by Tara Lain
“There’s that.”
“And I could get good at arranging doilies.”
“True. Hell, my guests’ hearts will go pitty-pat at the prospect of getting to meet a real paniolo.” He looked up. “You might even want to go back to school yourself, get a degree.” He shrugged. “If you want.”
Kai stared at the floor again, and Rand held his breath. Then Kai’s arm came up and wiped across his eyes.
“You okay?”
Kai shrugged. When he spoke, his voice trembled. “For the first time in twenty years, I feel safe.”
When Rand wrapped his arms around the lean, hard-as-nails body, he felt Kai’s shoulders shake.
They stood at the rear of the reception room staring at the backs of a bunch of people. Kai nudged Rand and whispered, “Is that Haku and his wife?”
“Yep.” Rand grinned, and those white cowboy teeth made Kai’s knees shake.
“Shit, that’s the owner of the Hana Maui.”
“Yep. I must admit, that’s all about my dad and mom. You and I had nothing to do with it.”
Kai glanced around the big room with its wall of glass overlooking the ocean in the distance. There were Mrs. O. and Genevieve and her girls, and Julie, Audrey, Moke, and a bunch of people from the club. All the stable hands had turned out, as well as Marjorie Makeha. Auntie sat near the front—family privilege.
“When do we start marching?” Aliki fidgeted at Kai’s side.
“Soon, I think.” He shook his shoulders, trying to feel at home in his own skin. Everything about this event felt weird—-especially marrying a guy. But the idea of spending forever with Rand and the kids—that made perfect sense. Fuck, he could hardly wait.
They’d spent a few minutes with the hotel wedding planner, trying to figure out who’d stand at the front and who’d march in. Finally they’d just tabled the issue and decided they’d all march in together. That worked because that’s how it would be from here on.
Some classy-ass music started playing, and Rand leaned down and whispered, “Ready to do this?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
“I love you.”
Kai looked up into those big blues. “That’s amazing.”
Rand looked startled and then laughed. “Yep, this whole thing is amazing. Let’s go get married.”
Kai slid his arm through Rand’s and clutched Aliki’s hand on his other side. Rand offered his arm to Lani, who accepted it with a smile so full of love, it made Kai’s heart soar. Her shiny cowboy boots gleamed under her white dress.
They walked down the aisle that had been purposefully widened to accept the four of them, toward a local reverend who was a popular wedding officiate at the hotel. People smiled as they passed. Funny. Nobody seemed to think this wedding was strange—or at least they hid it well. A great frigate bird flew low in front of the windows, and Kai stared at its wonderful freedom. This marriage ought to feel like a trap. Instead it seemed more like a key unlocking his cage.
They stopped in front of the reverend, and the kids stepped a little to the side. Rand clasped Kai’s hand, swallowing it in his strength. The minister greeted everyone and thanked them for coming to witness this happy occasion. The fact that they’d been given twenty-four hours’ notice wasn’t mentioned. Words about the marriage of two souls and a happy union and loving and honoring floated around him like music, barely registering. Reality lived in his warm, safe hand.
“The giving and receiving of rings—”
Kai tensed. Damn. He forgot. Rings!
Rand reached in his pocket and removed a small velvet box. He whispered, “If you don’t like them, we can change them.” He unsnapped the lid and held out two bands made of something shiny and silvery colored—probably platinum. Best of all, engraved horses galloped around each band in an eternal dance. Rand pulled out one of the rings and held it between his fingers. “Will you marry me, cowboy?”
Kai fought the heat behind his eyes. He grinned. “Hell yeah.”
Rand snorted and slid the ring on Kai’s finger. Perfect fit. He handed the other ring to Kai, slid the box back in his pocket, and extended his left hand.
Kai held the carved circle. “You taught me what it means to be a man.” He slid the ring home. Home. Right word.
“By the power vested in me by the State of Hawaii, I pronounce you husband and husband.”
They smiled at each other.
Aliki’s voice rang out over the room. “Hey, aren’t you going to kiss?”
Kai laughed, stood on tiptoe, and kissed Rand full and solidly on the mouth. Rand wrapped him in an embrace and bent him over backward as cameras flashed.
One more kiss, and they grabbed the kids for a group hug. Lani leaned back. “Uncle Rand, I knew the first moment I saw you that you’d change everything.”
He laughed. “That’s pretty good for a guy who was stuck in ‘good enough.’”
A few minutes later, Kai, Rand, and the kids walked onto the terrace, where everyone was gathered for an informal buffet. Someone—probably Julie—had arranged for the band from the club to play. When they broke into a Cowboy Charleston, Kai extended his hand to Rand. “Come on, cowboy. Let’s show them how you captured my heart.” In minutes, the kids joined in, and the McIntyre-Kealoha family danced their way to the future.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The kids practically vibrated as they came over the ridge toward the ranch.
Aliki bounced. “Is that it? Is that it?”
“Yep.” Rand glanced back at his soon-to-be “son.” “Don’t strain that seatbelt too much. You’ll see it clear in a minute.”
