by R. C. Ryan
“Don’t worry about Yancy. That man travels with half the kitchen in the back of his truck.”
As they pulled up to the house, the others were standing around the back porch, sipping longnecks.
Reed handed a bottle to Luke and another to Ingrid, while Grace walked up to Lily with a frosty glass of lemonade.
It was the Great One who lifted his martini in a toast. “Here’s to Nadine, who learned the wisdom of motherhood and the power of true love.”
Ingrid shot him a grateful smile before lifting her glass to say softly, “To Mama.”
To save space, Yancy had set the food out in buffet style. Along the kitchen counter were platters holding thick slabs of roast beef, as well as mounds of whipped potatoes, hot rolls, and a salad of garden lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, all dressed with Yancy’s famous vinaigrette. For dessert there were slices of carrot cake with dollops of freshly whipped cream.
The Malloy family and the few guests took over the entire house. While some snagged chairs at the kitchen table, others ambled into the parlor to sit at the game table or even on the lumpy sofa, while the rest stepped outside to eat in the shade of the back porch, where Yancy had covered an old log picnic table with a cheery red-and-white-checked cloth.
Spotting Ingrid and Luke standing off to one side of the porch, Bull Hammond walked over.
“I hope I’m not intruding.”
Ingrid smiled and shook her head. “I’m glad you came, Bull. I’m sorry for the things I’d been thinking when all this trouble was happening.”
“Please don’t apologize. I’m not proud of the way I behaved. I guess, after years of feuding with your father, I forgot how to be a neighbor.”
Ingrid seized on a single word. “What was the feud about?”
Bull flushed. “It’s hard to remember now. I guess it started over some cattle that wandered into my hayfield. And then it escalated over the years, until every little slight became a giant insult.” He fidgeted and cleared his throat. “I’m really sorry about you losing both your ma and pa. Ranching’s hard enough with the proper help, but it’s almost impossible on your own. I admire what you’ve managed to do, and I want you to know that my offer to buy your land still stands. I’ve always wanted to enlarge my holdings, and this place would be perfect. I could rent out your house to a tenant farmer and get not only an income from him, but also have extra help during calving season and roundup.” He paused before adding, “But I’ll understand if you want to hold on to it. Whatever you decide to do, I want you to know I’ll respect it.”
“Thank you, Bull.” She offered a handshake. “I need some time. Whenever I make a decision, I’ll let you know.”
“That’s fair enough.” He shook hands with Luke and made his way to where he’d tied his horse.
When Rev. Townsend took his leave, followed by the sheriff, Grace and Frank walked up, hand in hand with Lily.
“We’re hoping you and Lily will spend the night.”
Ingrid smiled at her little sister, who looked so comfortable with these two people. “What would you like to do, honey?”
“I’d like to go with Gram Gracie and Grandpop Frank. Yancy said he’s going to teach me to make peanut butter drops tonight.”
Luke put a hand over his heart. “I haven’t had Yancy’s peanut butter drops in months now. Wait until you taste them, Li’l Bit. They’re the best.”
“Better than his chocolate chips?”
Luke leaned close. “Don’t tell the Great One. You know how he craves his chocolate chip cookies. But I swear Yancy’s peanut butter drops are the best in the world.”
The little girl’s eyes went wide. “You hear that, Ingrid? Can I please go?”
“Of course.”
“And you, Ingrid?” Grace put a hand on her arm. “I’m hoping you and Mick will agree to stay the night, too.” She glanced toward the barn. “I don’t like thinking of you staying here yet. It’s all too soon. Too fresh.”
Mick ambled over. “I’ve already told Burke I’d be happy to go, but only if you’re going, too, girl. You can’t be alone here tonight.”
As she was shaking her head, Luke interrupted. “I think this is the perfect time to invite you to go riding with me. And when we’re done, I’ll take you back to my place, or if you want to be here, I’ll stay.” He shot a grin at his grandparents. “Just so she’s not alone, you understand.”
