by S. M. Shade
The pool area is illuminated with criss crossing strands of tiny white lights, punctuated by an occasional tiki torch. In the center of the pool is a swim up bar, complete with a brawny bartender who looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. Kids laugh and play, splashing each other and doing cannonballs.
We spot our group on one end where a bunch of lounge chairs have been pulled close together. “Oh no you don’t,” Zoe scolds, grabbing my arm when Charles waves from the other end of the pool. “Stay away from Mr. Sunshine. We came to have fun, not bemoan things we can’t change.”
We choose two chairs and spread out our towels. “Hi, Zoe, right?” One of the women approaches us with a little boy in tow.
“Right.” Zoe grins back at her. “This is my fiancée, Landon.”
“Jean,” the lady says, “we didn’t get a chance to talk last night. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. And who is this handsome young man?” Zoe asks, grinning down at the boy. His lips tilt up in a grin, making a tiny growth on his cheek move.
“Tommy,” he replies. He turns to me. “I can’t do a cannonball and mom won’t show me. Will you teach me?” Obviously, the boy isn’t shy.
“Tommy! You shouldn’t bother people you’ve just met.”
The boy’s face falls until I kneel down and ask, “Can you swim?”
“Like a fish! That’s what my swim coach says. I’m a pirhana!” He bares his teeth at me, then giggles.
“Well, come on then, pirhana. Let’s go do a cannonball.”
Chapter Sixteen
Zoe
After Landon’s last experience with the XP group, I’m surprised he agreed to return, but I’m so happy he did. Tonight has been wonderful. I’ve met some great people and have gained a better understanding of what it’s like to love someone with Landon’s condition. Even better, Landon has spent the evening playing in the pool with the kids that freaked him out yesterday, and hanging out with some of the guys.
Watching him with the kids, I know he’ll be a great father when and if we decide to adopt children. He’s a natural. He shocked me a little with the vasectomy talk, but I honestly don’t have a problem with it. There are plenty of children that need a home.
“Ready to go, sweetheart?” he asks, slipping an arm around me from behind. His palm is hot against my bare stomach.
Before I can respond, Jean asks, “You two are coming to the old west show tomorrow night, aren’t you?”
Landon grins from ear to ear. “If I have to lasso her and bring her there on a horse. She’s marrying me whether she likes it or not.”
“Oh! You’re getting married tomorrow! That’s fantastic!” Jean hugs me. “And I’m sure you won’t have to hogtie her.” She turns to Zoe. “Might want to brand him though. Don’t let him get away.”
Laughing, we excuse ourselves. “Hmm, branding huh? It’s not a bad idea. Maybe a property of Zoe brand on your ass. It’d only hurt for a week or so.”
“Very funny. I’m going to mark your ass with my handprint when I get you back to the room.”
My body is close to his and I can feel the heat from his skin as we walk. “Save something for the honeymoon.”
We have dinner brought to our room, and share a shower which of course leads to sex. Like hours of sex. Like my vagina is never going to be the same, sex. Once we’re cuddled in bed, my head resting on his hard chest, I ask him what he thinks of the XP group now.
“The kids are amazing. They don’t let the hospital visits, surgeries or restrictions slow them down. Tommy is eight and the fastest swimmer on his team. They actually meet in the evenings at an indoor pool, just so he can participate.”
“So, not so doom and gloom?”
“It sucks that they have to struggle, but they’re worse off than me, and if they can keep a positive attitude, so can I.” His fingers run through my hair. “I’m glad I came. Thanks for bullying me into it.”
“I didn’t bully you!” He jerks as I pinch his nipple.
“Okay, nagged.”
“You’re pushing it, buddy.”
With a chuckle, he rolls over, clutching me to his warm body. “I can’t wait to make you my wife tomorrow.”
“Mmm, me too.” His breathing evens out, and my eyes slam shut.
From the moment I wake the next day, I’m a ball of nerves, but I try not to show it. I don’t want Landon to think I have cold feet or any doubt this is what I want.
The Frontier Place is everything I expected and more. They’ve recreated an old western town complete with saloon, general store, hotel, and stable. Employees walk around in period dress, their clothes slightly dusty from the dirt road. Horses are tethered to a hitching rail near a long trough of water, and a few stagecoaches are parked in front of the hotel.
The only thing that throws off the ambiance a bit is the sodium lights illuminating everything, but there’s no help for that. The desert is seriously dark, even with the moonlight raining down on us.
