by Joann Baker
Kristen stood up. “I’m Kristen, his…” She hesitated, looking up at Cal.”
“Fiancé,” he stated firmly, taking her hand in his.
“It’s nice to meet you.” The doctor returned their handshakes with a firm grip that Cal found reassuring.
He turned to the other people in the room. “These are my grandfathers, Silas Moore and Harvey Anderson. And this is my brother, Gabe.”
A strange silence descended on the room as Gabe turned slowly away from the window to face the newcomer. He stood there, making no effort to greet the woman. The smile disappeared from the doctor’s face.
“Damn it, Gabe.” Cal’s words did not have the effect he’d intended. Instead of acknowledging the nice doctor, Gabe turned on his heel and walked out the building, slamming the door shut behind him.
Cal broke the uncomfortable silence that followed Gabe’s abrupt departure with an embarrassed laugh. “Sorry about that. It’s been an eventful morning.”
“No doubt.” The doctor gave him a tight smile in return, nothing like the open one she’d given them a few minutes earlier. “Let’s get you cleaned up and see if we can get you home.”
Cal nodded. That would do for starters. But if it was the last thing he did, Cal vowed to kick some of the orneriness and stubbornness out of his brother. The first thing he planned on doing when he got home, however, was to properly propose to the woman he held by his side. “I’m ready when you are, doc.”
The doctor put a wrinkle in Cal’s plans by insisting he go home and rest. There was no concussion, but he had suffered a cut that had requiring several stitches and a whole bunch of bruises from his heroic horseback tackle. She’d also advised against any strenuous activity for the next twenty-four hours. That definitely ruled out taking Kristen up to the mesa for the romantic proposal he’d originally planned. After the morning’s events, it probably wouldn’t be the best place anyway. He certainly didn’t want to take her back to an area that would force her to relive those terrifying moments.
Once home, Cal got out of the vehicle slowly, his body feeling the effects of his physical encounter with the hard ground in spite of the pain medication he’d been given. He was too old to be jumping from horses but damned if he wouldn’t do it again in order to protect his woman. Her arm around his waist as she helped him up the wide steps had his body aching in a totally different way.
Gramps held the door open for them. As soon as they were inside, Kristen turned to face him.
“The doctor said you needed rest. You should go to bed now.”
Her expression was much too serious, and Cal immediately found himself wanting to lighten her anxiety. “Only if you go with me.”
“Cal!” He winked at her flustered look when his grandfathers roared with laughter, delighted that his comment had had the desired effect. “Come here, honey.” He took pity on her and pulled her into his arms, giving her a brief, hard kiss. “I’ll follow the doctor’s orders in just a little bit. But first, there’s something I need to do.”
“There’s nothing that can’t wait, Cal.”
“Shhh. This really can’t wait.” He led her to the fireplace, positioning her in front of it. It wasn’t the way he’d planned it, but he realized the setting didn’t matter. What mattered was the end result—he and Kristen, together, forever.
“Gramps, Pops, if you’ll have a seat, please.” He could tell what he was about to do would come as no surprise to the two older men.
“Anything you say, son,” Gramps nodded.
“Gladly,” Pops echoed.
He waited until both men were seated before taking Kristen’s hands in his. Easing himself down on one knee, he looked up at the face of the woman who had come to mean life to him.
“Cal.” Kristen’s voice was a mere whisper when she realized what he was about to do.
“Kristen, sweetheart, I know this is all so fast, but you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You’re also the most beautiful, intelligent and caring woman I have ever known. You’re kind, considerate, spunky, sassy and super good with numbers.” He grinned, then sobered quickly. “In other words, you are perfect.” He pulled the small velvet box he’d gotten from the bank lockbox just yesterday. It contained his mother’s engagement ring. Pops had given it to him when he’d given Ryder their Grandmother Ruth’s ring when he’d proposed to Georgie. Cal assumed Gabe had received—or would someday receive—his Grandmother Alice’s ring.
If he ever found love…
He took the ring from the box and clasped her hand in his. “I love you, Kristen Thomas, with all of my heart and soul. Will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?”
Kristen blinked, looking at the man she’d fallen in love with so quickly through watery eyes. “I…”
Cal rose to his feet as anxiety rose in his chest. “It’s too soon. I should have…I didn’t mean to make you cry, honey.” His thumbs wiped tears from the corner of her wide blue eyes.
She reached for his hand, holding on tightly. “It’s okay. They’re tears of joy.”
A grin split Cal’s face. “So, that’s a yes?”
She nodded enthusiastically, then shouted loudly, “Yes, yes, yes. A thousand times, yes.”
Cal had never heard sweeter words. Gently, he threaded the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit. “I love you forever and always, sweetheart.”
“Oh, Cal,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. “I love you so much.” She looked into the eyes of the man who was the other half of her heart. “Now and for all eternity.”
Unmindful of his grandfathers sneaking from the room, he pulled her close and kissed her. Peace unlike any he’d ever known settled into his soul.
