Rocky Mountain Angel

by Vivian Arend

  Allison squeezed his fingers. “You still trying to rescue people, Gabe Coleman?”

  He shook his head. “Caring isn’t rescuing. We started this entire thing for your mom’s sake. I’m thinking we may as well finish it while we still can.”

  Gabe stuttered to a stop at the expression on her face. Damn. He was an idiot for even having brought it up. Besides, the truth was far more layered than he was admitting. He wanted to beg her to not do this just for her mother’s sake, but to do it so they could really be together.

  He’d never admit that to her, not here and now. Never add that kind of pressure to her already tormented world. Instead he’d offer what made the most sense.

  If she wanted to break his heart down the road, he’d let her.

  He cleared his throat. “I told you I loved you, and I’m not taking that back. But this doesn’t mean that I think you’re in love with me. Same rules apply. If you want to call it quits, after—” He didn’t say it, but she had to hear it. After Maisey was gone. “We’ll call it off quietly, no harm, no foul.”

  She covered their joined hands, holding on for dear life.

  “Gabe, you are the best man I’ve ever known.”

  “Does that mean yes?”

  She nodded.

  Allison stared at the flowers in her hand. Three hours later and she was standing beside her mom’s bed, waiting for Gabe to return so they could get married.

  It was crazy.

  Maisey reached out and touched her arm, and that delicate balance between joy and sorrow rose again.

  It might be crazy, but it was crazily perfect.

  “You two sure you want to rush this?” Maisey asked for the dozenth time.

  Allison grabbed her mom’s hand and held on. “If you ask that again, I’m going to start thinking you don’t like Gabe.”

  “It’s not that, and you know it. He’s perfect for you, and you’re so much in love. I knew from the first minute you told me about him that you’d work out fine. But you’re missing all the fun parts of a wedding.”

  Good grief. “What parts? Making invitations, scrambling to book a church or a hall. Setting up a dinner menu? Mom. I don’t care about those things. The guest list is the most important, and I’ve got that figured out.”

  Elle burst into the room, breathlessly handing over a small box. “God, I hope I did that right.”

  Allison hoped so too. She worried for a moment Gabe would think her surprise was stupid, then certainty rushed in and washed away those doubts. The ring might only be a prop for this make-believe wedding, but he’d get the message. He’d understand what she was trying to say.

  They’d gone back that morning to give Maisey a head’s up of their plans. Mom had been speechless for a moment before smiling so hard Allison knew without a doubt the ceremony was the right thing to do. Gabe whipped her out of the hospital to grab the marriage license. Dropped her off at the main doors with a promise he’d be back as soon as possible.

  She’d wandered up to her mom’s room in a bit of daze. It was happening so quickly and yet…

  He was right. Giving her mom this one last thing to cherish made sense.

  That he would go through the trouble to arrange it made something inside her care a little harder for him, and yet she clung to her promise to herself.

  Sleep-deprived and emotionally devastated was not the time to make decisions about forever. She cared about Gabe, wanted to be with him. But their entire relationship had been built around a deception.

  No matter how drawn to him, she was not going to imagine herself in love. Not until she could claim her mind was clear and it was more than an emotional decision.

  The door opened, and Gabe’s mom and brother stepped in. Dana went straight up to the bed and no-nonsense offered Maisey a hug.

  Rafe stood back a little more awkwardly, looking around at the medical equipment in the room. “I called Gabe to let him know we’re here. He said he’d be back within the next twenty minutes.”

  Allison let the ladies talk quietly, Dana standing next to her mom and holding her hand. They seemed to be doing just fine, so instead she concentrated on Rafe who looked as if he’d preferred to be anywhere other than where he was.

  She caught him by the arm. “Thanks for bringing your mom out.”

  Rafe’s bright smile surprised her. “You kidding? Gabe’s getting hitched. I wouldn’t miss this for anything. It’s a bit sooner than he mentioned, but you probably want to tie him down good before the snow flies.”

