Bridleton
Page 16
“Just understand one thing. I love you. Nothing will change that,” she promised. “If we lost Bridleton and every other material possession, it wouldn’t change how I feel about you. I promise you on my life. I lost you once. I won’t chance it again.”
After the briefest of hesitations he gave her a deep, beautiful smile. The undisguised love shining from his eyes made her heart jump with joy. Tears threatened again. She dropped her lashes to keep the tears from overflowing and leaned down for a kiss. Their lips met in long, sweet proclamation of a shared love.
When the soft kiss grew deeper Andrea leaned closer and clasped his head between her hands. She started to press her body onto his but remembered his injury. Pulling back, she whispered, “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Noah’s hands grasped her waist, holding her tightly yet at a comfortable distance. “Just one more kiss,” he teased against her lips. “Then we need to talk before you get me all hot and bothered.”
She kissed him deeply and then slowly, regretfully released him and moved back to the chair. “You totally distracted me from the speech I’ve been practicing all morning.”
“Before you finish your speech,” he said. “Aren’t you the least bit curious about how I came up with all that money?”
“Of course I am, but if the answer involves Shelly Hastings, I’m not sure I want to hear it.”
He shook his head and gave her a wicked grin. “Shelly’s not involved. I should have explained but my stupid pride kept getting in the way.”
“Okay then, how could you afford it?”
Instead of a direct answer he asked a question. “You know my mom died a couple years ago?”
“Nanna told me. I’m sorry. I know how close you were.”
He didn’t respond but nodded. “When she died, I learned my biological father had given her money in exchange for keeping quiet about his identity. Even to me,” he said in disgust. “All my life I thought she was being loyal to her true love but it was all about money.”
His mother had always worked hard to support them but had never married. She’d refused to tell him his father’s name even though she’d bragged about a wealthy man in her past. It had left Noah feeling abandoned and resentful.
“At least you finally got some answers,” she said. “Yeah, I got a name and some answers. The old bastard is dead now too.”
“Any stepbrothers or sisters?”
“Not that I know of. He had a couple ex-wives but nobody who gave a damn. From what I’ve been told, he wasn’t a very decent man.”
“That’s sad.”
“Don’t waste your sympathy on him. He left my mom as soon as he learned about the pregnancy.”
She’d often wondered why Noah’s mother refused to tell him his father’s true identity. He’d been raised, much like her, by his granddad as a surrogate father.
“He just handed her a check?”
“He calculated what would cover her hospital expenses plus the average cost of raising a child through college age and general insurance needs. I guess he had a head for numbers. Mom banked the money and only used it for emergencies. She left me a letter with all the details. I just hadn’t decided what to do with it.”
“Until you thought Nanette might lose Bridleton.”
“Yeah. That’s when I asked her to sell me controlling interest.”
“I didn’t care much for the idea back then but I’m sure happy you cared enough to make the offer and put up with all of us until we realized what we wanted.”
“I’ve always cared,” he reminded.
Her smile deepened. “I know. And the money doesn’t make up for a past without a father but it’s a strong start for the future.”
“What do you want for your future?”
“A lot of things,” she said. “But mostly I’d like you to marry me and help me make a couple babies. After that I’d like to spend the rest of our lives creating our own legacy.”
When his eyes flared hotly she dropped her gaze to where her fingers nervously plucked at her tee shirt. A long, tense silence settled over the room, making her even more nervous.
“So you’re proposing to me? Marriage?” He demanded clarification.
“If you’ll have me.” She lifted her gaze and stared back into his eyes. Her cheeks flushed with hot color and her chin quivered slightly but she didn’t blink.
“This is my life,” he told her impassively. “The long days, hard work and constant frustrations. It’s a lot of heavy responsibility to a lot of people. You think you can be satisfied, long-term, with ranch life? You won’t weary of the constant demands on your time here? You won’t miss the city, your prissy clothes and your jet-set lifestyle?”
