by R. C. Ryan
They drank before Matt refilled their tumblers.
Great One’s voice was strong as he lifted his glass. “Here’s to love. It’s the glue that binds us all.”
They drank again.
Matt turned to his uncle. “And here’s to Colin, the last holdout. Let’s drink to some of that glue sticking to him.”
With a chorus of laughter, they all drank.
Lily, wearing a frilly dress of pale orchid, came dashing up the hill. She was out of breath as she announced, “Ingrid says Reverend Townsend is here.”
As the men turned away, Reed offered his arm to Great One.
“You look happy, sonny boy.”
Reed laughed. “Happy is too tame a word, Great One. Right now I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”
When they reached the ranch house, Reed left Great One in the kitchen, chatting with Yancy, while he signaled for Kyle to follow him.
“Where are we going?”
“Upstairs, to see your mama.”
Kyle’s eyes rounded. “Lily said we weren’t allowed upstairs before the wedding.”
“Is that so?” Reed winked. “Don’t quote me, but some rules were meant to be broken. Come on.” He caught the boy’s hand, and the two of them climbed the stairs.
Outside Ally’s room, Reed knocked on the door and the sound of feminine laughter inside faded.
The door opened a crack, and Nessa peered around. “Is it time to go?”
“It is.”
The door closed. Moments later it opened and Nessa, Ingrid, and Grace stepped out, looking flushed and happy.
As Reed started into the room, Ingrid caught his arm. “No. Wait. You can’t see the bride until—”
Seeing the determination in his eyes, she stepped away, calling, “Ally. There are two eager gentlemen here to see you.”
As the women descended the stairs, Ally called, “Come in.”
Reed and Kyle stepped inside and then stopped, staring at the vision in an old-fashioned white dress with a high lace dog-collar, long, tapered sleeves, and a scalloped hemline that fell to her ankles.
Reed shook his head. “You look like a picture in my grandmother’s album.”
“That’s because this is Gram Gracie’s wedding gown.” She stared down at herself as though she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. “When she first offered it, I said I didn’t feel I should. But then I admitted that it was gorgeous and told her I’d love to wear it, and she and I both cried.” Her lips quivered. “I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.”
“Maybe this will dry your tears.” Reed nudged Kyle, and the little boy brought his hand from behind his back to present her with a lovely nosegay of white roses.
“Oh.” She lifted them to her face to hide a rush of fresh tears.
Lily poked her head in the door. “Great One said you’re holding up the show.”
Reed laughed and offered Ally his arm, while Kyle moved to her other side and did the same.
The three of them walked down the stairs together and found Great One, looking elegant in one of his many custom-tailored tuxedos from another era, waiting impatiently.
Reed pressed a kiss to her cheek before whispering, “Kyle and I will see you in the yard.”
When they walked away, Great One stared at Ally, blinking furiously. His famous voice sounded strained. “I’ve seen that dress before.”
“It was Gram Gracie’s.”
He nodded. “But I only got to see it in pictures. I was such an arrogant prig, I never made it to her wedding to Frank.” He offered his arm. “Now I get to do what I was too foolish to do for my own daughter. And that makes you my other daughter.”
As she tucked her arm through his, he leaned close. “Welcome to our family, Allison Shaw. I hope you know how much we all love you.”
“It can’t be more than I love all of you.” To the strains of a guitar playing a tender love song, with Lily walking in front of them, she began to walk with Great One, down the porch and into a day filled with sunshine.
In the crowd she saw Dot and Barb Parker, heads bent, gathering as much gossip as they could for those who couldn’t be here. Every little detail would be repeated a dozen times or more by the end of the day. Ally nodded and smiled as she walked past Gert and Teddy Gleason, Clay Olmsted, Trudy Evans, Gemma and Jeremy, and so many of the citizens of Glacier Ridge who were delighted to be invited to this grand event at the Malloy ranch.
When they reached the preacher, Great One kissed Ally’s cheek before placing her hand on Reed’s. Her other hand was caught firmly by Kyle, who looked up at his mother with shining eyes.
With Matt and Nessa and Luke and Ingrid standing on either side of them as witnesses, Reed and Ally spoke their vows.
Afterward they accepted the warm wishes and embraces of friends and family before leading them to the tables groaning under the weight of enough food to feed the entire town.
There were toasts to the bride and groom and dancing to the music of a little country band of musicians from Glacier Ridge.
As the family stood in a circle watching the activities, Gemma and Jeremy hurried over to catch Ally’s hand.
The two young people were beaming as Gemma said, “I still can’t believe you’re going to let us live in your new upstairs apartment and run your business.”
Ally laughed. “It’s your business now. But you’ll have to pay me rent.”
Gemma leaned close and hugged her. “You’re too generous, Ally. Nobody’s ever given us something so fine.”
