Learnin' The Ropes (39 page)

Emotions Lexi had tamped down threatened to spill over. “Thanks, Grandma. That means a lot to me.”

“Before we make a mess of our makeup, let’s just cut this off right now,” Sunny said with a choppy laugh. “I’ll go find your aunts and see if they are ready to get this show on the road. It’s time.”

Lexi gave her grandmother another hug as Beth knocked on the door and entered, carrying Jax.

“Oh, give that precious boy to me,” Sunny said, sweeping him up on her way out the door. “I could just eat you up, little man.”

Beth handed over the baby and smiled at Sunny’s back as she hurried out the door.

“Your grandmother seems to have decided Jax is part of her brood as well,” Beth said, observing Lexi. She’d never seen a more beautiful bride. Ty would hyperventilate when he saw Lexi. Just thinking of his reaction made Beth smile widely.

“Grandma thinks you all are special,” Lexi said, smiling at Beth and stretching out a hand toward her. “Thank you for standing up with me. I feel like we’ve already become good friends and I’m excited to finally have a sister.”

“Me, too.” With care, Beth hugged Lexi, concerned she might crush or wrinkle her dress. “Are you ready for this?”

“Absolutely.” Lexi cast one last glance in the mirror, hoping Ty liked her dress and the way she looked.

“Swede has been pacing a groove in the floor waiting for you to come down,” Beth said, helping Lexi adjust her gown as she strode out of the bedroom. “I think it is so sweet you asked him to walk you down the aisle.”

“I couldn’t very well ask one uncle and not all of them,” Lexi whispered as they walked down the stairs. “Besides, he’s been like a second father to me since I was born.”

As they reached the bottom step, Swede turned to her with a look of fatherly pride on his weathered face.

“Woohee! If ya don’t look like somethin’ out of a magazine, I don’t know who does,” Swede said as his eyes filled with moisture. “Yer daddy would be so proud, boss. Ya done good in yer choosing.”

“Thank you, Swede,” Lexi said, kissing his cheek. “And thank you for everything, including walking me down the aisle.”

“I’m right honored ya asked.” Swede straightened his jacket as he held out his arm.

“That tux looks really nice,” Lexi said. Originally, the old cowboy had balked at the idea of wearing a “monkey suit,” as he called it. Eventually, he came around to the idea of donning it for a few hours.

“It does, don’t it,” Swede commented as he led her toward the front door.

Lexi’s Aunt Bertie began the processional music. Beth went ahead of the twosome, smiling as she walked down the steps and across the yard on a white gossamer runner with a sweet little girl who belonged to one of Lexi’s cousins. The miniature princess followed Beth, throwing rose petals out of a white wicker basket.

Not to be left out of the fun, Baby carried the rings, tied to a satin pillow, down the aisle. She stopped beside Nate and wagged her enormous tail then licked the coral bow tied around her neck.  When he took the pillow from her, Baby flopped down to watch the proceedings with a goofy grin on her doggy face.

Ty smiled at Beth as she walked toward him, Nate and the pastor. Her heart was in her eyes as she shared in this day of love and celebration. If their mom could have been there, she would have loved Lexi.

The flower girl took her place beside Beth then all eyes turned to the porch as Swede and Lexi maneuvered down the steps.

Waves of emotion rolled over Ty with such force, he thought for a moment he might be ill. Nate put a steady hand on his shoulder and squeezed, understanding all too well what Ty experienced.

With the sun picking rich highlights of midnight blue out of her raven curls, Lexi had never looked more beautiful than she did at that moment. The dress fit her to perfection, showing off her womanly curves, while a veil hid her face from him. He could imagine the tears glistening in her big green eyes, the edges of her tempting lips curling up in a smile, and her cheeks glowing pink.

Suddenly, the crowd disappeared and Ty focused solely on Lexi. On her soft floral scent teasing him, her warmth reaching out to him, her love enveloping him.

When Swede stopped and placed Lexi’s hand on Ty’s, it was all he could do not to shout, “She’s mine, she’s mine!”

Instead, he brought his thoughts back into line and smiled down at her with all the love overflowing from his heart.

Lexi glanced at Ty and lost herself in his bright blue gaze the minute they turned down the aisle and she could clearly see him. Ty and a tuxedo was a lethal combination to her system, but she had no idea exactly how potent it would be.

