Simultaneously, Garth shifted and sprang at the guard to the left. Two shots rang out.
The leopard held his man down and glanced around for Cad. He was limping toward Garth.
“I’m fine. I rolled, but the man behind me was a good shot. He nicked my leg before my bullet hit him.”
Cad reached around Garth and knocked the prisoner out with his gun butt. The man fell over unconscious. “Maybe the blow on his head will make him lose the memory of your leopard or he’ll be so confused no one will believe him.”
Garth shape-shifted. “Let's hope so. The others will be breaking down the door if we don’t wave soon.” He went outside and yelled to the sheriff.
“It’s over. Rae and Cad are injured, but not too bad. Perhaps one of the medics might check them.”
When he went back in, he walked straight to Rae. Garth knelt in front of her. He ran his finger along the cut.
“His death was certain the moment he hurt you.” He untied her ankles and hands. “You almost had your hands loose enough to fight for yourself. Good girl.”
Men swarmed into the building. The sheriff and his men took charge of the prisoner. One medic made Cad sit. Then he cut Cad’s pants to check his leg. The other medic gave Rae a full check of her arms, legs, heart, and head.
“You’re remarkably calm for someone who’s been kidnapped,” the medic said.
“I knew I’d be rescued.” She smiled at Garth and across at Cad. His medic was putting a bandage on his wound.
Once Daren and Phillip saw Rae, Cad, and Garth weren’t badly injured, they went outside to help the deputy mark off the area as a crime scene. The firefighters were washing the gasoline away.
“It was one big miracle this place didn’t go up in flames,” one of the firefighters said. “If those bullets had hit this old wood with all this gas around we might have had a major fire and maybe more deaths.”
“I can walk,” Rae protested, but Garth ignored her. He carried her to the truck, and Cad hobbled along beside them. Cad managed to get in the backseat and took Rae in his arms.
“I’ll go back and see how Daren is doing with the explanations to the sheriff.” Garth took long strides across the uneven ground to where Daren stood talking to the sheriff. Phillip was headed to the truck.
“What the hell happened?” the sheriff asked. “I’ve never known anyone to get on your ranch undetected.”
“The enemy was one of our own men.” Daren said.
The sheriff frowned. “And why would he kidnap Rae?”
It was obvious to Garth the sheriff didn’t totally believe Daren. “Maybe I can explain,” Garth said.
Sheriff Willis, this is Garth Sherwyn.” Daren introduced them.
Garth shook the sheriff’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. What I was going to say is my cousin Cad Quinlain is going to marry Rae. I think George must have hoped Rae would be his someday. He made a remark right after we entered about no one else having her.”
Sheriff Willis shook his head. “I never have understood men who can’t accept when a woman says no. We’d have a lot less crime if men didn’t see the woman they loved as something they owned and go crazy when they couldn’t have her.”
He gave Daren and Garth a hard look. “I understand your wanting to get to her in a hurry. But next time call me immediately, understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Daren said and Garth nodded his head.
Like hell. If my woman is in danger, I’m the one who is going after her. I’ll call you when I can. Garth smiled, hiding his angry thoughts.
“My men and I will take the prisoner to the jail. I’ll let you know if we get any information out of him. But we have enough evidence to charge him and put him away for a long time.”
Daren and Garth thanked the sheriff and joined the others in the truck. Daren drove, and Phillip rode shotgun.
“Do you have a plastic surgeon?” Cad asked.
Daren glanced in the rearview mirror at Rae. “We do. He’s good. He’ll fix her face if needed.”
“I don’t care about the mark, but I don’t want Rae to have to see it every day and blame herself for getting kidnapped.”
“You’ve been reading my mind without permission,” Rae said.
“No, honey. But I know how you think and you’re hard on yourself.”
Rae started to say something back, but Daren caught her eye in the mirror. “He’s right, Sis. We all know you tend to be a perfectionist.”
“I am not.”
The men laughed.
“Well!”