Ally squeezed her hands. “I’d know a thing or two about generous people. The Malloy family taught me a lesson I’ll never forget.”
When they walked away, the others fell silent as Great One said, “Well done, girl.”
Ally flushed. “Thank you. I’m just paying it forward.”
“It was a brilliant idea. You said yourself Gemma is a natural in retail. And those two young people will never forget your kindness. You’ve given them a future.”
Ally turned to indicate Kyle and Lily dancing and having the time of their lives, surrounded by so many good neighbors. “There’s the future. My heart has never felt this light. As if the weight of the world has suddenly shifted.”
“It has for me, too. Speaking of the future…” Reed gathered her close and pressed his mouth to a tangle of hair at her temple. “I told Kyle he could spend the night with Lily. Ingrid promised them popcorn and a movie.”
“What about us?”
He gave her that rogue smile that had her heart dancing. “I thought it was time for you to see where I spend so much of my time. It’s a little shack in the hills.”
“A shack? On our wedding night?”
He gave a rumble of laughter. “City girl, it’s time you see just how we cowboys rough it out there on the range. Now don’t you worry. We have an indoor bathroom and shower. And to make you comfortable, I’ve asked Burke to have one of the wranglers deliver some champagne and a couple of steaks for the grill.”
“All of that for poor little me?”
He chuckled. “I may have been thinking of my own comfort, too. But at least you’ll get the flavor of a cowboy’s life.”
She lifted herself on tiptoe to brush his mouth with hers and felt the quick sizzle of heat along her spine. “I wouldn’t care if we had nothing more than a blanket and the cold ground, as long as you were with me.”
The hungry look he gave her said more than words.
“Come on, wife. Dance with me.” He brushed his lips over hers before leading her into the circle of friends. “And pray our guests leave soon, so I can start enjoying my very own family.”
Family.
She’d come to Montana desperate to connect with her last remaining family member. Instead, she’d found so much more than she ever could have imagined. This rowdy, amazing, diverse family. And though she’d thought she had nothing in common with them, she had what mattered. Love. Despite their differences, they were bound by a deep and
abiding love for one another. Not the kind of needy love she’d come seeking, but the steady, rock-solid love she’d discovered in this man. Her husband. Reed Malloy. The love of her life.
Lily and Yancy’s 7-layer Strawberry Cream Torte Recipe
Torte
4 cups granulated sugar
6 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup canola oil
6 large egg whites
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups whole milk
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F, butter 4 round cake pans, and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
Whisk together the wet ingredients in a smaller mixing bowl.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Divide the batter evenly between cake pans (8 inch) and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Allow the cakes to set for 10 minutes in pans before inverting onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
Or
If you prefer, use two boxes of your favorite white cake mix to fill four layer pans.
When completely cool, use a sharp, serrated knife to smoothly slice each cake into two thinner layers. Set each layer aside after wiping clean of crumbs.
Note: This will give you 8 layers, but since these are fragile, if one falls apart, you will have a backup. A good cook always plans for an emergency.
Beginning with the bottom layer, and continuing to the top, spread each layer with buttercream frosting.
Buttercream Frosting
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Directions
In a stand mixer, whisk or mix the sugar and butter on low speed until blended, then on high speed for 3 minutes.
Add the vanilla and the cream and continue to mix for 1 minute. Note: Add more cream if needed to make the frosting spread easily.
Spread buttercream frosting atop each layer, allowing some to drift down the edge and sides. When all layers are frosted, add a cup of whole or sliced fresh strawberries for garnish on the top layer.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or strawberry-vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy.
Yancy and Lily will be proud of your accomplishment. So will you and your family.
Also by R. C. Ryan
Montana Legacy
Montana Destiny
Montana Glory
Quinn
Josh
Jake
The Maverick of Copper Creek
The Rebel of Copper Creek
The Legacy of Copper Creek
Matt
Luke
A Cowboy’s Christmas Eve (available as an e-novella)
RAVES FOR R. C. RYAN’S NOVELS
LUKE
“Ryan creates vivid characters against the lovingly rendered backdrop of sweeping Montana ranchlands. The passion between Ryan’s protagonists, which they keep discreet, is tender and heartwarming. The plot is drawn in broad strokes, but Ryan expertly brings it to a satisfying conclusion.”
—Publishers Weekly
MATT
“Ryan has created a gripping love story fraught with danger and lust, pain and sweet, sweet triumph.”
—Library Journal starred review
“Ryan, aka author Ruth Ryan Langan, takes it to the next level in the first book of her new Malloys of Montana series…Fans know that hot Montana men are Ryan/Langan’s specialty (the McCords series, anyone?), so get cozy in your favorite reading nook and enjoy!”
