Unbridled

by Diana Palmer

  When she came to, Tonio was holding her hand and John was sitting on the sofa beside her, bathing her face with a cold, wet cloth.

  “You have to see a doctor,” John said firmly. “You need special vitamins and checkups and things so we can have a healthy baby.”

  “Gosh, that’s so cool,” Tonio exclaimed. “I won’t be an only child anymore!”

  Sunny smiled at him. “I’m so happy,” she said, and choked up.

  “It’s the baby,” John said indulgently. “Hormones.”

  “I read about hormones in school,” Tonio volunteered. His eyebrows arched. “Would you like some ice cream and dill pickles?”

  Sunny burst out laughing. “No, but I wouldn’t say no to a nice cup of black coffee.”

  “Decaf,” John said. “Not the strong stuff. I’ll make it...”

  “You will not. I’ll make it,” Adele said from the kitchen. She’d been eavesdropping. She came in, leaned over and hugged Sunny. “A baby in the house! I can hardly wait! My sons are too big to be hugged, they say. I’m Adele.”

  “I’m Sunny,” she replied, returning the hug. “You can hold the baby any time you like,” she added with a tearful smile.

  “If you can get around me,” John teased. “I love babies. I used to give him his bottle when his mama was sick. He was a sweet baby. He grew into a brave boy,” he added, and Tonio beamed.

  “I am so dumbfounded,” Sunny said, breathless as she looked around her. “Tonio told me his father was always working.”

  “I am,” John confessed sheepishly. “I get called out all hours. I’d always go, because we had married Rangers with babies and I covered for them. Not anymore,” he chuckled. “Now I’ll have one of my own and somebody can cover for me!”

  “All this time,” Sunny said as she sat up and Adele went to work in the kitchen. She looked from Tonio to John. “I never knew you two were related.”

  “I couldn’t tell you,” Tonio said sadly. “I was afraid you’d tell him about David if you knew who he was. And I couldn’t tell him about David because I was afraid he’d make me stay away from him.”

  “Secrets,” Sunny said, shaking her head. “How’s the video game?” she asked suddenly.

  “It’s great! I play it all the time.”

  “That new one?” John wondered. He sat down beside Sunny and linked his fingers with hers. “I wondered where you got it.”

  “Admit it. You thought I’d lifted it from a shop,” Tonio teased.

  “No,” John said, smiling indulgently. “My son wouldn’t steal. He’s above such things.”

  Tonio flushed with pride. “Thanks, Dad.” He plopped down on the other side of Sunny. “So when are we getting married?”

  John chuckled. “We’ll get the license first thing in the morning. There’s a seventy-two-hour waiting period, but I can get a judge to waive that,” he said easily. “So day after tomorrow. That will give us time to outfit your new mother in a spiffy wedding gown. We’ll get one from our local designer, Marcella. She does couture stuff for a design house that belongs to one of Tippy Grier’s friends in New York City.”

  “A designer gown? But, John,” Sunny protested, worried about the expense.

  “We own a thoroughbred horse stud in Argentina,” he said, surprising his son. “I used to drive a new Jaguar sports car, every year, before I married your mother,” he told the boy. “We both agreed that you should grow up as normally as possible, so we dressed you out of department stores and never put you in private schools.”

  “Jaguars,” Tonio said, with wide eyes. “Horse stud. Argentina.” He was spellbound.

  “You’re not to let it go to your head,” John said firmly.

  Tonio crossed his heart. “Sure. But you have to promise me a Jaguar sports car when I graduate from college,” he added mischievously.

  “Done,” John chuckled.

  * * *

  Dinner was a boisterous affair. Sunny had never felt so much a part of a family, not since she lost her own.

  “It’s magic here,” she told John while they sat in the living room, after Adele had gone home and Tonio was immersed in the video game Sunny had given him for Christmas. “I love this house. And Adele’s so sweet!”

  “Her husband is just as nice as she is.” He kissed her softly, his black eyes full of love. “I hope you don’t want to stop at one child,” he teased.

