The Snapshot Bride_A Cobble Creek Romance_Country Brides & Cowboy Boots Read online

  It took Kira a moment, among the excitement, to locate Anthony, but at last she did. Perhaps it was due to the growing number of kids surrounding him. Or rather, the giant bunny Anthony was guiding through the park. Seth, bless him, had volunteered to be Cobble Creek’s Easter Bunny. Trouble was, the limited visibility caused him to stumble. A lot. Anthony caught her attention across the way and reached up to give her a wave. “Hello over there.”

  “How’s it going?” she asked. He held her gaze, the heat it always brought zooming through her chest.

  “Oh no!” one kid hollered.

  “The Easter Bunny’s clumsy,” another called out.

  Kira glanced down to see Seth stumbling over a diaper bag. She could hardly hold back a laugh.

  Anthony shot into action. “The Easter Bunny isn’t seeing very well today. I think he forgot to eat his carrots.”

  “The Easter Bunny’s a girl,” little Callie hollered.

  Anthony shot Kira a questioning glance.

  “Okay,” Kira said with a laugh. Good thing Seth was such a good sport. “Lead her to the pond, will you, Anthony? It’s time for pictures.”

  Kira’s parents waited on a bench beside Maria, who busily tucked tulips into a watering can she’d found at Frank & Signs. The woman had an artistic eye, and she wasn’t afraid to use it. In the eight-plus months she’d been there, Anthony’s mom had become Kira’s assistant. She was talented, hardworking, and kind. And most of all, she seemed to savor each day like a precious gift. Kira was challenging herself to do the same.

  “Hop, hop, hop,” Kira heard as she headed toward the water’s edge. She stopped, spun to see what the hollering was about, and grinned wide at the sight. What had once been clusters of kids making their way to the pond was now a line of bunny impersonators, happily hopping as they followed the leaders—Anthony and Seth, that is. Tiny giggles drifted from the trail. Several parents joined in on the action, and Kira paused to shoot a few pictures of the sight. Judy, the gal who ran the police station, would probably pin a few on the community board at the rec center.

  Once they made their way to the prepared spot for the photo shoot, Kira guided Seth to the special Easter Bunny chair. The kids lined up, and Kira got straight to business. Seth was great with the kids. Anthony was, too, distracting the little ones who’d been scared to tears at the sight of the giant bunny. It was a side of him she hadn’t seen a whole lot. Harper helped out, too, pulling a special egg from the Easter Bunny’s basket and handing it to each child before they shuffled back to the crowd gathered by a nearby tree. Once they were through, Harper pulled a gold-colored egg from the basket. It was smaller than the others, and stood out next to the pastel ones she’d handed out.

  “Mind if I shoot a few candid photos of the group, since we’re done with the posed ones?” Maria asked.

  “Not at all.” Kira shrugged out of the camera strap and handed it over, glad Maria was interested in learning to shoot. It would help out a whole lot if Kira had an assistant who could take photos on her own if needed.

  “Anthony,” Harper called out. “It looks like this egg is for you.”

  “It does?” Anthony asked with a lifted brow. “Are you sure?”

  Harper handed it over to Seth, who held it with white, furry paws. “Oh yeah, this one’s his, all right.”

  Anthony laughed. “That doesn’t make any sense, but … okay.” He rolled his eyes and leaned into Kira. “Seth’s probably pulling some sort of prank. May as well play along.”

  Kira watched as he headed over.

  “What’s going on?” Maria asked.

  “He said something about the egg being for him,” Kira’s dad mumbled in reply. Kira hadn’t even realized her parents had broken away from the shaded area to join her.

  “The Easter Bunny has a special egg for Anthony,” Phillip hollered.

  By the time Anthony had the small egg in his hands, the crowd had gathered in. A hush fell over the group as he held it up, inspecting it with tight lips and narrowed eyes.

  “What is it?” Callie asked.

  “I’m not sure,” he mumbled. “But I think Kira might.”

  Kira tilted her head. “Huh?”

  “Come here,” he said, motioning her to join him at the center of the group.

  “Go on,” Marissa urged with a nudge.

