Lost and Found Family by Jennifer Ryan

Sarah stood in her bedroom at the ranch and stared at herself in the full-length mirror. The beautiful white gown came from St. James, designed and created just for her. She loved the draped neckline that gathered at her breasts and flowed over her shoulders and took a deep dive to her waist, leaving her back bare, much like the dress Luke loved that she’d worn to the benefit. This one hugged her hips and draped to the floor with a slit up the back so she could easily walk in it.

It was perfect.

Simple. Elegant. Just right for a ranch wedding.

Her hair was pulled into a knot on the back of her head with curls coming from it to soften the look.

She wore round rubies in her ears. Red for love.

Her bouquet had five red roses surrounded by white hydrangeas. She’d been specific with the number of roses and couldn’t wait to share the reason why with Luke.

It hadn’t been easy keeping her secret. Lucky for her, the morning sickness made her queasy and tired only before subsiding around lunch each day.

She’d been tempted to tell Luke on the day he proposed in Paris during their two-week trip to complete the install of the security program for Griffin Worldwide Financial. They’d spent nearly every waking hour together traveling from one country to the next, city to city, and office to office. In that time, they got to really know each other over long dinners, exploring the places they visited, and just being together without all the other distractions.

They missed the kids terribly, but they enjoyed each other.

And on their last stop, Paris, Luke took her on a tour of the city that ended at twilight in front of the Eiffel Tower, where unbeknownst to Sarah, Abby stood by recording the whole scene unfold as Luke took a knee in front of her, held up a gorgeous diamond solitaire, and asked her to be not just his wife, but his everything for the rest of their lives.

Sarah barely remembered any of it, except saying yes and kissing Luke. She loved kissing Luke.

But the video showed her in a soft flowing pink dress she’d put on to go to dinner and Luke in slacks and a dress shirt, looking too handsome for his own good, down on one knee, her smiling, tears running down her cheeks, and both of them looking so happy and in love. She remembered the applause from the tourists around them when Luke slipped the ring on her finger. She didn’t remember him scooping her up and twirling her around. But the kiss. That she remembered. And the love that made her heart feel like it might explode from her chest.

Caught up in the moment, she held on to her news for today.

They wanted to be married right away.

It took three weeks to put the wedding together. And she couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle to the man she loved.

Today, they’d finally be an official family.

Sarah picked up the wedding gift Luke left her. She tore open the white wrapping and found a rectangular velvet jewelry box inside. She opened the lid and tried really hard not to cry her makeup right off.

She stared in wonder at the pearl and ruby necklace she’d worn the night of the charity benefit. She took it from the box, hooked it around her neck, and let the pearls and large ruby hang down her back and checked herself out in the mirror again.

She’d liked the stunning piece when she rented it from the jeweler.

She loved it even more that Luke knew how much she’d wanted to keep it.

She was ready.

And just in time. Someone knocked on the door. She opened it and found her father standing there dressed in a black tux with a red bow tie. His gaze softened on her as he took her in. “I have the most beautiful daughter in the world.”

“Thank you, Lyon.”

“It seems like yesterday I bailed you out of jail.” And tried to be a father to a girl who was already old enough to make her own way and be her own woman.

And she’d accomplished that all on her own.

She smiled softly. “I’m a long way from being that girl.”

“You’re a successful businesswoman. An amazing mother. And now, finally, you’ll be a wife to a man who comes very close to deserving you.”

Tears clogged her throat and filled her eyes. She blinked them away. “Dad. You’ll make me cry.”

He held her gaze, his filled with emotion. “That’s the first time you’ve ever called me that.”

“I’m sorry it took me this long to do it. But today of all days, I’m so happy you’re here with me.”

He wrapped her in a hug. “Me, too, sweetheart. I’m sorry for all the days I missed. You can bet, I won’t miss any more.”

She hugged him a little tighter. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you, too.”

She stepped back and grabbed her bouquet. “I’m ready.”

She couldn’t wait to meet Luke at the altar.

*  *  *

Luke stood at the end of the long white-draped aisle bordered by their closest friends and family, nervous and anxious to see his bride.

His mom and dad sat in the front row just in front of him.

Margaret sat up front on the bride’s side along with Sarah’s stepmother, Norah.

The music began and Luke smiled at the boys coming down the aisle dressed in matching black pants, white dress shirts, and red ties, pulling Jamie in a red wagon as she dropped handfuls of red rose petals along the aisle. She looked adorable in her red dress, ruby slippers to match, and a red bow in her hair.

Trish and Brett gave her a wave as she passed their seats.

Sarah had come a long way in accepting Trish into her life. She’d fallen for Jamie. Sarah couldn’t not love the little girl, who stole her heart. Every time she saw the boys with Jamie, her eyes lit up with joy.

Sarah and Trish found common ground in the kids and were building a friendship around the fact that they both wanted to be good mothers to their children.

Jason led Michelle down the aisle and took his place as best man next to Luke. Michelle stood across from them as one of Sarah’s bridesmaids.

Tyler and Bridget came next and took their spots.

And then stood Abby alone at the end of the aisle in a navy-blue gown matched to go with Michelle’s and Bridget’s. She held a bouquet of white calla lilies wrapped in a red ribbon.

