by Susan Meier
Her lips trembled.
“I didn’t come here because I want you to be my nanny. I came here because I think I love you.”
Her gaze flew to his.
“It’s crazy. It’s not wise. My sister told me that I should come here and ask you for a date, not ask you to marry me...but my gut says ask you to marry me.”
She stared at him. “You’re asking me to marry you?”
He nodded.
“Oh, my God.”
“That’s not a yes.”
Unsure her legs could support her, she leaned against the wall.
He caught her by the elbows and pulled her to him. “It’s crazy. It’s weird. But I spent yesterday without you thinking I’d done the right thing because I didn’t deserve you. Then I saw my brothers and sisters all happy and I thought, why not me? When Charlotte reminded me that my mom had left Clay Calhoun, the real love of her life and was never happy again, I knew I didn’t want that to be me. When you’re not with me, I feel like a part of me is missing.”
She gazed up at him, whispered, “I’ve felt that, too.”
“You don’t have to marry me tomorrow. You don’t have to marry me next week or next month. We could still date.”
She shook her head. “No.” A laugh escaped. “Well, maybe for a while... Would you kiss me already?”
He yanked her to him and kissed her so fast, so powerfully, that her breath caught. His lips swooped over hers claiming her possessively, but she kissed him back, every bit as eager to seal this union and giddy with the knowledge that he loved her. This strong, smart, determined man had chosen her.
“What do you say we take this to the bedroom?”
She winced. “My bed’s covered in clothes.”
“Clothes?”
“I need new ones.”
His eyes narrowed. “Now?”
She plucked at the front of his shirt. “Actually, I still have the clothes I bought in Texas and they’d be good for the festivities down there. But I need to buy something better for the banquet, if you’re serious about marrying me.”
He answered without hesitation. “You’re the love of my life. I don’t know how I know it, but what I feel for you is so strong I can’t deny it.”
“Then I think we’d better hit a store for a new banquet dress before we head back to Texas and Bella. I don’t like both of us leaving her for too long. Besides—” She plucked at his shirt again. “I sort of thought we’d save making love.”
He frowned. “Save it? Are you talking about waiting for marriage?”
She laughed. “No. But I would like to wait until we know it’s right. Special.”
He glanced around. “And taking you in your hallway wouldn’t be special?”
She laughed again. “You can really be silly.”
He grinned. “I know. I love it.”
She rose to her tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his lips. “And I love you, too.”
“So we wait?”
“Until we know that it’s time.”
“Honey. We have plenty of time. If I have anything to say about it, we have the rest of our lives.”
EPILOGUE
COWBOY boots and tuxedos. If Matt had thought it strange to have the banquet in honor of Clay Calhoun in the wood-frame Cattleman’s Association Hall, the cowboy boots and tuxedos topped that.
Prominent members of the community sat at the main banquet table, including Holt.
He resisted the urge to scowl at his brother. Holt had assumed that since he and Claire had returned to Texas “engaged,” they were sleeping together so he’d put them in the same room.
Matt had secretly hoped that having only one bed would push the issue of making love, but Claire wanted their first time to be special, and for days he’d kept his promise. Luckily, going to the festival and getting to know his siblings had been so time-consuming that they’d fallen into bed exhausted.
They’d slept together but hadn’t made love.
And that morning when he’d awakened beside her, he suddenly understood why she’d wanted to wait. With her hair spread out over her pillow and her prim pink pajamas giving her skin a soft glow he realized how beautiful she was—how special. In all the hustle and bustle of realizing they were in love, then returning to Texas, and taking care of Bella, they’d never really had ten true romantic minutes.
But tonight he intended to rectify that. He’d bought a bottle of champagne, arranged to have their bedroom filled with roses and Kathryn had agreed to keep Bella with Izzy all night so he and Claire would have time alone.
He just had to get through this banquet.
One by one the speakers rose, talking about Clay
Calhoun. His dad. His real dad.
Matt’s chest tightened. His heart expanded. He didn’t have to wonder who he was anymore, where he’d come from. He knew. The speakers told story after story of Clay Calhoun’s kindness, generosity and love for the land.
He listened to stories of how his real father was a great man, and felt the seeds of that kind of strength living inside him.
Claire squeezed his hand. “You get that from him. The goodness you always tried to suppress. That’s Clay
Calhoun’s impact on you.” She smiled. “Good genes.”
He laughed.
When Holt rose to speak, the entire room got quiet. He took the podium slowly, tapped on the mic, making it screech, and cleared his throat.
“My father,” he said, “truly was a great man. Not because he did a few great things, but because he did a thousand small things greatly. He gave advice when needed, a helping hand when advice wasn’t enough. I don’t expect to fill his boots.”
He met Matt’s gaze from across the room. Matt nodded once, encouraging him to go on. He was proud of his brother. As proud as a man could be. And so happy to have finally found not just a family, but real love.
“So I can’t fill his boots, but most of you know I’m there if you need me.”
A general round of agreement rippled through the crowd.
