An Heir for the Texan

by Kristi Gold

  “Are you a real live cowboy?”

  “I guess you could say that, too.”

  “He’s a calf roping champion, Chance,” Georgie chimed in. “He has lots of trophies.”

  “Can I see them?”

  “Sure,” Austin said. “I plan to teach you how to rope and ride.”

  Then his son did something so unexpected, it shot straight to his heart. Chance wrapped his arms around Austin, gave him a hug and said, “I’m glad you’re my dad.”

  Austin swallowed around the lump in his throat. If someone would have told him a year ago that he would feel so much love for a child he’d just met, he would’ve called them crazy. “I’m glad you’re my boy, too.”

  Chance climbed off the couch and faced them both. “Can we go to the barn and see my pony now?”

  Georgie frowned. “What makes you think you have a pony?”

  “Because if Santa can bring me my dad, he can bring me a horse.”

  Both Georgie and Austin laughed, sending Lila and George back into the room. “Everything settled?” Lila asked.

  Chance pointed at Austin. “He’s my daddy and he’s going to teach me how to rope.”

  “Great,” George groused. “Now you can traipse around the country chasing cows and women.”

  Lila elbowed her husband in the side. “Hush, George Romero. He can be anything he wants to be.”

  “I want to be a cowboy,” Chance proclaimed. “And I want to see my horse.”

  Georgie pushed to her feet. “All right. Go get dressed and we’ll go to the barn.”

  Chance hurried to the opening to the hall and paused to face them again. “Are you guys going to get married?”

  “How would you feel about that if we do?” Georgie asked.

  He shrugged. “Would we live here?”

  Austin determined he should field this question. “Actually, I have a big house not far from here, with a barn and a room reserved just for you.”

  “Cool,” he said. “Mama, you should marry my dad.”

  She smiled. “Then I guess it’s official. We’ll get married.”

  Seemingly satisfied, Chance took off and Austin grabbed the opportunity to take Georgie into his arms. “You heard our son. Let’s get married.”

  “When do you propose we do this?” she asked.

  “The sooner, the better. In fact, I’m thinking a New Year’s Eve wedding would be good.”

  “That’s less than a week away,” Lila interjected. “We can’t plan a wedding in a week.”

  “I don’t need a fancy wedding, Mother,” Georgie said. “Just family and friends and my dad to walk me down the aisle.”

  George stepped forward, looking less cranky than usual. “You can count on me to do that, princess.”

  “That’s great, if we can actually find an aisle,” Lila added. “Six days won’t be enough time, not to mention it’s a holiday.”

  A remedy to the time crunch entered Austin’s mind. “We can have the ceremony at the ranch’s main house. It’s big enough to hold everyone, and I happen to know a woman who’d be glad to arrange everything, and she’ll do it in record time.”

  “Do you mean Jenny?” Georgie asked.

  “The one and only. If for some reason she can’t get it done, then we’ll just take a trip to the courthouse on Friday.”

  Lila looked mortified. “You can’t marry for the first time at the courthouse.”

  “We did,” George said. “And we’re still married.”

  Lila scowled at him. “Don’t press your luck, George Romero, if you really think you’re going to force our daughter to marry in a county building.”

  Chance ran back into the room as fast as his boots would allow. “I’m ready to go.”

  Georgie slipped his hand into hers. “Then let’s go.”

  To add to the joy of the day, Chance took Austin’s hand and together they walked to the barn. They didn’t talk about weddings, only the wonder of a boy’s first horse, and plans for their future together. Austin executed his first duty as a father by helping Chance saddle up the pony, and keeping a watchful eye as his son rode the pen like a pro.

  He draped his arm over Georgie’s shoulder and pulled her close. “You’ve done a great job raising him, darlin’.”

  “It was easy. He’s a great kid.”

  “You went to school and took care of him all by yourself. There had to be some hard times, and I’m sorry for that.”

  She pressed a kiss on his cheek. “The hard times are behind us. I love you, Austin Calloway.”

