The Cowboy's Wish (The Govain Cowboys Book 3)

by Janalyn Knight

  Evan's hand moved, and Dylan clasped it in a firm handshake. "You can count on me, Evan. You rest and get better."

  Lennie's dad held Dylan's gaze a moment longer then he relaxed and closed his eyes.

  Dylan stepped away from the bed, hardly believing what had just happened. Evan Duncan had accepted him. Then it hit him. There wasn't anything to stop him from marrying Lennie now! He clenched his jaws to keep himself from letting out a whoop.

  While Lennie and her mother stood beside Evan's bed, Dylan stepped out of the room. The close confines were suddenly too small for his soaring heart. One of the first things he'd do was ask his dad if he would consider paying for a person to come help Angie for four hours a day. It was obvious that Evan would need a higher level of care from his wife when he went home this time.

  Dylan grinned. The most exciting thing would be setting the date for the wedding. Then there would be planning for the honeymoon. Andy could substitute at school for Dylan since the retired Ag teacher hadn't moved away yet. Dylan would be able to take plenty of time off. His excitement grew as he considered everything ahead for him and Lennie.

  She pushed through the curtains and stood next to him. "I'm so happy, Dylan." Her eyes filled with joyful tears. "I can't believe it. The Duncan-Govain feud is over!"

  He laughed. "Can you imagine Evan Duncan and Roy Govain together at our wedding?"

  "We need to give them lots of time to get used to the idea."

  He pulled her into a hug. "Not that much time."

  She giggled. "Okay, some time to get used to the idea."

  "Much better." He kissed her quick and held her away from him. "We've got to set a date so be thinking of that."

  She smiled and nodded then looked past his shoulder. "This must be the doctor."

  LATE THAT AFTERNOON, Dylan parked in front of his house. Evan had been sent to ICU for the time being until the doctors were sure that he was stable. Lennie would be staying with her mother tonight and had said she'd come over in the morning for her things. As much as he would miss her, this was what she needed. Living here had torn her apart.

  He'd called his parents from the hospital to tell them where he was, and he was sure everyone was eagerly waiting for news of Evan's status. He walked in the front door and headed for the family room. As expected, his parents were there with Caleb and Eve. Dylan bent to pick up Abi, who had run to greet him. "Hey, cutie, did you eat a good dinner tonight?"

  Eve laughed. "Of course. Doesn't she always?"

  Dylan kissed her rosy little cheek and set her down, much to her disgust. She held on to his jeans as he made his way to a chair.

  "How is Evan, son?" Millie asked.

  "He's definitely lost some ground. They sent him up to ICU. The doc wants to be sure he doesn't have another episode, which I guess is a possibility."

  Roy frowned. "Do they know why it happened?"

  Dylan shook his head. "The stress between him and Lennie couldn't have been good for him."

  Roy sighed. "Well, hell."

  "The great thing is, he's forgiven her. Asked her to come home. He's real hard to understand right now, but he got his wishes across."

  "Thank goodness. That poor girl was worrying herself sick," Millie said.

  "How wonderful, Dylan," Eve said.

  He grinned at her. "You won't believe what happened next."

  When Dylan told them about his conversation with Evan, Roy clapped his palm to his forehead. "You're right. I don't believe it. I never thought I'd see the day Evan Duncan accepted a Govain boy as his daughter's suitor. It's a miracle."

  Dylan laughed. "That's exactly what I thought." He finally sat down. "Dad, I was wondering if you might do something for Angie. Evan is obviously going to need a lot more care when he comes home this time. Do you think we could pay for a part time woman to come help Angie? It would mean that she could run errands while the helper did laundry, cleaned house and maybe did some cooking. It's just, Lennie's mom already looks worn out. I'm worried about how much more she can take."

  Roy glanced at Caleb who nodded at him. "We'll make it work, son. You and Lennie take care of it. Nothing needs to be said about where the woman's salary comes from."

  Thrilled at the answer and deeply proud of his dad and brother, Dylan got up and fixed himself a drink. This day had turned into something wonderful after having a terrible beginning. Now, if only Evan had a restful night and recovered his faculties in the weeks to come.

