Tessa would never stop loving Richie and Cooper seemed to understand that. But, Tessa knew she would never stop loving Cooper either. In a matter of minutes, he was going to become her husband and she was finally ready to take this next step. She had officially evicted the negativity from her life, and she’d learned to hope as much as she dreamed.

And all of her dreams were coming true. It hadn’t been long after Cooper proposed that she had moved in with him. Days, in fact. She had been blessedly surprised that her need for independence hadn’t been another obstacle they had to overcome. Cooper gave her as much space as she needed and Tessa found on those few nights he was gone for something music related, she missed him terribly.

They seemed to have found exactly where they were supposed to be. The equestrian center, which they had justly named Dream Chasers, had become as much Cooper’s passion as Tessa’s. Although he was the one who put the dream within reach because he had the resources required to build it, they’d both turned it into what it was today. Then, of course, there was the farm. Thanks to the high school kids lining up to volunteer, it was thriving. And yes, Tessa got her petting zoo.

So, their days were long, and their nights were longer, but Tessa wouldn’t have it any other way.

It was true, chasing dreams were something she’d been doing for as long as she could remember. Now that she’d lassoed them and pulled them in, she couldn’t wait to get on with the rest of her life. And to know that she would be sharing that with the one man who shared her dreams as well… Well, that was more than she ever could’ve asked for.

It would seem that everything did happen for a reason, and although the pain endured along the way could be enough to knock you down, Tessa knew it was all about getting back up and moving forward. Now, as she stood facing the door that would lead her into the church, Tessa was going to do just that.

Two hours later, Tessa was standing beneath one of the enormous white tents that had been set up next to the barn, with Izzy, Miranda, and Katie. The four of them were watching as a group of guys got a little crazy on the makeshift dance floor thanks to Cooper and Dalton singing one of those fast country beats they used to rile up an audience.

The wedding photographer was moving in and out of the fray, risking his life as far as Tessa was concerned. The day had been perfect. The wedding beautiful, but the reception… it was unexpected.

The barn wasn’t big enough to hold everyone, so tents had been erected close by; one containing food and drinks, another the dance floor, and another still that contained more tables than Tessa could count.

Considering how intimate the wedding had been, Tessa had no idea Izzy and Dalton had conspired with their families to throw a huge reception. And technically, huge was an understatement. Tessa’s entire family was there, including her mother, her stepfather, both brothers, all of her cousins from her mother’s side who lived in or around Devil’s Bend.

And, as if that weren’t enough, there were even some she hadn’t seen in, well, forever. Despite the fact that Tessa’s father hadn’t been a part of her life, his sister Lorrie had always made a point to keep in touch with Sheila over the years. The Walker’s lived in Coyote Ridge, a small town about half an hour away, and Tessa had no idea how Izzy or her mother convinced them to come, but most of them were there. Admittedly, the cousins she spent time with regularly were intimidating enough, but Lorrie’s seven sons took intimidating to a whole other level.

Cooper’s parents were there, along with some of his friends. Yes, that’s how he referred to some of the biggest names in country music – friends. Needless to say, invitations had to be guarded once word got out, but thanks to her cousin Shane, they didn’t have to worry about security.

So far there hadn’t been any altercations, everyone was having fun, and as far as Tessa was concerned, that’s what mattered most.

“Hold up, y’all.” Dalton’s voice sounded over the speakers, and Tessa turned to look at the stage set up on the far side of the tent. “It’s time for the bride and groom to share their first dance.”

Tessa’s breath lodged in her chest as she caught sight of Cooper moving her way, the seductive grin on his face making her skin tingle. The man was eye catching in a pair of boots and jeans, but sporting a tuxedo, he was mouthwatering.

And he was hers.

Without a word, he took her hand and led her to the dance floor, his golden brown eyes trapping hers, mesmerizing her with all of the love she saw reflected there.

“I’m sure y’all have heard this one on the radio recently. This is Cooper’s chart topping single that was just released, ‘Angel in Blue Jeans’. He wrote this one for his beautiful bride and he’s allowed me the honor of singing it here tonight.”

Tessa’s eyes filled with tears as she let Cooper pull her into his arms. She could still remember the first time she heard the song when he sang it at The Rusty Nail, not realizing then that he’d written it for her. Since then, he had released the song as the first single from his next album and to their delight, he had topped the country music charts with it.

“You doing all right, Mrs. Krenshaw?” Cooper whispered against her ear as he held her close, his head tilted down toward her.

“Never better, Mr. Krenshaw,” she answered, squeezing his hand tightly. “It’s still a little surreal.”

“Well, you better get used to it, darlin’. This is only the beginning.”

Tessa glanced up, met his eyes as she smiled. “I’m going to hold you to that, cowboy.”

“Good,” he said as he leaned down and kissed her gently. “Because I’m going to start proving it tonight.”

Tessa laughed. “I certainly hope so.” Glancing around briefly, she met his eyes again. “Think we can sneak out early?”

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Cooper would’ve endured the wedding and the reception one hundred times over just to marry Tessa, but he had to admit that this was what he’d been waiting for.

“Where’re you at, cowboy?” Tessa’s sweet Texas drawl echoed within the cavernous barn.

Cooper leaned his head over the edge of the hayloft and smiled down at her. “Up here, so get your pretty little ass up here with me.”

Tessa chuckled, and he watched as she shuffled the items in her hands around so that she could make it up the ladder. Once she was within reach, he helped her by retrieving the items and setting them to the side. Wine, two glasses, cheese, crackers. The woman was optimistic, wasn’t she? As far as Cooper was concerned, there wasn’t going to be time to eat.