Texas Christmas Bride: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 6

by Jean Brashear

  “You are gooey over her, aren’t you?”

  Bridger stared out at the view. If she wasn’t ready to marry by the time he had the house done, he’d push and push hard. But he was the one who’d set that self-imposed deadline and was determined to stick to it. She had to be sure…and he needed her to be.

  Because once she was his, that was it for both of them. He’d never love another the way he loved her.

  “Maddie, prop your feet up on the dash,” Boone urged the next day. “Your ankles are swelling.” He grunted. “Much as I love my family, you should not be traveling right now. Sitting in the car for hours is bad for you.”

  “I’m fine, Boone, I swear. And I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She glanced over and sighed, reluctantly complying. “There.” She propped first one foot, then the other on the dash.

  Boone waggled his eyebrows. “Still some mighty fine legs you got there, babe.”

  She snickered. “How would I know? This is the only time I’ve seen them in weeks.”

  “This pregnancy has been harder on you than the others.” He took one hand from the steering wheel and covered hers. “I’m sorry. We’d better make this one the last.”

  She stroked his jaw. “I’m not ready to say that. I love having your babies, Boone.”

  “Beats me why you would.” He jerked his head toward the seat behind them where Dalton and Sam were quibbling over whether Iron Man or Wolverine was tougher.

  “Daddy!” squealed their youngest, her face littered with cracker crumbs. “Love you, Daddy,” Lilah Rose cooed.

  Boone caught his baby girl’s gaze in the mirror. “Love you too, sweetie.”

  She shifted her gaze to her mother. “Love you, Mama.”

  Maddie contorted on the seat to cover Lilah Rose’s little foot. “Hey, baby girl. You doing all right? Ready to see Aunt Ruby and Ian and Scarlett?”

  “And Bwidge! My Bwidge! Love Bwidge.”

  “That damn Bridger stole my best girl,” Boone muttered, then winked.

  “I thought I was your best girl,” Maddie replied.

  “You—” He reached for her, cupped her cheek. “—Are my woman. Whole different deal.” He kissed her with his eyes, stroked one long finger over her lips.

  Maddie sighed. “I thought we were supposed to be bored with each other by now.”

  Boone snorted. “Not happening, Granola Girl. Don’t know how it could, seeing’s how you’re the sexiest, craziest woman I ever met. Never a dull moment.”

  Maddie smiled and sighed, then arched her back and groaned softly.

  “Maddie, this is crazy. We should be home in Morning Star. You cannot be standing on your feet for hours, helping out with this monster celebration. That’s why we brought in help at the Dinner Bell. And it’s Christmas.”

  “Scarlett’s pregnant, too. And it’s family Christmas. I love your family. I adore getting all of us together.”

  “I don’t give a good damn,” he growled out. “They may be my family, but you’re…you. I will not have you endangering yourself.”

  She giggled.

  His head whipped toward her. “This is not funny.”

  “It kinda is.” She caressed his thigh. “Boone, it’s just part of being pregnant. I’m not sick, nothing’s wrong…I just needed to stretch my back.”

  “I want to take you back home and put you to bed. Wait on you hand and foot if it’ll keep you resting.”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “I love how you become such a bear, all growly and protective, when I’m carrying your babies.” She smiled softly and stroked his cheek. “I’m really okay. Let’s just stop for minute and walk around. Then it’s only another hour to Sweetgrass.”

  He began looking for a place to pull over. “Thank goodness Scarlett has backed off on her plans for Ruby’s Dream. It’s an impossible task, trying to run both restaurants with only the folks in Sweetgrass. She can’t possibly maintain what she’s attempting to build.”

  “She’s trying to help her Nana save the town, she and Ian.”

  “Jackson’s company moving to Sweetgrass will do more than the courthouse events center ever could. She needs more experienced help than she has there. She needs someone like you—” His gaze whipped to hers. “But not you. You can’t keep running down here every time something’s going on. Not even for yet another surprise wedding.” He shook his head. “Of course you would be in the thick of the planning.”

