Strong-Willed Cowboy (The Buckskin Brotherhood Book 5)

by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Stephanie Bond

  “Why yes, you are.” Lilith beamed at him. “But you haven’t cut the cake yet, either.”

  Rafe didn’t hesitate. “That’ll be after the dance.”

  “Which isn’t how it’s usually done, but this is such an unorthodox reception I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  Kate stiffened. “We—”

  “Come on, sweetheart.” Rafe gripped her more firmly. “Let’s go ask CJ for our favorite song. Will you please excuse us, Lilith?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He guided her out of the potential war zone. “It’s not worth it,” he murmured.

  She sighed. “I know, but how dare she criticize this wedding? Everybody’s worked so hard, and it was lovely, and I…” She sniffed. “Damn, now I’m weepy.”

  “Want to take a moment?”

  She nodded.

  He changed course, keeping his arm around her shoulder until they reached the shadows beyond the sparkly lights in the trees and the glow from the fire pit. Then he turned her to face him. “I know it’s tough, but if you can rise above it, she won’t be here long.”

  She carefully thumbed the moisture from her eyes so she wouldn’t spoil her makeup. “God, I hope not.”

  “This isn’t her kind of place. Soon she’ll be winging her way back to Indianapolis and the life she knows. Just focus on the good part. She’s written the first check and will mail it this week.”

  “You’re absolutely right.” She looked up at him. “Are we really going to dance?”

  He smiled. “Seemed like as good an excuse as anything.”

  “Thanks. I was ready to blow.”

  “I could tell. And it could be true that everyone’s waiting for us.”

  “Or it could be they’re gorging themselves on the terrific meal and saving the dancing for when they’re ready to work it off. That’s more likely.”

  “Maybe. But just in case, let’s go with the plan.”

  “We don’t have a favorite song.”

  I do. “How about the one CJ played when you walked up the aisle? It’s a waltz and I think that’s normally what couples choose for a first dance.”

  “The Rascal Flatts one?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did you ask him to play that?”

  “No. I had no input on the music. I wondered if you—”

  “I didn’t, either. I didn’t even think about it until the ceremony was about to start. I asked Henri and she said CJ had it under control.”

  “Did you like what he chose?”

  “I did. Very much.”

  “Me, too. Let’s ask him to play I Won’t Let Go.”

  “Okay.” She cocked her head and gazed at him. “I just thought of something. Ed took a video of the wedding, and she’s been taking more tonight. But Aunt Lilith is here, so we don’t need the video, after all.”

  But he wanted it. No matter what. “Ed’s having fun and we might get a laugh out of it someday.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Speaking of keeping up appearances, it’ll look better if we walk back over there holding hands.”

  “Better for Lilith?”

  “For her, and everybody else, so they know we’re not fighting.”

  “Are people worried about that?”

  “Some. Full disclosure, so am I.”

  She reached for his hand and slipped her fingers through us. “I’m not going to fight with you, Rafe. You’re my knight in shining armor.”

  He exhaled and gave her hand a squeeze. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Until today, Kate hadn’t truly held hands with Rafe. Dancing at the Moose required touching hands, and helping her in and out of the truck did, too.

  But weaving their fingers together and keeping them locked in place was more intimate. When he’d slid his fingers through hers at the altar, she’d needed that firm grip, that closeness to keep her steady. Now, walking back to the group, she no longer needed it. But she wanted it.

  She wanted him. Spending the night in bed with Rafe sounded like a fabulous idea. If she chose to, she could have that experience. But giving in to temptation would be the most selfish thing she’d ever done. It would deepen a relationship that had no future.

  CJ was finishing up a George Strait classic when they approached. Nobody was dancing but everybody was listening, as evidenced by the applause and whistles when the tune ended.

  “Ol’ George would be jealous, bro,” Rafe said. “I do believe you do that one better than he does.”

  “I agree.” Kate smiled. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for your contribution to the wedding. You were awesome.”