Her tone was equally honest and serious with her reply. “Of course I would miss New York and my career. It’s a big change but I’m ready to make it. Marriage doesn’t mean I have to give up my plans for designing. Life doesn’t have to be one-dimensional.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. What about you? Will you get tired of me if I’m around all the time? Get bored if I’m not jet-setting or focusing on a career? I’ll be just another cowgirl working the ranch. They’re a dime a dozen in this area.”
“There’s none like you,” he swiftly corrected. “I’ve looked. Are you sure you won’t be bored out of your mind in a couple years?”
“The only guarantee I can give you is that I love you. Always have, always will.”
Another tense silence ensued as they stared deeply into each other’s eyes. Andrea thought her heart would pound right out of her chest as she waited for his reply.
“I guess a man can’t ask for much more, can he?”
When a slow smile spread across his features, she felt a heavy weight lift from her chest. Noah reached out a hand and she grasped it tightly.
“There’s more,” she whispered, her voice thick with tears.
“You’re all I need,” he swore softly. “All I’ve ever really wanted.”
“Oh, Noah!” she cried softly. “You’re all I want or need. I’m just sorry it took me so long to realize the simplicity of it.” Andrea brought his hand her to mouth and pressed a hard kiss on his calloused fingers. He tried to pull her onto the bed with him but she drew back, laughing.
“Wait. I have something to show you.” She turned to the bedside table and picked up a sketch pad. When she showed it to him she watched his expression change from puzzlement to a broad grin.
“Is this the first of the Bartell sisters’ new fashion line?” he asked.
“Yes, I’ve had the design in mind for a long time and Cheyenne drew it up for me.”
“I didn’t think the groom was supposed to see the wedding dress before the ceremony,” he teased. “You’re not supposed to see me in it,” she explained. “I hope you don’t mind that I told Chey about my proposal before I asked you.”
“Pretty sure of me, huh?”
She sighed heavily. “You’re a hard man to pin down but I hoped you’d be interested in some wedding plans.”
Noah wrapped a hand around her thigh. He held her gaze while he started to caress her. “I’m interested, willing and able,” he teased lightly, his expression filled with love and adoration. “But those tiny shorts you’re wearing, that thin little shirt and no bra are driving me crazy right now. Any chance we can find a way to make love?”
Andrea laughed softly and, tossing the sketch pad on the table, she leaned closer. “You’re on the injured reserve but I think I can find a way to pleasure you without hurting you.”
“Pleasure me? Mmm…I like the sound of that.” She ran a hand over the sheet covering him until she found hard, straining flesh. “Tell me what else you like, big boy,” she teased.
“What I love,” he corrected softly, cupping her face in his hand. “What I love, who I love, is you. Always have, always will.”
Her breathing faltered. “Promise?”
“You bet,” he replied, drawing her face towar
d his.
“But don’t expect me to give up my fashionable clothes,” she whispered against his lips.
A low chuckle escaped him. “I’m gettin’ real fond of your fancy duds,” he teased, then captured her mouth in a deep, devouring kiss that sealed the promise for their future.
Epilogue
“So what do you think, Nanna?”
Andrea twirled from the full-length mirror in her bedroom to show her aunt the wedding gown she and Cheyenne had created.
Nanette studied the strapless white satin gown with the snug-fitting bodice and pleated waistline. It dropped into a flowing, tea-length skirt adorned with an unusual pleated ruffle.
“Absolutely gorgeous.”
Cheyenne smoothed the silk of her turquoise maid-of-honor gown. “What else could it be with a phenomenal design team and an internationally famous model wearing it?” she added, tongue-in-cheek.
“Well that’s a given. I do have a flair, don’t I?” said Andrea in a haughty tone that had all three Bartell women giggling like schoolgirls. When tears filled her eyes she quickly swiped them away. “I think I might be getting a little giddy.”
“You’re allowed. It’s your wedding day,” said Chey.
“I hope you’re not expecting any wedding night advice from me,” said Nanna. “Never been there or done that. I should have a tee shirt.”
After another round of giggles Andrea dabbed her eyes with a tissue and protested, “You both need to behave or I’m going to ruin my makeup.”
Cheyenne gave her a wink. “For some reason I don’t think Noah will give a hoot about your makeup.”
