Page 55 of Cannon

As her dad put her hand in Cannon’s, he kissed her cheek and whispered, “You’ve got a love like your mother’s and mine. Cherish every moment.” Then he leaned toward Cannon. Hiswhisper carried to her. “I’m proud of you. I couldn’t be happier to call you my son,” as he patted Cannon’s shoulder.

The minister started, and she handed her flowers to Clara and accepted Ginny in her arms. Cannon picked up Rissa from Regina. Then Baron moved the small box between them. Hank was helped up there with Cannon holding one hand and Jesse holding the other. Their vows were about pledging themselves to each other but also to their children. When it was time for the rings, Hank pulled them from his pocket. He’d been so excited to help today.

As the minister said you may kiss the bride, Cannon brushed her lips and whispered, “I love our life.” She nodded because she wasn’t sure she could talk past the lump in her throat. Then they both leaned down and kissed Hank’s cheeks. They turned to the congregation and Cannon picked up Hank in his other arm and whispered to Hank. When he nodded, Hank and Cannon both yelledMine.She adored Cannon including Hank, so he’d know how very special he was to them.

The minister directed everyone to head back to the clubhouse where there would be food and dancing, and they could greet the couple. She wanted a couple of family photos to commemorate this day with her family.

Cannon stood in the clubhouse and thought back to all he’d experienced at Bluff Creek. Each of the couples had some typeof adventure during their love story, but they’d come through it. And the guys might tease him about calling it their love story, but he didn’t care. He’d read a couple of romances that Jesse had, and he realized he liked them. He’d also found he enjoyed the Hallmark movies because it did his heart good to know they were getting the type of love he had.

He glanced across the room and stared at Dex, Booker, and Twist. Jesse had told him that she and her sisters thought Booker looked familiar. As Cannon stared, he realized where he’d seen Booker before. It was on the cover of one of Jesse’s books on the shelf. Maybe he’d keep that little tidbit to himself until he royally ticked off his wife, yes, his wife, and needed a get out of the doghouse card.

Their friends were enjoying the food and music. Some of the couples were dancing, but most people were enjoying catching up with their friends. Hank came running over to him, tugging on his jeans. Cannon leaned down and picked him up. David and Grant were running up behind him, smiling. Oh, he could see the trouble these three would get into over time. Oakley came walking slowly behind them.

“Cannon, Hank’s our fwiend,” Grant said.

“Yes, he is and I’m so happy he’s your friend.”

“Fwiend’s help each othew,” Grant’s little pouting lip was telling Cannon he might not appreciate their help.

“Yes, they do. Are you guys trying to help him?”

They all three nodded.

“He needs a cat,” David said.

“He needs a dog,” Grant said.

Cannon didn’t even know how they’d add one more thing to take care of. Jesse walked up as he was trying to formulate a response.

“You guys are such good friends. Cannon and I have to figure out what pet Hank might want, but first, we have to work ongetting his room the way he wants it. He’s only been here a few days, and you remember how Blake and Oakley waited for pets when they got here.”

Oakley nodded and then Grant and David rolled their eyes. Cannon fought not to laugh. He looked forward to the time that Hank felt comfortable enough to roll his eyes at an adult.

“It’s a latew thing. Let’s go. C’mon Hank,” Grant said.

Cannon wondered if Grant would be the ringleader of their group as they grew. He let Hank down and watched him run after the other kids.

Jesse’s arm slid around his waist. “I don’t think I can handle one more thing for us to take care of. How long do you think we can put him off?”

Cannon chuckled. “Completely agree, but knowing Locks and Clara, we’ll just come home and Hank will have an animal.”

And Cannon wouldn’t grouse much about it because with family, you loved them through it all.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jesse was tired, so very tired, but she wouldn’t miss the get together at Nelson’s Honkytonk Saloon & Bar for anything. Their first annual Halloween contest was today. They’d chosen the Friday before Halloween, so they didn’t take away from kids’ trick-or-treating on the thirty-first. They’d all just been together for their wedding on Sunday and some of the Nelsons were coming on Sunday for the farm’s Halloween get together.

In the midst of Hank joining their family and getting married, she’d needed to get costumes for everyone for Sunday. Yes, it was campy but when she looked online about family themes, she was all in. She’d let Hank’s costume dictate what everyone else wore.

She’d even found time to practice with her sisters for their entry. Scoop would probably be a tad upset at Sarah, but Jesse had found it incredibly sweet and funny.

Vivi had a couple babysitters upstairs for the younger kids. Clara had decided she wanted to help, so Jesse knew her girls were taken care of. Ellie was here and since her boys were older, they were staying downstairs. Jesse wondered if it was more for Ellie to keep an eye on the boys because she’d been called to the school a lot for them. Cannon said Ellie appreciated the relaxed atmosphere at the range because no one got mad when she had to head to the principal’s office.

Jesse stood up and walked over to the bar to get a drink. As busy as it was, she wasn’t going to wait on one of the waitresses. One of the new female bartenders was closest, and Jesse hadn’t had a chance to meet her. She had gorgeous mahogany hair that was thick and in a ponytail. Blonde highlights and the thickness of the hair had Jesse a little envious. She’d love to have hair like that.

She turned around and her name tag read Ryanne with Ry in parentheses. Ry turned toward her.

“What can I get you?”