“You’re being too noble, sonny boy.” Frank chuckled. “And not at all subtle.” He turned to Ingrid. “It’s your call, honey.”
She thought a moment before saying, “Why don’t we go for that ride, and then I’ll decide whether to come back here or go to your place.”
“Fair enough.” Luke winked at Lily like a conspirator, and she winked back before he followed Ingrid into the house to lend a hand with the cleanup.
When everything was in order, and the long line of ranch trucks had rolled away, Luke took the dish towel from her hand.
“You’ve done enough for today. Time to go riding.”
They walked out the door. When Ingrid started toward the barn, Luke stopped her with a hand on her arm. “You ready to walk on the wild side?”
He pointed to his Harley, parked near the back porch. When she nodded, he handed her a helmet before putting on his own and climbing aboard.
Ingrid climbed on the back and wrapped her arms around his waist. He revved the engine, and they took off across a sloping, flower-strewn meadow, up the side of a hill, and down into a valley lush with grass.
As they rode, Luke kept turning his head to make silly comments, until Ingrid was laughing so hard, she had tears in her eyes.
Happy tears, she thought. On such a day, it seemed impossible that she could be filled with so much joy.
“Playtime,” he called, and Ingrid was yanked from her reverie at the banks of the creek.
“Today? Luke, are you serious?”
“Woman, today is the perfect one for skinny-dipping.” He pointed to the sky. “Look at that broiling sun. Look at that blue sky, without a cloud around. The day begs for a dip in cool water.”
And they did. Laughing and pouncing on one another, swallowing half the creek with their antics. Chasing and catching, hugging, and loving on the banks of the stream, feeling like the only two people in the world.
Her heart as light as air, Ingrid lay in the cool grass, pressing soft, moist kisses to Luke’s throat. “I could stay here like this all night.”
“Mmm. Me too. Except it gets really cold when the sun goes down in these hills. We might want to get dressed and chase the sunlight.”
“If you say so.” She slipped into her clothes and climbed on the back of his motorcycle.
As they sailed across rolling hills, she leaned close. “Where are you taking me?”
“To my secret hideaway.”
They came up over a ridge, and he pulled over to enjoy the view. Below them lay a series of gently sloping meadows that seemed to fold one over the other for as far as the eye could see.
“Where are we?”
“This is Malloy land. One of my favorite places. It’s where I come when I want to get away from the whole world and refresh my soul. It’s my sacred retreat.”
She was looking at Luke with a dazed expression. With a smile, she touched a hand to his forehead. “Who are you, and what have you done with that irreverent, silly guy named Luke Malloy?”
He laughed with her. “I know. I don’t get serious about too many things. But this is my own private heaven. Someday I plan on building my home here.” He took her hand. “What do you think of it?”
“It’s breathtaking. I can see why you love it.”
“Can you?”
She nodded.
“Don’t be polite. I’m being serious. Do you really love it?”
“I do. It’s amazing.”
He sighed. “Good. I want you to share it.”
She looked slightly dazed. “What do you mean?”
“I wan
t you to share all this with me. I love you, Ingrid. I want you to share my life with me.”
Because she didn’t speak, he felt the need to say more. “I don’t want to scare you off, dumping this on you so soon. I know you’ve just been through a really traumatic event. The attack. Losing your mother.”
“Luke…”
He shook his head. “Just so you know, you can sell your ranch or keep it. You can live here with me, or I’ll put it all on hold until a time when you’re ready. Whatever choice you make, I’ll respect it, as long as you’re willing to let me be part of your life.” His tone lowered. “I realized, when I thought I might lose you, just how important you and Lily had become. I can’t imagine life without you. Either of you.”
Tears sprang to her eyes, and he was quick to lift his thumbs to wipe them before framing her face and staring down at her. “Sorry. It’s too soon. I should have—”
She put a hand over his. “Don’t say another word. Just kiss me so I’ll know I’m not dreaming.”