“We have her almost speechless,” Daren teased. His expression changed when he looked at Cad and Garth. “We have to secure our boundaries better.”
“The equipment to secure an electronic boundary was unloaded first. Our scientist and yours are working on how to use it to cover such a large area. As soon as possible it will be up,” Garth said.
Cad kissed the top of Rae’s head and held her tight. “But we’ll have to be extra vigilant even when it’s in place. When we shut ourselves inside, we’ll also have some of the enemy with us. I’m certain George and his men weren’t the only ones spying on us.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Rae was surrounded by her family when she returned to the ranch. Her mother and father had arrived from their home on the outskirts of the ranch. Sara and the children huddled around her, and Mitch stood to the side with Daren, Phillip, and her men.
Tessa pushed a trolley into the room with cake, cookies, punch, and coffee or tea. “Refreshments for everyone.” She beamed and hurried to Rae to hug her. “I was so frightened for you.” She touched her face. “Will it be okay?”
“A small price to pay for my life. I’ll see the plastic surgeon, but he’s probably not needed. It will be a thin scar.”
Cad put his hand on the middle of her back and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “A badge of courage.”
Tessa heard him and grinned. “I agree.”
Garth came to stand on her other side. “We’re going to take your father and mother aside and tell them our plans. We’d like for us to marry soon. Do you agree?”
Rae looked from one to the other. Her heart swelled with love. They were not who she had expected to love. Both were, in certain ways, very different from her tribes, but her mind and body were completely in accord.
“Yes, please. As soon as possible.”
Both of her men smiled broadly. She watched them move through the group, speak to her parents, and the four went into the study, shutting the door. Her curiosity made her want to join them, but she waited for them to call her in.
Sara encouraged her to eat a cookie or cake and have some tea. But her stomach had butterflies and no room for food.
She watched the door and saw her father wave to her. Quickly she crossed the room and joined them.
Her father motioned for her to sit. She chose the chair by Cad. Garth was on his other side.
“These two gentlemen tell me they want to marry you and that you have agreed.”
“I have.”
Her mother reached forward and touched her hand. She looked Rae in the eye. “Are you sure this isn’t a rebound from Nate? You’ve waited all these years and he comes home with a family. Mitch called and told us.
“We were planning to come see you a little while after you returned from Oregon,” her mother said. “We wanted to give you time to settle back into your routine, but then all these attacks happened and we were told to come to stay at the main ranch house. I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk before now.”
Rae felt all their eyes on her. Her mother was right. It could be a rebound. She glanced at Cad and Garth. But she responded to them stronger than she ever did to Nate.
She realized a length of time had gone by since her mother’s question. “I’m certain, Mom. My feelings for Cad and Garth are totally different from what I thought I felt for Nate.
“I held on to the idea of Nate returning much longer than I should have.�
� She smiled. “My brothers and everyone around me were getting married. Nate was the only man I’d been attracted to. He was my protection from people feeling sorry for me and calling me an old maid. Not that they would. Our people are too kind, but in my mind I think I saw it that way. Then Cad and Garth came along and shook up my world.” She took hold of Cad’s and Garth’s hands.
“Then we will bless your union,” her father said. “They have assured me you all will live most of the time here, if not all. I do not want to lose my daughter to some faraway place.”
Garth gave him a wry smile. “Especially not to two men you don’t trust yet. Before this is over you will trust us, sir.”
“I do to a certain extent. You rescued her and saved her life. But there is just a small concern natural for parents. I’m sure after I see her happily married that will go away.”
Cad and Garth shook his hand and left her with her parents. Garth winked as he closed the door.
“They’re very handsome men,” her mother said.
“Yes, but I love what they are inside. I can count on them. But I fought the attraction thinking, as you suggested, that it was too soon after Nate. They are different from our families. Cad not so much, but did Garth tell you he can shape-shift?”
“Mitch had warned us, but Garth also told us about himself and some of the others.”
“Is that what makes you wary?” she asked her father.
“I think so. It’s a lot to take in and accept even if he wasn’t marrying our daughter.”
