“Was magical,” she sobbed.
“It was for me, too.”
She nodded.
“That’s what falling in love with you has been for me. Magical. I don’t want us to end. I don’t. Please just tell me...”
She stumbled into his arm and threw her arms around his neck. Her lips were against his. “I love you. With all my heart. Forever.”
“Promise?”
“Yes. I promise. If...”
“If what?”
“You’ll forgive me,” she whispered as her lips grazed his.
“Sweetheart, I forgave you before I agreed to be wired and see Miguel.”
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
“Uh-huh. I knew you’d still hold a place for me in your heart no matter what happened. How could I not forgive you?”
She kissed him with a longing and eagerness Josh hadn’t felt from Violet before. He kissed her back with all the love in his heart. He stretched his right arm around her, pulling her as close as he could with his arm in a sling.
She pulled away slowly. “Josh, I want you to know that even if I hadn’t seen you today, I wouldn’t have a place in my heart for you.”
“What? Why not?”
A smile curved her lips as she moved in for another kiss. “Because, silly, you hold my whole heart.”
EPILOGUE
LATE SUMMER BREEZES lifted the undersides of silver maple leaves as rainbows of sunflowers from lemon yellow to deep rust and burgundy bloomed around Indian Lake. The harmony of happy voices chatted about the wedding of the year between celebrity Josh Stevens and hometown policewoman Violet Hawks. Scott Abbott had written another scintillating piece about Detective Trent Davis and his Indian Lake Drug Task Force team that brought down elusive Miguel Garcia and the last of the Le Grand gang.
Officer Hawks was mentioned twice in the article. Josh Stevens’s name was never brought up.
But those in their circle of friends knew the truth.
Violet stood in the master bedroom of Katia and Austin’s house and stepped into the peau de soie wedding gown she’d found at a Chicago discount bridal shop that only Katia would have known about.
Daisy brought in a silver tray of flutes filled with champagne. “For toasting the bride!”
Isabelle, dressed in a soft saffron-colored sheath dress, grabbed a glass. “Mom? You want one?”
Connie Hawks, the mother of the bride, dressed in a short-skirted beige dress with a jeweled jacket replied, “Absolutely! My daughter’s wedding is a day never to forget.”
Violet pulled the strapless dress up over her white underwear. “Oh, Mom. You’re an old hand at this. Isabelle’s wedding...”
“I know, honey, but I thought...” Connie started to cry. She blew her nose.
“You thought because I was a cop, it wouldn’t happen for me?”
“No. I didn’t think you’d find anyone so...wonderful! He’s like one of you kids to me. Part of the family.”
Violet grabbed her skirts and trundled over to her mother. She threw her arms around her. “Mom, I love you. I love him. I love everybody.”
“Oh, honey. You’re going to make such a good wife. And an incredible mother.”
“I don’t know anything about kids,” Violet choked out.
“Sure you do, honey. You just love ’em. Without judgment. The rest will come to you.”
“I can do that.”
Isabelle sniffed and dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “You do exactly that with my kids. With your own and Josh’s, it’ll be a breeze.” She sniffed again.
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m so happy for you!”
Just then Violet’s sister Sadie raced into the room holding an enormous box. “It’s a disaster!”
“What is?” Violet nearly tripped on her unzipped dress.
“The bouquets. They’re sunflowers. I thought you wanted roses. And look at these screwed-up funny-looking things.” She pointed to curled-up white flowers that looked a bit like trumpets.
Violet started laughing. “Oh, Sadie! They’re perfect.”
Isabelle and Connie inspected the bouquets. “They are?”
“Uh-huh.” Violet beamed. “There’s a reason my ceremony is a night wedding.”
Katia knocked on the door and simultaneously opened it. “Violet, everyone is here,” Katia gushed, and swept into the room. Katia was the only woman Violet knew who swept into rooms, drawing attention to whatever designer gown or dress she wore. As one of her bridesmaids, who all wore their choice of lemon, saffron or daffodil yellow, Katia’s gown was a long, off-the-shoulder chiffon.
