He gave a cockeyed grin. “My family does now. I’m sorry. I told them a little while ago. How long do you think Max would keep quiet? I thought it best they got it from me. Do I have to wait for your answer again?”
She smiled and held her hand out for him to slide the ring on her finger. “I’ll marry you, Tanyon Jesse Outlaw.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Chuck Truck cook, Sage, walk out with the large, decorated sheet cake. He and Max nodded to each other. Their sneaky little plan had worked.
Karis took a deep breath then let it out, saying loud enough for their guests to hear, “Yes!” With tears in her eyes, she threw her arms over his broad shoulders. She hoped someone recorded this to show her mom. Glimpsing their guests, well, it wouldn’t be a problem for there were many taking pictures. Where had Mia and Austin disappeared to in such an important moment? “You’re a mysterious man. Aw, hell. Kiss me.”
“No problem.” Tanyon softly pressed his lips against hers. He lifted her feet off the ground as their lips parted against each other’s, tongues connecting in a heated moment. A fire could start. Karis moaned when it ended, muttering against his ear, “You’re amazing.”
He peered around the dance floor as they picked up the dance again. “Marry me this minute. The preacher is here…uh, just in case.”
“Right now?” She stopped in the middle of the dance floor. “Now? You mean this weekend, right?”
Tanyon nodded with the most sensual smile on his face. “Now.”
Karis glanced around as the other dancers had come to a halt. Why not? She’d live here soon enough. Her smile was uncontrollable. Her niece and nephew appeared off to the side of the dance floor—Mia in a pink dress and Austin with a shirt and blue tie. Karis pressed her hand over her mouth. Tears fell. She found herself nodding. “Yes. Definitely, yes. Let’s do this!”
Again, Tanyon lifted her and twirled around twice. He lowered her feet to the ground then two-stepped them off the dance floor. “Positions everybody.” He held up his hands to get everyone’s attention then whistled. She patted at her wet cheeks with the heels of her hands.
He nodded to the preacher. “Hey, people. Shortest engagement in history. We’re getting married right now. Grab a chair if you want to witness a wedding.”
Preacher Miles Harris strode up to them with a Bible in his hands. “I’ll be needing y’alls marriage license and a couple witnesses.”
Tanyon grasped her shoulders. “Round us up witnesses while I go get our marriage license.”
She grasped his arm. “It’s at my place!”
Tanyon grinned. “No, it isn’t. Thanks, Austin,” he shouted across the way.
Karis held her arms out to her niece and nephew. “Both of you come over here.” They ran over, and she knelt to hug them. “I love you so much. You’re all dressed up, and you got our marriage license off my dresser? This is the secret?”
“Are you mad?” Mia asked.
“No, I’m happy as can be. Thank you. You’re good at keeping secrets.”
Tanyon returned with their marriage license. “Who are the witnesses?”
Karis stood. “I don’t know. Ronni? Will you be a witness?”
Ronni beamed with pride. “I’ll be happy to.”
Karis smiled and knew who she’d pick next. “Max?”
He didn’t waste any time coming forward. “Absolutely. Want me to give you away too?”
Tanyon took her arm, winking at his uncle. “Hey, I got this.”
Ruth rushed over with a bouquet of flowers wrapped in one of Max’s lace doilies from the dining room. “Here, honey. You need flowers. I had no time to get anything else.”
Ronni removed a sash belt from her dress. “Here’s your borrowed and old. It was my mom’s, but it happens to match your ivory dress. How coincidental.” Her gray eyes twinkled in delight.
“This dress magically appeared in my suitcase and the other one had disappeared. Hmm, kids? Do you know what happened to my other dress?” This dress fit a little too snug in the middle now but only enough to look like she’d eaten too many ribs. Which she had.
Mia and Austin giggled. “We did it. It’s one of your best ones.” Mia covered her face with her hands but peeked through her fingers.
Max’s daughter Brielle rushed over. “Here, Karis, you can wear my necklace. My dad bought it for my birthday, so it’s almost like brand-new.”
Karis hugged the teen. “You’re sweet. Thanks so much. Now, I need something blue.”
