Under the Midnight Stars (33 page)

He put his head down in shame. He felt terrible for the woman sitting before him. Her feelings for him still remained. And he felt even worse for leading her to believe he truly loved her all those years ago. But he was too young to even know what love was back then — he was just a teenage boy, with one thing on his mind.

“It’s okay though,” she continued. “Sure I was heartbroken at sixteen. But I was just a kid. And so were you. We were friends for a long time before we started dating, remember? I know you love me like a friend or you wouldn’t be here right now trying to make things right instead of being at your wedding. Don’t beat yourself up over all this. You haven’t done anything wrong, and there’s nothing you can do to fix anything. Except to be here accepting my apology, that is. It means a lot to me, Colt. But I’ve already caused enough strife between you and Gab … I mean Brielle.”

She giggled slightly. “Jack’s been going around telling people to call her Brielle because she hates everything else. He’s so sweet. He wants to make sure she doesn’t go through any more unnecessary stress for the baby’s sake. Congratulations, by the way.”

He shook his head. “That sounds like Jack all right. And thank you, but I have another child too, remember?” he reminded her. “And I’d like for you to introduce us formally. It’d mean a lot to me, and to him I’m sure. I won’t take any of your time with him away from you. But I’d like to make both of you a part of my life before…”

He couldn’t finish. He swallowed back his tears and clenched his jaw. “And I think it’d be nice for you to get to know the woman who’s gonna try her damndest to love our son as much as you do.”

Tears filled Miranda’s eyes. “I’d forgotten all about that. About her being a part of his life too … But to tell you the truth, I honestly can’t think of any woman more caring and worthy to take over loving and raising my son.” She pressed her lips together, trying her hardest to keep her tears from falling.

Colt’s heart broke for Miranda. “I know how hard this is for you.”

A single tear rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and smiled. “I thought you were getting married today?”

“I am. I came to invite you to the wedding. You and Junior. It’d mean a lot to me, and to Brielle.” He saw the reluctance in her eyes. He was asking too much of her. “I’m sorry. You’re tired. I can see it.”

She shook her head. “No. That’s not it. I just don’t wanna upset Brielle by being there is all. She didn’t deserve what I did to her. Neither of you did.”

“She wanted to postpone the wedding for you, just so that I could come over here and make amends. But I wouldn’t have it. I told her I’d be back on time for the ceremony. She’s more than happy to have you and Junior at the wedding. You’re both family. She wants you there. She’ll be disappointed if you don’t come.”

“All right, Colt. We’ll be there. I just need thirty minutes, if that’s not too much to ask?”

“No, it’s not. I’ll give you a ride. I’ll just wait here while you get ready.” He turned his chair back around to face the street.

“Thank you, Colt.” She stood and opened the door. Pausing in the doorway, she turned back to him. “I was so stressed about leaving Colton Junior behind that I could barely stand it.” Silent tears rolled down her cheeks. “But now, my life just seems more at peace.” With that, she went inside and closed the door behind her.

Colt sighed helplessly and wiped away a lone tear. He sat back, staring at the darkening sky holding just a hint of daylight in the distant horizon. Thoughts of Miranda and how healthy she’d looked a month ago crossed his mind. He pictured her now, tired and frail. He knew she didn’t have much time left. He wondered how Junior was handling his mother slowly dying, right before his eyes. He had a sudden urge to take Junior into his arms and never let go.

The front door creaked open, breaking the silence. Junior stepped out. His hair, tousled last time Colt had seen him, was now neatly combed. He wore blue jeans with dark gray cowboy boots and a light gray shirt tucked in. Aside from his mother’s dark brown hair, he was now the spitting image of his father.

Junior’s golden eyes reflected his fear. He sat down on the top step of the porch and leaned his back against the wooden railing to face Colt. He quickly averted his eyes.

A wave of nervousness enveloped Colt at the sight of his son. He swallowed uneasily. He wanted to love him, but he didn’t even know how to start. All he knew was that he had to go about this slowly. At a pace comfortable for Junior. He stood, descended the steps, and took a seat on the bottom one, with his back against the railing opposite his son.

“So I guess you know I’m your father?” He looked at Junior briefly. He didn’t want to scare him off.

