Colton's Fugitive Family

by Jennifer Morey

  A more excited, thrilled murmur passed through the crowd.

  “I’ve known this beautiful woman for several years. Nobody would have called us friends.”

  Some laughed at that one—he and Demi had been enemies, or seemed like it.

  “But no one saw what was really going on. I was attracted to her the moment I set eyes on her and I’m convinced she felt the same about me. But past relationships and heartbreak prevented us from acting on that attraction. We both weren’t ready. But now we are. I am.” He stopped talking and Demi wondered what he’d say next. So did everyone else in the tent, given how quiet they were.

  “I need to find a way to convince you of my love, Demi,” he said.

  He’d said the L word. Lucas Gage had actually said the word love.

  “Ohhh,” Valeria cooed from beside her.

  “And I found a way.” Lucas stepped closer.

  Demi moved on her chair so she faced him more, astonished when he went down on one knee. She planted her hand over her gaping mouth as he fished inside his jacket pocket and people said, “Whoa,” or “Oh,” or other exclamations.

  Lucas removed two or three green pine needles he must have taken from one of the table decorations and fashioned into a makeshift ring, complete with a tiny bow. He fumbled with the microphone and Danica took it from him, holding it near his mouth and freeing both his hands.

  “Demi Colton, will you marry me?” Lucas took her hand from her mouth—her left hand—and poised the pine-needle ring over the tip of her ring finger.

  “I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Lucas said. “I know that now. I love you, Demi.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes. “What about Wolf?”

  As though responding to his name, Wolf gave a shriek of glee, making everyone burst out laughing. Demi saw Elle happily watching, still holding Wolf, whose arms bounced as he stared up at her.

  “I love him, too, but it’s you I want to marry,” Lucas said. “Will you?”

  Gladness and love escaped her hold and she said, “Yes!” as she threw her arms around him.

  Everyone clapped and cheered.

  Demi backed away to see Lucas’s eyes smiling into hers. He kissed her and she kissed him back, curbing the desire for more.

  “I’m not finished yet,” Lucas said.

  “What...?”

  He took the microphone from a beaming Danica and addressed the crowd. “With Vincent and Valeria’s blessing, I’d like to propose Demi and I also marry on Christmas Eve. We’ll invite Rusty Colton, which will bring all of our families together on a very special day.”

  Christmas Eve? That was less than a week away! Was he out of his bleeping mind?

  Other couples began to come forward and, one by one, the men announced their own engagements. Anders joked that he and Elle wouldn’t crowd the altar on Christmas Eve any more than it already was. Brayden and Shane took turns declaring their engagements to Esmée and Danica. Carson came forward to say he and Serena Colton would have a spring wedding.

  It was a liberating celebration at this K-9 Christmas party. No one had to fear being killed for admitting their love and marriage plans.

  Nash Maddox said he’d do the honorable thing and marry his pregnant fiancée, Dr. Patience Colton. Dante Mancuso was next.

  “I’m the lucky groom-to-be for Gemma Colton. I love you, Gemma.”

  Micah joined in on the fun and revealed he and Bea Colton were to be married in the summer. Blake Colton and West Brand took the microphone next, Blake introducing his fiancée, Juliette Walsh, and West telling all he was a lucky man to have won over Quinn Colton.

  Finn took the microphone last, looking at Darby Gage and saying, “I’m going to marry the love of my life. Thank you for finding your way into my life, Darby.”

  She mouthed the words, I love you.

  The atmosphere was electric and alive with love and happiness. The crowd grew loud with talk and the music started up again. A jazzy “Jingle Bells” drew couples out onto the dance floor. Demi forgot how charming this town could be without murder and mayhem.

  Lucas offered his hand and she took it.

  “Let’s dance.”

  She felt light as a feather, as though she could dance her way through the rest of her life, with Lucas and her son. Her family.