  “Glad you liked it.” CJ balanced his guitar on his thigh and draped his arm over it. “Time was short and Henri told me to make the selections myself. I tried to pick what I thought you guys might want.”

  “You did a great job,” Rafe said. “In fact, if you wouldn’t mind, we’d like a repeat of I Won’t Let Go for our first dance.”

  “Ah, yes, the first dance! I wondered if we were doing that.”

  “Rafe thought of it just now. Is that why nobody’s started? They’re waiting for us?”

  CJ laughed. “In a way. A few people have asked me, and I didn’t know if you wanted to go that route or not. I was about ready to find you and ask. I mean, you don’t have to do it if you—”

  “I’d like to.” Rafe glanced at her. “And I think Kate’s okay with it.”

  “I am.”

  “You guys do a good job with a waltz and it’s a nice tune. It won’t be so easy to glide around on dead grass, but I’m sure you’re up to the challenge.”

  Rafe squeezed her hand. “We are.”

  CJ sat up straighter and wrapped his fingers around the neck of the guitar. Then he paused. “One other thing. Traditionally, after the bride and groom dance, the bride dances with her father and the groom dances with his mother.”

  “Let’s not get into that,” Kate said. “Rafe has Henri, but I don’t have anyone, so it makes no sense to go there.”

  Rafe nodded. “Agreed.”

  “Then after you’re done I’ll just invite everyone out to dance. Let me get their attention.” He raised his voice. “Hey, folks. Gather round for Kate and Rafe’s first dance as a married couple.”

  A married couple. Nobody had used that phrase until now. But it was the accepted language for this part of the evening and CJ, like everyone here, was out to fool Aunt Lilith. He played the opening for I Won’t Let Go.

  Rafe held out his hand and she moved into his strong arms. She’d loved waltzing with him from the first time he’d invited her to dance at the Moose.

  He took charge tonight the way he had then—his gaze warm and steady, his big hand pressed firmly to the middle of her back, his smile coaxing an answering one from her. Had the waltz been the beginning? Had he been wooing her from the start?

  Now that she was in his arms, surrounded by the people who’d become her dearest friends, she accepted what her heart had known all along. She’d fallen for the Buckskin gang the first night they’d taken her to the Choosy Moose. And she’d fallen for Rafe Banner that same night when he’d asked her to waltz.

  Had they danced to this very song? Possibly. The lyrics were pure Rafe—a promise of never-ending support, no matter what life dished out. He’d provide firm ground under her feet when the world began to shake and a buffer when the wind threatened to blow her over.

  The song ended and he pulled her close, kissed her softly, and smiled. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” As everyone around her cheered, she held the moment close. Soon enough she’d have to make some tough choices, live through some trying times. But for now, she was filled with gratitude for her blessings.

  Rafe gave her hand a squeeze. “Let’s go cut that fancy cake.”

  She laughed. “Follow my lead. I’m a professional.”

  Kate was in no rush to leave the party. Rafe seemed just as willing to drag things out. But Isabel w
asn’t a late-night partier now that she was almost seven months along. When she and CJ left, the live music went with them. Leo hooked up the speakers for his phone, but it wasn’t the same.

  Matt and Lucy said their goodbyes not long after that. When Ben and Henri were ready to go, Ben offered to take Lilith, too.

  “Oh, I’ll just ride back with Kate and Rafe,” she said with a wave of her hand. “You’ll take me, won’t you, kids?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Rafe shot a quick look at Kate. “Be glad to.”

  Henri glanced at Kate and rolled her eyes. “Ben, will you excuse me a minute? I need to have a quick word with Kate.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Henri took her arm and pulled her far enough away that Aunt Lilith wouldn’t be able to hear. “I sense that she’s going to make a nuisance of herself.”

  “That’s what she does best.”

  “The less time you and Rafe spend with her, the better. I don’t want this thing falling apart.”

  “What can she do? We got married.”

  “She’s only paid part of the tuition, right?”

