Tinjin and Natalie were flying private, the plane landing in Salt Lake City ahead of schedule. It would be the first break the couple had had since forever, business having occupied every waking moment and most of their dreams. Both were looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with family, and each other, it having been weeks since they’d been able to steal some real quality time together.
“You are not allowed to talk about business for the next three days,” Natalie said. The expression on her face was intimidating.
Tinjin smiled. He lifted his hands slightly, his palms facing out as if he were surrendering. “No business. Three days,” he said. “I promise.”
“I mean it, TJ. You mention that shoe factory one time and I will hurt you.”
“Okay, I get it,” he said. He dropped his head into her lap, extending his legs against the leather seat. The flight was long and despite the exceptional comfort he was ready for it to be over. They had much to do in three days and Natalie didn’t know the half of it.
Noah Stallion met them at the airport, watching from the observation deck of the private terminal as the charter flight taxied off the tarmac and into the hangar. The two men greeted each other warmly after Natalie had thrown herself into her brother’s outstretched arms, hugging him tightly.
“How was your flight?” Noah asked, reaching to help with the luggage.
Natalie shrugged. “It was okay. I’m just glad to be home, though.”
Noah gestured toward Tinjin. “How’s business going?”
Tinjin shot Natalie a look, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. A smile pulled at his lips as he met the other man’s eye.
“I can’t,” Tinjin said, his head moving from side to side. “Your sister has threatened me with harm if I even think about business, let alone talk about it.”
“And I mean it, too,” she said.
Noah laughed. “Well, then, we can’t have her drawing blood. I would really hate to arrest her.”
“Do you have handcuffs?” Natalie suddenly questioned, curiosity washing over her expression.
“Of course, I do. But why would you be asking...?” Noah stalled, his words falling off abruptly as he caught the look his sister had thrown in Tinjin’s direction. He shook his head. “That’s just really too much information.”
Tinjin and Natalie both laughed.
The afternoon was spent catching up with the rest of the family. Natalie enjoyed talking with her sister while Tinjin and her brother spent time together. She only hated that she would miss Nathaniel and Nicholas, who were both in Los Angeles.
Tinjin stared out the sliding glass doors as the two women strolled the gardens, both chatting away as if they might miss something. For the first time in weeks Natalie looked completely relaxed. He tossed Noah a quick glance as the man moved to his side to look where Tinjin was staring.
“She looks happy,” Noah said, his tone casual.
“I try very hard,” Tinjin replied. “I love your sister and her happiness means everything to me.”
Noah nodded. “So things are working out for you both in Paris?”
“It is. Business is keeping us running but it all seems to be falling into place nicely.”
“That’s good. I’m glad to hear it.”
Tinjin looked at Noah. “I’m glad we have this moment together. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Do we need to take a seat?”
Tinjin shook his head. “When we first met I told you that it would be important to us for both of our families to support our relationship. I needed you and your brothers to like me, and my sister and grandmother would need to like Natalie.”
“I remember,” Noah interjected.
“Well, I know my family adores your sister and I hope that you and I are well on our way to being good friends because I want to ask your permission to marry Natalie. She has always looked at you as her father figure and I know how much it would mean to her to have you give us your blessing.”
Noah stared back out the window, eyeing both of his sisters with sentiment. For a brief moment they were little girls again, laughing and dancing around the yard without a care in the world. And then he blinked, the extraordinary women they were staring back at him.
He turned and offered Tinjin his hand. “Natalie’s not like any other woman you’ll ever know,” he said as the two men shook hands. “She pretends to be tougher than she is. She’s actually quite sensitive and she requires a special touch. I hope you’re up for the task.”
Tinjin nodded. “I think I am. I love your sister with everything I have in me. I want to do right by her and I want to start by making her my wife.”
“Then you have my blessing and I’m sure my brothers will support you, as well.”
Tinjin grinned and waved a hand in Natalie’s direction. She waved back, her own smile miles wide, nothing but love shimmering in her eyes.
* * *
It took some maneuvering but two days later Natalie and her siblings were being given a tour of Briscoe Ranch and the Stallion family home. Briscoe Ranch was well over eight hundred acres of working cattle ranch, an equestrian center and an entertainment complex that specialized in corporate and private client services. With the property being central to Austin, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, Briscoe Ranch had made quite a name for itself.
Back in the day, Edward Briscoe, the ranch’s original owner, had been one of the original black cowboys. Not long after the birth of his three daughters, Eden and the twins, Marla and Marah, he and his first wife had expanded their Texas longhorn operation, adding two twenty-thousand-square-foot event barns and a country bed-and-breakfast.
