The Billionaire Cowboy's Christmas Surprise [Wives for the Western Billionaires 10] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Paige Cameron

  Susie hugged her mom tight and then her dad. She blinked the tears away. “This is the most wonderful Christmas ever. Clay and I are going to be married. I planned to call you later today.” She showed her ring to her parents.

  “We know. He assured us he intended to ask you last night.”

  Susie glanced at Clay. “Everyone knew but me?”

  “Just about.”

  “I’m Jane Brodie, please call me Jane.”

  “You’ve met my wife, Anne. I’m Cecil.” He glanced around the room. “You have a fine-looking family.”

  Mrs. Brodie took them by the arm. “Let me introduce you to the bunch. All the kids running around are my grandchildren.” She grinned at Clay and Susie. “Hopefully they’ll be adding to the numbers before long.”

  Clay pulled Susie to the side. “Let’s go in the study and close the door.”

  “Why?”

  “I have a suggestion, but I don’t want to discuss it with the family until we’ve decided what we want to do.”

  Puzzled, Susie followed him in the study. He closed the door. The only occupant was Graham and Gina’s baby, and he was sleeping.

  “Sit.” Clay said.

  Susie sat on the edge of the sofa. “Tell me what is so mysterious we have to go into hiding to talk about it.”

  “Our wedding. We talked about having it this week between Christmas and New Years, and since your mom and dad have arrived it’ll work out perfect. We can get a marriage license when the courthouse opens the day after tomorrow. Once we have it, there’s no waiting period. We can be married the next day.”

  “I hadn’t talked privately with Mom yet, so we don’t know if they can stay that long or if the rest of my family and our friends can get here so soon.” Susie wrinkled her forehead.

  “Don’t worry, honey. If they can’t, we’ll make other plans. Now that I’ve made up my mind, I’m impatient. Would you rather be married in New Mexico?”

  Susie shook her head no. “This will be our home, and it’s where I want to have the ceremony. Plus, there are fewer of my family to travel here than for yours to travel to my home. Ask my parents and see what they say.”

  Later, after they’d opened their fun Christmas gifts and all the children opened their packages, Clay and Susie took her parents aside and talked with them.

  “It’s a good idea. We’re retired. We can stay. I’ll call your brothers and Sondra to see if they can get off work and come,” her mom said.

  “Then we’ll plan to be married next Tuesday.” Clay added, “Unless there’s a problem.”

  Mrs. Brodie called them to dinner. Her parents went on ahead.

  “First you drag your feet, and then you can’t get me to the altar fast enough. I don’t know what to think about you, Mr. Brodie.” Susie put her arms around his neck and leaned against his tall, well-muscled body.

  “At least you know I can’t wait to have you for my wife. I want our forever to start real soon.”

  * * * *

  Clay held her close and breathed in the fresh scent of her hair and her familiar sweet orange-blossom fragrance. Her heart beat steady against his chest, and her soft curves molded to his body, raising his temperature significantly.

  “I’m so glad I waited for you, darlin’,” he whispered as his lips brushed across hers.

  * * * *

  Her wedding day was clear and bright, and the sun was just warm enough so they could have the ceremony at the gazebo. Mrs. Brodie’s living room had been their second choice.

  The two mothers had decorated the gazebo with flowers, and the men had arranged chairs for the guests.

  Susie sipped her coffee in Clay’s kitchen. Clay had spent the night at his mother’s and her mother had stayed with her. Last evening she and her mom, Mrs. Brodie, and her sisters-in-law had a party celebrating the upcoming event.

  Earlier Monday, right after she and Clay had gotten their license, the women in the family had all gone to Wagon Wheel. They found Susie a lovely, long, white satin-and-lace gown to wear for her wedding.

  Susie had been totally accepted into the family. Joy bubbled within her. She had difficulty containing it. Susie pinched herself to be sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  “You’ll have a bruise from that,” her mom said as she came into the kitchen. “I’ll help you dress. It’s almost time to leave.” They went to the master suite and Susie laid the gown on the bed. “Have all the family arrived?”

  “I talked to Mrs. Brodie. Your brothers and their wives got here early this morning. Sondra, Mark, and Mary Anne arrived an hour ago.”

  “I’m so glad they got to come. I know they all must have had to do some fast arranging,” Susie said.

