Her Renegade Rancher EPB

by Jennifer Ryan

“You’re happy?” Her father searched her face. She’d never been able to lie to him. He read her so well.

  “Yes, Dad. I’m very happy, most especially when I’m with him.”

  “Okay. Then what do you think of the lights?” He held out his hand to indicate the star-shaped lights strung over a path flanked on both sides by the garden, which ended at a wide patio area with a bench.

  Luna smiled. She’d asked Colt to marry her under the stars. He’d found the perfect lights to complement the stars that would be out later. “They’re perfect.”

  “Colt insisted they had to be those.”

  “Where is Colt?”

  Her mother smiled again. That alone told Luna she liked Colt. “He took Tanner over to see the horses and to feed a calf.”

  “He did?” Luna worried that Tanner would be too much for Colt to handle. Tanner didn’t take to strangers easily. A lot of people worked on the ranch. It might overwhelm her brother.

  “We explained to Tanner on the way over that Colt will be his brother. The minute they met, Tanner took to him. He even shook his hand,” her father said, giving Luna a satisfied look.

  Tanner had a way of sizing someone up.

  “He touched Colt.” Luna couldn’t believe it. “Wow. Okay, that’s good.”

  “We’ll see if Colt thinks so after they’ve spent some time together.” Her mother gave her a knowing look. Tanner could try the patience of a saint.

  So, her mother still held some reservations about Colt. Not so surprising. They’d spend time with him and see what an amazing guy he was in no time.

  “Colt suggested we put Tanner to work on the ranch,” Luna told her parents. “He thought it best to start Tanner out with the abandoned calves. They’re sweet and gentle. Not too big for Tanner to handle.”

  “He did?” both her parents asked.

  “We plan to get Tanner a dog once he’s settled here.”

  Her mother gave her father a look, which he returned.

  “Why are you two so surprised?”

  Her mother pressed her lips together, then sighed. “We thought you might change your mind now that you’re getting married. We thought you might like to have time alone with your new husband.”

  “Colt and I would like to take a honeymoon in the next couple of months, but right now we need to be here. Colt is taking over as manager on the ranch. I want to learn the businesses so I feel comfortable with all this place does. I want to work on setting up the equine therapy program. Those things will take time, and I’d love to include settling Tanner in here, too.”

  “We never expected you to take responsibility for him now. Later, when we’re gone, yes.”

  “This is a good place for him, Mom. Don’t you think so, too?” she asked both her parents.

  “Yes. We’d have liked to keep the ranch, but the bills . . .” Her father’s voice trailed off.

  “You did what you had to do, Dad. I have the means to give him the life you wanted for him. If something happens to you, to me, he’ll be taken care of no matter what. Dex Manning will be here later. He’s got some papers for you to sign.”

  “Luna.” Her mother teared up. “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble.”

  “You’ve taken care of me my whole life. Wayne left me so much. What I’m doing for you seems so small and so big at the same time. You are responsible for Tanner for the rest of your life. Most parents raise their kids and watch them go off and lead their own lives. Tanner will always need looking after, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need a break, a chance to be responsible only for you for a little while.”

  Her father glanced at her mother. “We have an amazing daughter.”

  “Yes, you do,” Colt said, stepping out of the house with Tanner right behind him.

  “Luna!” Tanner ran to her and enveloped her in an awkward hug, mostly because she still held all her packages, but also because as much as Tanner loved her, he found it weird to touch people.

  “How are you, Tanner?”

  “You got me a brother. I like him. We fed the cow.”

  Luna laughed under her breath. “I’m glad you like Colt.”

  “He’s named after a horse.” Tanner said it deadpan.

  Luna tried to hide the smile. “I don’t think his mother actually named him after a horse. It’s a good, strong name.”

  “He gave me his hat.” Tanner touched the brim of Colt’s black Stetson on his head.

  “I let you borrow it,” Colt amended Tanner’s statement.

  “You’re lucky, Tanner. That’s Colt’s favorite hat. He doesn’t let just anyone wear it.”