“Yes, Uncle Rand.” He sat back for about three seconds, and then was straining forward again.
Lani stayed still, but her eyes sparkled and, for once, she almost looked like a kid. “So Manolo and Danny are the people we’ll meet?”
“Yep. There are other hands, but more seasonal. Those two keep everything going.”
“You don’t think they’ll mind having two kids under foot?” Always worrying, that one.
“Sweetheart, they’re going to love you so much, I’ll have trouble hanging on to you.” Kai stayed quiet. Rand nudged him across the console. “They’re probably in there arranging doilies right now.” Rand slowly inhaled through the nose. “I told them about you guys, but, uh, I wanted the wedding to be a surprise.”
Kai’s head came around like a tetherball. “They don’t know we’re married?”
Rand swallowed. “It was a lot to explain over the phone on a crappy connection with not much time.”
“Do they know we’re coming?”
“Yeah.”
“Who the hell do they think we are?” He glanced back. “Excuse me.”
“Probably friends. I tried to talk to Manolo, but kept losing the connection.”
“Well this should be interesting.” Kai didn’t laugh.
Rand pulled up in front of the ranch house, took a deep breath, and opened the door. Of course, Aliki was out his side, before Rand’s boots hit the dirt.
“Uncle Rand, this is so rad.”
Suddenly, the front door of the house opened and Rand’s mom stepped onto the porch. “Surprise!”
“Mom. Wow. I wasn’t expecting you.” His own smile surprised him too.
She hurried down the stairs, her arms wide. “I wasn’t going to let my grandchildren arrive in California without a welcome. Aliki, Lani, how wonderful to see you.” She carried leis over her arm.
Aliki ran right to her and she grabbed him in a hug. He leaned back. “Are you really my grandmother?”
“Well it’s not official until the adoption is final, but I think we can pretend. From what my husband tells me, you’re pretty good at that.” She winked at him.
He stared at her, still as a rangy statue. Suddenly he buried his face in his hands.
Lani knelt beside him in a flash. “Kaikahine, what’s wrong?”
“I-I never had a grandmother before.”
Lani smile
d and hugged him.
Rand’s mom knelt beside them. “Want to know the best thing about grandmothers?”
He nodded and wiped at his eyes.
“They spoil you rotten.” She pulled a lei off her arm. “Now I want to make sure I get this right.” Carefully, she placed the lei over his head so that half the flowered circle draped on his back. “Aloha, Aliki. Welcome to your new home.”
He snuffled some more and hugged her.
She turned to Lani and draped the second lei. “Aloha, mo’opuna.”
Lani pressed a hand against her own mouth.
“I hope I didn’t murder that too badly.” His mom smiled.
“Oh no, it was wonderful.”
Rand glanced at Kai. He whispered, “It means granddaughter.”
With a hand still on Lani’s back, his mom stood. She walked to Kai. “Welcome to your new home. I’m proud to call you keikikane.” She draped the lei around Kai’s neck carefully.
“I’m honored, ma’am.” He smiled.
“All I ever wanted was for my son to live his own life. To be himself. You’ve made that possible. And on top of that—” She smiled so big it had to hurt. “—you’ve given him the family he needs to be whole. I always knew Hana was a magic place, but this exceeded my expectations.”
Kai grinned. “We were hiding in the jungle, ma’am, waiting for our cowboy to arrive.”
“Boss?”
Rand turned. Manolo and Danny stood behind him. “Hey guys.” Okay, here goes. “I’ve got some people I’d like you to meet.”
Before Rand could open his mouth, Manolo stepped forward and extended a hand to Kai. “You must be Kai. Good to meet you, man. We need a good cowboy to help keep this place running smooth.”
Manolo leaned down and shook hands with Lani and Aliki. “It’s gonna be great to have kids here. Welcome home.”
Lani smiled. “Thank you, sir.”
“I’m just Manolo, okay?”
Aliki looked up with wide eyes. “Are you a vaquero?”
“That’d be me.”
“Wow. Pleased to meet you, Manolo.”
Danny stood back with his arms crossed and green eyes slightly narrowed. He pulled out a hand and extended it to Kai. “Hi. I’m Danny.”
Kai nodded and shook his hand, though his eyes might have widened a little. Danny the beautiful.
“Uh, not meaning to be pre-sump-tu-ous, but I’m figuring Rand’s mama doesn’t come all the way from Orange County to welcome a new ranch hand. Would I be right?”
Rand exhaled. “Yep. Guess I better explain.”
Danny grinned. “Well, since Mr. Kai here is about the most gorgeous hunk God ever put on two feet, I’m guessing he’s either your husband or on the way to being that and these are your kids.” Rand coughed and Danny grinned. “How’m I doin’?”
Manolo cocked his head. “Is this true, patron?”
“Yep.”
“You’re—” He glanced at the children.
Rand said, “It’s okay. The kids know we’re gay. We got married on Maui.”
