Page 66 of Home to the Cowboy

“Hey you two!” Becket called out. He was standing on the porch. “Come on in, we’ve already finished one bottle of bubbly.”

Everyone was in the dining room and as they entered, loud cheers and whistles welcomed them.

The women were all over June, hugging her and looking at her ring.

Carson slapped him on the back. “I don’t even have to ask how you are. You’re grinning like an idiot.”

“Come on, everyone,” Arlene laughed. “The food’s getting cold. Hayden, have you opened another bottle of bubbly?”

“I have, Mom.” Hayden refilled all the glasses.

As everyone took their seats Willow gave Dylan a hug before she also sat down. “Happy for you coz.”

Arlene lifted her glass. “Dylan and June, I am so happy you two are engaged. Welcome to the family, June. The moment I saw you for the first time, I knew you belonged here with us.”

Dylan was hoping they could eat after everyone had congratulated them, but as he picked up his knife and fork, Arlene cleared her throat again. “So, Dylan when do you want to get married?”

*

June gasped. Oh, my goodness, everything was moving forward at warp speed. She was still getting used to being engaged and Arlene was already talking about getting married.

Laughing, Ellie patted June’s arm. “It’s perfectly normal in this family to organize a wedding during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, trust me.”

Rose nodded. “My advice? Just go with the flow.”

Laura leaned forward. “We all had our weddings here, in the homestead and outside on the lawn. Everyone pitches in. If that’s what you want, we would love to host your wedding as well.”

June’s eyes filled with tears. “I … I don’t know what to say. I’ve never had a family and now here you are, offering your home and your time …” She looked at Dylan. “I’m happy if you are?”

Dylan wiped her tears away. “I like the idea. I just have one stipulation,” he said.

“Of course,” June said. “What?”

“I don’t want to wait,” Dylan said. “What about Saturday or Sunday?”

June’s eyes widened. “Wow … okay. I probably have something in my suitcase I can wear.”

Willow laughed. “Mom, don’t you have something to tell June?”

Arlene smiled. “Do you remember the dress you tried on in Bozeman and didn’t get?”

Excited, June nodded. “Oh, yes. I can maybe drive to Bozeman today …”

Arlene shook her head. “Not necessary. I bought it for you that day.”

Dumbstruck, June stared at the older woman, her heart overflowing with love and wonder at this amazing family who was welcoming her into their lives with arms wide open. “Really?”

Willow winked at June. “Mom has bought wedding dresses for all us before we even knew we were getting married.”

Arlene nodded. “I just knew it won’t be long before you get married. I was rooting for Dylan of course,” she said with a smile. “But if he’d been too slow, someone else would’ve asked you. We can go and try it on after breakfast. I also got shoes.”

“Who would you like to invite?” Laura asked. “We don’t have much time.”

June’s head was reeling. “I’d like Abby, my friend, to be here but I doubt if she’ll make it. As a professional organizer, her life is planned down to the last T.”

“You should get her here to organize Carson’s home,” Dylan chuckled.

“Nobody organizes me, thank you very much,” Carson said with a shudder. “I can’t think of anything worse.”