It seemed fitting, somehow, that Josh would live in the very spot where his father had lived.

Outside, the late-October sun was gilding trees already starting to turn with the coming winter. Katie imagined being snowbound with Luke at the ranch, sleeping in the room with the river-rock fireplace, watching as his dream unfolded and the ranch was up and running. She would still write, of course, but she thrilled at the thought of spending her days and nights with the man she loved.

The two brides and grooms formed a reception line and Katie accepted kisses, hugs and handshakes from friends, neighbors and relatives. Ralph and Loretta Sorenson had met Josh and had stayed for the nuptials. Even Rose Nesbitt had stood proudly and watched Tiffany marry, though, Katie decided, it would be a cold day in Hades before Rose would ever say a kind word to John Cawthorne.

But time could take care of a lot of the pain.

“It was a great wedding,” Bliss said as the line dwindled and she stood between her two half-sisters.

“The best,” Dee Dee said.

“Oh, I can think of a better one.” Mason winked at his wife.

J.D. laughed and kissed Tiffany again. Luke’s arm surrounded Katie’s waist. “I wouldn’t trade this one for the world,” he whispered into her ear. “Now, can we go somewhere private.”

“Soon,” Katie whispered back.

“Not good enough, wife.” Not waiting for another second, Luke pulled her behind a thick laurel hedge and, holding her face between his two callused hands, he looked deep into her eyes, then kissed her as if he never intended to stop. Because he didn’t.