“Son of a—” One more glance at the kids. “—hedgehog.”
Aliki howled. “I love that. Can I say that, Kai? Son of an ever-loving, flaming hedgehog.”
Manolo looked at Kai. “Sorry—patron.” He started to chuckle.
Kai leveled those dark eyes on Danny. “I appreciate the compliment and all, but can I ask how you happen to be describing a dude as a hunk?”
Danny twirled the ever-present strand of straw in his mouth. “Let’s just say, I’ll be introducing you both to the best gay bar in Chico.”
Rand raised an eyebrow. “You’re kidding?”
Danny shook his head and his dimples flashed.
“How come you never told me?”
Danny spit the straw onto the dirt and smiled. “You know better’n anyone that cowboys don’t come out.”
So much for losing his employees. “You think we’ll lose a lot of clients?”
Danny shrugged. “Maybe some. What do you think, Manolo?”
“I guess I’d say who the hedgehog cares?” He laughed and Aliki howled. Manolo leveled his eyes on Rand. “You care?”
Did he? “I always thought I would. But now, I guess my priorities shifted.”
Danny chuckled. “Lots of gay guys like dude ranches. You just have to know where to advertise. Talk more after you settle in.” Grinning, he sauntered away, grabbing Manolo by the arm as he went.
His mother clapped her hands. “Enough of this. Let me show you your rooms and we’ll get you moved into your new home.” She wiped at her eyes. “We’re going to have so much fun.” She led the children into the ranch house. “Wait until you come to my house. Oh my, you’re going to love the beach. And we’ll go to Disneyland, and the zoo, and—” They disappeared inside.
Rand pressed his fingertips to Kai’s cheek. “Can I show you our room?”
“Our room. I like the sound of that, brah.”
“Our room. Our ranch. Our kids.”
“Our life, cowboy. Our life.”
Rand whispered, “How are you going to fuck my ass tonight?”
Kai glanced toward the ranch house door where the sounds of children’s laughter echoed. “Quietly. Very, very quietly.”
Hand in hand, they walked up the steps to the front door.
Meet Tara Lain
Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters - and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn't believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara's characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara's creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Likely a Gryffindor or maybe a Ravensclaw but possessed of Parseltongue, Tara loves animals of all kinds, diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers. She also loves to hear from you.
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Books by Tara Lain
From Tara Lain Books – Available in KU
COWBOYS DON’T
Cowboys Don’t Come Out
LOVE IN LAGUNA
Knight of Ocean Avenue
Knave of Broken Hearts
Prince of the Playhouse
Lord of a Thousand Steps
Fool of Main Beach
THE MIDDLEMARK MYSTERIES
The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean
The Case of the Voracious Vintner
PENNYMAKER TALES SERIES
Sinders and Ash
Driven Snow
Beauty, Inc
Never
THE ALOYSIUS TALES SERIES
Spell Cat
Brush with Catastrophe
Cataclysmic Shift
EVER AFTER, NEW YORK STORIES
Better Red
Holding Hans
FUZZY LOVE
Passions of a Papillon
Prancing of a Papillon
BALLS TO THE WALL
Volley Balls
Fire Balls
Beach Balls
FAST Balls
High Balls
Snow Balls
Bleu Balls
TALES OF THE HARKER PACK
The Pack or the Panther
/> Wolf in Gucci Loafers
Winter’s Wolf
LONG PASS CHRONICLES
Outing the Quarterback
Canning the Center
Tackling the Tight End
GENETIC ATTRACTION SERIES
The Scientist and the Supermodel
Genetic Attraction
The Pretty Boy and the Tomboy
Genetic Celebrity
HOLIDAY NOVELLAS
Mistletowed
Be Bad, For Goodness Sake
STANDALONE TITLES
Home Improvement - A Love Story
From Dreamspinner Press
Hearts and Flour
DREAMSPUN BEYOND #15 – Rome and Jules
DREAMSPUN DESIRES #5 – Taylor Maid
LOVE YOU SO
Love You So Hard
Love You So Madly
Love You So Special
Love You So Sweetly
MOVIE MAGIC ROMANCES
Return of the Chauffeur’s Son
Love and Linguistics
SUPERORDINARY SOCIETY
Hidden Powers
Rising Magic
From Pride Publishing
DANGEROUS DANCERS
Death Dancer
Audiobooks by Tara Lain available at Audible, Amazon, and Audiobooks.com
Keep Reading
Keep Reading for an Excerpt from COWBOYS DON’T RIDE UNICORNS
Book 2 in the Cowboy’s Don’t Series
Chapter One
Sheeeee-it! Danny’s assbones slammed down on the back of the bull as the huge animal whipped in a circle, bell clanging, his hooves pounding furrows into the sandy dirt of the arena. This might be a pissant rodeo, but the bull didn’t get the memo. Danny gripped the bull rope with his left hand as the right saluted the heavens, and his knees bounced even as he tried to maintain some level of control for the longest eight seconds in human experience. And I do this for fun!