  Her smile was unrepentant. “The other one worked out great, don’t you think?”

  Boone rolled his eyes. “I know it’s been killing you to only help out long distance.”

  She rubbed her hands together. “Jackson is going to be one very happy man tomorrow night.”

  Boone already knew he was spitting in the wind, trying to argue his wife out of wading into family, neck-deep. Maddie had had too little family in her life until she’d come to Morning Star after his father had bequeathed her Boone’s ranch—without Boone’s knowledge. She’d arrived from New York full of attitude and sass, intending to leave as soon as the mandated thirty days was up, and here she was, seven years and four children later.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  “What?”

  “You changed my life, you know that? Crazy-ass city girl, climbing through weeds and barbed wire in sandals and sundress. I thought you were insane.”

  She smiled.

  “But I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

  “I aggravated the living daylights out of you at first.”

  “That you did. But I wanted you more than I’d ever wanted anything in my whole existence.”

  She stroked her burgeoning belly. “I’d say you got me good.”

  He laid his hand on hers, then stroked the mound where their unborn baby slept.

  And got a kick of thanks.

  He couldn’t help grinning. “This one is active enough for two.”

  “You’re telling me. I shouldn’t be this big. I think this little one just needs more room for the gymnastics.”

  “Lilah Rose was more active than even her big brothers.” His eyebrows rose.

  Maddie grinned. “Think you’re up for another baby girl, Daddy?”

  “Dear, sweet heaven.” He shook his head. Then laughed. “Yep. Even another Lilah Rose. Saints preserve us.” He adored his little girl, but she was a handful. Two rambunctious boys couldn’t hold a candle to how Lilah Rose had swept through all their lives. A Queen Bee in the making.

  Maddie laughed softly. “I hear that.”

  He squeezed her hand and she squeezed right back.

  “I got an interesting call while you were packing the truck,” she said. “I forgot to tell you.”

  “From who?”

  “Spike.”

  “New York Spike? Temperamental pastry chef Spike?”

  Maddie nodded. “One and the same.”

  “What did she want?” He’d never met the woman, but he’d heard a lot about her.

  “She’s hitting the road again.”

  “Again? Have mixer will travel? You met her at Sancerre, right?” The five-star restaurant Maddie gave up to live in Morning Star and buy a diner instead.

  “Yep.” Maddie grinned. “I told her to head for Sweetgrass.”

  Boone’s eyes popped. Then he burst out laughing. “I thought you loved Scarlett.”

  Maddie laughed, too. Boone pulled the truck into a little rest stop and killed the engine.

  “Good night nurse, Miss Maddie. What have you done?”

  She winked. “Gotten your cousin the best pastry chef on two continents.”

  “They’ll kill each other.” Boone shook his head. “Spike. In Sweetgrass.” He laughed helplessly. “Like I said, crazy as a bedbug…but damn sure never boring.”

  Maddie grinned as he rounded the truck and helped her from her seat. He tapped her nose, then pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Well, this is gonna be interesting…”

  Then kids started piling out of the truck, and Daddy
’s little girl was lifting her arms to be next.

  Never a dull moment.

  Chapter Nine

  Veronica stirred, feeling strong arms around her, a big, warm body spooning hers.

  “Merry Christmas,” rumbled Jackson’s voice.

  His hands began to wander.

  Veronica smiled. Twisted to look over her shoulder at him. “Merry Christmas.”

  The electric blue eyes flared. “This is the best Christmas of my life.”

  Guilt, mingled with anticipation, had her pressing her lips together. A thrill ran through her for the surprise she desperately wanted to manage to pull off tonight. “It’s barely started.”

  His arms wrapped her midriff and gently squeezed. “The best gift I ever imagined is right here.” He laid a hot kiss to her throat.

  She shivered. And purred. Rolled toward him.

  “Mommy?” came the stage whisper from outside their door. “Prince Daddy? I think maybe Santa came.”

  Veronica grinned and shook her head. “Welcome to Christmas with kids.”

