by Sara Orwig
“Or children,” she said, smiling at him. “I want a big family.”
“And I want you. I’m not worried about your ability to have children. I think you can.” He stopped her with a kiss when she started to deny his words. “I know—I’m an optimist. That’s true, but love can do a lot in our lives. Whatever happens, we’ll be together. Any kids we have, any way we have them, we’ll love them. Darlin’, I need you in my life. I’ve learned that during the past month. I love you,” he whispered and kissed her hard and long.
She wanted him, loved him and wanted to yield to him, to toss cares and worries and common sense aside and tell him yes, she would marry him because she loved him and she loved Amelia and they would be a family. But she never got the chance. He rambled on, like a man who had a lot to say and he wasn’t letting anything or anyone get in his way.
“I’m not scared to take a chance on being a husband or a dad. I’ve been miserable without you. I’ve thought about your career—you can still get your degree and you can work with children or human services or whatever you want. There will be needy families and children in Dallas, Fort Worth, Downly—you won’t have any difficulty going on with your career if you want—part-time or full-time.”
The more he spoke, the more her surprise grew. “You’ve thought about this a lot,” she said, a small smile teasing her lips.
“I have thought about it and I put off Amelia’s first birthday party because she’s too little to know the difference. I wanted you there for it, so I waited.”
Delighted, Erin hugged him as she kissed him again. “Thank you! I’m so glad. That will be fun. I love Amelia.” She gazed up at him, looking into those dark blue eyes that she loved so much. “I love you with all my heart, but I’m stunned. How long have you thought about marriage?”
“Not a long time because I didn’t realize I’d fallen in love. I’ve never really been in love before. Not the real thing—the forever kind of love.” He kissed her and she held him tightly, kissing him in return while her heart pounded with joy.
She heard a car door slam, but paid little attention until she heard pounding on her door.
“What the hell?” Cade snapped, frowning.
She slipped out of bed and began yanking on clothes. “I just know that’s Luke. He left, but somehow he must have found out you’re here,” she said. “I’ll take care of him.”
“You leave him to me,” Cade said, passing her. He already had his jeans on and his feet jammed into his boots. He yanked on his shirt as he left the room. She buttoned her blouse and tucked it in, hurrying as fast as possible because she wanted to get the door and keep Luke and Cade apart.
“Cade, wait,” she cried, running toward the front door to try to reach it before he did. But she didn’t make it.
Cade yanked open the door and Luke stepped forward. “Dammit, Cade. I told you not to hurt her,” he snapped as he swung his fist and hit Cade, knocking him off his feet.
As Cade slammed against a chair and went down, Erin screamed and went to him.
“Cade,” she said, cradling his cheeks in her hands and turning his head toward her, afraid Luke had knocked him unconscious. Blood streamed from a cut on his cheekbone but he was alert. She looked into his eyes and all her anger with her brother evaporated. All she saw was the love and the desire she felt mirrored in Cade’s gaze.
“Get up, dammit,” Luke snapped.
She wrapped her arms around Cade’s neck and hugged him. As long as she was over him, holding him, he wouldn’t get up and her brother couldn’t hit him. She gazed into his dark eyes.
“You never answered me,” Cade said.
For a moment she thought he wasn’t thinking straight, that her brother’s punch had done more damage.
“This wasn’t the way I imagined proposing to you,” he went on to say, “but I can’t wait. I love you. Will you marry me?”
“Get up, Cade,” Luke ground out between clenched teeth. “Stop hiding behind Erin.”
Cade ignored his friend’s words. His eyes never wavered from hers. “Darlin’, I love you.”
“What the hell is going on?” Luke asked. “Get out of the way, Erin.”
“Darlin’, you still haven’t answered my question. Will you marry me?” Cade asked.
“Yes,” she gasped, giving up and wanting him and hoping she wasn’t doing something that she would regret, but she couldn’t say no. She loved him.
She kissed him, and then raised her head. “Cade, you’re hurt—”
“I feel no pain.” He grinned. “Because you’ll marry me.”
This time when Luke barked his command, Erin turned, scrambled up and faced her brother with her fists clenched.
“Don’t you dare hit him again,” she snapped. “I’m going to marry him. You hit him, Luke, and I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive you. You hit the man I’m going to marry. He’s going to be your brother-in-law,” she repeated louder as Cade came to his feet, wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her out of his way while he faced Luke.
Luke’s mouth dropped open as he stared from his sister to Cade.
“What the hell is going on? You’re marrying my sister?”
“Yes, I am, as soon as I can.”
“You owe him an apology and me an apology, Luke Dorsey,” she said, getting between them again.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Luke said, shaking his head. “Cade, I’m sorry.”
Wiping his cheek with his handkerchief, Cade drew Erin into his arms to kiss her again. He held her tightly and finally raised his head to look into her eyes. “You’ll really marry me?”
“Yes, I’ll really marry you,” she said, her heart pounding with joy as she clung to him to pull his head down to kiss him again. While they kissed, Cade reached behind him and closed the door.
“Where’s Luke?” she asked, looking around.