  “I can’t wear the one in the house. It’s special.”

  Luna felt the grief rise up for her old friend. “It belonged to the man who used to live here. He was a very good friend.”

  “Colt’s my friend. Tonight he’ll be my brother. He’s got more brothers.”

  She gave him an indulgent smile. “Rory and Ford will be here tonight. So will Sadie.”

  Tanner’s face lit up. He loved Sadie dearly.

  “She’s growing a person in her uterus.” Tanner’s face flushed red.

  Luna smiled. “She’s having a baby.”

  “Colt showed me my new cabin,” Tanner said, changing the subject. “I don’t like the color. My stuff isn’t there.”

  “We’ll take care of everything,” her father said. “Your mom and I will help you make it just the way you want it.”

  “Tanner, do you think you’d like to live here with Colt and me?” Luna asked, hoping a change didn’t overwhelm him.

  “I’m in charge of the calves. I have to feed them and clean their pen. When they’re older, I have to let them go with the herd. Colt said. But I get to keep Cloud. Colt said.”

  Luna turned to Colt and raised an eyebrow in question.

  “The calf he fed has a huge white patch on its side.”

  “Looks like a cloud,” Tanner added.

  Colt nodded and grinned. “She’s a sweet girl and took to Tanner. He wants to keep her.”

  “You’re okay with this?” she asked Colt.

  “It’s one cow, honey. We’ve got about two thousand.”

  Pleased he finally felt like this place was theirs, this life would be theirs and they’d share everything, she smiled at him, happy he’d said “we.”

  Colt closed the distance, leaned down, and kissed her softly. “You found a dress.” He nodded toward the hanger gripped in her fingers at her shoulder.

  “I found the perfect dress.”

  He smiled indulgently at her. “Great. We need to get a move on if we’re going to have everything ready by tonight. The caterers just arrived. They’re in the kitchen.”

  “Perfect. Looks like things are moving along out here. I bought you a tie to wear with your suit to match my dress. Is that okay?”

  “Whatever you want, honey.”

  “Will you take all of this to our room? I’d like to help my mom finish the tables.”

  “Your father and I can do it, sweetheart, you go get ready.” Her mother plopped a miniature rose bush with tiny white buds into another purple pot.

  “I want to help.”

  “The caterers will be out shortly to set up the dishes. I can’t believe you found someone to do the job on such short notice,” Colt said to Luna.

  “I won’t tell you what that short notice cost to have them drive in from Bozeman.”

  Colt took the garment bag and packages from Luna’s hands. He gave her another soft kiss. “Whatever the cost, it was worth it. This is our night.”

  “It’s bad luck to see the bride,” Tanner announced.

  “That’s the thing about loving someone, Tanner,” Colt began. “You’ll risk anything to be with them.” He leaned in and kissed her again, this time lingering for a few seconds longer. He broke the soft kiss, pulled away just enough for her to look him in the eye, and whispered, “I love you.”

  Colt stood tall again and handed off several bag
s to her brother. “Let’s take these inside.”

  Luna watched them go, her heart in her throat. She loved that man so much it swelled inside her until she thought she’d burst.

  “I worried you were taking things too fast. Not thinking things through, or taking the time to get to know each other well enough before you got married,” her father said. “Seeing you two together, the way he is with Tanner, I’m not worried at all.”

  “He’s a good man.” Her mother echoed Luna’s words to Wayne, to her parents. It pleased her that they saw it, too. Even if they didn’t, she’d still love him, because she knew Colt and he knew her. Somehow, they’d found their way to each other, and they fit.

  She looked around the backyard and the tables still not finished. Now all they had to do was pull off a wedding they’d planned in less than a day. No matter how the decorations and food turned out, the most important thing was that by the time Colt took her to bed tonight, she’d be Mrs. Colt Kendrick, his wife.

  “Now there’s a smile a bride should be wearing on her wedding day,” her mother teased.

  “Mom!”

