Sunflower Lane (26 page)

By the time Annabelle tucked the kids into bed that night, the last of the fireworks had long disappeared from the sky.

The night was very dark and very silent, no stars visible and only a sliver of moon. It cast a pale, silvery gleam over her gardens and Wes’s black truck parked in the driveway.

She paused a moment outside the twins’ room and gazed at Treasure, curled up at the foot of Megan’s bed. The girls had argued for ten minutes over who got to sleep with him this first night that he stayed in their house, and in the end, Annabelle had flipped a coin.

Megan won.

Wes poured her a cup of coffee as she sailed into the kitchen.

“You’re a genius, do you know that? Treasure’s sleeping in Megan’s
bed
!”

“Nothing genius about it.” He grinned. “Did a little reading, that’s all.”

“Don’t be modest, cowboy; it doesn’t suit you.” With a smile, she walked right into his arms and kissed him on the mouth.

Unfortunately, their long, deep kiss was interrupted by the chirp of her cell phone. It was Charlotte, stressed out about wedding plans. Her wedding was at the end of the month and the bridesmaids’ dresses still hadn’t come in for fittings.

And, Charlotte told Annabelle, Tess thought white roses were more elegant and romantic than pink, but Charlotte had read that white flowers were unlucky in a wedding bouquet. What did Annabelle think?

It was difficult to think at all because Wes had led her into the living room, set her coffee cup on an end table, and pulled her down atop him on the sofa. His hands roved over her, his mouth was tasting the sensitive skin at her throat, and what he was doing to her blocked out all thoughts of flowers, colors, and bridesmaids’ dresses.

“Annabelle, are you listening to me?” Charlotte demanded suspiciously, when she heard a soft moan on the line.

“Not really, Char. S-sorry. Can I call you back tomorrow?”

“Oh, no. Yes, I mean,
yes
, call me tomorrow. Sorry; far be it from me to interrupt young love. Go for it, girl.” Charlotte laughed, apparently forgetting to be stressed for a moment. “Make some fireworks,” she ordered, and then clicked off.

“We should go upstairs and lock the door,” Annabelle managed to whisper a few moments later. “One of the kids might wake up and come downstairs for a glass of water.”

“Shit. You’re right.” Grinning, Wes stopped unzipping her jeans and sat up.

“What time is it? Oh . . . too early for bed, I guess. Let’s grab our coffees, sit outside on the porch for a while first. The night’s young.”

She glanced at him in surprise.

“There might be more fireworks,” he explained with a grin.

“Not in Lonesome Way. Once the fireworks are done, they’re done. Usually by nine o’clock they shut it all down.”

“Yeah, well, let’s sit outside anyway. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Her stomach rolled. Here it came. She suddenly didn’t want coffee.

She didn’t want anything but the strength to hold back tears when he told her he was leaving first thing in the morning.

Uneasily she sat down on the porch step and took a gulp of coffee, tightly gripping her mug. When Wes settled close beside her, she tried to swallow past the lump in her throat.

“Nice night,” he said.

“Yes, a little dark, but—”

“A good night for fireworks.”

“Except I told you, the fireworks are over.” Managing a smile, she set her cup down on the step beside her and took a deep breath. “Don’t make small talk, Wes. I know what you’re going to say. It’s okay. I won’t go to pieces on you.”

“Go to pieces? What do you mean?” A frown crossed his face. He set down his cup, too, and glanced at his watch.

Was he already counting the minutes until he could leave?

“I know you’re heading out tomorrow morning. Or the next day . . . or . . . are you going
tonight
?” she asked suddenly, her throat going dry.

“Annabelle, you’ve got this all—”

“I won’t cry—you can tell me,” she interrupted him. Two tears squeezed out of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Mortified, she brushed them away with the back of her hand. “I’ll . . . m-miss you, but I’m a big girl and I knew how this would end—”

“Annabelle, baby.” Standing suddenly, he grabbed her
hand and pulled her up, too, then took her in his arms and held her close.