  Kira broke away from the spectators and walked along the small, pebbled trail leading to Anthony. Green grass swayed at either side as a breeze blew in. A breeze that lent her a dose of anticipation. She tried to dissect the odd situation, feeling as if she were missing something. But it wasn’t until Anthony lowered himself onto one knee that she realized what that something might be.

  He palmed the small egg before prying it back, the open face in her direction.

  Kira’s heartbeat kicked up, thumping like a rabbit’s as she peeked inside. There, tucked in a black velvet fold, shone a gorgeous diamond ring. Several audible gasps broke out over the crowd, but none were as loud as Kira’s. “Anthony?” His name practically fell off her lips.

  His brown eyes were set on her, that warm smile of his causing the bunny thumps to drop to her tummy. He glanced toward the pond, where the cattails bounced and swayed beside the glistening water.

  “When I was a little boy, a girl from out of town came and dragged me to this very pond. She was a lot of fun, a little mischievous, and one of the cutest girls I’d ever seen. And now that she’s grown …” He cleared his throat as moisture welled up in his eyes. “I can say that she’s brilliant and fascinating, and of course, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And if she’ll let me, I’d love to spend the rest of my life with her.”

  Kira’s chest swelled, her body barely able to contain the bliss that pulsed through her.

  “My Kira Kira, will you marry me?”

  It was in that moment that Kira realized everyone had stepped in closer. A few whispers sounded among the kids.

  “What’s she gonna say?”

  “I hope she says yes.”

  Kira grinned. “Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!” She barely gave Anthony a chance to stand before she pulled him in for a kiss.

  Whistles, claps, and cheers rose in celebration as they spun in place.

  “Put the ring on her,” Seth hollered.

  Anthony nodded. “Oh, yeah.” All eyes moved back to the egg-shaped case as Anthony pinned the shimmering ring between his finger and thumb. He closed the case before sliding the ring onto her finger with a jittery hand. Turned out she wasn’t the only one shaking. More cheers sounded as Kira held up her hand.

  “Right here,” Maria hollered, camera aimed and ready. Which explained why she’d asked for the camera when she had. Kira was grateful Anthony’s sweet mom was there to not only witness the special moment, but to capture it, too.

  Anthony nuzzled into her, running the tip of his nose along her cheek. “I can’t wait for you to be my wife,” he crooned.

  “I mean, I can’t wait either!” And as she caught sight of the cattails swaying in the distance, Kira had the distinct impression that—though Gramps couldn’t be there to celebrate with them—he’d helped send Maria to take his place. What an unexpected gift it was. Mysterious ways indeed, but Kira wouldn’t change it for the world.

  Epilogue

  Most women spoke of their dream wedding. Marissa had been speaking of hers since she turned eight years old, according to Mom, anyway. But Kira was different. She’d always hoped to marry the man of her dreams one day, but the wedding part never mattered much to her. Luckily, her sister had been there to “make magic happen,” if she said so herself. And the truth was, she had.

  Perhaps Marissa had missed her true calling. Goodbye middle school teaching day in and day out—hello wedding planner.

  “Let me see you,” Connie said. “Blot your lips right here.” She shoved a folded paper towel between Kira’s parted lips, and Kira obeyed. Connie and Marlene, owners of CC’s Salon, had come to the Country Quilt B&B over an hour ag
o and been working wonders on her since.

  “Look in the mirror and make sure we didn’t go overboard,” Connie said. “Your sister was adamant about that.”

  Kira blew out a slow breath and spun to look in the mirror. Before her eyes landed on her own reflection, she spotted Marissa and her mom in the background, their focus set on her. She grinned, fighting back tears as she noticed the moisture in their eyes.

  “No crying,” Marlene said. “It’ll mess your face up.”

  But Kira could hardly help it. It had taken a long time to develop the relationship she had with the women in the mirror, and now that she had, it enhanced every beautiful thing about the special day.

  “You look stunning,” her mom said with a sniff.

  “Perfect,” Marissa agreed. “I knew she should have part of her hair down in back with the twist like that,” she added under her breath. It was like watching Gramps admire his own masterpiece.

  At last she flicked her gaze to her own reflection, liking the woman she saw looking back at her. A woman who’d learned to trust herself.

  “Well?” Connie urged.

