Wrangled By Love (The Cowboy Way #1)

by Barb Shuler

I can't stop smiling. My husband - oh, how I love saying that - and our family surrounded us as we cut our cake. They watched as we had our first dance. They've always been there, and today just reaffirmed to me that I truly have a loving family again. I wish my PaPa was here to see this all. I know he’s in my heart, and in my soul, but it's not quite the same.

  As I stand here for another picture I'm reminded that things have changed so much over the last year. Not everything has been good, but let's be adults and face it, life can suck some days. So much so that you want to throw your hands up, say eff you, and go into hiding. Time and experience has shown me you can't do that. You stand, you fight and you conquer. It's the only way to survive.

  Everyone was having a great time, and I can't thank everyone enough for how special today had been. I'd come out of those ridiculous heels Phoebe talked me into and my feet were thanking me as I shuffled to the song playing. I had Toby with me, giggling as I tickled his side.

  “No titsal,” his little words were cut off by more laughter before I sat him down.

  “Okay, no tickles. Can I have a kiss?” His little face lit up and he smacked a big kiss to my cheek. I laughed when he did that fast duck waddle he and Abbie were doing lately as he set off to find someone else.

  I moved over to the food table and grabbed a piece of speared cheese and an olive and popped them into my mouth. Damn, I was hungry. I looked around and watched as the guys all danced around with Abbie, Toby and two of the Sheriff’s youngest daughters. Casey and Cara were five and seven, and so sweet. They were good helpers when it came to wrangling Abbie and Toby as well. I looked around for the twins, the Sheriff’s, I mean. Scott’s twin daughters, Tara and Tessa, they were nine and a handful, in that very inquisitive, always wanting to help and ask ten thousand questions way. God love them, but they'd drive you crazy if you let them.

  My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Joe call my name. I turned to give him a big smile.

  “Here she is, Martin, this is our daughter-in-law, Georgie. Georgie, sweetheart, this is Martin Oliver, he's the family's lawyer and one of mine and Abigail’s oldest friends,” Joe said as he gave me a one armed side hug.

  “Very nice to meet you, Mr. Oliver,” I said as I took his extended hand.

  “Martin, please. It's very nice to meet you, Georgie. Joe and Abigail speak highly of you,” he said, smiling.

  “Of course we do. Our girl here has brought so much love and happiness to this family,” Abigail said. She'd come up behind us and sandwiched me in between her and Joe. I just smiled more.

  “They give me too much credit,” I said, chuckling.

  The conversation went on between us until an earth shattering scream rang out over the property. I jerked around and saw everyone was looking around. Then it happened again. I moved towards the boys and that's when I saw what they were looking at. We all took off running.

  The twins - Tara and Tessa- had gotten themselves into the big corral at the side of the barn. There were two very big and unbroken horses in there. They were not so happy to have company. The girls were huddled together in the center of it. They were scared to say the least. They dodged the charges and kicks the horses sent their way. Okay, more like Petrified. I would be to with two thousand pound horses running at me and snorting like hell hounds were after them. I let out a loud whistle to call Tango, but as I did he zoomed by me. It wasn't a moment later that Lady, Daisy, Mushu and Sake zipped around us.

  “Get that gate open!” Tate yelled. I vaulted over the water trough, dress and all, and by the grace of God didn't bust my ass. I started climbing to the top of the fence.

  “Georgie, don't you dare come in here,” Jon said in a sharp tone and I nodded. This was not a time to be stupid so I listened.

  “I'll stay here, you get them to me!” I yelled over to the boys. Both Tate and Jon had moved to the inside of the corral fence now. My heart raced as I stood there, my feet on the rows of boards below as I straddled the top. Each time one of the horses charged or kicked out at them my heart stopped.

  “Girls, I need you to move when I tell you. Can you do that for me?” Tate said, his tone calm but I knew better. He was as freaked out as the rest of us.

  “Tango, away-to-me!” I ordered, hoping like hell the training we had been doing for herding the sheep we’d be getting was going to work. And that I gave the right command.

