by Sable Hunter
“Look at that snake!” Jimmy yelled.
The movement had irritated the rattler below and it was coiling.
“Give me a gun!” He held out his hand to the policeman, who handed him a Glock 45. Heath took it and aimed, shooting the snake to smithereens.
Cato jerked and sprang back. “God, she’s going to fall off that ledge,” Jimmy screamed.
“Hold on, baby, hold on.” Heath begged as he watched her scramble around. She teetered on the edge and he groaned, his heart in his throat. He was about ready to just jump down there with her, but him falling wouldn’t help anything.
“Give me a rope,” he yelled at the police and others standing around. While they were readying a make-shift lift to bring Cato up on, Heath was talking to her, he didn’t know how well she could see him, but he wasn’t taking any chances. “I’m coming down there and get you, sweetheart. Just hold on. And when I get you come up here and in my arms, I’m never letting you go.”
He was here, he was here, Heath had come to save her! Cato was crying. She had been so scared, thinking she was about to die. When she’d seen that snake ready to bite her, Cato almost lost it. But he was here! She stared up at him, reading his lips as best she could. It looked like he was calling her sweetheart and saying he was never going to let her go. But it was getting late and the light was dim—she couldn’t be sure. It might just be wishful thinking.
“I love you, Cato.” Heath looked down, straight at her and signed.
Okay, she hadn’t misread that. If she didn’t have that gag in her mouth, she would have shouted her love to the heavens.
“All right, Heath, try this.” Jimmy and Tennessee held the ropes steady as Heath began to lower himself down.
“There’s another guy down here.”
“Another snake?” Jimmy asked. He didn’t like snakes.
“No, bones.”
When his feet touched the ledge, he jerked out of the harness and gathered her in his arms. Kissing her face, he pulled the gag from her mouth.
“Heath!” she cried. “You came!”
“I will come after you every time. Every time.” He kissed her again. “Don’t ever doubt it. I protect what’s mine.”
True to his word, Heath didn’t let go of her. He helped her on the lift, then held her till his brother and the others had pulled them to safety. The EMT checked her out and doctored the cuts and bruises. “You’re lucky, miss,” was their summation.
“We need you to go back to the station to make a statement,” the cop informed her.
“Okay, but she rides with me,” Heath declared. Jimmy left with Tennessee and Cato climbed into Old Red. It was almost dark, so Heath turned on the interior light so she wouldn’t have any trouble speaking with him.
Heath started up the truck, but he didn’t start out immediately. He let the others go on ahead, he just sat there looking at her. Cato didn’t know what to say, so she just spoke from the heart. “I never thought I would see you again. I was scared.”
“Oh, baby.” Heath reached over and picked her up.
“I’m dirty.”
“You’re the sweetest smelling, most precious thing in the world to me,” he assured her as he peppered small kisses all over her face.
“I don’t understand what happened…” She stared at his beautiful face. “I thought you—”
He knew what she was about to say. “Listen, let me explain something to you. What I said to Jimmy, I didn’t mean. He was always razzing me about women and I always responded the same way. I’ve never told a bigger lie in the world than when I said what we have meant nothing.” Heath cupped the side of her neck, holding her still. “It means everything. You mean everything to me.”
“How about my speech?” Cato tensed.
Heath pushed her hair from her forehead, gazing at her with tenderness. “I love the way you speak. It’s music to my ears. I didn’t tell Amy that you embarrassed me, I threw her comment back at her as a question. I told her you might speak funny to some people, but I thought it was adorable and that you were perfect for me. Plus, I risked Old Red for you, I drove straight at his plane, forced him off the runway. That’s got to mean something.”
“Oh, Heath!” She threw her arms around his neck. “It does! I don’t want to have a fling with you.”
“You don’t?”
“I want you forever. I want to be with you, I want to love you, I want to marry you.”
Heath squeezed her, kissed her neck, then drew her back so she could read his lips. “Are you propositioning me again?”
“I sure am. I don’t want four months or four years, or even forty, I want a lifetime.”
“Then, I accept your proposal. I want to marry you more than anything in the world. You’re my love, my life, my best friend. I don’t want to spend another moment away from you.”
“You won’t have to.” She cuddled into his side.
“Let’s go home.” He put the truck into gear.
“I am home.” She took his hand. “Home is where you are.”
* * *
The next few hours were a blur. Heath went with her to the police station where Cato made a statement. She testified against Arness, who was arrested for the murder of Dalton Smith and for her own attempted murder.
“How could he do something like that?” she asked Heath, still not grasping what could motivate a man to commit murder and try to destroy others.
“Cesar was raised to hate. When that’s all you hear from the time you’re small, you become programmed to think you can get away with anything.”
“I can understand that, I guess. My mother molded me into what I am.”
“No, baby.” Heath ran his hands down her arms. “You are strong. You’re mother tried to hold you back, she tried to take away your confidence, but from the moment we met, you were full of life, hope and more love than anyone I’ve ever seen. We’ll find your father, I promise you. I’m sure he’s a good man.”