  Chapter 18

  Demi had to scramble to get ready for her wedding day. Her wedding day! She stared at herself in the mirror as she finished getting ready. Layla and Valeria were talking excitedly behind her in the church room. She couldn’t believe she was getting married. Furthermore, she couldn’t believe she was getting married to Lucas.

  Had she been too rash, saying yes when he’d proposed so unexpectedly? Everything he’d said rang true in her heart. She believed he had come to his senses, accepting that his thinking on marriage had been biased and based on his father’s experiences and not his own.

  Anything could happen in life. In twenty years she could be divorced like so many other couples, except she didn’t feel she and Lucas would end up that way. When he’d proposed she had felt his certainty. His confidence had brought hers forth, setting her free to love without fear. She trusted him. She could dive into this wedding without second thoughts.

  Swept up into a whirlwind of preparation, she’d raced against the clock every day. Luckily Valeria had been planning for months. She had the church and the reception already arranged. Demi extended invites to friends and family—her father included. Lucas had done the same. She, Valeria and Layla had all decided not to have maids of honor or bridesmaids. The altar would be crowded enough. They each had something in common, in that all that really mattered was getting married and unifying the Coltons and the Gages.

  Valeria already had her wedding dress, so Demi and Layla went to Bea Colton’s bridal shop and picked out their own. Bea had been thrilled to be back in business after a year of struggling. The Groom Killer had scared off couples from having weddings. Now she couldn’t keep up with the demand.

  Layla chose an eye-catching, figure-hugging gown that flared from above the knees and flowed into a short lacy train. Off-shoulder sleeves drooped from spaghetti straps. Scrolling lace overlaid stretch chiffon, sheer to give the illusion of a thigh-high slit on the left side. Very elegant and Layla’s style.

  Demi preferred a more earthy look, maybe more traditional but not quite Cinderella. The strapless vintage lace bodice had a sweetheart neckline and a corset back. A crystal sash circled the waist and soft tiers of lace adorned the A-line skirt, gently flowing into a court train.

  Valeria had chosen a gown worthy of a princess. The strapless bodice had sweetheart beading and a lace-up back. Sequins sparked on the tulle ball-gown skirt, overlaying satin.

  Demi turned from the mirror. Layla and Valeria looked at her and all three of them smiled.

  “I wonder if our fathers have gone at each other’s throats yet,” Layla said.

  “When I invited mine, he didn’t seem very excited,” Demi said. “I think he’ll be the least of our concerns today.”

  “Mine went ballistic,” Valeria said.

  “Mine didn’t approve of Coltons marrying Gages, but he supports my wedding to Hunter,” Layla said.

  Bea poked her head in the door with a big smile. “It’s time, ladies.” She had been a big help coordinating this event.

  Demi’s stomach fluttered. Valeria let out a little giggle. Layla must have been feeling similar to Demi—excited and nervous.

  Picking up their bouquets of red roses—appropriate for Christmas Eve—Demi followed Valeria and Layla out of the room. Her father waited with Valeria’s and Layla’s. Before they abruptly stopped talking in what sounded like an argument she heard Fenwick saying to Rusty “...doesn’t mean we’re going to get all chummy.”

  Judson turned from them and his frown didn’t improve much when he
saw Valeria. But he did what he was supposed to and offered his arm. They walked down the hall. Layla took her father’s arm, both of them smiling, and followed.

  “You look beautiful. So much like your mother.”

  If her dive-bar-owning father could have said anything great today, that was it. She loved that he’d brought up her mother on this special day. She didn’t have the best relationship with him, but today was a day of putting differences aside and bringing people together.

  She looped her arm with his, smiling genuinely at him in return. They followed the others down a hallway toward the sanctuary.

  Demi heard voices and a harp playing. She lined up behind Layla and Valeria, and could see the pews. Everyone had turned their heads to see them. The church was packed, a good sign that many supported the union of Coltons and Gages. Garlands with red flowers decorated the pews.