  “Let the good times begin, and I love you, too, Georgia May Romero.”

  “Are you serious about the wedding in a week?” she asked.

  “Yep, I am. I think it’s a good way to end the old year and welcome in the new.”

  “If we can get it together.”

  He kissed her in earnest then gave her a smile. “I’d bet my last buck that Jenny will find a way to pull it off.”

  * * *

  Georgie couldn’t believe Jenny had pulled it off. The downstairs parlor was fraught with floral arrangements, the food was ready for consumption by the guests and the mint juleps were chilling in the fridge. She was dressed in a short satin gown with a lace cutout in the back and a pair of three-inch matching heels that Paris had insisted Georgie wear because she couldn’t. The last she’d heard, the groom was pacing nervously throughout the family homestead and her parents’ appearance hadn’t started another uncivil war. Everything seemed to be going as planned. Almost everything. The officiate was still missing.

  Five minutes ago, Maria had announced that the local justice of the peace, Bucky Cheevers, had been detained by another duty for another hour. Georgie worried that if his reputation rang true, he might be holed up with a woman. That was okay, as long as he finally showed up, which he promised he would. She could think of far worse things to stall a wedding.

  “My water broke.”

  She hadn’t considered that one. Georgie turned to Paris, now standing in the doorway wearing a bathrobe, not her bridesmaid’s dress. “Are you sure?”

  She shuffled over to the bed and perched on the edge of the mattress. “Yes, I’m very sure. I started having some twinges yesterday afternoon, and now they’re... Oh, lord, I think this baby is going to come very soon.”

  Georgie rushed over to her and said, “Lie down.” She then hurried to the top of the stairs to sound the alarm. “Dallas, get up here now. Someone call 911 for Paris.”

  She returned to Paris and sat by her side. “Just take some deep breaths and try to relax, although that won’t be easy under the circumstance.”

  Paris gave her an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, Georgie. I’m ruining your wedding.”

  Georgie took her hand. “You don’t need to apologize. Besides, Bucky isn’t even here yet. We can always wait a couple of days. Your baby can’t.”

  The sound of pounding footsteps echoed through the corridor, followed by Dallas bursting into the room. “What’s wrong?”

  Paris lifted her head from the pillow. “We’re going to have a baby.”

  He looked somewhat relieved. “I know that.”

  “Today,” Paris added.

  Now Dallas looked panicked as he rounded the bed and claimed a spot next to his wife. “Can you hold off?”

  Paris grimaced and laid her hand on her belly. “I’m trying, honey, but maybe you should propose that to your son or daughter.”

  Maria rushed in with Jenny trailing behind her. “The paramedics are on their way. They should be here in five minutes.”

  “Five minutes I can do...” Paris sucked in a ragged breath. “I think.”

  “Should I boil some water just in case?” Jenny asked.

  “Sure,” Maria
answered. “And while you’re in the kitchen, have a drink. Or two.”

  Georgie peered behind the mothers, half expecting to see her future husband. “Where’s Austin?”

  “He’s downstairs with Chance,” Maria said.

  “I told him it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding,” Jenny added. “If there’s going to be a wedding. What am I going to do with all that food?”

  “We’re going to eat it,” Maria muttered. “Now is not the time to worry about the nuptials or the catering. Austin and Georgie can still get married, even if we have to hold it at midnight after Paris delivers.”

  From the pain crossing Paris’s face, Georgie doubted the next Calloway grandchild would wait that long.

  * * *

  Sitting in a hospital waiting room for five hours was not a part of Austin’s plan. But here he was, dressed in suit and tie, with his almost-bride by his side and his son leaning against his shoulder, fast asleep. Jenny played games on her cell phone across from them while Maria focused on an Old West rerun playing on the TV suspended from the ceiling in the corner. George kept nodding off and, when he snored, Lila periodically shook him awake. Instead of a wedding, they’d inadvertently created a scene straight out of a weird reality show.

