3, 2, 1...Married!

by Sharon Sala

  Evie sniffed. “She had to be warned.”

  Hallie’s eyes widened perceptibly. “Warned? Why do I have to be warned?”

  “You can return them before you go. You don’t leave for a couple of days, yet,” Evie added.

  “Return what?” Hallie muttered.

  The sisters pulled their circle a little tighter. “The boots,” they hissed. “Mom picked them out. I swear to God, they look like they came off a clown.”

  Hallie groaned.

  A short while later, she was thankful for the warning. It was the only thing that kept the smile on her face when she opened the boot box. It wasn’t so much that they were red. Red cowboy boots were a little flashy, but she could have lived with the color. It was the silver tabs on the toes and white fringe around the top that stunned her. All she could think was, what in hell had my mother been thinking?

  She looked up, a wide smile on her face. “Mom! Dad! I don’t know what to say!”

  Moira smiled, pleased with herself. “See there, Sean. I told you she would like them!” Then she added, “Of course, if they don’t fit, you can exchange them. It’s a little risky buying shoes for someone, you know.”

  Hallie’s smile widened. There was her out. “Right! I sure don’t want an uncomfortable boot.”

  Sam slapped her on the back. “So, kiddo, when are you leaving?”

  Hallie looked around the room, sighing in silent defeat. The expectation on her loved ones faces was impossible to ignore. It might prove to be the biggest waste of her time she’d ever made, but she didn’t have it in her to disappoint them. Not when they’d gone to so much trouble and expense.

  “According to my ticket, day after tomorrow.”

  “Enough!” Moira suddenly announced. “Let’s cut the cake.”

  As the family began gravitating toward a three-layer banana cream cake on the sideboard, Dana leaned over and whispered in Hallie’s ear.

  “That doesn’t give you much time to exchange those damned boots.”

  “Trust me,” Hallie said. “I will find the time.”

  Jake Miracle lifted the glass of ice water to his mouth, drinking thirstily. It was twenty minutes after three in the afternoon and dark would come none too soon this day. He set the glass down with a thump, then took off his Stetson and combed his fingers through his hair, lightly massaging a knot of tight muscles at the back of his neck. He had the makings of a headache and as usual, he’d missed lunch. But these were small prices to pay for the solvency of his family home.

  Ten years ago, he and his brothers, Luke and John, had been facing bankruptcy after the untimely deaths of their parents. Luke had just turned sixteen and at fourteen, John had just begun his second year of high school.

  At twenty-five, Jake had been on his own for the better part of five years. His college was behind him. His job as a surveyor for the State of Utah was all that he’d hoped it would be. And then the unbelievable had happened. He’d gotten a frantic phone call from Luke and hopped the first plane he could get back to Dallas. The journey home had been hell. He’d alternated between disbelief that his parents—two vital, fun-loving people—could so swiftly cease to be. But they’d walked into a convenience store in the middle of a robbery and wound up the only victims. The robber had gotten $172 and a carton of cigarettes and then had been captured before he got out of the parking lot. The only casualties of the incident were Frank and Helen Miracle.

  For Jake, the ensuing month was pure chaos. Besides the fact that the ranch was in debt and his father’s bank account probably wouldn’t sustain them six months, child welfare had intruded with full intent of removing Luke and John from the home. That’s when Jake snapped. He insulted the caseworker, cussed the sheriff who’d come with her, and quit his job to stay home.

  That night, the Miracle brothers gathered at the kitchen table, a long-time problem-solving ritual, and began voicing ideas. It was John who came up with the idea first. Paying customers on a real Texas ranch. At first Jake had scoffed at the idea, claiming no one in their right mind would pay money to do something he’d worked so hard to escape. But the longer he thought of it, the more the idea grew. Long after the boys had gone to bed, he was up making lists and spreadsheets, figuring monetary outlay and necessary renovations. By morning, he had a plan.

  Now, the plan was ten years old and had been running in the black for almost eight of those years. And a strange thing had happened during the process. Along the way, he’d discovered how deep his roots ran in Texas soil.

