The Rancher's Surprise Marriage

by Susan Crosby

The group scattered, conversation picking up again right away. Andrea approached Maggie and Tony. “Your bags are already in your rooms. I’ll take you to them.”

  “Them?” Maggie asked.

  “I assumed you’d want to keep to tradition and not see each other tomorrow before the wedding, hence the separate rooms,” Andrea said. “But I can have Mr. Young’s luggage moved to your suite, if you like.”

  “No,” Tony said. “We’ll keep to tradition.”

  Maggie figured he was relieved. They just had to make it through the rehearsal dinner, then they wouldn’t have to see each other before the ceremony tomorrow. After that? Well, after that, who knew? A surprise honeymoon had been alluded to by Dino but not confirmed by Tony. Maybe he’d changed his mind. She wouldn’t blame him.

  “Your guests have been checking in throughout the day, Ms. McShane. We’re set up for three hundred and about the equivalent in media.” She grinned. “Garnet’s in charge of them, thank goodness. Do you have any questions?”

  “Were the gowns and tuxes delivered?”

  “Yesterday. You and your assistant need to double-check that everything is in order, but I’ve been working from a master list and twenty supplemental ones addressing each contingency. I think everything is covered.”

  “Thank you so much for all your hard work. I’m sure it’ll be a wedding to remember,” Maggie said. Tony had been standing slightly apart from her, the same as he’d been in all his family photos while growing up. Part of the group, while also separate. It hurt that she’d wounded him to that point of regression.

  How could she change it? What could she say?

  “If you’ll follow me, then,” Andrea said. “You’re on the top floor, Ms. McShane, and you’re one below, Mr. Young. In your rooms you’ll find a list with all your guests’ names and room numbers. Your bars are fully stocked, as well as your refrigerators. And, of course, anything you want, you need only give the concierge or room service a call.”

  They checked out Tony’s suite first, with its elegant luxury and commanding view of the city. He barely reacted, except to peer out the window, then they headed to Maggie’s suite, which she’d seen the week before, and which was everything Tony’s was and then some.

  Andrea left after reminding them of the rehearsal in half an hour. It was the first they’d been alone together since early that morning. He wandered to the window. She didn’t follow.

  She realized how off-kilter she’d been all day with him angry at her. With Tony she’d found that elusive balance she’d been searching for. All her life she’d been adaptable, had been forced to be. Her life was one of constant change—new film, new location, new living space, new coworkers, new boss. She’d gotten so tired of it, had wondered what it would be like to have a routine she could count on most of the time. With Tony she’d seen she could have that routine, too.

  The opposite would be much harder to accomplish. For any man to fit into her world would be asking a lot, and a man like Tony, who was successful in his own right, wouldn’t dazzle in comparison to the limelight she occupied. Nor would he want to. And she wouldn’t want to be apart from him, either.

  So, really then, what were their chances of making it, even before this current issue between them?

  During the plane trip, with all the noise and activity around her, she’d been struck by the realization of why she’d allowed herself to be the villain in the breakup with Scott—she’d wanted Tony from the minute they started dancing in the Red Rock Saloon. And when he’d taken charge during all that followed, she’d trusted him instantly. So she’d let herself take the hit with the media and the fans because she wanted Tony. Trusted him. Believed in him. Period.

  She hadn’t been forced to propose marriage to him. It hadn’t been her only option. She hadn’t been just keeping her word with Jenny to have her wedding at The Taka, and she hadn’t been just saving face for herself, either.

  She’d wanted Tony Young for her own.

  “I should go change for the rehearsal,” Tony said into the long silence.

  She nodded. Too many revelations bombarded her, but mostly that she’d fallen in love with him at first sight, and now she’d blown it. Getting back what they had would be a maybe-insurmountable uphill battle.

  He got as far as the door then turned around. “I was afraid all this wedding stuff would be too much. Too fancy,” he said. “It’s just classy. I should’ve expected that.”

  “Honestly, I had no hand in it. Or very little, anyway.”

