Austin scowled at the pillow.
Colt knelt on the other side of her son. “It’s a very important job,” he told Austin, while surreptitiously easing the little red truck from her son’s hands and sliding it into his pocket, then replacing it with the blue velvet ring pillow. “It’s pretty big, too,” Colt continued solemnly, “but I think you’re big enough to carry it. What do you think?”
To Shelley’s relief, Austin puffed out his little chest. “I can do it!” he said.
Colt encouraged him with a broad smile. “Great.”
Austin took two steps forward, the pillow with the attached rings tilting precariously in his hands. A moment later, he turned and, oblivious to the music and the waiting minister, came back to Colt. “You come,” he demanded.
“Honey you’re supposed to do this by yourself,” Shelley whispered.
“I. Want. My. Deppity!” Austin shouted at the top of his lungs.
Everyone chuckled.
Shelley shut her eyes and said a silent prayer for cooperation. “Austin. Honey...”
Austin dropped the pillow and latched on to Colt’s hand. “Mine! My deppity!”
“Tell you what.” Colt bent down to replace the pillow in Austin’s hands. “How about you and I walk down the aisle and we’ll carry the pillow together.”
“That’s not precedent,” Patricia sputtered.
The reverend stepped in. “It’s a joyous occasion, so, I say, whatever works.”
Sensing he had just gotten his way, Austin beamed. The music continued. Colt escorted Austin up the aisle then turned back to Shelley. “It might look more scripted if you were on the other side,” he said.
Everyone, including the wedding planner, nodded.
Shelley hurried to catch up. Together the three of them continued up the aisle, as if they were indeed a cohesive unit. Austin grinned widely. He looked from Shelley to Colt and back again. “You hold pillow, too, Momma.”
Figuring the minister was right—whatever worked—Shelley did as her little boy suggested.
When they reached the altar, the wedding planner explained to Shelley, “Because Austin is so young, we’re going to have him give the pillow to the minister, who will set it and the rings aside until the proper time.” Patricia Wilson paused. “And then Austin will walk off into the wings, where his babysitter will be waiting to take him back to the nursery for the duration of the ceremony.” This had also been explained, in depth, to Austin.
There was only one problem with that.
He refused to surrender the ring pillow. “No!” he yelled when the minister attempted to take it from him. Austin clasped the pillow tightly to his chest. “Mine!”
Less amused laughter followed.
Shelley knew that the last thing everyone needed was a recalcitrant toddler messing up the ceremony for Kendall and Gerry.
She lifted a staying hand. “Austin. Honey...”
Once again, Colt came to the rescue. He knelt in front of Austin, deftly removed the rings from the fastening and replaced them with the little red truck. Colt pointed in the direction of the babysitter. “Can you carry your truck on that pillow, all the way over there, all by yourself?”
Again, Austin puffed out his little chest. “Yes,” he told his deppity. “I. Can.”
And just like that, Shelley noted, another crisis was averted.
* * *
SHELLEY KNEW THAT COLT had been on edge about the prospect of dancing up the aisle. Fortunately, the choreography went smoothly for the entire wedding party. It was the rehearsal of the actual wedding ceremony that gave them both trouble. The moment the minister asked them to fill in for the bride and the groom, everything got fuzzy.
It felt surreal to be standing next to Colt, as if they were actually getting married, as the minister began. Colt looked similarly dazed.
Was that what it would feel like, Shelley wondered, looking deep into Colt’s eyes, if she and he ever did wed?
And was he thinking the same thing?
It seemed so as the two of them went to the altar together. Candles in hand, they lit the unity candle, symbolizing the merging of two hearts and souls into one. And it seemed even more real when they returned to their places in front of the minister and began to recite the vows.
“Will you live together, as friend and mate? Will you love him as a person, respect him as an equal, sharing joy as well as sorrow, triumph as well as defeat? And keep him beside you as long as you both shall live?” the minister asked her.
Shelley choked up. “I do,” she whispered, and could have sworn she saw Colt’s eyes shimmer, too.
The minister turned to Colt, his expression as sober as the situation demanded. “Will you listen to her innermost thoughts, be considerate and tender in your care of her, stand by her faithfully, and accept full responsibility for her every necessity as long as you both shall live?”
Looking more serious than she had ever seen him, Colt said, “I do.” And the way he looked at her then, Shelley could almost believe it.
The chapel was hushed. The minister brought forward the rings. “There are two rings because there are two people. They are a symbol of their commitment to each other, and the new life these two people are beginning.”
Hands trembling, Shelley slid the drugstore ring on Colt’s finger. “I give you this ring as I give you myself, with love and affection.”
Colt placed the ring on Shelley’s finger. Huskily, he repeated the same vow.
Tears brimmed in Shelley’s eyes.
“And here’s where the ‘groom’ will kiss the ‘bride,’” the minister announced.
And then, to everyone’s surprise, Colt did just that.