  Tango switched positions, head down, growling as he stalked the horse closest to him. Both Mushu and Sake followed him, pushing the horses counter clockwise and further away from the girls. Both horses were snorting now. They were kicking their legs out and charged at the dogs. I shrieked.

  “Georgie! Call him off, now!” Tate yelled. I whistled and stumbled as I slighted on the fence railing.

  “Tango, out!”

  He barked but obeyed. Mushu and Sake had to be yelled at again, but they got close enough to be grabbed. Daniel was holding them back with the help of Joe as Tate and Jon moved around trying to stay back and away from charging horses but get to the girls.

  “Get those girls out of there!” Someone yelled from behind me. What did it look like we were doing? Pissing on Daisies?

  I was starting to panic. If someone got kicked we were gonna have a big problem. A horse's kick could kill any of them if it hit just right. Each time the horses charged Tate and Jon, I jerked. Dear God, please let them all be okay.

  “Can't you just shoot them?” I turned to glare at the men in the crowd that was back a safe distance from the fence. I wasn't sure who said it but I wasn't letting that slide.

  “No! You don't down an animal for acting naturally, asshole!” I snarled.

  Hearing the girls shriek I turned back to the corral and saw Jon had a rope around one horse's neck. Tate lassoed the other and when he whistled I yelled for the girls.

  “Run to me now, girls,” I said and sat, wrapping my legs around the fence railing to hold me before I bent down. How I didn't fall over I'll never know, but God kept us safe is all I can say. I helped them scramble up the fence and into their parents arms.

  I climbed down and with shaky hands gripped my dress bottom. My eyes never left Tate and Jon. Finally, with everyone out of their way, they were able to calm them enough to get the ropes off. They moved back to the fence, and exited out of the gate before locking it again.

  “Boys, I- we can't thank you enough for getting our girls out. I'm sorry, they know better,” Scott said, glaring at the girls. They were both crying and shaking as they leaned into their parents.

  “Don't worry, I'm sure they've learned their lesson,” Joe said as he looked his boys over.

  I was fighting back tears as the adrenaline hit hard. Panic was setting in. What if’s ran through my head. God, someone could have been hurt, badly. Killed even. Tate, Jon, those poor girls. I had to calm down and collect myself. I moved off from the crowd. A few steps away, Tango bumped my thigh with his head and I reached down to curl my fingers into the scruff of his neck. My nerves were shattered.

  Maybe fifteen minutes later Tate found me leaned up against the other corral fence. I'd been staring out towards the shell of our new home. When his arms came around me I smiled, and leaned my head back against his shoulder.

  “You all right, darlin’?” he asked as he pressed a line of soft kisses along my neck.

  I was speechless, all I could do was nod my head. My body turned to jelly whenever he did that. And the bastard knew it. A soft moan escaped my lips as he nipped at my earlobe. I leaned back into him more, my ass rubbing against him in a way that left nothing to the imagination.

  “What's wrong, cat got ya tongue?” he whispered against my ear. I shuddered with the anticipation of what was coming as soon as our guests left.

  “St-stop teasing me, husband,” I stuttered out as his lips brushed that spot below my ear. You know, the one that sends your heart into a hummingbird setting and starts your girly parts to throbbing. Ugh, he was such a punk. I elbowed him as he nipped at the spot under m
y ear again.

  “Fine,” he grunted.

  I giggled when he tickled my side which was quickly accompanied by a shriek as I was all of a sudden lifted up and thrown over his shoulder. I laughed out and he swatted my butt. It stung but not enough to actually hurt.

  “Damn, man, let the girl walk on her own two feet,” Cody called out. I laughed again, the worries and fears from earlier pushed away for now. I could hear other voices and laughing as we made our way back over to where everyone was.

  “Nathaniel, put the girl down,” Abigail scolded, but she wasn't fooling anyone. I could hear the smile in her voice.

  I was placed down on my feet and once my dress was put back where it belonged I turned to greet our guests again.

  “Sorry, I just needed to get myself sorted,” I apologized for just walking off.

  Abigail was the first to come over and hugged me, whispering in my ear, “It's okay, sweetheart. That would have scared the mess out of anyone.” She kissed my cheek and I nodded at her words.