  “This is your special day, and you’re the last to get married. None of us wanted to miss it.”

  “Help me get this gown on. I don’t intend to be late.”

  * * * *

  Susie took a deep breath when she stepped to the end of the aisle created by the chairs. She looked at Clay standing with the justice of the peace, a friend of his. Clay’s tender, loving smile brought tears to her eyes. Then at a nod from the man presiding, she began to walk down the aisle.

  The ceremony was brief and Susie only remembered saying, “I do,” and Clay putting her ring on her finger. She’d gotten him one in Wagon Wheel and she pushed it on his finger. It fit.

  When they were pronounced man and wife, Clay gave her a hard kiss before turning to family and friends, who stood and clapped.

  On the way back up the aisle with Clay at her side, she saw his friend, Heath.

  “I’m glad Heath came to the wedding. He’s a nice man. Heath treated me like a little sister in New York.”

  “He’s my best friend, not counting my brothers, and he likes you. He wouldn’t miss our wedding.” Clay smiled. “And he’s come to collect on his bet.”

  Clay snatched her up in his arms and ran toward the house with the guests following. He carried her down the hall to one of the bedrooms where she planned to change clothes.

  “What bet?” she asked when he sat her down.

  “He bet me I’d fall in love with you within three months. At that time I was certain I’d win.” He kissed her. “My wife. I like the sound.” He held her close. “It didn’t take me even three months to know I couldn’t ever say good-bye to you.”

  “What’d he win?”

  “I’ll explain later. Can I help you change?”

  “No. Send my mother back and Sondra. If you helped we’d never get back to our guests.”

  “How true, but later I’ll have you all to myself for the rest of this week. I’m glad we decided to stay home.”

  “We’re starting a new life together and soon a new year. All my dreams have come true.”

  There was a knock on the door and Sondra yelled, “We’re joining you. You’d better be decent.” She and their mom came in.

  “I’m leaving. Not that I want to. But I’m outnumbered.” Clay waved and closed the door behind him.

  Sondra hugged Susie. “I can’t believe Clay Brodie fell in love with my sister. I’ve never seen him smile so much. It’s almost scary.”

  “Stop.” Susie laughed and hit her on the arm. “It is not. It’s great.”

  “True, I hope the two of you will be very happy.”

  Susie twirled around the room. “We are. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  * * * *

  That night Susie and Clay lay on a rug in the living room. A fire crackled in the fireplace and two wine glasses sat on a nearby table. Susie had put on some of her favorite classical music and found Clay liked it, too.

  He held her naked body close to his side.

  Clay sat up and leaned over her. “Did the wedding go as you wanted?”

  “Yes. I’m so pleased all my family got to be there. My brothers said you insisted on paying all their expenses.”

  “I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a burden on them financially. They took a day off from work.”

  “It wa
s appreciated.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind not going to somewhere exotic for a honeymoon?” He looked out the window where snow was falling. “Someplace warm?”

  “I’m certain. I love being snuggled up in the house with you. We can go to Millie’s for lunch one day. And visit your family, but most of the time I want us to be alone.”

  “I couldn’t be happier with those ideas. Wait here a moment.” Clay took long strides down the hallway to their room.

  Susie put her back against the couch and watched the flames. The scent of pinecone and cinnamon scented the room. A sense of inner peace and joy permeated her whole being.

  Clay came back carrying a wrapped gift. “This was another gift for Christmas, but I decided I’d keep it for a wedding gift. Open it.” He handed her the long, thin box.

  “I didn’t get you a wedding gift.”

  “You gave me yourself and the wedding ring.” He held up his hand.

  Susie pulled the paper off and opened the white box. Inside a necklace of gold with amethyst stones lay on the white-satin lining.

  “They reminded me of your eyes when we’re making love. The violet color gets darker.” He opened the clasp and put it around her neck. After he fastened the gold chain, he stepped back and admired her.

  “I don’t know why I ever thought you were a bit plump. You have beautiful curves. It was the horrible suits you wore. They hung on your frame.

  “Laying there with the necklace against your creamy skin and the firelight flickering over you, I can’t believe I got so lucky.”

  She reached out to him. He knelt with one leg on either side of her. Susie ran her hands across his chest and down his toned body.

