by Tina Leonard
“I don’t think they got the part about it being a honeymoon business,” he told Holly, laughing.
“It’s something to consider,” she said, smiling up at him. “An entrepreneur should always consider all the ways to increase business. Now about those kids…”
He grinned and ushered Holly toward the waterfall balloon, which had just landed. “Anytime you like, babe,” he said. “Happy Independence Day.”
Bandera had set her heart totally free.
Epilogue
Bandera would not be satisfied until he’d given Holly a traditional ring, a traditional wedding and a traditional honeymoon. Not to mention traditional lovemaking.
“I like the little cabin you decorated,” Holly told him as they held hands, waiting for Hawk to come and marry them in front of all their family and friends. Two days wasn’t long when planning a wedding, but then again, he didn’t want to give Holly a chance to plan another wedding.
That was a waste of time, considering they were already married, in his mind. Plus he knew Holly wanted to be swept off her feet.
Fortunately, the ladies at the Union Junction salon were willing to help. They took Holly under their wing, helping with hair, shoes and a lovely wedding gown.
It was white and long with pretty flowers and sequins scattered over the skirt. And they didn’t pile her hair high and put twinkly things in it, they left it loose and long, just the way he liked it. She wore a circlet of baby’s breath in her hair, with satin ribbons trailing down the back.
She looked like a fairy princess.
“I have a little surprise for you,” she said. “It’s under my gown.”
He raised his brows, appreciating whatever lay in store for him. “I’d love a hint.”
“Lacy. White. Tiny black polka dots. We have on matching ensembles. Do the words Victoria’s Secret help you?”
A grin lit his face. Bandera hugged Holly close to him. “I love my black silk boxers, especially the white polka dots.”
“I find there’s a peaceful repetition in the pattern,” she said with a smile.
He held her to him. “I never saw it that way before.”
Hawk and Jellyfish pulled up at that moment, their faces inscrutable. If the sight of all the people, the hot air balloon waiting for a wedding getaway, and a bride didn’t shake them, Bandera supposed nothing would.
Hawk grinned at Holly. “I see you found your destiny.”
“Yes.” She smiled up at Bandera. “I love you, Bandera Jefferson.”
Their family and friends gathered around them, witnessing the ceremony Hawk led. The answers Bandera and Holly gave seemed to float on the wind. After he had kissed his bride, he helped her into the hot air balloon, and slowly, they rose into the sky. Holly tossed her bouquet—and Mimi caught it, much to her obvious surprise.
“Now the garter,” Bandera said, “the one you tossed through my truck window to start it all.”
Holly watched as he took the garter from his pocket, then grinned at her and put it back. “Nah, this one’s a keeper,” he said. “I bought an extra for those guys down there.”
And he tossed it over the side. They laughed when Crockett caught it.
“Never happen,” Bandera predicted. “Crockett’s got a tougher skull than any of us. No woman will crack him.”
Holly pulled him to her so that she could kiss him on the lips. “I love you,” she said.
“I love you more than I can ever say,” Bandera replied, and the balloon floated away into the pink sunset over Malfunction Junction.
“WELL, THAT’S THAT,” Mason said, looking over at Hawk and Jellyfish. “You’d think a marrying fever had hit this ranch.”
Hawk gazed at him. “Do you want to know what we learned about your father before or after you eat your piece of wedding cake?”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5859-8
BELONGING TO BANDERA
Copyright © 2005 by Tina Leonard.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3K9, Canada.
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†Cowboys by the Dozen
†Cowboys by the Dozen
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†Cowboys by the Dozen
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†Cowboys by the Dozen
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