  “I’m just saying.” Her mother finished the bow on the next pot. “I like seeing you two together.”

  “I like who I am when I’m with him.” Now all they had to do was get through tonight and the rest of their lives without any more interference from the Traverses. Not likely in the near future. A shiver of foreboding raced up her spine. Once they found out about the marriage, there’d be even more reason for them to come after her and Colt.

  Chapter 31

  Colt stood between Dex and Deputy Foster, his back to his and Luna’s families, hoping no one overheard their conversation. The judge was ready to perform the ceremony. His family was chomping at the bit to know why Luna hadn’t come out of the house yet. They needed to get this show on the road, but first Colt wanted some reassurance that they’d get through this night without someone getting hurt. Namely him or Luna.

  “Well, are we all set?” he asked Deputy Foster.

  “We’ve got someone on each of the Traverses. No one appears to know about tonight. They’re all at their respective homes, though Josh tends to go out most nights for dinner or drinks according to the intel we’ve gathered on him.”

  Though Colt appreciated the added protection, especially tonight, he couldn’t help but worry. “You’re sure they can’t sneak off without being seen and come here?”

  “If anyone makes a move, we’ll know about it.”

  “What about Agent Montrose? Anything happening with whatever trap he and Luna set?” Colt still hadn’t gotten the down-and-dirty details on that one. He’d been too tired and in too much pain last night to talk through all the details. Once Luna said yes to his proposal, they’d spent the rest of the evening discussing the wedding. Today, he’d barely seen her, for all the running around they both did getting ready.

  He checked out the backyard, surveying the elegant tables, flowers, and twinkling lights. If felt very much like a fairy-tale setting in the woods, with all the trees at the back of the garden area. He hoped Luna liked it. He wanted her to love it. He wanted her to remember this night forever.

  Dex slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Go get your bride. Leave all this other stuff to us for tonight. We’ve got your back. Nothing is going to happen. Mixed in with your family and friends are three other deputies. Six private security guards are patrolling the property. Relax.”

  “I can’t relax. Someone tried to kill me three days ago. If they ruin this night for Luna, they’ll wish they were dead.”

  “Nothing is going to happen,” Dex assured him again. “Go get her. Everyone is starting to stare and wonder what’s taking so long.”

  “Get the judge ready. We’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  Colt left Dex to covertly get people into position. He went around the side of the house and in through the front door to avoid his brothers or grandfather asking him again why they’d had to dress up for an engagement party. Rory and Sadie had a good ol’ fashioned barbeque. They expected him and Luna to do the same. Weren’t they going to be surprised?

  Colt stood outside Luna’s bedroom door and straightened the silver tie Luna bought him. He smoothed his hands down his jacket lapels and checked the shine on his black boots. He jolted and stilled, realizing that for the first time, he was nervous. His gut went tight and his throat went dry. He slipped his hand in his slacks pocket and pulled out the aquamarine bracelet Luna had given back to him in the hospital. He rubbed his thumb over one of the butterflies. This is what he wanted. Luna was the only woman he’d ever love. He didn’t want to wait another moment to make her his wife.

  He rapped on the door and waited, not wanting to rush her. The door opened and she stood before him, a vision in white. The inch-wide, see-through straps over her shoulders came down to a scoop neck that showed off her cleavage, hugged tight in gathered satin. Dozens of rhinestones spread over the band around her ribs, sparkling like tiny stars. The rest of the dress dropped to the ground in sheer white material over satin.

  She’d put her hair up in an elegant style that had her bangs swept over part of her forehead, the other side pulled back. Her dark hair combined with the white gown was striking, but then she’d done her eyes in a soft, smoky gray and her lips in red. He’d never seen any woman look this glamorous.

  “God, you’re beautiful.”

  “You are so handsome.” He’d tried his best to clean up and make her proud. The dark gray suit fit well. The silver tie set it off. He’d even combed his hair into some semblance of a style.