—B&N Reads Blog
“Beguiling…Touching and romantic, Ryan’s portrayal of a city slicker falling for a cowboy delves into the depths of each of their personalities to find common ground in their love for the land. Readers will eagerly anticipate future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly
“4 stars!!! With tough, sexy cowboys set against the beautiful, rural landscape of Montana, Ryan’s latest is a must-read.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE LEGACY OF COPPER CREEK
“Solidly written romance. Rich, layered, vulnerable characters in Whit and Cara, coupled with strong chemistry and intense heat between them, proves Ryan does the contemporary Western love story well.”
—RT Book Reviews
“If you’re looking to lose yourself in a fictional family that will steal your heart and pull you into the thick of things, this is the book for you. Copper Creek is where a wayward soul can find a home and have all their dreams come true.”
—MommysaBookWhore.com
THE REBEL OF COPPER CREEK
“A winner. Ryan writes with a realism that brings readers deep into the world she’s created. The characters all have an authenticity that touches the heart.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK
“Ryan’s storytelling is tinged with warmth and down-to-earth grit. Her authentic, distinctive characters will get to the heart of any reader. With a sweet plot infused with family love, a fiery romance, and a bit of mystery, Ryan does not disappoint.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Full of sexy cowboys and a Western feel that is undeniable…A well-written, fun story that I really enjoyed.”
—NightOwlReviews.com
JAKE
“A must-read…cozy enough to make you want to venture into the wild West and find yourself a cowboy…And if you haven’t read a Western romance before, R. C. Ryan is where you should start.”
—ReviewsbyMolly.com
“Wonderful characters who quickly find a way into your heart…a glorious picture of the West from one of my favorite authors.”
—FreshFiction.com
JOSH
“There’s plenty of hot cowboys, action, and romance in this heady mix of a series that will leave you breathless.”
—Parkersburg News and Sentinel (WV)
“A powerfully emotional tale that will connect with readers…Love a feel-good cowboy romance with a touch of suspense? Then pick up Josh.”
—RomRevToday.com
QUINN
“Ryan takes readers to Big Sky country in a big way with her vivid visual dialogue as she gives us a touching love story with a mystery subplot. The characters, some good and one evil, will stay with you long after the book is closed.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Engaging…Ryan paints a picturesque image of the rugged landscape and the boisterous, loving, close-knit Conway family.”
—Publishers Weekly
After a two-week business trip, Matt Malloy only wants to put on a pair of jeans and ride his horse up to the cabin for some alone time. The last thing he needs is a big-city lawyer invading his privacy—even if she is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen…
An excerpt from Matt follows.
Chapter One
Rome, Italy—Present Day
A limousine glided toward the sleek, private jet parked on the tarmac of Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. The uniformed driver hurried around to open the door as two men exited.
Matt Malloy extended a handshake. “Thank you for your hospitality, Vittorio. And please thank your lovely wife for the tour of her family’s vineyards. That was a bonus I hadn’t expected. Tell Maria I hope I didn’t overstay my welcome.”
The handsome, white-haired man gave a vigorous shake of his head. “You know how much we enjoy your company, Matthew. The vineyard was all Maria’s idea. She said to expect a case of her family’s finest wine in time for your summer holidays. You do take a holiday from ranching, don’t you?”
Matt chuckled. “Ranchers like to say our only day off is our funeral.”
“Do not say that, even in jest.” The older man shook his head before closing
a big hand over Matt’s shoulder. “It is always a pleasure doing business with you, my friend.”
“The pleasure is mine.” After a final handshake, Matt turned away and greeted the crew at the bottom of the steps before ascending to the plane’s interior.
Within minutes the steps had been lifted and the hatch secured; then the pilot announced their departure.
As soon as they reached their required altitude, Matt unbuckled and retreated to the small bedroom in the rear of the aircraft. When he returned to the cabin, he had already shed his suit and tie and replaced them with denims, a comfortable flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows, and a pair of well-worn Western boots. Just as easily he shed the attitude of a worldly, successful businessman and became once again a rancher, a man of the soil, eager to return to the life he loved.
Matt leaned over the shoulder of his pilot as the plane cast its shadow on the vast herds darkening the hills below. “Now there’s a sight I never grow tired of.”
“Can’t say I blame you.” Rick Fairfield, with his trim build and graying hair cut razor short, could never be mistaken for anything but a former military pilot. He adjusted his mirrored sunglasses. “After nearly three weeks out of the country, it’s got to be a good feeling to be home again.” He glanced at Stan Novak in the copilot’s seat. “Let’s bring this baby down.”
Matt returned to the cabin and fastened his seat belt for landing. A short time later, after thanking the crew, he deposited his luggage in the bed of a truck that stood idling beside the small runway and climbed into the passenger seat.