Junior nervously began peeling away the dark green paint of the worn steps. “Yeah, I know,” he replied timidly.

“I just found out today myself. If I had known the first time I’d met you … well, things would’ve been different than they are now. I would’ve been here for you sooner,” Colt replied honestly. Guiltily.

Junior nodded, but continued to chip away at the peeling paint with his thumbnail.

Colt stood. “I’ll be right back. I have something for you.”

He went to the car and grabbed the hat he’d gotten for Junior the first time around, before he knew the results of the paternity test. It was just like his, only a bit smaller. He headed back to the same step and sat down.

Dusting a bit of fuzz off the brim, he handed it to Junior. “I think this will look good on you. Can’t be a cowboy without a hat.”

Junior stared at the hat in disbelief. Suddenly, an ear-to-ear grin crossed his face. He eagerly took the hat and put it on.

Colt chuckled softly, feeling a pang as love for his son grew. “You look like a real cowboy now.”

“Really?” Junior stood to see his reflection in the window. “Do I look like
you
now?”

Another ache tugged at Colt’s heart. “You sure do, son. You sure do.”

Junior sat back down. “Thank you for the hat. It’s really cool.”

“You’re welcome, Junior — is that the name you go by?” Colt asked.

“Yeah, but my friends call me CJ. You know, for Colton Junior. I like that better. My mom just likes Junior better. You know how girls are.” He shook his head.

Colt chuckled under his breath. “Yeah, I know how girls are, CJ. And I’m afraid it doesn’t get any easier. But fortunately, the older you get, the smarter you get. And then you’ll know how to make them happy.”

CJ smiled, but only briefly. He swallowed hard before speaking again. “So … you’re marrying that waitress from the diner? Is she nice? She seems nice,” he said glumly.

Colt wished for nothing more than to be able to save CJ’s mother for him, but instead, vowed to be the best father he could be. “Yep. I sure am. She is nice, CJ. She’s real nice. You’ll like her. She can’t wait to meet you.”

CJ lowered his head and began chipping the paint again.

Colt was desperate to retain the progress he had made in such a short time. He smiled when he came up with a solution. “You know what else? You’re gonna be a big brother in about eight months.”

CJ lifted his head and smiled proudly. “Really? I am? I didn’t know that. That’s so cool. I always wanted to have a brother or sister. Do you know what it is yet? A boy or a girl?”

“No, it’s too early to tell. But you’ll be the first to know when we find out. How’s that?”

“Awesome!” CJ grinned.

Just then Miranda stepped out onto the front porch. The makeup she’d applied covered her exhaustion well. In her yellow summer dress with matching ballet flats, she almost looked like the vivacious Miranda he remembered. She no longer looked as if she were waiting to die … she looked as if she were happy to live.

Brielle stood anxiously at the beginning of the glowing pathway, wearing her white summer dress and holding her bouquet of white and purple roses. She exhaled nervously. This was it. The day she’d been dreaming about since she was a child was finally here. And she was scared as hell. After all, she and Colt hadn’t known each other for very long. Maybe they were rushing things? Maybe they should be taking things slower like normal couples? But most people probably didn’t have a baby on the way. Was she marrying him for love, or for their baby?

“I don’t know about this, Jack,” she admitted nervously.

Jack stood beside her and smiled a warm, charming half-smile. “Don’t worry, Brielle, you and Colt belong together. You two love each other more than anything. Without one, the other would be like a ranch without horses and a farm without chickens. It’d be a lonely half of a whole, mulling about, sulking, waiting for the other half to waltz in and spark it back to life. Just like Colt waltzed into town and sparked you back to life. I haven’t seen you this happy in over two years. You need him, and he needs you. You’re making the right decision.”

“I am, aren’t I?” Brielle’s heart filled with awe and admiration for her little brother. Tears blurred her vision. “I miss Dad something terrible, Jack, but I’m glad you’re the one walking me down the aisle. It makes sense. And just because I’m getting married, it doesn’t mean that I won’t need you anymore. I can’t get through life without you. You may be my little brother, but you are wise beyond your years. And I love you.” She sucked in a ragged breath as a tear rolled down each cheek.

“Aw, come here.” He embraced her securely. “I love you too, Brielle … I love you too.” He swallowed hard. “The house is sure gonna be lonely without you.”