“But the town’s bigger than it used to be and one man probably couldn’t help as many people as my dad could. Which is why we’re glad there’s a troop of us now. There are enough Calhouns and Pattersons that if one of us can’t help you, another of us can. Just in case you don’t know who we are, I’ll introduce everybody.”
He motioned to the long table filled with Calhouns and Pattersons. Family, Matt thought, once again overwhelmed by the importance of it.
“There’s my sister Jess, her husband, Johnny, and their son, Brady.” Tall, blonde Jessica and dark-haired Johnny rose, but adorable five-year-old Brady stole the show, waving to the crowd and causing a short burst of laughter to fill the room.
“Right beside them is Ellie Patterson, my half sister from Dad’s first marriage and her husband, Jed. You’ll know him better as Sheriff Jackson,” he said, reminding everybody that Ellie’s husband was the town sheriff. Holding Jed’s hand, Matt’s twin rose.
Something fierce began to build inside Matt. Pride and a connection so strong and so sweet it almost took his breath.
“Then there’s Alex and Jack. They’ll be back and forth from Australia, but they know they always have a home here.” He motioned to the couple beyond Alex and Jack. “My sister Megan and her beau, Adam.”
Because Holt was making introductions by going down the line of people sitting at the banquet table, Charlotte and Lucio, the next in line, rose automatically.
Holt smiled. “And that’s Charlotte, her husband, Lucio, and their little girl, Maria.” Charlotte fondly smiled down at Maria.
“After them, that’s my brother Nate and you all already know Sarah.” The couple rose and accepted a smattering of applause.
Then Holt stopped. He caught Matt’s gaze again. Keeping with the spirit of the introductions, Matt took Claire’s hand and stood.
Holt smiled stupidly. “And that guy who just rose? That’s my big brother. Matt. Now most of you know, I like to b
e the one in charge but over the past few days I’ve learned my big brother knows a lot, and even though I’m the one in Texas, the one who will run the ranch and its holdings, Matt’s the head of the family.” He grinned again. “My big brother.”
The crowd laughed. Matt shook his head and laughed, too. Claire squeezed his hand.
“If we can talk this guy into visiting Larkville a time or two every year, I have a feeling he could help us with everything from finances and start-up businesses to making hotcakes. His fiancée, Claire, happened to mention he’s very good in the kitchen.”
Everybody laughed again.
“Why don’t you come up here and take your place, big brother? Say a few words.”
Matt shook his head. He hadn’t prepared anything to say. Wasn’t sure what to say. Holt would still shoulder the burden of the family holdings. Matt was more or less a figurehead.
“Come on. Come up and say something. This is where you belong.”
Where he belonged. It all suddenly clicked. This was where he belonged. It was where they all belonged.
Matt glanced at Claire. “Come with me.”
She pressed her hand to her chest. “Me?”
“We’re a team now.”
She smiled and took the hand he extended. He led Claire to the podium, feeling odd, but also knowing that he’d come home. Maybe, just maybe, he really was supposed to head this family.
And when they got back to the ranch, he’d claim his woman, the love of his life, a woman he probably wouldn’t have met if he’d been raised in Texas.
So maybe things did work out the way they were supposed to, after all?
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Single Dad’s Holdiay Wedding by Patricia Thayer
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CHAPTER ONE
SHE still wasn’t sure if coming here was a good idea.
Lorelei Hutchinson drove along First Street to the downtown area of the small community of Destiny, Colorado. She reached the historic square and parked her rental car in an angled spot by a huge three-tiered fountain. The centerpiece of the brick-lined plaza was trimmed with a hedge and benches for visitors. A pathway led to a park where children were playing.
She got out, wrapped her coat sweater tighter against the cold autumn temperature and walked closer to watch the water cascade over the marble structure. After nearly twenty years many of her memories had faded, but some were just as vivid as if they’d happened yesterday.
One Christmas she remembered the fountain water was red, the giant tree decorated with multicolored lights and ornaments and everyone singing carols. She had a family then.
A rush of emotions hit her when she recalled being in this exact spot, holding her father’s hand as he took her to the park swings. One of the rare occasions she’d spent time with the man. He’d always been too busy building his empire. Too busy for his wife and daughter. So many times she had wanted just a little of his attention, his love. She never got it.
Now it was too late. Lyle Hutchinson was gone.
With a cleansing breath, she turned toward the rows of storefront buildings. She smiled. Not many towns had this step-back-into-the-nineteen-thirties look, but it seemed that Destiny was thriving.
The wind blew dried leaves as she crossed the two-lane street and strolled past Clark’s Hardware Store and Save More Pharmacy, where her mother took her for candy and ice cream cones as a child. A good memory. She sure could use some of those right now.
There was a new addition to the block, a bridal shop called Rocky Mountain Bridal Shop. She kept walking, past an antiques store toward a law office with the name Paige Keenan Larkin, Attorney at Law, stenciled on the glass.
She paused at the door to the office. This was her father’s town, not hers. Lyle Hutchinson had made sure of that. That was why she needed someone on her side. She pushed the door open and a bell tinkled as she walked into the reception area.