“I got it!” Annette, already showing in her pregnancy, brought a blue garter out of her pocket.
“Sure, you happened to have a blue garter in your pocket?” Karis chuckled.
Tanyon and Annette exchanged glances. Annette shrugged. “Aren’t secrets fun?”
“You all were confident I’d say yes to a wedding tonight?”
At once, Tanyon’s family members, Annette, and Geri shouted, “We were!”
Karis took a big breath. Her mom and brother would miss this important day. She held back tears as best she could, which wasn’t well at all. Looking at the crowd of Outlaws through misted eyes, she knew they were as much family as her own, but her own should’ve been here. Her mother would be hurt. Seth had already promised to walk her down the aisle.
Should they wait? She wrung her hands. Oh, dear, she should’ve given this more thought. Oh, no, why hadn’t she thought of this earlier instead of giving in and letting the moment sweep her away? “Tanyon?” Wait. What? She gulped at the opened front door. Her mother and Seth stood on the porch. They slowly came down the steps. Mia and Austin ran up to wait at the bottom.
Karis dropped down into a chair and studied her husband soon to be. She held her arms out. “I didn’t know my brother was home. Get over here. How did you do this?”
He crouched at her chair and half-shrugged. “Does it matter? He arrived at your mom’s last night. Now Seth can walk you down the aisle like you both wanted. Your mom is here with her doctor’s approval. She even smiled a couple times. Are you ready to do this?”
Karis stood. “I’m more than ready. You’re a good man, rancher.”
He took an envelope out of his pocket. “Remind me to give this to you before the night is over.”
“What is it?”
“You gotta wait.” He stuck it back in his pocket and took her hand. They walked over to the edge of the porch where her mom and Seth waited.
She hugged them together. “Thank you so much for being here. Seth, I didn’t know you were home.”
“You weren’t supposed to. I was at Mom’s when you talked to her earlier. Tanyon had us wait in one of his cabins when we arrived an hour ago. Remind me to come up here for a week or two. I need to try some cowpunching like you did, Sis. Look where it got you.”
Tanyon held his arm out for Ava, and she took it with a smile. “I’ll escort you to the front, Mrs. Sutton.”
“You’re a dear man, Tanyon, but call me…Mom. My daughter better never let you get away again.”
“She didn’t let me get away. I did it all on my own, but don’t worry. It won’t happen again.” He smiled at Karis as he strode away to seat her mother.
Karis took in breaths to calm herself. She hugged Seth again.
“I know Rory is here in spirit, Karis.”
“Thank you so much. I love you, Bro. I’m glad you’re home and safe.”
“Love you, too, Sis. We’ll all make it through this.”
She nodded. “Yes, we will.” Her niece and nephew ran up to them. “I’m the flower girl. So is Nadia.”
“A beautiful one, you are, honey. Thank you, sweetie.” Was this why Cade had Nadia this weekend? How long had this been in the works?
Austin held his hand out. “I’m carrying the ring. Tanyon said I need yours.”
“You do?” She examined her stunning ring not wanting to remove it so soon.
She glimpsed Tanyon standing across the dance floor, grinning. How had he brought this all together?
As much as she hadn’t wanted to remove her ring, she did and gave it to Austin. She didn’t have one for Tanyon. “Hold on a minute, Austin.” She ambled over to her soon to be father-in-law. “You’re the only man here I know who has a wedding ring on. Ruth, would you mind if I borrowed your husband’s wedding ring to marry the most handsome man in the world?”
“Hey,” Jesse said. “If you want my ring, missy, you better rephrase that.”
Karis smiled. “Okay. Ruth, I should have said your husband is the most handsome man here tonight besides Tanyon.”
“You sure can, honey, but from now on, we’re Mom and Dad. Give her your ring, love, and let’s take a seat to witness one of our boys finally tie the knot.” Jesse handed over his ring. They strode off to take a seat with their boys.
Karis handed the ring to Austin. “Tell Tanyon it’s a double ring ceremony. Can you remember?”
Austin repeated what she’d said. “I will.” He ran off and whispered in Tanyon’s ear, and in turn, Tanyon spoke to the preacher.