  “MaMa MaMa MaaaaaaaMaaaaaaaa,” the chorus of shrieks hit my ears. I turned to see Abbie and Toby waddling their little selves my way, with Phoebe right behind them. Abbie had lost the big bow from her hair, but she still looked like an angel in her lavender dress. Toby’s suit matched his daddy’s, and just like his daddy, that jacket had been lost somewhere. Our little ones were so damn cute.

  I knelt down and opened my arms wide, my smile just as wide as they stumbled into me. I wrapped them in my embrace and drank in the love they had shooting from them. I didn’t birth them but dammit, they were mine, well and Tate's. I looked up to see him watching us, a big smile on his face.

  “Hi, my little loves,” I said as I brushed hair from their faces and kissed them both on their cheeks loudly.

  “Well, we see who they like best,” Cody joked and I laughed.

  “That's not it, they always seem to know when I need a hug, that's all. They give the best hugs,” I said, grinning.

  “MaMa, Moooo!” Abbie squealed. I looked but it was too late. My face was covered in a wash of doggy slobber. I shrieked out a laugh and fell back as Mushu was joined by Sake. Between the babies crawling over me as they called the pups and laughed, and the pups slobbering away, I was in a pile of hugs and kisses. By the time people stopped laughing and helped me sit up, Tate was on his knees before the kids and I.

  He leaned in and kissed me. Not a gentle peck either, a toe curling kiss that sent my girly parts to aching. Holy crap. I had to remember the kids were in my lap and that we had an audience. I nipped his bottom lip as he pulled back. I smirked at the look he gave me.

  “I love you, Mrs. Cannon,” he said, a lopsided grin pulling at his features.

  I leaned in and kissed his lips gently. I pulled back and smiled as I reached up and cupped his cheek.

  “I love you too, Mr. Cannon,” I said, softly.

  “Ugh, you two need a room,” someone complained. I was sure it was Jon. The crowd laughed and I shook my head.

  “Stuff it. My husband can kiss me anytime he likes,” I said.

  “Damn straight. I plan on kissing you everyday, so you better mean that, darlin’,” he said, winking at me.

  Damn, the dimple was showing now. My heart fluttered at the heat in his gaze, and the promise that followed. I was one lucky girl.

  Epilogue

  A Time for Joy

  Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. Last year was a mix of heartbreak and love for me, and again this year I'm missing my PaPa like crazy. He's watching over me, I know that much. He'd be happy my life had turned out the way it did. I know I am.

  We've been married just over six months now. Tate, the kids and I moved into our new house - which sits just across the field from Joe and Abigail’s house - a little over a month ago. It was an easy transition and I love my space and freedom of quiet time. However, I do miss the mass of people under foot like we had over there.

  This is our first Christmas, just Tate and my kids together. It's special in its own way… and now as I stare at the twinkling lights wrapped around the tree while sipping hot cocoa I can't hold back my smile. There was a small black box sitting on my leg that was part of the reason my smile was so big. This one was for Tate. I ran my finger over the box and took another drink from my mug as I silently willed him to miss my warmth in our bed and come looking for me. I sat my mug on the coffee table and tugged the blanket from the back of the couch down, and curled up with it. My head lay against the back of the couch as I went back to watching the lights. I let my eyes close as I said a silent prayer. Then I slowly slipped into a fitful sleep.

  When I woke again it was to the sounds of Tango’s tags jingling. My eyes cracked open to see him slinking up on the couch. I giggled and opened my covers. He'd forever be my baby. I scratched his belly as he flipped over onto me. I rested my head against his and smiled.

  “I love you too, PaPa,” I whispered. Tango was three now. Papa had given him to me on the last Christmas Eve we spent together. Our last Christmas Eve. I wiped away a stray tear and shifted, catching the box I'd had propped on my leg. With a grin I clasped it close to me.

  “Ah ha! Caught ya!” I jerked slightly as Tate came into the living room. “You left our bed to come snuggle another man.” He was trying to keep a straight face but lost that battle. His laughter filled the room and I couldn't not follow suit. Tango just laid there, his head lolling to the side, his tongue hanging out.

  “Seeing how he was already on our bed when I left, you had snuggles with him first. Should be me that's fake hurt,” I said, my grin growing.