A shiver runs through me, despite my warm jacket. So much for my thought that the desert is always hot. Apparently, in December, not so much. A man dressed as a cowboy, including boots, spurs, and a wide brimmed hat approaches us. “Welcome to Frontier Place. I’m Buckshot Bill. Are you the lucky couple here for the nuptials?”
His fake accent makes me smile. Landon’s arm wraps around my shoulders and he gazes down at me as he replies with pride on his voice. “Yes, Sir. This is Zoe, I need her hitched to me quick, before she changes her mind.”
“Ooo-ee, and ain’t she a purty one.” Bill whistles through his teeth. A few members of the XP group arrive, including Charles and Karen, the organizers of the group, Jean, and her little boy. The kids circle around Landon, hoping for the same attention he showed them yesterday.
“We’re all set up for ya over in the saloon,” Buckshot Bill tells us and leads the group to a large building with batwing doors. The place smells of the sawdust that coats the floor and oil from the lamps that throw a soft light over the room. Scrubbed wooden tables are arranged haphazardly around a small stage while the back half of the room is clear, I assume for dancing.
A tiny woman with hair so gray it’s almost white greets me with a smile. “Welcome and congratulations. I’m Tippy Hardwell. Come with me, Miss. I’ve got some lovely dresses for you to choose from.” She motions to another guy dressed in trousers and a tartan long sleeved shirt, and he approaches Landon.
“I’ll get yer man here outfitted and back to you in two shakes,” he says, making me laugh. This place is awesome. I had no idea we’d be dressing for the wedding, much less in western clothes.
“Did you arrange this?” I ask Landon, and he grins.
“I thought it’d be a good wedding photo. And I have to see you in one those dresses.”
We’re lead away from one another into separate restrooms in the back of the saloon. Though the décor follows suit, the amenities are modern. No outhouses. An array of dresses hang on a rack in the corner. They’re all beautiful, but I choose a simple yellow prairie dress with full sleeves, a cinched waist, and a skirt that flares out to touch the floor. Since my feet aren’t visible, I pass on the leather slippers that look a bit too large. I don’t want to trip and make a fool of myself in front of everyone.
After taking a moment to put my hair up in a quick twist, I step back and look in the mirror. My face is flushed with excitement, and with the vintage clothing, I look innocent. Landon is going to eat this up. Tippy pronounces me, “beautiful,” and leads me back out to the saloon, which has quickly filled with people.
I see quite a few I recognize from the XP group, but a lot that I don’t. We obviously aren’t the only group they’re hosting tonight. My hands start to sweat and I surreptitiously wipe them on my skirt. This isn’t what I expected. I thought it would just be Landon and me, maybe a couple of witnesses, but this place is packed.
My nerves settle and a giggle erupts when Landon approaches me. He looks so goddamn handsome in a pair of h
igh waisted trousers and an asymmetrical Flintridge shirt with pewter buttons down the right side. His shirt is tucked in, showing off how lean and muscular he is. I so want to take this outfit home and make him wear it in the bedroom.
“You look gorgeous,” he breathes, his gaze traveling up and down my body.
“And you are too handsome in that. I wonder if these clothes are for sale?”
His eyes light up with the possibilities. “You want to keep the dress?”
“Not as much as I want to see you wear that at home.”
Laughing, he shakes his head. “I didn’t know you had a cowboy fetish.”
“I have a you fetish. Cowboy, astronaut, fire fighter, whatever.”
“Well now.” Buckshot Bill interrupts us. “If you’re ready to get hitched, just follow me on up yonder.” Of course Buckshot Bill is going to be the officiant. I can’t wait to see how this goes.
Hand in hand, Landon and I mount the stage and stand in front of Buckshot Bill, who addresses the audience. “Howdy, folks. We got two young whipper snappers here who want to tie the knot. Since the constable is too all-fired lazy to conduct the proceedins, I’m honored to do the job.”
The audience claps, then instantly quiets when Buckshot turns to Landon. “Do you promise to keep this beauty safe, love and respect her until you take the long dirt nap?” Soft laughter fills the room from the audience, and I try to stifle a giggle.
Landon’s amazing ocean colored eyes delve into mine. “I do.”
“Even if she nags you and hides your whiskey?” Buckshot asks, drawing more laughter from the crowd.
“I do,” Landon repeats, a wide smile on his face.
“Better put a ring on her, then, fore she changes her mind.”
He turns to me. “Do you swear to love, honor, and respect him until he’s pushing up daisies?”
