Isabella was happy Patsy couldn’t see her smile. “Agent Turner is going to be the best man.”
“I see…” Patsy cleared her throat. “Well, I suppose I can put up with him for one day.”
“Come on, Patsy…you have to admit Micah is very good-looking.”
“I don’t have to admit any such thing,” Patsy said with a snort.
“You’re so funny, Patsy. You forget I know you all too well,” Isabella teased her, smiling at her friend’s denial of the attraction between her and Micah. “I have to run. We’ve had a lot going on here today. One of Barkley’s men showed and shot up the house…” At her words, Patsy tried to interrupt her, but Isabella just kept going. “It’s a long story, but I need to go. I promise I’ll tell you all about it soon. I love you.” Isabella hung up the phone and chuckled at the thought of how she left her best friend, gasping for air trying to get in a question. She half expected her phone to ring any second. When it didn’t she figured she was safe and started down the hall.
When she reached the opening to the living room, she was surprised to see Montgomery sitting on the sofa holding their children. He was talking to them softly. Isabella could see them smiling, and their little hands moving in excitement as they gazed up at him while he spoke. She took a seat beside him and leaned against his shoulder.
“They’re fascinated by your voice. They’ve only really heard mine until recently.”
Montgomery smiled and keeping his voice low and gentle. He directed his words at his children. “They look at me and I can’t breathe, princess. They’re just so beautiful and to think I almost missed out on this.” Turning his gaze toward her, he frowned. “I didn’t remember anything at first, Bella. I remembered Micah, being an agent, and even my friends here in Dry River, but nothing else.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t even remember how I got shot. The worst thing was…” His words caught and he swallowed. “I didn’t remember you.”
Isabella placed her palm against his whiskered cheek. “It’s all right, Montgomery. You were shot in the head and lucky to be alive.” She kissed his cheek. “You remember me now and that’s all that matters. You have a beautiful son and daughter. They’ll love you as much as I do. You’re their daddy, it says so right on the birth certificate, which I’m going to have to find out if I can change since it says Colt Raines instead of your real name. You only missed the first two months of their lives, which I doubt they even remember. You’ll have plenty of time to make up for it, and watch them grow up.”
“I remember when Micah and I were talking. The memory of you just popped out of nowhere. We were talking about my getting stronger and I told him I wanted to do it before I saw you. I remembered you…everything about you. When I found out Micah knew, and hadn’t told me, I was so angry, but eventually I realized he was right. It had to come to me on my own. It would have driven me crazy trying to remember you.” He kissed her forehead. “Now, I can’t imagine not remembering you.”
She smiled up at him, and then kissed him. She ruffled the soft hair on her daughter’s head and pushed back the tightness in her throat.
“Patsy can’t wait to meet you. She’s so excited to be in the wedding. I’ll have to check with Mom and see if she wants to help me find a dress this weekend.”
“I’ll babysit.”
“I was thinking about something, Montgomery, what about your friends? Won’t they be upset you didn’t ask one of them to be your best man?”
“No. For one thing, I could never choose between them, and they know that. They also know Micah and like him. They know he’s saved my ass several times in the field just as I’ve saved his. Don’t worry, princess, it’s all good.”
“I’m glad then, because they’re a great bunch of guys, and I already love Emily and Shelly.” A sudden thought hit her, and she pulled away from him. “Oh my, I should call Shelly and see how Nathan is.”
Montgomery smiled at her. She kissed her babies, and as she walked toward the hall, she glanced over her shoulder and smiled. The man she loved was completely engrossed in the two babies in his arms. As she headed to the kitchen to call Shelly, Isabella realized her world was perfect.
Chapter Twelve
Two months later, the night before the wedding, everyone was in the church waiting for rehearsal to begin when the church doors flew open and Micah strode in. Mont heard Patsy huff and he bit back a grin.
“Micah, how good of you to join us. I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it,” Mont said in greeting.
