Country Courtship (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 2) (19 page)

On the other hand, he also had a bit more help as well. After visiting Kelli's father, Bobby Gray knew the best place to make the purchase he had in mind as part of his plan to woo Kelli.

And, he'd been able to grease the palms of Kelli's office assistants yesterday. Thanks to a phone call, he now knew that she was in the clinic at this exact moment.

Bright sunshine slanted across the exit ramp, throwing long shadows across the concrete.

He loved it when his plans were coming to fruition. If he hadn't been driving a vehicle, he'd have been rubbing his hands together. Instead he settled for wiggling his toes in his boots.

* * *

"You're making my life a living misery," said Dax with a heavy sigh.

Kelli stood with him beside the reception desk, but no customers were in the waiting room. She'd been depressed ever since the disastrous trip to College Station.

"Quit trying to make me pay for the mistakes of all men."

"I'm not, you nut." She punched him gently on his upper arm. "I'm just making you pay for your own."

Dax held up his hand in a stop motion. "Wrong. At the very least, you're making me pay for Bobby Gray's mistakes."

Her lips narrowed. Unfortunately, Dax was a little too close to home on that one. "Ouch."

"Gotcha, huh?"

"'Fraid so." She rubbed his arm where she'd punched it. "Sorry."

"That's okay." Dax tossed his head. "Already figured out how to make you pay." He glanced at his wristwatch. "And it's due to happen at any sec—"

He was cut off by the opening of the door into the waiting room. Before they could see who was coming in, a mongrel ran into the room, barking.

"Grrr!" Kelli expectantly looked toward the door. She didn't know whether the rapid beating of her heart meant that she should run for the hills or that she was thrilled by the prospect of seeing him again. She tried for the former, but her feet ran in the opposite direction—right to Bobby Gray.

She'd given her heart to him and he'd broken it, but every inch of her traitorous body wanted to be near him again, like a weed twists to soak up sunshine.

The lug stood there with a parrot on his shoulder, a kitten in his arms, the horse's lead in his hands and Grrr scrambling around his ankles. Bobby Gray simply stood there in the door frame, wearing blue jeans, cowboy boots and a huge grin.

The jerk.

It occurred to her that her office staff knew he would be coming today. She spun on her heel. "Dax, you brat."

"What did I do?" he asked innocently, batting his eyes at her.

"You set me up."

"No, honey. You set yourself up." He fluttered into the back room, leaving her alone in the waiting room with one long tall cowboy who caused a little fluttering of her own—in her heart.

She spun and directed her anger toward the man who deserved it. "And why are
you
here?"

"I came to apologize."

"With a menagerie in tow?"

"They came to apologize, too."

He looked too cute for words, but she was determined to harden her heart against him—the kitten mewed at her—
and
his animals.

The man had traded her heart for his business interests. He didn't deserve forgiveness. She didn't deserve the heartache he'd delivered to her, either. Why couldn't he have been the man she'd hoped he was?

"Forgive me?"

"I haven't heard an apology." And even if he did say he was sorry, could she ever forgive a man who only pretended to be in love with her? Who was willing to sacrifice her privacy all in the interests of making money?

"I'm too stupid to live."

That was a good beginning, but she didn't say anything, because no matter how she felt about him, he obviously didn't care for her
enough
.

"My pets think I'm stupid, too."

She was not going to dignify his ridiculous excuse for an apology with so much as a slight smile.

"What I did was wrong and I know I don't deserve for you to forgive me, but I hope you will." He stopped talking and just gazed at her through sad green eyes. Instead of emerald pools, today they reminded her of the color of brackish lake water.

When he remained silent, she shook her head. "It's not that easy."

"I didn't think it would be. I'm the stupidest kind of jackass."

She fought a strong urge to kick him. To hurt him as he'd hurt her. "You're a jerk, too." Why fight it? Her pointy-toed shoe made contact with his shin.

He jumped and nearly dropped his pets. "That hurt."

"Don't make me kick the other leg. Thanks to you my dreams are shattered. You taught me an invaluable lesson: all men are jerks."

"I can understand why you're upset, but I didn't think you'd be this angry with me or so filled with melodrama."

"Are you nuts?" Kelli threw up her arms and paced around the waiting area. "Are all men crazy?"

"I don't get it."

"You give me a check—buying me for all intents and purposes—throw me at another man—one who I'm certain is criminally insane, by the way, not merely nuts like you and the rest of the male race—and expect me to be fine with it?"

"I didn't throw you at anyone."

"You knew about me and Ed."

"What are you talking about?"

"I told you. We used to date."

"You dated Ed?" He slapped his forehead. "Oh, honey. No wonder you're mad. I should be horsewhipped."

"That can be arranged."

"I promise, Kelli, I didn't know it was the same guy."

He didn't look like he was lying. "Are you telling the truth?"

He held up his hand in the Boy Scout pledge. "Nothing but."

"You didn't set me up to be pestered by him again?"

"I just thought, since he would be impressed by your mom's title, that it would help my family if you met Ed. Nothing more." He nudged his boot against the waiting room paneling. "If I'd known he was the guy who'd made you so miserable, I'd have decked him."