“I don’t know. I think he had the good sense to go.” Cade reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a small box that he handed to her. “This is for you. I got this in case I could talk you into saying yes.”
Her lips smiling and her hands shaking, she opened the box. She gasped when she saw a large diamond surrounded by dazzling emeralds.
“Cade, this is beautiful.”
“So’s my love,” he said, drawing her to him to kiss her again. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom to set her on her feet right beside the bed. She still held the ring and he took it from her to slip it onto her finger. “I need to ask your dad for your hand in marriage.”
She laughed. “That’s old-fashioned and I love it and he will probably be impressed because he asked my granddad. Some old customs still hang around in our family.”
“How about kissing the bride-to-be and taking her to bed for a night of love?”
“I think that’s perfect,” she said, holding him tightly as if she might lose him again. “I might even drop out of school for you.”
“Don’t decide that tonight because I think you’ll want to finish and get that degree,” he said and kissed away her answer. “There are a lot of things you can do to help little kids when you have it.”
She kissed Cade, joy chasing away all doubts and fears as she held him tightly and thought about Amelia. Erin’s joy grew because she would get to be a real second mother for Amelia. She would be Cade’s wife. She held him tightly, not wanting to ever let him go again.
Epilogue
On a sunny March morning Erin stood in the back room of the church while her mother smoothed the skirt of her white silk wedding dress that had narrow straps over her shoulders, a tiny waist and straight skirt. She wore the emerald and diamond necklace Cade had given her that matched her engagement ring and her hair was in spiral curls framing her face.
Erin held Amelia in her arms. Amelia had a pi
nk hair bow in her dark curls and she wore a pink organdy dress.
“Mama,” she said, playing with Erin’s necklace.
“She calls me that and Cade dada,” she told her own mother, unable to hide the pleasure in her voice. “When she’s a little older, we’ll tell her about her real mother and daddy. She already recognizes their pictures.” They had two big paintings of them in their ranch house, among some family pictures, and a wonderful photo taken with Amelia the week before the crash that they’d framed and hung on the wall, too.
“That’s good, honey,” her mother said, smiling at Amelia. She took her from Erin and set her on her feet, holding her hand. “She’s a strong little girl.”
“She’s a joy every day to me. Mom, I’m so happy.”
Her mother moved close to hug her lightly and step back. “I’m glad. Cade loves you and he’s a good person.” She nodded toward the door and the full church beyond. “He has a lot of relatives here. His father is here and his mother, but I don’t think they’ve spoken. Dirkson has another wife here, I see.”
“That’s Blake’s mother.” Blake’s wife, Sierra, was her matron of honor and Sierra’s mother was there, too, holding their new baby. Emily Callahan would be just two months old next week. “When Blake’s daughter gets a little older, I think she’ll be able to play with Amelia.”
“She will.” Her mother nodded. “His wife looks lovely. All the attendants do, but none more lovely than the bride. She is gorgeous.”
Erin smiled again. “Thanks, Mom. The bride is the happiest person here. I can’t stop smiling.”
“No one wants you to. I’m sure that Cade doesn’t. I don’t think he can stop smiling, either.”
The wedding planner poked her head in then, motioning to Erin. Her mother picked up Amelia and walked on ahead into the church. With one more glance at herself, Erin stepped out to meet her dad, who waited in the vestibule. She wrapped her arm around his and brushed a kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Daddy,” she whispered, and he smiled, patting her hand.
“I love you, too. I hope you and Cade are always this happy.”
“Thanks, Dad. I hope so, too.” She turned from her father and looked up the aisle at Cade. The sight of him had her tingling with happiness. Her tall rancher fiancé was breathtakingly handsome in his black tux. Beside him stood Blake, the best man, and her brother and Gabe Callahan who were the groomsmen along with three of Cade’s friends.
As organ music filled the church and trumpets played, the guests stood and she walked with her father until they reached the altar where her hand was placed in Cade’s. She gazed into his dark blue eyes and saw the love and joy she felt reflected there.
They said their vows and Erin knew they were more than words. They were promises that she and Cade would hold forever. Then they were presented to the guests as Mr. and Mrs. Cade Callahan and as everyone applauded, they rushed back to the back of the church. After pictures, when they were in the limo on the way to the country club, Cade kissed her.
“This marriage will be good, Mrs. Callahan.”
“It’ll be very good,” she answered, smiling at him. “Cade, I’m the happiest person on earth right now.”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not. That would be me. It’s going to be great, darlin’. I promise I’m going to do everything in my power to be the best husband and daddy possible for you and all our kids.”
She smiled at him, taking his optimistic outlook and knowing they would have kids, biological or adopted. Either way, they would have a family and they would be loved. She kissed him again, then leaned back to look at him.
“Do you have a handkerchief? Wipe your mouth where I kissed you before we get to the reception.”
He grinned at her wickedly. “I’d like to just keep going and start our honeymoon now.”
“Not yet. Everyone came to party and celebrate with us.”
“It is a celebration, Erin,” he said, suddenly looking serious. “A celebration that I feel can go on for the next sixty or seventy years. We’re going to have a good marriage.”