“They want to marry soon and said you agreed,” her mother said.
Rae got up. “I do. I’m going to ask Elle when we can plan the ceremony. I love you two. Please accept my decision and be happy for me.”
“We love you. We’ll be happy as long as you are.”
Her father gave her a bear hug, and her mother kissed her cheek. “Go plan your wedding,” her mother said.
“Thanks, Mom and Dad.”
Outside the door, Garth and Cad leaned against the opposite wall, waiting for her.
“Mitch, Sara, and Elle are waiting in his office to discuss our wedding date,” Cad said. He took her hand, and Garth walked behind. “There are some safety concerns. Our wedding will have to be quick with few guests.” Cad glanced down at her face. “Will you be too disappointed?”
“No. We’ll have a big party after all this is over.”
Cad knocked on the office door. Elle opened it and welcomed them inside.
Mitch stood in front of his desk. “This wedding will help bring our tribes closer. But if you aren’t truly in love, Rae, don’t do it.”
“Thanks, Mitch. I am in love with them.”
“Mitch suggested you marry downstairs in the meeting room for safety, but I prefer you have the ceremony on our sacred ground between the circle of trees,” Elle said. “We can do that if it’s late at night and no one but family is aware of the date and time. After midnight will be the start of a new day. We’ll plan the ceremony to start right after twelve. It will be quick. When we’ve conquered our enemies, you can have a second wedding with all the trimmings.”
“We can wait,” Cad said.
“Yes, we don’t want to deprive Rae of the full ceremony and party,” Garth said.
Rae stamped her foot and glared at Garth and Cad. “Unless you’ve changed your minds, I plan on getting married as Mitch and Elle suggested.” She faced them. “I’ll be in the ring of trees tonight.” She glanced at Elle and got a nod. “Will you two be there?”
Both men threw back their heads and laughed. “That’s our woman. Tonight it is.”
Sara, Elle, and Rae left the men to talk of war and plans. Sara took them to the now-empty study.
“Your parents went to their room. I’ll start a fire and we can talk about the wedding.” Sara worked at the fireplace and soon had a small fire taking the chill out of the air.
“Being tonight, it’s late to do much planning. Flowers haven’t been ordered, but I’ll find some in my greenhouse,” Sara said.
“The only guests will be my husbands-to-be, and our families,” Rae said.
“I wish you had the customary gown to wear,” Elle added.
“I have.” Rae grinned at the surprise on their faces. “One of those times when I was hoping Nate might return any day, I had a dress made.”
“Where is it?” Sara asked.
“In the back of my closet in a hanging dress bag.”
“Then we’ll plan on midnight at the circle of trees. I might have some flowers in my garden, too. I’ll check. Until later.” Elle kissed Rae’s cheek and left.
Sara walked Rae to the door. “Phillip will take you home and stand guard until Cad and Garth return.” She put up her hand. “No arguments. Orders from your men and your brothers. And I agree. You must be exhausted. Go sleep.”
“Guess I’m outnumbered. I am tired, but I have a doctor’s appointment in an hour.”
“I’ll call and reset it for another day. Phillip, go with her.”
Phillip walked beside her to her house and stepped inside the kitchen after she unlocked the door. “I’ll check the rooms, and then sit here until the others return.”
“I hate for you to have to do this.”
“No problem, Rae.”
She quickly showered and fell into bed. Maybe she’d sleep without any dreams. George and one of his men were dead. But how many more were out there?
* * * *
Rae woke in the dark. She glanced at her clock, ten. She peeked out her door. There were no sounds. Both Cad’s and Garth’s doors were shut, but a note was pinned on Cad’s door.
We’ll see you at the wedding site at midnight. Call Phillip and he will come to take you to Sara’s. We’ve been told to not see you until the ceremony. Love you, Cad.
She’d wanted to surprise them in her wedding dress. This worked out perfect. She put on jeans and a shirt, and her boots. Her makeup case, jewels, dress, and shoes went into a small suitcase. Phillip answered her call. He picked her up and drove the short distance to the main ranch house.