  “You did. You may not recognize it, but you did. And my family will never forget this.”

  “It’s been great watching them have so much fun.” But she would be taken out of the family photo albums at some point, just like Tony’s ex. As a family, they circled the wagons around their own.

  She wanted that for herself. They would circle them for her, too, if things turned out differently.

  Her heart ached. She tried to smile at Tony as he waited in silence by the door.

  Finally he just left without another word. Then before the door shut, Leesa came flying in.

  “It’s about time, Mags. I’ve got a whole list of things to hash out with you. I thought he’d never leave.”

  And I’m afraid he will…

  As the rehearsal dinner wound down, Maggie was startled when Tony laid a hand on hers on top of the table and leaned close. “The boys are taking me out for a while,” he said.

  Maggie glanced past him, to where Cal and Grady were grinning. She got it—a bachelor party. “Have fun,” she said, shaking a be-careful finger at his brothers. “Is Butch going, too?”

  “It was his idea. Something about the best man getting the groom drunk being part of his job responsibility. How about you? Any plans for champagne and a stripper with the girls?”

  “Can’t escape it. Leesa used the maid-of-honor excuse to force me, too. She’s off gathering up a few friends.”

  “Okay, then, you have fun, too.”

  “Thanks. I’m not sure how we’re going to get out of the hotel without the paparazzi following.”

  “Well, don’t do anything you don’t want photographed.”

  After a long pause she took a chance and said, “It turned out for me okay the last time.”

  His lips thinned. “You’re a very confusing woman, Maggie McShane.”

  His words gave her hope. She accepted a brief kiss goodbye, almost twisted her fingers into his shirt to keep him there, then smiled at the antics of his brothers as they dragged him off. “No hangovers,” she called out to them.

  “No promises,” Grady called back.

  The room was almost empty. Most people had decided to go out on the town, to see the beautiful city of San Francisco while they had the chance. Maggie walked to where Hoyt and Sue-Ellen were just getting up from their table. “Are you going carousing, too?” she asked.

  “We haven’t decided yet,” Sue-Ellen said. “Would you mind coming to our room for a few minutes, though? I’ve got something I’d like to show you. Unless you’ve got plans?”

  “I’m waiting for Leesa’s signal. I’ve got time. Regardless, I would make time.” She smiled and fell in step beside them. She and Sue-Ellen talked about the hotel and the beauty of the ballroom and how wonderful the food was. Hoyt kept his thoughts to himself, not interjecting a comment. Maggie should be used to it by now, but she still found it unnerving at times, not knowing how he felt about things. About her.

  The first time they’d met he’d seemed to approve of her. Then came the day that Tony felt his father had criticized her—or whatever had happened there. She wished she knew which way Hoyt felt.

  When they reached the suite, situated on the same floor as Tony’s, Sue-Ellen slipped into the bedroom.

  “Tony told me you’ve never been here,” Maggie said to Hoyt as he stood looking at the view, a universal pull. The sun was setting.

  “Been to Las Vegas once. That’s as far north—and west—as I’ve been.”

&nb
sp; “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”

  “Lot of people. Lot of cars. Lot of buildings. People in a rush.”

  “True. It doesn’t rival what you’ve got, but as a change of pace, it’s okay, don’t you think?”

  He eyed her. “Girl, you sure can be diplomatic.”

  Maggie laughed. “I’m trying.”

  Sue-Ellen joined them, carrying a small, flat package, wrapped prettily, with a glittery white bow. She passed it to Maggie.

  “This belonged to my great-great-grandmother. If you don’t have something borrowed, I’d be pleased if you would borrow this.”

  The box held a dainty white handkerchief with tatted edges and the monogram ESH embroidered in one corner.

  “Her name was Elizabeth Starbuck Hussey,” Sue-Ellen said. “She and my great-great-grandfather settled in northern Arizona in the early 1870s. I gather she was a tough cookie. Probably had to be. But I always loved her name, and treasured the only physical possession that was left of hers—that hankie.”