  His entire face lit, and he chuckled. “Sleep is overrated.” Then he placed a kiss to her throat, over her collarbone…

  “Mommy?”

  Jackson let his head fall back with a sigh. “I adore those girls.”

  Veronica took his face in her hands and pressed one soft kiss on his mouth. “But knockout drops have their appeal, yes?”

  He grinned, then vaulted from the bed, pulled on jeans and grabbed a shirt. Looked back at her with a wink. “We’ll continue this later. It’s a date?”

  Oh, if only you knew… They had a date with Judge Porter, then Rissa and Mackey were taking the kids for the night. Boone and Maddie and their brood were staying at the Star Bar G, and it would be a madhouse.

  But she and Jackson would be alone. For the first time.

  She stretched and smiled, watching his hot gaze scan her.

  “So not fair, Vee.”

  “Prince Daddy, are you awake?”

  Jackson blew Veronica a kiss and waited for her to slip on the gown he’d stripped off her first thing last night once they’d finally gotten the girls to sleep. He opened the door. “Hey, Princess. Merry Christmas!”

  Abby squealed. “Merry Christmas, Prince Daddy!” Veronica spotted Beth wriggling behind her while Abby bounced like a jumping jack.

  Veronica heard Ben’s door open.

  “Merry Christmas, son,” Jackson said.

  Ben grunted and mumbled a response. He was not a morning person.

  “Mommy, Mommy!” The girls raced past Jackson and threw themselves on her bed. “Merry Christmas, Mommy—Santa came!”

  Veronica lifted her eyebrows. “I thought the rule was we don’t go downstairs to peek until everyone’s awake and ready.”

  Abby grimaced. “Well, um…we were just worried because it’s Prince Daddy’s first Christmas and what if Santa forgot him and so we—”

  “Abigail…?”

  Beth covered a giggle.

  “Beebee, don’t laugh at me.”

  Beth’s brown eyes glittered with suppressed laughter.

  Jackson returned with one arm slung around Ben’s shoulders.

  “Hey, Mom. Merry Christmas.” In Ben’s eyes she could see their secret bursting to get out.

  She understood completely. She wasn’t sure how she’d survive until tonight. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

  “So…what did Santa bring me, Miss Beth?” Jackson asked.

  “I didn’t—” Beth giggled.

  Abby quivered with her own laughter.

  “Let’s wait for your mom to get ready. Come on out here in the hall. Then we’ll all go down together.”

  The girls scrambled from the bed and raced to catch up. Jackson closed the door, but not before he gave her an exaggerated eyebrow waggle that reminded her of delights in store for later.

  If only he knew… He was such a good man. Another man would be sulking over not getting the one gift he’d asked for. Jackson took it in stride and moved on.

  A secret shiver rippled through her. He looked so happy.

  Just wait until tonight, my love. Every fear she’d had about the wisdom of this surprise evaporated into mist.

  He might or might not like the sweater she’d knitted in every stolen moment she could find. It matched his stunning eyes, this present he’d be unwrapping soon.

  But he was going to love his real gift when he received it.

  “Jackson,” she said later, stunned beyond words. Around them were piles of wrappings. He seemed to have bought out the entire West Coast in his quest to shower the children with presents.

  They would be having a talk later about what constituted excess.

  But right now, she held magic in her hands.

  “Do you like it, Vee?” Had she ever heard him so anxious before? “It’s not intended to be pushy. I just wanted you to have an engagement ring. The rest will come…whenever. No rush.”

  She glanced up, and Ben met her gaze, his eyes asking if she would reveal their surprise now.

  She gave a faint shake of her head. She would keep Ben’s secret until it was time—however hard this ring made keeping her promise. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” She gazed up at Jackson with years of love in her heart. “Will you put it on me?”

  “Nothing I’d like more. Let me do the honors first…even though there’s no candles or moonlight or a fancy dinner.”

  Even Abby fell silent, as though she understood the import of the moment.

  “I thought I would never have the chance to do this.” Jackson rose, then went to one knee. “Veronica Patton Butler, love of my life, would you do me the honor of marrying me one day?” His eyes were so blue and so beautiful, so beloved.