Mrs. Beabots followed Katia inside and shut the door.
Violet eyed the octogenarian, who was wearing a long sunflower-yellow silk dress with a capelet. Long gold and topaz earrings dangled to her shoulders. Violet peered at her landlady. She’d heard stories about the ensembles and jewels that Mrs. Beabots kept in her somewhat secret closet. Isabelle had seen its interior, which she said was the size of a normal bedroom, but Violet had never seen it. Judging by the dress Mrs. Beabots wore, which outshined the bride, she wondered if she’d ever get the opportunity to see those treasures.
“Did my brothers pick you up like they promised?” Violet asked.
“Such handsome boys. And all single.”
Violet stared at Mrs. Beabots, who was well-known for putting her finger in the matchmaking pie. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing at all. It’s just that weddings are interesting places for couples to meet. You never know what can happen at one.”
“Including tornadoes and thunderstorms,” Katia added with a wink.
Violet glanced out the window. The sun was nearly down. The sky was clear. No tornado would dare disrupt her wedding.
“How’s Josh?” Violet asked Katia anxiously. Suddenly, she was focused only on him. She’d seen him last night at the rehearsal dinner, which also had been held at Austin’s house since Josh had no family. Austin and Katia had been more than gracious to offer their home for the wedding and the rehearsal dinner.
Josh had told her he wished the rehearsal was the real thing. “Then we’d be married. I’ve waited long enough through slings and rehab to hold you in both my arms,” he’d teased. At least she thought he was kidding.
All she remembered was his kiss. Sweet. Moving and loving. She was amazed that her love for him grew with every day. Her reliable intuition told her that it would always be this way for them.
Katia beamed. “He asked me to ask you the same thing. He’s a bit nervous, I think.”
“Really? Why? Does he have cold feet?” Violet started across the room to Katia as Connie struggled to zip up her dress.
“Vi. Really, you can’t go down that staircase half-dressed!” Connie exclaimed.
Katia took both Violet’s hands in hers. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m worried he could be having second thoughts. After all, he’s the one giving up his racing career to move here to Indian Lake.” Violet knew that Josh had arranged for all his pit crew to work with Crash Crain now that Crash had won the Indianapolis race. The reality was that Crain would probably win more races now that Josh was out of the picture. Harry and Paul would always be needed for his commercial and merchandising work.
Katia smiled broadly. “He told us he’s thrilled about working with Austin. He’s got amazing plans for the car museum. And there’s the center for the foster kids. He’s so involved in that, too. You’ve seen how he is now over these past months. He’s happy. Serene. All that awful pressure to perform is over.”
“You’re right. He said he’s never known life could be—” Violet felt her blush rising from her toes “—so sweet.”
“Thanks to you.”
Katia squeezed Violet’s hands. “Oh, Violet. I haven’t see
n a guy that much in love since Austin.”
Isabelle coughed, holding her hand to her mouth.
Katia corrected herself. “Uh, since Scott and Isabelle.”
Mrs. Beabots grabbed a champagne flute. “Sweethearts, let’s not forget Beatrice and Rand, who just married. And then there’s Liz and Gabe. Sam and Gina. Olivia and Rafe. Grace and Mica...”
“I know!” Katia exclaimed. “Isn’t it wonderful? Maybe we have a thing going in Indian Lake. This is where true love ignites and remains for a lifetime. Like music that is played for centuries.”
“Oh, Katia!” Violet groaned. “You are so overly romantic.”
Katia hoisted Violet’s left hand to her face and turned it so that Violet was looking squarely at her engagement ring. “Look who’s talking. You have a moonstone surrounded by diamonds because you and Josh have a thing about moonlight and stars. He told me. And those funky looking flowers in your bouquets are moonflowers that only bloom white after the moon comes out and the sun is gone. So, yeah. Sunflowers and moonflowers. And you’re not romantic?”
“Guilty. Okay?” Violet sighed heavily. “I was afraid it would hurt my police image.”