  “That's a technicality, love,” Tate said as he leaned over and kissed me softly.

  I hummed against his lips, “maybe so…but it still counts….”

  “Hmm….” he agreed with me. He didn't have to say it out loud.

  “You want some cocoa? I'll have to make the tank laying on me move, but I can fix you some. It's on the counter,” I said, stretching my arms out and groaning at the tight crick in my neck.

  Tate sat behind me as he shook his head. “I'm good, baby, but thank you,” he said as a kiss met my cheek.

  His hands moved to my shoulders and at the first squeeze of those strong hands against my tight muscles, I groaned. Good God. Those were magic hands, I swear. I melted forward and between the warmth of the dog laying against me and my husband’s hands making my body relax I was on the verge of keeling over and sleeping for a month. Though, with two almost three year olds running around that would never happen.

  I let out a content sigh as Tate pulled me to his chest and wrapped his arms around me. My lips pressed against his and I whispered, “I love you.”

  “I love you, too. You feel better now?”

  “Yes, I love that you can do that. One touch and my muscles just give up,” I joked. But was totally serious.

  “Your body is mine to command,” he whispered, trailing his lips down my neck. I groaned softly.

  “Always,” I whispered back.

  I shifted again, getting comfy and felt the box on my leg. I scooped it up and wiggled it before us.

  “Seems Santa brought you something special that needs your attention. I can’t wait to see what it is,” I grinned as I spoke, my voice soft.

  Tate took the box, a brow raised in question. “Santa, huh?”

  I gave him my best innocent face as my head bobbed once. “Yerp….” I was nervous as hell. I shifted, giving Tango a little push. “Down, please,” I said. He grunted but moved his fat butt. I wiggled my toes and laughed as he huffed - an over exaggerated huff at that - and flopped down on the thick lush throw rug.

  “Someone isn't in the Christmas spirit,” Tate joked, a chuckle pulling from him. I shifted so I was sitting back against my feet. I gave him a grin.

  “He doesn't like to share, is all. Reminds me of another man in my life. Well, that's not right. I should say the men in my life. Toby doesn't share any better than you two,” I laughed softly. It
was true. If I was in the room, you could forget it, Toby and Abbie wanted in my arms. I was okay with that. Tate was great at making sure he stayed close to help wrangle them. I did love my boys, they all made me feel super special.

  Tate was still staring at the box in his hand so I tapped my finger against it. He lifted his eyes to mine and pulled the ribbon off of it. When the lid came off I bit the inside of my lip. My nerves rebounded and I had to push my hands underneath me so he didn't see them shaking. Santa had left him something very special, and one of a kind.

  “What- Georgie, is this-” his words trailed off as he stared down into the box. I lifted up on my knees and leaned in, cupping his cheek with one hand.

  “It’s what it looks like, baby. Doc confirmed it for me again a week ago. That's the original one. When I saw those two blue lines… I wanted to tell you then,” I trailed off as I fought off all the tears building in my eyes. I shook my head and wiped them away.

  “How far along?” he asked as he sat up straighter, pulling me against his hard body. I grinned as I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. I answered when I pulled back.

  “Doc figures about fifteen weeks along. We have a sonogram scheduled in a week to check to make sure. We’re looking at a May due date. Unless calculations are off,” I said before kissing him again. I giggled when he shifted to lay back and pulled me completely on top of him.

  “You ready for a newborn and a pair of three year olds?” He asked, his brow raised.

  Was he serious? Pfft. Of course I was… maybe.

  “I think so. With you by my side, I'll be fine. We can do this,” I said, nodding.

  “Does anyone else know?” I ran a finger over his brow and shook my head.

  “Nope. I wanted you to know first. They'll find out when we go over. I got the kids matching shirts that say, “I'm the big sister/brother. Just gonna see how long it takes someone to ask, then I'll just say something like, ‘Oh yeah, I'm kind of gonna have a baby,’ and act all cool and stuff.”

  His booming laugh filled the house and I couldn’t help but melt into him. Our lips met and not for the first time did I wonder how, in the name of all that's holy, had I gotten so damn lucky.