Cowboy to the Rescue (23 page)

“Why now, Christina?”

Regret filled her eyes. “Last night, when Lawrence started firing his gun, I was terrified he might kill you or me and that I—I'd never have the chance to tell you how much I love you.”

His eyes full of wonder, he cupped his hands against the sides of her face. “You love me? Oh, Christina! Why didn't you tell me before?”

Why hadn't she? Now that both of them had been in serious danger of losing their lives, her reasons seemed ridiculous. “I didn't think it would matter to you. You'd said that other women had fallen in love with you and they'd not gotten any love from you in return—I thought I'd be just one more.”

The soft glimmer she saw in his eyes looked incredibly like love, and the idea set her heart pounding loudly in her ears.

“Oh, darling, you're not just any woman. You're my life!” Bending his head, he brought his lips next to hers. “The night we found the disk with Dad's journal, I realized I loved you, but I couldn't tell you. I knew the words would be just that—words to you and nothing more. And then last night—when I saw Lawrence about to shoot you, I was seeing my world ending right before my eyes. Christina, weeks, months, years wouldn't make me love you any more than I do now. I want you to be my wife. You've got to believe me.”

Incredible joy swept through her, and she stared at him in amazement. “Your wife? I never thought I'd hear you say those words.”

“Well, I'm waiting to hear your answer. I'm waiting to hear you say you can be happy living here on the Sandbur, with me.”

She blinked rapidly as happy tears filled her eyes. “I love the ranch, Lex. I was just wondering how I was ever going to be able to leave it—and you. Now I won't have to. I've been a career woman for over ten years, and it's been good. I want to be a wife and mother now—more than anything.”

Laughing now, he lifted her off her feet, then allowed the front of her body to slide against his until the tips of her toes were back on the floor and her lips were hovering beneath his.

“Dad has been gone for nearly twelve years,” he said gently. “When you first came to the ranch, I never believed that you—that the two of us together—would ever discover what really happened to him.”

“But we did,” she whispered happily.

“Yeah, we did. But more than that, Christina, you walked into my heart and showed me what it's like to love. Really love. And, honey, I may not be the ideal husband or the greatest dad, but I'm damn well going to try.”

“That's all I'll ever ask, my love,” she whispered, then with a happy sigh, closed the last breath of space between their lips.

S
ix weeks later, on a hot September evening, the wedding guests finally vacated the backyard at the Saddler house. The band had carried away the last of their instruments, and now all that was left behind of Lex and Christina's reception was a few family members, the mess and plenty of fond memories.

Weary, but very contented, Geraldine wandered through the empty tables piled high with leftover food, dirty plates and champagne glasses. She'd just seen her last child married, and though she expected some mothers would be feeling a bit melancholy, she wasn't. Her prayers had finally been answered. Lex had found and married the love of his life.

Pausing at the end of one of the tables, she looked toward the arbor, where Nicci and Mercedes were sitting in lawn chairs, visiting with their cousins. It hadn't taken long for carpenters to repair the fire damage to the house, but it would take the honeysuckle much longer to grow back, and she hated that.

“Looks as bare as a newborn's butt, don't it?”

Geraldine looked toward the voice to see Cook sitting alone beneath the branch of a live oak. The older woman was all dressed up in red silk and black high heels, and her long hair was wound in an elaborate chignon at the back of her head. In spite of her age, she still looked beautiful, and earlier this evening Geraldine had had to fight back sentimental tears as she'd watched her son dance Cook around the dance floor.

“Yes, it's bare,” Geraldine replied. “But it will grow back.”

She walked over to where Cook sat on a wrought-iron bench and sank down next to her.

“Why are you sitting here alone? Are you feeling okay?”

Cook snorted. “Course, I am.”

“You're not fretting about all this mess, are you? I've hired extra workers to take care of all this, and remember, you have Caroline to help you now.”

Gabe's childhood friend had finally managed to make the move down here to the ranch from Oklahoma City. So far, she was working out well, and Cook had already grown fond of the woman and her young son.

Cook waved a hand through the air. “I'm not worried.”

Geraldine sighed. “It was a lovely wedding. Christina looked gorgeous. They should have a nice honeymoon on Padre Island. The Morgans are letting them stay at their private beach house. They'll have the place to themselves for a whole week.”

“Mmm. It was a beautiful wedding,” Cook agreed. “And I was glad Christina's parents managed to attend. Her mother came off as a bit of a floozy, but she seemed happy for Christina. Guess that's the important thing. I liked her dad. He was quiet, but in a nice way.”

Geraldine smiled wistfully. “I'm glad Retha and Delbert were able to attend this special event in their daughter's life. I only wish Christina could find her brother. I got the feeling that she was thinking especially about him today.”

“Well, sure,” Cook agreed. “She'd like to have her brother back.”

“Oh. Speaking of finding people,” Geraldine said. “Did you hear that Ripp and Mac have started searching for their missing mother? They've gotten a clue as to her whereabouts, and they've decided they need to find out what really happened with her. The same way I needed to know about Paul.”

“Everybody needs family,” Cook murmured sagely.

Both women went quiet after that; then suddenly Cook bent her head and pressed a handkerchief to her eyes. Rattled by the sight, Geraldine laid a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder.

“Why, Hattie, are you crying?”

She sniffed. “I can't help it. Lex has always been my little boy, too.”

Smiling now, Geraldine patted her back. “He's not going anywhere, Hattie. He'll be living right here like he always has. And think of it this way. We'll have babies in the house again.”

Lifting her head, Cook dabbed away her tears and chuckled. “That's right. And knowing Lex, it won't take him long to get them here.”