Landon eyes land on mine again, and the past months run through my mind at breakneck speed. Meeting him at the bar and thinking he was the most arrogant asshole ever, cleaning his house while trying not to fall for him, getting trapped by a tornado and sealing our fate. It was then I knew I didn’t want to be without him. And when I almost lost him because of one psycho woman, I knew I’d never be the same without him by my side.
“I do,” I reply, placing a ring on Landon’s finger.
“Even if he gets all ornery and leaves his muddy boots on your clean floor?”
“I do,” I repeat with a giggle.
“All right then, if I can’t talk neither of ya out of it, I now pronounce you man and wife.” He turns to Landon. “Well, what are you waitin fer? Are you addle-headed? Kiss her.”
Landon brings his lips to mine and everything melts away. He’s mine, and I’m his. Forever.
Catcalls from the crowd eventually break us apart and Buckshot gives us a wild grin. “There’s refreshments on the table in the back. Now let’s bend an elbow to congratulate the happy couple and have a hog killin time!”
“I have no idea what he just said,” I whisper to Landon, and he laughs.
“Let’s cut the cake.” His hand wraps around mine, leading me from the stage to the back of the room.
“There’s a cake? When did you arrange all of this?”
“It’s amazing what can be done online now,” he laughs.
I grab his face and kiss him long and hard. “Thank you. This was amazing.”
“You’re stuck with me now,” he murmurs, pressing his forehead to mine.
“Forever,” I reply.
Epilogue
Zoe
“You could do it when you turn eighteen. It’s good money,” Justus says to Ethan, scooping a huge second helping of mashed potatoes onto his plate.
“Stop trying to turn him into a stripper!” I throw a roll at him. It’s the day after Christmas and we’re all gathered around my new dining room table. Ethan has been entertaining us with stories of his ski trip since he returned this morning.
“I’m just saying! He’s got that baby face young women love. He could make a killing.”
“You know I’m gay, right?” Ethan snorts.
“Most male dancers are.” Justus shrugs.
“Yeah, I’ll pass. I’m going to college to become a history teacher.”
“Also a good career,” Justus replies, nodding.
Landon’s hand settles on my thigh as he sits back and groans. “I’m too full to move.”
“No problem, I can take care of your piece of pie.” Dare reaches across the table to take it, and Landon shoves his hand away. “Don’t be greedy. You have a wife who can cook her ass off. After today, I’m back to frozen pizza and take out.”
“So, she’s mine. Get your own.”
“Or you could learn to cook for yourself,” Jeremy says, shaking his head.
“That’s more likely than Dare finding a woman who’ll put up with his bullshit,” Justus says, laughing.
“I’m single by choice, so you can all go fuck yourselves.”
The room fills with laughter. They go on talking and teasing each other, but their words fade into the background as I gaze around the table. They’re such a tight group, a family built of friends, and it makes me realize I can have the same. I do have the same. It isn’t just Ethan and me anymore.
I didn’t just gain a loving husband, but a family of men who would do anything for each other, and now for me and Ethan as well. Their organization is aptly named because for the first time in my life I truly feel like I’m in safe hands.
The End
Acknowledgements
Special thanks go to beta readers, Lissa Jay and Susan Rollinson for saving me from embarrassing plot holes and ridiculous mistakes. I want to say thank you to few readers who always take the time to review, share and promote my books. Teresa Hall, Chantal Baxendale, and Michele loves books Jones, I’m pointing at you.
Thanks to the members of the S.M. Shade Book Group for loving my books as much as I do (sometimes much more than I do) and sharing them constantly. Love you girls.
Last, but not least, thanks to all the book bloggers and page owners who make it possible for Indie authors to get their stories out there. We couldn’t do it without you. There’s no way I can list the numerous blogs and pages that have shared my books, but I want to call attention to a few who have been especially generous. Just One More Page, Saints and Sinners Books, and Chicks Controlled by Books. You all rock so hard.
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US Link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UEVPO5G
UK Link http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UEVPO5G
AU Link http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00UEVPO5G
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From the moment I saw her, I wanted her in my bed.
I should've stopped there.
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US Link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZDT5A1M
UK Link http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZDT5A1M
AU Link http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00ZDT5A1M
Parker
Hit it and quit it.
One and done.
Hump and dump.
That has been my philosophy on relationships for the last seven years. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a bad guy. I'm always upfront and truthful with the women I date. I don't promise them anything but a good time.
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Too bad she's completely off limits.
