Read Online Walker's Wedding by Lori Copeland - Free Book Online

weren’t here to share this moment, their eyes brimming with love. But it was her wedding day—the happiest day of her life—and she would do everything within her power to erase the uncertainty in Walker’s voice, the haunted look in those blue eyes. It wouldn’t happen today or tomorrow, but in time he would love her. There was no doubt about that in her mind.
    â€œDo you, Sarah Elaine Livingston, take Walker Edward McKay to be your husband?”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œDo you, Walker Edward McKay, take Sarah Elaine Livingston to be your wedded wife?”
    â€œYes.”
    Then it was over. She was married. She had the prized gold band on her left hand. S.H. engulfed her in a bear hug, nearly squeezing the life out of her while a beaming Flo looked on. The whole room was buzzing with congratulations, everyone wanting a turn at the newlyweds.
    â€œCan’t say I’ve ever been more surprised,” Tom Howell confessed, pumping Walker’s hand.
    Walker smiled. “Me neither, Tom.”
    â€œWalker.” A young woman approached, her eyes warm with congratulations. “Walker, you rogue. Why didn’t you tell any of us?”
    He winked at her. “Seth Olson would nail my hide to the barn if I’d stolen you.”
    â€œSeth?” Her eyes shifted to a tall, rawboned farmer who was talking with a group of men. “He doesn’t know I exist.” But a speculative smile now lightened her face.
    Walker moved Sarah on to shake hands with the other guests.
    Her new husband introduced her to a man who was the exact opposite of the handsome rancher. Small in stature, balding, with pale skin, the man wore wire-rimmed glasses, which he had taken off to clean as Walker and Sarah approached. “Caleb, I’d like you to meet Sarah…” He turned. “What’s your last name?”
    â€œ McKay,” Sarah reminded him under her breath, smiling.
    â€œOf course. McKay,” he acknowledged. “Sarah, my good friend, accountant, and banker, Caleb Vanhooser.”
    â€œPleased to make your acquaintance,” Caleb greeted her, returning his glasses to his face and then grasping her hand solidly. “You could have knocked me over with a feather when I realized Walker was getting married today.”
    â€œYeah.” Walker smiled again at his bride. “It all happened pretty fast.”
    Later, Sarah donned her calico dress and moved through the rows of tables outside, pouring coffee, offering pie, and being the genial hostess. When Walker noticed, he pulled her aside.
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    She gazed up at him warmly. “Serving our guests.”
    â€œYou’re not supposed to ‘serve our guests.’ It’s your wedding reception.”
    â€œReally?” She stood back, assessing the crowd. “Looks the world to me like it’s a barbecue.”
    â€œLook, I guess this was pretty underhanded. If you like, we’ll do it again later—”
    â€œNo, this is perfect.” She smiled. “I love barbecues.”
    Taking her arm, he ushered her to a chair and sat her down. She hoped to share a few private moments with him, but that wasn’t to be. Women immediately crowded around her, and her hopes were dashed as he moved on.

    Walker could hear her fielding questions from their guests and guilt struck him. That was a rotten thing to pull on her, McKay. So far she’d been nothing but compliant. He should have at least warned her theirs would not be the traditional marriage ceremony. He turned to look back. She was still sitting, chatting with the women.
    But would she be there an hour later? Could he blame her if she up and left without a by-your-leave? What woman welcomed a barbeque on her wedding day?
    Dusk streaked the reddened sky and lanterns were lit. Musicians stepped to the wooden platform and began taking their instruments out of cases. The sounds of fiddles and guitars filled the