Marrying The Cowboy: A BWWM Cowboy Billionaire Romance by BWWM Club, Esther Banks Page B

Once her feet
hit the ground, it came to both of their attention that an audience
had formed when the people around them began clapping and whistling
and snapping pictures with their phones.
    They both shook hands with their audience, Kate accepting hugs and
well wishes from those standing around her. Some of the people
offered to send them the pictures from their cell phones as mementos
of the joyous occasion. After thanking Mr. Chappel and signing some
paperwork to make the nuptials official, Bruce took Kate by the hand.
    "We have one more thing that we need to do."
    Kate was not sure what else they possibly needed to do on today
except for continue to celebrate.
    Bruce led her to the car, holding the door open for her to get in. He
walked around to the other side and jumped in himself.
    "Where now?" Kate was so giddy with excitement, it did not
really matter where they were going, as long as she was with Bruce.
    "I think you will like this."
    As they watched the scenery pass by, Kate could not believe all that
had just happened.
    "Did I really just become Mrs. Stanger?"
    "You did." The two of them burst out laughing.
    "This is so crazy. A few months ago, I would have never thought
I was the type to be whisked away on an impromptu vacation where I
would get married."
    Kate shook her head in disbelief.
    "Are you happy, Kate? I mean, are you truly happy?"
    "Bruce, I could not be happier."
    "Good. Now, to mark our marriage with something tangible. Ah,
here we are."
    The chauffeur stopped the car and Bruce hopped out. Running around to
her side, he let her out.
    "What are we doing?"
    "I saw this on television and I thought, what better way to end
our ceremony."
    They approached a bridge overlooking a canal and that bridge was
flanked with two railings. Those railings were filled with padlocks.
    "The legend goes that you sign your names on the padlocks, chose
a space, lock it on the railing, and throw away the key in the water.
How about it?"
    "Let's do it."
    Kate was practically running to the bridge. Bruce followed behind
her, pulling a small bag out of his pocket. In the bag were a padlock
and a permanent marker.
    "I thought that this would be the perfect way to introduce us to
the world as Mr. and Mrs. Stanger."
    "Bruce, this is a wonderful idea."
    He passed her the lock and the marker. "You do the honors."
    She held them both in her hands, trying to think of something
specific to write. Then it came to mind that she should make it
simple. Once she wrote the message, she turned the lock around to
show Bruce for his approval.
    "I love it," he replied.
    Kate Stanger ♥ Bruce Stanger
    She thought that it was fitting. Bruce clicked the padlock closed and
gave Kate the key.
    According to the ceremony, she tossed the key into the water. Below,
a couple in a gondola waved at them. Everyone seemed so happy and
content and Kate could honestly say that she found her own happiness
as well.
    She turned to Bruce and leaned in to his open arms. "So does
this mean that you are stuck with me for life?"
    "Hmm. Something like that. But it also means that you have to
have me for the rest of your life too."
    He leaned in for a passionate kiss. "What do you think about
that?" he asked after they both came up for air.
    "I guess I will just have to deal with it," she replied
jokingly.
    Bruce took her by the hand. "What do you say we go back to the
villa and eat one of those meals prepared by the world renowned,
gourmet chef that is there and then we go to bed? I don't know about
you, but all this excitement for the day has got me exhausted."
    "I would say, I agree. Let's go. But I hope you aren't too
exhausted to participate in your honeymoon."
    "A woman after my own heart." He squeezed her hand as they
strolled back to the car.
    As they rode back to the villa, Kate tried to make sense of all that
had happened. The only conclusion she could come to was that trusting
in love had made her a very happy woman.
    Having Bruce in her life was more than