Wishing for the Rancher’s Love (High Country Ranch #5)

Chapter 19

19

She was getting married.

Clementine peered into the mirror on the wall above the chest of drawers, brushed a wild strand of hair back into the hastily tied knot, then smoothed her hand down her wrinkled blouse and skirt.

Even though she’d taken the fresh clothing out of her bag and hung the items up when she was getting ready for bed earlier, she hadn’t anticipated putting them on so quickly, and certainly not without ironing them. But she hadn’t wanted to waste time with that. Not after Grady had knocked on her door a few minutes ago and told her the reverend had come right over and was now waiting downstairs.

She gave herself one last look, taking in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes.

She searched her face in the mirror, as if somehow she could find some sign of distress, hesitation, or a warning. But she looked eager and even happy, like a bride about to marry the man of her dreams.

If she was honest about Grady, she knew he really was the man of her dreams. And maybe he’d been right a short while ago when he’d told her that she hadn’t liked any other man because she’d been waiting for him. Maybe she hadn’t been doing so consciously, but it was possible her heart had always known it belonged to Grady.

She pressed her hands against her cheeks to cool them off, then spun away from the mirror. Her gaze landed upon the unmade bed. After the mortifying discussion they’d just had about the marriage bed, she doubted he’d join her anytime soon.

As much as she’d enjoyed the closeness to him last night, she wasn’t ready for anything more than simple holding, and she appreciated that Grady had indicated they would go slowly and build their relationship first.

At the very least, their marriage tonight would put an end to any gossip about his coming in and out of her room. He could sit by her bed as long and as often as he pleased once he was her husband.

Husband.

Grady Worth was about to become her husband. And she was about to become his wife.

She couldn’t hold in a smile as she finished crossing the room. As she swung open the door, she halted at the sight of him leaning casually on one shoulder against the opposite wall, his feet crossed.

He’d changed into his suit, and now his dressy coat stretched across his shoulders as it always did. The white of his shirt contrasted with his tanned face and its layer of scruff. His dark trousers clung to his muscular legs. He’d even managed a tie and was as handsome in his suit as he was on the ice playing hockey.

His gaze swept over her. “You look beautiful.”

At his sweet compliment, her heart melted. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He held out the crook of his arm, and she slipped her hand there, letting her fingers linger on his muscles a little too long.

“Are you ready for this?” he asked quietly as they started down the hallway.

Was she ready? For a life with Grady?

She loved being with him, loved how they could talk about anything, and loved how she could be herself with him. He never tried to impress her like other fellows did. He was always authentic. And he spoke the truth with her, even when it wasn’t always pleasant.

They always had fun together. They enjoyed each other’s company. And even when they fought, they still respected each other.

She couldn’t think of any reason not to move forward with the wedding. “I’m ready. Are you?”

“I’m taking full advantage of your willingness tonight. I just hope you don’t wake up in the morning and regret it.”

“And why would I regret it?”

“Because you could have any man you want. So why me?”

At the top of the narrow stairway, she dragged him to a halt.

He was staring down the steps, and his hard jaw flexed.

“Grady Worth,” she whispered. “You have always been and always will be one of my best friends. That’s why I want to marry you. And because I can’t think of a better man than you.”

He slid her a sideways look, his eyes murky and dark.

The small look sent heat into her blood. She wasn’t sure why such a brief glance affected her the way it did, except that he was so handsome and the look so sultry that it made her want to stop completely, press against him, and fuse her mouth to his.

She dropped her gaze away, hoping he couldn’t read her wanton thoughts.

The fact was, no other man set her body ablaze like Grady did. No one even came close to affecting her the same way. That wasn’t reason enough to marry him, but she couldn’t deny she was happy that she’d get to look at him and claim his attention as much as she wanted from this day forward.

When they reached the bottom of the stairway, Mr. Curley, the hotel manager, paused his conversation with the reverend and grinned at them. An older man with slicked-back gray hair and a fleshy face full of wrinkles, he exuded a friendliness that had drawn Clementine from the moment she’d met him. “There’s the happy couple right now.”