The mention of Noah brought a deep, contented smile to Andrea’s face. She’d thought she loved him six years ago and had fallen in love again six months ago. But now, after her proposal and the decision to marry, he’d made her fall more deeply in love each passing day.
She ached with love for him and couldn’t wait to be his wife. Whatever life had in store for them, they’d be all right as long as they had each other. Unlike some brides, she had no last-minute doubts, only a few bridal jitters.
“There she goes again,” Chey said on a heavy sigh. “She gets all dreamy-eyed and drifty when she thinks of Noah. It’s like a disease.”
“She’s got it bad,” said Nanette.
Andrea flashed them a smile. “She’s got it good.”
A knock at the door interrupted more laughter. “Hey, women,” Zack scolded. “Stop horsing around. The guests are all seated, the preacher’s here and the music started. It’s time to go downstairs.”
“We’re almost ready,” said Chey. She slipped an old-fashioned veil over Andrea’s head. Noah’s only request had been for her to wear her hair down, so Chey secured the veil and smoothed it into place. “Perfect.”
Andrea hugged her sister and then her Aunt Nanette. “Thank you both for all your help. For the old, the borrowed, the blue and everything else.”
She added a little prayer of thanks for her Nanna’s successful surgery and her remarkable recovery. Having her share this special day would make the memories even more precious.
Cheyenne handed her the bridal bouquet of yellow roses, then picked up a smaller matching bouquet.
“Noah’s ring?” asked Andrea.
“Got it,” Chey assured her.
“Then I guess we’re good to go.” Turning to Zack, she gave him a once-over. “Ever think of going into modeling, big brother? You look pretty good in that tux.”
His brows creased in a frown and the women convulsed in giggles again.
“Have ya’ll been doing some premature celebrating? Hitting the champagne bottle while the rest of us have worked our butts off been getting this cart and donkey show on the road?”
Andrea gasped in mock outrage. “Cart and donkey show?”
Zack grinned and offered her his arm. She tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and he patted it gently. “Whatever you’ve been doing it sure looks good on you, little sister,” he whispered gruffly.
“Well that’s better,” she said with a smile.
They made their way down the stairs and to the double doors leading to the formal garden. The late September weather had cooperated for their special day. A clear blue sky and mild temperatures awaited them along with a profusion of neatly trimmed shrubs and brilliantly colored flowers.
Looking handsome but a tad uncomfortable in his tux, Trace took Nanna’s arm and accompanied her outside. He seated her on the front row of chairs and took his place as best man at Noah’s side. When the next song began, Cheyenne followed them down the aisle. She moved with slow grace through the small gathering of friends and ranch staff.
At the crescendo of the wedding march, the doors opened wide and Zack escorted Andrea down the flower-strewn white aisle runner. She looked toward the rose-covered archway of the gazebo where Noah stood. Once their gazes met she smiled and tension drained from her body. The steadfastness of his love and adoration shone from his eyes. Her breath caught at the purity of it. Bridal jitters vanished. His love guided her forward as she knew it would do for the rest of her life.
The End
About the Author: Becky Barker is a multi-published author whose steamy romance novels have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages, into electronic format, and have been re-issued in trade paperback as well as large print library editions. Her personal hero is a former Marine who helped her create three pretty wonderful children. Rachel and her husband, Jerramy; Amanda and her husband, Jay; and Thad and his wife, Dara, all live within a few miles of Mom and Dad in rural Ohio. Besides spending time with her family, Becky enjoys music, gardening, water sports and reading. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at BeckyBarker.com or by emailing: write@beckybarker.com
Other books by Becky Barker:
Bridleton, Back in His Arms, Born To Fly, Captured by a Cowboy, Dangerous, Impossible Match, The Last Real Cowboy, Renegade Texan, Sassy Lady, To Trust Again, Western Dreams, On Wings of Love (reissue), Cade’s Challenge, Terms of Surrender (novella), A Matter of Trust (reissue), Chameleons, Undercover Virgin, Hanchart Land (reissue)
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue