“Mom and I will pick up Dugan and come back in his cruiser. Heck, he’ll need it anyway when he recuperates.”
They scattered in all directions. Caught up in the excitement, Mark raced upstairs. “I get Dad’s room!” he shouted. “Do I get his bed too?”
Laughing, the guys followed him. “We’re going to play hell keeping up with this kid,” Max said as he bounced Duncan on his shoulders.
TJ walked into her old room and took charge. “The closet is almost empty. We’ll put Mom’s things in here. Let’s have the bride and groom’s room ready to paint when they get back. Lisa, why don’t you start with the small stuff in Mom’s room? Bring it in here and lay it on the bed. It’s going to take some organizing to get everything moved in a day.”
Lisa laughed. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if anybody can do it, you can.”
Phyl grabbed the money in her drawer and looked around at the busy crew. How did she ever get so lucky?
She was part of this wonderful family. So was Mark. She kissed him goodbye and walked with Donovan to the cruiser.
By mid-afternoon, the room was painted, the furniture moved around. Donovan insisted on buying another bed, mattress and box springs, which meant another trip to town with Ted, who’d come on duty earlier, running shotgun.
By dinnertime the new bed was set up with new comforters, new sheets and pillows. The walls were painted a soft, calming blue. The comforter had a dark blue border with a quilt-like top in shades of blue and white. On their second trip to town, Phyl picked up some sheers for the windows plus a rug for the floor in a blue that matched the border on the comforter.
“It’s beautiful,” Phyl breathed when she walked in to see the finished room.
Donovan bent over, kissed her. “Not as beautiful as the woman who picked out everything.”
She smiled at him. Kissed him back. “Do you think we can stay here tonight?” she whispered.
“I insist on it.”
She couldn’t wait.
The family was downstairs now, getting ready for dinner. Those from Houston would leave soon. They’d be back in a couple of weeks for the wedding.
“Where’s Mark?”
“He went to sleep on the couch. I think he wore himself out,” Nellie said.
Phyl frowned. “I guess sleep is better right now than food.”
She went to Dugan who was sitting at the table. “What can I get you?”
“I’ve been waited on since I got here. So nothing. Sit and talk.”
She sat next to him, took his hand. “I’m so sorry you were hurt. It was my fault.”
“Erik Tilton’s fault. FBI has confirmed that’s his real name. He was a sleeper. A guy sent here to keep an eye on you.” Dugan chuckled. “I don’t think that was what Gutierrez had in mind in the beginning. According to the files, Tilton was a nobody. An annoying nephew Gutierrez kept busy with menial jobs. Then he ended up being the only guy left on the payroll. Now, tell me everything that happened—from the minute you were kidnapped until we saw you running toward us in the dark.”
She laughed. “Haven’t you heard this already?”
“I want to hear it from you.”
Everyone had filled their plates, and were at the table. They wanted to hear it too. And they deserved to. Dugan most of all. She saw the cop look in his eyes. Yes, he would want to hear it from her just as it happened. So she told him.
“You were lucky,” he said.
“It turned out as it was meant to,” Nellie said. “Just as it was meant that you and Donovan will be married soon.” She looked over at Ted. “We’ll have to go to San Antonio for a dress.”
“And what about your honeymoon?” TJ asked.
Donovan shook his head. “Dress, yes. But we don’t need a honeymoon. Not now anyway.” He looked at Phyl. “Later. When this is really over.” He glanced at Ted, grinned. “When we don’t have a watchdog we’ll go somewhere.”
Ted laughed. “I may decide to stay. I like it here.”
“Fine,” Donovan agreed. “But you’ll be in the bunkhouse.”
The conversation went to the wedding, what to wear, what to serve. Then it was time to tell the Houston bunch goodbye.
Mark, revived after his nap and, with TJ hovering next to him, carried little Duncan to the car. “I can’t wait until you come back,” he told the toddler.
“Two weeks will pass fast,” TJ promised as she buckled the baby in, scooted next to him in the backseat. Lisa climbed in on the other side.
Darin and Douglas kissed Phyl goodbye. “We’re glad you’re a member of the family now.”
They waved until they couldn’t see the cars in the fading light and went inside.
“Can we watch a movie, Gran?” Mark asked.
Nellie looked at Phyl with questions in her eyes. Phyl shrugged. They hadn’t discussed what he’d call Nellie. But Mark knew. “You’re his gran now,” she told Nellie. “Is it okay?”