A large-boned man in a tight suit stepped out of the sitting room and examined her with narrowed eyes. “So this is the woman?” His voice contained a heavy German accent along with a heavy dose of skepticism.

“Reverend, this is Clementine.” Grady led her toward the two men. “Clementine, this is Reverend Ludwig.”

She offered him a smile. “Thank you for coming tonight on such short notice, Reverend.”

He didn’t smile back but instead sniffed as he finished examining her. Then he pinned a severe look upon Grady. “You are certain your Vater is approving of this wedding?”

“I’m certain.” Grady’s lips cocked into a half grin. “My dad would have had me married to Clementine long ago if he’d had his way.”

The reverend’s severe expression remained hesitant.

“Don’t worry, Reverend Ludwig.” Mr. Curley waved them into the sitting room, which was cluttered with a mishmash of chairs and settees and overflowing bookshelves. Dimly lit by a lantern and the glow of the coal-burning fireplace, the room had a musty, old-book smell. “I’ve never seen Grady so enamored as I have today. It’s obvious he loves Clementine.”

Obvious? She arched a brow at Grady. The hotel proprietor had only been around them for a few minutes here and there throughout the day. How had he drawn that conclusion?

Grady shrugged, as if hearing her unasked question.

“Well, then.” The reverend moved a chair out of his way before turning and facing them. “If Mr. Worth is approving this marriage, then who am I, his humble servant, to question him?”

She wasn’t sure if the reverend was being serious, but as he began to open a worn book containing the order of worship, his expression remained solemn, and she had to bite back a smile.

She sensed Grady watching her, and when she met his gaze, his eyes were dancing with merriment. His humor only made it harder to contain her smile.

Reverend Ludwig cleared his throat. “In the name of the Vater, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Mr. Curley made the sign of the cross and then gave a resounding “Amen.”

The reverend waited and leveled a look at both her and Grady, as if waiting for them to say something.

“Amen?” she offered tentatively.

He sighed and then continued. “We are gathered here in the sight of God and of his Church to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in holy marriage. This is an honorable estate, which God himself has instituted and blessed, and by which he gives us a picture of the very communion of Christ and his bride, the Church.”

She was really doing this, getting married to Grady. A tremble wound through her.

Grady squeezed her hand, still in the crook of his arm.

As she glanced up at him, his eyes seemed to offer her assurance that if this wasn’t what she wanted, she could say so and he’d put a stop to it.

She squeezed his hand back.

“The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind,” Reverend Ludwig continued in his heavy accent, “is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity, and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord.”

Had he really just mentioned the procreation of children as part of the wedding ceremony? She hastily dropped her gaze to the faded rug covering the floor. Talking about the issue had been embarrassing enough with just Grady, but it was all the more mortifying here and now.

Grady didn’t seem to be paying attention and was instead lifting his head and sniffing the air.

“Therefore,” Reverend Ludwig said, “marriage is not to be entered into inadvisably or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”

Guilt pricked her. Were they entering marriage reverently? Especially since the decision had been so impulsive and hasty.

Grady spun away from her, breaking their connection. “Does anyone else smell that?”

The reverend slanted a severe gaze upon Grady. “Please do not interrupt—”

“It smells like smoke.” Mr. Curley was sniffing the air now too.

Grady’s brows furrowed. “Mr. Curley, did you leave something cooking in the kitchen?”

The older man cocked his head with an are you serious? look. “At ten o’clock at night?”

Clementine suddenly caught the waft of smoke too, and a light film of cloudiness seemed to be filtering into the room.

Without another word, Grady stalked across the room and through the door. Mr. Curley was right on his heels, and their steps echoed heavily in the hallway.

The reverend stood unmoving, his mouth hanging open as if he’d been about to say the next line of the ceremony and was now waiting for the men to return. Clementine wasn’t sure whether to stay with him or follow Grady.

Since she didn’t want to bring the reverend’s wrath down upon her, she decided to remain in her spot, but in the next instant, Grady’s and Mr. Curley’s shouts were echoing down the hallway.

“Fire! The hotel is on fire!”