Ronni came up to her with a small veil and attached it to her hair. “There. Perfect. Don’t even ask how I came across this so quickly. Here’s your real something new.” She hugged Karis before placing the kids in their spots.
Seth came over to offer his arm. “Tanyon’s sister?”
She smiled and took his arm. “I’ll introduce you after the ceremony.”
“Cool, but don’t get any ideas. I’m not ready to get into a relationship, but are you ready to dive into yours?”
“I’ve never been readier for anything. Four years in the making, this is, Seth. You’ve made my day by being here.”
“The guy standing up there will make your day even better.”
“So true.” Ronni hurried to sit with her family. The wedding march played. Max winked from up front. They took the first step. Hers and Tanyon’s gazes connected as she walked toward him. Their life would change forever. Each step forward brought her closer to the man she deeply loved. She stopped mid-step.
“What’s wrong?” Seth asked. “Come on.”
“Nothing. I’m cherishing the moment.” She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks. When she opened them, Tanyon’s chest rose in a breath. They continued forth, and a crinkle left his brow. She smiled, whispering, “I love you.”
Chapter Fifteen
After the ceremony, Tanyon swept his arm toward the floor. “Come on, partygoers. Grab you a partner for some two-stepping.”
Cade chose Nadia for his partner. Tanyon took Mia’s hand and Karis Austin’s. It’s time you two learned the two-step.”
“We know how, Aunt Karis!” Mia said. “Daddy taught us.” She clasped her brother’s hand. “Come on, Austin. Maybe Daddy’s watching from Heaven.”
Tanyon slipped his arm around Karis. “Are you ready to cry after what Mia said? It choked me up. The kids are cool. I’m glad we’ll have them. They’re happy today.”
Karis sniffled as she watched the kids go at it—dancing and laughing, which made her extra happy. She wrapped her hand around the back of his head and guided him to her shoulder. “Go ahead, my love. Cry. I won’t tell anyone.” She leaned her damp cheek against his hair. “I love you so much. When I woke this morning, I never expected to be your wife today.”
“Mm hmm. Remember the envelope? Come on.” Tanyon escorted her inside and to his office. “Better have a seat, Mrs. Outlaw.”
What a pleasant sound to her ears. “Did something happen with your case? Can it wait until tomorrow?”
“No, it isn’t bad. We’ll be busy tomorrow. Open this.” He handed it to her.
She ripped open the envelope with trembling hands to find a hand-written note from Tanyon. Dear Mrs. Outlaw, this is ours now. Included was a picture of red rocks in the sunset or sunrise. She raised her eyes. “This is in Sedona? What do you mean, this is ours? Did you take this picture?”
“I snuck off early one morning. Remember the ranch where we got Joanie Girl?”
She held the letter tightly against her chest. “No. You, you bought another ranch?”
Tanyon laughed. “Uh-uh, but I did buy a plot he had for sale with a few acres on a piece of his land. The ranch here is our home, honey.”
“But—”
“It’s for our weekends or anytime we want to be by ourselves. You know how hard it is to be alone here. Sedona is our home away from home.”
“No more sneaking off to truck beds or family driveways.”
“Hold on. No one said we’d stop having sex in those places.”
His idea hit her. She widened her eyes. “Are we spending our wedding night in Sedona? Is there a home on this property?”
“This time I’ll wake you with a kiss. Red rocks as a backdrop is an extra bonus. What do you think?”
“You’re the best husband in the world, but not only because of all this. The day I laid eyes on you all beat up, bruised, and limping to the campfire with your guitar, I knew you were meant for me. It’s been a tough road getting here.”
“I noticed you first.”
“You did?”
He drew her close. “Oh, yeah. Your second day on the Two-Five as a greenhorn. I had my eyes on you, baby. Why do you think I joined my brothers in training your group for the weekend?”
“You had a bad hip and shouldn’t have been on a horse.”
“It wasn’t my hip then but my knee. The hip came next, then my shoulder. I couldn’t get to know you like I wanted to while on the circuit and on the road all the time. Or so I thought. I had never made so many visits home during the summer before you came to the ranch.”
