The Cowboy and the Bride

by Thomas, Marin

  “I’m glad to be back.”

  She hung up the phone. “All set.”

  “Madeline. Are you sure about this Jake Montgomery and his daughter?”

  “Very sure.”

  “It’s not too late to change your mind. I can turn the car around and drive you back to Seattle.”

  “Jake’s the one, Dad.”

  “So tell me something else about this bigger-than-life hero you love.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I already told you he trains horses to work cattle. Right now it’s just him, but one day he wants to expand his operation and actually breed cutting horses, then sell them to other ranchers.”

  “What kind of investment portfolio does this young man have?”

  “I’m not sure that he has one, Dad.” When her father opened his mouth to object, Madeline cut him off. “You won’t find a man who works harder than Jake. He’s a lot like you.”

  “Me? What do I have in common with a cowboy?”

  “You’re both full of stubborn pride and don’t accept help easily.”

  Her father’s eyes twinkled. “I see.”

  “Dad. I learned a lot about myself during my stay at his ranch. I learned that it doesn’t take fancy clothes, diamond rings or five-star restaurants to make me happy. Jake’s smile from a hundred yards away, his laughter, hearing Annie shout in excitement when she finds a frog—those are the things that make me happy.”

  “Frogs? This Annie sounds unusual.”

  “She’s so smart and so exuberant about everything.”

  “I’m eager to meet her.”

  “Oh, look! My first wedding guest.” Madeline pointed out the windshield to a truck pulling over near them.

  As Coot approached the car, Madeline’s father lowered the window.

  “Well, if it ain’t the return of the barbed-wire bride,” the old man said.

  “Hello, Coot. I’d like you to meet my father, Richard Tate. Dad, this is Coot. He owns the Mercantile in Ridge City.”

  Coot tipped his hat. “Right nice to meet ya, young man.”

  Her father’s neck turned red at being called a young man. “Pleasure to meet you… Coot.”

  “More folks is headed this way.” Coot stared down the highway. “Ain’t had this much fun in ages ’round here.” He winked, then went and held the passenger door open for Madeline.

  Too late to chicken out now…not that she would. Still, the thought of being left at the altar—make that cow pasture—a second time tied her stomach in knots. She gathered the folds of her mother’s voluminous wedding gown and stepped out of the car. The dress fit perfectly, but she felt more like a princess than a bride. Her mother’s romantic streak definitely showed in the three layers of petticoats and six-foot train. One strong wind and she’d billow up like a hot-air balloon and float away.

  In less than ten minutes a steady stream of trucks and cars headed in their direction, honking up a storm. Oh, dear. She’d told Hattie to invite only the Winstons and Coot, but the dispatcher must have called the entire town. The shoulder of the road was soon filled with people, some she remembered from the Fourth of July picnic, others she’d never even seen. When she spotted two motor homes with Florida plates pulling off the road, she had a feeling her wedding was about to become the main attraction in a three-ring circus.

  Everyone greeted her with smiles and hugs, and she felt ridiculous when her eyes welled with tears at their warm welcome. Hattie stepped forward and grabbed her arm. “Have you changed your mind about Jake and decided to marry this handsome man, instead?” The dispatcher pointedly eyed Madeline’s father.

  For the second time in less than thirty minutes her father’s face turned beet red. “Hattie, this is my father, Richard Tate. Dad meet Hattie. She’s my wedding planner.”

  Richard Tate took Hattie’s hand in both of his and gently held it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hattie. Madeline has told me wonderful things about Ridge City and its citizens. And you.”

  Hattie’s eyes widened. The dispatcher was in her mid forties and the size of a woodland sprite. Madeline wondered if she had fairy genes in her family. She waited for her father to let go of Hattie’s hand, but he didn’t. Her father was enthralled with the tiny woman. She’d never seen such amusement and interest in his eyes before when he’d looked at the opposite sex.

  Hmm. Maybe her father would be visiting the ranch more than he planned. “Hattie?” Too caught up gazing into her father’s eyes, Madeline asked again. “Hattie?”

