“But before that begins, I have a little present for Stevie.” Pearl stood up and hugged the bride and groom. “This tradition started when I married Sonny. My mother-in-law gave me a bag of seeds from her sunflowers, and I planted them by the cattle guard at the end of the lane leading up to Sunflower Ranch. When Jessie and Addy got married, I gave her a bag of the seeds from my sunflowers, and she’s planted them at the back of the ranch house. This is for you, Stevie.” She put a bag of seeds in her hands. “I thought you might plant them at the end of your house. They’d look really pretty blooming by that yellow swing.”

“Oh, Pearl”—Stevie wiped away a tear—“this is the best present ever.”

“When you have children, just pass on the tradition.” Pearl handed her a white hankie. “Dab those tears away and get ready to smile for the pictures.”

Cody took the time to brush another sweet kiss across Stevie’s lips. “This is the best day of my life, darlin’.”

“Mine too,” she said.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am.” Cody’s lips met hers in one of those kisses that still made her knees go weak.

When it ended, she whispered, “Let’s get this reception over with so we can come home and you can take me to bed, cowboy.”

“No Dr. Cowboy or love?” he asked.

“Nope, just cowboy, and you’re all mine for a whole week of our stay-at-home honeymoon,” she said.

“No, darlin’, I’m all yours forever,” he whispered.

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About the Author

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA finalist who has sold more than eight million books. She presently writes both women’s fiction and cowboy romance. She has written historical and contemporary romance, both stand-alone titles and series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

For a complete listing of her books (series in order) and to sign up for her newsletter, check out her website at carolynbrownbooks.com or catch her on Facebook/CarolynBrownBooks.

High Praise for Carolyn Brown

“Carolyn Brown makes the sun shine brighter and the tea taste sweeter. Southern comfort in a book.”

—Sheila Roberts, USA Today bestselling author

“Carolyn Brown is one of my go-to authors when I want a feel-good story that will make me smile.”

—FreshFiction

“Carolyn Brown writes about everyday things that happen to all of us and she does it with panache, class, empathy and humor.”

—Night Owl Reviews