He’d gotten to know Sarah’s best friend these last few weeks as they planned the wedding. Abby seemed all too willing to work with his chef friend on the menu. They seemed close, and he and Sarah were guessing there was a budding romance between them.

Abby gave him a wink when she reached the altar and took her place as maid of honor.

The music stopped for a second before the wedding march began to play.

And then Sarah appeared on her father’s arm like a goddess at the end of the flower-strewn aisle.

Luke lost his breath and his heart stopped for a moment.

He’d never seen a more beautiful woman, let alone a bride. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she walked down the aisle, her gaze locked with his, a soft smile on her rosy lips.

Her father placed Sarah’s hand in his, and he felt like he’d been bestowed the greatest gift in the world. “You’re simply gorgeous.”

She put her hand to the knot in his tie and wiggled it. “You clean up good, cowboy.”

Yeah, she’d always liked the rancher a little more than the lawyer in him.

He laughed, and so did everyone else, and just like that all the tension went out of him. If possible, he fell a little more in love with her for knowing just how to make him relax and settle into this amazing moment.

They stood before their family and recited their vows. They spoke of love and friendship and vowed that no matter what, family came first.

Luke sealed those promises with a diamond eternity band, letting Sarah know his love was forever.

Sarah placed two gold bands on his finger that locked together to make one ring. One a thin gold band, the other a gold band with five diamonds across the top. Luke could take off the diamond band when he was working on the ranch and only wear the gold one.

“You may kiss your bride.”

Luke didn’t hesitate. He took Sarah’s face in both hands and planted a steamy, but respectable, kiss on her. He leaned back for a second and said, “Mrs. Thompson.”

He never expected her to take his name, but when she said she wanted it, his heart grew too heavy for his chest.

He kissed her again when the justice of the peace introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.

They turned to their well-wishers and family and hand in hand smiled for everyone.

He walked his bride back down the aisle and straight to the raised temporary dance floor surrounded by tables covered in white linen, set with silver-trimmed white dishes, red napkins, silver place settings, and crystal glasses. Each table had a round bowl overflowing with red roses. Lights were strung on poles around the backyard garden, their shine barely breaking through at twilight, but they’d cast a soft glow once the sun fully set.

He walked Sarah up the two steps to the center of the dance floor and pulled her into his arms.

“Sing me our song, sweetheart.”

She gave him a dazzling smile, looked into his eyes, and began to sing. Off to one side of the dance floor, a string quartet began to play along.

Jason and Michelle joined in, then his parents and hers, and then everyone else, just like the night they’d danced in the kitchen, but this time he and Sarah were husband and wife.

Another perfect moment.

After dinner was served and cleared, Jason stood up to give the customary best man toast before they cut the decadent white chocolate cake.

“When I met Sarah for the first time, it was obvious she’d fallen for Luke. She knew he was a lawyer, but liked him better as a rancher, because the lawyer annoyed her with too many questions. Still, she saw the real man, the one his family and closest friends know and love. That’s the guy she loved. Luke had no idea Sarah was a genius. I mean, she fell for him, she had to have at least one screw loose.”

Everyone laughed, including Sarah and Luke.

“Luke saw a woman who believed in the truth, helping others, and above all being the best mother she could be. She showed him a heart filled with kindness and love and a future filled with all the things Luke wanted. A partner. A family. A life like the one we’d known growing up here.” Jason held his glass up to Luke. “You have it all. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together. Congratulations. Welcome to the family, Sarah.” Jason turned to the table next to theirs. “Welcome Jack and Nick. We are blessed to have you all as part of the Thompson family.”

They all raised their glasses and drank to the happy couple.

Sarah stood up next to Luke and held his gaze, surprising him that she had something to say.

“Thank you for this wonderful day. Everything is perfect. You’ve given me so many gifts. Flowers. Dancing. The beautiful jewelry.” She touched the necklace that he had given her and then picked up his hand and held it. “No gift compares to the love you show me every single day. And today, I have a very special gift to share with you.” She held up her flowers. “When we ordered the flowers, we thought it special to request four roses in my wedding bouquet. One for you, me, Jack, and Nick. But—”

“Mommy, there are five red roses, not four,” Jack shouted. “I counted them.”

Sarah’s eyes teared up and she laughed. “Yes, honey, I know.” She turned back to Luke and placed his hand on her belly and looked at him with her eyes filled with love. “The fifth one is for baby Thompson. You’re going to be a father.” She looked at their two boys and then back to him. “Again.”

“Are you serious? You’re pregnant? We’re having a baby?”

“Yes. We’re having a baby.” She ran a hand down the side of his face. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. He kissed her stomach and then stood and kissed her. He held her tight and she didn’t even care that he was practically crushing her.

Everyone clapped and cheered around them.

Luke held her away from him and stared into her eyes, his filled with wonder and excitement. “I . . . I can’t believe this. I’m . . . ecstatic. You’re carrying our child. Are you okay?”

“Yes. You’ve made me so happy.”

He cupped her face and kissed her softly. “I will always find a way to make you happy.”

She believed him. And he did.