Texas Strong (34 page)

“Or Harley’s gout.”

He chuckled. “Or Melba’s constant efforts to put the skinniest man I think I ever met on a diet.” He glanced down at her. “Laura’s so excited about the opening of Ruby’s Dream.”

“So is Scarlett. The idea of only opening three nights a week and taking turns cooking was brilliant.”

“As is closing the diner for dinner on those nights and sharing the staffs.”

“Harley’s particularly proud of his idea to give residents a special price and hose the tourists.” She beamed up at him. “I’m just thrilled that you two are living here now.”

Jake shook his head. “Who knew I’d like living above a storefront in a podunk little town?” He glanced around them at the master bedroom she’d soon share with her husband. “Tank did one hell of a job on this house.”

“He did. He was blown away at how everyone pitched in.” She blinked rapidly. She would have married him right away and lived in a hut if need be, but he’d been determined to make things as perfect as possible for her, not only clearing away the old house and building this one, but entering counseling for survivors of abuse.

Watching Tank be enfolded into the community for the first time had been one of the most wonderful things she’d ever witnessed. He’d been both awed and squirming as he struggled to come to grips with the acceptance of people who’d once reviled him. She sniffed back her tears.

“Oh, no, you don’t. Your sister will have my head if you cry and your makeup runs. I mean it, kid. You stop that right this second.”

She laughed despite her tears. “I love you, Jake.”

“You can’t help yourself. I’m just that amazing.” He grinned, praying they’d avoided the cliff.

“I used to think if only I could find your twin out there somewhere, I’d be so happy.” She sighed. “Tank isn’t your twin, not even a little. But he’s exactly right for me.”

“He knows he’s the luckiest man in the world to have your love. You’ve worked a miracle, Chrissy. You fought for him when he’d given up on himself.” Then he couldn’t stop himself. “It won’t always be easy, you know that, right? That kind of damage runs deep. You can’t fix everything.”

“I know that, but he’s working so hard and digging so deep because he’s determined not to be like his father. He’s not at all—there’s so much love inside him. Anyway, it’s not like I’m perfect. Together, though…” She beamed up at him. “It works.”

“It does. I’ve never seen you happier.”

“That’s Tank. And Sweetgrass. I guess all my misspent ways weren’t bad—if I’d never gone into that tattoo parlor and met Spike…”

Just then, Ben Gallagher knocked on the door. “Aunt Chrissy? You ready?”

Aunt Chrissy
. Now she had even more family. “I’m so ready,” she answered.

Jake pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Be happy, sweetheart.”

“I am.” She looked around the room for which she’d chosen the colors, the warm beiges, the earthy greens, then smiled back at Ben and Jake.

“Welcome to the family, Aunt Chrissy.”

She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Thank you very much.”

“Let’s go find your guy,” Jake said. “And get you married.”

“Big Theo?” Thad whispered, standing straight as a little soldier at Tank’s side, serving as Tank’s best man.

“What, son?” Something stuttered in his chest with the knowledge that this funny little guy would be legally his son very soon. Darren Daniels’ loss, he figured, if the man could so easily sign away his rights. The man was a fool. These two kids were amazing.

Thad beamed. “I meant Dad. Dad…” The boy looked really worried, and Tank froze.

“Are you gonna cry?” Thad finished.

Tank’s gaze whipped to the boy, but not before he heard Laura, standing on the other side of Judge Porter as Chrissy’s matron of honor, snicker while Judge Porter turned a chuckle into a cough.

“Why would I cry?”

The boy shrugged. “My mom’s gonna, you know she is. She already did.”

Though this was hardly the venue, standing as they all were at the base of his ancient oak, the new home they would move into only yards away, Tank crouched in front of Thad. “Is she okay?”

Thad screwed up his face. “She said they’re happy tears, but I don’t know how that makes any sense.”

“Me, either. I think it’s a girl thing.”

The boy rolled his eyes. “Girls are weird.”

“Yeah, maybe, but one of these days, you’re going to think differently.”

“No way, Big—Dad.”

Just then Tank heard Walker Roundtree begin to strum his guitar.

“Uh-oh,” Thad said. “Is this like talking in school, and we’re gonna be in trouble?”

Tank couldn’t stifle a grin. This kid was such a kick. “We might be. We need to pay attention ’cause your mama is coming soon. Look—there’s Becky now, spreading flower petals.”

“You better stand up, I guess, Big—um, Dad.”

“Would you rather call me Big Theo?”

“Nah. I do like it that we have the same first name, though, now that you’re gonna adopt me and all.” He slipped his hand into Tank’s big one as Tank rose.

Tank couldn’t help gripping the boy’s hand a little harder when he spotted Chrissy. His breath stalled in his lungs, and he suddenly wasn’t at all sure he could live up to his promise to Thad. His eyes burned at the vision she made, smiling softly at him, gowned like a princess in that long white dress as she arrived on Jake’s arm, following the daughter he would also claim very soon.

With the baby they’d made nestling safely beneath the lace, so tiny that only the two of them knew about it yet.

He was scared to death. Alternately terrified and thrilled. Chrissy had no doubts about having his baby. He was doing everything he could to prove that his blood wasn’t tainted. That he could be different from the man who’d fathered him. She believed in him, and he was doing the work to earn that faith.

Protectiveness surged through him as he looked at the three, soon four members of his family.

His
family
.

During all those dark years, he had never dared imagine this sort of good fortune for himself.

A small sniffle off to his left drew his attention. Veronica, huge with the twins she was expecting, stood within Jackson’s protective embrace, tears falling over her lovely cheeks as she smiled at him.
I love you
.

