Home on the Ranch: Wyoming Cowboy Ranger

by Rebecca Winters

  He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her with such passion, her legs almost gave out. “You have no idea how much I love you.”

  “A minute ago I was starting to believe you,” she teased. “I guess you’ll have to finish convincing me after we take our vows. The sooner, the better.”

  “Three weeks, no more.”

  “While we’re at dinner, let’s call your mother. I want to tell her that she raised the man of my dreams.”

  Porter tugged her close and kissed the back of her neck. “When I rode in earlier, I felt like my life was over.”

  “When I saw your truck out the window, I went through agony wondering if you would even speak to me. I had visions of being told to leave.”

  He hugged her even tighter against him. “That’s all over, sweetheart. And for the record, I’m never letting you go.”

  * * *

  A few minutes later Porter backed his car out of the garage and they left for town. On the way his cell phone rang. “It’s Holden.” He pulled into the right lane and turned a corner so he could stop in front of the first house. “He’s going to be excited about our news.” Porter clicked on. “Hey, bud?”

  “Cole told me you were back and that Lily is with you. Put your phone on speaker so she can hear me, too.”

  Something was wrong. “Sure.”

  “Where are you?”

  “In my car. We’re on our way to dinner.”

  “You can’t do that. Come to my office instead. Reiver’s trial was held this morning. After sentencing he was transferred to the prison in Rawlins, but on the way he and another prisoner who’d been arrested for armed robbery escaped.”

  Lily’s gasp resounded in the car.

  “The police chief and I think the two of them came out to Wyoming with Melissa and that’s how her brother was in the mountains without a car or horse. His partner would have provided the setup.”

  His hands gripped the wheel tighter. “That would explain a lot.”

  “I have no doubt they’re coming back to finish what they started and have probably stashed weapons somewhere nearby. There’s a massive manhunt on for them. In the meantime, I need to make plans with you and Lily.”

  “We’ll be right there.”

  After he rang off, he turned to her. “I want you to put your head down as far as you can.”

  “All right.”

  He drove back to the highway and headed for the sheriff’s office. Before long they arrived and he parked in one of the reserved spaces. “We’re here. Let’s get inside, sweetheart.”

  With his arm around her, they rushed in the building and hurried down the hallway to Holden’s office.

  “Thank God you’re both all right,” his friend said, telling them to sit down.

  “Amen. Where did the escape happen?”

  “Ten miles before the van reached Farson.”

  “What happened to the driver and the other deputy?” Porter asked.

  “Both were shot, but they’re stabilized and will make it.”

  Porter shook his head. “This just doesn’t end. It means the others could have doubled back to Whitebark within the hour.”

  “Right. Two of the convicts were picked up on the other side of Farson.”

  “Unfortunately the wrong two got away,” Porter muttered. “Reiver is a mean one in the worst sense of the word and has nothing to live for except to take me out.”

  * * *

  “It’s almost over,” Holden murmured. “I take it you two are together now?”

  They both held up their left hands, causing Holden to laugh. “That’s the best news of the night. All we need to hear now is that the suspects have been caught. Then we’re home-free. I’ve sent one of the guys to bring you some club sandwiches and coffee.”

  “Bless you, Holden.”

  “Do my parents know what’s happened?”

  “I phoned them the minute the news came in, Lily. Their place has been searched and they’re under surveillance as we speak.”

  “Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling.

  Porter clung to her hand. “How did they manage to escape?”

  “There were four prisoners. Someone on the outside who knew the van’s route forced the van off the road at gunpoint—it was all preplanned. The chief is arranging for protection for the two of you, but I wanted you here and safe while some deputies do a sweep of your house and ranch first.”

  “No one ever had a better friend.” Only a few hours ago he’d been thinking of leaving Wyoming. But that was when he’d believed there was no hope.

  One of the deputies came in with three sacks of food and coffee. Porter thanked him. After he left, Holden ate with them while he listened to dispatch for any news.

  “When’s the wedding?”

  “Three weeks away, even if the whole wedding party has to be protected by the National Guard.” More laughter rolled out of Holden. “I want my three buddies to stand in as my best man.”

  “We’ve been hoping for this day. How about the guys at the fire station to stand guard, too? My wife says you’re the luckiest man in Wyoming to be involved with the famous Olympian, Lily Owens. I happen to agree. Shame on him for keeping you a secret from us since you met.”

  Porter sent his bride-to-be a loving glance. “I didn’t know if she felt the same way.”

  Lily beamed. “You know darn well I fell so hard for you, I even got my hair cut so you’d notice.”

  “Oh, I noticed, sweetheart.”

  “Jessica and her mom are wonderful people, Holden. I’ve seen her and Chase many times at the salon when Millie does my hair. Once I almost asked her if she could tell me a little bit about Porter since he was a close friend of yours, but I never got up the nerve.”

  “She would have loved it. My wife is crazy about Porter. I’m thankful she didn’t meet him first.”