  Austin had a good mind to go after Bucky Cheevers. If the jerk would have showed up on time, the wedding would already be over. Instead, they were clock-watching and coming to attention every time the Labor and Delivery door opened.

  “What a way to ring in the New Year,” he whispered to avoid disturbing Chance, who’d just settled down.

  “We still have twenty minutes before the New Year is here,” Georgie whispered back. “I’m surprised the baby is taking this long. I thought for sure Paris would have delivered in the ambulance.”

  That would’ve saved them this waiting game.

  As good luck would have it, two minutes later, Dallas came through the door, holding a blue bundle in his arm. “I’d like you to introduce you to Lucas James Calloway.”

  Everyone scurried out of their seats to catch a glimpse of the newest member of the Calloway family. Everyone but Austin. He didn’t believe for a minute that his own son would care to be disturbed from sleep to meet his cousin. But as bad luck would have it, Chance stirred anyway, rubbed his eyes and asked, “Are we gettin’ married now?”

  “Not yet, bud,” Austin told him. “That probably won’t happen until tomorrow.”

  “Come see little Lucas, Chance,” Georgie said. “He reminds me of you when you were born.”

  Chance looked like he’d rather eat dirt, although he grudgingly climbed off the couch to answer his mother’s summons. Austin followed him over to Maria who was now holding the baby. Chance took a quick peek then frowned. “He’s all wrinkly and his hair is sticking up.”

  Georgie smiled. “That’s what babies look like when they’re first born.”

  “Okay.” Obviously disinterested, Chance returned to the couch, stretched out on his back and closed his eyes.

  Georgie slid her arm around Austin’s waist and regarded Dallas. “Is Paris okay?”

  “She’s not as tired as I thought she’d be,” he said. “She is relieved it’s over.”

  Jenny took the baby from Maria without asking. “Oh my. He looks just like Worth did when he was a baby, minus the blond hair.”

  Austin leaned over to verify that. As far as he was concerned, the kid looked like every other kid at that stage. And he wasn’t as good-looking as his kid. “I think he looks more like Grandpa Calloway before he got his dentures.”

  Georgie pinched his side. “Stop it.”

  “I’m sorry we blew the wedding,” Dallas said.

  So was Austin. “We’ll figure something out in the next day or so.”

  Jenny handed the baby to Dallas and uttered, “I’ll be right back,” then pushed out the door and disappeared into the lobby.

  “I better get this guy back to his mother,” Dallas said. “She’s going to think we left without her. She’s a little disappointed he didn’t arrive after the New Year so he could be the first one born.”

  “When can we see Paris?” Georgie asked.

  Dallas glanced at the clock. “I’ll check, but she should be ready for guests in a few minutes.”

  After Dallas walked out of the room, Jenny returned with a tall man in tow. “Georgie, Austin, this is Chaplain Griggs. He’ll be glad to perform the wedding ceremony so you won’t have to wait.”

  Austin exchanged a look with Georgie. “Do you really want to get married in a hospital waiting room?”

  Georgie shook her head. “No, but I wouldn’t mind getting married in Paris’s hospital room, if she’s up to it. That way we can all be together as planned.”

  “I can do that,” the chaplain said. “As long as medical personnel clear it.”

  “And Paris,” Maria added. “She might not be up to it.”

  Lila stepped forward. “Georgie, honey, this isn’t much better than the courthouse.”

  Georgie patted Lila’s cheek. “It’s okay, Mom. It’s unique, like all of us.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” George said. “Too bad I don’t have a drink handy.”

  “Before we go any further,” the chaplain began, “I need to find out if we’re cleared to continue. I’ll let you know in a few minutes.”

  After the clergyman left, Austin turned to Georgie to find out if she was in fact serious. “If you’re sure about this, I have the license.”

  “I’m very sure, but I don’t have a bouquet.”

  Jenny crossed the room to an end table, yanked the fake flowers from a crystal vase and handed them to Georgie. “Here you go. It’s not perfect, but it should do. Hopefully they won’t send you a bill.”