  However, there were days, like this one, when the pressure of the guests got to him. Yes, he and his brothers had stayed on their family ranch. And no, child welfare had not taken them away, but they were paying a dear price. Every year, from April to October, they shared their home, their time and their lives with total strangers.

  Jake was settling his Stetson back on his head when the shrill peal of the ranch phone made him pause. The phone was little more than an intercom, but it connected the main house and office with every separate cabin and outbuilding on the ranch. It rang a second time and he wondered why the secretary hadn’t picked up, when he remembered she’d taken the afternoon off to take her daughter to the dentist. He grabbed it before it could ring again.

  “Office.”

  “Jake, it’s me, John! That Denison kid in cabin five let all the colts out. They’re heading in three directions at once. I need help.”

  “Call Shorty on the two-way. I just sent him to the canyon to set up the hayride. He can’t be far. And call Luke. He’ll have his radio with him. I think he’s in the machine shed working on a tractor. I’m on my way.”

  “Will do,” John said, and disconnected.

  Jake shoved his hat tight on his head and headed for the door. He was halfway out when he caught a glimpse of something pink from the corner of his eye, but was too late to stop his momentum. He collided face on with the person just entering.

  “I am so sorry,” he gasped, and grabbed at the kid before she could fall. He had a fleeting impression of big eyes and dark hair and a small, slender build. “Sorry to rush, but I’ve got an emergency. Go on inside, kid. Someone will be with you shortly.”

  Then he bolted off the porch and jumped into his truck. Moments later, he was headed toward the corrals in a cloud of dust.

  Still trying to catch her breath, Hallie watched his disappearance in disbelief. About all she’d seen was a man with big shoulders, tanned skin and a black cowboy hat. What was worse, she hadn’t exactly bowled him over. In fact, it had been the reverse.

  “Well, that was encouraging,” she muttered. “My sisters send me halfway across the country to meet men and the first one I see thinks I’m a kid.”

  With a backward glance at the disappearing pickup, she swatted at a fly buzzing about her nose and slipped into the office to wait. A short while later, a young woman came into the room on the run.

  “Hi, I’m Carol,” she said. “I’m sorry you had to wait. The regular secretary is out and all hell—” she hesitated at her choice of words and blushed “—and most of Jake’s colts just broke loose down at the barns. But if you will bear with me, I’m sure I can locate your reservation and get you moved into your cabin in no time.”

  Hallie smiled. The girl reminded her a little bit of her sister, Evie.

  “I have a reservation…Hallie O’Grady.”

  Carol’s smile widened. “Hello, Miss O’Grady. Welcome to Miracle Ranch. Now let’s get you to your cabin so you can settle in before night.”

  “What’s happening tonight?” Hallie asked.

  “An outdoor barbeque and barn dance. The food is great! The music is better! Do you know how to two-step?”

  Hallie shook her head.

  Carol grinned. “It won’t take those cowboys long to teach you. You’re going to love it.”

  A short while later, Hallie was settling into cabin number ten, unpacking her clothes and sipping on a cold soft drink she’d gotten from the cabin refrigerator. Her
itinerary for the two-week stay was on the table and there was a bounce to her step as she went from bed to closet and back again, hanging up her clothes. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she had a plan that did not include meeting a deadline.

  Over the hum of the window unit air conditioner, she heard a man shout, then the nicker of horses. Curious, she glanced out the window just in time to see a couple of cowboys with lassoes in the air, trying to catch some horses. It occurred to her then that this was the “hell” that Carol had spoken of. She grinned. It didn’t look all that serious, just terribly dusty. From where she was standing, she could see several guests watching and laughing, cheering the men on as they continued to round up the young colts. Moments later, she focused on one man in the middle of the dusty scramble and her heart skipped a beat. The broad shoulders. The black hat. It had to be the one who’d almost knocked her down. He was leading two colts with one hand and one with another, and there was a calmness about him in the midst of the mess that intrigued her. If that had been her father, he would have been cursing and ranting at the top of his voice, and everyone would have been scurrying to do his bidding.