Two Months Later…
Deciding there was no need to wait, Cal and Kristen hurried forward with their wedding plans. The grandfathers managed to secure the VA hall for the reception and the preacher who had married Ryder and Georgia was more than happy to perform a second ceremony. Everyone in the small town was delighted that the Anderson boys were finally finding true love. Well, all but the single women who feared that Gabe would be next in line.
Not bloody likely, he was quick to point out to anyone who asked. In fact, he’d stepped up his womanizing ways and was slowly blazing a new trail through the entire female population of Devil’s Spur and at least two other surrounding counties.
Not that Cal had time to worry about his older brother’s less-than-savory antics. At least not right now. It was his wedding day. He was too busy trying to keep his own feet on the ground, and his best man from going off the deep end as Georgia moved closer and closer to her due date. A date, Cal was getting tired of pointing out, which was still over a month away.
“Listen, Ryder, Georgie will be fine. I told the preacher to keep the ceremony short and sweet.” He couldn’t wait for Kristen to become his wife.
“Yes, but—”
“There are no buts,” he stated firmly. “Besides, Georgie wants to do this. You know you can’t change her mind.” Kristen and Georgie had grown closer as the wedding had neared and Kristen had asked Georgie to be her matron of honor. Ryder was protesting the fact that his pregnant wife would have to be on her feet for a considerable amount of time.
Not that Cal could blame his brother. When—not if—Kristen became pregnant, he feared he would be as overprotective as Ryder. Protecting those they loved was part of the cowboy code. “Now, if you’ll go find Gabe, we can get this show on the road and your woman off her feet pronto.”
“Yeah, where is the asshole.” Gabe’s behavior of late had even gotten on Ryder’s nerves.
Cal pulled out his phone and sent Gabe a text. Thankfully, his brother responded in a matter of seconds. “He’s here.”
Simultaneously with those words, a knock sounded at the door, and Gabe walked in. All three brothers were dressed in tuxes, their good looks showcased perfectly. No wonder the small church was packed to the rafters. Everyone who had been sent an invitation
—and some who weren’t—were in attendance.
“How you doing, bro?” For once Gabe was completely sober, something he hadn’t been for almost two solid months. Oh, he didn’t drink on the job—that was something no one on the Ace in the Hole would tolerate, but he had been showing up hungover again and sporting a meaner temper than usual. Cal had soothed enough ruffled feathers in the last eight weeks to last a lifetime.
But, his older brother’s recent reversal was a problem for another time. Right now, he had a beautiful woman to marry. A huge grin broke out across his face. “I’m finer than a frog’s hair split two ways.”
That got a smile out of Gabe. “That’s mighty fine, brother.”
“Did you see Georgie?” Ryder interrupted worriedly.
“No, little brother, I didn’t. You need to get a grip and let the woman breath.”
Ryder snorted. “I’d like to see what you would do if you were in my shoes.”
Silence descended over the room and an expression akin to physical pain crossed Gabe’s face.
“Look, man,” Cal gripped his older brother’s shoulder, “if there’s something you need to talk about.” A loud knock interrupted the moment, and Gabe pulled away quickly, his normal guarded expression in place.
Silas stuck his head through the door. “You boys need to get in your places. The bride’s chomping at the bit.”
“That’s your cue, brother.”
Cal nodded, torn between the need to help his brother and the desire to put his ring on Kristen’s finger so the whole world would know that she was his.
“Hurry up, man,” Ryder muttered, “time’s a wasting.”
Cal nodded. “Let’s go,” he commanded, striding through the door with his brothers in tow. “I don’t want to keep my woman waiting.”
Since Kristen’s father had passed, she’d asked her Uncle Otis to give her away. Her hand trembled as she placed it in the curve of his elbow. He patted it gently, looking down at her. “Don’t you worry about a thing, sweetheart, you’re going to do fine.”
Kristen tightened her grip on the bouquet of red roses Cal had insisted she have. They were beautiful, the stems bound in a long, following white ribbon that perfectly matched her veil and the train of her dress. The last month had been a whirlwind of decision-making and buying trips. She’d discovered that Cal really was a genius when it came to financial planning, his shrewd investments earning each member of his family hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last several years. They had discussed her continuing to work and, although he’d made it clear that she didn’t have to unless it was what she wanted, he’d stand by whatever decision she made.
“Oh, Uncle Otis, what if this is all a mistake?” She had no doubt about her feelings for Cal. She had, she admitted to herself weeks ago, fallen for him the first time she’d laid eyes on him. His feelings for her…well, how could she be sure? Completely sure? “What if he regrets marrying me?”
“Now you listen to me young lady,” Otis scolded gently, “I have never seen a man look at a woman like that boy looks at you. You’re the moon and the stars to him.”
“You really think so?” She looked up at the uncle she’d come to respect and admire greatly.
“I know so.”
