Twice in a Lifetime: A love story you'll never forget! (Cedar Creek Saga Book 1)

by A. K. Galindo

  Alex still had his glass in the air staring at both men wondering what they were up to. Just as he started to speak, Peter reminded him that he agreed to no questions or comments, just leaving for the evening. Alex didn’t say a word, but his mind was racing trying to figure out what this was all about.

  The three men left the study and joined Max in the living room. Alex inspected Max’s attire and all four of them left the house. The large black Mercedes was waiting for them in the front driveway; they all got in it and headed for the Cedar Creek American Legion Hall.

  Christina wanted to ride with them and have Jessie meet her at the hall, but Alex told her there wasn’t enough room, but he would have one of the men drive her to the Inn where Jessie was staying and they would go from there. Jessie had arranged for a limo to pick them up at the Inn and drive them to the hall. When Christina arrived, Jessie was telling her about some mysterious guest at the Inn that caused quite a stir, but he couldn’t find out who it was. Little did they know it was Mary Kate.

  **********

  Mary Kate had pulled her hair back to a chignon at the nape of her neck and put on the pearl necklace and earrings that Alex gave her on their wedding day; they had been his mother’s. Every time she wore them she got misty eyed just as she had done this evening when she put them on. She was just about through putting her make-up on when Isa came in to tell her that Jaime and Cougar were waiting. Mary Kate asked her to tell them she would be ready in just a few minutes.

  She walked out of the dressing room and into the bedroom to put her dress on. It was the closest thing she could find on their shopping trip that resembled the original dress she bought for this affair. The dress was an emerald green satin empire style strapless gown. The bodice was trimmed with velvet ribbon and seed pearls and the rest of the dress was covered in the same color chiffon from the empire waste to the floor. There was a velvet floor length hooded cape that resembled what a princess might have worn to a ball in a castle to meet her prince. Mary Kate felt like a princess on her way to meet her prince.

  When she was completely dressed, she stepped out into the sitting room of the suite. Jaime and Cougar were stunned at the dazzling image they saw. Mary Kate entered the room, made a complete circle and curtseyed. She looked breathtaking.

  She retrieved her evening bag and Isa brought her cloak out of the bedroom. Jaime helped her put it on and told her how beautiful she looked. Cougar was still speechless at the site of the saucy little redhead that had turned into a princess. He finally told her so with a stutter, and they all laughed.

  While her chaperones contacted the Texas Rangers to ensure the passage ways were clear and the car was brought to the service entrance, Mary Kate made a call to the ranch. She talked to Maria, whom Max had alerted about her presence. She gave Maria instructions to pack Christina’s things and have someone bring them to the Inn and have them put in Suite 614. Mary Kate told her that Christina would not be returning to the ranch tonight. Maria was so excited at the news of Christina’s moving out and that Mary Kate was home, she started to cry.

  Cougar told Mary Kate that the coast was clear and her carriage, complete with footmen, was awaiting her arrival. She laughed, hugged both of her footmen, and followed Jaime through the secured hallway, down the elevator, and out the service exit to her carriage.

  Chapter 14

  Alex, Peter, Manny, and Max arrived at the American Legion Hall right at seven to find all the security precautions and personnel in place. Max stayed by his father’s side as they mingled with the many attending this grand occasion. Peter worked the outer perimeter of the ballroom while Manny was never more than a few feet from Alex and Max. The security team was adorned with wireless radio transmitters except for Alex, so that they could be in constant contact with each other. Since Manny was never far from Alex, Alex didn’t need one. This also kept Alex from hearing any communication regarding Mary Kate.

  Alex saw people he hadn’t seen in a long time and many people he had just seen at his father’s service. They had all come to pay tribute to his father and other members of the Chavez family, for all they had done for the ranching industry in the Cedar Creek area, around the state, and internationally.