  “I’m busy, Madeline.”

  Her father’s mouth curved into a smile and his eyes twinkled.

  “Busy?” Madeline choked out.

  “Yes, dear. Busy holding your father’s hand.”

  Her father tilted his head back and laughed loud enough to draw attention from those standing nearby. “I dare say you’re a breath of fresh air, Hattie.”

  “Be still my heart.”

  They all laughed, then Hattie turned serious and pulled her hand from her father’s grasp. Amused, Madeline watched a look of disappointment cross her father’s face.

  “Has someone found Jake, Hattie?”

  “Karl will have him here in no time. Why don’t you pick your spot, so you’re ready when he arrives.”

  Loud applause and cheers filled the air when Madeline gingerly stepped over and around weeds and stickers as she made her way to the barbed-wire fence. She eyed the bull. “I don’t know, Hattie. Cyclone is awfully close to the fence.”

  Hattie waved off her concern. “If he charges, slap his ugly mug with this.” She held out a small card. Madeline took it and pressed her fingertips to her mouth to keep from blubbering when she read the printed wedding announcement.

  July 25, 2004

  City-slicker Madeline Rose Tate and cowboy Jake Patrick Montgomery announce their plans to wed at high noon near the barbed-wire fence along the side of the road, somewhere outside Ridge City, Nevada. Look for the bull. Spectators welcome.

  “Oh, Hattie, it’s beautiful.”

  “Well, it didn’t seem right, having a wedding without an announcement of some kind.” She smiled. “I kinda thought the barbed wire around the edge was cute.”

  Madeline laughed and hugged the woman. “Do you think you could snag the back of the gown on one of the barbs?”

  “Are you sure? It’s such a beautiful dress.”

  “I want everything to be just as it was the first time Jake and I met.”

  Doing as little damage as possible, Hattie wrapped the satin material around two barbs, then stepped back. “That should do it. You’re hooked now.” She spread the bottom of the gown around the satin pumps, and when Madeline looked down at herself, she truly felt like a princess bride. All she had to do was pray her Prince Charming would come for her.

  “NOW WHAT?” Jake muttered.

  A patrol car, its lights flashing, headed down the ranch road toward the house. He set Annie’s duffel bag in the truck’s back seat. “Sit tight, Annie. Let me see what this is about.”

  He glanced at his watch as the car drew near. He didn’t have a minute to waste. This morning he rose before dawn, fed and watered the horses, cleaned out the stalls and filled the feed bins. He wrote out instructions for the animals, left his cell phone number at the bottom, then called and begged the Winstons to look after the horses. He didn’t like leaving the animals in someone else’s care, but without Maddy in his life, the horses didn’t mean a damn thing anymore. After that he’d thrown some clothes for himself and Annie into a suitcase, grabbed his daughter’s stuffed frog and packed the truck.

  “But we gotta go now, Daddy. We gotta get Maddy so we can make her my real mommy.”

  Jake smiled at his daughter. Ever since he’d asked if she’d like Maddy to be her new mom she’d been more excited than a kid with her first glimpse of Walt Disney World. “We’ll leave in a minute, Annie.”

  The patrol car pulled alongside the truck. Deputy Karl cut the lights, then lowered the window. “Jake.”r />
  “Karl. You picked a heck of time to drop by for a visit. Annie and I are headed to Seattle.”

  Karl grinned. “You don’t say?”

  Jake returned the grin. No use pretending the whole town didn’t know he’d been sulking like a lovesick fool since Maddy had left. “What seems to be the problem?”

  “We got trouble with that bull of yours.”

  “Cyclone? Did he break loose?”

  “Hattie got a call from some tourist passing through. Couldn’t make out what the problem was, but thought we’d better head out there and see for ourselves.”

  “I’m right behind you.” Jake got into the truck and followed the deputy back to the highway. The last thing he needed right now was a recalcitrant bull on the loose, preying on unsuspecting tourists.

  “What’s wrong, Daddy?”

  “We’ve got to check on Cyclone. He may have gotten out.”

  “What about Maddy?”

