Rodeo Regrets Read online

  Lane shot her a grin meant only for her despite the chaos surrounding them. He tipped his hat. “See you after the rodeo.”

  The arena went dark again and the spotlight veered away from her and spun in dizzying circles around the stands as the crowd cheered.

  Kendra hugged her. “Congratulations.”

  Her stomach did giddy somersaults. “I can’t believe I have to wait until after the rodeo to see him.”

  “Anticipation. I think he planned it that way.”

  “Did you know about this?”

  “If you didn’t sit in your usual spot, I was supposed to track you down.”

  “Well, I can’t wait.” Natalie hurried toward the chutes where the staff gathered before the rodeo, while the rodeo queen rounded the arena with her flag.

  Lane saw Natalie and hopped off the fence to meet her. His arms came around her and their lips met.

  Fireworks went off in her head and heart.

  Lane pulled away. “Whew. Keep that up and nobody’s gonna believe the purity thing.”

  Stetson tugged on Lane’s arm. “Sorry to interrupt, but, Lane, you gotta get in the arena.”

  He let go of her and backed away.

  Weak-kneed, Natalie watched him go. “I love you. Be careful. Mind on the broncs and bulls.”

  “A challenge.” He winked and turned away from her.

  * * *

  Lane blew out a big breath and scanned the crowd milling about before the wedding. A mere five months had passed since he’d bumped into Natalie at Quinn and Lacie’s wedding. Now it was almost time for their own.

  There were right around one hundred and fifty guests. Natalie had gotten her wish—a big, splashy August wedding at the Ever After Chapel filled to capacity. If it had been left up to him, he’d have taken the sneak-off-and-elope route. Or had a tiny gathering of close family and friends in a barn.

  The Ever After Chapel? He would have thought she’d think it was too rustic. Too cheesy. But deep down, underneath her ultramodern persona, she was an old-fashioned, traditional kind of gal.

  And this was Nat’s day. Whatever it took to make her happy, he’d do. Even wear an albino penguin suit. He shook his head at the getup he wore.

  But he’d won on the honeymoon. A week at a Florida beach to beat the Texas heat wave.

  Of course, if he had his way, they’d barely see the beach. He grinned. Natalie all to himself. Finally. With God’s blessing. And her father’s.

  And they’d be back in plenty of time for Hannah’s second birthday. Life was good.

  Wyatt sat near one of the windows in the rustic old chapel with an empty spot for Star beside him. Lane checked his watch—five minutes until showtime.

  He strode over to Wyatt. “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Sure. Have a seat.” Wyatt had mellowed during the last several months. He was no longer combative and overly protective since he and Natalie had come to an agreement about Hannah.

  “I just want you to know, I love Hannah. She’s a doll and I plan on being an attentive stepdad and treating her right, but I won’t try to be her dad. She has a dad.”

  “I appreciate that. Natalie told me about the room you set up for her.”

  “I think we’re all gonna be fine, and Hannah has lots of folks to love her. I appreciate you letting me in her life. She’s a special little girl.”

  “You ready to get this show on the road?” Clay stood at the end of the pew.

  “Past ready.” Lane followed his best man to the front of the church.

  “You nervous?”

  “Not at all.” Finally, he was marrying the woman he’d loved since high school. What was there to be nervous about?

  As he took his place by Brother Timothy, Clay and his groomsman, Quinn, the traditional wedding march began. Who’d have thought Natalie would be so traditional? His soon-to-be bride was full of surprises. Kept him guessing and on his toes. He liked it that way. Life with Natalie Gray would never be dull.

  Hannah strewed red rose petals as she made her way toward him. Soft laughter swept through the guests as Max, Lacie’s son, carried the pillow with the rings under his arm. Good thing the rings were tied in place. Bridesmaid Kendra was next. Eight months pregnant.

  He could picture Natalie that way. Carrying his baby.

  Maid of honor Caitlyn followed. They both took way too long to mosey down the aisle.

  The music intensified and the double doors in the back opened. Natalie was a vision in white lace. His breath stalled.

  * * *

  Natalie scanned the rustic white wood walls that arched at the corners into the ceiling, the primitive wood pews and the aged wood trim and accents of the Ever After Chapel as she stood just outside the slightly open double glass doors. From the time an older cousin had gotten married here when Natalie was nine, she’d dreamed of having her wedding here. She knew Mama would have chosen somewhere fancier, but she hadn’t argued.

  Caitlyn and Kendra took their places at the front of the church. The doors swung open wide and Natalie’s gaze locked with Lane’s.

  If she’d been wearing socks, he’d have knocked them clean off. He was dazzling in his white tux with tails and a red cummerbund to match her rose bouquet. She’d initially planned an off-white dress, but Lane had reminded her that in God’s eyes they were innocent. And God’s eyes were the only eyes that mattered. Other than Lane’s.

  Daddy nudged her. “Ready?”

  Gripping his arm tighter, she nodded.

  As she took slow, measured stutter-steps up the aisle, Lane’s gaze never left hers. She stole a quick glance at Hannah, her hair curled and tied with a red ribbon, playing with a few petals still in her basket. Natalie smiled and focused on her soon-to-be husband again.

  Her life had been such a mess when she’d returned to Aubrey and crashed that wedding. But now the two people she loved most in the world were hers. Thank You, Lord.

  Lane’s smile promised happily ever after. Something she’d forgotten she’d ever wanted—until the cowboy of her high school dreams sauntered back into her life.

  She took the final step and stopped beside him. Daddy handed her over to Lane and went to sit with Mama.

  Lane’s hand closed over hers. Lane, rock solid beside her, for as long as they both lived. The cowboy who’d claimed the jagged pieces of her heart and put them back together. Her first and only love rekindled, strong enough to blot out a lifetime of rodeo regrets.

  Her throat clogged and his handsome face blurred.

  The music stopped. Lane squeezed her hand and shot her a wink—filled with promises of forever.

  * * * * *

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  ISBN: 9781460316207

  Copyright © 2013 by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

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