  The kid was trying. “True. I didn’t want him to get away.”

  Then she got Rafe to do some rearranging of the room to keep him busy. She had no idea what exactly was going to happen in terms of the ceremony, but even if they changed their minds about sitting or standing, hauling chairs around kept the boy occupied and out of trouble for the moment.

  Elle had slipped out of the room shortly after handing over the ring box. Now she returned, Paul entering with her.

  Her sister held out a bright blue knit jacket. “Here. Your wedding attire.”

  Allison shook her head but pulled it on. “You’re a goof.”

  “Hey, you always said you were going to do that ‘something old, something new’ thing when you got married. Here’s your blue, and I suppose your borrowed, since it belongs to one of the nurses in paediatrics. I have to return it after we’re done.”

  Maisey and Dana were paying attention now as well, and the older ladies’ laughter brightened the place until it seemed a thousand rainbows had settled in the room.

  Allison soaked in the memory.

  Paul caught her in a hug. Then he went and helped Rafe, which Allison figured meant he’d had enough of the emotional stuff and all. She let him go and instead looked around with a growing sense of peace.

  Yes, her mom was weak. Frail. Leaving them. But the joy in the room was undeniable because Maisey made it like that. Made the love of the family more than enough to help them through this day, no matter what came next.

  When the door opened again and Gabe walked in, Allison’s heart could barely stand how full it felt. He walked straight over to her and kissed her. Held her close and cradled her against him.

  She wasn’t sure which one of the guys wolf-whistled, and she didn’t care. She gave as good as she got.

  “I thought you had to say the vows before you got to the kissing,” Maisey teased.

  “I ordered the special ceremony.” Gabe released Allison, but only enough to slide his arm around her waist and tug her to his side. He offered a smile to Maisey. “We get the good stuff beginning, middle and end.”

  The man in the suit who had accompanied Gabe came forward. “Levon Tate. I’ll be your commissioner for the vows.”

  Allison shook his hand, then introduced the family. The guilt at pulling another deception over on Gabe’s mom and brother passed faster than she’d expected. If anyone would understand, Dana would. The woman stood beside Maisey, offering silent support as Allison’s mom shifted into a more comfortable position.

  No one said a word about Ben not being there.

  Small talk, organizing. Before she knew it she was standing at the foot of the bed, the rest of the family gathered around.

  Gabe stood before her. Big, tenderhearted, generous Gabe, who had given and given so much in the months behind them.

  Like he always gave.

  He took off his hat and laid it on the bed. Allison snatched it up and put it back where it belonged.

  Gabe’s slow grin broke out. “You want to make sure you’re marrying your cowboy, is that it?”

  Elle giggled, and the rest of them responded with subdued laughter.

  “You know it.” She squeezed his fingers and took a deep breath.

  They repeated the form vows. Simple. Plain. The generic words were surprisingly intimate. He swore he’d care for her. In the good and bad, in the happy and sad times. Richer or poorer. From then on forward.

  She stared up at him, his familiar fl
annel shirt stretched over his broad shoulders. The cowboy hat she’d pressed back in place tilted so she could see every nuance of emotion that showed. And he let her see it all. The caring, the longing. The passion he felt.

  Her throat was tight as she repeated the words.

  The commissioner held out his hands. “Well, other than a little signing we’re just about done. Who will be the witnesses?”

  Gabe nodded at her.

  She turned. “Mom, will you, please?”

  Maisey hadn’t let go of the flowers Allison had placed in her hands at the start of the event. Now she handed them carefully to Dana. Brushed down the front of her gown slowly. “I would be proud.”

  The book was passed over. Allison blinked hard. So much dignity and love shone in Maisey’s every gesture. Paul snapped off another shot, moving around the room to capture everything for them.

  Gabe cleared his throat. “So, little bro. You grown up enough to help us make it official?”

  Rafe jerked upright from where he’d been leaning on the wall. “Me? I thought Ma was going to—”

  “I asked you. Or did you forget how to sign your name already now that you’re out of school?” Gabe squeezed Allison’s hand, and she stifled her laughter.