  “That’s bull and you know it,” Porter muttered.

  “Where are you two getting married?”

  “We haven’t talked about it yet,” Lily answered, “but I’d like the ceremony to take place at our family’s church, if it’s all right with you, Porter.”

  He squeezed her hand. “What do you think?”

  “I think I could be the happiest woman on earth if this nightmare were over. I thought it was...”

  “It will be,” Holden proclaimed in a solemn tone. “How’s your leg, by the way? When you walked in, no one would know you’d been shot less than a month ago.”

  “It’s healing with remarkable speed.”

  “I couldn’t be happier for you.” He sent Porter a glance. “I take it your back is okay now.”

  “Perfect, thanks to my stunning fiancée.” He turned to her. “It’s getting late. I’ll drive you home with a police escort.”

  Holden nodded. “A surveillance team is outside waiting for you.”

  “But I don’t want us to be separated.” Her eyes pleaded with him.

  “Sweetheart—I really need to be here until this standoff is over. Come on. You need to get to bed and elevate your leg.”

  With reluctance, she nodded and stood up. “Thank you for everything, Holden. I want everyone to stay safe.”

  “We all want that.”

  “I’ll be back,” he murmured to Holden before walking her out of the building to his car.

  He drove to her ranch as fast as he could and still obeyed the speed limit. She phoned her parents that she’d be arriving in a few minutes. This time Porter parked in front of the ranch house and walked her up the steps of the front porch. Her parents opened the door and they all went inside.

  “We’re going to catch these men,” he assured her parents. “I’m glad she’s home safe. Now I have to leave.”

  “Wait, darling. Mom? Dad? I asked Porter to marry me tonight and he said yes. Sho
w them your ring.”

  With a smile, Porter put out his left hand. “I’m wearing this until our wedding day and will only take it off long enough for her to put it back on my finger. She’s wearing my ring and promised it would never come off.”

  “Welcome to the family!” her mother cried and hugged both of them. Then it was her father’s turn. The emotional moment caused Porter’s throat to swell, reminding him he needed to call his mother and tell her what had happened.

  “Walk me to the door,” he whispered to Lily, who clung to him. Before he opened it, he gave her a long, passionate kiss. “I know this will be over soon. Just hang on. I promise to call you all the time to give you updates.”

  “I can live with that. I just can’t live without you.”

  Chapter 12

  She wouldn’t have to.

  Porter hurried out to the car and drove back to Holden’s office. En route he phoned his friend to see if there was any more news and learned that it was still only the two felons who had been captured. With that much good news, he called his mother and informed her of the latest development.

  It took a lot of convincing to tell her things would be all right. Then he told her there was going to be a wedding in three weeks whether Reiver was still at large or not.

  “I promise to stay in close touch. We’ll see each other when you fly out. Love you, Mom.”

  Next, he phoned Lily, who answered on the first ring. “Has there been any news yet?”

  “Nothing new.”

  “Which means Melissa’s brother and accomplice are still at large.”

  “They can’t be far and the deputies will nail them. Wait and see. I just got off the phone with my mother. I told her we’re getting married in three weeks. I hope you’ve got your parents’ calendar circled for three weeks because our plans are now in the works.”

  “It’s done. We’re talking to the pastor tomorrow and seeing about wedding invitations. Mom wants to do the reception at the house. How do you feel about that?”

  “I love it. Tell your folks you’re wearing white!”

  Her gentle laughter thrilled him. “I’ll convey your message so there’s no misunderstanding.”

  “I want your parents’ approval. Can you blame me?”

  “Do you think I would? I love you more than ever for being such an honorable man. I wish I could have met your father.”

  “He would have loved you. Now get to bed. I’ll call you first thing in the morning and we’ll make plans to go get our marriage license. Good night, my love.”

  He clicked off. One more call needed to be made, but he’d phone Martin tomorrow. Porter hoped his old boss and his wife might be able to come to the wedding. Martin was the closest person he had to a father now.

  “Coffee?” Holden asked after Porter arrived back at the sheriff’s office.

  “You’ve read my mind. Tell me what I can do right now.”

  “Nothing. Just stay here and keep me company.”

  “Your poor wife.”

  “Jessica’s used to my hours. Chase wishes I worked at a bank, but he knows I’d hate it.”

  Porter chuckled. “I can’t wait until Lily and I are married. I guess you don’t know the reason why I took off for the mountains over the last three weeks.”

  “We’ve got time on our hands if you want to tell me.”

  For the next ten minutes he filled in his friend about Lily’s history.

  Holden sipped his coffee. “She’s really been through it. I’m thankful you guys worked your way through your problem and found your way back to each other. Jessica and I had our problems when she told me she couldn’t marry me.”

  “I knew something was wrong. What was the reason?”

  Porter listened until Holden had finished.

  “So she had a secret, too.”

  “Yup.”

  “Yet now you’re expecting the child you thought you could never have.” Porter winked at his friend. “It could come before my wedding.”

  “We’re not sure.”