“Stop, honey. I love you. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You . . .
what
?”

He bent and kissed her lips, a quick, hot kiss that made fireworks go off in her heart. “I love you more than anything in this world. And I love those kids. And maybe even your dog—”

“He’s your dog,” she said quickly, stupidly, confused by the words she thought she’d heard.

“
Our
dog,” he said firmly. “If you say yes.”

She couldn’t believe what he seemed to be saying. She stared at him. “Yes to . . . what?” she asked cautiously.

“To the question I’m going to ask you. I’ve done a helluva lot of things in my life, but I’ve never done this before. I love you, Annabelle. More than anything or anyone. I didn’t even believe in love, not for me. And then
you
came into my life.”

“You came into mine.” Her heart began to beat faster and a smile spread across her face, lighting her eyes with hope.

“Now you’re getting the idea.” Smiling, he stroked a strong finger gently along her cheek. “You’ve changed everything. I never thought this would happen to me, not love . . . or you . . . or anything I feel when I’m with you.”

He caught her hands in his, holding them gently. “I’m calling my buddy Scott in Wyoming tomorrow and telling him I’m opening the business right here in Lonesome Way. If he wants to invest or to move here and be partners, or to work something else out, that’s fine, but you’re here and those kids are here and that dog is here and—you get the idea. You guys come first.
We c
ome first. I’m staying. And not in that cabin, either. Right here with you. If you want me, that is. Uh, damn. Hold on.”

He broke off, looking toward the sky. “What the hell?” he muttered in the darkness. Dropping her hand, he glanced at his watch again.

“Wes?”

“Sorry, I . . .” He looked up impatiently at the sky once more, frowning. “Where the hell—ah. Finally. It’s about time.”

Confused, she saw him break into a wide grin the same time the night suddenly exploded with
boom boom boom.
Annabelle nearly jumped out of her skin.

Fireworks?

The night lit with dazzling light and colors—glittering red, pink, and golden sparks—hundreds of them—shooting through the sky. Then they suddenly shifted and drifted and formed words.

Words that blazed against the blackness.

MARRY ME, ANNABELLE.

The pink, red, and gold sparks melted into the night and disappeared.

Fireworks! She gasped in shock, even as Wes pulled her closer against his side. Her stunned gaze was still pinned to the sky, where the words she’d thought she’d seen had vanished.

There was another
boom boom boom
and the words
I love you
, shimmering in silver against the darkness.

Before she could speak, a dozen more booms filled the night and formed a giant red heart that glowed with fiery sparks before it melted away.

She turned to him, dazed.

“F-fireworks,” she gasped.

Wes dropped to one knee. His grin faded, and he looked very serious. Suddenly there was a ring in his hand. She stared down in shock at the enormous princess-cut diamond that shimmered like a huge sparkler on a silver band. Blinking in disbelief, she stared down at him, kneeling before her.

“Really?” she gulped.

“Annabelle, I love you so much.”

Her heart caught in her throat and she couldn’t breathe.

“Baby, I want to spend my life with you. Please, will you marry me?”

“I’d be crazy not to!” Kneeling down beside him, tears of happiness streamed down her cheeks as he cupped her face in his hands.

The night had gone quiet now, but for the two of them.

“I don’t know how you managed to arrange those fireworks, but I loved them, Wes. And I love you so much.”

“Exactly what I hoped you’d say.” Grinning, he surged to his feet and took her hand in his, lifting her up to stand beside him. Gently he slid that amazing ring onto her finger. Annabelle’s eyes glowed more brightly than any of the sparks that had lit the sky.

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” she whispered, and kissed him until they both had to come up for air. “Yes, yes, and yes,” she breathed.

“Gonna hold you to that, honey.” He caught her against him and stroked a hand gently through her hair. For once his glance was dark and serious. “I don’t know what I’d do if you’d said no.”

“I say yes. I’ll always say yes.”

And then they held each other tight and sealed the deal with a kiss that left them both without breath to speak for a very long time. When Wes carried her inside, up the stairs to her bedroom, he set her down on the bed, then turned the lock on the door.