“You’re definitely not—”
She stood on tiptoe to press her mouth to his. And as the kiss spun on and on, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “Yes. Yes. Oh, yes.”
He let out a long sigh before kissing her with a fervor that had both their heads spinning.
Against her mouth he whispered, “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.”
The ringing of his cell phone shattered the moment. He pulled it from his pocket and muttered, “This is a fine time for the service to work. It almost never works up here.”
He looked at the caller ID and handed the phone to her.
She heard Lily’s voice happily chirping, “Well? Did he ask you? Did you say yes? Is Luke going to be my big brother?”
At the startled question in Ingrid’s eyes, Luke gave her one of his most charming grins. “Sorry, baby. I had to share it with her. After all, she’s going to be part of this, too.”
“Oh, Luke. I ought to be really annoyed with you for letting her in on a secret you were keeping from me, but including Lily is just so sweet.” She handed him the phone. “She’s waiting for my answer.”
With his eyes steady on Ingrid’s, he spoke into the phone. “Li’l Bit, she said yes. Yes. Yes.”
To the sound of the entire family cheering in the background, he gathered Ingrid into his arms and kissed her again, while letting his cell phone drop to the grass.
And then there were no words as they came together in a dance of love as old as time.
Epilogue
The sticky heat of late summer had given way to fresh autumn breezes. Soon it would be time to bring the cattle down from their lush highland meadows to winter in the more protected fields of home.
Luke had finished mucking stalls before loading his Harley into the back of one of the trucks. With his chores completed, he headed into the house to shower and change.
He was tucking his shirt into his waistband when a knock sounded on his bedroom door.
Reed’s voice called, “The Great One’s getting restless. It’s time to pay a visit to the gravesite before heading over to the Larsen ranch. You’ve got five minutes, and then Matt and I have orders to carry you if necessary.”
Laughing, Luke opened the door. “I can still walk.”
“Your bride will be glad to hear that. Now get a move on.”
The two brothers descended the stairs and slammed out the back door.
They made their way up the sloping meadow, where Nelson, Frank, and Matt had already gathered. Luke looked around. “Where are Gram Gracie and Nessa?”
“The women left for Ingrid’s hours ago.”
Luke shook his head. “Women and weddings.”
Matt grinned. “Yeah. Tell me about it.”
Frank passed around tumblers of Irish whiskey and the four generations lifted them as he offered the first toast. “To Patrick and Bernie, who left us far too soon. But this day, I have no doubt they’re watching with great joy.”
They solemnly drank.
Nelson cleared his throat before saying, “To my beautiful Madeline, who is smiling down on us this day and loving every minute of it.”
They drank again.
Reed lifted his glass. “I should be toasting myself, since I’m the only one here who’s managed to avoid the marriage trap. But since it’s Luke’s day…” He turned to his brother. “To you, bro, for at least having enough sense to fall for a gorgeous woman who’s your equal in all things.” Shaking his head, he added, “Though what she sees in you is beyond comprehension.”
Luke good-naturedly tousled Reed’s hair before they drank.
“And finally,” Matt said, “here’s to us. Family always. And always room for one more.”
They drank, then tipped their hats at the graves before heading down the hill to climb into their trucks for the drive to Ingrid’s ranch.
A long table had been set up on the back porch of Ingrid’s house. It was covered with a white linen cloth and lined with a dozen chairs, each tied with a giant white bow.
Yancy and Mick were busy putting the finishing touches on the wedding lunch, which consisted of prime rib of beef and twice-baked potatoes, along with a salad, fresh corn from the garden, and a wedding cake baked by hand and decorated with fluffy white frosting. In the place of honor in the center of the cake were two figures. Instead of the traditional bride and groom, these two sported simple Western attire and helmets, while seated on a motorcycle.
Mick studied the figures. “You’ve managed to capture them perfectly, Yancy.”
The cook gave a nod of appreciation. “Thanks, Mick. I’m pretty proud of this creation.”
