by Tina Leonard
“I never thought about it.” Suz gave her hair a flip, then slowly reached to take out the piercings. She studied herself in the bath mirror, a little transfixed by how different she looked without them.
“What are you doing?”
“Going a little more traditional.”
“Don’t do it on my behalf. I think you’re beautiful just the way you are.” Cisco tossed some things into his duffel.
“Are you still riding?”
He straightened. “I’m getting married tonight. I’ll be on my honeymoon, won’t I?”
She blinked. “Honeymoon?”
“We can come back here, or we can stay in Vegas. Whatever you like. You’re the bride, it’s your big day. Secretly.”
“This is silly. You should be resting.”
“Here’s the deal, gorgeous. Either I ride that bull, or I honeymoon with my new bride. Take your choice.”
Suz didn’t have to think long. “Will you regret terribly giving up the circuit?”
“I didn’t say I was giving it up. I’ll be back.”
She stared at him. “So our secret thing is going to be so secret that we live in two different places?”
He shrugged. “I can’t exactly shack up with you in BC, can I? Folks would figure things out pretty quick. They’re not exactly slow around there, you know.”
All the air went out of Suz. “I guess you’re right.”
“Anyway, wasn’t the purpose of this to get Daisy off your and Mackenzie’s necks, so that she’ll stop the foreclosure on your addition for the haunted house?”
“Yes, but—”
“So when I’m in town I’ll live in the bunkhouse with the guys, the way I always have. Daisy will turn her sights on Squint, and I won’t be around for her to concentrate on. She’ll forget all about me, and John Squint Mathison can be the big cheese.”
Suz sank onto the bed. “I’m a little nervous.”
“I know how to get rid of your nerves.” He grinned at her, quite devilishly sure of himself.
She couldn’t help thinking about bulls stomping all over her surprise fiancé. “Is there anything else you could do besides ride bulls? Maybe pass out cotton candy or run the calf catch on the rodeo circuit?”
He picked up her duffel. “Come on, cupcake. You don’t strike me as the kind of lady who has trouble making up her mind.”
“I know. But I wasn’t expecting to be proposed to. I’m trying to think through your scheme,” she said, a bit breathlessly. “I’ve heard a lot of scheming in BC—I grew up on it—but I don’t think I was expecting you to be able to operate in that gear.”
He nodded toward the door. “You’re going to be the cutest little bride BC has ever seen.”
“Only they won’t know.”
“Not yet. No rocking the Daisy boat if we’re going to save your haunted house and your family home.”
“I guess you’re right.” Suz gulped. “Didn’t you think you’d have to be in love to get married?”
He opened the door. “Come on. I’ll carry you over the threshold on our way out.”
Of course she wanted to marry Cisco. He was the man of her dreams. She just wasn’t certain he wasn’t doing all this to be the prince of the fairy tale. Eventually, they’d have to settle into a house, a marriage under one roof—and then what? Cisco didn’t know anything about her. She knew very little about him.
On the other hand, getting married this way was very romantic. It appealed to her wild side, the part of her heart that had sent her to remote locations.
And it would keep him off that stupid bull—at least give him some time to recover before he got on another one.
“I can see your brain working,” Cisco said, “and I promise you, I intend for our honeymoon to be every bit as energetic as riding that bull would be, so don’t think you’re keeping me safe. In fact, our honeymoon is going to go a whole lot longer than eight seconds, gorgeous.”
She swallowed. Who could pass that up?
Not me.
It sounded like heaven.
“No Elvis ceremony,” Suz said, sweeping past him. “I’m a traditional girl.”
Cisco laughed.
* * *
“WE GOT MARRIED in secret,” Suz told Mackenzie, unable to keep her news from her only close living relative. Who didn’t tell their sister they’d gotten married?
Mackenzie gasped. “You married Frog?”
