Her smile widened. “Yes. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!”
“I have to warn you I’m not perfect.”
“Maybe not, but you’re the perfect man for me.”
He thought his smile might be even brighter than hers. No doubt about it, this was the best damned day . . . and night . . . of his life.
Epilogue
Almost three weeks later, Adam walked toward the entrance to the Golden Spurs and Stetsons with a very excited Valerie beside him. She’d come up with the idea of staging a private party at the bar with her girlfriends and their significant others for their friends and family. Adam considered it a sign of how far Valerie had come that she wasn’t worried about being in a crowded venue.
And it would be crowded. Each of the six had invited a boatload of friends and relatives to share in their joy. Valerie’s parents were driving up from Houston, along with two sets of aunts and uncles, plus a few cousins. She’d also asked everyone at her law firm.
Adam had included his mother, his former and current business associates, Will and his wife, and the ranch hands. Then he’d decided to ask some of his buddies from Harvard, and several were flying in.
Melanie and her fiancé, Drew Eldridge, had similarly long lists, as did Astrid and her guy, rancher Fletch Grayson. Adam would have footed the bill himself. He was just that happy. But Astrid, a woman with a fortune of her own, and Drew, also a billionaire, had insisted on splitting the costs among them.
Adam had to admit the idea was brilliant. And then Melanie had suggested something even more brilliant. She’d proposed that all three couples meet at the bar an hour before the other guests, so everyone could get acquainted before the onslaught.
Adam looked forward to it. He’d only seen Astrid and Melanie once, and that had been under difficult circumstances. He knew Drew Eldridge by reputation, and might have shared a table with him at a charity function, although he wouldn’t swear to it. He’d never met Fletch Grayson and was eager to talk horses with another breeder.
Besides, he needed to get to know everyone in this tight circle. The women were best friends, which probably meant the guys would be seeing a lot of each other, maybe for years to come.
Valerie paused at the entrance and glanced up at Adam. “Just think how much our lives have changed since that night I plowed into you right here.”
He squeezed her hand. “That was the luckiest night of my life.”
“Mine, too.” She looked into his eyes. “I love you, Adam.”
He leaned down to give her a kiss. “And I love you right back, Valerie.”
“Okay, okay, break it up!” Behind them, a woman laughed. “Quit blocking the doorway. Important people coming through.”
They turned to find Astrid and Fletch both grinning as they approached the entrance.
Valerie hurried forward to give Astrid a hug. Then she hugged Fletch, too, although she did it carefully because he wore what looked like a brand-new Stetson. Adam recognized the style as one that he’d looked at just last week.
“Come and meet Adam.” Valerie herded them in his direction.
Astrid enveloped him in a hug. “Well done,” she murmured.
Adam didn’t feel right taking credit for a transformation that had been a joint effort including Will and Rocket Fuel, not to mention Valerie’s own bravery and determination. “I didn’t—”
“You were a big part of it.” She turned to Fletch. “I’d like you to meet Fletch Grayson, my fiance.” She hesitated and looked at Fletch. “Can I show it off?”
Fletch smiled. “That’s up to you.”
“Oh, heck. I can’t stand it. It’s official! I have a ring!”
Adam shook Fletch’s hand and congratulated him while Astrid and Valerie shrieked and hugged.
“What, what?” Melanie hurried up, followed by a guy in a sport coat who had to be Drew Eldridge.
Valerie thrust Astrid’s hand in Melanie’s face. “She has her ring!” More hugging and shrieking followed.
Drew laughed as he navigated around the women and held out his hand to Fletch. “Congratulations. She’s a wonderful woman.”
“Agreed.”
Drew then shook Adam’s hand. “I recognize you, Templeton. You and I attended the same charity thing a couple of years ago. It’s good to see you again.”
“Same here. I’m glad you were on board with Valerie’s idea.”
“It’s a terrific idea.” Drew glanced toward the women, who were still in a huddle, and then looked at Adam and Fletch. “So, either of you into golf?”
Both Adam and Fletch shook their heads.
“I’m always up for a ride,” Adam said.
Fletch nodded. “Me, too.”
“Sorry,” Drew said. “I’m not much of a rider.”
Fletch adjusted the tilt of his Stetson. “Poker?”
“Poker works,” Adam said.
“Excellent.” Drew smiled. “My place. Next Wednesday night.”
“Okay.” Adam thought of Will, who loved a good poker game. He glanced at Drew. “Can I bring my friend Will?”
“Absolutely. The more the merrier.”
“Wednesday night’s great,” Fletch said. “Astrid’s got Melanie’s bridal shower that night.”
“Yeah.” Adam had forgotten about that. “So does Valerie, come to think of it.”
“My point exactly,” Drew said.
“Hey, you guys.” Valerie walked toward them and linked her arm through Adam’s. “We were just thinking about next Wednesday night. We’ve got the shower, of course, but there’s this antique auction that we’ll be missing, so we thought maybe you three—”
“Wish I could,” Drew said, “but I have plans.”
Fletch shook his head. “Sorry. I’m tied up, too.”
“Yeah, so am I. What a shame.” Adam sighed in feigned disappointment.
Astrid narrowed her eyes at them. “Why do I get the feeling that in the short time we left you three alone, you cooked up your own plan for Wednesday night?”
Fletch laughed and put his arm around her. “Just playing a little defense, sweetheart.”
Melanie surveyed the group. “Well, ladies, we were worried that they might not get along, and they’ve already outmaneuvered us.”
“This time.” Valerie winked at Adam. “Hey, let’s go inside. I think we have some serious toasting to do.”
“Yep, we certainly do.” Adam tucked Valerie in close as they walked into the bar. What a stroke of luck that he’d been in the right place at the right time that fateful night.
Will had told him it was meant to be. Then he’d sent Valerie out to the ranch. Adam had accused him of matchmaking, like that was a bad thing. It occurred to Adam that not only had it been a very good thing, but he’d neglected to thank Will properly. He’d do that tonight.
But Will was about to get his reward. Adam had found him a poker game. And Adam had never met anyone who could beat Will Bryan at poker.
* * *
Two hours later, Valerie returned from a quick trip to the ladies’ room and paused to survey the crowd. Everywhere she looked, people were smiling and laughing. Some had arrived as strangers and all were from different walks of life, but sharing in the happiness of three joyous couples had made everyone instant friends.
Nothing else seemed important tonight—not social standing, and certainly not wealth or the lack of it. Seasoned ranch hands swapped stories with billionaires. Wealthy matriarchs talked earnestly with soccer moms. All around her, walls were coming down and stereotypes were being smashed.
Glancing across the room, she caught and held Adam’s gaze. He smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. She’d been a little worried that this eclectic group wouldn’t jell, but it had. And now she knew why. All that mattered, all that ever really mattered, was love.