Читать книгу The Wedding Party Collection - Кейт Хьюит, Aimee Carson - Страница 60

Epilogue

“I never thought it was possible to pull together a wedding in six weeks.” Betsy gazed up at her husband of seven hours, then around the crowded ballroom.

The fact that the Spring Gulch Country Club was still decorated for Valentine’s Day seemed appropriate because her wedding day three days after had been filled with passion. The promise of her and Ryan’s love had been fulfilled when they’d said their vows this afternoon in a small ceremony in the mountains. Betsy smiled. “I can’t believe so many people showed up.”

“They wouldn’t have missed it.” Ryan’s hand rested on her waist. “Just like the preliminary hearing. They make time for what’s important.”

When Betsy had arrived at the courthouse last month, she’d been stunned to find the place packed. Their friends had all turned out to show their support.

Chad and his attorney had been shocked. At first Betsy thought he might waive the prelim, but both Betsy and the woman he’d violated had been allowed to testify. Despite the stress, Betsy had achieved a measure of peace by confronting her attacker in court.

When Chad’s attorney had tried to bring Ryan into the picture, Betsy hadn’t gotten defensive. She’d simply stuck to the facts and reiterated that anything that had gone on between she and her fiancé had been consensual.

Even though nothing had been decided, rumors around town were that Chad’s attorney was proposing a plea agreement. That part of Betsy’s life would soon be relegated to the past. But Betsy had already decided that once they got back from the honeymoon she was going to get involved with the Teton County Victim Services.

“You look a million miles away.” Her husband leaned over, brushing his lips against her hair.

Betsy leaned into his embrace, resting her head against his shoulder. “I feel so blessed.”

Puffy sat with a group of children, a shimmery white bow askew about her neck. The Pomeranian had been the consummate ring bearer, prancing down the red carpet of the small church.

Mr. Marstand, looking resplendent in the tux he’d worn when he’d walked Betsy down the aisle, was dancing with one of Aunt Agatha’s bridge partners.

Scattered around the large room were friends and their families laughing, talking and dancing. Her gaze settled on Cole and Meg Lassiter’s son, Charlie. Meg had mentioned that last year the little boy had been involved in Mutton Busting at the Little Buckeroo Rodeo in Pinedale.

Would Ryan want his son or daughter to be involved in rodeo activities? Betsy was curious but not concerned. She knew when the time came that she and Ryan would make that decision together.

“If you’re worried about the love token,” Ryan said in a low tone, “I’m confident it will show up.”

The day after he’d asked her to marry him, the medallion had gone missing. Again.

Ryan chuckled and added, “It’ll probably show up before some big occasion, like when we find out we’re pregnant.”

Betsy thought about the test she’d taken just that morning. Her lips curved upward.

“I can’t believe it,” Ryan said. “There it is.”

“Where?”

“Stuck to the side of the cake.” His voice was filled with disbelief. “How the heck did it get there?”

Betsy wound her arms around his neck. “You’re so smart.”

Ryan tilted his head. “Because I predicted that it would show up and it did?”

“Because—” she pressed a kiss against the edge of his lips “—you said it would show up when we find out we’re pregnant.”

“When we—” He froze. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Betsy nodded. Her smile widened. “I did the test this morning. It was positive.”

Ryan let out a whoop and spun her around until they were both laughing and out of breath. And as his lips closed over hers, Princess Betsy realized that life didn’t get much better than being with Prince Ryan in the Kingdom of Jackson Hole.

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