After Marah Briscoe’s marriage to John Stallion, Edward had gifted the property to his daughter and new son-in-law, her love for a Stallion ending the conflict that had bought the couple together in the first place. Under the Stallion family umbrella, Briscoe Ranch had grown substantially, specializing in corporate and private client services. It was also a point of consideration for a number of government programs, the property used to assist children and families in need. More importantly, the ranch was home to them all and the pride and joy of the Stallion clan.
Natalie was in awe of the wedding chapel, a charming structure built back in the late 1920s and since completely remodeled. She couldn’t help but be impressed as they stepped through the double wooden doors and took in the beauty of the interior.
The cedar pews had been polished to a high shine, the coloration a rich mahogany red. Stained-glass windows shimmered color across the walls. A runner of red carpet atop the hardwood floors ran the length of the center aisle. It was going to make a perfect venue for a wedding.
“This brings back memories!” Tierra exclaimed as she leaned into her husband’s side.
Travis nodded. “The happiest day of life before the births of our babies,” he said.
Tinjin wrapped his arms around Natalie’s shoulders. “It’s not Paris but it’s also home.”
“It’s perfect,” she said as she reached up to kiss him, brushing her mouth gently against his. “It’s absolutely perfect.” She held out her left hand to admire the sapphire and diamond ring Tinjin had placed on her finger two days earlier.
The Utah Stallions all nodded their approval. Naomi brushed away tears of joy as she sat in a front pew, taking it all in. Her baby sister was getting married and the tears wouldn’t stop flowing.
Marah reached for Natalie’s arm and looped it through her own. “Let’s go back to the main house and I can go over all the arrangements with you. We need to make sure we have everything you want because this is your day!”
Natalie’s brothers moved to shake Tinjin’s hand.
“Dude!” Nicholas said. “You sure about this?”
Noah laughed. “You’re the only
one scared.”
Nicholas laughed with him. “Damn right! I know I’m not ready to head down this road. I’m just looking out for Tinjin.”
Tinjin joined in the merriment. “I am absolutely sure,” he said. “Your sister is going to make me the happiest man in the whole wide world!”
Chapter 15
The following morning Natalie Stallion and Tinjin Braddy professed their love and adoration, promising to love and honor the other until death parted them. Their commitment to each other was witnessed by family and friends just as the sun came gleaming through the stained-glass windows of the Stallion family chapel. The abundance of love there to support them was overwhelming and the happy couple couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.
Red roses and hints of baby’s breath adorned the church and the bridal bouquets. Tierra, Naomi and Frenchie stood at Natalie’s side. Travis, Nathaniel and Matthew stood by Tinjin. Noah walked his sister down the aisle.
Natalie wore a gown of antique lace designed by her husband. It was everything a girl could have wished for and more. She was stunning, everything perfect from head to toe. Side by side they made a beautiful couple and no one could begin to know the team they’d already become.
Tinjin married his best friend, vowing to support and protect her. His grandmother held his arm as he’d moved into place before the pastor, showing her support and solidarity. From her seat in the front pew, Mama Dee’s affection for them all was magnanimous.
The reception lasted until the wee hours of the morning, the family dancing the night away. The sounds of laughter could be heard coming from an oversize tent that filled the yard. Natalie and Tinjin stood alone in the rose garden, holding tight to each other as they stared up to the late-night sky.
“Look!” Natalie exclaimed as she pointed to a shooting star streaking across the sky.
Tinjin smiled. “Did you make a wish?”
His new bride laughed. “I most certainly did!”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“What did you wish for?”
The beautiful woman paused for a brief moment. She turned in her husband’s arms and looked into his eyes.
“What did you wish for?” he persisted.
She smiled sweetly. “Snow.”
Momentary confusion washed over Tinjin’s expression. “Why snow?”
Natalie laughed. “I was thinking it might not be so bad if we got stranded at the airport while we were on our honeymoon.”
Tinjin stood staring at her, his eyes blinking rapidly. “Really, Gnat?”
She giggled. “My wish, TJ. Make your own if you don’t like it.”
He laughed, wrapping her in a deep embrace. He kissed her and she kissed him back. She was everything a man could wish for and both knew he would forever have her Stallion heart.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460381113
My Stallion Heart
Copyright © 2015 by Deborah Fletcher Mello
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My Stallion Heart (The Stallions Book 7) Page 16