* * *
SHELLEY SAW THE KISS COMING. She could have avoided it. Like she could have avoided so much else in her life. But the truth was, she wanted Colt. Wanted to feel his chest pressed up against hers, and his arms around her. She wanted to feel the warm, sure pressure of his lips on hers. Boy, did she ever!
It was only an instant, but it was the kind of instant that changed everything. That made them go from two old flames who were just messing around, to two people who just might be on the verge of something long-lasting and truly meaningful. It was the kind of kiss that opened up a lifetime of possibilities and made dreams come true. It was the kind of kiss that grabbed you by the heart and soul...and never let go.
Even when the laughter rose, and they moved apart, something was different. Something was wonderful and special, and oh, so romantic.
And that feeling intensified as the evening progressed, and the group went on to the rehearsal dinner, where, to their delight, the real bride and groom and their respective families eventually did show up. Where laughter and hugs and tears were given all around. Toasts made. Promises given. Wishes fulfilled.
And it was on that note that the prewedding celebration ended, and Colt and Shelley took their leave. They walked out of the restaurant together, into the warm starlit night. It was barely ten o’clock.
“What time is the babysitter expecting you?” Colt asked gruffly.
There was no mistaking the ardent light in his eyes. Or the fierce longing in Shelley’s heart. “I told her midnight.”
“Want to go to my place?”
Shelley smiled. “I do.”
* * *
BUDDY WAS ASLEEP ON HIS cushion next to the fireplace when they walked in the front door. He lifted his head, thumped his tail, then sighed and lay back down again.
“Is he all right?” Shelley asked, going over to check. Buddy thumped his tail again, stretched, but did not get up.
She looked into his dark liquid eyes and petted him. He leaned into her touch affectionately, and let out another sigh.
Colt squatted down to join them.
“He’s just tired,” Colt said. “And knows that when I come in this late, I usually just head on to bed.”
“You don’t have to take him out?” she asked.
“He handles that himself, via the dog door that leads into the backyard.”
“Ah,” she said with an understanding nod.
“Right now, I think he wants to go back to sleep.”
Shelley rose along with Colt. He took her hand and led the way to the kitchen. “Want to get something to drink?” he asked.
Hand to his wrist, she stopped him before he could hit the lights. “No,” she said softly, “I don’t.”
He backed her up against the counter, his large body trapping hers. “Then what do you want?” he murmured seductively.
She reached for the knot of his tie, undid that and the first few buttons of his shirt. “What I’ve wanted all evening. You.”
Hands beneath her hips, he lifted her so she was sitting on the counter. Hands circling her back, he stepped between her legs. “You know what I want?” He strung kisses across the top of her head, the shell of her ear, the nape of her neck.
She shook her head, willing him to open up and be vulnerable, too.
“I wished it were us tonight, getting married,” he whispered. His arms tightened around her as he buried his face in her hair.
Her heart ached with happiness. Moisture welled in her eyes. “Oh, Colt...”
He drew back, locked eyes and rubbed his thumb along the curve of her cheekbone. “I wish I’d never stood you up, and that we had never split up. Or married other people....”
Shelley sighed. As much as she wanted to go back in time.... Hands on his shoulders, she looked at him soberly. “We weren’t ready to get married then.”
“Things are different now.”
“I know,” Shelley concurred. “More so than I ever would have expected, even a few weeks ago.”
He clasped her hands in his. “Do you want to get married again?”
He’d been honest. She needed to be forthright, too. Her lower lip trembled. “I’m beginning to see how it might be possible.”
He smiled tenderly. “Me, too.”
He captured her lips, kissing her deeply, and she kissed him back with just as much passion. Hungering for more, he gripped her hips, stepping even more fully into the apex of her legs. Pressed up against all that hard, male muscle, sent heat soaring through her. And him.
His hands glided upward, over her ribs. One palm cupped her breast. The fingers on the other hand inched down the back zipper of her dress. Before she knew it, her shoulders were bare, her bra was unhooked. And still they kissed, even as he pushed away the cloth, and his thumbs found the tender crests. His lips followed his hands. His fingers found their way inside her bikini panties, adoring anew, and she sucked in a breath, shockingly turned on. Reduced to a quivering, aching mass, she heard herself making sounds she’d never made before.
He laughed in satisfaction and returned his lips to hers, kissing her more deeply still. “Colt. I want...”
“I know.”
She flattened her hands against the solid wall of his chest, gasped softly. “Now.”
He touched her again, his fingers gently paving the way.
And then they were sliding off her confining silk panties, undoing his pants, and still he kept right on stroking her thighs until something shattered inside her...and she climaxed with an intensity that stunned them both.
His control snapped, and soon he was doing some demanding of his own. Bringing her all the way to the edge of the counter, he slid into her with one smooth, hard thrust. She lost her breath as she moved to meet him, clamping down around him, the pleasure so intense they both cried out with it. And still they kissed, their bodies moving in perfect union, laying claim to the need, to the night, to each other, until ecstasy reigned and passion won out once again.