Dressed in a black tuxedo with a vest and silk tie, Ty looked like he could have come from some celebrity party with his rich hair carefully combed into place, his new black boots polished to a high shine, and the coral rose boutonniere bringing a pop of color to his ensemble. His tan skin accented the blue of his eyes and the white of his teeth.

When her eyes connected with his through the veil, heat radiated between them with a force that threatened to make her already weak knees lose the ability to function at all.

As Swede passed her over to Ty, she lightly squeezed his hand, hoping her love was conveyed in her touch. At his wink, she knew it was.

Together, they turned and faced the pastor who did his best to keep his face impassive. However, he couldn’t hide his smile from the couple he had come to know and enjoy having in his congregation.

The ceremony went quickly and flawlessly. Braced for the passionate kiss that was sure to come, the pastor grinned at the look that passed over Ty’s face when he announced it was time to kiss the bride.

Not one to hurry moments of pleasure, Ty slowly lifted Lexi’s veil and carefully folded it back. He had worried about doing it properly and Beth gave him plenty of pointers and practice in the two days she’d been at the ranch.

Gazing into Lexi’s eyes, deep green orbs reflecting the love, joy and longing in his own, he smiled at her from his heart.

Gently, he brushed his thumb across her cheek, her chin, and finally a fleeting touch across her bottom lip before he dropped his head to hers. Although he planned on a brief touch, especially in front of the yard full of her family and the ranch hands, Ty quickly lost himself in the sensations and emotions of the moment.

He gathered Lexi in his arms, exchanging a kiss that was deep, strong, and filled with promise. Nate finally bumped him on the shoulder while the pastor cleared his throat and Swede cackled loudly.

Red suffused Lexi’s cheeks when they turned to greet their family and friends as Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Lewis, but neither of them seemed able to stop grinning.

The wedding party finished posing for photographs as guests began pouring into the ranch yard, bearing gifts, cards, and smiles.

After a tasty barbecue lunch, those who had the energy got out on the dance floor. Thanks to Beth, Ty was a passable dancer. He danced with his beautiful bride as long as he could before her many male relatives demanded a turn. With a jaunty smile, he wandered off to dance with her aunts, cousins and eventually Sunny.

“Thank you,” he said as he respectfully held Lexi’s grandmother during a slow dance.

“For what, sweet thing?” Sunny asked, tipping her head back to look at her handsome new grandson. For sure, her Lexi girl knew how to pick a real man. Not only was he drop-dead gorgeous, he was also kind, loving, a hard worker, and funny.

“For Lexi,” Ty said with a warm smile. When Sunny looked at him confused, he continued. “The first time I was in the ranch house, she showed me your painting above the fireplace. I could see where she got her pretty face. After meeting you, I know she shares not only your outward appearance, but your inward beauty as well.”

“Oh, you’re going to make my mascara run and who wants to dance with a raccoon-eyed grandma?” Sunny swiped her finger under her eye to catch the lone tear that escaped. “I’m proud to have you in our family, Ty. I know you’ll cherish Lexi as much as her grandpa cherished me and her daddy cherished her mama.”

“Forever and always,” Ty said, giving Sunny a hug as the song ended. He walked her back to where Bertie and Linc sat at a table in the shade of the tent by a big fan.

“Well...” Bertie said, looking at him expectantly. “Did she do it?”

“Who do what?” Ty asked, playing dumb. He knew what Bertie was after.

“Did she brand you?” Bertie asked with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I told her she should months ago.”

“Lexi sent a brand to me this morning with a note to wear it.” Embarrassed, he fidgeted slightly. “It’s one of those rub-on tattoo things.”

“We’ll let’s see it,” Bertie said, waiting for Ty to roll up his shirtsleeve. He’d long ago abandoned his jacket, vest, and tie.

“No, ma’am,” Ty said with a wicked grin. “The only one who’s seeing that part of my anatomy is my wife.”

Linc and Sunny laughed as Bertie’s cheeks turned pink.

It was nearly time for Lexi  to be whisked inside to change before they headed off to Sisters by way of Bend.

Before he could ask anyone else to dance, Lexi came and took his arm. “Come dance with me,” she said, dragging him on the dance floor. He laughed as the country band they’d hired began playing Bryan Adams’
Can’t Stop This Thing We Started
. It was the perfect song to play as they prepared to leave the reception.