  At the altar, Hunter, Vincent and Lucas stood in black tuxes with red cummerbunds and bow ties. She had eyes only for Lucas. He looked at her and from here she could feel his intensity. Any doubts she had fled. This felt too right to be a mistake, rushed or not.

  When the traditional wedding song began to play, Valeria began her walk down the aisle.

  When she was halfway to the altar, Layla started her walk. Demi stood on the threshold of the sanctuary, seeing Lucas had not taken his eyes off her. She heard a few of the attendees whispering about how beautiful Layla’s gown was. They must have commented on Valeria’s, as well. Rusty began walking with her down the aisle and she heard more comments on her own gown. Demi never felt more beautiful in her life.

  Valeria’s father handed her off to Vincent and found his seat in the first row. Layla’s father kissed her on her cheek and handed her off to Hunter. Then it was Demi’s turn. She reached the altar and could see Lucas’s eyes clearly now. They smoldered as they gobbled up the sight of her.

  Rusty kissed her cheek and said in a low tone, “Love you.” He handed her over to Lucas.

  She hooked her arm with his and they all faced the officiant. A fifty-something man with cropped white hair, he wore a suit and tie and held sheets of paper. They’d kept the ceremony simple, with a few short readings and no prayers.

  “Today is a special day,” the officiant began, “and not only because three couples will be married. Today is special because this ceremony represents the joining of families.”

  Valeria had wanted the officiant to talk about this.

  “Families share close bonds and new bonds are formed through marriage. These three couples bring three families together. Families give a place to call home and celebrations of life accomplishments and milestones. We as humans aren’t meant to go through life without families. Disagreements come and disagreements go, but they should never last generations.”

  The officiant passed his gaze over the crowd and then each couple. “Whatever negativity existed before this day, let these marriages and the love between these men and women, bring us all peace and a long future of togetherness.”

  The officiant addressed each couple. “Valeria and Vincent, Layla and Hunter, Demetria and Lucas, you all come before me today to pledge your love for each other. With that pledge comes the duty to be faithful, to trust, and to support each other in all matters of life. Whether sickness befalls you, whether financial troubles descend upon you, your pledge obligates you to share each of these experiences together and to work your way through them together.”

  Moving to Valeria and Vincent, the officiant told them to now read their vows. They had written their own.

  “Vincent, I knew the day I met you I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. You are kind and funny and my best friend. I promise to be there for you in the ups and downs as our lives go forward from this day. I will never betray you and will always have faith in you. I take you as my partner, my best friend and my husband from this day on for all the days of my life.”

  Demi had to swallow the burn of happy emotional tears as Vincent read the same vow to Valeria.

  The officiant moved on to Layla and Hunter, who had opted for traditional vows. Once they finished, it was Demi and Lucas’s turn.

  He faced her and held her hands between them. They had opted for a variation of their own vows that was nondenominational.

  “I, Demetria Colton, take you, Lucas Gage, as the man I know up to this day and the man you may grow into as we age. I take you with your flaws and your strengths. I take you as my husband and promise to love you and trust you. I will respect your integrity and have faith in your love for me in return, through all our years together and through anything life may bring.”

  Lucas’s eyes never left hers. “I, Lucas Gage, take you, Demetria Colton, as the woman I know up to this day and the woman you may grow into as we age. I take you with your flaws and your strengths. I take you as my wife and promise to love you and trust you. I will respect your integrity and have faith in your love for me in return, through all our years together and through anything life may bring.”

  “The rings, please.”

  The officiant began with Valeria and Vincent, then moved on to Layla and Hunter.

  Demi and Lucas had gone together to pick their rings. She had always loved sapphires and so her center stone was a small rectangular sapphire and round diamonds surrounded that. His was a white gold band with love and trust engraved on the inside.

  When the officiant reached them, Lucas began. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Lucas slipped the ring on her finger.

  “With this ring, I thee wed.” She performed the same task on his finger.