  Maggie was touched. “I’ll take very good care of it. Thank you so much for letting me use it.”

  “It must be hard for you without your mom or grandma here with you. I know you don’t need me imparting what-will-happen-on-your-wedding-night wisdom to you,” she said with a wink. “But I want you to know you can come to me. I’ll do my best to fill in for the women who aren’t here anymore. I’ve come to love you already.”

  Maggie went into Sue-Ellen’s open arms and cried, the tension of the day finally reaching the breaking point. She could blame the tears on missing her mother and grandmother, or the exquisite acceptance by this beautiful woman to try to take their place. Both were true, after all.

  “Thank you so much,” she said into Sue-Ellen’s shoulder. “I’ve come to love you, too. All of you. You’re the family I’ve been waiting for.”

  “You make Tony happy, and that counts for a lot with us.” She moved back a little and brushed Maggie’s hair from her face. “Don’t wait too long to give us a new grandbaby, okay? Hoyt and I aren’t getting any younger.”

  Hoyt made a sound behind her. “Oh, hush up, husband. It’s the truth. What’s wrong with saying it?”

  Hoyt shoved a box of tissues at Maggie. She did her best to staunch the tears that didn’t want to stop completely.

  “Here,” Hoyt said, holding out his hand.

  She put hers out and he dropped a penny into it.

  “For your shoe, for good luck. Newly minted.”

  Maggie shifted to Hoyt’s arms, felt him pat her awkwardly, which finally turned off her waterworks. She was smiling when she moved back. “Thank you, Hoyt. I’ll treasure it.”

  He gave his wife a quick look. “You can call me Dad, if it falls off your tongue easily enough. If not, Hoyt’s fine, too.”

  The weight just kept piling up on Maggie’s shoulders.

  Tony glanced around the bar, one about as opposite as possible from the Red Rock Saloon. The music was jazz, the clientele wore clothes he would consider dress-up but probably worked well for casual Friday in an office here.

  As bachelor parties went, it was a tame one. There was some drinking, of course. That was traditional. But none of them was interested in watching a stripper gyrate as she stared off into oblivion. Been there, done that. Lost its appeal long ago.

  If things were normal he’d be on his cell phone with Maggie now and then, checking out what she was doing, listening to her tell a good story about it. He left his phone in his pocket. Butch was making calls, but since his wife was pregnant, that was understandable. Sadie relayed where they were and how awesome—her word—it was to walk into a place and have everyone look at her because of Maggie and wonder if Sadie was famous, too.

  Dino was with them. Tony could only smile about that. Seven women and Dino, partying their way through the city.

  After watching Maggie’s trying-hard-to-be-happy face all day, he’d come to wish he’d let her have her say this morning. He should’ve let her tell him why she wanted to call it off, because it sure didn’t seem like that was what she wanted. There was only so much she could fake. After all, this wasn’t a role she was playing. It was her life.

  “Hey,” Grady said, jabbing an elbow into Tony’s side, then aiming his beer bottle at the television. “Take a gander.”

  It was Scott Gibson, being interviewed by one of the TV entertainment programs. Even if the sound had been turned up to maximum they couldn’t have heard it over the din in the bar, but the captioning was turned on.

  “So, tomorrow would’ve been your wedding day,” the reporter asked, the words flashing on the screen.

  Scott put a hand to his chest and smiled sadly. “You had to remind me.”

  “I was going to ask how you felt about it, but it’s obvious you’re not over it yet.”

  “Who would be? She’s one special woman. I’ve half a mind to show up at her wedding and object.”

  “Like hell you will,” Tony muttered then took a long sip of his beer.

  “Would you really do that?” the reporter asked, almost rubbing her hands together.

  “Life’s full of surprises,” he said with a movie-star smile.

  “Yeah, like how much it costs to replace a mouth full of teeth,” Tony said.

  Grady punched him in the shoulder and laughed. “How long has it been since you punched out anyone?”

  “Ten years, probably. Hell, it made my reputation, though. No one’s really challenged me since then.”