She felt bad for him — as if she were moving on in life and leaving him behind. But he needed to carve out a life of his own as well. He’d needed it for a long time now. It wasn’t quite the way he’d imagined it, but he was finally on his own.

“You’ll do just fine, Jack,” she replied adamantly and pulled away to face him. “You can make anything you want of your life now. There’s no one in your way anymore. You can start living life for you.” A smug smile crossed her face. “Plus, I’ll be over all the time seeing as how I’m only next door. And you’d better be over all the time too. And since you hate cooking, I’ll always make plenty for dinner. You’re welcome to join us anytime.”

Jack nodded. “That sounds like a plan in my new life that I can’t wait to put into action. Now,
brat,
” — he grinned and winked and extended his right arm — “are you ready to go get hitched?”

She nodded eagerly and wrapped her arm about his. And then, following the path of soft glowing candles, blanketed in the warm summer air, with crickets chirping their melody and lightning bugs flashing, under the brilliance of billions of shining stars, she let him guide her over the soft grass, through the majestic mighty oaks, to the top of the last hill … There she stood overlooking the altar surrounded with more candles, in the exact same spot as the previous night’s proposal, with all of the guests standing on either side of the path on the downside of the hill. The only difference this time was an arch overlooking the creek, adorned with white and purple roses.

Standing at the arch, Colt locked eyes on Brielle.

Everyone turned, all eyes on her.

Brielle suddenly felt like a scared kindergartener on her first day of school.

Jack kissed his sister on the cheek, gave a reassuring nod and wink, and left to stand next to his date.

Brielle began to tremble nervously, causing her bouquet of flowers to shake. She looked at Colt with fear in her eyes. He was smiling at her reassuringly, but he seemed so far away.

Colt focused in on her trembling flowers. His reassuring smile turned to awe. He left the arch, and after a few long strides, was standing next to her. He covered her trembling hands with his.

“Don’t be scared, baby,” he whispered gently. “I love you.” With that, he leaned down and kissed her softly.

Brielle’s nerves melted away with his soft touch, reassuring words, and loving kiss. She no longer noticed all of the people staring at her. All that mattered to her now was marrying this hero who had strolled into town and swept her off of her feet, and turned her dismal country life into the paradise she’d always dreamed of.

“Thank you,” she whispered as he lifted his head to gaze into her eyes.

Colt winked. “Anytime.” Taking her hand securely into his, he led her to the altar.

Standing in front of the pastor, with the trickle of the soft flowing creek, the chirping of crickets, and the croaking of bullfrogs, surrounded by the soft green glow of lightning bugs, and under the brilliance of the twinkling universe, they listened and agreed to the vows set before them in the eyes of God, exchanged simple white-gold symbols of their love, and promised their
I do’s
to one another forever. Finally, they sealed their union with the most loving and passionate kiss they’d ever shared, sending both their hearts aflutter, consuming their minds with swirling clouds of passion, and leaving their sensual parts aching for more.

Hooting, clapping, and whistles pulled them from their magical trance, turning a giggling Brielle three shades of red, and a grinning Colt into the happiest man alive.

Jack sat at the dining table with Lanie at his side, eyeing the scrumptious mouth-watering golden turkey taking up the entire middle of the table.

“It looks mighty good, doesn’t it, Uncle Jack?” CJ asked eagerly as he took the seat next to Jack. He held a framed picture of his mother in his hand. He set it on the table next to him.

“It sure does, CJ.” Jack scruffed up his nephew’s hair. “We still on for fishing tomorrow?”

“Heck yeah!” CJ beamed. “I bet I’ll catch more than you and Dad put together this time!”

“You’re on, son!” Colt said as he sat at the head of the table next to CJ. “Where is that woman?” he asked CJ, though he knew exactly where his wife was.

CJ shrugged. “I don’t know, but you should go easy on her. She worked hard cooking us a good meal. And I got to help.” He grinned proudly.

An ache tugged at Colt’s heart. “You’re right. So what’d you make?”

“I helped with the stuffing and the apple pie and the sweet potatoes,” CJ replied matter-of-factly.

“Then I’ll have extra helpings of all three,” Colt promised, proud of his son’s simple accomplishments.