  “Grooms, you may kiss your brides,” the officiant said.

  Her surroundings faded to the background as Lucas pulled her close and pressed his lips to her. She slid her hand up his chest to his neck, her thumb on his chin, falling into the warmth of his soft touch, so full of meaning and heating her up.

  Appreciative cheers rose and fell from the crowd as they parted.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  The cheers and applause grew louder as the three couples faced them. The harpist played a vibrant closing tune as Demi and Lucas led the way down the aisle. People threw red rose petals at them as they passed.

  Demi laughed her glee and heard Lucas’s deep chuckle. Outside, they climbed into their limo, the third in a line of three. Sitting flush against Lucas, Demi couldn’t stop smiling. Lucas smiled, too, and took her hand, holding it all the way to the reception.

  * * *

  Lucas saw Finn approach with Darby at his side. Valeria had planned the reception at the new house she and Vincent had bought, a four bedroom in one of the nicer middle-class neighborhoods in Red Ridge. Lucas said his father had put up a sizable down payment as a wedding gift. Guests filled the great room, kitchen and adjacent den.

  “Lucas, Demi.” Finn gave a nod to Demi. Finn wasn’t known for liking the Rusty Colton clan but he seemed to have changed his mind. Hooking up with Darby and finding out Demi wasn’t guilty of murder might have had something to do with that. Maybe also all the Colton–Gage weddings on the horizon.

  “It was a beautiful ceremony,” Darby said. “I think Finn and I will get married at that church, as well.”

  Rusty came to stand beside Demi as Darby finished talking. “You could have your reception at my bar.”

  “We have plenty of room at the ranch,” Finn said. “But thanks for the offer.”

  “I’d like to personally thank you for catching Bo’s killer,” Rusty said to Finn and Lucas. “I never believed my daughter killed anyone, and having a murder take place outside my bar is bad for business.”

  “We’re all glad the killer was caught.” Lucas put his arm around Demi.

  After talking a bit longer, Finn and Darby turned to Judson. Edson walked over to Lucas and Demi. Nearby, Fenwick stood with Layla and Hunter. Lucas didn’t think the four fathers had
ever stood so close together.

  Fenwick seemed to notice the same, pausing in conversation to look from Rusty to Edson to Judson.

  “Not so bad, huh, Dad?” Layla asked with a smile.

  Edson and Judson turned to look at her and then noticed where their attention had gone, seeing Rusty and Fenwick and then exchanging a glance between themselves.

  “At least Fenwick’s kids aren’t marrying up all the Gages,” Judson grumbled.

  His petite, blond-haired, blue-eyed wife stood beside him and said, “Get over it, Judson. Look how happy Valeria is.”

  He did look and his face smoothed. “That’s why I didn’t fight it too hard. Still wish she would have fallen for someone who wasn’t a Gage, though.”

  “We Gages aren’t so bad,” Lucas said. “My dad made a deal with Fenwick. Why not just be part of the family?”

  “I think we all make a fine family,” Demi said, Bouncing Wolf, who smiled up at her and made a high-pitched sound.

  Judson saw that and smiled.

  Demi handed him over. “He’s got Colton blood in him.”

  Judson took the baby and laughed a little as Wolf pumped his little arms up and down, toothlessly smiling at Judson and staring into his face.

  “Patience told me she and Nash are getting married next weekend,” Demi said. “We’ll all be together again.”

  Edson glanced up at Demi and then returned his pleasant attention to Wolf. “You’re right. It was a stupid poker game. I should have stopped listening to my father a long time ago.” He let Wolf play with his little finger. “Besides, this feels a whole lot better.”

  “It’s time for our first dance.” Lucas took Demi’s hand, seeing Hunter and Layla already on the dance floor with Valeria and Vincent.

  He swung her around and held her close as they began to move. Just looking at her face warmed him. Her hands—one on his chest and one in his hand—were right where they belonged. He’d savor every day, each new moment cherished.