Kiss the Bride (25 page)

“I'm sorry,” she said stiffly. “I didn't mean to do that to you.”

“No. You misunderstood. That's not what I meant.” He ran a hand over his face. “Man, I'm making a mess of it.”

Skye couldn't argue with that.

He leaned against Snickers's side. “But maybe it was for the best, me going away for a few days. Maybe I needed my one and only big brother to knock some sense into me. Maybe he's the only one who could.”

“Did he?” Hope rose in her chest.

“Yes.”

“Like what?”

“Like looking at all the ways God's blessed me through that big, noisy, interfering, exasperating family of mine. Like holding one of my nieces in my arms and realizing the absolute miracle of new life. Like how much I love you. Really love you. Deep down in my bones love you.” His arm snaked across the horse's back, and he clasped Skye's right hand in his left. “Skye, I don't know if I'd ever be ready to have as many kids as my folks did. But when the time's right, I wouldn't mind starting with one . . . as long as you're the mother.”

“Oh, Grant,” she whispered.

“Stay there.”

He hurried around Snickers and stopped before her. She thought he was about to hug her, but instead he drew her into a dance hold, his right hand in the small of her back, warm, strong, reassuring.

He stared down at her. “I want to dance with you for the rest of my life, Skye.” He started to sway side to side. “But you know I've got two left feet. I'm going to need you to teach me the steps, and you know I'm gonna stumble every now and again. Probably step on your toes. Think you can handle it?”

Soft laughter escaped her. “Grant, remember what I told you the first time we met? I love a challenge.” She pressed her cheek against his chest. “As long as we dance together, we're going to be just fine.”

Through tear-blurred eyes, Skye watched the wedding
party—bride and groom, parents of the bride and groom, best man and maid of honor, groomsmen and bridesmaids—waltz around the dance floor. Who wouldn't cry at such a beautiful moment?

Everything about this wedding had been sublime, just as she'd imagined it would be—the bride and groom speaking their vows in the gazebo, the morning sun bathing the world in a golden July glow, the guests filling row after row of white folding chairs, the cutting of the cake, the music, and now the dancing.

The waltz ended. Skye looked for Grant. He'd been with the wedding party a moment before, dancing with one of the bridesmaids. But now she couldn't see him. Where had he gone? Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he stood before her. Still wearing his suit jacket but with the addition of a gray cowboy hat covering his hair.

“Care to risk your feet, Miss Foster?” A slow grin curved his mouth.

“I'm a brave woman, Mr. Nichols.”

“Yes, you are.”

She stepped into his arms as the band began to play “I Hope You Dance.”

Perfect
.

She loved the way Grant made her feel as he folded her smaller hand within his larger one. There was a sense of security in his other hand against the small of her back. Her heart fluttered as they moved in time to the music.

Heavenly.

She tilted her head back and looked up at him. Beneath the brim of his gray Stetson, she saw the love in his eyes and the warmth of his smile. No shadows could hide him from her. She saw him as clearly as he saw her, and the knowledge made her tremble with more happiness than she had ever dreamed possible.

Skye had learned something important over the summer. Dreams for her future were all well and good, but the present—whatever that present looked like—was what she was meant to embrace, to savor.

Here, in the arms of the man she loved, was the only dance, the only moment, that mattered.

I have enjoyed reading each one of the Year of Weddings
novellas as they have released, and I was delighted to be invited to participate in the second year, especially since it allowed me to return to Kings Meadow once again.

And a special thanks to Ami McConnell, who championed all of the stories set in Kings Meadow.

1. Skye was in love with the idea of love. Did she have unrealistic expectations of romance and/or marriage? In what ways did her faith in God protect her from making poor choices?

2. Grant's past relationships with women before he was a Christian weren't respectful or healthy. What did he do right to change his behaviors? What could he have done better?

3. Skye and Grant both fell in love quickly. Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?

4. Grant's history with his family was loving but made him reluctant to marry and have kids of his own. How has your family history impacted your marriage and/or your plans for the future?

5. Skye makes assumptions about her future with Grant that nearly end their relationship. What assumptions
have you made in your relationships (romantic or otherwise) that you need to talk over with a loved one?

6. In the end, Skye realizes the importance of living in the present. In what ways have you allowed memories of the past and/or dreams or fears for your future to spoil the present? What steps can you take to live more fully today?

Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author
of seventy-five books. Her well-drawn characters and heartwarming stories of faith, courage, and love have earned her both critical acclaim and the devotion of readers. Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance,
Romantic Times
Career Achievement Awards for Americana Romance and for Inspirational Fiction, the Carol Award, the 2011 Idahope Writer of the Year Award, and Lifetime Achievement Awards from both Romance Writers of America (2001) and American Christian Fiction Writers (2014).
Catching Katie
was named one of the Best Books of 2004 by
Library Journal
.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make
her cry, and watching romantic movies. She and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with Poppet, the high-maintenance papillon, and Princess Pinky, the DC (Demon Cat).

Love on a Deadline

K
ATHRYN
S
PRINGER

Dedication

To Wendy Lawton
It's important for an author to have a good agent, but it's a blessing for an author to have an agent who is also a good friend!

This one is for you

“Have you finished that special feature on the historical
society's fashion show yet, Mac?”

Mackenzie Davis smiled up at her editor as she discreetly hit the Send button. “It should be in your in-box, Mr. Buchanan.”

Right about . . . now.

“Great!” Grant Buchanan stepped into Mac's cubicle and held up a sheet of paper. “Because I've got the perfect story for you.”

“Great,” Mac echoed, trying to match the editor's enthusiasm. The last time Grant claimed he had the “perfect” story for her, she'd been sent to interview the cheerleading squad about their upcoming fall fund-raiser. Forcing Mac to relive certain moments she'd rather forget.