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  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  As Dennie woke up the next morning in Dustin’s arms, she could hear Rick banging around in the kitchen, which was shortly followed by the delightful smell of coffee. Because it was late last night when they were ready to go to bed, it was just easier for Rick to spend the night in her guest room, versus trying to get back to Dustin’s townhouse. Remembering that the three of them were going to meet Dustin’s parents for brunch this morning made her smile.

  Everything had been going so great since Dustin’s amnesia left. Her practice was thriving, they had resumed their loving relationship, the party had been great, and everything seemed to be back on track and even better than before. The sex with the two of them last night had been awesome and she was feeling relaxed, calm, and satiated. When they all finally got out of bed and convened in her kitchen for coffee and bagels, Dennie was feeling a bit melancholy that Rick was heading for the airport later in the afternoon to return back to New York and that Dustin’s parents would be going back to Denver. But she was grateful that Dustin had brought them into her life because she had grown to love them as well.

  When they all got showered, they headed to the restaurant and found that Dustin’s parents were already there. The hour that followed was full of laughter, shared stories, reminiscing about the party the night before, and of course the usual teasing banter back and forth between Dustin and Rick. As usual, their ribbing of one another had everyone in stitches and even the waitress got into some friendly sparring with them.

  When the brunch dishes were finally cleared and everyone sensed that the time was quickly coming to say their goodbyes, Dustin cleared his throat, and with a very serious expression announced to the group, “Before we all break up and go our separate ways, there is something that I’d like to ask.”

  Curious, everyone looked at him and nodded for him to proceed. Reaching under the table to find her hand, he turned sideways toward her. Facing her and looking at her like no one else was at the table, he gently caressed her hand and said softly, “Dennie, I don’t want to spend one more day in this life without you by my side. You are my heart, my soul, and my partner who I love and trust completely. You have given me more happiness than any man deserves, and what I want most in this world is for you to be my wife. Will you marry me, Den?”

  As tears streamed down her face from hearing the most beautiful words ever spoken to her, she could hear his mom crying softly, too. To be honored like this by the man she loved most in the world in the company of people they both loved, was the most wonderful moment she knew she would ever have. As time seemed to stop around her, she squeezed his hand, and as he tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes, she fell into his arms and pledged herself to him for the rest of her life.

  EPILOGUE

  Dustin couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful woman that was moments away from becoming his bride. She looked absolutely stunning sitting side saddle on top of a golden chestnut gelding in a flowing white wedding dress with flowers in her hair. As he straddled a handsome black Quarter Horse wearing a tux, he knew that everyone in attendance behind them watching the ceremony from atop their horses were remembering back to Dustin’s horseback riding accident that could have caused this day to never have happened.

  The morning Dustin asked Dennie to marry him in the restaurant with his parents and Rick in attendance, Rick had said jokingly as they said goodbye that the wedding should be on horseback. At the time, everyone had laughed. But when Dustin and Dennie talked about wedding plans later, they thought it was an exceptional idea, to remind themselves of how in the blink of an eye, life and love can be lost.

  The wedding party was small, with only family and the closest of friends. Scott and Amie’s wedding gift to them was to have all of the horses cleaned, tacked up, and ready to go, so the wedding party could take the ride through McCullough Gulch and up to the final destination of the beautiful glacial lake Dustin had never made it to that horrible day of the accident.

  Sitting now on the shore of that lake on a beautiful sunny afternoon in May with the minister about to speak, Dustin couldn’t take his eyes off Dennie and he felt blessed. He was thrilled that Dennie had eagerly agreed to have her wedding on horseback and everyone they invited loved the uniqueness of the idea and understood the extra meaning behind it.

  Dennie had never felt so happy in her life. She was about to marry the man of her dreams in a beautiful Colorado setting surrounded by people she loved. The horseback ride to the lake was thankfully uneventful and everyone was in good spirits, including the minister, who told them it was going to be the most unique wedding he had ever been involved in. As the sun glistened on the crystal clear lake and a gentle breeze danced around them, the minister spoke of love, partnership, patience, and commitment.

  As Dustin and Dennie’s horses stood side by side with Rick as best man and Sharon as maid of honor beside them on their horses, Dennie hung onto every heartfelt word the minister said. Occasionally she could hear the swishing of a horse’s tail, or a bird chirping overhead, but the greatest sound that finally came was that of her husband saying…I do. To Dennie, this was the most perfect wedding day, and as she looked at the love of her life, she leaned over in the saddle, and before consummating their vows with a kiss, she whispered, “Thank you for coming back to me. You are my life.”

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  About the Author

  Chelsea Dorsette was born in Boston, Massachusetts and now calls Raleigh, North Carolina home. Her writing career began in the radio broadcasting industry as a commercial copywriter. Some years later she penned a handful of children’s short stories. A few years back, she spent three years learning the craft of writing country music lyrics with the help from some great Nashville song writers. Chelsea’s current love is writing erotica romance. She currently has six novellas available on all major E-bookstores and more coming soon.

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