  He might want candles and moonlight, but this was their life now, the dog chewing happily on a new bone, the children around them, the mounds of crumpled gift wrap…

  It was perfect. She cradled his beloved face in her hands. “I’ve loved you so long, Jackson. Of course I will marry you. There’s nothing I want more.”

  Solemnly he slid the stunning ring over her knuckle. An astonishing creation, the ring seemed nearly gossamer, spun from starlight and dreams, as delicate as a spiderweb and woven in a pattern that, with the wedding ring, formed an intricate pattern.

  “The symbol means forever,” he said, and raised her hand to his mouth for a kiss.

  She lifted her eyes to his. “Forever. I want that.”

  She had to look at it again. Couldn’t get enough. “It fits perfectly.” She brushed trembling fingers over it. “I love that you made it so I wouldn’t catch it on things as I work.” She glanced up again, tears hazing her vision. “It’s stunning. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “I had it made special for you.” He nodded down. “The colored stones on the interlocking wedding band are the kids’ birthstones and ours.”

  Her lips parted. “Oh, Jackson…”

  “Because it’s all of us. We’re together, and we’re never going to be apart again.” He paused. “And if you wanted to have more, the diamonds can be replaced.”

  She gazed into his beautiful eyes. “Jackson…”

  “It’s okay. You’ve been a mother for a long time. You might not want to do it again, and I’m okay with that. The children we have are plenty.”

  “Can we think about that?” Though the notion of bearing his child, one they’d raise together from the beginning…

  “Of course we can.” But longing flickered deep in those electric blue eyes.

  She stroked his beloved face and wanted to promise him everything, but she was terrified of spilling the surprise.

  Telling him about tonight was tempting, but Jackson deserved to be claimed in front of the whole town. He’d been a pariah once, and he’d suffered alone for years.

  They would marry him, all of them, and they’d make him a home.

  “I love you so much,” she said and went into his arms
.

  Jackson held her close and kissed her.

  Then opened his arms and gathered in the family they would make official tonight.

  Penny awoke to the soft warmth of lips tracing a tattoo over her skin.

  She gasped as Bridger touched a particularly sensitive spot. “Good morning,” she said, eyes still closed.

  “Merry Christmas, Penelope.” She heard the smile in his voice as he kissed his way down her body.

  Then back up, halting at spots that made her sigh. And moan.

  And gasp.

  She couldn’t stand any more, and she grabbed for him. “Come here. Now, now, now,” she demanded.

  He lunged over her, his big, muscular body a feast, a delight. She let her hands cruise over him, her lips brushing every part of him she could reach, but he stayed maddeningly in control and wouldn’t be rushed—

  Until he thrust inside her, and her eyes flew open on a gasp.

  She smiled. “Merry Christmas to me,” she sang, in the tune of Happy Birthday.

  Bridger laughed and continued to love her, sweetly at first, then with fire and fury.

  She took everything he offered, greedily devoured as much of him as he would allow. Wrapped herself around him like a vine, wanting to stay right here forever, to make love with this magnificent man until neither of them could walk.

  Then he fastened his mouth on a spot that made her scream and sent her soaring.

  He leaped into the fire after her with a husky chuckle, then a deep, drawn-out, heartfelt groan.

  And as they lay there breathing hard, she wondered what on earth she was waiting for. She’d marry him this second.

  But tonight was Jackson’s night. She couldn’t horn in on a dream her brother had cherished for more than half his life.

  But soon, she promised Bridger silently. Soon. She wrapped her arms tightly around him. “Best Christmas present ever.”

  He levered himself up. “I can do better.” He stretched across the bed and grabbed something from the nightstand. Returned to her, an uncertain smile on his features.

  “What?”

  Then she saw the box in his big hands.

  The small box.

  Her eyes flew wide. “Bridger?”

  “Now don’t get all worked up, Legs. I’m not making you set any date, all right? I just—” He looked away, then back. “I just want my ring on your finger. I want people to know.” He popped open the lid of the box.