  “Yes, but I think she’s good for the rest of it.”

  “Just to be on the safe side, I’m taking charge of her tomorrow. I’ll keep her occupied so you and Rafe can work this out however you choose without worrying about her snooping into your business.”

  “Henri, that’s asking too much. I—”

  “It’s what your mother would do if she were here. Let me help.”

  “But—”

  “I want to, sweetheart. For you and for Rafe.”

  “All right. After this is over, I’ll—”

  “After this is over we’ll have another party, a real one.” She gave Kate a quick hug. “Besides, you and Rafe are doing me a favor. If she’s not going home with Ben and me, that gives us a little time to enjoy being alone in the house.”

  “Okay.” Kate laughed. “Now I feel better.”

  After Henri and Ben left, the number of guests dwindled rapidly. Garrett and Jake started cleaning up and everyone who was still there helped, including Kate and Rafe.

  Millie drew Kate aside as she was tying up a garbage bag. “This is silly. You shouldn’t be cleaning up after your own wedding reception.”

  “But—”

  “I know why you’re procrastinating, but you have to face the music sometime. Put on your big-girl panties. Or take them off. Either way, I hope you know we all love you and that big lug, no matter what.”

  She sighed. “You’re right. I’ll get my jacket and Aunt Lilith’s.”

  “Attagirl. By the way, you have my permission to just swing by the big house and shove her out.”

  Kate grinned. “Kinda hard to do from the front seat.”

  “You know what I mean. Not literally. But don’t let Rafe walk her to the damn door. That woman has some solid brass ones, inviting herself to ride home with you guys.”

  “As Rafe says, we have to rise above it. She’ll be gone soon.”

  “Not soon enough for me.” Millie hesitated. “Did you have a little bit of fun today? Despite the circumstances?”

  “I did. I’m going to write thank you notes to every single person who put themselves out to make this happen, especially you and Henri.”

  “We just want you to be happy.”

  “I am. Aunt Lilith’s mailing the first check next week.”

  “I wish she’d just give Ginny the full amount. Partial payments make me nervous.”

  “Aunt Lilith will keep the money flowing if I keep sending her chirpy updates she can share with her friends.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She lowered her voice. “Rumor has it Rafe’s sleeping in my old room tonight.”

  “That rumor is correct. We’re not having sex.”

  Millie smiled as if she didn’t believe a word of it and gave her a hug. “Jake and I are outta here.”

  “We’ll be right behind you.” After Millie and Jake said their goodbyes, Kate gave Rafe and her aunt the word that she’d like to go home.

  Emotion flickered in Rafe’s eyes. “I’ll get my duffle.”

  “Your duffle?” Aunt Lilith’s eyebrows rose. “You don’t have your things down at Kate’s cottage already?”

  He winced. “Um, sure. I just need to take the rental outfit down there so we can return it on Monday. No reason to leave it at the bunkhouse.”

  “You’re shoving it into a duffle? Didn’t the rental place provide you with a garment bag?”

  “Um, yes, but I—”

  “Oh, my God, I get it! You haven’t been living with Kate, have you?”

  “Well, not exactly, but we… I’ll be right back with my duffle.” He left, his long strides taking him quickly toward the bunkhouse.

  Aunt Lilith pinned Kate with a stare. “Have you slept with him?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your—”

  “That’s answer enough. You haven’t. I’m so impressed with that, kit--Kate. I assumed when you came up with a husband so fast, you’d been sleeping with someone and this was the nudge that you needed to finally make that commitment.”

  “Rafe’s a bit old-fashioned.” True, right?

  “I love that. He clearly adores you, yet he wouldn’t take that step until after you were married. How exciting. He’s one in a million. Aren’t you glad I gave you this push?”

  No. “I’m sure it will work out well for everyone.” Not as sure as she’d been about those root beer floats, though.

  “Ready to go, ladies?” Rafe appeared, duffle in hand, his sheepskin coat on and his hat pulled low. Hiding.