“Sorry, flight was delayed,” Micah told him even as his eyes skimmed the room. When they landed on Patsy, he frowned but when he saw Isabella, he strolled toward her and pulled her into a tight embrace. “You’re as beautiful as ever, Isabella. It’s so good to see you again.”
Isabella hugged him back and smiled up at him. “And you’re as gorgeous as ever, Micah.”
“Hey, get your damn hands off my wife, Turner,” Mont growled, wondering when the two had become so friendly.
“Montgomery Richard Bradford, have you forgotten you’re in a church?” his mother scolded him.
He dipped his head in apology. “No ma’am. I’m sorry.” He turned back toward Micah. “Get your darn hands off my wife.”
Micah laughed. “First off, she isn’t your wife…yet and second, why would I want to do that, Bradford?”
Mont scowled, saw the teasing grin on his friend’s mug, and laughed. “Okay, I’ll give you those.”
Isabella stepped out of Micah’s embrace, and tilted her head in Patsy’s direction. “Micah, you remember my friend Patsy, don’t you?”
Mont saw the muscle in Micah’s jaw working as he gave Patsy a terse nod.
“Yes, I remember her.”
Mont almost burst out laughing and when he glanced at Isabella, he saw she was holding back a grin as well. Just then, the reverend stepped forward, and cleared his throat.
“Shall we get this party started?”
Everyone was told their roles, what they needed to do, and when to walk down the aisle, and so forth.
Barton escorted both his wife and Mont’s mother to their seats since there were no ushers, and then he returned to the back of the church to walk Isabella down the aisle. Mont stepped forward, taking her hand and leading her to the altar. She gazed up at him with tears in her eyes.
“We’re only practicing, princess, what are you going to do tomorrow, when it’s real?” he asked her, grinning at her.
“Probably cry like a baby,” Isabella told him with a coy smile.
Mont lightly kissed her lips making the reverend reprimand him. “I haven’t said you can kiss your bride, Montgomery. Quit jumping the gun.”
“Yes sir. I got a little carried away.”
After rehearsal, everyone gathered at a nearby restaurant for dinner. It just so happened that Micah and Patsy ended up sitting next to each other at the table. Mont noticed how uncomfortable they both were, and elbowed Isabella, nodding in their direction. Isabella chuckled softly and leaned close so as not to be overheard.
“I think they’re attracted to each other, but don’t want to be and are in denial.”
Mont laughed perhaps a bit too loud, and received a glare from both Micah and Patsy. He leaned close to Isabella’s ear. “I think you’re right, princess.”
Suddenly Patsy stood and excused herself. Isabella raised her eyebrows at him, and then followed her friend.
* * * *
“Pats, are you all right?”
Patsy flinched, stopping and turning to face her.
“God, Bella. I didn’t know you were behind me.” She pushed open the door to the ladies’ room and Isabella followed her inside.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Patsy frowned at her.
“I—I don’t know.” Isabella chewed her bottom lip, feeling nervous about this conversation.
“I had to use the restroom, Bella.” Patsy said wit
h some annoyance.
Isabella blew out a breath. “I thought you were upset because you were sitting next to Micah.”
Patsy stared at her, and then burst out laughing. “Are you serious? Why would that upset me?”
Isabella tilted her head at her friend, trying to read her.
“There just seems to be a lot of tension between you two.”
Patsy shrugged. “Probably because I don’t like him,” she said, raising her chin.
Isabella snorted. “Really? Since when don’t you like a hot, good-looking man?”
“Since said man is arrogant and full of himself.”
Isabella decided it was best to drop the subject of Micah. She smiled at Patsy.
“So what do you think of Montgomery?”
Patsy smiled with genuine happiness. “I think he’s absolutely gorgeous and totally head over heels in love with you.” Suddenly, she leaned in close. “By the way, I thought his eyes were green, but earlier tonight when I saw him watching you, they looked blue.”