“Heath.” Tennessee came to him, leading him away from Cato a step or two. “We just got a call from Aron. Joseph’s wife went into labor and they lost their little boy. The little girl is fine, but the family’s hurting.”
“Tell them we’ll be right there.” Heath turned back pulled Cato close. “We’ve got to go to the hospital. Cady lost one of her babies. The other one is alive, but we need to go.”
Cato began to cry. “Oh, no. She told me she had a bad feeling that something was wrong.”
On the way to the hospital, Cato vacillated between joy and sorrow. Joy for what she had and for Philip’s release, sorrow for what Cady had lost. “Life is unpredictable, isn’t it?” she asked Heath.
“Yea, it is.” He thought about his mother, the storm, Amy, finding Cato. “But somehow it all works together to bring us to the place we need to be.”
“Like where we are.” Cato rubbed her face on his shoulder, just needing to feel close.
“Yea, we’re together,” Heath promised. “Forever.”
EPILOGUE
“Damn, I can’t believe I’ve agreed to wear one of these damn monkey suits again. It must be a hundred and ten in the shade.” Heath wiggled his finger between his throat and the collar. If he were truthful, it wasn’t the tuxedo that was making him uneasy. The fact that he was back in a church with a sanctuary full of people and he was about to walk out in front of them and wait on his bride to come down the aisle. What if she changed her mind?
He knew she wouldn’t—this was Cato, not Amy. She had proven her love for him over and over again. And she would prove it today. He had no doubt.
But he was still nervous.
The wait would kill him.
“It’s time,” Jaxson murmured. Heath couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief as he saw his brother standing tall on his own two legs, even if one of them had mechanical parts. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Heath was ready. All he had to do was get through this ceremony and then he could have Cato back in his arms again and al
l would be well.
“The preacher’s waiting.” A beaming Philip motioned with Tennessee standing beside him. Philip was a free man, no murder charge hung over his head.
Before going through the doors of the chapel, he stopped to hug his brothers and to count their blessings.
“Everything is going to be all right.” Tennessee hugged Heath who knew he spoke of more than just the wedding ceremony.
“Yes, it will be.” Jimmy hugged him.
With hope in his heart, Heath led his brothers and best friend into the vestibule. They would come through a side door, file into the chapel and stand with the preacher to await the bridesmaids and his bride to join them. He knew this wasn’t a repeat of before—there had been a major change in the starring role, but he couldn’t help remembering the cold hard panic of being left at the altar.
It was only a few yards to the entry of the sanctuary. Heath could hear murmurs and the subdued tones from the organ. Tennessee opened the door, holding it for the others to walk through. Heath would be first. “Look at that.” Philip snorted. “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“Me neither, although knowing Cato, I’m not surprised.” Jaxson laughed.
“You’re one lucky bastard, Heath.” Tennessee patted him on the back.
“What?” Heath couldn’t imagine what they were talking about.
“Look at what’s waiting for you.”
Heath looked and lost his ability to speak. Choked up, he could only clear his throat and whisper, “That’s my baby.”
Heath didn’t have to wait at the altar for his bride to decide to join him or not. Cato and her bridesmaids were already in place. There could be no doubt in Heath’s mind about her devotion and commitment, because today she had made the first move. His beautiful bride awaited him.
“Hey, Sundance, I’ve been waiting on you.”
“I’d have been here sooner, if I’d known.” He looked her up and down. Dressed in a form fitting white lace dress, the woman was gorgeous, super-hot and all his. “Lord, you’re pretty.”
Cato blushed. “You’re not so bad yourself, cowboy.”
The preacher had cleared his throat three times, but Cato couldn’t hear him and Heath didn’t care. This was their day, they’d do it their way.
“Are you ready to do this?” he asked his dearly beloved, since the preacher had repeated the same phrase twice and Cato was still chattering away.
“I’ve been ready since the day I doused you with punch.”
Heath threw back his head and laughed and the congregation rejoiced with them.
“In that case,” he looked at the preacher, “what are we waiting for?”
The old man raised one eyebrow and frowned, but he began again.
“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here…”
Heath didn’t zone out. He was aware of every word, every smile Cato gifted him with, the warmth of her hand and the amazing truth that he was the luckiest man in the world. But he was also grateful for all of his family who had chosen to share this moment with them. Tennessee, Jaxson, Philip and Jimmy were standing at his side. Pepper, Ryder, Savannah and Avery stood up with Cato. There were some extras he didn’t quite approve of accompanying his siblings to the ceremony, but he wouldn’t let that spoil his day. His father was there with Olivia, for the time being strong and sassy.