Tank nodded at her.
I love you, sis
. He was getting more comfortable with hearing that word. With saying it.

Then Jake and Chrissy reached the simple altar that had been constructed by men he was slowly coming to think of as friends: Ian, Mackey, Michael, Bridger and Jackson. The town had pulled together to plan this wedding and, it appeared, to make amends.

The specter of his father vanished a little more with each day that he’d labored on the home he’d built for Chrissy with the aid of the community assembled here.

Judge Porter turned to him, and Tank let go of Thad, first turning to the boy. “Thank you for letting me share your mother, son.”

Thad beamed. “No problem, Dad.” As always, his whisper was little less than a bellow, and the crowd tittered.

Then Tank shook Jake’s hand. “I’ll take good care of her, I promise.”

“I know you will.” Jake dropped back and went to stand with his grown children on the front row.

Tank looked at Chrissy. “One more second, okay?”

Her eyes widened, but her smile was filled with trust. “All right.”

He rounded to Becky, standing in front of her Aunt Laura. He went to one knee. “Thank you, Miss Becky, for letting me be part of your family.”

Becky beamed and, not shy at all now, hugged him hard. “You’re welcome, Daddy.” He couldn’t get over how freely love could be given.

She looked a little worried. “It’s okay to call you Daddy now?”

Tank heard more than one throat clear, and he had to clear his own. “It’s the best thing ever.” She cuddled against him, and he held her there for minute. “I’m going to go marry your mama now, okay?”

“Okay!” she answered brightly.

Tank rose, accepted Laura’s hug—this family couldn’t seem to do enough hugging, and he was getting used to all the touching. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“You’re ours now.” Laura kissed his cheek, then released him.

He resumed his place beside the dainty princess who’d fought with the heart of a lion past all his barriers and shattered his loneliness.

“You ready?” she said with a wink.

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.” He took her hand in his, and they faced Judge Porter.

“Dearly Beloved,” began the stately old man.

Tank tried to look at the judge as was proper, but his gaze kept drifting toward Chrissy. He was half afraid all of this was a dream and she’d vanish if he didn’t keep his eyes on her.

Fortunately, she wasn’t watching the judge either. She squeezed his fingers, and he squeezed back.

I love you
, she mouthed.

I love you, too
, he answered, wondering if he’d ever get used to feeling happy.

“Ahem. Theodore?” Judge Porter broke into his musings.

A small hand tugged at his pants. “That’s you, Dad. Better pay attention, or you might get in trouble.”

Laughter rolled through the crowd, and Tank knew he had to drag his gaze from the face he loved most in the world. First, though, he winked at Chrissy, and she smiled back.

“Where is a set of handcuffs when you need them?” she muttered.

He knew he was making a fool of himself, but he grabbed her up and hugged her close, overcome by his good fortune. She’d brought not only love but laughter into his life. Sunshine and hope. He would never be able to tell her. He kissed her and tasted her tears while she brushed at his.

“Okay.” He exhaled in a gust. He set her on her feet, but he snugged her up against his side. “Sorry, Judge.”

Judge Porter only smiled. “I’m getting used to unruly brides and grooms around here, son.” Then the old man clasped Tank’s shoulder. “A mighty fine day, and about time, I say, that the Patton name claimed its proper place again in this town.” Then he harrumphed and looked as though he wished he had a gavel. “All right now, folks, let’s get these two married.”

“Hear, hear,” said someone from behind them, but Tank didn’t turn to see who it was. He was eager to make things official and get started on the new life he’d never imagined living.

With Chrissy’s gaze locked on his and his own holding hers, they said their vows and professed their love.

And when it was done, Tank found himself swallowed up in hugs and blessings, at last a true part of the community that finally felt like home.

~THE END~

Thank you for letting me share my stories with you! The next Sweetgrass Springs story is Brenda’s story,
TEXAS SWEET
.

Ian and Scarlett’s original romance is
TEXAS ROOTS
, and their surprise wedding is the focus of
TEXAS DREAMS
, but they appear in all the books in The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs series. The beginning of Michael and Laken’s romance is in the three installments of The Book Babes Trilogy.

Sweetgrass Springs stories include:

TEXAS ROOTS
(Ian and Scarlett book 1)

TEXAS WILD
(Mackey and Rissa book 2)

TEXAS DREAMS
(a reunion of all the Texas Heroes families)

TEXAS REBEL
(Jackson and Veronica book 4)

TEXAS BLAZE
(Bridger and Penelope book 5)

TEXAS CHRISTMAS BRIDE
(a Texas Heroes reunion book 6)

TEXAS TIES
(Book Babes part 1)

TEXAS TROUBLES
(Book Babes part 2)

TEXAS TOGETHER
(Book Babes part 3)

TEXAS HOPE
(Michael and Laken)

TEXAS STRONG
(Tank and Chrissy)

TEXAS SWEET
(Brenda’s story)

There are two more Texas Heroes series, with characters who appear in Sweetgrass, as well:

The Gallaghers of Morning Star

The Marshalls

If you enjoyed TEXAS STRONG, I would be very grateful if you would help others find this book by recommending it to your friends on
GOODREADS
or by writing a review on
Barnes & Noble
. If you would like to be informed when my next release is available, please sign up for my
newsletter here
.

I love hearing from you, so please contact me through any of the options at the end of this book.

Thanks!

Jean

Get the entire TEXAS HEROES series:

(Also available as audiobooks)

The Gallaghers of Morning Star

Click on the covers below for more on each book