“Save it for the honeymoon, cuz.” Jacob, the best man, poked Billy in the side before they started back down the aisle.
“I still have plenty left, don’t you worry about it.” Billy’s quip got the crowd roaring.
Shannon stopped next to Gran sitting in the front row and handed her a white rose from her bouquet. She got a kiss on the cheek as a thank you. Their relationship was coming along. Having the wedding on Gran’s birthday had been a good idea on Billy’s part and they’d enjoyed birthday cake last night at the rehearsal dinner.
Since Billy had decided they could try living in the Calhoun mansion for a while, Gran had agreed to stay in the pool house. The promise of a great grandchild had persuaded her that it might be time to make a move. Gran and Janie had already found plenty to talk about over Wheel of Fortune and their morning coffee.
At the reception, the chief came up to them and gave them his blessing. “May you have many happy years together.” The chief gently laid his hands on their heads. “And be blessed with a houseful of children.”
“Already working on it, Chief.” Billy patted Shannon on her stomach.
“Billy!” She flushed and saw the chief raise his eyebrows. “Thank you, sir. We appreciate your allowing us to get married here.”
“Please come visit anytime. And bring your little ones.” The chief walked away, then turned around and winked at Billy. “Good job, son.”
“Now look what you’ve done. Soon everyone in the tribe will know you knocked me up.” Shannon decided it was time to cut the cake and pulled Billy toward it. “Did I see Stan’s limo outside?”
“Yes, you did. He was at the wedding, didn’t you see him? He’s driving us back to Houston so we can go straight to the airport.” Billy waved Mai over. “Tell Shannon I cleared my calendar. We’re good to go for the honeymoon.”
“Yes. His calendar is clear. Mine is overflowing. He is trying to cut back his workload. Even talking about bringing in another lawyer. Can you believe it?” Mai kissed Shannon, then Billy. “Albert promised me he would help me at the office. We’re waiting for the federal auction so he can buy those apartments in your grandmother’s neighborhood, Billy. It might happen while you’re gone.”
“Albert’s buying them?” Shannon was surprised.
“Yes, I am. They’re a good investment.” Albert walked up with a big piece of chocolate cake on a plate. “You people are too slow cutting the cake. I went into business for myself.”
“Oh, you are too bad. They’re supposed to cut the cakes in front of the photographer.” Mai slapped his hand, then took his fork and tasted the cake herself. “Delicious.”
“Did you know they baked the cakes here on the reservation? You should try their restaurant sometime.” Shannon was too happy to worry about cake cutting or photos. “Now about those apartments… We were hoping to start a youth center in that neighborhood.”
“I’m on it.” Albert slapped Mai’s hand when she tried to eat more of his cake. “You can have a unit or two for your project. Stan might help out too. He’s interested in the warehouse for his limo company. He grew up in that neighborhood and likes the idea of bringing commerce to it. There may be some jobs in it for the kids you work with.”
“That’s good. The Feds found a ton or more of marijuana inside that warehouse. The Exiles had brought it with them and were about to start growing more as soon as they got settled.” Shannon realized the crowd was forming around that wedding cake so Albert wasn’t the only one ready to eat. “It would have been horrible if that had hit the neighborhood.”
Billy pulled Shannon toward the cake. “Excuse us. We have wedding business now. Baby, are we going to shove cake in each other’s faces like some people do? Or can we eat a little then get out of here?”
“Don’t shove it in my face if you know what’s good for you. And how can we skip the dancing?” Shannon grinned. “You hired the DJ. You know he’s booked for three hours of nonstop music.”
Billy gestured at the large crowd. “Look, everyone here is having a good time. They can dance, eat cake, and even go over to the casino if they want to. What do they need us for?” He pulled Shannon against him. “Me? All I want is that long limo ride with my new wife back to Houston. I seem to remember that back seat is a lot of fun. Then…”
Shannon put a finger over his lips. “Say no more. Let’s cut that freaking cake then get out of here.”
Billy laughed and twirled her around. “Now you’re talking, Mrs. Pagan.”
Shannon grabbed his hand and led him to the table. Yes, she was taking his name and proud of it. A camera flashed and she smiled until her face hurt. But it was fine. Because she had what she wanted now. More than she could have ever imagined when she’d been writing in her diary so long ago.
Of course, they couldn’t just slip away. Billy pulled her onto the dance floor at his cousin’s urging and they swayed to a love song. He whispered promises of a honeymoon to remember, making her shiver. It seemed that they really had moved on from the past toward a bright future. Together, forever.
TEXAS HEAT
A surprise inheritance. A family of strangers. And a man she can’t avoid . . .
Cassidy Calhoun can’t believe she’s the secret daughter of an oil billionaire. This small-town Texas girl with student loans by the barrel has never gotten a thing she didn’t earn for herself.
The terms of her late father’s will say Cassidy—and her newfound spoiled half-siblings—must work a year at the family’s floundering business before they inherit a dime. Too bad the only thing Cass knows about oil is that it makes the junker she drives go.
Mason MacKenzie, the evaluator for their test, will help her get up to speed. Or will he? Mason is a boot-wearing, truck-driving Houston hottie who runs Calhoun Petroleum’s biggest rival. The sparks between him and Cassidy could combust any minute. But the closer they get, the more strange near-accidents Cassidy seems to be having. And Mason has plenty of reasons to play up their attraction for his own benefit.
If she can trust him, the two of them working together might save a crumbling dynasty. But if she can’t, Cass might just lose both her fortune and her heart . . .
TEXAS FIRE
Her father’s dream. Her crossroads. And a man who sees just her . . .
Megan Calhoun doesn’t stick with anything long. She’s the daughter of a billionaire—why pretend to be somebody else?
Until she finds out her father’s will says she has to. She has to last a year in the oil patch, in the dust and heat of West Texas, working for her daddy’s company. Otherwise she’s cut off without a cent—and no way to earn one.
The only upside is her new pal Rowdy Baker, ex-football star, Calhoun engineer, and grade-A stud. If she has to live in a trailer, his doesn’t sound so bad.
Rowdy knows the roughnecks running the rigs won’t take kindly to a smartass blonde rookie whose last name matches their paychecks. He can’t control his attraction to her. And with everyone from the foremen to the stockholders spitting mad at the Calhouns, he expects trouble ahead.
But Megan has never been scared in her life. And with Rowdy to help her plot, she has the chance of a lifetime: to find her calling, to fix her company, and, if she doesn’t screw it up—to capture a heart . . .
Meet the Author
A nationally best-selling author, Gerry Bartlett is a native Texan who lives halfway between Houston and Galveston. She freely admits to a shopping addiction which is why she has an antiques business on the historic Strand on Galveston Island. She used to be a gourmet cook but has decided it’s more fun to indulge in gourmet eating instead. You can visit Gerry on Facebook, twitter or Instagram. You can also check out her latest releases on her website at http://gerrybartlett.com where you can sign up for her newsletter or read her articles with advice for aspiring writers, The Perils of Publishing.
Gerry Bartlett, Texas Pride
Texas Pride Page 32
