly after dawn.
He found Nathaniel standing beside the table, adjusting his collar for the third time.
The foreman smiled.
“Nervous?”
Nathaniel shook his head.
“No.”
Mateo looked toward the mirror.
“Then why have you been standing there for twenty minutes?”
Nathaniel sighed.
“Go feed the horses.”
Mateo laughed.
“Already done.”
Nathaniel looked at him.
For a moment, he smiled.
“Then help me with this collar.”
Mateo stepped forward.
He straightened the fabric.
Then looked toward his friend.
For several seconds, his expression softened.
“You know something?”
Nathaniel frowned.
“What?”
“I've worked beside you seventeen years.”
He adjusted the collar.
“And this is the first time I've seen you afraid of anything as ordinary as a wedding.”
Nathaniel laughed quietly.
“Nothing ordinary about this wedding.”
Mateo nodded.
“No.”
For a moment, his eyes filled.
Then he placed one hand against Nathaniel's shoulder.
“Your father would be proud.”
Nathaniel looked down.
His expression changed.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he nodded.
“Thank you.”
At the other end of the cabin, Clara sat beside the window while Miriam Bell and Elena arranged the final details of her gown.
The dress was breathtaking.
White lace covered the enormous flowing skirt, embroidered flowers cascading across layer after layer of delicate fabric. The bodice fit beautifully, supporting the sweetheart neckline while allowing Clara to breathe and move comfortably. Long lace sleeves framed her arms.
Her white cowboy boots were carefully positioned beneath the front opening.
Her chestnut hair flowed in soft waves down her shoulders.
And the black cowboy hat she'd chosen rested on a nearby table.
Miriam stepped backward.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Then smiled.
“My dear, you look magnificent.”