"Truly?"

"I'm calling Monty Joe and telling him we have to change bankers."

"I thought he doesn't listen to you."

"I'm finally getting through to him—thanks to you, Kelli. You've helped me see myself and my goals in life differently." He came a step closer and stared down deep into her eyes, so deep that he found her soul. Somehow, his soul reached up to join hers and her heart twisted because she could tell that he really was hurting, too.

He held out the kitten. "Would you mind holding him?"

"Why?"

"Trust me on this. Will you?"

She knew his question meant much more than he was literally asking. Could she, would she, ever trust him again?

How could she ignore the loving gleam in his eyes and how he waited so patiently for her response? She took the kitten and cradled him at her shoulder. Bobby Gray handed her the horse's reins, too. The parrot remained on his shoulder as he kneeled at her feet.

"I love you so much, Kelli."

Then it dawned on her exactly what he was about to do and tears sprang into her eyes. Happy tears.

"Would you do me—and my menagerie—the honor of marrying us? We promise we'll do everything we can to make you happy."

Kelli continued cradling the kitten, but kneeled in front of Bobby Gray. "Yes, you clown. Yes."

He brushed her tears back with his thumb. "Aren't you happy?"

"Deliriously so."

He gently removed the kitten from her arms and pulled her to him. "Thanks for forgiving me."

"I should have trusted you. Thanks for loving me anyway." Then she kissed him—their second kiss ever.

His lips were tender on hers and held the promise of a joyful and loving life together. This kiss was even better than their first and she wanted it to never stop.

As they came up for air, Kelli heard a lot of noise coming from the direction of the receptionist area. There stood her entire staff and several customers, all applauding and cheering.

Just then, her sister Lori came in the door, around the horse and behind Bobby Gray. One look at Kelli and Bobby Gray in each other's arms and she stiffened. "What's going on here?"

Kelli wanted to duck but Bobby Gray wouldn't let her.

He turned and said, "Congratulate me. Your sister just agreed to make me the happiest man in the world."

Lori sputtered. "How could you, Kelli?"

Kelli didn't know what to say. "I couldn't not. I hope you're okay with it—with us." She waved her hand between Bobby Gray and herself.

Lori's expression softened. "Of course I'm okay with you falling in love. When I got your message, I was hurt at first, but then I realized I was being silly. There was never anything between your cowboy and me."

"What have I been telling you all along?" asked Bobby Gray, giving Kelli a kiss on the tip of her nose.

"What I'm upset about is that we pinky swore we would ask for each other's approval before accepting a marriage proposal. You said yes without asking me first."

Kelli had forgotten all about their childhood promise and guilt ate at her. "I hope you'll forgive me, but it only just happened and I didn't have any warning beforehand. The goofy cowboy took me completely by surprise. I'm madly in love with him and while it would kill me if you didn't approve, I'm still going to marry the lug."

"Don't worry, Kelli. If Lori doesn't approve of me now, I have a plan that will win her to my side," said Bobby Gray, apparently not the least upset by Kelli's goofy cowboy comment.

She'd have to make a note not to call him that in the future—at least not within his hearing.

"Absolutely I approve. Besides," added Lori, "this means you're now off the market. No more competition for my men. I hope the two of you will be blissfully happy."

Kelli's heart soared with happiness. "Thanks, Lori."

"That reminds me," said Bobby Gray, pulling a ring box from his shirt pocket. "Your dad said you'd like this."

He opened the box and she was speechless. The ring had been designed by the same jeweler who had created her mother's engagement ring. The central diamond, while not huge, was large enough to draw the eye. The stone was flawless and had a slight bluish hue. Two triangular diamonds adorned each side of the central gem and the setting was elegant without being overly ornate.

It was the single most beautiful piece of jewelry she'd ever seen and tears slipped from her eyes as Bobby Gray slid it onto her finger.

Vladimir decided to pipe up. "Marry us."

And Kelli knew it could never be a mistake to hitch her wagon to this cowboy's star.

Epilogue

July Fourth One Year Later

This wasn't just any July Fourth party at the Palmer's estate. This year, the fireworks exhibition would be the largest ever, in celebration of Kelli and Bobby Gray's upcoming nuptials. This Independence Day celebration was also their engagement party.

Everyone from both families was in attendance, including many members of Valrovian royalty, and all of the ranch hands from the Nelson Ranch, the Owens Ranch and the Murphy Ranch.

There were no sour notes to this celebration.

Kelli stood in the bedroom that had once been hers and looked outside the window at the party below. Even the caterers appeared to be enjoying themselves and Kelli kept resisting the urge to pinch herself.

Was it possible that anyone could be happier than she was? Was it possible to freeze a moment in time so that she could relive this over and over again?

Lori wandered into the bedroom. "Do you have any shoes I can borrow? The ones I planned to wear hurt my feet."

"I'm sure I do." Kelli gave Lori a big hug. "You're not disappointed about Bobby Gray, are you?"

"No. I was just jealous." She ducked her head. "I'm sorry I made it sound like we were an item. We never were."

"I can't believe you'd ever be jealous of me, Lori. You're so beautiful—and glamorous and dainty. Everything I ever wished I was!"