  Max and his father were seated at the head table with the Board of Directors of the Cattlemen’s Association. When they reached that table, Alex noticed the place for Mary Kate that would remain vacant for the evening and decided he needed a drink. After he acknowledged everyone already at the table, he excused himself and headed for the bar.

  On his way, he ran into John Maxwell and his sister Kally. He stopped to speak to them when John inquired about Mary Kate. Alex said she was fine then excused himself and continued to the bar. Every few steps he would run into another person that he had to stop and talk to. Finally, Max met him and handed him a drink, because he knew he would never get to the bar at the rate he was going. Alex thanked him and stopped to visit with more people and tried to work his way back to his table.

  Manny found it a challenge to stay close to him with all of the people. He motioned Max to come stand by him and told him that was a smart move to get his dad a drink. He wasn’t sure Alex was going to make it if he didn’t get that drink soon. They both chuckled and looked at each other and smiled about the upcoming surprise.

  AJ Henderson stopped by Alex’s table to say hello and see if there was any news about his expected visitor since they last spoke. Alex told him no and AJ patted him on the back and went back to his table. He was involved in the security plan and was ready in case he was needed.

  Sam was there as a guest as well as part of the security team and was escorting the new high school principal, Ann Johnson. They stayed with Alex for a few minutes so he could meet Ann. She was the great-granddaughter of one of the founding fathers of Cedar Creek, Jonathon Johnson. She recently returned to the area to open the new high school. Sam looked at Alex and then looked at the empty place beside him and didn’t even ask.

  Christina arrived on the arm of Jessie Alvarez and was seated at a table not far from Alex, but far enough he didn’t have to deal with her. Her family had been a major player in the ranching industry for almost as long as Alex’s had. When Christina’s father died many years ago, she inherited his holdings. She sold off everything but the house and a few acres. She had no family still living in the area, but she was still known by many people in attendance.

  The evening began with a magnificent meal of salad, filet mignon, parsley potatoes, and sautéed fresh vegetables. Wine flowed like water throughout the meal, as did the bourbon, and the conversation was delightful. Alex was the perfect gentleman even though he was dying inside with the need to see or at least talk to Mary Kate more than ever. Max was just smiling like a Cheshire cat and his father wondered if he had been to the bar one too many times.

  The meal was followed by a delicious bread pudding with bourbon sauce and coffee. There were after dinner liquors available at the bar for those choosing to imbibe. The dishes were cleared away, the orchestra was setting up for the dance, and everyone was settling down for the evening’s program to begin and the honorees to be recognized.

  Alex retrieved his speech from his coat pocket as Robert Winslow, the Cattlemen’s Association’s President, made his way to the microphone. Max reached over and touched his father’s arm and gave it a discreet squeeze and a supportive smile. Alex returned the smile and patted his shoulder. It made him feel good to have Max back with him and if he only had Mary Kate, his family would be complete.

  Robert recognized various committees and their members that made the evening possible. He also recognized the other current board members as well as the board members that would take over their assigned offices in January. The last thing he addressed before recognizing Alex was this year’s Cattlemen’s Ball Fundraiser recipient which was the new children’s wing at the Cedar Creek Memorial Hospital. It was now time to bring Alex to the podium.

  Manny was seated at the table behind Alex, and Peter wa
s seated across the room at a table by the main entrance. When Alex got up, so did Manny and Peter. Manny spoke into the radio telling the entire team that Alex was moving to the podium on the stage to give his speech and that everyone needed to move into position.

  Peter moved to the door, Manny followed Alex to the stage and stood just to the side that was closest to the main doors of the ballroom. Other security team members moved to their designated posts that secured doors and entrances throughout the hall. While Alex was on stage, no one was allowed in or out of the room.

  Alex could see Manny talking to someone in the radio, little did he know that he was telling Jaime it was time to move Mary Kate just outside the entry to the ballroom because Alex was nearing the end of his speech. In the meantime, Manny moved from his place by the stage to stand by Peter just as Max got up from the table and moved around the ballroom to stand on the other side of Peter. Alex paused just a few seconds as he observed the movement of the three men to a spot different than they had previously discussed. They resembled the three Musketeers standing at the doorway all together.

