by Ana Leigh
In his wildest dreams, he had never hoped to find a woman as incredible as Cassie. She was his soul mate, companion, lover, and all woman—more woman than he deserved.
“Now, let me see,” he reflected. “The stage comes through again in seven days. That’s not much time for everything I’ve got in mind.”
With a sinfully seductive smile, she slipped her arms around his neck. “Then it’s time to mount up, Deputy.”
On Saturday, Arena Roja celebrated the double wedding of the Braden twins.
Jeff Braden, the new deputy, stood as best man for both of the grooms. Samantha Starr, glowing with the promise of the lovely young woman she would grow into, stood as the maid of honor for the two brides.
Jethro Braden wiped the tears from his eyes as he gazed proudly at his three children standing at the altar.
It seemed as if overnight his daughters had become women, and his son had become a man. On top of that, not only was he gaining two more fine sons that any father would be proud to have but he had also gained a deputy: his son.
Many of the spectators became confused when Cassie Braden married Colt Fraser and Cathy Braden married Ted McBride.
Some had heard the rumor that Cassie had held a gun to the ex-deputy’s head to get him to agree to marry her, but observing the love between the bride and groom, it was hard to believe. Cathy and her new husband seemed equally in love. But wasn’t the schoolmaster supposed to be marrying Cassie?
It sure was confusing, but it didn’t prevent anyone from having the best time at a wedding—ah, weddings—ever had in Arena Roja.
The following Thursday, Colt and Cassie prepared to board the stage. After a tearful good-bye to the three sprouts, Cassie said another parting farewell to her father.
“We’re coming back, Dad, as soon as Colt sees his sister and brothers. Just think of this as a honeymoon. Then we’ll move back to the Lazy B, just as you always hoped to do.”
“We’ll be waiting,” said Cathy, who was standing beside Jethro. The two women hugged and kissed. “But I’ll miss you so much.”
“And I’ll miss you, too. All of you,” Cassie said, with a final kiss to Ted and Jeff. “Take good care of Midnight for me, Jeff.”
“Time to pull out, Cassie,” Gus yelled from the box.
“Let’s go, honey,” Colt said, helping her into the stagecoach.
Sam ran over to Colt and hugged him around the waist. “I love you, Colt Fraser. You’re the best man I ever met,” she said earnestly, tears welling in her eyes. “Promise you and Cassie will come back?”
“I promise, Belle.” He hugged her, then climbed in and took a seat next to Cassie. Leaning out the window, he said, “Probably in a couple years, if not sooner. In five or six years for sure, because we don’t want to miss your wedding.”
“Wedding! I ain’t never gonna get married.”
Colt glanced at Jeff, who was standing nearby, shining the brand-new star on his chest with the sleeve of his shirt.
“I wouldn’t bet on that, Belle.”
As the stage started to roll away, she shouted, “My name ain’t Belle!”
She hurried off to hide her tears.
Petey looked up at his brother. “Bowie, why’s Sam mad?”
“She ain’t really mad,” Bowie said. “She’s just pretendin’, ’cause she feels sad.” He put his arm around his little brother’s shoulders. “Like I told you, Petey: women are complicated.”
Petey nodded wisely as they followed in Sam’s wake.
“Yeah. Very compli…cated.”
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