  Dylan turned and surveyed his family. What amazing people they were. He couldn't wait to make Lennie, the woman he loved more than anything, one of them.

  Chapter Sixteen

  LENNIE'S WEDDING DAY had arrived at last. Her father's insistence on paying for the wedding as a matter of Duncan pride caused her to get incredibly creative when it came to saving money. The first thing she did was ask Dylan if he minded if they only invited family and best friends. Understanding what she was facing, he got on board with that restriction immediately and said he was sure his parents would too.

  She'd wanted an outside wedding, and the biggest help had been when the Govains offered to host the wedding in their huge courtyard. With no venue cost, she'd saved a ton of money. Her father asked one of his American Legion buddies if he could borrow the group's tables and chairs. Dylan's handyman built a wooden bower that Daisy and Lennie decorated with greenery and, early this morning, fresh flowers. There, she and Dylan would exchange vows. Millie's beautiful white linen tablecloths came out for the bride and groom tables, along with tons and tons of Govain family silverware. Roy talked to Evan, at length, and they agreed that Roy could pay for the extra help to serve and clean up because it was his house, after all. And Annie wasn't about to let Lennie pay her to cook. Lennie's father had a fat steer butchered, and three of his buddies brought over a huge mobile barbeque pit and would cook the meat on site. With everyone working together, this would be a wedding and reception that her father could be proud of.

  Lennie had asked Dylan about wedding dresses before she and Daisy went to El Paso to pick hers out. He'd said he thought lace was pretty. Then he'd grinned and told her that it should show off the things he liked best about her. She'd laughed. Of course, she knew exactly what he was referring to.

  Lennie, Daisy and both mothers had gathered in the green bedroom while Lennie prepared herself for the ceremony. Millie had scheduled a wonderful hair dresser and makeup woman to prepare Lennie for this very special day. She was ready, at last. Glancing in the mirror, she adjusted the low-cut sweetheart neckline in the figure-hugging mermaid gown. The cutaway shoulders showed off the lace sleeves that clung to her arms. Her matching veil trailed to her feet. The dress was just what the groom had ordered.

  Daisy, standing behind her, made a small adjustment to her veil. "There, you look perfect."

  Lennie turned her head to the side. Her grandmother's pearl drop earrings looked beautiful with the matching choker necklace.

  Angie hugged her. "Honey, you look gorgeous. Wait until your father sees you."

  Eve knocked on the door and poked her head in. "We're ready when you are."

  Lennie's heart lurched. Soon all eyes would be on her. She'd purposely had the dress tailored for low heels. Maybe it would keep her from tripping in front of the crowd. Though she'd hoped to keep the group small, the Govain family was quite large, and the guest numbers had exceeded her expectations. She and Dylan had discussed it. They would boost the balance in the Duncan ranch account accordingly.

  Her father was escorting her down the aisle, though her brother would assist by pushing his wheel chair. Her mother and Millie left the bedroom first to find their places at the head of their gathered friends and family.

  Daisy hugged her. "You've got this. I'll be right there with you."

  Lennie smiled and nodded. "I'll be meeting up with Dylan. It'll be perfect." Nervously smoothing her dress a last time, she followed her best friend out the door.

  Eve waited at the entrance to the courtyard. Spo
tting their approach, she waved her arm out the door. Instantly, the notes of Mendelssohn's Wedding March sounded in the air.

  Lennie's already pounding heart raced into overdrive. Her two cousins ushered their children, the flower girl and ring bearer, out the door a few feet ahead of Daisy. Then, it was Lennie's turn. Taking a deep breath, she stepped outside and locked gazes with her father.

  Her brother escorted her across the porch to meet him.

  Her dad smiled and reached slowly for her.

  Heart swelling, she clasped his calloused hand. Today might have been so different. Her father could have died from that stroke, or he might never have forgiven her. She beamed back at him. This day was perfect for so very many reasons.

  Her brother started them out across the courtyard and she peered ahead, catching sight of her groom. Dylan, in his black tuxedo, looked devilishly handsome. His mother had purchased the suit and had it tailored. It showed his masculine physique perfectly.