  Maria pulled her cell from the pocket of her plain blue dress. “I’ll call the other boys, just in case.”

  Austin saw several problems with that. “Don’t bother, Mom. Before we left the house, they told me they were going to have a few beers, and I don’t see any one of them being a designated driver. Besides, if we’re going to get this show on the road, we have ten minutes before midnight arrives. I’d like to stick to at least one of our original plans to be married before the New Year.”

  “You could also use the chapel, sugar,” Jenny said. “If the room doesn’t work out.”

  “It’s going to work out fine.” All eyes turned to the chaplain as he continued. “I have been instructed that we need to have a quick ceremony out of respect to the new mother. Now if you’re ready, follow me.”

  Lila went over and nudged Chance. “Time for a wedding, baby boy.”

  Chance hopped off the couch and grinned. “About time.”

  Austin couldn’t agree more.

  As they wandered down the sterile corridor, their son between them, Austin took Georgie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. When he imagined what they must look like to strangers, a bevy of guests dressed in their finest, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

  They arrived at Paris’s room a few moments later, where George offered his arm to Georgie. “Son, I’ve waited a long time to give my daughter away, and even though we don’t have an aisle, I’d like to at least walk her into the room.”

  He didn’t dare argue with a man who had a grip on his future bride. “Not a problem, sir.”

  “Should I sing?” Jenny asked.

  “Good heavens, no,” Maria answered. “You’ll wake every baby on the floor and every dog in the county.”

  They pushed through the door where the chaplain immediately claimed a spot near the window.

  Paris was sitting up in the bed, holding the baby close, Dallas at her side. “I’m tickled pink you’re doing this, you two,” she said. “Just excuse my not-very-chic attire.”

  Georgie kissed her dad’s
cheek, walked over to Paris and gave her a hug. “I couldn’t have a wedding without my maid of honor standing up for me. And don’t worry about standing.”

  The chaplain cleared his throat. “Shall we begin?”

  Austin checked the black clock on the wall. They had all of four minutes to get this done. “You bet.”

  He guided Georgie and Chance to the officiate, who started off by saying, “At times the best moments in life come in the face of a miracle. And it appears it took a miracle for you both to get to this point.”

  “Amen,” George said from behind them, drawing more laughter.

  “Would you like traditional vows, or do you plan to say your own?” the chaplain asked.

  “Our own,” Georgie replied before Austin could even think.

  She turned to face him and smiled. “Austin, we’ve both traveled differing paths, but all my roads led to you. I feel blessed to have you as my husband, and the father of our child, for the rest of our life.”

  Austin could only come up with a few short and simple words to say. “Georgie, it’s always been you. It will always be only you. Thank you for giving me our son, and the opportunity to make up for lost moments. I promise I will stay this time, forever. I love you.”

  She swiped at her eyes. “I love you, too.”

  “Do we have rings?” the chaplain asked.

  “I do.” Dallas stood, fished the bands from his pocket, then passed them off to Maria who handed them to the chaplain.

  They slid the rings onto each other’s fingers, sealing the deal, and Austin happily obliged the directive to kiss the bride. He responded to the tug on his hand with a grin aimed at his boy. “Are we married now?” Chance asked.

  Austin scooped his son up into his arms. “Yeah, bud, we are. Now let’s go home and get you to bed.”

  “To our home,” Jenny said. “We still have all that food and drink.”

  George clasped Lila’s hand. “I’m more than ready for that drink.”

  “I’m ready for sleep,” Paris said. “Congratulations to both of you. We’ll celebrate large when we come home.”

  After the marriage license was signed, and Austin paid the man who married them with a minute to spare, everyone said their goodbyes to the new mother and baby, then filed into the parking lot. Georgie settled Chance into his booster in the backseat then turned and slid her arms around Austin’s waist. “Maria is going to put Chance to bed in your old room. That way, we can have our honeymoon at your house.”