I lift myself to kiss his chin. “You are a genius.”
“I know. It’s why you love me.”
I brush my thumb to the corner of his mouth, and Ryan lowers his head to kiss my lips.
“What do we tell them about our adventure?” I ask softly.
“Nothing at all.”
I sit up, eyes widening. “Nothing? Not even that we had a great time, being vague on where we went?”
Ryan takes on the impish look I love. “Not a damn thing. Let them wonder.” He draws me to him again. “You’re right that we needed the time to reconnect. To remember what we mean to each other and realize how blessed we are. But it’s none of their business.”
“You know that if we maintain radio silence, they’ll think we had a big fight. Or that we were on the verge of breaking up for good. Or actually broke up.”
Ryan’s grin warms his eyes. “So? Let them think what they want. All everyone needs to know is that we’re home, and we’re ready to get married.” He glances across the room at a wall calendar with a photograph of a beautiful historic home on it. “In a few weeks.”
I jump. I’d known the date in my head, but the reality of it suddenly strikes me. “Wow. Not much time.”
“Nope.” Ryan’s satisfaction intensifies. “I can’t wait.”
“Really? You’re not getting groom jitters? Hoping someone will rescue you from all this?”
“Definitely not. I’m ready to race you down the aisle, baby.” He kisses me. “Not letting you get away.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I say softly.
The next kiss is deeper, hotter. “Good.”
When we come up for air, I suggest, “We can always play it up a little, this conflict between us they’ll invent.”
Ryan considers, the corners of his lips twitching. “Might be fun. But don’t go overboard, or we will be sitting in front of a marriage counselor, wondering how we got there.”
“Deal.” I offer my hand, and he shakes it. “Also, in a year, how about we go back to Maggie’s and see how everyone is doing? Celebrate the anniversary of us … reconnecting.”
“A beautiful idea.” Ryan’s kiss is warm. “Beautiful like you.”
“Beautiful? I’m grubby from a fourteen-hour car ride.”
“You are the most beautiful woman on the planet.” Ryan’s breath tingles through me. “I know this.”
“You’ve seen every woman on the planet, have you?”
“Don’t have to.”
Ryan knows exactly how to melt me. “I love you.”
His voice goes low, a sweet rumble. “I think you know by now that I love you too.”
“Bed?” I ask.
“Best idea I’ve heard all day.”
We pry ourselves from the sofa and hobble together, arms around each other, to Ryan’s bedroom, to take each other with warm, slow loving.
Ryan
“And that’s how it was.” I finish my truncated explanation the next night about where Calandra and I had disappeared to—leaving out almost all of what happened—and glance around the full living room of my parents’ house, where Mom has called a meeting.
When I’d walked into work this morning, exhausted as hell and sore from Calandra and me not sleeping as much as we should have, Zach, Austin, and my mom had gaped at me as though they’d never seen me before. Ben, who’d been emerging from his IT cave as I’d entered, quickly retreated.
“What are you doing here?” Zach had demanded of me.
“I work here.” I’d flicked my gaze to Mom. “Do I still work here?”
“Yes,” she’d said tightly. “But I want to know the whole story.”
I recalled what Calandra and I had decided last night and hid a grin. “The whole story is, Calandra and I left town, and Calandra and I came back. Now, I need some coffee.”
I’d walked away, leaving the three of them with mouths open, befuddled. Only Sandra, our receptionist, who is leaving soon to live with her daughter and grandchildren, had given me a quiet smile of understanding
Now as I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Calandra in my family’s living room, many people gaze back at me—my parents, Calandra’s, Zach, Austin, Ben, Brooke, Abby, Great Aunt Mary, Candy and Mandy.
They’re silent a moment as they stare at us, then everyone starts babbling at once.
Chapter Ten
Ryan
I wait for the hubbub to die down. And wait, and wait. Almost everyone in the room is talking nonstop. Only my dad and Calandra’s sit back, letting the others go.
Calandra steps in front of me and whistles through her fingers. The shrill note cuts through the air, and the chatter abruptly ceases.
I lift my hands and bring them down in a calming gesture. “First, Calandra and I want to say we love you guys, and we thank you for everything you’ve done for us so far.”
“But … ?” My mother begins. “I hear a but coming.” There’s steel in her voice. She’s tried to corner me all day, but I’d put her off, mostly by diving into work or pretending I was on the phone with very important clients.
“No buts,” Calandra says in her gentle tones. “We want you to carry on with what you’re doing.”
“With a few criteria,” I break in.
My mom folds her arms. “That is a but.”
“Okay, a bitty one.” I indicate a tiny size with my finger and thumb. “This wedding is about Calandra and me. How we’ve been together forever, how we love each other in spite of all we’ve gone through.” I count off my next points. “The rules are, one) we marry in our church where everyone knows us, and two) we don’t have a bizarre theme—no sand or zoot suits or me in a sarong. Other than that.” I wave both hands. “Go crazy.”
Again they all stare at me, and again, everyone bursts into chatter. Ben gives me a thumbs-up, as does Great Aunt Mary. Sandra, invited to the mob scene, sends me a knowing smile. Austin and Zach are retreating to the edges, Zach to escape the feminine chatter, Austin to distance himself from Brooke.