  He thought of all the time he’d already wasted feeling sorry for himself when he should have called Maddy and begged her to forgive him. Begged her for a second chance. Begged her to let him come get her. “We’ll leave after we check on Cyclone, Annie girl.”

  “Is ‘Annie girl’ my new nickname?”

  Jake ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Yeah, you like it?”

  Annie giggled and flung her arms around his neck, then gave him a loud smacking kiss on the cheek.

  Jake inhaled her baby-scented shampoo and thanked his lucky stars he’d come to his senses where Maddy was concerned. Ever since he’d told Annie they were going to Seattle to convince Maddy to marry them, she’d been a different girl. Warmer, more trusting toward him.

  “Hey, you sit back down and put your belt on.”

  The patrol car raced along for five minutes before slowing. Jake stared down the road, astonished at the number of vehicles parked along both sides of the highway. The place looked like a carnival. What the hell was going on?

  Karl pulled onto the gravel shoulder and stopped several yards from a large gathering of people. Damn. Cyclone must have broken through the fence and hurt someone.

  Jake stopped the truck behind the patrol car, lowered the windows, then cut the engine. “Stay in the truck until I see what’s going on.”

  “But, Daddy—”

  “No buts, Annie. I’ll be right back.”

  Karl walked toward him, grinning like a buffoon. “End of the road, buddy.”

  Maybe it wasn’t Cyclone. The deputy wouldn’t be smiling if someone had gotten hurt. Jake stared at a sea of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Annie snuck out of the truck and stood next to him, her tiny hand grabbing on to the front pocket of his jeans. “What happened, Daddy?”

  He squeezed her little hand. “I thought I told you to stay in the truck.”

  Just then the group of people parted like the Red Sea. Annie tugged his jeans and pointed. “Daddy. It’s Maddy! She’s a princess again!”

  Jake’s heart did a double flip. The sea of people disappeared and the only thing in his line of sight was Maddy, decked out in another wedding dress. Stuck to the fence. His fence.

  Her lips curved in a sultry smile. “Well, cowboy. Are you going to stand there all day, or get me off this fence?”

  He fought a grin. “Depends.” He took one step forward, thinking he knew what a stallion must feel like when he scents a mare. Because there wasn’t anything he wanted more at that moment than to have Maddy in his arms.

  Her eyes widened. “On what?”

  He took another step and another, then stopped in front of her. “On whether or not you plan to stick around this time.”

  A feminine smile curved her mouth. “I’m going to be so sticky, cowboy, you’ll never get me off you.”

  Raucous laughter rose around them, but Jake ignored it, focusing only on the lovely woman in front of him. He stroked one finger down her smooth, soft cheek. Her provocative scent surrounded him, drew him closer as he bent his head and whispered, “Ah, Maddy. You took my heart when you left.”

  “I’m bringing it back, cowboy.” She peered over his shoulder and waved to Annie, who jumped up and down next to Gladys Winston.

  Jake followed her gaze and grinned at the crowd. He straightened and announced, “Seems like my barbed-wire bride is back to stay.”

  Shouts and cheers filled the air. He turned to Maddy. Eyes searching hers, he cupped her face with his rough, calloused hands. “I was so damn afraid of loving you, Maddy. You deserve better than this broken-down cowboy. But if you’ll have me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy. And you have my solemn vow that until I draw my last breath I will always be there for you.”

  He lowered his mouth until he could feel her sweet breath caress his lips. “It took me a while, Maddy. But I finally realized that with your love I can put the past to rest. There’s only the future. Only tomorrow. With you by my side.”

  Maddy opened her mouth to speak, but he touched her lips with his fingertips. He wanted to tell her everything before he lost his nerve. “I’m a simple man, Maddy. I can’t promise I won’t fail you at one time or another. But I can give you my word that I’ll never walk away from you, from us.”

  “Oh, Jake. I love you so much.” She raised her mouth to his, and he swallowed her sigh, then kissed her as if it might be for the very last time, vowing that every kiss he ever gave her would be as if it were their last. He would have kept on kissing her if not for the hand that clamped onto his shoulder.

