Of The Cowboy's Own Accord (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight #3)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Her eyes widened and her voice shot up an octave. “What?” She started to look over her shoulder, but he caught her arm.

  “Don’t look back. I’m sure he has a damn good reason for being on the same plane we are. Bold-ass sonofabitch.”

  She sank into the seat. What the hell is he doing here? Maybe Dane was right and it was more than him just asking her out for dates. Was there more? Too many questions to think about on her wedding day.

  Gracelyn slipped her hand into Dane’s, and she entwined their fingers. His tension held. The knot in her throat proved she was more frightened than she imagined. “This is our wedding day. That’s all I’m thinking about from this point on.”

  “Fair enough…” Dane opened his mouth to say something else, but instead, gave her hand a squeeze and remained quiet.

  ***

  Waiting onboard for the door to open at the gate, he unhooked his seatbelt. “At least the dog gets along with everybody now. It wasn’t a problem to leave him with the family.” He hoped Boston didn’t have a turnaround and become dangerous, but he could have used that sentence on himself, because the mood he found himself in didn’t help.

  While waiting in their seat, he gave his fiancée a sideways glance. Her skin drained of color. “Are you all right? You’re not looking too good.”

  “Normally, I’d take that the wrong way.” Swallowing hard, she gripped the arm rest. Words came out barely audible. “The virgin bloody Mary didn’t go over well.”

  “Are you sick?”

  “It feels like it.” She unhooked her seatbelt.

  Dane checked out the rear of the plane. “Everyone’s standing now and getting their items from the overhead compartment. It’ll be hard to make it to the bathroom.” He stood. “Come on, I’ll get you back there.”

  She slid into the aisle. “Maybe I’ll be okay until the door opens.”

  “Honey, it’s up to you.”

  She sat back down but grabbed a barf bag as she stood again. “Okay, I’ll make my way back there.”

  “Hold on to me.” Dane shoved his way through. “Pregnant woman. Bathroom. Excuse us.” Passengers either stepped into their row or stood straight to give them room. By time they got to the back of the plane, the front door opened. “Here you go, sweetie. I’ll be right outside the door if you need me.”

  “You’re a doll.” She rushed inside.

  The minute the lock turned, Dane took off down the aisle. He stopped behind Smith Jamison as he attempted to get his bag. “Here, let me help you with that.” Dane grabbed his bag from the overhead. Dropping it to the seat, he held Smith’s arm back. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing here, but I know who you are. Nothing about this seems like a coincidence, so unless you have another reason for being here, make sure I don’t see you again.”

  He released him and squared his shoulders, not knowing what might come next. Jamison looked like he was capable of handling himself. Getting arrested by TSA Agents wasn’t on his agenda today.

  Smith straightened his posture and glanced toward the front of the plane without saying a word.

  “Whatever you’re thinking in your sick mind, you better change plans. Dealing with a pregnant woman is one thing but dealing with me is another. Get that straight.” Dane bumped his shoulder and went to wait for Gracelyn to come out of the bathroom.

  Smith rushed to get his bag up from the seat, but Gracelyn came out of the bathroom and took Dane’s hand diverting her eyes to the floor. “I didn’t get sick, although feeling like it was almost as bad. Thank you again.”

  He turned her to face him, her back to the others on the plane. “You’re welcome. You sure you’re okay?” She nodded, and they moved down the aisle back to their seat. Smith scooted in front of his seat, faced the windows, and he bent forward as if picking up something from the floor.

  “If you get our bags from the overhead, I’ll grab my tablet. Maybe it’s food I need in my belly, a snack of some kind.”

  “Take a seat until the aisle clears,” Dane said. “We’ll eat in the airport.” Smith hurried past them and Dane didn’t take his eyes off him.

  Stopping at the door, he glanced back at the same time Gracelyn gazed to the front of the plane. Dane’s blood boiled when Jamison made eye contact with her. Rising, she attempted to step over him to get out. Wrapping his hand around the seat in front of him, he said, “Stay here,” and held her back until Smith went through the door.

