Cowboy's Bride (22 page)

"You're driving me nuts, you know that?" he
asked.

"You'll get used to it.
Tell me."

“
He said you were willing
to lease the Triple T to me.
And split the cattle proceeds if I'd
take them on.
The ranch was not for sale."

"That's right."

He turned back.
"Why?"

"I told you."

"Were you going to say goodbye or were you
going to just leave without a word?"

"Did Richard tell you there were a couple of
restrictions to the deal?" she asked.

"Yeah, he mentioned something about that.
But I didn't call to find out the details, I had to see you." Had
to make sure she was still here.
Had to convince her to stay.
Even
now he had doubts.

"I wanted you to keep Charlie and Josh and
Jose and Tim on.
This is their home, and I didn't want them turned
away."

"No problem, they're good men.
And I would
need more cowhands with the increased land.
But I've changed my
mind.
I don't want the land.
Now I want you.
I had to face it when
I got the letter.
When I thought of all it meant.
I've done a good
job with Flying Cloud, but my life has been very one-sided for
years.
Except for Becky, I do nothing that doesn't pertain to the
ranch.
Your coming changed that.
I don't want to change back."

"I get unlimited access to the property,
whenever and wherever I want," she continued as if he hadn't
spoken.

He frowned at her.
"What do you mean?"

"And I get the house, barn and ten acres
surrounding it.
Your men can live in the bunkhouse same as always,
if you like."

He stared at her.

"I'm not leaving," she said softly, watching
him as he realized what she had done.
"I was never leaving.
I told
you I was here for the duration."

"But you gave up your ranch?"

"I told you, I've thought about it a lot.
I
love it here, but you were right, I'm not a rancher.
I don't know
enough and don't think I can learn.
I'm not crazy about cattle, the
roundup showed me that.
I'm certainly not crazy about that damn
computer.
I loved visiting Uncle Philip, thought I could settle in
and run it, but it's more than I can handle.
Plus, I like people.
I'd rather help people who need me than worry about roundups or
cutting hay or doing taxes.
I told you, it’s time I admit
ranching's not for me and move on.
I've applied for a nurse's job
at the hospital in Jackson.
I'm not cut out to be a rancher."

Trace stared at her, stunned.
She wasn't
leaving.
Even if he hadn't rushed over here today she would have
stayed.
Slowly the last vestiges of fear faded.
Slowly he let
himself hear what she'd said, all she'd said.

"How about a cowboy's wife?" Trace asked.
Time stood still as he waited for her answer.

"Maybe, for the right reason," she said,
that slow smile lighting up her face.

"And that is?" He wanted her so badly he
could taste it.
He took a step closer, trying to read her
expression, trying to figure out what reason she could demand, so
he could make everything come right.

"Love," she said gently, her eyes sparkling
at him, shining with love for him.

"God, Kalli, I love you more than life
itself," he said, reaching for her, lifting her in his arms,
spinning her around.
"You already have that.
Marry me, live here
with me, love me.
Forever."

She laughed in delight, hugging him close,
her feet still off the ground.
"Yes, yes, yes!
I love you, Trace.
I'd be so proud to be your wife."

Her mouth found his and Kalli knew she was
home.
The gamble, to offer him her ranch with no strings, had paid
off, and she had won.
She was home, forever.

Epilogue

Kalli stood by the window, the soft smile
reflecting her happiness.
She could hear the guests in the yard.
Her brothers' voices were loud and boisterous, as they always had
been.
It had been a wonderful week, having her entire family
visit.

Her mother settled Kalli's gown once more.
Fluffing the veil, she regarded her daughter with tears in her
eyes.

Kalli turned and reached out to hug her
mother.
"It'll be fine, Mom.
I'm so happy, be happy for me."

"I am darling.
But Wyoming’s so far from
home and you'll be here all alone with him."

"Trace is more than enough to fill my days."
And nights, but best not to have her mother thinking about that.
"And I have a new daughter to get to know, to love."

"Trace is a fine man.
A bit quiet, but he
seems to dote on you."

Kalli grinned and nodded.
It worked both
ways, she doted on him.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

Kalli's mother answered and smiled at the
young girl dressed up before her.

"Hi, Becky, want a minute with Kalli?"
Sensing their need for privacy, Mrs.
Bonotelli turned to the door.
"I'll go out and be seated.
They can't start without the mother of
the bride in place.
Your dad will be along any minute."

"Okay, Mom, see you out front."

The entire Bonotelli clan had gathered for
her wedding to Trace.
In addition, half the neighboring ranches had
come, as well as all the ranch hands from both ranches.
The August
day was perfect.
There was not a cloud in the sky.
The wedding was
to be held at noon, allowing time for the bride and groom to enjoy
the reception before departing on their honeymoon.
She was going to
see Yellowstone at last.