  “How come you’re ticked at Gibson? Should be reverse, since you stole his woman.”

  “Yeah, well, there’s more to it than that.”

  “Yeah? So, it would feel kind of nice to knock Scott Gibson to the ground?”

  More than nice. Great. Satisfying. He shrugged. “Won’t happen. He wouldn’t show up at the wedding.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Yep.” If he did, Tony would make sure the press knew the truth about the end of the engagement. He wouldn’t get off scot-free a second time. “Let’s get out of here,” Tony said, standing. He needed fresh air.

  “Where to?” Butch asked.

  He didn’t want to go back to the hotel. They had a reputation to uphold, after all, as partying men. “I don’t know the city.”

  “How about Fisherman’s Wharf?” Cal suggested.

  And so the four cowboys from Arizona, wearing their best hats, vests, Wranglers and boots, ended up moseying around one of the most visited tourist spots in the whole country, watching magicians, human robots, jugglers and clowns perform their acts on the streets along the wharf, earning their living. Then they went into the Wax Museum and were stunned to come across a life-size wax Maggie, which had them laughing for the rest of the night. Even Tony grinned a few times.

  Then when Sadie called Butch to say the women were back in the hotel, they figured it was time to go. Even if they hadn’t gotten drunk or had a lap dance in a tawdry club, they’d stayed out later than the women. That was all that mattered.

  They’d done their gender proud, Grady had announced, which set them off laughing again.

  All in all, Tony thought, it had been exactly what he’d needed.

  Really? Exactly what you needed?

  He’d avoided thinking about the morning, and Maggie wanting to stop the wedding.

  He should’ve let her tell him why, instead of panicking—and there was no other word for it. He was ready to marry her, wanted all the benefits that came with marriage. What she’d said had come from out of the blue. He hadn’t known how to react.

  He’d been looking forward to the marriage all month. Damned if she was going to steal that from him. He’d deserved this time with her, needed it. Counted on it.

  Yeah, she had to marry him because…He shut his eyes for a few seconds, conjuring up an image of her beautiful face. Because he was head over heels for her, and he needed time to show her he was a keeper.

  Just a little more time.

  Chapter Sixte
en

  They should’ve had a morning wedding, Tony decided. Waiting out the whole day for a five o’clock ceremony was like water torture—drips of time passing, each one more painful than the last. He’d eaten breakfast alone, watched a celebrity poker match on TV, and wished he was home, riding the range. Or at the least, out in the city, killing time by doing something, not stuck in a hotel room.

  He paced, wondering what Maggie was wishing for right now. That she’d ended it when she had the chance? She’d signed the prenup, but was it just to keep the deal they’d made? To honor her word?

  Was that what he wanted? For her to marry him because they made a deal?

  Tony grabbed a pair of hotel-supplied binoculars and carried them to the window. He could see some of the San Francisco Bay, dotted with sailboats and Windsurfers skimming across the white-capped surface.

  He wondered how that felt, maneuvering those boards and depending on the wind to get you somewhere. It had to be easier on the bones than riding a bareback bronc. He had no desire to push his body into those contortions anymore. It was enough just getting out of bed and into the kitchen to pour coffee every day, waiting for his joints to loosen up.

  Hell, he was sounding like an old man—

  A knock came at his door. He didn’t care who it was. Distraction would help.

  He opened the door to find Cal, Grady, Butch and his father standing there. Behind them was a uniformed employee with a pushcart.

  “Our wives are off getting dolled up for the wedding,” Grady said, coming into the room, the others following. “We knew you’d be in a worse boat since you can’t even see Maggie.”

  “You’re right. Thanks for coming.”

  Grady passed some money to the room service employee before she left the room, shutting the door quietly behind her. “Well, we found out it’s true, brother. A concierge can work miracles with a snap of his fingers.”

  From the bottom shelf of the cart he brought out a deck of cards and a double rack of poker chips. “Figured you might like to kill some time.” Then from the top shelf he lifted lids off five plates holding hamburgers and thick-cut fries.