She smiled up at him. “Yes, we are,” she answered, feeling they could deal with the problems that would come up because their love was strong.
An hour later, Cade took her hand to walk to the dance floor at the country club for the first dance as husband and wife. “I’m glad this first one’s just for me,” he told her. “From here on out you’ll have to dance with my brothers and with yours and with assorted relatives.”
“My next dance is reserved for my dad.”
“Well, you won’t have to dance with mine. He doesn’t dance.” Cade searched the crowd for his father and found him sitting at his table. “Look at him. I don’t think he’s paid any attention to either of his little granddaughters, but frankly, I’m not surprised. I don’t think he knows how to deal with kids, much less little girls.”
Erin turned his face to her and changed the subject. “So now your brother Gabe is the only single guy in the Callahan clan. I have three friends out there who are drooling over him.”
“Well, he’ll like that. It won’t take him long to find them if he hasn’t already. Gabe likes the ladies and always has.”
“I think that runs in your family,” she remarked, and he grinned.
“Erin, you look so beautiful today. I will never forget watching you come down the aisle,” he said.
“Thank you,” she answered. Her heart beat with love for him. “I’ll be glad when we’re alone and I’m in your arms. We’ve had a lot of parties and public moments lately but now I’m ready for some private ones. And you, my very handsome husband, make my heart race to look at you. I love you, Cade Callahan. I’ll spend my life showing you.”
“I hope so,” he said as they danced. She lost all awareness of everyone else, gazing into Cade’s eyes. “Cade, I’m willing to try soon for our baby if you are.”
“Darlin’, I want whatever you want,” he answered. “You have no idea how much I love you, but I intend to show you.”
His arm tightened slightly around her waist and he drew her closer as he swept her into the dance. She couldn’t imagine she could ever be happier than at that moment in his arms.
The next dance was with her father and Cade danced with his mother.
To her surprise, Dirkson Callahan asked her for the next dance. She politely danced with Cade’s father. “Welcome to the Callahan clan,” he said. “You’re a beautiful young woman and Cade is a lucky fellow. I hear you aim to finish your education and get that PhD, which I think is commendable. I’m proud of my sons and now all of them except Gabe have married beautiful and smart women.”
“Thank you. Come visit anytime. We’ll be happy to have you. You can get to know your granddaughter.”
“I’m not very good with children.”
“She’s sweet and doesn’t require you to do much except smile at her. I’ll show you sometime,” Erin said. “Your son is a good dad.”
“I’m glad to hear that because he can make up for my shortcomings.” He shook his head. “But enough of family problems.” He smiled at her. “Have a grand honeymoon. I told Cade I left your wedding present on his desk at his house and I have a plane to catch before too long.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you were here for the wedding,” she said, wondering whether he had danced with Sierra or talked much to Blake. She knew they had talked last night at the rehearsal dinner. She had seen Dirkson and all his sons standing in a circle once, talking and laughing, which surprised her after all she had heard about Blake and his feelings for his father.
Their dance ended and she turned to see Luke waiting to dance with her.
“You look beautiful, Erin,” he said. “I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Thank you. You look quite nice yourself.”
“I’m glad I told him t
o hire you. I’ve told you that before, but I’ll say it again today—one last time. He’ll be good for you and good to you. Cade is a good guy.”
She grinned at him. “You are, too, except you’re a little bossy as a big brother.”
“Don’t start in with me about slugging him. I’ve apologized sufficiently for that. How was I to know that he asked you to marry him?”
“You might have asked before you started swinging. Anyway, that’s past.” She patted his shoulder and looked around the room. “Isn’t Amelia the prettiest little toddler?”
Luke turned to look at the child. “That she is. But I’m going to laugh when she’s a teen and Cade has to deal with her.”
“Cade will manage.”
“Yeah, he probably will. I’m happy for both of you. I think I see his little brother lining up and focused on us. Gabe probably intends to ask you to dance next.” He let out a laugh. “Besides the bride, he will dance with every beautiful single woman here. You can bet on that one and he’s as opposed to marriage as Cade seemed to be, but for a different reason. Gabe just isn’t ready to settle down. Cade wasn’t, either, until he met you.”
“I think Amelia gets the most credit for Cade wanting to settle down.”
“Well, however it worked out, it’s all for the best. Happy marriage, Erin,” Luke said, planting a kiss on her cheek. “If you ever need me, you know you can call.”
“Thanks, Luke,” she said. “Thanks for coming from the South Pole for our wedding.”
The music changed tempo and for the next dance most of the guests spilled out onto the floor, waving their arms and stepping in time to a lively beat while Gabe danced facing her with a big smile. When the music stopped, he placed his hand on her shoulder. “Welcome to the Callahan clan. We need you in this family, Erin. You’re great for Cade and Amelia.”
“Thank you. I’m happy to join the Callahan clan. And now you’re related to the Dorseys, too.”
“I didn’t think the sun would rise on a day when I’d be related to Luke, but that’s good. Luke will come back to Texas with all sorts of knowledge of penguins and icebergs and other useful stuff.”