  When Dane stepped out, Gracelyn did too and waited beside him while he got the bags from the overhead. Facing him, she grasped the front of his shirt. “Why didn’t you let me confront him?”

  That was the last thing he had expected from her. “No need to. You’re shaking. Come on, so we can find something to eat before getting the rental car. We have plenty of time to do what we need first. If you aren’t feeling well, we’ll wait. It’s as simple as that.” He took hold of their bags and they stopped to get their garment bags before deplaning. Dane observed her nervous gaze darting around aimlessly.

  He ignored murmurs from the crowds of passengers separating to walk around them while they stood embraced. The clink of slot machines reverberating throughout the airport surrounded them. Her arms around him was all that mattered at the moment, yet took nothing away from gazing around the airport in search of one individual.

  He spotted an eatery. “Do you still need something to eat? There’s a place right up here.” Dane directed their way. “Mom will have a party for us later. You know she sings and plays a guitar? So does Tristan. Jase plays the keyboard. Now there’s a real shocker.”

  “Let’s forget the food for now. We’ll go so we can get our marriage license. I’ll grab something from the hotel.” She laughed and patted her belly. “My stomach sticks out enough in my wedding dress without stuffing it with junk food.”

  He’d love it either way. She radiated beauty while carrying his baby. “We’ll eat at Denny’s.” Dane guided them toward the luggage carousel to wait. At least hers was easy to spot. Purple stood out. He chuckled to himself as he pulled her bag off the carousel. Like her eyes.

  “I’m excited. How soon will the party be after we get back because there are things I can do to help your family.” She raised the handle on her suitcase, hesitating a moment, and watched for his bag. “Do you sing or play an instrument, too?”

  Yep, chatty. “I can sing if I have to. Maybe I can still play a guitar.” Scads of luggage went around and around, but not his. “We’ll talk to Mom when I call later about our live video. The party will be after our baby is born. I suppose after my retirement…maybe.” Dane gripped his own fingers behind his back. He was pissed in more ways than he could count and made small-talk for a distraction. The sense of being watched wore on him. Smith Jamison had to be somewhere waiting until they left the baggage area.

  He paced a small span and back. “I cheated my family as well as you out of a big military wedding.” He gave a shrug to match his attitude, seemingly chatty himself.

  “You’re talking foolishly. I’ve been to military weddings. Also unlucky enough to attend funerals as well.” She released the handle on her suitcase and folded her arms across her midriff. “Will you be getting a military pension?”

  “Something like that. We’ll call it money from my years of being in the military. Why?” Soon he’d be dizzy if he kept watching the damn carousel.

  “Won’t you always be part of the Army as long as they’re paying you?” Gracelyn grasped his arm for them to back away from the crowd. She turned him so they were eye to eye. “Listen to me right now, because I won’t repeat it. I’m satisfied with our way of getting married—never had the dreams of a big wedding.” Her shoulders rose and fell in a deep sigh. “Can I be any clearer? Maybe you’re the one not satisfied.”

  Dane grinned. “You’re about as sexy as they come when you take control. You know how to put this guy in his place.” His eyes narrowed. “Something I’m not used to by the way.” With a lifted brow, he asked, �
�Will this become a habit?”

  She widened her stance and lowered her hands to her hips. “I don’t know.” A big grin broke out on her face. “Now kiss me so we can get our luggage and go get married.” She whispered as she glanced behind him, “We’re drawing a crowd. I believe they’re about to clap.”

  “If these people knew I was a Ranger they’d lose confidence in our Army, thanks to you.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard as if they were standing in the middle of the desert all alone—his mouth opened against hers, tongues lashing—wet, wild and full of sexiness. Ending with a tug of her bottom lip before stopping to show who was boss. When it ended, he kissed her cheek. “Take that, my love.”

  He lowered and then shook his head, needing a second to figure out why he did that in front of everyone. It didn’t take long to figure it out…she ruled him in a way she’d never know. Dane checked the carousel, but the next second, he commented with, “Control me like that in the bedroom and I might consider keeping you.”