  She leaned closer to the window, watching until the man disappeared from her view. Then she stepped back with a sigh and returned to her unpacking, reminding herself not to get too interested. He’d already put her in her place.

  As she emptied the last of her underclothes into the dresser, she paused and looked up, absently studying the unremarkable features on her face. Then she frowned and stuck out her tongue.

  “Quit trying to be something you’re not,” she told herself, and slammed the drawer shut with a thump. Then her gaze slid to her chest, and her slight, slender build. “And don’t sweat the small stuff, especially when it’s all you’ve got.”

  Chapter 2

  Hallie could smell the barbeque smoke from the porch of her cabin as she stepped outside. The faint strains of music were drifting through the air as she tucked her key in her pocket and followed the sounds. Before she’d gone far, she was joined by a middle-aged couple, and then a family of four. By the time they reached the barn, introductions had been made all around. The food smelled good—the raucous noise sounded better. It reminded her of O’Grady dinners.

  “Hey there, little lady,” someone said, and took her by the hand. “Welcome to Miracle Ranch.”

  She turned. The pair of smiling cowboys had to be brothers. The green eyes and teasing smiles were too similar to ignore.

  “Why, thank you,” she said. “Are you two the official welcoming committee?”

  They laughed. “You could say that,” one said. “I’m John Miracle. That poor ugly thing is my brother Luke.” Then he winked. “It’s too early for Christmas, so you can’t be the Christmas angel, but darlin’, you sure are a pretty thing, all the same.”

  Hallie stood with her mouth open, her eyes glittering with surprised delight. Then she threw back her head and laughed. It was a belly-roll of a sound that shattered the momentary silence between them.

  Both men wore sheepish grins, aware that their normal banter had not connected in quite the manner they had envisioned.

  “I don’t think she bought it, do you, Luke?”

  Luke Miracle grinned. “For once, little brother, I think you’re right.”

  Hallie was still chuckling as she held up her hands in a gesture of defeat.

  “Sorry, boys, but I’m Irish, and you’ll have to kiss a bigger Blarney stone before you can make me believe all of that.”

  Luke’s grin widened. “I hear you, Irish, but I’m thinkin’ it isn’t a Blarney stone you should be trustin’. This is Texas. Down here, we kiss women, not rocks.”

  Hallie laughed again, then let herself be led toward a massive buffet being laid across the room.

  Jake heard her laugh before he saw her face and the sound sent a shiver up the back of his spine. He looked up from the side of beef he’d been carving, searching for the owner. There was an anxiety inside him he didn’t recognize. It was almost as if he’d been listening for that sound all his life.

  He saw his brothers at the doorway. As usual, they had one of the young female guests cornered. All he could see was her back, but he had to admit his brothers seemed to have good taste. She wasn’t tall, but she was leggy, and what she did for a pair of jeans should have been illegal. He started to look away, when he heard the laughter again. It was then he realized it was coming from her.

  A lump formed in the back of his throat and he held his breath, watching as she began to turn. Black hair fanned as she pivoted. She looked vaguely familiar. When they started toward him, he tensed.

  “I’d like some well-done.”

  He jerked, then looked down at the short, heavy-set man in front of him.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?” he asked.

  The man held out his plate, pointing to the roast Jake was supposed to be carving.

  “The roast. I’d like a slice well-done, please.”

  “Coming up,” he muttered, and laid a slab on the man’s plate the size of his hand.

  By the time he looked up, he’d lost track of Luke and John, as well as the mysterious woman. Disappointment niggled. He wanted to see her close up—to hear her voice—and if by some great stroke of fortune—hear that wonderful laugh all over again.

  Then he frowned and gave himself a mental shakedown.

  Get hold of yourself, Miracle. She’s one of the guests, so she’s not going anywhere. Besides, you should know by now that nothing is ever as good as it looks.