  “Well, in any event, I’m thrilled for you both.”

  Holden rolled his eyes. “I’d like to be thrilled for you. All we need to do is get Reiver and his cohort behind bars with no chance of his ever getting out. Their escape is a black mark on my record.”

  “Your record is spotless.” Porter’s eyes narrowed on him. “Evil will always be out there. You can’t control everything.”

  “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”

  “Anytime.”

  They sat there through the night listening to the messages from the deputies phoning in. Every so often the police chief checked in with updates. The media had gotten hold of the news and the TV displayed pictures of the two convicts, who were still at large in the greater Whitebark area.

  Porter got up to use the restroom. When he came back in at five thirty a.m., he found Holden on the phone. He motioned to Porter to come closer. There was an energy about him, alerting Porter that something significant was going down.

  He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until his friend hung up and shot to his feet. “They’ve been caught on the property on the east side of the Owens ranch. Gunfire was exchanged. Both culprits are wounded, but no officers were harmed.”

  “Hallelujah!”

  “You can say that again.” Holden gestured toward the door. “Get out of here, Porter. Tell your fiancée it’s truly over.”

  “Now I’m going to give you an order. Go home to your wife and son.”

  “I’m heading out in a few. Walt’s on his way in to take over.”

  “Talk to you later.”

  Porter flew down the hall and out to his car. Forgetting the speed limit, he reached Lily’s house in record time. After he parked in front, he phoned her. She answered immediately.

  “Porter? I’ve been awake half the night waiting to hear from you.”

  “It’s over. They’ve been caught. I’m parked in front. Come out to the car. We’ll drive to my ranch to take care of Dash and make breakfast while we work on our wedding plans three weeks from now.”

  At this point she broke down in tears of joy. She wasn’t the only one.

  August 9

  “Lily and Porter? Since you’ve said your vows and pledged to love each unto death and beyond, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  Her heart thudded as she turned to receive his kiss. Lowering his mouth to hers, Porter swept her into his embrace and kissed her with such ardor, she got a little light-headed.

  Throughout the four-o’clock ceremony at the church, Lily had been waiting for this moment. She was now Mrs. Porter Ewing, his wife. And this handsome, wonderful man was hers to love and cherish forever. Lily forgot they had an audience, and didn’t want to let him go.

  It was probably the longest kiss in history at the altar, but she didn’t care. They were in front of all their friends and family. Their journey had been fraught with perils, but they’d survived and triumphed.

  When they walked down the aisle and out to the front of the church, an amazing sight greeted them. Besides their dearest friends, a huge crowd had assembled. The women’s horse brigade, a number of the firefighters on their truck, the police chief, Porter’s boss, Stan, and many of the deputies and rangers on horseback were all there to clap and cheer, making their wedding day absolutely glorious.

  If there was any shadow on the day, it couldn’t possibly be called a shadow. Holden’s absence from the altar with Cole and Wyatt meant that Jessica had gone into labor in the middle of the night. They just learned Holden was now the proud father of another son.

  Both she and Porter were ecstatic over the news as they moved on to her ranch house for the reception. Everyone from the hospital and the clinic came, even some of Lily’s favorite patients.

  Porter’s fa
ntastic mother and her husband had arrived two days before and were helping Lily’s parents. Martin Kroger and his wife were her parents’ guests, too. They were all like one big happy family. After cutting the wedding cake, followed by dozens of toasts to the bride and groom, she changed out of her white-lace wedding dress and they left for Porter’s ranch in his car.

  They’d be spending the last two weeks of September in the Adirondacks. She wanted to see where he’d been born and lived. They would enjoy the sight of the full autumn foliage in blazing color. They’d also travel to Buffalo to stay with his mother and her husband for a few days before returning to Wyoming.

  For now they just wanted to enjoy married life and soak up the joy of being together at last, free from all worry.

  Porter drove them around the back and carried her over the threshold into his house. They never stopped kissing as he walked her through the kitchen and down the hall to his bedroom.

  Someone had been here earlier. There were flowers and champagne on ice. She didn’t care for alcohol, but loved whoever had gone to the trouble to make their bedroom a haven of love.

  He helped her off with her suit jacket. “I’m so glad I don’t have to undo all the buttons on the back of your wedding dress. You’ve made this divinely easy for me.”

  “I did it on purpose. I’m as impatient as you are.”

  This time Porter followed her down on the bed and the world faded away as they became one.

  When Lily came awake, it was close to nine o’clock in the morning. Her husband was finally down for the count. They’d made love over and over again during the night. She’d been breathless with ecstasy.

  Just looking at him made her want to start the whole process again and never stop. She raised up on one elbow and kissed his face, loving every male inch of him. He’d been tender, yet masterful, titillating her in ways she couldn’t have imagined.

  Lily already loved married life. Her only worry now was how she was going to handle it when he had to get up and go work. But he wouldn’t be going to work for several days, so she needed to stop thinking and just bask in the wonderment of being his wife.