  He grinned, meeting her gaze, and wiggled his brows.

  She grinned back crazily, then bit her lip, remembering that all eyes were on her. Glancing to the left, then right, she warmed at the sight of beloved family and friends and new family that she would soon meet. Her life had changed, but this vision reassured her. It would be a good life, full of love and security.

  At last she arrived at the bower and her father gave her hand to Dylan. They stood before the minister as he talked about marriage and responsibility, and all she could think about was the clasp of Dylan's fingers. His strong hand gripped hers tightly, and her love for him washed through her.

  As the ceremony moved on, she responded joyously to the minister's questions. Soon it was silent and time for their vows.

  Dylan turned to face her, clasping both of her hands. His beautiful brown eyes gazed into hers. "Lennie, all that I have, all that I am, and all that I ever will be is yours. I promise to love you in good times, and in bad, when life seems easy, and also when things are difficult, when our love is simple, and when it becomes complicated. I promise to honor you, and to always hold our love as my highest priority. Lennie, my beloved, I pledge this to you today, and for all the days of my life."

  She held his gaze, feeling his love shining down on her. Life had given her this perfect soul mate—a man who knew her hard edges and accepted her for the person she was. She smiled and mouthed, "I love you."

  Dylan slid her ring on her finger.

  At the minister's urging, she said, "Dylan, I promise to be your friend always, and to care for you and love you and show an interest in the things you do. When you're happy, I'll be happy with you. When you're sad, I'll make you smile. I promise to give you my honesty, my trust and my commitment, and to cherish you with all my heart for as long as we both shall live." She slid his ring on his finger.

  Dylan smiled and gripped her hands.

  The minister said, "You may now kiss your bride, Dylan."

  Heart beating hard she leaned into her husband as his lips descended to hers. Never had a kiss felt so delicious, so full of love.

  Dylan put his whole heart into it despite the crowd watching them.

  Her mind filled with the possibilities ahead—a life of kisses like this, and beautiful little girls like Abi and little versions of Dylan running around a home that she and Dylan would build.

  At last Dylan pulled away, grinning. He turned with her to face the onlookers and applause broke out. The organ played and they walked between the chairs as their family and friends called well wishes to them.

  The reception would last most of the afternoon, but she and Dylan would leave early to head for the El Paso airport and their honeymoon flight. Roy and Millie had made the honeymoon their wedding gift, and she and Dylan had chosen to go on an African photo safari in Kenya.

  Dylan leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Let's get this show on the road. I can't wait for my honeymoon to start!"

  She giggled. "Cowboy, I can't wait for my whole life with you to start!" and she tugged on his arm.

  He stopped right there in front of everybody and kissed her again, hard. Calls of, "Get a room," and, "Can't you wait?" along with teasing laughter rang out around them.

  Embarrassed, she said, "Come on, you," and headed inside with him to change.

  Chapter Seventeen

  DYLAN SIGNALED ONE of the waiting cab drivers outside the busy Nairobi airport. The man, a native Kenyan, jumped forward and offered to take Lennie's suitcase. Smiling, he welcomed them in broken English.

  As he loaded their luggage in the dusty car, Dylan said, "Please take us to the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel. Do you know where that is?"

  The man nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes. We go."

  Once they were all inside the vehicle, the driver stuck his head out the window for a quick look behind him then zoomed into the moving traffic.

  Dylan and Lennie exchanged a startled glance at the maneuver and grinned.

  Their luxury hotel was in the middle of downtown. The heavy traffic didn't deter their cabbie. With blithe abandon, he whisked in and out of lanes filled with speeding cars and gaily decorated vans and small buses called matatus, one of the most common forms of public transportation in Kenya.

  When their taxi pulled up in front of the hotel, an attendant unloaded their bags while Dylan paid their cheerful driver. Soon they were in a beautiful room on the fourth floor overlooking the sprawling city of four million people.

  He drew Lennie into his arms. "We're here, and I love you, but after a twenty-two-hour flight, I don't think I can show you." Grinning, he gave her a kiss.