  “Fu—” Rafe’s mouth snapped shut as he glanced at Dana. She just shook her head as he sheepishly stepped forward. “Guess I can.”

  Allison added her name next, watched Gabe carefully pen his after hers. Strong letters, firm control. Everything done with a purpose, deliberately. Like everything else she’d learned about him, even the little thing with his brother—there had to be a reason.

  The commissioner tucked the book under his arm and grinned after he finished the last of the form phrases, the ones saying she and Gabe were husband and wife. “May you enjoy a long lifetime together.”

  Gabe lifted her chin with his finger, his touch delicate and tender. He stared into her eyes. “Two lifetimes won’t be enough.”

  It might be too soon, the timing was all wrong, but if she was honest, that’s the moment she fell headlong in love with her Angel Boy.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  August passed with a tortuous slowness. The good part was her mom had taken a slight turn for the better. Maisey wasn’t well enough to come home—everyone knew that was never again a possibility. The main hospital transferred her back to the small extended-care health unit in Rocky, which meant life returned to a simpler routine. Instead of dropping in at the house to visit, Allison stopped at the center. Her and Gabe sometimes, or her and Elle. Taking in every last moment between continuing on with the restaurant and the rest of their work.

  Distracting themselves. Moving forward.

  The one thing she’d never, ever expected was for a husband to be a part of the waiting. Having Gabe as a part of her world, as something greater than a friend still seemed impossible. Unreal.

  Allison looked across the room at him. His hair had gotten longer in the past while, he’d been so busy running between the work of the day and the time with her.

  Time spent fooling around, or resting, or curled up together as she chatted with Maisey. Passionate moments, relaxing ones. Sad and yet needed ones.

  Tonight when she’d gotten home from visiting Mom, she’d found him with paperwork strewn over the table. Puss in Boots was curled up in his lap, and Gabe absently petted him as he pored over the papers.

  He refused her help.

  “You’ve worked all day. Put your feet up. I’ll get this done.” Gabe kissed her briefly then turned back to his mess.

  That was two hours ago and he hadn’t said a word since. Even the kitten abandoned him to stalk imaginary enemies under the bed.

  She finished her cup of tea and wandered over to stand behind him. Hands smoothing his tense shoulders as she pressed her thumbs into the firm muscles. “Tough job tonight?”

  He leaned his head to the side as she found a knot, twisting as if to keep her focused on the spot. “Least favourite part of ranching, to be honest.”

  “I hear you.” She leaned down and kissed his neck, the warm earthy scent of his skin filling her head and making her ache. “You need to finish this now? Or can I distract you?”

  “Can you distract me? Woman, you distract me by breathing.”

  Allison smiled and trailed her fingers through his hair. “You’ve gotten a little wild, cowboy. What do you say I give you a trim?”

  She scraped her fingernails against his scalp, and he groaned, leaning his shoulders back and pressing their bodies together as much as possible with the chair between them. “You keep touching me and you can do anything you damn well please.”

  She kissed his neck again before escaping to grab the scissors. “Take off your shirt and pants.”

  Gabe chuckled. “What kind of trim you aim to give me?”

  She was still smiling when she returned to the room. She had to swallow hard to stop from drooling over the sight that greeted her.

  He’d followed her orders, all right. Stripped to nothing but his boxers. The chair was farther from the table than before, resting on solid wood floorboards instead of the area carpet.

  He had one leg stretched forward as he reclined comfortably. Arms crossed over his broad chest, the dusting of hair bleached from his hours outside. A rancher’s tan line ran across his biceps—the deeper golden brown of sun-kissed skin on his forearms contrasting with the paler area usually covered by his T-shirt sleeves. She’d seen him bared to the waist occasionally, wearing nothing up top but a slick of sweat as he worked in the hot sunshine. More often, though, the men laboured on without bothering to strip. No fashion-show outfits, no trying to produce model-perfect tans.