“I love it,” she responded. “I’ll make the popcorn, you pick the movie,” she said. Then whispered to Phyl. “I’ll put him to bed tonight if that’s okay with you.”
Phyl nodded. Nellie was making this easy for her. For them.
Ted went to the living room. “Can I help pick the movie?”
“Sure,” Mark moved over on the couch. “What do you like?”
“I’m hitting the sack,” Dugan said. “I’m worn out from watching you guys work.”
When Dugan had been upstairs a while, Donovan took Phyl’s hand and followed. When they were at the door to their room, she thought she might feel awkward. After all, Nellie was downstairs with Ted and Mark. Dugan was at the other end of the hall in his room. But she realized that Nellie would always be here, as would Mark. Ted and Dugan were another story, but for now, she could live with the situation.
Still, her nerves were taut as anticipation coiled in her gut.
Donovan turned on the light, went to the bathroom to turn on the nightlight, came back to turn off the overhead. Then, picking her up in his strong arms, captured her lips with his.
She didn’t remember anything after that. Didn’t remember losing her clothes—remembered nothing except Donovan’s lips and the craving that devoured her.
“I love you, Phyl,” he said against her hair.
“And I love you.”
Gently, he put her on the bed. Her body felt as if it were floating.
His thumb made a slow pass down her jaw, traced her lips. She curled her fingers with his and pressed them to her heart. This man could make her go limp with nothing but a smile.
When his hands moved up to slide sensuously over her thigh, her hips and up to her breasts, she shuddered with want.
Had she ever felt this way about anyone? Never.
His lips took the place of his hands and traced a path from head to toe, stopping at intervals to drive her crazy.
“I need you here with me forever,” he growled. “Never leave again, Phyl. I can’t handle it.”
She chuckled softly, pulled him closer, kissed him deeper. “It’s a promise,” she whispered when she could get her breath.
“Close your eyes now. Relax.”
Need pulsed through her when his hand slid down her leg. Every spot he touched tingled, making her want that much more.
She felt his hot and hard arousal, wanted him in her. “Now,” she begged.
“Not just yet. Let me discover you. Learn you.”
Kisses followed the trail his hands made over her body until she lost herself. She felt herself floating right along with every sensation that swept through her.
His mouth moved from her lips to her neck, then to her shoulder. She couldn’t take anymore. But he continued to give more. His tongue, his lips, his hands all over her.
She quivered with a need she’d never felt before.
Her gasps mingled with his moans. Her need changed from an ache to a driving need that had to be met.
Wiggling around until she could grasp him she gui
ded him into her.
His groan of pleasure made her dizzy.
He gave until she didn’t think she could take anymore without flying, but still he gave more.
Putting her legs around him, she lifted herself up. He drove deeper, harder, faster, until they were both gasping.
Something inside of her exploded.
Her body went limp, her legs slipped from around him, and she melted into the covers.
She’d never felt such a matching of heart and spirit—of mind and body.
It was as if she’d been waiting all her life for this man.
Contentment and joy, fulfillment and love washed through her.
When their bodies stopped shuddering Donovan laughed aloud.
Phyl punched him. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. I want to shout to the world how much I love you. You’re more than I ever hoped for—more than I ever dreamed. I’m the luckiest man alive.”
It was a very long time before they slept.
****
The day before Labor Day, the Callahan family arrived within minutes of each other.
Knowing what needed to be done, they started in.
Every holiday was a big event at the Callahan ranch, but this one would be bigger than ever. Before the day was over, the barbecue was started, the barn cleaned out, the tent put up.
Too excited to sleep, Donovan had spent the night counting his blessings and watching the clock.
Then it was his wedding day.
He stepped outside just in time to see his uncle, head bent, coming his way. He had that determined look on his face that made Donovan want to turn and run.
“Finally,” Raymond huffed out.
“What’s up?”
“I’ve wanted to get you alone for some time now. To apologize. I never wanted to cause you hurt, you know.”
Donovan smiled, all of his tension surrounding his uncle evaporating on the wind. “I didn’t know it at the time, but you did me the biggest favor of my life. If not for what happened that day, I’d never have met Phyl and Mark. And I wouldn’t be getting married today.”
Raymond’s eyes grew wide.
“So I want to thank you.” Donovan held out his hand. His uncle took it. The grip was hard.
“Thanks, Donovan. You’ve made me feel a whole lot better about what I did to you and your mother.”
Mark ran up to Donovan, wrapped his arms around his legs. “I love you, Dad.”