  She smiled under his mouth. “No, I don’t,” she whispered back.

  He drew her across his lap and kissed her hungrily. But suddenly she caught her breath and looked green. “I’m so sorry, but...!”

  He anticipated what was coming. He carried her quickly down the hall to his bedroom and put her down inside the bathroom. She barely made it in time. He stayed with her, brushing back her long hair, whispering soft words. When she was finished, he gave her mouthwash in a cup and helped her rinse out her mouth. Then he carried her to bed and laid her on the coverlet.

  “No way are you going back to your apartment,” he said firmly. “Not in this condition.”

  “But, John,” she began.

  “He’s right,” Tonio said, coming into the room. “Sorry,” he said with a smile. “I heard the commotion and came to see if I could help. You have to stay here, Sunny, where we can take care of you when you’re sick.”

  “See?” John added with a smile toward his son. “You’re outvoted. Majority wins.”

  “But I don’t even have a nightgown,” she protested.

  “I can fix that.” John pulled out his cell phone and punched in numbers. “Adele? Sunny’s too sick to go back to a lonely apartment, can you loan her a gown? Yes. Sure. Thanks!”

  John hung up. “She’ll bring you one. Luckily you’re about the same size,” he teased.

  She bit her lip and tears ran down her cheeks at the affection she saw on her men’s faces. “You’re so sweet... Oh, dear...” She was up and running for the bathroom.

  John turned to Tonio as he started to follow her. “Pregnant women 101,” he said. “An educational experience.”

  Tonio burst out laughing as he followed his father to the bathroom. “It’s okay, Sunny, we’re here! We’ll save you!”

  She made a reply but it was lost in a burst of nausea.

  * * *

  Nausea notwithstanding, they went the next morning early to get a marriage license. John had taken a day off work, and notified his lieutenant that as soon as he could talk to a judge about waiving the waiting period, they were en route to Jacobsville, where Marcella had a wedding gown in Sunny’s size. Father Eduardo was going to marry them. Sunny had taken two sick days as well.

  “You’ll love Father Eduardo,” he told Sunny after they obtained the license, and got a judge to waive the seventy-two-hour waiting period. They were on the way to Jacobsville, to Marcella’s Boutique. “He’s got a big heart. He and Hollister used to run together, in the old days.”

  “He was a mercenary?” Sunny asked, shocked.

  “A good one, from what I hear. He’s even better at handling gang violence.” And then he related the story he’d been told about the priest who was attacked by seven of Los Diablos Lobitos and put several of them in the hospital.

  “Wow,” she said softly.

  He chuckled. “Not your usual priest.” He glanced at her hungrily. “My own nurse, with my own little cowboy right under her heart,” he whispered. “You can’t imagine how that excites me.”

  Her hand tightened in his. “I’m sorry I’m such a sick mess right now.”

  “You’ll get better,” he promised. “Morning sickness doesn’t last forever. Honest.”

  “I do hope you’re right.”

  “You’ll see,” he said easily.

  * * *

  The gown Marcella had in stock was one she’d designed for another client, who backed out of her wedd
ing at the last minute and ran off with another man. It was a symphony of white lace with delicate pastel embroidery in the hem and the fingertip veil. It fit Sunny like a glove, and when she stared, spellbound into the mirror, she saw a pretty woman who looked as if she owned the world. It was a shame that she couldn’t let John see her in it, but she was just superstitious enough not to.

  “You’ll be the most beautiful bride ever,” Marcella teased as she put the gown delicately into a carrier.

  “She already is,” John said huskily, as he joined them and handed Marcella his credit card.

  Sunny was lost for words. She pressed close against John’s side, so much in love and so happy that she couldn’t even express it in words. But he knew. He was feeling the same things she was, the wonder of being in love and being loved in return.