  Clay kissed her mouth and caressed her breast. “My body is on fire for you and only you.”

  “This floor is getting hard. Take me to bed and show me how much.”

  “I love your sexy commands.” He lifted her easily into his arms and headed to the master suite.

  Epilogue

  Six months later

  Susie locked the doors on her shop and went upstairs to the apartment that Clay had turned into his office. He’d worked out a deal and gotten out of his contract in Wagon Wheel last week.

  She let herself in and Clay turned from where he was talking to his contractor. He put his arm around Susie. “What do you think of the changes we’ve made?”

  “I like it. Your secretary will use the living room as her office, and you’re set up in the bedroom. Putting more of a wall between the kitchen and this room does make it seem more like a business office.”

  “I thought so.” He glanced at his watch. “We’re due at Mom’s house in twenty minutes.” He shook hands with the contractor, and they all left. Clay locked the apartment. “I’ll hang my sign here by the door and at the bottom of the steps.”

  “How about your customers who can’t do stairs? I’m not sure this is the best location.”

  “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. I plan to make house calls for the few who can’t get up the steps. I know where everyone lives.”

  “That’s nice.”

  Clay opened the door and helped her in the truck. When he got in, he said, “I’m buying us a comfortable car with four-wheel drive.” He rubbed Susie’s flat tummy. “Once the baby gets here, we’ll need it. Are we going to tell the family tonight?”

  “Why not? We’re celebrating all the grandchildren. Your mom will be excited to have more.”

  “Too true. I don’t think there can be too many for her.” Clay reached across and squeezed her hand. “You’ll need to hire some ladies to help you with the bookstore when it gets closer to your time.”

  “I’ve had several inquiries. I’m so busy now I can already use help. I never dreamed the shop would get so busy this soon. And everyone loves the cakes and pies your mom bakes.”

  “She enjoys being involved. I didn’t realize, until you pointed it out, how lonely she’d gotten.”

  Clay parked the truck and came around to Susie’s side. He let her body slide slowly down his until her feet touched the ground. “Can’t wait to get you home.”

  “You’re incorrigible,” Susie said. She took his hand as they walked to the front door.

  “I am, and you love it,” Clay whispered.

  “You’ve got me there. I can’t deny it.”

  Mrs. Brodie stood at the front door. “Here are the newlyweds,” she said. “Come in and join the crowd. The noise is deafening, but it’s all joy spilling out. What a blessed family.”

  Clay and Susie were soon surrounded and there was much laughter and teasing. Susie glanced back at Mrs. Brodie. She had tipped her head back and blew a kiss into the air. When she saw Susie watching, she smiled and walked to her.

  “I was blowing a kiss to Mr. Brodie. I’m sure he’s smiling at us and all the grandchildren.”

  Susie hugged her and said, “I’ll tell you now, and we’ll tell the others later. You are going to have another grandbaby soon, in about six months.”

  Clay strode across the room. “You told her.”

  “She was feeling sad.”

  “Just a little, but more thankful than anything.” She hugged both of them. “Can I tell the group?”

  “Sure.” Clay and Susie nodded and smiled.

  “Attention, everyone.” The din of noise quieted. “We’re going to have another baby in the family.”

  “Oh no, what if he takes after Clay?” Dirk teased.

  Clay laughed and stood behind Susie with his arms wrapped around her waist, his hand protectively over her stomach.

  Dirk raised his glass. “I guess it won’t be so bad. Since Susie’s worked a miracle on you.”

  “Here’s to Susie,” they called out.

  “He’s right, my love. You worked a miracle restoring joy and pleasure in my life.”

  She looked back at him. “You were difficult, but the prize at the end made it all worthwhile.”

  THE END

  WWW.PAIGECAMERON.COM

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Born in Florida, Paige Cameron’s early dreams included being a movie star. Of course, it didn’t happen. Later, she escaped into daydreams full of fascinating characters. Her friends had to endure her reading her stories to them when she began to put them to paper.

  There were detours in her life for marriage, children, and traveling to foreign countries where her husband’s job took her. She continued to be an avid reader and dream of the day she’d have a book published. She finally got started writing and divorce sidetracked her.

  Now, happily married to her hero, with grown children, she decided to pursue her dream career, writing.

  For all titles by Paige Cameron, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/paige-cameron

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com