I turn to Calandra and enfold her in my arms. “Think they’ll listen?” I say into her ear.
“Doesn’t matter.” She nuzzles me. “As long as we’re together.”
“I can go along with that.”
I kiss her, drawing her up into me, until Calandra’s on tiptoes, kissing me back with a spark of desire. The noise fades, but I feel the love of our families and friends floating around us, completing us.
Exactly the way it should be.
Epilogue
Ryan
I marry Calandra, the love of my life, on a fine April day. It turns out to be a simple wedding in our church, Calandra beautiful in white silk. I wear a tux—no sarongs in sight. Zach is my best man, my other brothers the groomsmen, our families in the front pews of the church.
Calandra and I had fun playing up reasons for our impromptu trip to the mountains in these last weeks, driving our friends and family more and more nuts. That’s all over now, as we gather for mutual gladness.
I eagerly kiss Calandra when the priest pronounces us husband and wife, savoring the sweetness of her. At that moment, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.
As we finish the ceremony and turn to make our exit, Calandra nudges me. “Zach and Abby,” she whispers.
I hate to pry my gaze from Calandra, but I glance at my brother and see what she means. Zach’s regarding Abby, the maid of honor, as though he’s a thirsty man and she’s a fountain of crystal clear water.
“Hmm,” I whisper back. “Might be something there.”
“I hope so.”
Any more words are drowned out by the music that sends us down the aisle and out into the sunlight. We’re surrounded by family and love, and my heart is full.
It’s even fuller ten months later, when I hold my daughter for the first time. Tara is so beautiful that I want to cry. And I do. I’m not ashamed to say tears fall on her downy head. I’d thought I’d loved Calandra all I could at the wedding and the rest of this year, but I’
m wrong. Now is the perfect moment.
We miss our first anniversary promise to return to Maggie’s by a few months, because, well, new baby. I don’t think we slept at all, and Tara was too tiny to travel far.
Once Tara is a robust ten-month-old, we pack up all the baby stuff from our beautiful Mission Revival home with its deep, cool porch and red tile roof, and head to Tahoe. This time, I arrange the private flight long in advance, and the weather is great, the beginning of a bright summer.
We rent a car after landing at a small airport and find our way to a hotel that’s practical for traveling with kids. I’d always thought I’d prefer a romantic getaway with Calandra than worrying about milk bottles and our stock of diapers, but I’m wrong again. I hope we have a ton of kids, and take them all over the world.
The next morning, I drive south, finding the road I’d accidentally taken a year and a half ago, while Calandra makes faces at Tara in the back seat. Tara loves to laugh, and she’s going gangbusters. She’s a happy kid.
I notice the first change when we end up at the gate to Maggie’s place. We’d debated a long time about bringing Tara here, but decided that standing outside to say hi will be fine. Tara doesn’t have to know what goes on inside the house, and won’t even remember this trip.
The sign on the gate says, Last Stop Ranch, Bed and Breakfast. The lettering has also changed to cheerful yellow on a blue background, surrounded by sunflowers.
Calandra and I glance at each other. I drive in and around the trees to the parking area in front of the house. That too has changed, smoothed out with spaces indicated with wooden stoppers. The house shows the biggest change—the wooden siding newly varnished, and fresh blue paint on the eaves and the door.
The parking lot is full. I pull into a small space between two SUVs.
Calandra and I exit the car, Calandra lifting out Tara, and me unloading the three large bags of baby stuff. When you have kids, I always say, they should come with a maintenance package included.
The door opens as we approach. A mom herds three small boys outside, who start yelling even as they hit open air. Ignoring us, the boys take off at a run, mom trotting after them, telling them to be careful.
Calandra and I exchange another glance. Calandra forges ahead and catches the door before it closes. More changes—the nude women pictures have vanished, and there’s soft furniture, flowers in vases, tables with magazines about the Tahoe area on them.
“Hello, welcome to Last Stop—” The young woman who greets us from a desk leaps to her feet, mouth opening in surprise.
She’s Cherise, but transformed. The uncertain young woman with too much makeup for her thin face is in a trim pair of slacks with lacy top, her blonde hair pulled into a bun. Only a little bit of lipstick and eyeshadow adorn her. Not only are her clothes and hair different, but her demeanor is as well. Somewhere during the last year and a half, she’s found confidence and poise.
“Oh, it’s you,” she exclaims in delight. “Ryan and Calandra. And who’s this?”
Cherise’s expression melts into enchantment, which is the magic of baby. Tara coos on cue.
“This is Tara,” I say, the pride radiating from me to light up the room. “Our daughter.”
“Oh, she’s adorable.”
Tara obligingly takes Cherise’s finger and squeezes it tight—she has a masterful grip. Once Cherise is able to pry herself free, she hurries toward the door that leads to the kitchen.
“Maggie! You’ll never guess who’s here.”
“Of course I can’t guess from behind a door.” Maggie strides out, looking the same as she had when we’d last seen her. She plants her hands on her hips and surveys us in pleasure. “Well, aren’t you a feast for sore eyes? Calandra and Ryan, the perfect couple, and a baby for the final touch. How have you been?”