When Isabella blushed and glanced away smiling, Patsy jumped on it, and grabbed her arm spinning her back to face her. “What? Come on, tell me.”
“Well, his eyes tend to change colors. They change from green to dark green when he’s angry, and well, they change to blue when he’s…” She felt the heat rise in her cheeks.
“When he’s what?” Patsy asked with wide eyes.
Isabella grinned and lowered her voice. “When he’s turned on.”
Patsy burst out laughing. “That could be a blessing and a curse.”
Together they laughed, finished up in the ladies’ room, and then headed back to the table. Isabella noticed Micah had moved to a seat beside Montgomery, and they were talking. She settled into an empty seat next to Patsy, glancing around the table taking in her newly expanded family.
Montgomery’s mother, Lyla, was chatting with her parents. His mom was a wonderful woman who adored her son and after meeting her grandchildren, cried as she held them. She hugged Isabella and thanked her for bringing them into her life. Isabella already loved her and she was sure the feeling was mutual. She watched her parents and smiled as they talked with Lyla as if they were old friends. As her gaze swept the table, her eyes took in the easy-going demeanor of the man she loved. He was her life and she thanked God every day for bringing him back into her life. The many days after she thought he was dead, she hadn’t wanted to go on. Only after she found out she was pregnant had she felt deep in her heart that her child was God’s gift to her, so she’d never forget Montgomery. Of course, that gift turned out to be a double blessing, but then God gave her another gift of bringing him back to her. She was so happy with her life.
Montgomery raised his head and looked at her. When he winked at her, she smiled and blushed. Life was never going to be boring with this man in her life. Suddenly, the door to the restaurant opened and a boisterous group of six men and two women entered, heading straight toward their table.
Isabella couldn’t be more pleased to have Montgomery’s friends show up to support him in his marriage. They would all attend the wedding tomorrow, but tonight it was a fun for all. Shelly and Emily sat across from Isabella. She noted how Storm sat close to Montgomery, but he was smiling and talking with everyone. Dakota, Cooper, and Lincoln vied for a seat by Patsy and the teasing had begun. Isabella glanced over at Montgomery, but all he did was grin. He was happy and that meant she was happy. They were all her family now too.
* * * *
Mont couldn’t keep his eyes off Isabella. She was glowing. This was the happiest he’d ever been. Knowing he was marrying the woman he loved, tomorrow, and having two beautiful babies with her was beyond anything he’d ever hoped would happen. He hoped for more children but if it didn’t happen, he was content with what he had.
He smiled, watching her talking with Shelly and Emily. He had no doubt those three would hit it off from the start. He glanced and grinned. He saw Patsy laughing with Dakota, but he doubted anything would come from that since Dakota would probably never settle down with one woman. He loved them all too much, and it would take a very special one to bring him to his knees. Storm sat beside Mont talking with Micah, who seemed to have a problem keeping his eyes off Patsy. Mont almost laughed when he heard Micah grumble when Patsy’s laughter drifted over to them.
“Patsy seems to be getting along with Dakota well, don’t you think?” Mont remarked so Micah would hear him. He received a scowling glare in return for his comment.
“What’s your point?” Micah asked.
“No point, just an observation.” Mont smirked when Micah muttered under his breath.
“She’s very pretty,” Storm interjected with innocence of what pot he was stirring.
“That she is.” Mont agreed, meeting Micah’s glare.
“She’s a damn…pixie,” Micah growled.
Storm burst out laughing. “Haven’t you heard good things come in little packages?”
Micah stood and snorted. “Not in this case. Either of you want another beer?”
Mont laughed and waved him off. “No thanks. I need my wits about me. I don’t need to wake up with a headache on my wedding day.”
Lucas pulled up a chair alongside him. “I never thought I’d hear you say something like that. You were so shocked when I got married.”
“Yes, but all it takes is the right woman,” Mont said, and then glanced at Storm. “The right woman.”
Storm scowled. “I sincerely hope you two have found yours, but I’m not looking again.”
