Free A Wedding in Red Creek: Rori and Jackson (The Sons of Dusty Walker Book 9) by Randi Alexander Page B

part of your rodeo
land to make it happen.”
    “Our land. Don’t forget, in a few days, we’ll be sharing
everything.” He turned them to look out over the land. “What do you think?
Should we make the school building look like an old saloon to fit into the
rodeo theme?”
    Rori giggled. “No, because all the rodeo cowboys would come
in looking for the bar.” She could envision a sleek, modern building, tall,
with a lot of windows. “Could I hire Kiwi to come and teach hacking?”
    He laughed as he picked her up and spun her around.
Stopping, they took a second to catch their equilibrium. “Darlin’, you can do
whatever makes you happy.”
    She let the swell of love wet her eyes. “Cowboy, all I need
is you to make me happy. I love you, Jackson Walker.” Glancing at the piece of
land where they’d build a school, she sighed. “You’re right, this school is a
wild idea, but I’ve never heard of a better one. You’re amazing.”
    His cheeks turned red, he mumbled something, then just
kissed her like he wanted to go on doing it for the rest of their lives.
    ****
    Jackson stood next to the banked fireplace in Dusty’s house
on Osprey Lake. His black western-cut tuxedo and shiny new boots made him feel
like a rock star, and thanks to his brothers flying in a Kansas City stylist,
his hair was now shorter and actually looked pretty good. Nerves jostled his
whole body as he glanced around at the small crowd. He was getting married. How
had he gone from a rodeo cowboy to a groom so fast?
    Dylan sat on a stool in the corner playing softly on his
acoustic guitar. The rest of the family and friends whispered and laughed
softly. A joyous day.
    Their father’s cousin, Mercy, and her four daughters had
been invited, but had declined and sent a very expensive gift. What was
happening with that branch of the Walker clan?
    He brought his attention back to the present and looked down
at the red rose in his lapel. Rori and her love of red.
    A bell rang at the top of the steps, and Dylan nodded to
Jackson, changing the music to a tune he’d written just for the occasion, and
increasing the volume.
    This was it. Jackson looked up to the top of the long set of
stairs. Rori’s father stood in a black tuxedo and held out his right hand.
    Rori appeared.
    Jackson’s breath stalled.
    Her long, white dress had lace on the top, heart-shaped
around her breasts, and long lacy sleeves. The skirt was some kind of floaty
material that puffed out a little. She’d piled some of her hair on her head in
a tiara—her little reference, just for him, as his rodeo queen—and she’d left
the rest to fall in curls past her shoulders. She carried a bouquet of white
flowers and red roses.
    She and Simon took the first step, and Rori’s foot flashed a
bright red high-heel shoe.
    He sighed. Had anyone ever looked that beautiful?
    Their eyes met and she gave him a soft smile. They hadn’t
seen each other since the day before. Rori stayed here at the house, and
Jackson slept at the apartment. This morning, he finished packing up their
things then hung out at their new house all day, getting everything ready for
their stay-home honeymoon.
    Rori reached the bottom of the steps, and Jackson heard
crying. Sapphire and Mina clung to each other, using lace hankies to dab at
their eyes. Women. He blinked and felt too much moisture in his own eyes.
    Simon guided Rori to Jackson’s side, and the family’s
attorney, Stanley Benner, stepped in front of the fireplace. “Who gives this
woman to be married?” Rori hadn’t even balked at the traditional ceremony
Jackson had suggested.
    “Her mother and I do.” Simon kissed his daughter’s cheek,
shook Jackson’s hand, and placed Rori’s palm in Jackson’s.
    Her fingers shook a little, and Jackson’s did too, but they
smiled and let Stanley read the words that would bind them together.
    “Rori, you have vows you would like to share with Jackson?”
    She looked into his eyes. “Long ago you were just