  “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.”

  Jake glanced over his shoulder at the stern-faced man standing a few feet away.

  “Jake, I’d like you to meet my father, Richard Tate.”

  Jake shook hands with the older man. “Sir, you have my promise that I’ll do my best by your daughter.”

  “I believe you, young man. Now, I’d prefer you keep your hands off her until you’re officially married.”

  Jake noticed the twinkle in the man’s eyes but remained stone-faced. “Yes, sir.” He turned to those gathered around them. “Is there a preacher in the crowd?”

  Bible in hand, Reverend Thomas made his way through the crowd and slapped Jake on the back. He leaned forward and murmured, “I can feel Sara smiling down on you today, Jake.”

  Jake’s throat tightened as he stared at Maddy. A sudden sense of peace filled him, and at that instant he did believe Sara was happy for him. For Annie. Even for Maddy.

  The few words spoken by Reverend Thomas went right over Jake’s head as he lost himself in Maddy’s sparkling green eyes. “Jake Patrick Montgomery and Madeline Rose Tate, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  Cameras clicked and cheers of congratulations rose in the air, but Jake didn’t hear a thing, and he suspected neither did his bride. He was too busy kissing her, making a lifetime’s worth of promises with his mouth.

  “Jake?”

  “Ah, Jake?”

  “Jake, watch out!”

  At the urgent shout an inch from his ear, Jake growled against Maddy’s mouth and tore his lips from hers. “What!”

  Fifty fingers pointed toward the pasture, where Cyclone pawed the ground and snorted. Jake grinned at Maddy. “Showtime.”

  Maddy’s eyes rounded when the bull started charging. The crowd screamed and frantically waved hats and purses over the fence, trying to distract the nasty beast.

  Jake grabbed Maddy around the waist and gave one mighty yank. The gown’s train ripped away as he swung her up into his arms. Cyclone skidded into the barbed wire, but the fence held. He stuck his slobbery mouth through the wires, attempting to tug the torn material through.

  “Oh no you don’t. Not this time.” Madeline wiggled in Jake’s arms until he lowered her close enough that she could grab the other end of the material. A tug-of-war began between the bride and bull, with bets being placed and shouts of encouragement filling the air.

  “Help me, Jake!” Maddy cried when the bull gained an advantage.

>   He chuckled at the way his bride’s mouth thinned in determination, then he grabbed a handful of material and together they freed it from Cyclone’s mouth. Jake and Maddy laughed as the disgruntled bull stomped away without his prize.

  Annie tugged on Jake’s arm. “My dream came true, Daddy.”

  Jake set Maddy on the ground so she could hug Annie. “What dream, Annie girl?”

  “I got a real princess for a mommy.” Annie shyly stared up at Maddy’s father, then slipped her hand into his. “I’ve never had a grandpa.”

  Jake read the look of wonderment in his new father-in-law’s eyes. Annie’s new grandfather leaned over and picked her up. “I’ve never had a granddaughter.”

  “You haven’t?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  Annie’s eyes brightened.

  “I’m not sure what to do with a granddaughter. Can you help me?”

  Annie frowned in deep concentration, then her eyes widened and she blinked like an owl. “You can take her to Disney World!”

  All three adults burst out laughing and Jake hugged Maddy close to his side. The four of them were going to do just fine as a family.

  For the next half hour, he and Maddy smiled for the cameras and greeted their friends and neighbors. He wondered who the hell the old farts driving the motor homes were, but smiled just the same and thanked them for stopping by to offer their good wishes.

  Someone mentioned a wedding dinner at the café in town. Jake knew he wouldn’t have his barbed-wire bride to himself for several hours, but that was okay. He didn’t mind sharing her with others, as long as he could hold her in his arms at the end of each day and wake up to her smiling face on the pillow next to his each morning.

  ISBN: 978-1-4603-1105-9

  THE COWBOY AND THE BRIDE

  Copyright © 2004 by Brenda Smith-Beagley.

  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, Canada M3B 3K9.