  She laughed. "All I want is a shower and a long, long nap."

  He plopped on the opulent bed. "You go first, and I'll try not to fall asleep before you get out."

  "I'll hurry." Grabbing a gown and her toiletries from her case, she trotted to the bathroom.

  He gazed around the room, which was more like a suite with the couch and desk and dining table and chairs. The best part was the air conditioning. Damn, Kenya was hot, but at least, this far inland, it wasn't humid.

  Knowing they would be exhausted from their flight, they hadn't planned on doing anything but napping and eating at one of the hotel restaurants called Tambourin, which served Middle Eastern food.

  Tomorrow, they would be picked up at eight in the morning by their safari guide and would drive to the Great Rift Valley, arriving at Pink Lake, where they would see the vast numbers of pink flamingos living there that gave the lake its name. They'd have lunch at the lake lodge and enjoy a full afternoon of game viewing drives, ending the evening at the lodge where they would spend the night.

  He tried to imagine what the experience would be like but couldn't wrap his mind around actually seeing animals that he'd only known from television. This was the chance of a lifetime, and he couldn't wait.

  He'd brought a fabulous Scottish whiskey along that his father had given him as a wedding gift. Grabbing the ice bucket from the table, he went out in the hall in search of an ice machine. Returning a few minutes later, bucket full, he made himself a drink. After a sip, he sighed. Damn, the whiskey was smooth. He took off everything but his Wranglers. Those he unbuttoned, letting the zipper down partway. Stepping back, he flopped on the bed and spread his arms, careful not to spill his drink. His honeymoon night would happen right here. Closing his eyes, he imagined everything he would do to Lennie's beautiful taut body. Suddenly he wasn't sleepy anymore. His jeans tented and he grinned. But poor Lennie was tired. Tonight, was soon enough.

  He propped his elbow behind his head and took another swallow as he heard the shower turn off. Good. She was about finished. He'd get in and wash up quick, then he could snuggle with her while she fell asleep.

  A few moments later, Lennie walked out, smelling wonderful and looking sexy as hell in a creamy silky gown that barely covered her ass. "Come here, woman." and he held out his arms.

  She smiled and climbed on the bed, leaning over him and kissing him full on the lips. "I tho
ught you were tired, cowboy."

  "I am, but you could change my mind."

  She nipped his lip. "Go shower. We need a nap to get our strength back. Since we technically spent our wedding night on a plane, tonight's our big night." She wiggled her brows at him, mimicking his favorite move, and he laughed.

  "Ok, I'll hurry." He gathered his shorts and kit from his suitcase and headed for the bathroom, full speed ahead.

  However, when he came out a short time later, Lennie slept peacefully, curled on her side. He smiled and shook his head. His sweet wife was really out, poor thing. The overseas flight had been pretty brutal. Sliding in beside her, he spooned her to his chest. A warm, dizzy sensation rolled through him. He could hold her like this whenever he wanted to, forever. What a lucky man he was. Beautiful, strong Lennie Duncan was his.

  AT THE RESTAURANT, Lennie tucked her sapphire-blue cocktail dress under her as she sat in the chair Dylan held for her. The dress was part of her plan to make their honeymoon night special, and it was working. Dylan's eyes had bugged when she'd walked out of the bathroom in the figure hugging, cleavage-baring creation. His eyes were still stuck to her like glue.

  When he sat down across from her, he said softly, "Babe, you're a knock out. I could eat you up."

  She grinned. "Later, sweetheart."

  He cracked up. "You ... are terrible."

  "I'm just getting started. Get ready."

  Cocking his eyebrow, he drawled, "I was born ready, cowgirl."

  "We'll see."

  "Damn." He shook his head and grinned.

  After giving their drink orders, they perused the menu.

  She glanced at him. "Have you had Middle Eastern food before?

  "This is all new to me, but the descriptions are helpful. What are you ordering?"

  She ran her finger down the menu to the item that had caught her eye. "I'd like Kraydes Kozbareia. It's sautéed butterfly shrimp with coriander, butter and garlic and I'll have a piece of crispy pita bread with it. And I think I'll order baklawa for dessert."