  “Dane?” she muttered, giving his arm a playful pinch. “It might be my plan to control you in the bedroom. With a fire engine red, sexy maternity gown you might actually like a little bit.”

  Dane raised his hands then lowered them. For crying out loud this woman would drive him to Tequila. He had to laugh either way because he loved when she showed that playful side. Today her feisty side came out. He yanked his bag off the carousel when it came around. “Let’s get the hell outta here. I got a hot woman to spend a wedding night with.” As usual, he waited for a rebuttal as they walked to the rental car area, but this time she remained quiet…for a few minutes.

  “I’m about to marry the father of my child, and let me tell you I’m damn happy about it.”

  “Yes. ma’am.” As soon as he got home he’d wear his camouflage pants, and strap a 9mil on his hip to prove to himself he was a tough-ass combat soldier. This mawkishness was unfamiliar to him. He pushed his shoulders back and they strode up to the desk to get a rental car. Maybe they have a big-ass truck.

  Chapter 15

  Stop and go all the way made for a chaotic drive through traffic, but they finally made it to their honeymoon suite. Hours ticked down to his last moments of bachelorhood. Dane assisted Gracelyn. Something he hadn’t thought about when he suggested the two of them would travel to Vegas. With an eye roll, he manned-up to do what he had to do. “This is when you need a girlfriend, darlin’.” A bit of a struggle, but he tied the satin laces at the back of her white wedding gown. “I’d rather remove the dress. Turn around. Let me look at you.”

  “What you see is…well, this is who I am right now.” She held her arms out to the side. “A pregnant bride who is close to tears because it’s my wedding day, and I’m marrying such a handsome man.” Her chin quivered, but she had called in composure. “I’m marrying you!”

  “Holy damn, you’re magnificent.” Dane squeezed his eyes closed. When he opened them he started at the toe tip of her blue heels then worked his way up to her face. “I’m speechless, but you know I’m never speechless.”

  She lifted the hem of her dress. “Look, I have a ribbon anklet for my blue.” She gave a joyful smile. “You’ve been to weddings, but do you know the blue, borrowed thing?”

  “Your shoes are blue.” He scratched at his cheek. “Uh, I have no clue what you’re talking about, honey.”

  “It’s the reason your mom gave me her wedding band to wear on my right hand today for the ceremony. Remember my grandmother’s hankie is attached to my bouquet for the same reason…my old. Something borrowed, something blue?”

  She glanced around the room as if she had something on her mind or had lost something. Dane rubbed his chin and in an uncertain tone, muttered, “You have all that stuff?” Reaching out, he straightened a strap as it rested on her shoulder. “Your dress is you—kind of innocent, yet so much sexy to drown that part out.”

  “I don’t feel sexy,” she said, tapping a foot against the floor. “The new, borrowed thing is a tradition. Well, my dress is the new I guess. Sure, I’m set. My borrowed earrings are from Tammy.” She pushed hair over her shoulders to show him.

  Was he supposed to say they were pretty even if they weren’t hers? “They look nice on you.” He strutted to his suitcase. “There’s something I waited to give you.”

  Dane held the box in his hand as he strolled over to where she stood. “This is your new to go with your blue, borrowed…whatever.” For the love of God he had no idea this would affect him as it did. “Remember when I took the photo of you in your t-shirt beside the fireplace? When you held up the baby’s blue…I don’t know what you call it, one something—”

  “Onesie!”

  “Yeah, that thing…” That was a pleasant night, especially after the photo. Right there on the sofa. The more pregnant she got, the sexier, bolder she became with no complaints from him.

  She pressed her hand against her cheek while peering down at the box he dropped into her hand. “I remember. What have you done?”

  “Open the box.”

  When she lifted the lid off, the top fell to the floor without concern. Her hand shot to her head, but she peered up at him with tears streaming down her cheeks. “A locket necklace with the very picture you mentioned. This is the best gift in the world.” Her voice went higher. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, come here, baby. Don’t cry.” Dane smoothed his hands over her shoulders, then lowered them over the satiny crisscross straps at the low back of her dress. “I believe it’s close to the time to leave and I need to change clothes.”

