by Bobbi Smith
"Do you, Michael Donovan, take this woman, Cassandra Turner, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, until death do you part?"
"I do," Michael said, his voice deep and certain.
"The ring," Reverend Harris urged him.
Michael took Casey's hand. He slipped the wedding band that went with his grandmother's engagement ring on her finger, claiming her as his for all eternity.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife," the minister concluded. "What the Lord has joined together, let no man put asunder. Michael, you may kiss your bride."
Anne came to Casey's side and helped her lift her veil, then stepped away.
Michael smiled down at Casey as he took her in his arms for a chaste, cherishing kiss, right there before God and everybody.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Michael Donovan," Reverend Harris announced.
The music began again.
Michael glanced to his parents and gave them a quick smile as he started to escort Casey down the aisle. She stopped him, though, and went to kiss her father one more time. Michael shook hands with Jack. Then Casey went to Elizabeth and Frank and kissed them, too.
"Welcome to our family, Cassandra," Elizabeth told her, smiling brightly at her new daughter-in-law.
"Thank you for everything," Casey said feelingly.
She turned back to Michael, and they made their way down the aisle and out of the church into the bright sunlight.
Anne was smiling as she stood with Nick, watching Casey and Michael greet everyone as they filed out of the church.
"The wedding was so romantic," she sighed. "I would never have dreamed they would end up together, but I think they're going to be very happy."
"I hope so."
Anne had hesitated to bring up the subject, but she couldn't avoid asking him any longer. "Will you be going home now?"
"Soon, I guess. I'll have to talk to Michael about it, but things have settled down enough that I think he'll be all right without me."
Anne was usually a very self-possessed young woman. She was never forward or too outspoken, but at that moment, she couldn't help herself. "I won't be all right without you."
Nick glanced down at her, caught off guard by her remark. "You won't?"
"No, I won't."
Before he could say more, Anne was called away to talk with some of the townsfolk.
Anne realized she'd said too much, but she didn't care. In the short time she'd known Nick, she'd found herself falling desperately in love with him. She knew it was crazy. They had known each other only a matter of weeks, but there was something special about him that touched her in a way no other man ever had.
Now that the wedding was over, Nick would soon be gone unless she could find a way to make him stay.
The reception was held in the church hall. Elizabeth had taken care of all the arrangements, and everything went perfectly.
The music began, and Michael escorted Casey to the center of the dance floor and took her in his arms. Everyone looking on as Michael twirled her around the room thought they made a most handsome couple and that they were completely and utterly in love.
John sat at a table watching them dance. He realized now that the hope he'd held on to until the very last that Casey would come to her senses had been ridiculous. His opportunity to acquire the Bar T by marriage was over, but he still had Jack's bank loans to consider. Glancing around, he saw Allen Foster across the room, and he walked over to him.
"Foster, I need to talk with you," John declared.
"Of course," the banker said. He made his excuses to the people he was with and went to speak with John.
They moved off to a more private area.
"What is it, John?"
"I know you gave Turner more time, but I want you to revoke that extension and call in the loans on the Bar T Monday," he said coldly. He planned to move in as quickly as possible to claim the ranch.
"I can't do that," Allen answered reluctantly.
"The hell you can't! You work for me!" John snarled. "You'll do what I tell you to do."
"I know I work for you, but I can't call in the loans. Frank Donovan paid them off this morning. He has the paperwork to give to Jack Turner."
"Donovan did what?"
"He paid off every cent that Jack owed. The Bar T is free and clear of debt."
"What good are you to me?" John swore viciously under his breath. "Get out of my sight!"
Forcing himself to appear calm, John mingled for a few minutes longer, then left the reception. His mood was too black to continue smiling at people he couldn't stand.
Casey and Michael made the rounds of the hall, greeting their guests and thanking them for attending. More than once, someone remarked on how surprised he or she was that the two of them had married and that their parents seemed to be getting along. Reverend Harris remarked that it proved prayer really did work.
Jack was sitting at the same table as Elizabeth and Frank. Now that the wedding had taken place, he felt that a great weight had been taken off his shoulders. He watched Casey with Michael and knew she would be safe from now on no matter what happened to him.
"Frank?"
Frank looked over at him. "What?"
"I want to thank you for convincing Michael to go along with my plan. I think everything will be all right now."
"You're right. It will be. Here." Frank took the papers Allen Foster had given him out of his pocket and handed them to Jack. "This is Casey's wedding present from us."
Jack unfolded the papers and read them. When he looked up at his former adversary, his expression was strained. "I never thought I'd say this, but you are a man of your word. Thank you."
"Whether we like it or not, we're family now, Turner."
Jack gave a short laugh. "You're right. We are."
Both men looked back at their children.
"Shall we dance again?" Michael invited his new bride. He knew it was almost time to leave, and he wanted to enjoy one last dance with her before they departed, for once they left, everything was going to change between them.