The McCoy cousins were out in force, also. Aron, Libby and the twins sat on the third row. He’d told them not to worry about how much noise those babies made. If a preacher couldn’t talk over a baby, he should find another job. Jacob and Jessie had an aisle seat because little Bowie had served as ring bearer. Cady, Joseph and their baby daughter Angel sat in the next row. They had mourned the loss of their son, but Cady informed them he was in the arms of angels and that she had no doubt they would see him again. And no one argued with her, Cady was as close to an angel as anyone could ever be—she knew about those things.
Isaac, Skye, and Noah sat beside Joseph. Heath had finally gotten a chance to give Aron the photo of the woman who could be Noah’s mother and he had Kyle Chancellor and the Equalizers working at finding out exactly who she was and what this meant to Noah. Nathan and Tina were present and Tina was out of her wheelchair. Zane and Presley were there also and Presley was pregnant. No one was surprised. Babies were contagious in this part of the world.
There was no bride and groom’s side of the church—they all sat together, one big happy family. Cato’s friends wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Patrick and Savannah had driven over from Louisiana and brought with them Beau, Harley, and all of the girls that Cato had worked with. The church was full of everyone they loved.
Prayers were offered and songs were sung. The woman who performed did sign language so Cato missed nothing, and she never would if Heath had anything to do with it.
“Do we have a ring?”
“Two of them,” Cato answered. “I want everyone to know he’s mine.”
“Oh, I’m yours, love.” Heath laughed.
“I’m losing control,” the preacher murmured.
“You never had it,” Heath whispered. “She’s in charge. Always will be.”
“With this ring,” he prompted and Heath went for it. Taking Cato’s hand, he repeated his vows. “With this ring, I thee wed.” He placed a diamond encrusted band on top of the engagement ring he’d given her months ago. “You may not be able to hear my words, Cato, but listen with your heart.”
“I’m listening.”
He gave her a brilliant smile. “With my body, I thee worship. I offer you everything I have or ever will have. I bind my days and my heart to yours. I am owned.”
Cato’s heart pounded. She started to speak, stopped and leaned forward to kiss him. “I love you.” Taking his hand, she said her vows. “With this ring, I thee wed.” She slid the band of gold onto his finger. “With my body, I thee worship. I will share everything I have or hope to have with you. I bind my days and my heart to yours. I am owned.”
“You may kiss the bride.”
“Hell, yeah!” Heath made every woman in the congregation swoon when he framed Cato’s face and captured her lips as if he needed her kiss to survive. Applause broke out in the congregation when the reverend announced. “It is with pleasure that I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Heath McCoy.”
Cato floated down the aisle on the arm of the man she loved. Her whole life was a dream come true. She wasn’t alone. Surrounded by family and friends, with an adoring husband at her side, Cato knew she could face anything the future wanted to dish out. As she greeted each guest who’d come to see them wed, Cato felt her heart grow fuller and when she and Heath were called to begin the first dance, there was no doubt in her mind that the day was perfect.
He had taken dancing lessons!
For her!
Mr. I-Don’t-Dance swept her into his arms and showed everyone else how it was done. “If your moves in bed tonight are as improved as the ones on this dance floor, I won’t be able to stand it.”
Heath chuckled. “Honey, you can’t improve on my moves in the bedroom.”
Cato laughed, but he was right. “You’re good.”
“Yes, I am. When a McCoy puts his mind to a task, you’d best just get out of the way.”
After a couple of spins around the dance floor, Cato was fanning herself. “Want some punch?”
“You bet I do, but can I trust you?” Heath teased.
Cato answered, but she wasn’t teasing. “Yes, you can. With your life. I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you. I’ll go where you go. I’ll live where you live and I will be yours every day of my life.”
Heath took a deep breath. He had come full circle. This was the woman he would build his life with.
Later…they boarded Jimmy’s plane and flew on their honeymoon back to the Napa Valley to the Vintage Inn. “You said you wanted to return, and here we are.”
“You remembered.” She pulled on the string that held her sheer gown in place.
“I remember everything you’ve ever said to me, love.” He caught the gown when she tossed it to him. His throat was dry and his hands were shaking. “I’ll never grow tired of looking at you.”
Cato couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He was lying on the bed, a hard-bodied hottie by any woman’s definition—and he was all hers. “I hope not, I’d hate to have to restrain you to keep you at my side.”
“Restraint is not necessary. I think you know the secret. Let’s have a test, shall we?” He took her by the hand and drew Cato close. “How do you rope a McCoy?”
Cato ran her hand down his chest, over his abs and down to his cock. “Very carefully.”
“Good answer.” She stroked him and he groaned. “And how do you keep him tied?”
With a smile and a wink, she rubbed her thumb over the sensitive tip, loving the way he pushed into her hand. “That’s simple.”
“Oh, really?” He palmed her breast. “How?”
“I’ll keep you tied with love.”
Other Books By Sable Hunter
Hell Yeah! Series
Cowboy Heat
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Hot on Her Trail
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Her Magic Touch
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A Brown Eyed Handsome Man
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Badass
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Burning Love - Cajun Style
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Forget Me Never - Cajun Style
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