by Linda Warren
“They can just go down to the Dairy Queen ’cause I’m through for the night.”
Wade slowly stood as he saw the blond hair. Callie. Oh my God. It was Callie. Before he could move, three kids barreled out of the car. He met them halfway, gathering them into his arms.
“We’re back. We’re back,” Brit shouted.
Wade just held them, kissing their warm cheeks.
Adam broke loose and ran to Jock, who’d come down the steps. Jock grabbed him and Adam buried his face in Jock’s stomach. “I came back, Pop. Just like I promised.”
“You sure did, boy, and I ain’t never seen such a good sight.” Jock’s hands shook as he stroked Adam’s hair.
Brit and Mary Beth raced to hug Jock, then Buddy. Rascal jumped up and down barking until Mary Beth hugged him. They danced up the steps to Ethel and the gang for more hugs.
“Wade, where’s Fred?” Mary Beth called. “I have to tell him I’m back.”
“He’s on a table in the foyer.”
Mary Beth charged into the house with Rascal on her heels. In a second, she was back, dancing around as if hot coals were beneath her feet.
Wade’s eyes were on Callie. Her hair was longer and hung loosely around her shoulders. Her blue eyes were misty and she was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.
He took a step toward her, but Buddy came around him and took his daughter in his arms.
“Ah, girl, it’s good to have you home,” Buddy said.
Callie kissed his cheek. “It’s good to be home.”
“I don’t know why you’re back, but I’m glad.”
“We came back to marry Wade,” Brit announced.
“Oh.” The word slipped from Buddy’s lips as he stared at Wade.
“Now that’s about the best idea I’ve ever heard,” Jock said. “Maybe we need to vote on it.”
Brit shook her head. “No. We already voted.” She placed her hands on her hips, her eyes pinning Wade. “So are you gonna marry us or not?”
“Yeah,” Jock said. “We’re waitin’ for an answer.”
Wade heard their mischievous voices, but his eyes and thoughts were on Callie. She was back. His world suddenly righted itself. She lifted an eyebrow and he realized she was waiting for an answer.
“Yes,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Yes, yes, most definitely yes.” He reached for her then and held her in his arms, needing to touch her. His lips found hers and they shared a long, deep kiss of love and hope.
The sound of clapping broke them apart, but he didn’t let Callie go. He was never going to do that again.
“How would you kids like a ride to the ranch?” Jock said. “Give Callie and Wade some time alone.”
“Yay. Yay.” Brit caught Jock’s hand. “How’s Babe?”
“Gettin’ fat.”
Buddy picked up Mary Beth. “Think Rascal and me will go, too.”
“Can we ride tonight?” Adam asked, taking Jock’s other hand.
“Nu-uh. Remember I told you it’s dangerous to ride at night. Could hurt the horse, could hurt yourself.”
“I remember everything you told me.”
“Good. ’Cause sometimes I forget and you might have to remind me.”
“I will, Pop.”
They waved bye as they went out the gate.
Callie and Wade walked hand in hand up the steps and Callie hugged her old friends.
Wanda held out her hand; a small diamond sparkled on her finger.
“Oh my, you’re engaged. Congratulations.” She hugged Odell and Wanda, so very happy for them.
“We’re gonna have the biggest blowout this town’s ever seen,” Ethel said with pride.
“I’d rather have a small wedding,” Wanda mumbled.
“My only son is having a big weddin’.” Ethel’s voice grew angry.
“Mama.”
“Let’s go.” Essie came to the rescue. “These two lovebirds do not want to listen to the Stromiski family feud.”
“See you on Monday,” Ethel called as they left. “And, Callie, I haven’t had a drag.”
Callie gave her a thumbs-up sign.
She and Wade went inside smiling and she stopped for a moment, soaking up the ambience of this old house, from the hardwood floors to the antique light fixtures. This was home. This was where she belonged. Adam was so right.
Cupping her face, Wade kissed her long and deep. Ah, this was where she belonged most of all—in his arms—in his life.
“I missed you like hell,” he whispered against her lips.
“Me, too,” she murmured, stroking his shoulders.
“What made you change your mind?”
She told him about their financial situation. “But it wasn’t just that. We were very unhappy and Adam pointed out that we’ve all changed, our lives have changed. So many things happened beyond our control and New York isn’t home anymore. I finally realized that. Home is where the heart is and our hearts are here with the people we love. I know John would understand.”
Wade tucked her hair behind her ears. “You have the most beautiful heart and I love you more than life itself.”
She smiled. “I love you, too.”
They kissed slowly, reverently, then Wade whispered, “First order of business is a marriage license and Noah can marry us by the end of the week.”
“Sounds perfect.” Her eyes sparkled, then a melancholy expression came over her face.
“What?” he asked.
“I always thought John would be the one to walk me down the aisle, but it seems so right that Buddy, my father, will be the one to give me away. When I first started this quest to keep the kids safe, I never dreamed I’d be rewarded in so many ways.” She kissed him briefly. “I found my father, wonderful friends and the man of my dreams.”
He took her hand and they made their way upstairs. They stopped on the landing for another lingering kiss, then she caressed his face. “Every night I tell the girls a story and they insisted on one on the plane.”
“What was the story about?” He caught her fingers in his mouth.
Her eyes twinkled. “Once upon a time, there was a sheriff in a small town in Texas and he was very lonely. Then one day, a lady came from New York with three kids and a big secret. The sheriff noticed she was tense and defensive. But he became her friend, her lover and her soul mate. And they lived happily ever after in a blue house on Bluebonnet Street in Homestead, Texas.”
He grinned. “A true tale if I ever heard one.”
They shared a laugh as Wade led her into the bedroom. Callie knew she’d found true happiness and she was going to hold on for all it was worth.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8196-1
ALL ROADS LEAD TO TEXAS
Copyright © 2005 by Linda Warren.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.eHarlequin.com
ook with friends