"Becky?" Kalli moved over to the girl.
"What
is it, honey?
Is everything okay?"

Becky fiddled with the sash on her dress.
She was to be Kalli's maid of honor and the pale yellow dress she'd
chosen to wear was perfect.
"I guess.
Dad said I could ride again
while you two are gone."

Trace had been furious when he discovered
the pranks Becky had done.
He'd restricted her from riding and
given her extra chores, including doing all Kalli's paperwork for
four months.
But he had also listened to the lonely little girl and
spent extra hours with her all summer, to show his precious
daughter that he still loved her, to reassure her that falling in
love with Kalli had not diminished his love for Becky, only
enlarged their family.

Kalli had been included in many of the
activities, and until now she’d thought she and Becky were getting
along fine.
Was the child having second thoughts?

"That's good, about riding.
Was there
something else?" It was almost time to start the ceremony.
Her
heart began beating faster at the thought of joining her life with
Trace's.
Becky couldn’t be having doubts at this late stage.
Did
she not want the wedding to take place?

"You and Daddy are marrying soon." Becky
glanced at the clock, then back at Kalli.
“Really soon.”

"Yes, my father will be here any minute and
then we'll get this show on the road.
Is that a problem?"

Becky shook her head quickly.
"I just
thought, I mean, I wondered if because you're marrying Daddy you'll
be like my mom or something."

"Yes.
I'll be your stepmother." Kalli
watched her closely.
Where was this conversation leading?

"Could I call you Mom?" Becky asked softly,
her eyes resting pleadingly on Kalli.

"Oh, sweetheart, of course you can.
I would
love nothing better." Kalli leaned forward and gathered the preteen
into her arms, holding her tightly, tears of happiness shimmering
on her lashes.
"You are the sweet child of my heart.
Even if your
dad and I have a dozen kids, I'll never love any of them more than
I love you."

Just then Trace pushed open the door.

"Trace, You can't come in here!" Kalli
exclaimed, horrified.

"Scat, brat." Motioning to his daughter, he
jerked his thumb toward the door.
Becky grinned and scooted out.
"See you out front, Dad.
Mom."

"Mom?" he closed the door behind his
daughter.

"Yes.
What are you doing here?
Don't you
know it's bad luck?"

"The only bad luck I've had is that I've had
to wait so long to see you again.
To kiss you." He crossed the room
in three strides, gently gathering her up in his arms, bridal
dress, veil and all.
"God, sweetheart, you're beautiful."

Then his mouth descended and Kalli forgot
all about bad luck, the waiting guests and her new daughter.
She
was consumed by Trace.
Her world narrowed until it was only the two
of than.
Endless delight spiraled through her at his touch.
She
could float forever in his arms.

He tasted the honey sweetness of her mouth,
plunging again and again into her moist warmth.
He would never get
enough of this woman if they both lived to be a hundred.

He lifted his head and glanced toward her
bed.

"Don't even think it," she warned, snuggling
closer without a single care about wrinkling her gown.

"These last months have been murder," he
said brushing his lips against hers as if he couldn't bear to be
separated.

"It wasn't as if we've been practicing
abstinence," she remarked, framing his face and smiling warmly up
into his hot eyes.

"Well, I haven't woken up every morning with
you in my bed where you belong, either!"

"Starting tomorrow you will," she promised.
"Why are you here?"

"To get a couple of good kisses in before
the ceremonial peck at the altar.
It'll be hours before I can get
you alone again.
I couldn't wait."

Kalli thrilled once again to his touch, as
she always did, and probably always would.
She knew she'd have to
face the wedding party with her lips swollen and rosy from his
embrace, but she wouldn't trade a single second of being in his
arms for anything.

Finally he broke the kiss and stepped back,
fingering the veil with his roughen fingers.
"That will have to
hold me, I guess.
I'll see you out front?"

"You can count on it, cowboy."

“
Yeah, I remember.
You're
in it for the long haul."

She nodded, her eyes shining with happiness
and love.
Today she’d become the cowboy’s bride, and be his wife in
love and happiness for all the years to come.

About the Author

Barbara McMahon is an award-winning, best
selling author of more than eighty novels.
Known for warm family
type stories, she enjoys capturing the first stage of a
relationship and showing how despite obstacles thrown in their way,
a man and a woman can find true love and lasting happiness.

Her books have been translated into 23
different languages and sold in more than 50 foreign countries.

For more than twenty-five years she's made
her home in Northern California, the last seventeen in the rural
county of Amador—in the heart of the Mother Lode, California's gold
rush country.

Watch for
Bluebells On The Hill
,
coming in August, 2011.

Visit Barbara at :
www.barbaramcmahon.com

or on Facebook at
AuthorBarbaraMcMahon