Bill captured her lips and gave her a kiss that sucked the breath right out of her. “Stay with me,” he said, his blue eyes looking deep into hers. “Stay in Bent and be my bride.”
“Do you think you can tame this Spaniard, mi amor?” Bill nodded. Espé reached up on her tiptoes and captured his lips in one more kiss. “Then, si,” she said breathlessly when she finally released him. “Yes, I will.”
Bill let out a big shout as he picked Espé up and twirled her around once more. The room filled with applause, and Bill could have sworn he saw Filipe wiping his eyes.
Filipe came and gave Bill an embrace, slapping him several times on the back. “You are worthy of my daughter. I give my permission to marry. All I ever wanted was for mi bonita to be taken care of.”
With a grin, Bill said to her Papá, “I will take care of her, sir. I promise.”
“Say something in Spanish to her,” Filipe said. “You will need to learn the language if you are to be my son-in-law.”
Bill grinned. “What is the Spanish word for ‘kiss’?”
Filipe grinned, but waved his hands. “Yo no comprende,” he laughed, embracing Maria once more.
“He will not say that word to a man,” Mamá interrupted, stepping forward. “What you want to say is, ‘Cállate y besame’.”
Espé gave a giggle. Bill looked at her, his eyes soft. He brushed her hair back and kissed her forehead. “Dare I ask what that means?”
Espé leaned forward, placing her arm around his neck. “It means shut up and kiss me,” she whispered.
Bill threw his head back and laughed. “I can definitely do that.”
Espé wriggled a little closer, smiling up at Bill, “I’m waiting for you to say it.”
“Cállate y besame, mi amor.”
“That’s close enough for me.” Pulling his head down she gave the pastor a kiss that silenced the crowd.
Bill knew Viola was looking down on them and smiling. She’d be proud of her nephew and the success he had, even matching a pair like he and Espé. Two people who were hard to love.
Epilogue
Espé stood up straight in the middle of the room, with her arms in front of her.
She looked down at her husband sitting in the chair next to her and smiled. He was dressed in a dark gray suit, which was stark against the white of Espé’s wedding dress.
Her Mamá had packed the dress as she wanted to make sure her daughter was married before returning to Florida. Papá said he wasn’t sure if he was ready to return and would like to stay in Bent for a bit longer, if not forever. He reminded his wife that with Espé married, hopefully grandchildren were not far off.
Espé wore a peasant blouse with a flowy skirt that draped around her ankles. Over her blouse she had a white gilet embroidered with gold thread. Her white silk dancing shoes were embroidered in the same pattern as her vest.
Her dark hair was down, without anything holding it in place. On her head she wore a tall mantle with a long white veil. On her feet were satin heeled shoes, without nails in the heel and toe.
Bill placed his hand against her waist. She leaned down and kissed him, much to the delight of everyone in attendance. Her sister brides stood with their beaus and husbands. Chance and Violet looked at each other lovingly, as he had his arm holding her close.
Maya became a good friend and she invited many of her family from the Waterman’s ranch to the celebration. Even Austin came. Several of her relatives brought their guitars, and Espé was excited to share her heritage with her new friends.
She noticed the sly glances Maya would send Austin’s way. Espé admitted that they would make a striking couple with his tanned skin and Maya’s exotic looks. Violet appeared to notice it as well, as she leaned over and whispered something to Chance.
Visconde Garcia had returned to Florida, taking Coletta with him. The young girl had stars in her eyes about marrying the older man. They were leaving for España within the month. Espé wished them well and was determined never to think of the two again.
Espé straightened her back once more and gave a click of the castanets on her fingers. The men started to strum their guitars. First slow and then faster.
The sounds of the rhythm filled the nave, then the sound stopped abruptly. She gave a wink to her father and he started clapping. Her Mamá joined in, walking around the room to encourage the others to join in. Soon the room was filled with the beat of the applause.
Espé gave Bill a smile. “I love you,” she mouthed. He returned the sentiment.
She moved around him, clicking the castanets and stomping her feet. Both her dress and veil twirled. The dance continued for several minutes until the guitar slowed down. So did Espé. She moved slowly in front of her husband. Pushing one hip out and then the other in beat with the music.
It was a powerful feeling to know how much Bill loved her, and she him. She could understand why her parents were so passionate. She gave him a little smile and moved closer. Bill reached out his hand for her.
Without warning she bent at the waist and shuffled backwards, just out of reach. She paused and stomped once. Her heel hitting the floor. Then she stood and moved her feet in quick movements until she was close to him again.
Bill reached out once more and Espé backed away. The third time, Bill was too quick, and he grabbed her hand. Espé turned and dropped into his arms, sitting on his lap with her legs outstretched.
“You can dance into my arms anytime, Mrs. Gregory.”
Espé smiled and kissed her husband. She now knew what true freedom was. The power to choose the one she loved.
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The End
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About Christine
Christine Sterling is the creator of the wildly popular Pinkerton Matchmaker Series and the Proxy Bride Series. She is an author in multiple collaborations, including: The Belles of Wyoming, Cowboys and Angels, The Widows of Wildcat Ridge and Silverpines, where her book Wanted: Medicine Man won best historical novel of 2018. She recently joined Sweet Promise Press as a historical romance author, writing for the Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge series.
She writes sweet and wholesome historical western novels and published her first book in 2017. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, a spoiled Shih Tzu, a crazy Border Collie, two German Shepherds that keep her on her toes, and too many rescued barn cats to count. She has been writing stories since she was 8 years old.
She spends her time writing, helping others to write and publish their first book and weeding her half-acre organic herb garden. Her favorite things are a good cup of tea, a movie that will make you cry and hearing from her readers.
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Herd to Love
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
The book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All rights are reserved with the exceptions of quotes used in reviews. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.
Scriptures quoted from the King James Holy Bible.
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Herd to Love ©2019 Christine Sterling
Cover Design by Virginia McKevitt
Editing by Carolyn Leggo and Amy Petrowich
Proofreading by George Weitemeyer
Herd to Love Page 8