“I’ve been a lot of trouble to you today,” she said to Phillip as she got out of the car.
Phillip walked around the car carrying her case. “I’ve quite enjoyed the excitement.”
“There was enough of that for several days.”
He opened the front door and touched her shoulder as she went to go in. “Does your face hurt?”
“A little. But I won’t let it interfere with my wedding.”
Sara waited right inside. “I’m anxious to see you all dressed in your gown with your hair and makeup done.” She led Rae to a back bedroom. “You so seldom wear skirts or dresses.”
“I’ve grown fond of jeans and casual shirts. Maybe after marrying I’ll dress up a bit more.”
“Hah,” Sara said. “Once the children come you might as well wear overalls. They’re always spilling something on you or running to you with grimy hands.”
“You love it. I’m surprised to say I can’t wait.”
“Go ahead and dress. I’ll be right back.”
Rae took her gown off the hanger and slipped it over her head. The deep-purple sheath dress would fit perfectly once Sara helped her get all the buttons fastened.
Sara stopped just inside the door. “That dark-purple color makes your eyes shine like amethyst jewels. And your shiny black hair makes a gorgeous backdrop. Your husbands are going to be bowled over.”
“Thanks. I loved the color the minute I saw it.”
She opened her jewel case. “Cad gave me a set of jewelry on our visit to the compound. Garth had given me a beautiful cocktail dress to wear to dinner. Cad designed and made the jewelry.”
“Isn’t it strange how things work out? You had your gown made several years ago. Then recently you are given the perfect jewels to accompany the dress.”
Rae removed the earrings, bracelet, and necklace from the jewelry box. Each piece had one diamond and one amethyst stone alternating
. But, at the middle of the necklace, a large amethyst twinkled in the overhead light.
“They’re gorgeous,” Sara said. “Let me help you put them on.”
The necklace hung perfectly around Rae’s neck and above the cowl neckline of her gown. The bracelet shone through the lace-trimmed, long sleeves.
Rae pulled her hair back and fastened it with a gold clip. The long strands fell over her shoulders almost to her waist. She put on her earrings and moved her head, admiring the shiny stones.
Sara sat watching Rae put on her makeup. “I don’t need to instruct you in the ceremony. You instructed me.”
“I know it all, but look at my hands.” She held out her trembling fingers. “I’m nervous just like anyone else.”
“It’s a big step. Your family will be behind you and I understand Cad and Garth’s family and a few friends will be here. One of the best things about being part of the tribe for me was the complete support not just from my husbands, but from the families and others,” Sara said. She looked at her watch. “Time to go.” She helped Rae adjust her veil, and then went ahead, leaving Rae to follow.
Rae took a last look in the mirror. Her heart fluttered in her chest. This was the start of her life with Garth and Cad. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out onto the satin runner walkway. The quiet of midnight embraced her. She started toward the trees. As the sliver of moon peeked from behind the clouds, Rae walked into the circle.
Tiny lights twinkled in the darkness. In front of her, the white pavilion sparkled from the lights wrapped around the columns. Greenery and a few white flowers had been arranged to decorate the altar. Rae stood in the silence as joy seeped into her.
Garth and Cad waited for her. They were standing on either side of the Priestess in her red-and-gold gown. Garth wore a blue suit, and Cad’s suit was black. Her heart swelled with pride knowing she’d soon be their wife. She waited impatiently for Elle’s signal to go forward.
A trio of parents rose from the back line of seats and came to Rae’s side. They introduced themselves as Cad’s parents, and they pointed out Cad’s two sisters and two brothers, one of which was Lann. One of Cad’s fathers had the same dark hair and golden eyes. The other had light-brown hair and blue eyes, and several of Cad’s siblings resembled that father. His mother was a tall, statuesque woman with auburn hair. Each parent hugged her and stood to the right as Garth’s mother came to her.
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Captivate Their Lady [Wyoming Warriors 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 18