Basking in the sweet afterglow, Shelley knew, at long last, what she’d been trying so hard to deny. This relationship was different from any she’d ever had. It was real. It was true. It was the heart and soul of her future.
More important still, if the way Colt had just made love to her was any indication, he felt that way, too.
Chapter Thirteen
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you and Colt were the ones getting married today,” the wedding planner teased, as she and Shelley unpacked the boxes of white satin bows that would decorate the sanctuary of the chapel.
Colt came in from the outside, bringing with him a blast of sweltering Texas heat. “If this is about Shelley and I stepping in for the bride and groom at the rehearsal last night—”
“It is,” another bridesmaid teased.
A groomsman said, “Those vows sure looked real to me.”
They’d felt real, Colt thought. To him, and unless he missed his guess, to Shelley, too.
But wary of embarrassing her in front of the wedding party, Colt quipped, “Those vows are real—to Kendall and Gerry.” He set down the boxes of flowers next to the ones he’d already carried in. “And how come the lucky couple isn’t here helping us decorate the chapel, anyway? I thought that was part of the original plan.” His deliberately clueless comments created the uproar he expected.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Patricia exclaimed. “Everyone knows the bride and groom can’t see each other on their wedding day until the ceremony begins. Otherwise, it’s bad luck.”
Colt slipped Shelley a wink only she could see, and pretended to be even more obtuse. “And here I thought that was just insurance, to keep the two from kissing. You know, so the bride wouldn’t mess up her makeup or hair.”
“Well, it’s easy to see where your mind is,” one of the bridesmaids joshed.
Shelley and Colt exchanged bemused glances.
“Same place it was last night when you planted one on Shelley...” a groomsman added.
Still holding Shelley’s gaze, Colt smiled and continued with comically exaggerated seriousness, “I was just trying to get us all in the right mind-set for the romantic goings-on today.”
Guffaws abounded. “Mmm-hmm,” the wedding planner interjected, clearly not believing his fib for one second. “I know passion when I see it.” Patricia wagged her finger at Colt and Shelley. “And you two lovebirds have something very intense going on between the two of you, whether you want to admit it or not.”
Shelley rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushing self-consciously. “As gratifying as it is to have you-all defining our relationship for us,” she drawled to everyone listening, “we really need to get back to work...”
“Agreed,” the wedding planner added. She started barking out orders right and left for the attendants to decorate the pews with white satin ribbons and bows, and bouquets of baby’s breath and pink roses. Unfortunately, the constant activity did nothing to halt the speculation.
By the time the work was done, and Colt and Shelley left the church, she could barely look him in the eye.
Colt caressed her with a glance. “They’re just teasing us, you know.”
Shelley released a pent-up sigh. “I was hoping to keep this all private.”
That was hard to do, Colt mused, when they could not seem to stay away from each other. He led Shelley through the shimmering noon heat to his pickup truck. They didn’t have a lot of time, since both of them had to shower and change and get back to the church by 2:00 p.m. for formal preceremony photos. He opened the passenger door to his truck and let the accumulated heat pour out. Wishing he could kiss her, he consoled, “It is private.”
“Not when you two look at each other like you’re the answer to each other’s prayers!” a bridesmaid called out, moving past.
Shelley pressed the flat of her hand to her forehead. “Will you-all stop?” she shouted back.
“Just admit you two are an item again and we’ll stop,” another bridesmaid teased, climbing into her car.
Colt took one look at Shelley’s face and knew she’d had enough. “Let’s get out of here,” he said gruffly. Hand beneath her elbow, he lifted her up into the cab, watched as she folded her lithe body into the leather seat of his pickup.
He circled around behind the wheel and then started the engine.
“Maybe we should admit something,” he suggested mildly.
Shelley bit her lip as warm air poured out of the AC vents. “We will,” she promised, still looking a little distracted and conflicted, “but right now it’s Gerry and Kendall’s day. And the focus should be entirely on them.”
Colt hadn’t considered that. “You’re right.” He pulled out of the parking lot and headed down Main Street, waiting at the red light before turning onto Oak. Intending to take the back way to Shelley’s apartment, he turned again onto the less traveled Crockett Avenue. And that was when they both saw him—the silver-haired man weaving uncertainly in the scorching midday heat, before lurching forward and collapsing facedown on the cement sidewalk.
Colt knew who it was, even before he steered over to the curb, and he and Shelley jumped out of the truck. They both raced to help.
“Mr. Zellecky!” Shelley knelt beside him. “Are you all right?”
The older gentleman merely groaned. Turned slightly. Blood oozed from a cut on his forehead. His right wrist was tilted crookedly. Broken, Colt thought.
Mr. Zellecky moaned again, in obvious pain.
Colt pulled out his cell phone, dialed 9-1-1 and reported the situation. Assured paramedics were on the way, he turned back to Mr. Zellecky. “Don’t move. The ambulance will be here shortly.”
“I gotta get up,” Mr. Zellecky said in a slurred voice that denoted precariously low blood sugar levels. “I have to get to Nellie. She needs me...”
The Texas Lawman's Woman Page 16