  The result was breathtaking. Rock-solid muscles formed from backbreaking labour.

  She took her time admiring the view. His chest, his shoulders. When she finally lifted her gaze to look into his face, a lazy grin curved his mouth and heat shone in his eyes.

  “You sure you want to cut my hair? Because the way you’re looking me over, I’m thinking of all kinds of other things we could do instead.”

  He adjusted his stance slightly and she spotted another part of him that had grown rock solid and hard.

  Allison moved in close, stopping to press her hands on his thighs and lean over him. “Haircut first, maybe other things later.”

  His fingers slipped around her neck. “Only maybe?”

  The kiss he gave her made her toes curl, but this time she wasn’t going to give in. She planted her free hand squarely on his chest and pressed herself away.

  He was staring at her lips.

  Oh yeah, she wanted to take this further as well. “Okay, more than maybe. Now behave.”

  She walked behind him, first dropping the scissors on the side table where they were easily accessible. Then she gave in to temptation and touched him. Fingers buried in the unruly strands, pulling them into line. His hair was lovely to play with, the light curls at the end sweeping up and under at random. “You’ve got the most gorgeous hair. Makes me jealous.”

  “You can have it. Girlie hair—gets to this point and I feel like a sheep.”

  “Hmmm, so soft.” She leaned in, addicted to the taste of his neck. Lick. Nibble. All the while she worked with her fingers.

  He reached back and caught her, his hand skimming over her head, holding her to him.

  “Cut my damn hair, or I’m calling this off and taking you to the bedroom for some ravishing.”

  Ravishing would be good. Only…

  Allison smiled. Why not? She pulled off her top and slipped her pants down before grabbing the scissors and stepping in front of him.

  His mouth stretched in a wide smile.

  She held up a hand. “You seem to need distracting. One way or another, I am cutting your hair.”

  She straddled his legs, moving in close enough her butt rested in the middle of his thighs.

  “Nice.” Gabe stroked his knuckles along the edge of her bra. “Only, if you’re goin
g to be snipping hair, maybe you should take this off. Don’t want to get it messy.”

  She used two hands to guide the scissors, carefully making the first cut. A blond curl tumbled to the floor. “Go slowly and you can do anything you’d like.”

  What he liked, it seemed, was to drive them both mad. Gabe stayed relatively motionless as she trimmed the front of his hair, careful to toss the snippings to the side. He cupped his big hand around her waist, his thumbs the only things that moved. The gentle brush as he stroked back and forth tickled her skin, sending tiny shock waves like warning signals to the rest of her body to be prepared for the next assault.

  When she stood to reach around him, he pulled her closer, making contact between his warm rib cage, her torso. Slowly, as ordered, Gabe slipped his hands to her bra fastener and loosened the clips.

  She lifted a section of hair between her fingers, using her knuckles as a guideline for trimming. One shoulder strap fell away. The other. She moved her hand to gather another portion. Gabe carefully caught her wrist, tugging her arm lower until the elastic of the bra slipped free.

  “You’re very good at working cautiously,” she admired.

  “It’s like harnessing a skittish colt.”

  Allison laughed. “So now I’m one of your horses, am I?”

  “Hmm, I’ll cover you any time.”

  Oh dear. The images his words brought to mind. She let him slip off the other side of her bra before even attempting to return to her task.

  She pressed to tiptoe to reach around his neck. Gabe took total advantage and caught hold of her breast, lifting the mound the final bit until he could suck her nipple into his mouth.

  She had to concentrate hard to keep control while he played with her breasts.

  By the time she’d managed to complete the back, or at least as best she could from that angle, she was tingling and needy. Wet between her thighs, her core aching for a touch. She sat slowly, sliding along his body. Making contact with the solid length of his erection. Both of them groaning out in pleasure and frustration.

  “You done?” Gabe growled.

  She put the scissors aside and lifted her hands to his hair, fluffing the strands. The cut wasn’t perfect, but it was better. “I guess.”