  She used the knuckle of her index finger to dab at the tears below her eyes. “It’s a sentimental gift. Do you think you can help me get it on?”

  “Sure, but if I can hook this I can stay in the Army.” As much as he fiddled, the hook kept closing. Perseverance made it work. “There you go.” His lips pressed against the side of her neck, then he turned her around. The oval pendant drew attention to her cleavage, which looked damn good in the low V-neck front of her dress. A strap fell over her shoulder and he lifted it back in place. “Time for me to change clothes, babe.”

  “Wear your tan beret with your uniform. I’m proud of you and you should prove to the world what you’ve been through to earn the beret.”

  He had agreed to wear his uniform to make her happy, not to show off anything. “Uh huh.” At the bedroom door, he twirled around. “You know I’m proud of you, too.” Dane did a slow gaze up her body again, astonished and proud at how she looked as a bride. “This whole thing between us could’ve been totally different. Me, my son…you didn’t have to keep either of us.” The door closed behind him after he entered the bedroom.

  ***

  That man is such a sweetheart. Gracelyn crossed the room to look in the mirror on the wall beside the exit door. Omigod. Her hair was worn down and she twirled a lock around her finger. This is what she had hoped to look like today. She clasped the pendent. The night he took the picture had been a fantastic evening. They lit the fire for the ambiance and turned up the air conditioning. That day, she had shopped for additional baby items, and after dinner, opened the packages to show them off.

  The fact he shared this experience with her excited her beyond what she had anticipated once he returned home. When she had turned, he snapped her picture. She attempted to pull her t-shirt down, but he asked her to leave it; therefore, exposing a bit of bare belly. This gift would be cherished forever.

  In a few moments, the door opened and he stood wearing dress blue uniform pants with a white shirt, and he pulled his darker blue jacket on. “Get this top button for me?”

  “I’m having a moment of reminiscing. Now, seeing you…like that…” She laid her hand over her heart, and sashayed over to help with the button and tie. “You’re so fine.”

  “Come on, honey, get those eyes dry so our wedding pictures turn out cheery-eyed instead of cherry-eyed.” He went back into the bedroom and returned with his beret in hand, but a rap on the do
or detoured him. A hotel employee waited.

  “Your limo is here, sir.”

  “Thanks, we’re about ready. We’ll be right down.” Dane closed the door when the man walked off. “Well, are you ready to do this?” He bent his arm for her to take it.

  After applying red lipstick, she nodded. Gracelyn paraded over to him and took him into her arms. “This is exciting. Will you keep my wallet, phone, and lipstick in your pocket?”

  “Of course.” He gave a heartwarming smile then leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “I’m utterly enchanted by you.” Dane held the door. Together they strolled down the hall hand in hand, catching the elevator before it closed. Once inside he hugged her. They remained that way until they stopped at the next floor plus two more before the lobby. Heads turned, both male and female on the way to the limo. “Smile, my lovely bride. The world is watching.”

  ***

  They zoomed past a steady stream of colorful lights as traffic appeared to be light this time of day. The sky remained blue with few clouds. Only a light breeze blew against flags and banners. Gracelyn convinced herself the day had been made special for them. After the ceremony the photographer would be with them as they toured the city to take photos at some of the major sites and casinos—beginning with the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.

  Starting out was anything but normal—other than falling in love. What they had now either worked, or it wouldn’t. It was that simple. Gracelyn leaned against his shoulder. “I believe the best is yet to come.”

  “I’m certain you’re right.” He stole another kiss, and rubbed lipstick from his lips, as she blotted hers with a tissue.

  The limo driver pulled up to the chapel then came around to open their door. Dane stepped out first, holding his hand out for her. He pushed a lock of hair over her shoulder and smoothed bangs away from her eyes. “The photographer’s here. Time to do this thing, my beauty.” He glanced upward. “We’re on camera. Don’t be nervous.”