  She reached for him, sliding her fingers around to the back of his neck as she smiled. “You are one sexy-hot cowboy, but dressed in a suit, oh man, you take sexy to a whole new level.”

  “I want to kiss you so bad right now, but I don’t want to mess you up,” he admitted, afraid to touch her.

  “Come here, cowboy. One last kiss as a single man before you’re tied down for good.”

  “Honey, you can tie me down any time you want.”

  She laughed, and the sound made the knot and tension in his body ease away like they had never been there to begin with.

  “I don’t want to tie you up, honey. I like those hands on me too much.”

  That’s all he needed to reach for her. He slipped his hands around her back, his fingers gliding over the silky soft material. He drew her close and kissed her softly. She leaned into him, her hands coming up to rest on his face. She ended the kiss, playfully rubbing her nose against his.

  “Are you ready for this?” she whispered.

  “I had a strange moment of nerves right before I knocked, but then I saw you and all I want to do is hear that judge say you’re mine forever.”

  “You don’t need a judge to tell you that. I am yours forever. Nothing and no one will ever change that.”

  “I feel the same way, Luna. I don’t need a piece of paper or a ceremony to know that I’m yours until the day I die.”

  She gave him a wicked smile. “Then let’s get married, make it official, then kick everyone off our land and spend the night in each other’s arms.”

  He pressed his forehead to hers and smiled back at her. “You are the smartest woman ever. That’s a plan I can get behind.” He set her away and held out the butterfly bracelet. “This is something old.” He latched the bracelet around her wrist, then dipped his hand inside his suit jacket and pulled out the black velvet box he’d stashed there earlier. “This is something new.” He flipped open the lid and revealed round aquamarine stud earrings inside.

  Luna gasped and pressed her hand to her mouth. “Colt, they’re beautiful.”

  “I got them for you today.”

  “After all the errands I sent you on, you still managed to buy me a gift?”

  “My wedding gift to you.”

  Luna plucked one and then the other earring from the box and put them in her ears. She smiled brightly at him, tilting her head to show them off. “You lik
e?”

  “They’re almost as pretty as your smile.”

  “Aw, you’re sweet.”

  “So all you need now is something borrowed and something blue.”

  “You’ve thought of everything. What am I borrowing?”

  Again Colt pulled something out of his pocket. He held it enclosed in his hand and looked Luna in the eye. “I don’t remember my parents that well. My memories are flashes that seem more like a dream than reality. I wish they were here to see me marry the woman who made me feel something other than the emptiness I carried around in my heart missing them. I don’t know if my mother wore this often, or who gave it to her, but I’d like you to wear it tonight.”

  Luna placed her hand over his closed one. “Of course, Colt.”

  “I want to give it to you. I think it’s actually perfect for you. But I didn’t have a way to ask my brothers if it’s okay that I keep it and give it to you without telling them why. So for now, you can borrow it, and I’ll know that a piece of my mother is a part of the ceremony.”

  Colt opened his hand and revealed the tiny ring he held in his palm.

  Luna gasped. “Oh, Colt, it’s beautiful.”

  “It’s a star sapphire.” He held the smooth, deep blue stone up so she could see the white streaks that crossed the stone as the light hit it. He slipped it onto her right hand and stared at his mother’s ring on her finger.

  “Some things are meant to be, Colt.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “I have something for you.” She walked to the dresser and opened the drawer. She pulled out a small black satin drawstring bag. “Sadie gave this to me last week to take to the jeweler to have it fixed. The post had bent and she wanted you to wear it to her and Rory’s wedding. She wanted each of you to wear something of your father’s. She picked this for you.” Luna opened the bag, pulled out a small tie tack, and held it up to the light. The blue star sapphire sparkled in her fingertips.

  “No,” Colt said, astonished. “I’ve never seen that.”

  “Your grandfather showed Sadie some of the things he’d kept tucked away for you boys.” Sadie pulled Colt’s tie from his jacket, fastened the pin for him, then tucked the tie back in. She smoothed the tie with her right hand, the ring and the tie tack a perfect match.