“But what about my mother?” While Ivy had softened somewhat, she was still a thorn in Kristen’s side at times. Like when she found out exactly how rich the Andersons were and she’d tried to take over the wedding plans, wanting it to be a lavish affair the county would not soon forget. Not for Kristen’s happiness but for her own personal goal of returning to the top of society.
“You let me take care of her. I’ve got an idea or two.” He patted Kristen’s hand again. “Your mother wasn’t such a bad person at one time. I kind of miss the woman my sister once was. Maybe I can help her find herself again.”
“Oh, Uncle Otis, I hope so. It would be nice to have a real relationship with my mother.”
Strains of The Wedding March filtered beyond the door into the alcove where they waited, cutting off any further conversation.
“That’s our cue, sweetheart. Ready?”
“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life, Uncle Otis.”
“That-a-girl.”
Kristen turned and the two double doors in front of her opened, revealing the long white cloth runner covering the aisle. It was strewn with white rose petals haphazardly thrown by the flower girl, an adorable little cherub who was the granddaughter of the Anderson’s foreman.
Since she hadn’t really made any close friends in town yet, Georgie was the only member of her wedding party. Her princess-cut, cream colored bridesmaid dress flattered her pregnant figure. She was carrying a bouquet of miniature red and white roses.
Her gaze sought the man waiting for her at the front of the church and her breath froze in her lungs. There stood the cowboy who had stolen her heart, looking impossibly handsome. She wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve this day, this happiness, this man, but she thanked God for all the heartaches that had brought her to this beautiful moment.
Their eyes locked and the look in his gave her the courage to place one foot in front of the other. It seemed to take forever to walk the short distance, but then, on the other hand, it felt as if she were flying through the air, faster and faster towards Cal and the love she saw shining from his dark brown eyes.
The minister began the age-old ceremony. When asked, both Kristen and Cal agreed to love, honor and obey…in sickness and in health…till death they would part. In what seemed no time at all, his big hands, their dark color a stark contrast with her lacy white veil, were lifting away the last and final barrier between them.
“I love you,” he said, his voice strong and clear as it rang with truth and sincerity throughout the small church.
“And I love you.” Her voice, while not as forceful, held the same intensity of feeling.
The crowd cheered with Gramps and Pops whooping the loudest.
Cal leaned close to whisper in his new bride’s ear, “They’re taking bets on how long it will be before we’re pregnant.”
“Well,” she grinned impishly, looking at her new husband with pure devotion, “I’m pretty good with numbers so maybe we should take a piece of that action.”
Cal grinned. Bending his head, he kissed his new bride.
A WORD FROM THE AUTHORS
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OTHER BOOKS BY JOANN BAKER
AND PATRICIA MASON
Remember we always give you stand alone books with happily-ever-afters
MATCHMAKING A MARRAGE (3 BOOK SERIES)
BY THE BOOK BRIDE: RYDER
Ryder Anderson loved women—short, tall, round, thin, blonde, brunette and redhead. Of course, the youngest of the three Anderson brothers couldn’t hold a candle to his oldest brother’s womanizing ways. Still, he’d had his share of relationships and then some, but he’d never known true love. Until Georgia.
Georgia Stevens moved to the quaint town of Devil’s Spur, Texas, to put some distance between herself and her younger, thinner sisters. She loved them, and they
loved her, but maybe now that she was on her own, the dating gods would be kinder. Red-hot cowboy, Ryder Anderson, may seem like the answer to her unspoken prayers, but he’s a player. Will she be able to read between his lines and find true love?
HEARTBREAK RIDGE (3 BOOK SERIES)
DAKOTA’S DREAM
Dakota Sanders was finally free to live the life he’d given up at an early age to raise his brother and sister after the untimely death of their parents. He was too old and too levelheaded to go wild, but he certainly intended to enjoy his freedom. Having his brother and sister married and on their own meant his only obligation was to keep the Double Heart Ranch running smoothly. The arrival of his new cook just might upset all of his carefully laid plans…
Curvy personal chef, Jesse Kincaid, needed one year of service in order to take her exam to be certified. Having grown up in New York, Wyoming certainly hadn’t been her first choice. However, after meeting her sexy new boss, she’s determined to make the most of her year.
Was the attraction cooking between the two a flash in the pan, or would the ingredients come together to make something lasting?
JERICHO’S PASSION
Marriage and Jericho Sanders went together about as well as oil and water. He was footloose and fancy-free, and he liked it that way. He just couldn’t imagine being shackled to one woman for the rest of his life. So why did the appearance of an old flame—“the one that got away”—make him see those chains in a whole new light?
Curvy girl Abigail Goode had left Heartbreak Ridge after graduation and never looked back. That didn’t mean she’d forgotten the young football hero that had almost broken her heart. She knew that coming home to partner her grandfather in his veterinary practice meant that she’d more than likely run into Jericho, but she’d had years to build up a good defense against his seductive charm. Besides, he had plenty of women to keep him occupied.
