Zack's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) by Maya Stirling

special day.
    "How do I look, mama?" Kate asked, obviously not wanting to feel left out.
    Lydia glanced at Kate. Neat and perfect as always. That was Kate. Quiet and orderly. Lydia was sure that Kate would grow up to be smart and confident.
    "You look wonderful, Kate. You all do."
    There was a rumble of wheels and Lydia glanced up. She saw some buckboards arriving and pulling to a halt.
    She recognized some of the ranch hands. Amongst them were two faces that Lydia already recognized. She hadn't seen those faces in a long while, years in fact. But she wouldn't ever forget them as they were Zack's closest friends, Joshua McKenzie and Aaron Stewart.
    The two men came up to Lydia and Zack. Alongside them were two very pretty and elegant women. From what Zack had told Lydia these must be Joshua and Aaron's recent brides, Laura and Eva.
    Introductions were made. Laura and Eva complimented Lydia on her beautiful wedding dress. Lydia sensed that the two women knew just how nervous she must be feeling. The circumstances of their own marriages had been difficult, but both women looked so happy with their new husbands. And Joshua and Aaron certainly looked proud of their lovely wives.
    The door to the church opened and the minister appeared, dressed in his dark suit and clutching a bible in his right hand.
    "If you would all like to make your way into my humble church, then we can begin the ceremony. I'm sure the happy couple are eager to start their new life," he said with a smile.
    It took a few minutes for everyone to make their way into the small church. Zack followed them in with a last glance back at Lydia.
    The minister came up to Lydia and extended an arm to her. "May I have the honor of leading you in?" he asked.
    Lydia composed herself and hooked her arm inside his.
    "Ready?" he asked her.
    Lydia swallowed and felt her throat tighten, her heart beat faster, her legs go ever so slightly weak. But after a moment she simply nodded.
    It felt like it took an age for Lydia and the minister to reach the altar. On either side the pews were full of admiring glances. Lydia saw her children on the front seat. Their eyes were wide, their smiles even wider, as they watched their mother make her way to the side of the man who was to become her husband.
    Zack's gaze was fixed resolutely ahead. Lydia could see the lump on his throat rising and falling with unusual rapidity. He was as nervous as her. That was for sure. But he looked determined not to glance in her direction until instructed to do so by the minister.
    Right there, in that moment, what she was about to do hit Lydia with all the force of a physical blow. She was about to become Zack's wife, take on all the responsibilities that such a role meant. She suddenly realized she hadn't really thought the whole thing through, hadn't considered all that this momentous decision would mean for her. For Zack.
    But then she glanced at her children. Daisy and Kate had huge grins on their faces. Lydia's heart sang at that sight. Gretchen was just being Gretchen. In contrast to her two sisters she looked serious, focused, but not in any way unhappy about what was happening. Lydia knew Gretchen was happy for her mother. It was just that she'd refuse to show it, except perhaps in a quiet moment at some later time.
    The minister's voice rose, and Lydia brought her full attention to the serious ceremony which was about to begin. She looked at Zack. His gaze was fixed intently on the minister, taking in every word that was being said. Lydia listened with equal intent to the minister, absorbing the words, feeling their meaning. Memories of Daniel came inevitably as she took in the familiar, deeply sacred phrases. Each flash of memory brought a twist of emotion to Lydia, but each time she focused on the minister, listening to his words.
    Finally the moment came to say their vows to each other.
    She turned to Zack. They faced each other and Lydia saw the emotion in Zack's eyes, a penetrating gaze that