“Truth be told, I thought of you constantly and embarrassed myself by inquiring about your next visit while trying not to be obvious.”
“I know. Blabbermouths let it slip, but it made me happy to think…one day.” He paused. “Rough patches will come and go, but we’ve learned a valuable lesson. To be here for one another, no matter what. Register the kids in school in Wills Bend. We’ll all be together. They’re happy here, honey.”
She squeezed him closer, never wanting to leave his arms. “I’ll discuss it with them, but I know they’ll want to live here. Who else knows you bought new property?”
“No one. We’ll tell them later. Much later. It’s our secret hideaway for now.”
Karis gazed off to the side. “I have hardly any clothes with me to stay in Sedona a couple days.”
“Didn’t you leave your suitcase here from the first time you came?”
“Nothing nice enough for a honeymoon.”
Tanyon snickered and tickled her ribs. “We’ll bring what you have here, but who said you needed clothes? Your brother is home now to be with your mom and the kids this weekend. You don’t have to leave the ranch except to pack up your apartment. I invited them to stay the weekend. They agreed. Your mom can have Ronni’s room so she doesn’t need to go upstairs. Ronni’s idea.”
Karis ran her hand up and down his back. “Thank you.”
“Seth can have the room you stayed in.” He dropped his forehead against hers. “You don’t need it anymore.”
She slid her hand to the back of his neck. “I see how it is. No clothes for the weekend. Next week, I’ll pack up and finalize the papers for my partner to take over as the Acting CEO at our clinic. We talked when I went back home. Since I haven’t been seeing patients since Rory passed away, I’ll continue with my consulting work and testing as I have been doing since returning to work. Of course, I’ll have to keep up with my certifications for my license and accreditations for the clinic. I’m happy with my decision. Oh, and to get the kids registered in a new school here! How exciting for all of us.”
“It sounds like a good plan. If you ever want to see patients again—”
She placed her palm on his chest and looked closely into his arresting eyes. “We’ll discuss it if or when the time comes.”
“All right.”
“Maybe you can come stay with me for an extended honeymoon
while I tell a few of my former patients farewell. The ones I had transitioned to new therapists are doing well.”
“Sure, babe. I’ll be there as often as I can. If it takes longer, we’ll work it out.” Tanyon held out his arm, and they walked outside and onto the crowded dance floor.
“You’ll be able to stay away from the ranch for a week?”
“Yeah, for you, I will, unless I have to come back for legal reasons. Hey, come on. This is a cool song to dance to. Don’t you think?” He clasped her hand, spun her around, then took her into his arms for a slow dance to “The Man in Love with You” by George Strait.
“Mm hmm. Completely.” She closed her eyes and moaned against his hot body as they swayed to the music. Tonight, she’d fall asleep in his arms and be thankful for each breath they’d have together.
“Tanyon!” Police Chief Ramos rushed up to them, bringing an end to the intimate moment, with his phone held in the air and his wife’s hand in his other one.
He and Karis stopped dancing. Tanyon scowled at him over his shoulder. “Damn, man. What happened? Sorry, Micaela.” He introduced the chief’s wife to Karis.
“Jody woke up! He wants to talk. I have to go.”
He broke from Karis’s embrace to follow the chief, but she and Micaela Ramos shadowed close behind. “What do you mean?”
“The hospital called. Jody wants to talk to me.”
“He does? Great! I’ll go with you.”
“No sir. You stay here. You’re a husband now.” He grasped Tanyon’s shoulder with his large hand. “I’ll keep you updated. If his story matches what Nick told us, well, you figure it out.”
“I’m still responsible for the accident. I hired Logan and Rudy, and Nick. It’s my fault.”
“Now, boy, it was never your fault. I’ll call you.” Chief Ramos strode away with his phone to his ear.
“Hey,” Tanyon called. “I don’t want Jody going back to live with the West family.”
Chief Ramos and his wife came to a halt. “Don’t worry. I’ll charge all of them tonight if his story backs up Nick’s.”
“I want to foster him or be his guardian.”
Imprisoned In A Cowboy's Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Book 1) Page 22