  * * *

  They drove back to her apartment. She changed into her gown and he left to go to the church. By the time she was dressed, Colter Banks was in the living room, ready to drive Sunny to Father Eduardo’s church. That had been agreed on earlier, since Sunny wouldn’t let John see her in the dress before the wedding. Lieutenant Avery, who was giving her away, was also en route. Banks would serve as best man. But at the last minute, John caved in and phoned Hollister to invite him to the wedding. Hollister was amused, because he could still hear traces of jealousy in John’s deep voice. But he agreed to come. He’d always been fond of Sunny. He was happy that things had worked out for the two of them.

  He was surprised to find Tonio in the seats on the groom’s side of the interior. Several nurses, including Merrie York, and a few off-duty residents and interns, were also sitting together on Sunny’s side.

  Hollister slid into the pew beside Tonio. “What are you doing here?” he teased. “I thought you’d be on the bride’s side over there.”

  “I’m on my dad’s side,” Tonio replied, grinning.

  “Your dad?”

  Tonio nodded and pointed to John, who was standing at the altar, waiting for the music to begin. “My dad.”

  “Oh, good lord,” Hollister said, remembering his conversations with Tonio. “I never knew who your dad was. Well, you come from good people.”

  “Thanks. Sunny’s going to be my mom. It’s like a dream come true,” he added, beaming.

  “I can imagine.”

  The music interrupted any further comments. The “Wedding March” played on the pipe organ, while Sunny came down the aisle on Lieutenant Avery’s arm. As Tonio looked back, he noticed some burly, unsmiling men in expensive suits, including one big one who had a little blonde woman and a toddler with him, and, across from them, some boys in gang colors. Serpientes! Friends of the priest, Tonio imagined, who were there just in case any of the wolves showed up to cause trouble. What a mixture, Tonio thought, laughing inwardly.

  Father Eduardo smiled as the lieutenant turned Sunny over to John and sat down. Colter Banks stood beside John, as best man. Merrie York joined Sunny as maid of honor. The ceremony began.

  Tonio watched with delight, as his father married the nicest woman he’d ever known, besides his own mother.

  * * *

  The priest pronounced them man and wife. John raised her veil solemnly and kissed Sunny with aching tenderness. They smiled at each other as if they were the only two people who’d ever been in love. In the audience, Tonio beamed. So did Hollister.

  As they made their way to the back of the church, the big man in the expensive suit stepped out into the aisle.

  Sunny, who recognized him, stopped to introduce her husband to the big man, who was her landlord.

  “John, this is Marcus Carrera,” she said. “His wife, Delia, is from Jacobsville.”

  “It’s an honor,” John said, shaking the big man’s hand. “Thank you for being so kind to Sunny.”

  “She’s easy to be kind to,” came the reply. Carrera smiled. “Money’s no good if you can’t do useful things with it.”

  “My thought exactly,” John said, without elaborating. Later, his wife and son would discover that he funded scholarships at several colleges and helped fund many outreach programs at local hospitals and churches.

  “I hope you’ll be as happy as we are,” Delia said, smiling as she jostled her son on her hip. “You just need one of these to make your marriage perfect,” she added teasingly.

  “Oh, we’re already there,” John said, pulling Sunny close. “Just a few more months,” he added. “It’s like Christmas already.”

  “I know the feeling,” Marcus said. “Be happy. If you ever need help, I’ll be around.”

  “Thanks,” John said, and Sunny echoed the sentiment.

  Merrie York came up to hug them both on her way out, standing beside Colter Banks. “Congratulations. I know you’re going to be happy.”

  “Yes, we are,” Sunny said. “We’re going to wait on our honeymoon, so I’ll see you day after tomorrow,” she added.

  “I’ll see you,” Merrie replied with a smile.

  Banks watched her go. “She’s nice,” he said.

  “Her whole family’s nice,” Sunny replied. “Her brother has a ranch in Jacobsville.”

  “Well, Mrs. Ruiz, ready to go home?” John asked with a grin.

  She pressed against his side. “More than ready. Tonio, I wish you could come, too.”

