Under Texas Blue Skies

by Debra Holt

  His hands claimed hers and she caught her breath as she realized his intent when he went down on one knee.

  “Would you give me the greatest Christmas present I could ever want and say that you’ll be my wife as soon as possible?”

  Through tears, she nodded her head emphatically and then found her voice. “That’s exactly what I want for Christmas as well. Yes, I will marry you. A thousand times, yes.”

  Her laughter joined his as J.D. rose quickly and caught her up into his arms, swinging her around and around. He paused and then claimed her lips.

  Under the sprawling limbs of the oak tree once more, they had come home.

  Epilogue

  “Matthew Ross Maxwell! Don’t you even think of touching that wedding cake, young man.”

  Tracy’s warning tone and steely-eyed mom-stare forestalled her youngest son from swiping another bit of butter cream icing from the bottom layer of the cake with a swift finger. He looked crestfallen, and his chin ducked to almost touch his bowtie.

  “Go in the living room and sit in the chair next to your brother where I put you five minutes ago.”

  He jammed his hands in the pockets of his small tux and ambled off in the direction her finger pointed.

  Darcy came down the staircase and hurried into the dining room. “Did I hear you say something about the cake?” Her eyes shot to the five-tier confection situated in the center of the round table. Besides being a bridesmaid, her duty had been to supervise the production and delivery of the wedding cake. Tracy knew she would not breathe easy until the cake had been cut by the bride and groom.

  “Relax,” Tracy said, smiling as she retrieved the boutonnières from the refrigerator. “I headed my youngest off at the pass in the nick of time.”

  The staff of the catering company that J.D. had flown in from Dallas were busy with the buffet tables and getting the champagne ready to pour as soon as the couple had made their entrance into the reception area. It looked like a well-trained, well-equipped army had laid siege to the ranch over the last twenty four hours. While J.D. had taken charge of most of the reception planning, Amanda had been adamant that the wedding cake was going to be done by Darcy and her staff.

  “Do you have the bouquets?”

  “Yes, I just left them in the room upstairs. We should be t-minus ten minutes and counting now.”

  “I’ll run these to the guys, and then I’ll be right upstairs,” Tracy replied, the boutonnières in one hand and the other holding up the heavy folds of her scarlet velvet bridesmaid gown, identical to the one worn by Darcy, the maid of honor. She hurried from the kitchen, and went down the hall to the maid’s quarters, where the men waited for their cue. She gave a quick knock on the door before she stepped inside.

  Her eyes lit on her husband first, relaxing on a small sofa, a sports magazine in his hands. “Tyler Maxwell! Why don’t you have your jacket on? How can I pin this on you if you don’t?”

  Tyler jumped to attention quickly enough, shrugging into the jacket in record time. “I’m ready… see?”

  Tracy threw him one of her looks as she crossed to stand in front of J.D. She withdrew the scarlet-red rosebud with the sprigs of holly and lily of the valley from the box and pinned it carefully on the groom’s lapel, scanning him for any signs of nerves.

  “You look very calm,” she remarked, giving the flower a final adjustment and stepping back.

  “There’s something wrong with that,” Tyler spoke up. “It isn’t natural to be so calm during the last free moments of your life.” He definitely didn’t look in his wife’s direction after he'd said that.

  “You forget that he stares down fifty thousand screaming fans in a night’s work. What’s a little walk down an aisle in front of a few dozen friends?” Alex, the best man, spoke up, adjusting his cufflink and bending down a bit to allow Tracy to pin the bout of sprigs of holly and red berries on his jacket.

  “The nervous part was when I asked Mandy to marry me. After I survived that, I can survive anything from this point on.” J.D. smiled, adjusting the set of his black Stetson on his head.

  Tracy placed the third boutonnière on her husband, adjusted his bolo tie, and brushed a piece of lint off the back of his tux sleeve. She eyed them all one final time with a critical eye.

  J.D. wore a black, western-cut tux with a waist-length jacket, open to show the crisp white shirt with the black bolo tie. The other two men wore black western-cut tuxes but with regular jackets. They all had the black boots and black hats. Quite a trio of handsome men, she admired. Then she remembered the time was ticking away.

  “Who has the ring?”

  “Safe and sound, right here.” Alex patted his jacket pocket.

  “Okay, you guys can go out and take your places with Brother Graham. The ladies will join you shortly!” She disappeared as fast as she had come.

  ****

  J.D. stood waiting at the end of the aisle formed by the rows of silver chairs, arranged by the caterer, for the sixty guests who had been invited to the wedding. Large silver urns held a profusion of red poinsettias along the aisle itself. Their luck had held and the weather had cooperated. The late afternoon ceremony had a glorious blaze of sunlight across the broad patio and a cloudless sky overhead to cover them with stars later on.

  He returned the smiles of the guests as they sat facing him, and he only half-listened to the commentary being whispered between Alex and Tyler as they stood beside him. His eyes kept going to the doorway, where any minute the woman who had said yes to his proposal a week before would appear and say the words he had dreamed of her saying for so long, and she would become his wife to have and to hold from that day forward unto eternity. He might appear outwardly calm to others, but his heart raced, and his palms began to sweat. Waiting to go onstage before thousands of fans was nothing in comparison to this moment.