“You can’t give up, Storm. The right one’s out there for you,” Lucas told him.
Storm grunted. “Yeah, like I said, I’m not looking.”
Mont shrugged and stood. “Well, I’m going to tell my soon to be wife goodnight since I’m staying at the damn hotel, and won’t see her again until I’ll see her at the church tomorrow.” He frowned. “This shit of not seeing the bride before the wedding is crazy.”
Both Lucas and Storm pushed to their feet, and in turn, shook his hand. “We’ll see you there, Mont.”
Mont thanked them for coming tonight, and walked around the table toward Isabella. Her eyes seemed to light up when she saw him coming for her. He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers.
“I’ll see you at the altar, darlin’. You’d better show up because I can find you. I have connections,” he told her before kissing her again.
Isabella laughed against his mouth, stroking his face with her soft hands. “I do too, Montgomery Bradford, so don’t think about skipping out on me now. I believe Micah would help me track you down.”
He laughed and agreed. “Yeah, the others would be right there helping.” He gave her a quick kiss even though he wanted to pick her up and carry her away. “I’ll be there, princess. Don’t ever doubt it. Goodnight, my love.” Turning away, he headed out but couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
Epilogue
The day of the wedding, Patsy helped Isabella into her dress, a long white, figure-hugging gown. The sleeves were lace and ended just above her wrists. Above her breasts, the panel was lace and pearls. A small ring of white roses and baby’s breath sat atop her red hair, and red and white roses with matching ribbons made up her bouquet.
“You look so beautiful,” Patsy said in a quiet voice with tears glittering in her eyes.
“Don’t make me cry, Pats.”
“I’m not trying to, but I’m so happy for you and Mont. He’s so hot and you’re so lucky.”
“I love him so much, Patsy,” Isabella whispered, her heart pounding in her chest with excitement.
Patsy hugged her. “I know. It was a miracle he came back to you.”
Together they descended the stairs to wait for her father to arrive. He was escorting them to the church. When someone knocked on the door, Patsy opened it to Shelly’s sister, Kathy. She smiled and clapped her hands together.
“I’m so excited to be watching the babies for you, Isabella,” Kathy said.
>
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Kathy.”
“I love kids. I want about ten of my own. I just need to talk Hank into it,” Kathy said with a big grin, and together the three women laughed.
“I don’t know about ten, but I definitely want more with Montgomery,” Isabella said, thinking more about the fun of making all those babies, and then she gave a sudden groan.
“Oh my God, no!”
“What is it?” Patsy went into panic mode, moving to check Isabella’s dress.
“I missed my period this month.”
Patsy burst out laughing. “Really, Bella, you two seriously need to get on some sort of birth control.”
Isabella swatted at her, and then put her fingers to her temples. “What were we thinking?”
“Apparently you weren’t thinking at all,” Kathy said, laughing.
Isabella groaned. “What if I’m pregnant again? What’s Montgomery going to think?”
“Gee, Bella, it’s not like you’re trapping him into marriage.” Patsy teased.
Isabella narrowed her eyes at her best friend. “You seriously need to shut up.”
Kathy and Patsy laughed, and finally she did too. Both women were right, she and Montgomery hadn’t been thinking, but she wasn’t tricking him into marriage. She sighed loudly. “I guess I’ll find out eventually.”
“You’re a great mother, Bella, and no matter how many children you and Mont have, you’ll both love them. I think for every dog you adopt, you need a baby to go with it.”
“Very funny, Patsy, I have six dogs now.”
“Then you have a lot of catching up to do.” Patsy squealed when Isabella threw a dishtowel at her.
Barton Lofton entered the front door, and stopped in his tracks. He stared at his daughter and walked forward until he was standing in front of her. He took her hands in his. “You look so beautiful, Isabella.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” Isabella beamed up at him and felt tears sting the backs of her eyes when he quickly blinked his eyes to fight back his own.
Montgomery Page 18