  Alex concluded his address. “I want to take this opportunity to thank the board of directors and the members of the association for recognizing my father and family for the accomplishments and involvement in the cattle industry over the last two hundred plus years.” He raised his glass of brandy. “Please join me in a toast to honor Sr. Alejandro Maximilian Chavez Santana, Salud!”

  Just as Alex completed his toast honoring his father the door to the ballroom opened and Jaime stepped around and stood beside Manny, and Cougar stood on the other side of Max.

  Alex was stunned at the sight of the two men he left in Mexico to secure his wife’s safety. While the room gave Alex a standing ovation, he never took his eyes off the wall of men at the door. There was movement behind them, but Alex couldn’t see who or what it was.

  The orchestra began to play a beautiful Mexican waltz as Max stepped back from the group and Manny stepped aside to allow Mary Kate to move in front of them and take Max’s arm. Alex froze as his heart stopped beating and he could no longer breathe. She was an absolute vision.

  As Max began to lead his stepmother onto the dance floor, Alex started down the steps of the stage and moved to meet her half way. She still had her emerald velvet cloak on as she floated across the floor. When she stood in front of Alex she unhooked her cloak and Max removed it revealing the most riveting site Alex had ever seen. It took great effort for him to take her hand from Max.

  **********

  Mary Kate looked into his eyes with the most loving expression trying to avoid spilling the tears flooding her eyes as she curtsied. “¿El Sr. Chavez, puedo tener yo el primer baile de la tarde?” Mr. Chavez, may I have the first dance of the evening?

  Alex took her hand and raised it to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles as he looked down into her eyes and could barely respond with the knot of emotion in his throat. “La Sra. Chavez, usted puede tener al primer danés de la tarde y cada baile para el resto de nuestras vidas.” Mrs. Chavez, you may have the first dance of the evening and every dance for the rest of our lives. He brushed a second kiss across her knuckles, took her other hand and began to move across the floor to the romantic music to the delight of everyone in attendance. Everyone that is, except Christina.

  The fairytale couple moved around the dance floor as if floating on air. The love they felt for each other was reflected in the looks they shared between them as only lovers could. Alex couldn’t take his eyes off her and when the music stopped and everyone applauded, he couldn’t turn loose of her.

  He finally loosened his hold long enough for her to curtsey again and then Alex pulled her into his arms and kissed her in front of God and everybody as if he hadn’t seen her in years instead of just a few days. He couldn’t even think at all except to tell himself that she was here in his arms.

  The crowd was laughing and hollering as if they were at a rodeo or some such event. Finally, Alex realized they were still in the middle of the dance floor. He took Mary Kate by the hand and headed for the door. As he passed the five Musketeers he told them to hold the door and not let anyone come through them as he took Mary Kate just outside the ballroom for a moment of privacy, such as it was.

  Alex pulled Mary Kate into his arms again and told her, “I can’t believe you are here, Amada.” He held her back to look at her. “You are absolutely amazing. The dress is almost like the one in the closet at the ranch. How did you do all of this?”

  “Well I had a little help and I wanted to surprise you and make this night one that you would always remember,” she told him as he pulled her close again.

  “This certainly explains why everyone was acting more than a little unsettled today, and Max grinning all through dinner like a Cheshire cat.” Alex embraced Mary Kate and kissed her senseless. “As much as I would like to continue this we need to get back inside before people think we have found a room.”

  With a mischievous smile on her face she turned to him and said, “You know, I still have a room at the Inn. That is closer than the ranch.”

  Shaking his head, “You have a lot of explaining to do, but thank God you are here with me now. I love you Amada and always will.”

  They re-entered the ballroom and everyone was talking and dancing and enjoying themselves very much. Alex told the five gentlemen still waiting at the door that he would deal with them later. With that statement, the five of them returned to their designated posts and laughed as they walked away. Mary Kate had pulled the surprise off without a hitch.