  The string quartet began the strains of "Canon in D," and the guests hushed their conversations. Eyes trained on the double doors as they slowly opened. Tracy, in her scarlet gown, with a fuzzy white fur wrap added to it, came first with her bouquet of red roses and holly. She winked at her two sons, who sat as still as church mice… for once… in their seats next to Rosa, their sitter, at the end of the aisle. She looked up and gave J.D. a huge grin just before she took her place to the side of the gazebo that served as the altar.

  Darcy came next. She could barely contain her wide grin as she neared the end of the aisle. She stepped up to take her place before turning with the rest of them to face the doors.

  The music stopped for a brief instant. Then the strains of "Here Comes the Bride" announced Amanda’s arrival.

  ****

  The guests stood as the vision-in-white filled the doorway.

  The dress was heavy white satin, with a full skirt and long tapered sleeves. The V-collar framed her throat and showed off J.D.’s wedding gift to her… a three-strand choker of perfectly matched pearls, with a center of a cameo outlined in diamonds, along with the pearl and diamond studs in her ears. A diamond-encrusted headpiece held the several layers of white veil that trailed to the floor behind her. A cascade bouquet of scarlet roses, white lilies, and delicate, trailing greenery provided the color in the sea of white.

  J.D.’s gaze never wavered from hers, even as he stepped forward to take her hand and draw it through the curve of his arm before helping her negotiate the step up to the altar.

  Amanda had floated down the aisle in the eyes of many, but in her heart she had felt as if she had sprinted down it. When she felt J.D.’s hand close over hers, the nervousness and the butterflies vanished in an instant, and an amazing calm settled over her heart. This was the moment she had waited almost her entire life for… the moment she had dreamed of on so many lonely nights. The hope that had been buried deep within her for so long. And now it was all real, and she looked up at the strong face of the man who returned her gaze with his own.

  Vows were repeated to each other in solemn tones. When the minister pronounced them
husband and wife, Amanda was swept up in an embrace that only ended when a smattering of laughter from the guests and a gentle nudge from the best man brought them both back to reality.

  The rest of the evening with its meal, toasts, cake cutting, dancing, all passed in a whirling blur for Amanda. She only knew that the best part of it all was that each time she looked up from talking to their guests, her eyes were immediately claimed by a pair of jade ones across the room. J.D. would flash that half-smile/half-grin in her direction, and she would feel an immediate warmth all the way to the tips of her toes.

  One of the most perfect moments of the evening came when J.D. led her to the center of the dance floor, seated her in a chair, and then was handed a guitar from one of the band members. He sang just to her, the song he had written about her so long ago… the song for Mandy with the blue eyes. Those same blue eyes filled with tears as he sang.

  J.D. topped off the last evening of the year by leading everyone outside to the patio once more. The air was chilly but spirits were too high. The dark night sky suddenly exploded above their heads and bright, sparkling fireworks lit up the sky at the stroke of midnight. Amanda was wrapped inside the warm cocoon of his arms and leaned her back against his solid chest while the spectacle flashed above them.

  “This is one of those moments that will stay with me forever,” he whispered next to her ear. “I promise to do my best to always keep you as happy as you are right now for as long as we live.”

  Time for their departure came, and Alex brought the limo to the edge of the walk. J.D. took her hand in his and gave her a smile. “Are you ready, Mrs. Sterling?”

  She flashed him a wide grin and tightened her grip on his. “Ready as ever, Mr. Sterling.”

  Their laughter echoed with the shouts and comments of their guests, who pummeled them with handfuls of birdseed as they ran the gauntlet along the sidewalk to the open door of the limo. Amanda slid along the back seat of the limo as best she could, given the fullness of her wedding gown. The door was shut, and they were off.

  “You never told me where we’re going, you know. It made it hard to pack.” Amanda grinned at the man beside her, who was still trying to empty birdseed from his ears and off his hat.

  “Don’t worry. This honeymoon won’t require a lot of clothing.” He flashed a wicked grin along with his reply.

  “Seriously, J.D... where are we going?”

  “We ‘re taking the jet to the warm Caribbean tomorrow. There will be a lot of blue water, warm white sand, and long, hot tropical nights.” His voice was most descriptive on the hot tropical night’s part. She didn’t resist when he drew her into his arms, his lips taking hers in a long, slow, tantalizing kiss.

  It was a few minutes before she found her voice again. “So where are we going tonight, if we don’t fly away until tomorrow?”

  J.D. punched a button, and his window lowered a bit. They were driving along a road that was vaguely familiar to her, but in the dark, it was hard to tell.

  “We should be at our destination very shortly. It is highly recommended. The décor is unbelievable, the food prepared by fine chefs, and it is very private.”

  “Where did you find something like that so close to McKenna Springs?” She looked at him with skepticism.

  The car slowed and rounded a bend. Then she recognized where they were. They had taken a long, circuitous route around the edges of the property and were slowly headed back toward the main ranch house.

  “Surprise, surprise,” J.D. said as the car came to a stop. Alex was at the door in a few seconds, holding it wide.