“Cisco. And yes, I did. In Vegas, last weekend.” She grinned, unable to help herself. Cisco had been so very sweet to her, made the occasion so special. Had even bought her what he called a secret wedding ring, with lots of turquoise and opals, that was absolutely lovely. He promised to buy her a traditional diamond later—but she’d told him no, thank you. The ring he’d given her was perfect.
Mackenzie hugged her. “I can’t believe my baby sister is married!”
“Top secret, though, Mack,” Suz warned. “You can’t tell a soul.”
“Oh, I won’t.” Mackenzie hugged her again. “It doesn’t seem real because I didn’t see it with my own eyes.” She got a little misty. “To be honest, I’ve been dreaming of your wedding day for a long time. I always envisioned us together on that day.”
“We’re having a traditional wedding this summer,” Suz said, soothing her. “I promise, it’ll be wonderful and traditional.”
“I’m just so glad you’re happy.” Mackenzie glanced toward the mantel where photos of their parents, and happy occasions with them, reminded them of childhood memories. “Mom and Dad would be so proud.”
“Yes, they would. They know we’ve been fighting the good fight. We’ll keep the Hanging H if it’s the last thing we do.” Suz was certain of that. Cisco’s plan was as airtight as any plan could be. He was on her side—the Hawthorne side—and everything would work out just fine.
It had to.
* * *
THE PLANS CAREFULLY LAID, Cisco went to the starting line for the Best Man’s Fork run—though technically, he wasn’t a best man. Hadn’t been a best man for Justin’s wedding, or Ty’s. In fact, he was already a groom.
But this was the way life happened in BC, and he was willing to run the race if it meant freeing them from the past. Most important, freeing him of Daisy.
He took a deep breath as John Squint Mathison and Sam lined up next to him, along with Daisy’s five ruffians.
“We’re going to win,” Carson Dare said, “we’re going to beat you.”
“I doubt it.” If there was going to be smack-talking, Cisco figured he’d better be enthusiastic about the prize.
“I’ve got all of you beaten,” Squint said, “you should probably go ahead and quit now.”
Cisco looked at his buddy. “Didn’t you say that about the BC swim, too?”
“I’m not cramping up today.” The expression on Squint’s face was very serious.
“Take your marks!” Sheriff McAdams called.
The runners all bent down. Cisco was still a bit achy, actually more than a bit achy, thanks to his rodeo escapades—which made him very happy. He could put forth his best effort to satisfy the town that he’d made a maximum good-faith showing, and there would be no further discussion of him and Daisy, thanks to the soreness and misery he still suffered from the stomping he’d taken.
“Best of luck to you, fellows,” Cisco said. “May the best man win.”
The gun popped, and the runners surged forward. It was a mile run, and Cisco felt fairly confident that if he ran lights-out for about a quarter mile, then slowly began easing off, he’d be passed at least by Squint, and maybe by all the runners.
Ignoring the pain and tearing from his current injuries, Cisco stayed at the head of the pack. They rounded a corner in the trail that wound through a forest of ancient
oaks and cottonwood trees. With every pace, his heart became lighter. He was going to be free of Daisy and her silly preoccupation with him, she’d forget about revenge on Suz Hawthorne and the Hanging H, and the town of BC would get much-needed revenue from the daily amusement park that was the Haunted H.
He ran faster, easily outpacing the other runners, lost in his fantasy—until he realized he could see the halfway marker. There should be other runners breathing down his neck—but there was only silence.
Cisco turned to look. There wasn’t a soul on the path with him.
“Damn!” He stopped in his tracks, put his hands on his knees, gulping deep breaths and cataloging the various aching body parts. Where the hell was everyone?
He listened, heard nothing.
Something was very wrong. The skin on the back of his neck tightened, warning him. Around the curve in the trail, no doubt he would find the long stretch to the finish line. Behind him, very likely he would find not a single soul.
He’d be willing to bet all of BC was in on this practical joke. Because that’s what this had to be—especially since no one knew he was already married to Suz.
And happily married, too. Very happily married.
The only thing to do was to call their bluff. Cisco took off running back down the path toward the starting line. He’d nearly gotten to the first quarter-mile marker when Daisy’s gang sprang from behind trees and grabbed him, dragging him off the trail.