By the time he turned back she was naked from the waist up and tearing at his shirt.

“I think I’m gonna like being married,” Wes drawled.

“I
know
I will.” Annabelle laughed, tracing her hands along the muscles of his powerful chest and soaking in the sight of him.

Those were the last words either of them spoke for a very long time.

“Am I calling too early?”

Wes’s mother stood at Annabelle’s door two days later as Annabelle was rinsing the breakfast dishes. Diana looked casual and pretty in beige pants, white sandals, and a pretty, pale green top.

Annabelle was barefoot, wearing cutoff shorts and a gray T-shirt.

“Too early? Um . . . no. I mean, not at all. Please come in, Mrs. Hartigan.”

To say that Annabelle was stunned to see her was an understatement. Wes had taken Ethan and the twins down to the cabin only ten minutes earlier. He wanted to show them how he was going to turn it into an office for his new company, and where he was going to build a new barn.

She still couldn’t quite believe it. Right after they’d broken the news to the kids that they were getting married and going to be a family, Wes had sprung another surprise on
all of them, including Annabelle. He intended to buy a couple of horses for the kids.

As a wedding gift.

“I’m thinking we might get a few more down the road,” he told Annabelle after the kids ran outside with Treasure, elated by the news—probably almost as elated about the horses as the fact that Wes and Annabelle were getting married.

“If we have some more kids, we might need more horses,” he pointed out casually.

“You want more kids?” She stood stock-still. “There’s three already. I never thought . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“Do you want more?” he asked, suddenly serious.

“Yes, but—”

“Then it’s settled.” His grin reached all the way to his eyes. “I vote we start trying tonight.”

“There’s something so irresistible about a man who knows what he wants and goes for it.” Smiling widely, she stepped into his arms.

Now, alone in the kitchen with his mother, she wished he and the kids were back here. It was awkward being alone with Diana.

She knew that Wes had called his family first thing this morning to tell them they were invited to a wedding. Diana had invited him, Annabelle, and the kids over for supper at the Good Luck Ranch tonight.

But she hadn’t expected Diana to come to Sunflower Lane.

This can’t be good,
Annabelle thought, her stomach clenching. It would’ve been so much easier to face Wes’s mother with a houseful of other people instead of just the two of them.

“Please sit down. Can I get you some coffee, Mrs. Hartigan?” She felt flustered and was trying hard not to let it show.

“You’ve already done enough, Annabelle. I don’t need anything more.”

Annabelle froze. What did that mean?

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”

Diana’s face broke into a huge smile as she stepped closer and clasped Annabelle’s hands in hers. “I can’t begin to tell you how I prayed for this. I saw the way my son looked at you when he first came to town, and I prayed so hard.”

“Wh-what?”

“Wes has been gone so many years, Annabelle. These past weeks mark the longest time he’s been home since he turned eighteen, and I’m so thankful he’s back. I prayed something might blossom between the two of you the moment I heard he was living here at your cabin. I finally had a small ray of hope that he might somehow end up staying here in Lonesome Way.”

“You . . . did?”

“Do you remember that day at A Bun in the Oven—when my mother hinted that the two of you should get together? And everyone in the bakery was listening? I was so on edge that day!” Diana laughed. “I was terrified she’d offend you and make you want to steer clear of Wes. I was afraid to even hope that she could be right and that you might be the one. . . .”

She broke off, her eyes suddenly moist with emotion. “There’s always been something special about you, Annabelle. What you did, coming back here to take care of Trish and Ron’s children. That’s so admirable. I’ve seen how dedicated you are to them, and I think you’re a wonderful young woman, and I can certainly see why my son fell in love with you.”

“B-but . . . I don’t understand. Mrs. Hartigan, I noticed you looking at me sometimes, but then you turned away whenever I glanced at you. I thought you were unhappy that Wes was staying at the cabin and that we were spending time together.”