  “The coast is clear. Everyone has departed in record time… with some encouragement from certain members of the wedding party. The car will be here for you at ten in the morning. Have a good evening.” He managed to keep his smile under control… for the most part. The wink was added as he took a seat in the front beside the driver. A final wave shot out of the window as the limousine pulled away.

  “I can’t believe this.” Amanda was almost speechless at the surprise.

  J.D. reached for her hand and drew her along the walkway and up the steps. He opened the front door and then turned to face her.

  “I wanted our first night as husband and wife to be in our home. The home that I told you to decorate as if you were going to live here. Even then, I was dreaming of this moment. When I could pick you up in my arms,” and he did just that, swinging her off her feet, her arms going around his neck, “and carry you across the threshold and up the stairs to our suite… and finally sleep in the master bedroom with you, instead of the maid’s quarters as I have done for the last few months.”

  “You talk too much.” Amanda shut the door with her satin-slippered foot and gave him a slow, sexy smile.

  J.D. carried her up the stairs directly to the master suite. He didn’t stop until they were in the center of the room. A lovely fire had been started in the fireplace, dozens of candles flickered throughout the two rooms, and soft music played from the wall stereo.

  “Is this romantic enough?” he asked her.

  Her eyes took in everything. Then they settled back on his face. “I seem to recall I told you romance was about the person you share the space with… not cozy fires and soft music.”

  “Then will I do?” She laid her palm gently against his strong cheek, her blue eyes filled with all the love in her heart as she gazed into his. “For the rest of our lives… you’ll do, cowboy.”

  About the Author

  Born and raised in the Lone Star state of Texas, Debra Holt grew up among horses, cowboys, wide-open spaces, and real Texas Rangers. Pride in her state and ancestry knows no bounds and it is these heroes and heroines she loves to write about the most.

  She also draws upon a variety of life experiences including working with abused children, caring for baby animals at a major zoo, and having a wedding planning business (ah, romance!).

  Debbie’s real pride and joys, however, are her son, an aspiring film actor, and a daughter with aspirations to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (more story ideas!)

  When Debbie isn’t busy writing about tall Texans and feisty heroines, she can be found cheering for her favorite football team, the Texas Tech Red Raiders, or heading off on another cruise adventure. She read her first romance...Janet Dailey's Fiesta San Antonio, over thirty years ago and became hooked on the genre. Writing romances is both her passion and dream come true, and she hopes her books will bring smiles...and sighs...to all who believe in happily-ever-afters!

  You can reach her at www.debraholtbooks.com.

  Also from Astraea Press

  Chapter One

  Kami's blouse bunched up her back as she slid down the wide oak's trunk. She cringed as aged bark grazed her skin and snagged her hair until her bottom hit the ground. She folded her knees to her chest, buried her face in her arms, and welcomed the sharp pangs. Hurting Ian pained her more than anything she'd done in her life.

  Autumn leaves crunched as he paced the woodland's small clearing. Each stride matched two beats of her heart and crushed the sweet memories of their grove. Dust scented the air as he shuffled through a turn.

  "Why are you just now telling me this?" His breath hitched, and he cleared his throat.

  Words wouldn't form as Kami lifted her gaze.

  His hazel eyes shifted to the shadows of the young birch trees as he set his hands at his waist. A cloud of insects drifted through the pale trunks. Soft hums filled the air as they paused.

  He ran his hand across his jaw and looked back at her. "You know I love you, Kami."

  Tears seeped beneath her lids, and she blinked to relieve the burn. "I need to be the only one, Ian. I can't know you might love someone else more than me when you choose another wife."

  She stared at the thick roots that surrounded her and then traced the curve of one nearby with her fingertip. They wove into the caramel-colored ground, creating a perfect lounge for two lovers in an embrace. How many times had they sat there and shared t
heir secrets, their love? How many times had he told her she was the one? She cursed the fact that she had been gullible enough to believe it could be true.

  Kami forced her voice through her tight throat. "When I first saw you, you were playing in the park with that scruffy little dog. Its hair was so long and matted, I thought you couldn't afford to pay a groomer. I thought that sock with the knot in it was all you could come up with to be his toy."

  His gaze dropped to the ground. "That stray lives at the park, and I removed my sock to have some fun with him."

  "I know that now. But then I assumed you were poor. And after the third date of peanut butter sandwich picnics by the river, I thought I knew for certain. I mean, who could love peanut butter that much? And what member of the elite class chooses such a simple activity for a date?"

  She scanned his solemn countenance. His love of nature was one of the things she adored about him, alongside the fact that he didn't feel the need to flaunt his wealth. But to keep such a fact from her under the circumstances… "I fell in love with you, believing you would make me the one choice you were allowed as a member of the lower class."

  A gust of wind lifted his black hair to dance around his face. The cheery motion seemed to mock his lips as they dipped into a deep frown. "If it were up to me, I'd have only you. Can't you believe that? I've waited, pushed the age limit to wed, looking for the right one to be my first. My first, Kami. The others will never mean what you do to me."

  "If you really love me, you'd want me alone. No other. Period." Frustration bubbled in her chest at her misconception of their love.