She advances on us and hugs first Calandra plus baby and then me. Maggie thumps me on the back as she embraces me, as though we’re old friends.
Maggie stands back and looks us over. “Seems like everything turned out fine.”
“It did.” Again, my pride leaks out. I’ll blow out the lightbulbs if I’m not careful.
“I thought you were going to retire,” Calandra says.
Maggie shakes her head. “I considered it, then I realized I’ve been in business so long, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I woke up with nothing to do all day. So I decided to stay in business, just a different business. Keeps me out of trouble.”
“You never told us,” Calandra says. “Remember? I gave you my number.”
Maggie shrugs. “Didn’t think you’d be interested, and you’ve been a little busy.” She gazes pointedly at me and Tara. “I’ve been busy too—running a B&B is a lot of work. But I have Cherise to help me with the guests and the cooking, and Milo to make sure nothing in this old house breaks down. He’s good at it, and also at hauling supplies to keep us stocked. No more power failures, even in blizzards.
“Oh.” Calandra nonchalantly swings a little to rock Tara. “Milo’s still around then?”
“We’re together,” Cherise bursts out. There’s the young woman in love we’d seen before. She waves her left hand, which is adorned by a thin gold band plus another band with a diamond. “We got married last fall.”
“Congratulations,” Calandra cries, and then she and Cherise are hugging and squealing.
Milo takes that moment to walk in, toolbox at his side. “What in—” He stops, and a grin spreads over his face. “Hey, you two. Welcome back.”
“Three,” Cherise says as she releases Calandra. “This is Tara. Isn’t she the cutest thing?”
I tense, hoping Milo doesn’t realize that Cherise is now wanting one of her own and decides to bolt.
I shouldn’t have worried. Milo, the taciturn driver who took his R&R at Maggie’s bordello, softens like pudding. Again, the magic of baby.
“Well, hello there.” Milo pokes Tara’s tummy. “Aren’t you sweet? Pretty, like your mama.”
“Isn’t she?” Cherise asks in excitement.
Milo stands close to Cherise. “Congratulations,” he says to me. “But get ready to fight me for being proudest papa. We haven’t told no one this yet, but Cherise is expecting.”
“What?” Maggie’s shriek fills the lobby. An older couple hurries in from the hall, blinking at the noise. They see Maggie flying at Cherise to embrace her while Milo stands back sheepishly, and they smile and move on outside.
“Congratulations,” Calandra says, getting her hug in when Maggie finally releases Cherise. I wring Milo’s hand. He’s grinning, knowing he’s being a sentimental sap and deciding to enjoy it.
“I can still work …” Cherise begins to Maggie.
“I won’t fire you for starting a family,” Maggie says. “But we’ll have to find you a bigger place to live. They’ve been in my guesthouse, while I have a room here,” she tells us. “We’ll either expand that guesthouse, or build a second one.”
The conversation continues, many suggestions and comments flying back and forth, Tara occasionally interrupting with one of her loud, animated cries.
I slide my arm around Calandra, including Tara in my caress. “Now we sound like our families did before our wedding.”
Calandra laughs. “I guess it’s human nature. We want to help those we’re fond of to be happy.”
I kiss first Calandra and Tara, while Cherise, Milo, and Maggie are still planning. “They helped us,” I whisper, indicating the three. “And now I’m the happiest man alive.”
“And I’m the happiest woman.”
I kiss her softly. Tara says, “Squeeeee-ah!”
Calandra and I fall into laughter, and we both kiss our daughter. Tara always has to have the final word.
Thank you for reading! This book brings the series, which began with This Changes Everything, full circle. I hope you enjoyed it!
For more contemporary romance, see my small-town series of full-length novels, Riding Hard, beginning with Adam. The C
ampbell brothers, and their rivals, the Mallorys, are stunt riders in very close families in the fictional town of Riverbend, Texas.
Also by Jennifer Ashley
The McLaughlin Brothers
(Contemporary Romance)
This Changes Everything
Why Don’t You Stay? … Forever
Never Say Never
Give Me One Night
Riding Hard
(Contemporary Romance)
Adam
Grant
Carter
Tyler
Ross
Kyle
Ray
Snowbound in Starlight Bend
Shifters Unbound
(paranormal romance)
Pride Mates
Primal Bonds
Bodyguard
Wild Cat
Hard Mated
Mate Claimed
“Perfect Mate” (novella)
Lone Wolf
Tiger Magic
Feral Heat
Wild Wolf
Bear Attraction
Mate Bond
Lion Eyes
Bad Wolf
Wild Things
White Tiger
Guardian’s Mate
Red Wolf
Midnight Wolf
Tiger Striped
A Shifter Christmas Carol
Iron Master
Last Warrior
Shifter Made ("Prequel" short story)
The Mackenzies Series
(Historical Romance)
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron
The Duke’s Perfect Wife
A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift
The Seduction of Elliot McBride
The Untamed Mackenzie
The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie
Scandal and the Duchess
Rules for a Proper Governess
Give Me One Night (McLaughlin Brothers Book 4) Page 8