“What the hell?” Cisco demanded.
“Run!” they shouted, taking off as fast as they could toward the finish line.
Cisco glanced around, saw Squint tied to a tree. “What are you doing?”
“Waiting on you, obviously. Untie me!” Squint glared at him. “Took you long enough!”
“Where the hell is Sam?” Cisco glanced around.
“Never left the starting line, of course,” Squint said, his tone unimpressed. “Never had any intention of doing so. He was just making sure we felt prodded by his presence. No Plan Sam had a plan all along, as usual.”
Cisco untied Squint, who took off toward the finish line at top speed. Cisco shook his head, trotted after the group of runners, taking his sweet time because by now there was no point in doing more than coasting. A foul plan was afoot, and he’d find out exactly what had happened at the finish line.
What he found at the finish line was a very angry Daisy Donovan, her gang of five goofballs, and a steamed Squint. “What’s going on?” Cisco demanded of everyone grouped around, a very quiet finish line with no cheers and nothing but Daisy’s annoyed huffs.
“What happened is that you threw the race,” Daisy said, flinging her chocolate locks as she jerked her head toward her gang. “My guys say you and Squint cheated.”
“Cheated?” He glanced over at Suz, who looked as puzzled as he did. “We cheated?”
“Yes. And you deliberately lost the race!” Daisy pointed at him. “That’s a violation of committee rules.”
“I’m afraid she’s correct.” Sheriff McAdams sidled up, a grim expression on his face. “This is an honest race. All these spectators,” he said, flinging his arm to indicate the throngs of out-of-towners who’d come to see a bride get her bachelor in a much-anticipated race, “will have to have their entrance fees returned.”
He glanced at Suz. Her eyes huge, she looked as distressed as everyone else. Cisco shrugged. “I didn’t cheat. Daisy’s gang grabbed Squint and me and held us back so we couldn’t compete.”
The crowd gasped and murmured nervously. “Is this true?” Sheriff McAdams asked Squint. Cosette Lafleur and Jane Chatham stood beside him as rules committee chairs, their gazes interested.
“No, it’s not true,” Squint said, and Cisco raised a brow. “I wasn’t held back.”
“You were tied to a tree!” Cisco glared at his buddy, whom he’d quite rightly expected he could count on for backup.
“My only goal was to win the race.” Squint looked at Daisy, longing in his gaze. She didn’t seem to register his appeal, since her scorn was laser-focused on Cisco.
Right now he was the villain of the day. He had no one in his corner, and this was a game of which he had no knowledge of the rules. There were teed-off patrons of BC and inhabitants alike who wanted his head for messing up their treasured, revered Best Man’s Fork run.
It was, as Ty Spurlock always said, a town that ran on carneys—carnival barkers and shysters sweetly selling their homespun shtick.
“It doesn’t matter, folks,” he said cheerfully. “You’ll have to get your pound of flesh elsewhere. I lost the race, despite giving it my best effort, even after being stomped by a bull last weekend. No one has given more in this race today than me.”
Daisy clapped her hands. “I knew it! You do care for me!”
This had to be extinguished now. It couldn’t go on another second, not for all the bragging rights in Texas. “Nope, I don’t, Daze. To be honest, I’m already married.”
The gasp that met his announcement sounded like stoppers had been pulled out of a thousand bottles. Every single citizen of BC wore a frown of disapproval—but Suz’s gaze was the most worried. Discreetly she shook her head—no, no—and belatedly Cisco realized that in trying to extract himself from Daisy’s net—and the town’s unhappiness with him—the Hanging H was on the hook with the Donovans. And it wouldn’t help if Daisy learned that he was married to Suz.
Now was not the time to reveal all.
“What exactly do you mean, you’re already married, son?” Sheriff McAdams asked.
Cisco shrugged. “I just am.”
“I don’t believe you,” Daisy said.
“It’s true.” Cisco shrugged again. “I’m a happily married man.”