  “Excuse me?”

  He looked up. It was her! She was standing before him with a plate in her hand and all he could think was, my God, her eyes are as dark as her hair. She kept looking at him. Waiting. Waiting. What the hell was he supposed to do?

  “Dang, Jake, are you going to make her beg for it?”

  Luke’s voice broke Jake’s concentration. He blinked, then slid a practiced glare at his younger brother.

  “What are you talking about?”

  Luke pointed to the carving knife and fork in Jake’s hand.

  “I think Miss O’Grady wants a piece of meat.”

  Jake’s focus shifted and he found himself locked into that dark, bottomless gaze again. O’Grady. Her name is O’Grady.

  “Miss O’Grady,” he said softly.

  “Please call me Hallie. Besides, I don’t think it’s necessary to be so formal, since we’ve already met.”

  His eyebrows knitted in a frown. “No, ma’am, I’m sure I would have remembered.”

  “On the porch…this afternoon. We sort of ran into each other.” Then she extended her plate again. “You called me kid.”

  He groaned beneath his breath. This was proof he’d been working too hard. The woman before him was as far from being a kid as he was, and packaged as neatly as any female he’d ever seen. Tiny waist, slender hips. She reminded him of a leggy colt. And her face. He couldn’t quit staring at the beautiful, exotic face.

  “Jake!”

  Again, his brothers’ voices turned his attention.

  “What?” he growled.

  They pointed toward the meat. He gritted his teeth, then slid a look at Hallie O’Grady.

  “How do you like it?” he asked.

  Hallie stared at his lips.

  “How do I like what?” she muttered.

  “The meat. How do you like your meat?”

  “Oh…um, well done, please, I suppose.”

  Jake angled the carving knife over the roast and started to slice.

  Luke elbowed John. John wiggled his eyebrows back at Luke.

  “Just give her some food, big brother. Luke and I will furnish the rest,” John said.

  Jake stopped in the middle of a cut and lifted his head. The look he gave Luke and John wiped the smiles off their faces.

  “I trust you are looking after our other guests as diligently?” he asked.

  They nodded.

  Jake laid a perfect slice
of beef on Hallie’s plate.

  “Miss O’Grady, I hope you enjoy your stay at Miracle Ranch.”

  Hallie shuddered, and made herself smile. “Thank you. I’m sure I shall.”

  She moved down the buffet, choosing bits and pieces of other dishes—anything to take her mind off what had just happened. By the time she found herself a seat, food was the last thing on her mind, although she managed to introduce herself to her table companions and ordered iced tea from a passing waitress.

  A short while later, she was still picking at the food on her plate when a hand touched her shoulder.

  “First dance is mine.”

  She turned, masking her disappointment when she realized it was Luke, and not his big brother Jake, who was asking her to dance.

  “I don’t know how to two-step,” she warned him.

  Luke grinned and winked. “Oh, that’s all right. I’m a real good teacher.”

  Hallie grinned back. This kind of sexual banter was easy to handle.

  “Now, why does that not surprise me?”

  Luke laughed as he pulled her to her feet.

  Moments later, he had her out on the dance floor, taking her through the motions.

  Jake watched from the sidelines, his gut in a knot. When she looked up at Luke, his breath caught in his throat. And when something Luke said made her laugh, he unconsciously doubled his fists. Stunned that he was reacting so strongly to a woman he didn’t even know, he pivoted sharply and walked out of the barn, getting lost in the dark Texas night.

  Hallie woke abruptly. Still locked in the dream she’d been having, she turned toward the door, expecting to see Jake Miracle standing there. Only after she realized she was alone in her cabin, did she begin to relax.

  It was morning.

  She lay there, absorbing the quiet and staring through the parted curtains to a clear, sunny sky. The leaves on the tree outside her window were turning. Every now and then, one would give way and fall, drifting toward the ground like a bird with a broken wing. Outside, a car horn honked and someone yelled a response. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but she knew that the business of the day was already in hand.