"I'd love to," Casey accepted.
The wonder of the melody and the pleasure of being in Michael's arms swept through Casey and left her smiling. For just this period of time, she could pretend that Michael did truly care about her and that their marriage was a real one. It was a fine fantasy, but she knew it couldn't last. He had agreed to the marriage for business reasons only.
Casey thought of the night to come and wondered what they were going to do about their sleeping arrangements. With only one bedroom in the house, she wasn't sure where she would be spending the night. She decided this was not the time to speak of it, though. She wanted to enjoy their time as bride and groom. She wanted to pretend for just a little while that this man holding her in his arms really did care about her and had married her for love.
Nick sat alone at a table near the back of the hall. His mood was troubled as he tried to figure out what was bothering him. He looked up, staring at the couples on the dance floor, and saw Anne dancing with another man.
Nick didn't know who the man was, but that didn't matter. What mattered was he didn't like Anne dancing with anyone else.
In a flash of sudden insight, Nick recognized that he might be jealous.
He'd never been jealous before.
The possibility surprised him.
He frowned, considering what it meant, for if he was jealous, it meant he cared.
His frown deepened.
Do I care about Anne?
The thought gave him pause.
He never cared about just one woman. He enjoyed all women, and they enjoyed him. He'd never allowed him self to get serious with any of them; there was too much pleasure to be found in the multitude to tie himself down to any single female.
Nick looked up at Anne again.
&n
bsp; She was laughing at something her dancing partner had said.
His irritation grew.
The whole time at the reception she'd studiously avoided him except for moments when they'd had to act as part of the wedding party.
But that was about to end.
Getting up from the table, Nick went straight out onto the dance floor to cut in on Anne and her partner. He tapped the man on the shoulder.
"What?" the man asked.
"I'm cutting in."
Nick smoothly took his place when the man stepped away from Anne.
"Nick, what are you doing?" Anne demanded, surprised by his boldness.
"I'm dancing with the prettiest girl at the reception," he complimented her.
Anne looked up at him skeptically. "I bet you say that to all the girls."
"You're right. I do." Nick was being his most debonair, and he was surprised it wasn't working. Anne seemed almost immune to his charm. He added, "And generally it makes them smile."
Anne finally laughed, impressed by his honesty, but when she looked up at him, her expression was a bit defiant. "But I'm not just one of your many girls."
Nick became very serious as he gazed down at her. "I know that, Anne. Believe me. I know."
Nick maneuvered them near the side door. Then, without a word, he stopped dancing, took her hand and led her outside, away from everyone.
It was early evening. The shadows were deepening.
"Where are we going?" Anne asked.
"I wanted to be alone with you," he told her honestly as he looked around in frustration at the people on the streets.
All her life, Anne had been responsible and mature in her decision-making. In that moment, though, she suddenly felt as if she were living a scene from one of her dime novels. The man she wanted had just swept her away, and he wanted to be alone with her! Her heartbeat quickened at the thought, even as her conscience warned her: Nick will be leaving soon, returning to his life back East. There could be no future fbr us.
"I know where we can go," she said, casting discretion to the winds, not caring that they would only have this one night together.
They slipped away together, and Anne led him to the store's back entrance and opened it using the key her parents kept hidden there.
"Come on," she invited in a soft voice, leading the way inside the darkened store.
Nick followed Anne, then closed and locked the door behind them. He turned back to her, and she went into his arms.
Nick held her close and kissed her. It started softly, but passion erupted between them at that first embrace.
Anne had never known such excitement. Nick's kiss sent a thrill to the depths of her very soul. She had kissed a few of the men she'd been seeing around town, but none of their kisses had ever affected her as Nick's did. She gave a soft moan of delight as she responded fully to his embrace.
She was with Nick!
It was her dream come true!
Suddenly it didn't matter that he would be leaving soon.
It didn't matter that they had no future together.
It only mattered that they had this moment.
Nick, too, was caught up in the power of their attraction. Something about Anne aroused him as no other woman ever had. He deepened the kiss and began to caress her.
Anne stiffened at his touch, for she had never known such intimacy before, but then she relaxed against him as excitement shivered through her. A hunger to know more grew deep within her. The last shred of conscience was cast aside as she drew him through the darkened store and up the steps that led to a small loft area. She kissed Nick again, then quickly spread out one of the heavy blankets stored there. She knelt down and lifted her hand to Nick in invitation.
That simple gesture was all he needed. Nick took her hand and joined her on the blanket.
There was no need for words between them as he took her in his arms and kissed her. His kiss told her everything she needed to know. The passion Nick had tried to deny overwhelmed them, and they came together in a blaze of glory. Kiss after heated kiss stoked the flames of their desire.
Anne had never known such ecstasy. She responded fully and without reserve.
She wanted this.