“Never,” Mrs. Beabots said with a winning smile of approval.
Strains of Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” wafted up the grand spiral staircase played by the string quartet Katia had positioned in the hall in the curve of the stairs.
Violet inhaled. “That’s my cue.”
She took her bouquet from Isabelle as her sisters and Katia took their places at the head of the stairs.
Connie kissed Violet’s cheek. “I love you, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you. And so very, very happy.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you, too.”
Connie hurried down the stairs to take her seat.
Violet watched as her bridesmaids walked down the staircase and into the living room, which had been set up with white folding chairs. Violet’s brother Christopher had actually exchanged his ever-present EMT uniform and vest for a black tuxedo to walk her down the aisle.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“And you took a shower. A miracle.”
“Hey, I’m off duty.” He took her arm.
Judge Clement stood in the center of the fireplace wall with Josh to his left, Austin as best man next to him.
The moment Violet came to stand in the huge living room doorway, Josh’s face illuminated with happiness. Violet knew she wouldn’t ever tire of his smile.
Violet didn’t know what went through the heads of other brides when they walked down the aisle, but as she looked at the radiant faces of her friends, she noticed that not one was missing. Gina Barzonni Crenshaw and Sam Crenshaw sat in the front row to be with her mother. Since Josh had no family, her brothers Ross and Dylan had shown up in white dinner jackets and black tuxedo pants and took up the groom’s first row. She saw Gabe and Liz Barzonni and their three-year-old son, Zeke. Zeke was playing with his cousin, two-year-old Jules, who’d flown in from Paris with his parents, Mica and Grace Barzonni. Maddie and Nate Barzonni and Olivia and Rafe Barzonni sat on the bride’s side. Sarah and Luke Bosworth with Annie, Timmy and Charlotte sat with Mrs. Beabots. Sophie and Jack Carter were next to Cate and Trent Davis, and their son, Danny, who sat next to Sal Paluzzi and Bob Paxton. Isabelle and Scott with Bella and Michael sat with Beatrice and Rand Nelson and their adopted kids, Chris and Eli.
And through my work, I’ve helped to keep each of them safe, Violet thought.
When she raised her eyes to Josh she knew the tingles down her spine were a sign from her intuition that everything in her world was right and good.
Rather than wait for Violet to walk to him, Josh broke ranks and met her halfway. He took her arm and looped it through his. “I couldn’t wait another second,” he said.
“Always have to be first over that finish line, huh?” she teased.
He kissed her as they continued walking up to the judge.
Judge Clement leaned toward them. “You’re supposed to wait till the end to kiss her.”
Josh didn’t take his eyes from her. “I won’t apologize. I couldn’t wait. I do.”
Violet laughed. “That’s not how it goes.”
“I’ll do the formal thing, too. But I wanted you to know I love you. In case you were worried.”
Dropping her smile, she whispered, “Katia told.”
“Uh-huh.” He touched her cheek. Sincerity blazed deep in his eyes. “I’ll always love you. I’ll never leave you. If I had my way, you’d be by my side every day and every night. No matter what. Being with you has given me life.”
“I meant it when I said I’ll love you forever, Josh. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you.”
Judge Clement slowly closed his Bible and said, “That’s not what we rehearsed, but those are the most heartfelt vows I’ve ever heard. I don’t suppose you want to skip the rings?”
Austin tapped him on the shoulder and handed him a band of diamonds. “This what you want?”
Josh chuckled and took the ring.
Katia took Violet’s bouquet and gave her Josh’s platinum band.
They exchanged their rings and repeated the judge’s words.
When Josh lifted her hand and kissed the ring on her finger, she couldn’t stop her tears. They kept falling as she put his ring on him.
Josh whisked her tears from her cheeks with his fingertips as Judge Clement said, “By the power vested in me by the State of Indiana, I now declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Again.”
Violet flung her arms around Josh’s neck and kissed him. Though her eyes were closed, behind her eyelids she saw flashes of lights as cameras captured the moment. But Violet knew she didn’t need a photograph to freeze this moment for her.