Donovan grinned. His eyes bright, Raymond nodded, then turned and walked over to the other guys.
Donovan couldn’t help but laugh as he swept Mark up into his arms. He’d never been this happy. The adoption was final. Dugan had pulled a few strings, and the judge, seeing nothing untoward, had hurried the process through. They’d made their last visit to court Friday. The papers were tucked in the safe. “I love you too, Son.”
Suddenly tears pricked the corners of Donovan’s eyes. He didn’t think he could love a child of his own any more than he did the one now hanging on to him like a monkey.
“Where’s your mom?”
“Getting dressed. She told me I’d better not get dirty.” He looked down at himself. “I’ve never been this dressed up.”
Mark had on creased black jeans, white button-down shirt with a black bow tie, and a black Stetson. His new boots were black and shiny, but Donovan didn’t know how long they’d stay that way. Mark didn’t walk around mud puddles he jumped them. Sometimes he missed. It didn’t bother Donovan in the least, but Phyl would have a fit. “Better mind your mom. You know how she is when she gets upset,” he said as he set Mark down again.
Mark rolled his eyes. “Sure do.”
The barn had been cleaned and scoured, the horses relegated to the corral. Tables with red-checkered tablecloths sat waiting for the ceremony to be over and dinner to begin.
Dugan’s shoulder was doing so well that he’d shed his sling days ago, gone back to work, and was helping Darin man the barbecue pit. Max had the drinks iced down. Douglas, in a red apron and a chef’s hat, was lining up salads in beds of ice, on the serving table.
Cal, who had come early, was being a gofer. He didn’t seem to mind a bit.
Ted tried to help while keeping a watchful eye on everything. As was another U.S. Marshal, Harry Falken, and FBI agent, China Gibson.
This wedding would be well attended and well protected.
Donovan looked at his watch.
The women had disappeared.
It wouldn’t be long now.
Cars came down the drive. Their guests were arriving. He couldn’t wait for this to be over.
A large Ford pickup with a trailer pulled up to the corral. Donovan looked over at Ted, grinned. The authorities were the only ones who knew what was going down.
A man and woman stepped out.
Donovan went to greet them. Mark passed him at a run.
Ray Mackenzie picked him up and swung him in a circle. “You’ve grown a foot.”
Donovan extended a hand in welcome. “I’m Donovan. And you’re Ray.” He liked the look of these two people. Little wonder Phyl had nothing but good things to say about them. “Over there,” he waved toward the barn and the men busy inside. “My brothers, along with an FBI agent, and a couple of U.S. Marshals I think you already know. The guys at the gate are my brother Dugan’s deputies. Welcome to the Callahan Ranch.”
Ray chuckled. “We know. Had to show my driver’s license. They did a look-see in the trailer.”
“Good,” Donovan said.
“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about gate-crashers today.” He turned to the woman beside him. “This is Faith.” Ray grinned as he introduced his wife. “We’re happy to be here.”
“How did our package make the trip?” Donovan asked.
“No problems.”
Mark and Faith were busy talking about schoolwork. Phyl was homeschooling for the time being. After the trial he could go to school like other kids.
Donovan went up to Mark. “Did you know there’s a tradition that when a couple gets married they exchange gifts?” Earlier, Phyl had given him her dad’s pocket watch. He didn’t want to take it. It belonged to Mark. But Phyl had insisted. “Someday it’ll be his. Now it’s yours.”
Donovan looked at Mark, at the excitement in his eyes, and felt his heart melt.
“Look in the trailer, Mark.”
Mark ran around to the back of the trailer, where Ray opened the doors.
“Snowman!” he squealed. “And Snowflake! Are they Mom’s? Are they her wedding present?”
His eyes were so big, his excitement so palpable that Donovan had to laugh. “I’m marrying both of you, aren’t I? That means you both get a gift. Snowman is yours.”
Mark threw his arms around Donovan. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, Mark. Don’t ever forget it.”
Donovan vowed that he’d remind Mark of that fact every chance he got. Especially when his brothers and sisters came along. Just as his dad had done when he was growing up.
The back door opened and Phyl came out. She was so beautiful it made his heart stand still.
Full of love and gratitude, Donovan went to greet his bride.
A word about the author...
Mitzi Pool Bridges is a former businesswoman who turned her love of reading romance into an entirely new career in writing.
She lives in Texas with her husband and is surrounded by her large family.
Contact her at
[email protected]
Follow her at
mitzipoolbridges.com
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