  Alex and Mary Kate moved to their table greeting friends and acquaintances as they made their way through the crowd. John was waiting for Mary Kate when they arrived at their destination.

  “Young lady, how are you feeling and where is your sling?” John anxiously wanted to know.

  She turned and pointed at her chair to find an emerald green scarf to match her gown tied as a sling. He reached down and handed it to her, “Please put it on, and leave it on.”

  After looking at her for a few minutes he did agree that she appeared to be in fine health and spirits, but told her to be in his office first thing Monday morning. Alex assured him that they would both be there bright and early. John gave Mary Kate a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek and welcomed her home.

  As soon as John walked away, Mary Kate turned to Alex. “I need to speak to Christina and I want you to go with me.”

  Alex gave her a look of apprehension. “I will go with you, but are you sure you want to talk to her? I don’t want you upset by anything. This evening is too perfect.”

  Mary Kate took Alex’s hand and started toward Christina’s table. “It will be a great evening and I have to do this for us.”

  Alex walked with her, hand in hand, until they reached the table where Christina and Jessie were sitting. They were both surprised at her arrival, especially Jessie. When they reached the table they both stood. With a very vicious look on her face Christina glared at Mary Kate.

  Without batting an eye Mary Kate began to speak, “I have taken the liberty to have your things packed and moved to your suite at the Inn. There is a limo waiting out front to take you there whenever you are ready. You’re no longer welcome in our home unless you receive a personal invitation from Alex or me.” Max had been watching this exchange and moved to stand by his father to see what was happening. “Max, I am sorry, but you are a member of this family and El Lobo will be your home for as long as you want it to be.” Mary Kate paused a minute to catch her breath before continuing. “I hope you will always consider it so.”

  Almost seething, Christina replied, “How dare you take such liberties and move my things to a suite at the Inn. I don’t have a suite there!”

  Never raising her voice Mary Kate states. “I will dare to take any liberty I choose in my home and the home of my husband and children, and you have a suite now.”

  Christina turned to Alex for support. “Alex, are you going t
o let her do this to me?”

  “You heard my wife didn’t you, Christina?” Alex took Mary Kate by the arm and moved to the dance floor. He didn’t even know what was playing, but anything would be better than continuing that conversation.

  Mary Kate buried her face in Alex’s neck while he held her close and they danced to a smooth country western ballad. She felt like she was in heaven in the arms of her loving husband and with their children nestled between safe and sound.

  When the dance ended, they walked to the bar to get something to drink. Mary Kate had a very small glass of wine while Alex had three fingers of bourbon, neat. Alex questioned her choice of beverage and she assured him that John said a little wine occasionally would not hurt the baby. She smiled to herself at the thought of two babies instead of one and what Alex would say if her dream was true. Well, they would know Monday.

  It was so pleasant to be home and see so many people for such a happy occasion. The last time she saw many of them was at Sr. Chavez’s service. Manny walked up to check on them. Alex took his hand then the two men hugged, and Alex thanked him for helping Mary Kate make this so special. He just chuckled and hugged Mary Kate and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  A spicy salsa tune started up and the baby started kicking and Mary Kate gasped with a look of surprise. Alex immediately put an arm around her to pull her close and asked if she was okay with a look of worry.

  She returned his look and said, “I am just fine.” She took his free hand and placed it on her stomach. “Do you feel that? I guess she likes salsa music.”

  Alex’s eyes grew wide in amazement. “Does that hurt?”

  Mary Kate and Manny both laughed at his response. “It doesn’t hurt at all. It just feels like a little butterfly flutter now, but as she grows the kicks will get harder and more uncomfortable.”

  “How do you know it is a girl?” Alex asked and before Mary Kate could respond Manny started laughing and shaking his head. Alex looked at him. “What’s wrong with you?”