Free A Cadence Creek Christmas (Cadence Creek Cowboys) by Donna Alward

their side of the altar, with Rhys positioned right after Jack. The pianist began to play Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” the signal for the women to begin their walk.
    “This is it, girls.” Taylor quickly got them in order and then took her place behind Angela. She gave the man at the door a quick nod and it opened, and the procession began.
    Clara went first, radiant in dark green, glowing with pregnancy and holding her bouquet in front of her rounded tummy. Then Angela, smiling at her husband at the other end, and then, in the middle of the procession, Taylor.
    She stepped on to the white runner, her emerald satin heels sinking slightly into the carpet. She kept slow time with the music, a smile on her face as she winked at her brother who was waiting rather impatiently for his bride. Jack was beside him, grinning like a fool and then...
    And then there was Rhys, watching her with an intensity that made her weak at the knees. The smile on her lips flickered until she purposefully pasted it there, but she couldn’t deny the jolt that had rushed through her that second their eyes met. Her chest cramped as her breath caught, and then his lips curved the tiniest bit and his gaze warmed with approval. And she was back in the truck last night, feeling his hands on her body and his lips on her lips and she got hot all over.
    Then she was in her place, Denise followed and the music changed.
    Taylor forgot all about Rhys the moment Avery stepped to the door and on the carpet. Her lace dress was classic and romantic, her solid red rose bouquet perfect. Taylor’s throat tightened as she took one quick glance at her brother and found his eyes shining with tears. She couldn’t cry. She wouldn’t. She never did at these things. But today was different. She knew how Callum had had his heart broken before and how incredible it was that he was even standing here today. Nell stood on her grandfather’s lap and everyone chuckled when she bounced and said “Mumm mumm mumm.”
    Avery reached Callum, and he held out his hand. She took it and they faced the minister together.
    The prayers were short and heartfelt, the “I Do’s” immediate and clear so that they echoed to the farthest pew. It was when Avery handed her bouquet to Denise and took Callum’s fingers in hers that Taylor wished she’d tucked a tissue into the handle of her bouquet.
    The vows were simple and traditional, the words solid and true as they filled the candlelit church. “I Callum, take you Avery, to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward.”
    A lump formed in Taylor’s throat as she tried to swallow.
    “For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.”
    Taylor took a fortifying breath and told herself to hold it together. But it was so hard, because she could see the look on Callum’s face as he gazed into the eyes of his bride. He was so in love. So sure. The promises were the most important he’d make in his life, but they came easily because he loved Avery that much. Taylor had never experienced anything like that. Sometimes she doubted she ever would...if she was actually that...lovable.
    Avery’s soft, gentle voice echoed them back. “I Avery, take you Callum, to be my husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward.”
    A single tear splashed over Taylor’s lower lashes. She was mortified.
    “To love, honor and cherish for as long as I live.”
    The pair of them blurred as her eyes filled with moisture and she struggled not to blink. The pronunciation was made, there was clapping during the kiss, and then Avery, Callum, Denise and Jack moved to the table to sign the register and wedding certificate. Just when she was sure the tears were going to spill over, a dark figure appeared in front of her and held out a handkerchief.
    She didn’t need to see the fine details to know it was Rhys. Her heart gave a confused flutter just before she reached out and took the fabric from his hand. The shape of his lips curved