“You should be. Luke and Ingrid are going to love it.” The old man turned away. “Time to get myself ready to give away the bride. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
As Mick disappeared into his room, Yancy strolled out the back door to check on last-minute items.
Mick looked up from the stool where he was polishing his boots. As Ingrid stepped into the kitchen, all he could do was stare. She was dressed in a white sundress that fell to her ankles in a swirl of cotton and lace. Cap sleeves fluttered at her shoulders. On her feet were simple strappy sandals.
“Well, don’t you look…” He struggled to find the words.
“I know it’s not the usual. Luke and I agreed to keep it casual.”
“Girl, that may not be a wedding gown, but you look every inch the beautiful bride.”
He glanced at her freshly cut hair, which fell in fine wisps around her cheeks. “Guess I figured now that the big day was here, you’d let your hair grow.”
“It’s easier like this. Besides, Luke loves my hair short.”
His eyes crinkled with humor. “Girl, that man would love you with no hair at all.”
She was surprised by the sudden urge to weep. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Mick’s neck. “Isn’t it wonderful that someone like Luke could love me so much?”
He patted her hand. “Luke’s a smart man. He knows a good woman when he sees her, thank the Lord. He wasn’t about to let you get away.”
Ingrid sniffed, deeply affected by his words, and turned away.
He watched her as she walked to the window to peer at the parade of Malloy vehicles pulling up to the back porch. “Is Lily ready?”
Ingrid gave a dreamy smile. “I think she’s been ready since dawn. Wait ’til you see her. She went to town yesterday with Gram Grace, who went all out on my little bridesmaid.”
“Think she’ll outshine the bride?”
Ingrid laughed. “I hope so. She’s so excited about her first-ever wedding.”
They both turned to the doorway when the object of their discussion stepped through.
“Well?” Lily twirled, showing off the pale pink dress with a full skirt gathered here and there with darker pink bows. On her feet she wore glittering pink ballerina slippers that sparkled in the sunlight. Her usual tangle of waist-length hair had been t
amed into shiny dark waves that spilled down her back and were tied off her face with pink ribbons.
Behind her stood Grace and Nessa, who had spent the better part of an hour fussing over the little girl’s hair and dress.
“You do good work,” Ingrid called.
“Do you like it? I know you said I could wear denim, but Gram Gracie and I found this, and…” Lily twirled in front of her sister.
“I love everything. The dress, the shoes, and oh my, your hair.”
Lily dimpled. “And you look prettier than ever.”
“Thank you.” The two sisters hugged.
Hearing voices outside, Lily danced toward the door before turning with a look of pure bliss. “Luke’s here.”
In an aside, Grace said to Ingrid and Nessa, “You’d think she was the one getting married.”
They laughed before Ingrid said, “In a way she is. Luke’s been so sweet about including her in all the plans. And she’s so excited about gaining this big family.”
“Not nearly as excited as we are.” Grace pressed a kiss to Ingrid’s cheek. “Now I have two more females to counter all that testosterone.”
Lily’s excited voice called from outside, “Hurry, Ingrid. Rev. Townsend is here.”
Arm in arm, Grace and Nessa started toward the back door. Grace blew Ingrid a kiss. “That’s our cue to leave you and Mick alone in here.”
As they walked outside to join the rest of the family, Mick turned to Ingrid and offered his arm. “Come on, girl. Time to get you hitched.”
“Oh, Mick.” As Ingrid tucked her arm through his, she leaned over to press a kiss to his leathery cheek. “I’m so glad you’re going to be staying at the Malloy Ranch while Luke and I are gone. I feel better knowing you’re there if Lily should feel homesick.”
“Girl, in case you haven’t noticed, Lily’s already adopted all of them as family.” He patted her hand. “She’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. As for you, I don’t have a worry in the world. You’re one strong woman. And you’re about to marry the only man I know who’s your equal.”
As they walked into the sunlight, Lily picked up two nosegays and handed one to Ingrid.