She and Josh would make a lifetime of thrilling memories, and each of them would make her heart race.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Rancher’s Second Chance by Leigh Riker.
The Rancher’s Second Chance
by Leigh Riker
CHAPTER ONE
THE LAST THING he’d expected today was a visitor. This one, in particular.
“I see you’re still alive,” she said, as if she couldn’t quite believe it.
Cooper Ransom shifted in the recliner where he’d been watching TV. Months ago, the movement would have made him groan from his injuries. He still wasn’t 100 percent, but Cooper refused to show Nell Sutherland any kind of weakness.
He hadn’t seen her in fourteen years, but without warning Nell had shown up at the old Moran farm, where he was staying with friends till he was fully recovered. He shouldn’t have been surprised Nell had appeared; she still lived outside Barren, and sooner or later they were bound to run into each other. But there’d been a time when he believed he’d never see Nell again. And he couldn’t find a reason for her to be here now.
“Did you think I was dying, or what?”
Barely glancing at him, she strolled over to the living room window. Her voice shook. “I left a bunch of wandering cows to see for myself that you’re not about to cash in your chips—as my grandfather might say. Don’t make me regret my charitable impulse.”
Nell looked through the window at the April day, slightly warmer in Kansas than it was in still-frigid Illinois. But he’d left that all behind now, thanks to a spray of bullets during a gang ambush there.
He studied her. In her scuffed boots, well-worn jeans and blue-plaid Western shirt, she still exemplified what she was—a born cowgirl. Nell looked taller than he remembered but she continued to stand with a proud set to her shoulders and the familiar tilt of her head as she gazed out at the horses in the nearby pasture. Her glossy sheet of hair, the same lighter brown it had always been but with newer streaks of blond running through like fi
ngers of sun, tumbled in a waterfall down her back. Cooper couldn’t see her eyes, but he knew them well—the clear green of emeralds. He’d once given her a necklace with a tiny chip of the gem nestled in gold, all he could afford then. The last time he saw her, Nell had thrown the necklace back in his face.
She must still hate him, if that wasn’t too strong a word. “You were worried about me,” he said anyway.
Nell turned and, to his surprise, he saw in her eyes—were those tears? That was more like the Nell he knew. She’d always acted tough, but it masked her vulnerable heart. Long ago, she’d been willing to share it with him.
“Worried I’d never get another chance to tell you what I think of you,” she said, “that’s all.”
“And what do you think?”
He saw a well-remembered glint in her eyes, but her expression had softened. “For now, I’m just glad you’re still breathing.”
The largest, still-raw scar across his abdomen proved he had, indeed, almost died, and that high-caliber bullet—not the only one to hit him—had plowed through his stomach, then ricocheted inside all over the place, causing more havoc as it spun. Cooper wouldn’t say so, but he wondered if he’d ever be whole again. Most of the damage, covered by a white T-shirt and black sweat pants, wouldn’t show now. But did she feel sorry for him?
He repeated her earlier words. “So you had to come see for yourself.”
Their history wasn’t one he cared to dwell on. As teenagers, they’d been inseparable—until his dad had been forced to sell his adjoining ranch to Nell’s grandfather, yet another episode in a generations-long feud between their two families over land. Nell had taken her grandfather’s side, and Cooper had vowed to get his family’s ranch back, destroying their relationship in the process.
She worried her bottom lip. “I heard from Finn you were here,” she said, then glanced away. “He’s still worried about you.”
Maybe she’d only wanted to see him brought low again. Cooper followed her glance at the shabby living room with its worn furniture, the old kitchen sink under the far window and the clean but cracked linoleum floor. Other than the fresh paint on the walls, and his friend Finn’s new sofa, the place needed work. But Finn was proud to be the owner of these five original acres, plus the hundreds more he’d recently bought, and he seemed happy to belong in the local ranching community, as well as being sheriff. Barren was the county seat.
Hers to Protect Page 24