“Not at all!” Diana smiled, and touched Annabelle’s arm.
“Well, I admit that when you first moved back here, just seeing you in town did bring your aunt to mind. I felt the same way about your sister for quite some time. But I got over that. I dealt with it,” she said with a shrug.

“Of course, you and Trish were no more responsible for Lorelei’s actions than I was for Hoot’s. It may have taken me some time to get accustomed to that idea, but I promise you, once the thought struck me that you and Wes might grow to care for each other, I was afraid to do
anything
that might influence the outcome. I didn’t want to jinx it, or push it or upset the applecart in any way.” Her mouth twisted in dismay. “I’m sorry if you thought I was unkind.”

“No. Never unkind. But . . .” Annabelle drew in a breath, trying to reconcile her impressions with Diana’s words.

“I’m thrilled that you don’t object,” she began, but Diana smiled widely and interrupted her.

“How could I object? I’m proud of my son for his good taste in choosing a woman with such character. And as for Ethan and the twins? You’ll all be welcomed warmly into our family. The more, the merrier. Doug and I couldn’t be happier about this and I know I’m speaking for Sophie and Rafe as well.”

“That means so much to me.” Annabelle swallowed hard and impulsively hugged Diana Hartigan. “Your son is the finest man I’ve ever met.”

“Thank you.” Diana kissed her cheek. “I’m proud of him,” she said softly. “And proud that he chose you.”

For the rest of the day, Annabelle walked around in a radiant kind of daze. She and Charlotte met at Tess’s house and she got to hold Tess’s adorable little daughter, Fae. After that she showed her friends her ring, and asked them to be bridesmaids at her wedding.

“Wait, when are you getting married? What month?” Charlotte demanded, ready to jump in with a lucky date.

Since Charlotte’s wedding was at the end of July, Annabelle and Wes had decided on mid-September.

“Hold on, let me look that up.” Charlotte punched the buttons on her phone with lightning speed. “Don’t mean to be a downer, but it’s very important that you choose a lucky . . . Wow, listen to this. ‘Married in September’s golden glow, smooth and serene your life will go.’”

“Works for me.” Annabelle winked at Tess. Then she laughed as the baby made an adorable cooing sound. “Fae agrees. Oh, God, I want one of these of my very own. Boy or girl, I don’t care. She’s precious, Tess.”

“First things first.” Tess handed her daughter back into Annabelle’s arms, grinning as the little girl cooed again, and blinked up adorably at the person holding her. “September will be here before you can blink. We’d better start planning this wedding. Where do you want to get married?”

“That much is settled.” Annabelle felt a rush of warmth and joy.

“Believe it or not, Diana Hartigan invited us to have the wedding at the Good Luck Ranch. Her mother was married there, and she and Doug were, too. Just like Sophie and Rafe. It’s such a beautiful place. I never imagined that Wes would agree, but he did! He wants us to carry on the tradition. The ranch and this town used to remind him of his father, but not anymore. He said Hoot’s ghost can’t touch him or us. And he’s over letting his father’s memory affect the way he lives his life. Wes stayed away for so long because coming home reminded him of his father. But now . . .” She beamed. “Now he says this town feels like home. And the Good Luck Ranch will be filled with everyone we love. No ghosts allowed.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Charlotte grinned. “You need to go to town and order some invitations! September is right around the corner.”

“It’s only the sixth of July.” Annabelle laughed at her.

“Time flies when you’re in love,” Charlotte countered. “I’m going for my fitting today. Come with me to Big Timber and we’ll look at dresses! Tess, you can bring Fae. I can tell she’s all girl. She’s going to love shopping as much as we do.”

Tess’s eyes lit. “You’re on. I haven’t been out of the house in weeks.”

Annabelle felt like she was going to burst with happiness. There was so much to do, but all of it was wonderful.

Wedding dresses. Invitations. Flowers and candles, a wedding supper and champagne. This was real. As real as the love she and Wes shared.

“Let’s go right now.” She jumped up. Joy floated through her.

She couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle and into Wes’s arms.