  “It’s good,” she said, glad they hadn’t gone overboard on the makeup. “Perfect.”

  The group rushed in with oohs and aahs, patting at her carefully to avoid messing up her hair or her dress or her perfectly rouged cheeks.

  “Tony’s gonna flip out,” Maria said.

  Kira hadn’t even seen her come back in. Earlier, Maria had stepped in with the camera, snapping shots of Marissa and her mother helping her get ready. But she’d taken off to go see how things were going in the groom’s room.

  Kira caught Maria’s gaze as the crowd of women cleared. “Is he ready?” Thoughts of Anthony in a tux made her heart sprout wings or feet or whatever it was that made it jump wildly in her chest.

  “Oh, he’s ready, all right. He says he’s been waiting for this moment his whole life.”

  “Awww …” the women cooed in chorus.

  “And he looks unbelievably handsome,” his mother added with a wink.

  “Well, let’s get her out there,” Marissa said. She walked over to the doorway of the bride’s room and spoke with Jessie, the owner of the B&B, who’d been helping with the arrangements. Kira would’ve never thought to do a twilight ceremony outdoors, but Marissa and Jessie were convinced that the back patio at the Country Quilt Inn would offer the perfect twilight setting.

  The music began, its gentle sound drifting through the windows where Kira awaited her cue. At last, Jessie popped her head through the doorway. “Okay,” she whispered, “your dad’s ready for you.”

  Kira stood, took a few steps toward the open doorway, and grinned as her father came into view. He looked a lot like Gramps in the moment, with his thick, dark hair turning silver along his hairline.

  “Kira …” He smeared the back of his fist beneath each reddened eye. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks, Dad. You look great too.” He wasn’t a man of many words, but as he took her arm in his, pressing his palm over the back of her hand, she knew he was proud of her. Of the woman she’d become.

  She gripped fistfuls of her dress as they made their way out the back exit, an outdoor stairwell that led to the waiting guests. Marissa and Jessie had been right about the setting. So right. It stole Kira’s breath as she took it all in. A cranberry sunset shimmered off the distant pond while industrial-looking light bulbs hung generously throughout the seating area, each light catching hints of the colorful sunset. Tall vases holding white flowers were spread amply throughout the deck. Beside each vase, a collection of photo frames held pictures of the happy couple, each illuminated by a cluster of twinkle lights. Beautiful!

  Prior to this moment, Kira hadn’t been able to imagine what it might look like, with things set up the way her sister and Jessie explained. And now she knew why—it was beyond anything her mind could have.

  She took in the faces of so many people she knew and loved. New friends she’d made in Cobble Creek. Family. Even her great-aunts in their white hats and lace gloves blotted at tears as Dad escorted her down the aisle. But just ahead … tall and handsome, beside Pastor John, stood Anthony Marino. At a distance, it reminded her of shooting runway photos. The models working to master that look of head-to-toe perfection. Anthony outdid them all.

  As she stepped closer, following the trail of white and pink rose petals scattered along the wood planked deck, their eyes met. He held her gaze, a stunned expression on his face, then he snapped his mouth shut and gulped.

  Kira grinned, glanced down, and blew out a slow-paced breath. That’s the man I’ll be married to for the rest of my life … She could hardly believe it.

  Things moved quickly from that point on. Thank heavens Darcy and Benny volunteered to record the ceremony. As much as Kira tried memorizing every precious word, look, and touch exchanged during their vows, she couldn’t possibly remember it all.

  “Go on and kiss your bride,” Pastor John said once the rings were in place.

  Anthony reached out and cradled Kira’s face. “My bride,” he murmured, a breath before his mouth took hers.

  The men cheered, the ladies oohed and aahed once more, and Kira nearly lost her balance as she sank into a moment she wanted a whole lot more of. In his vows, Anthony promised to cherish her forever. And Kira had done the same. But even forever had to be taken one day at a time. And from this moment on, Kira planned to cherish each day she had with the man she loved.

  Thanks for reading The Snapshot Bride by Kimberly Krey.

  We hope you enjoyed your visit to Cobble Creek. Don’t worry, there are more Cobble Creek sweet romances available. Just click on one of the titles below to start reading.

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