  She wouldn’t mind having a Stetson to pull over her eyes. “Let’s go.”

  Rafe opened both front and back doors of his truck and asked Aunt Lilith to please wait while he handed Kate into the passenger seat. She waited, clearly dazzled.

  After Rafe started the truck and pulled out, she leaned forward and put a hand on each of their shoulders. “I’m going to give you kids a honeymoon. Where would you like to go? Tahiti? Paris? Singapore?”

  Rafe sent Kate a wide-eyed look.

  She wasn’t fazed by the offer. This was classic Aunt Lilith behavior. She withheld approval and material rewards until she got her way, and then she gave extravagantly to those she’d bent to her will.

  Turning toward her aunt, she managed a smile. “That’s incredibly generous of you, but we’d need a couple of weeks to truly enjoy any of those places, and we can’t be gone that long. Henri couldn’t spare either of us.”

  “Nonsense. Jake could do your job and—”

  “He’s managing the raptor sanctuary.”

  “That can’t take much time. If Henri can throw together a wedding at a moment’s notice, she can figure out how to give you and Rafe two weeks for a honeymoon. I’ll talk to her in the morning.”

  “Please don’t. I can’t speak for Rafe, but I want to start our new life right here at the Buckskin.”

  He nodded. “That suits me, too, Lilith. I appreciate the offer, but Kate and I don’t need anything but each other. I’d rather have you put that money towards Ginny’s schooling.”

  “Oh, my God, you’re such a heroic man, Rafe. There must be something I can do for the two of you.”

  How about leaving on the next available flight? “We really don’t need anything, Aunt Lilith, but if you’re determined to give us something, a donation to Raptors Rise in our name would be fantastic. We’d be eternally grateful, wouldn’t we, Rafe?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” His voice sounded funny, like he was choking back laughter. “I can’t think of a wedding present I’d treasure more than that.”

  “Consider it done. But I’ll come up with something else, too, something more interesting and personal. I can always ship it after I get home.”

  Rafe pulled up in front of Henri’s house, shut off the engine and opened his door. “Hang tight, ma’am. I’ll walk you in.”

  Of course he would. His training went too deep to let her wa
lk to the door alone. On top of that, she was donating to Raptors Rise. Kate settled back in her seat and waited for his return.

  He opened the door and climbed in. “Fast thinking on the sanctuary donation. Jake will be excited.”

  “You wouldn’t rather go to Paris?”

  He started the engine. “I’d go anywhere if it was with you.”

  Her breath caught. “Rafe, I—”

  “I’m in love with you.” He swung the truck around and drove back down the hill. “Simple as that. And because I’m in love with you, I’m going to sleep in Millie’s old room because you want me to.”

  “I do.” Mostly when her better self was in charge.

  “I didn’t put a change of clothes in that duffle. Couldn’t see the point since I couldn’t picture myself shaving and showering in your bathroom. I’ll do that in the bunkhouse in the morning.”

  “Oh.” She glanced over her shoulder at the duffle sitting on the backseat. “Then why did you bring it?”

  “I have my toothbrush in there.”

  “You could have stuck that in your pocket.”

  “I also brought my insurance policy.”

  “Your insurance policy? You want me to look it over in case you die in the middle of the night? What the hell, Rafe?”

  His chuckle had an intimate, sexy undertone. “It’s not paperwork.” He pulled in front of the cottage, cut the engine and turned to her. His left hand rested on the wheel and his ring caught the light. “It’s a box of condoms. In case you change your mind.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The interior of Rafe’s cab was dim, but there was no mistaking the gleam of excitement in Kate’s eyes. Or the sharp intake of breath. Gave him a smidgen of hope.

  “I won’t change my mind.” Her voice quivered. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t want to be married. The minute I signed the marriage license today I felt the bars closing in on me. I’m in a contractual agreement that I can’t break until Ginny’s out of school. I’m trapped. It’s for a good cause, but that doesn’t mean I feel good about it.”