  “I’ll be along after school,” Tonio replied, hugging Sunny. “It was nice of the principal to let me out for the wedding.”

  “It was, indeed. We’ll drop you by on the way home. Maybe we can talk to the principal in Jacobsville about getting you reinstated next year,” he added.

  “Not until after soccer season’s over,” Tonio protested. “I’m going to be a star!”

  “He is pretty good,” John said.

  “I imagine he’s good at anything he wants to do,” Sunny said with an affectionate smile. “I love having a son of my very own,” she added softly.

  Tonio fought a lump in his throat. “I love having a mom of my very own,” he replied after a second.

  “Will you two stop before I start bawling?” John grumbled. “Imagine that, if anybody sees me, a grown Texas Ranger with tears rolling down his face? We’d be disgraced!”

  “Sorry, Dad,” Tonio said.

  “Sorry, John,” Sunny added. But she grinned from ear to ear. She knew that John was fighting some strong emotions of his own.

  “That’s all right, then,” he said. He smiled indulgently.

  * * *

  They dropped Tonio off at school and went home to a blessedly empty house. An hour later, they were draped over each other in a damp, spent tangle.

  “Better than ever,” he whispered huskily.

  “Much better than ever,” she agreed, stretching and wincing. It had been a rather overly enthusiastic coming together, and she was sore. She laughed. “It just gets better and better.”

  “Yes, it does.” He pulled her over and kissed her softly. He brushed back her tangled hair. “Have I mentioned that I’m crazy about you?”

  “Several times. Did I mention that I’m also crazy about you?”

  He nodded. “Several times.”

  She drew in a long breath. “I feel like I’ve come home.”

  “Me, too.” He wrapped her up tight. “I’m sleepy.”

  “I’m sleepy, too.”

  They dozed off.

  * * *

  “Mom? Dad?”

  There was knocking on the locked bedroom door. Loud knocking.

  John came awake at once, attuned to sudden interruptions. “Tonio?”

  “Can you come out?” Tonio called. “I have a surprise!”

  John kissed Sunny awake. “Our son has a surprise,” he teased.

  “Oh. Of course.” She got up, nude, looked around at her beautiful wedding dress and her underthings draped over a chair and made
a sudden realization. “John, I have no clothes!”

  He looked at her with sated passion. “I suppose we have to dress you in something. Okay. I have an idea.”

  He pulled out a pair of jeans that were too small for him and a thick flannel shirt. His eyebrows arched as he handed them to her hesitantly.

  She burst out laughing. “They’ll do. But we have to go back to San Antonio and get my clothes tomorrow, okay?”

  He had some shopping in mind, but he didn’t tell her. “Okay.”

  She dressed quickly and they went out into the living room. Tonio called from the kitchen. They went in, and their faces brightened. Adele had made a wedding cake. An elegant, beautiful cake, with a bride and groom on top. Beside the cake, there were covered dishes of every sort.

  “People have been bringing food for the past hour,” Adele said, grinning at them. “But I made the cake. There are cards and flowers from so many people,” she added, shaking her head. “You’d think the President just got married here!”

  Sunny and John exchanged delighted looks. “I don’t think we even know this many people,” he said when he saw the stack of cards on the table.

  “How sweet of them!” Sunny exclaimed.

  “We could take wedding pictures, but,” John said worried, noting how poor Sunny was dressed.

  She hugged him. “I’ll have real clothes tomorrow. We can take them then. It’s okay. Honest.”

  He shook his head. “Adele, thank you.”

  “You’re most welcome.” She had a mischievous look. “You need something borrowed and blue for the wedding, even if I missed it because of my doctor’s appointment. You come with me and I’ll provide both,” she told Sunny.

  And she did. Sunny had her wedding photos with John taken in a beautiful borrowed blue shirtwaist dress with all the appropriate underthings, while her new son stood by and watched with loving eyes.

  Their new baby, Rafael Wesley Ruiz, was born several months later. A daughter, Angelica, followed the next year. And they did live, all of them, happily ever after.

  * * * * *

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