“Ty Spurlock said he was bringing bachelors to save our town,” Sheriff McAdams said. “He trusted you to be who you said you were.”
Cisco shook his head. “I’m packing up, kids. I ran the race, as I was asked—”
“Three times!” Daisy pointed a finger at him, looking at the crowd for assistance. “He cheated me in three different races!”
This was a matter of debate, as far as Cisco was concerned—but the fact that his buddy deliberately sold him out was of overwhelming concern. “I’ll talk to you later,” he said to Squint, and got in his truck, uttering a slight groan when his bull-injured body encountered the resistance of the seat. It had been rough running today—but it had all been worth it because he knew how much it meant to Suz.
Suz glanced away when he looked at her, practically pleading with him not to reveal her secret. He wouldn’t, not even by going to hug her, no matter how much he was dying to hold her in his arms. This whole mess was in some respects his fault. But she was his wife, and if she wanted to wait awhile to make the big announcement, he was happy to do things her way. After all, this was her town.
As Cisco drove off, he realized he didn’t even know who’d won the race. However, it wasn’t him, and that made him the happiest cowboy on the planet.
Bridesmaids Creek could have their charms—he believed in doing things the old-fashioned way.
His way.
Chapter Seven
The kitchen at the Hanging H was a lively spot when Cisco made his way there after evening chores. He’d hidden himself on the ranch, taking care of business—doing anything but being in the line of fire after the race that wasn’t. By now, he knew everyone would have returned to the evening gathering place, and even though he knew he was in the doghouse, he wanted to see his secret bride too much to stay away.
The kitchen clan, consisting of Mackenzie and Justin, Suz, Squint and Sam, went dead silent when he walked in. He took off his Stetson, looked at all the faces staring at him. “Guys, I did my best. I really did. And anyway, will you please tell me why you weren’t honest about Daisy’s gang w
aylaying us?” he demanded of Squint.
Squint shrugged. “I wasn’t about to let Daisy down. She’s my girl.”
“She is not your girl!” Cisco felt like he’d fallen down Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit hole. “I don’t think Daisy knows you’re alive, bro.”
“She knows now. Because I won.” Squint looked really happy about that.
“You won. Yes, you did.” Cisco wasn’t going to argue the point, not with Suz standing there looking like a luscious dream he just wanted to get back in his arms. “And I lost. Which is awesome. So you didn’t back me up about us being dragged off the race path because you didn’t want Daisy’s big day ruined?”
Everyone turned to look at Squint. “Well, how do you think she’d feel if she discovered that her winner—the man who is meant to be hers—didn’t really want to win?”
Cisco sank onto a bar stool, accepted the cup of coffee and plate of chocolate chip cake Mackenzie handed him. Everyone else received the same, and Cisco dug in, hoping that perhaps food would take some of the edge off what he felt in the room. He couldn’t remember ever being this annoyed with his buddies. And he was irritated with both Squint and Sam, if the truth were known. Squint might have been covering up to save Daisy’s feelings, but Cisco had a funny feeling Sam was in the plan up to his Handsome Sam neck. His buddy was a trickster, and ever since they’d returned stateside and come to Bridesmaids Creek, Cisco hadn’t known if Sam was dealing from the bottom or top of the deck.
Suz stayed on her side of the kitchen island, not giving away their relationship. As far as Cisco was concerned, this was the hardest part of all. He wanted to declare their love to one and all—but he had to act like it was some kind of deep, dark secret.
Which had been his idea, so it was tough cookies for him.
“So why did Daisy’s gang tie you to a tree?” Cisco demanded.
Squint shook his head. “At first I thought it was on Daisy’s orders, because she’d probably known I could beat you running. Figured she was trying to give you every chance to prove yourself. But then her gang gave me such a tough run—I’m telling you, I barely crossed the finish line in front of them—that I realized something else was going on.” Squint took a deep breath, glanced around the room to make certain everyone was listening. “Our resident matchmaker was behind that little stunt.”