Holding Lexi close as they danced, he smiled down into her sparkling eyes. “That was a great song to pick, babe.”

“It seemed fitting, considering your love of eighties music,” Lexi said, leaning back in his arms as they danced to better admire the face she loved.

“There’s a county song I wouldn’t mind seeing you dance to again, if you’re ever in the mood to shake that fine fanny of yours around the kitchen,” Ty growled as he bent down to her ear. “In fact, maybe I need to download it to my phone so you can dance for me later.”

“I don’t think so, buckaroo.” Lexi blushed and smacked playfully at his arm. “In case I didn’t mention it before, I love my ring.”

“I’m glad,” Ty said kissing her cheek.

“It’s absolutely perfect,” Lexi said, turning her fingers so she could admire the white gold band on her finger.

Ty had a friend in Portland who was quite talented at designing jewelry. Once he decided to propose to Lexi, he called Kye and begged for a rush job. With a general idea of what he was looking for, Kye guided him through the design process. The result was a white-gold ring featuring a running rope pattern that looped into hearts.

The really fun part about the ring was that Ty had it made so that the engagement ring and wedding band had to be together to see the whole pattern. He’d made Lexi give him back the engagement ring a week ago so he could have the two bands permanently connected. On the inside of the band, he’d inscribed, “Hearts tied forever by love.”

“Did you read the inscription?” Ty asked as he twirled Lexi around.

“Of course!” Lexi said with a laugh. “Roped, tied, and yours forever!”

“Forever,” he agreed, kissing her neck then her lips as they danced.

Those watching the couple could see the love on their faces. Sunny and Bertie smiled when Ty bent down and whispered something that made Lexi blush.

When the song finished, Sunny and Bertie, along with a few of Lexi’s cousins, swooped in and took her in the house to help her change.

The newlyweds were taking her car, but she had agreed to let Ty drive. Giving up on keeping it from being festooned, it now sat at the end of the walk, with crepe paper streamers and a big sign in the back window that said “just married.” Thankfully, no one felt inclined to tie tin cans to the bumper.

Finished saying goodbye to Beth, Nate, and the baby as well as the hands and Swede, Ty waited impatiently for Lexi by the front door.

A noise at the top of the stairs drew his attention. Ty looked up to see Lexi on the landing sandwiched between Bertie and Sunny. She wore high wedge sandals with a hot-pink summery dress that skimmed her curves and accentuated her bronzed skin. Her hair was still piled on her head and she wore an indulgent smile as Sunny kept an arm around her waist.

He reached out to her as she came down the last step. Sunny gave his hand a playful smack and engulfed Lexi in another hug.

“Congratulations, girlie, you made an excellent choice. I expect you two to come visit me this winter. Promise?” Sunny whispered in Lexi’s ear.

“I promise, Grandma. Thank you for coming and for welcoming Ty to the family,” Lexi said, clinging to the older woman. She was glad for the momentary distraction from Ty. He wore jeans and boots with a new blue western shirt that brought out the intense color of his eyes. The sleeves, rolled up past his elbows, revealed his tan, muscular forearms and a peek of his impressive biceps. All that virile, gorgeous man now belonged to her and the thought of it left her completely unsettled.

“Well, why wouldn’t I welcome him, honey? He’s a keeper for sure,” Sunny said, kissing Lexi’s cheek before turning her over to Bertie for another round of hugs.

“Baby girl, we’re so proud of you,” Bertie said, snuffling back tears. “You go have a wonderful time with this handsome husband of yours.”

“I will, Bertie. Thanks for everything,” Lexi said, grateful to her family for their help in making her wedding something she would always remember.

“You bet. Give us a ring when you’re home and ready to be part of the regular world again,” Bertie teased as she pushed Lexi away. She gave Ty a quick hug and kiss to his cheek then stepped back, letting Sunny have a turn.

“Sweet thing, you take good care of my granddaughter,” Sunny said, hugging Ty one last time. “I expect to see that good-looking face of yours in Florida before spring.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Ty grinned. He reached out and pulled Lexi to his side before anyone else could distract them.

“You ready to go Mrs. Lewis?” He asked as he opened the front door.

“More than you know,” Lexi said with a flirty grin as they ran down the porch steps and to her car. Well-wishers blew hundreds of bubbles at them and tossed rose petals while cheering and waving.