The light coming through the windows of the storefront office illuminated the high ceilings and hardwood floors that smelled of polish and age, but also gave off a homey feeling.
She heard the sound of high heels against the bare floors as a petite woman came down the long hall. She had dark brown hair worn in a blunt cut that brushed her shoulders. A white tailored blouse tucked into a black shirt gave her a professional look.
A bright smile appeared. “Lorelei Hutchinson? I’m Paige Larkin. Welcome home.”
* * *
After exchanging pleasantries, Lori was ushered into a small conference room to find a middle-aged man seated at the head of the table, going through a folder. No doubt, her father’s attorney.
He saw her and stood. “Lorelei Hutchinson, I’m Dennis Bradley.”
She shook his offered hand. “Mr. Bradley.”
When the lawyer phoned her last week, and told her of her father’s sudden death and that she’d been mentioned in his will, she was shocked about both. She hadn’t seen or talked with her father since she’d been seven years old.
All Lori was hoping for now was that she could come into town today, sign any papers for Lyle’s will and leave tomorrow.
The middle-aged attorney began, “First of all, Lorelei, I want to express my condolences for your loss. Lyle wasn’t only my business associate, but my friend, too.” He glanced at Paige and back at her. “I agreed to see you today knowing your reluctance. Your father wanted the formal reading of his will at Hutchinson House tomorrow.”
Great. Not the plans she had. “Mr. Bradley, as you know, I haven’t seen my father in years. I’m not sure why you insisted I come here.” He’d sent her the airline ticket and reserved a rental car. “If Lyle Hutchinson left me anything, couldn’t you have sent it to me?”
The man frowned. “As I explained on the phone, Ms. Hutchinson, you’re Lyle’s sole heir.” He shook his head. “And that’s all I’m at liberty to say until tomorrow at the reading of the will. Please just stay until then. Believe me, it will benefit not only you, but this town.”
Before she could comprehend or react to the news, the door opened and another man walked into the room. He looked her over and said, “So the prodigal daughter finally made it to town.”
The big man had a rough edge to him, his dark hair a little on the shaggy side. He was dressed in charcoal trousers and a collared shirt, minus the tie. His hooded blue-eyed gaze fringed by spiky black lashes didn’t waver from her.
Paige stood. “Jace, you shouldn’t be here. This is a private meeting between me and my client.”
He didn’t retreat. “I just wanted to make sure she doesn’t take the money and run. Lyle had obligations he needed to fulfill before that happens.”
Lori wasn’t sure how to handle this—Jace’s attack. But having heard of her father’s shrewd business deals, she wasn’t surprised by the man’s anger.
“I’m Lorelei Hutchinson, Mr....”
He stepped closer. “Yeager. Jace Yeager. Your father and I were partners on a construction project until I realized Lyle pulled one over on me.”
“Jace,” Bradley warned. “Work stopped because of Lyle’s death.”
The man made a snorting sound. “It wouldn’t have if Lyle had put his share of money into the business account in the first place.” He glared at Lori. “Sorry if my impatience bothers you, but I’ve been waiting nearly three weeks an
d so have my men.”
“Be patient a little while longer,” Bradley told him. “Everything should be resolved tomorrow.”
That didn’t appease Mr. Yeager. “You don’t understand. I can’t keep the project site shut down indefinitely, or I go broke.” He turned that heated look on her and she oddly felt a stirring. “It seems tomorrow you’re coming into all the money. I want you to know that a chunk of that belongs to me.”
Lori fought a gasp. “Look, Mr. Yeager, I don’t know anything about your partnership with Lyle, but I’ll have Paige look into it.”
Jace Yeager had to work hard to keep himself under control. Okay, so he wasn’t doing a very good job. When he’d heard that Lorelei Hutchinson was coming today, he only saw red. Was she going to stroll in here, grab her daddy’s money and take off? He wasn’t going to be on the losing end with a woman again.
Not when his business was on the chopping block, along with his and Cassie’s future. Just about every dime he had was wrapped up in this project. And it was already coming to the end of October as it was, with only bad weather on the horizon. It needed to be completed without any more delays.
Jace looked over Lyle’s daughter. The pretty blonde with big brown eyes stared back at him. She had a clean-scrubbed look with a dusting of freckles across her nose, and very little makeup.
Okay, she wasn’t what he expected, but he’d been wrong about women before. And the last thing he wanted to do was work for her. After his ex-wife, he wasn’t going to let another woman have all the control.
He looked at Bradley. “What does Lyle’s will say?”
“It won’t be read until tomorrow.”
Lori saw Jace Yeager’s frustration, and felt obligated to say, “Maybe then we’ll have some news about the project.”
He glared. “There’s no doubt I will. I might not have your father’s money, Ms. Hutchinson, but I’ll fight to keep what’s mine.”
Jace Yeager turned and stormed out right past a tall redheaded woman who was rushing in. “Oh, dear,” she said, “I was hoping I could get here in time.” Her green eyes lit up when she saw Lori. “Hi, I’m Morgan Keenan Hilliard.”