She wanted Nick.
When he began to work at the buttons on her dress, she helped him and slipped it from her shoulders. Nick pressed kisses to her throat and then moved lower to explore the pale silken flesh exposed above the top of her chemise.
Anne gasped at the feelings his intimate touch aroused. She stirred restlessly, wanting no, needing more. She reached down to draw him up to her.
For an instant, they gazed at each other in wonder and excitement, and then their desire overwhelmed them. Nick bent down to her and claimed her lips in a passionate exchange that told her without words of the power of his desire for her.
Each touch, each kiss, stoked the fire that burned between them. Soon it flared out of control.
Anne had never known such ecstasy. She was mindless in her need to love him.
Nick's passion overwhelmed him. He wanted Anne as he'd never wanted another woman. A vague and distant warning sounded in his conscience, but he ignored it. He was driven on by his need to be one with her.
Each kiss and caress took them higher and higher until they could bear the barrier of their clothing no longer. Nick helped her slip out of her gown, and she shivered in anticipation of what was to come. She was shy before him.
But only for a moment.
"You're beautiful," Nick told her in a husky voice, visually caressing her.
Anne reached for him to help him shed his clothes. She felt brazen as she ran her hands over the width of his hardmuscled chest and shoulders. "So are you."
Nick took her in his arms, and the heat of his naked flesh upon hers seared her.
"If you want me to stop, Anne, tell me now," he said in a low voice, barely in control of his passion.
"No, Nick. I love you." The words escaped her.
There was no time to say more.
Nick responded with a searing kiss that sent the flames of their desire out of control. He moved over her to make her his, and his body was a searing brand upon her.
An innocent in the ways of love, Anne held him to her heart as he claimed her as his in all ways. When Nick breached the proof of her innocence, she gasped in pain.
Nick had been caught up in the overwhelming beauty of her love, but he went completely still when he realized the magnificent gift she had just given him. He drew back and looked down at her, his expression one of awe.
"Anne-"
She gazed up at him, her eyes shining with the glory of her love. "I love you, Nick," she whispered.
He bent down and captured her lips in a tender exchange.
"And I love you," he answered, finally realizing the truth of his feelings for her. They hadn't known each other long, but there was no denying what was in his heart. Anne was special. He wanted her.
They came together in rapture's promise then.
One in heart.
One in mind.
One in body.
They loved.
When ecstasy burst upon them, they clung together, caught up in the power of their love.
Moments passed in silence as sanity returned.
Nick knew what he had to do.
He drew away from Anne.
"We need to get dressed."
She felt bereft as he left her. She also felt uneasy and frightened by the power of what had just happened between them and by the reality she now faced. Nervous, she clutched at her clothing, disoriented and wondering what she was supposed to do next.
Nick sensed her inner turmoil and reached out to touch her cheek in a gentle caress, smiling tenderly at her. "How far is it to the justice of the peace?"
"What?" She was shocked by his question.
"We're getting married. Now. Tonight."
"But... are you sure?" She was still confused.
He smiled and lea
ned toward her to press a sweet-soft kiss on her lips. "I'm sure. I love you, Anne, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"I love you, too."
It was growing late.
The time had come.
Casey knew it.
She and Michael had to act the happily married couple as they left the reception to spend their wedding night together.
Casey knew what everyone would be thinking. They would be thinking that she and Michael were blissfully in love, but sadly she also knew that wasn't true.
The night ahead loomed dangerously before her, for she wasn't sure what to expect. In her heart, she wanted this to really be the perfect wedding night. She had fallen in love with Michael, and she wanted their life together to be one of devotion and love. Casey thought back over the time they'd spent together and remembered his kiss from the night of the dance. It had been heavenly until John had interrupted them.
She wanted to know the ecstasy of Michael's love.
She wanted Michael.
But Michael didn't want her. He had agreed to their arrangement and seemed happy with the way things had been set up.
And so, the long hours of the wedding night to come stretched before Casey. She would be alone with Michael in their new house in their marriage bed.
Needing to distract herself, Casey looked around for Anne and Nick. She wanted to tell them good-bye, but saw no sign of them anywhere in the hall. She wondered where they'd disappeared to, but had no time to worry about it, for Michael appeared at her side.
"The carriage has been brought around front," Michael informed her.
"It's time for us to go?"
"Yes."
"We need to say good-bye to our parents first," she suggested, trying to delay the inevitable as long as possible.
Michael agreed, and they sought out Jack, Frank and Elizabeth.
"Be happy," Elizabeth told them.
"We will be," Michael assured her.
"Good night, darling," Jack said, taking Casey in his arms and holding her to his heart.
"Good night, Pa." She kissed him tenderly on the cheek, then went to hug Elizabeth and Frank.
Before Casey knew it, they were in the carriage, waving good-bye to everyone as they drove away.
Michael was her husband.
