Katie smiled as she watched them go. “Cade looks so happy.”
Burk nodded. “He sure does. Happiest I’ve ever seen him, I think. Lacy’s good for him.”
“And she makes such a beautiful bride. No wonder Cade’s so anxious to make off with her.”
“Lacy’s not the only one looking fetching today.” His gaze moved over her. “I never thought I see the day when Katie O’Brien was sporting a dress and wearing heels.”
“I did it for Lacy.”
He smiled. “Remind me to thank her.”
“Well, you’re not looking so bad yourself in that penguin suit.”
“It’s a tuxedo.” Burk tugged at its lapels and wiggled his brows. “Makes me look distinguished, don’t you think?”
“Older men look distinguished—”
“I’m not that old,” he grumbled. Katie sure knew how to get under his skin.
“As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted by you as usual, older men looked distinguished.” She leaned toward him. “You, Burk Lowry, look hot.”
Hot? Katie thought he was hot? And he wished to hell she would straighten back up. He wasn’t sure how long he could fight off the temptation to look down the low cut front of her dress. “How much of that rum punch have you had?”
She held up her hand, thumb and forefinger extended. “Just a tiny bit.”
How had he not noticed that she was a little on the tipsy side when she’d gone with him into the barn to saddle Ace for Cade? Maybe because it was hard to think when she was around. “Well, there you go. It’s the punch talking. You’d best get some coffee past those lips or you’ll be hurting tomorrow.”
She stepped closer, draping her arms about his neck. “My lips have other plans.” That said, Katie rose up and pressed her lips to his.
* * *
“Where are we going?” Lacy asked as Cade led her away from their reception.
“It’s a surprise, Mrs. Tyler. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Wherever they were going, she realized as they stepped around the barn, it was going to be done by horseback. Ace awaited them, already saddled up. No doubt seen to by Cade’s cohorts in mischief.
“Cade, I really should change first.”
“No. You’re perfect the way you are.” He caught her by the waist and lowered his head to brush his lips over hers. “Trust me.” That said he lifted her up onto the saddle.
Laughing, Lacy adjusted the satin skirt of her wedding gown to make room for him. “I never thought I’d be spending my wedding night on horseback.”
“And here I thought you were the adventurous type,” he teased as he swung up into the saddle behind her.
She leaned back against him, completely at ease in her husband’s arms. “I am. So how about a hint?”
He lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, “I can see patience isn’t going to be one of your strong suits.”
She closed her eyes and felt the fire move through her as his mouth grazed her earlobe. “Cade...”
“Soon, Dalton, soon.”
She peeked up at him. “You are such a tease.”
He grinned. “You know it, Mrs. Tyler.”
“Mrs. Cade Tyler. It has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think?”
“I’m kind of partial to it already.”
They rode away, leaving the ranch and wedding festivities behind. Cade ran his hand down her arm. “Time for you to close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me.”
She did as he asked, taking in the subtle scent of Cade’s aftershave. Leaves rustled on the trees as a light breeze swept through, caressing her face. “I love it out here, Cade. It’s so beautiful.”
He leaned over her shoulder. “Lacy Tyler, are you peeking?”
She laughed softly. “No. But it’s amazing how much more I can see with my eyes closed.”
Cade pulled back on the reins, bringing the horse to a stop. “Well, it’s time for you to open them.”
Her lashes fluttered open, bringing about a gasp of surprise as she took in the scene before her. With the pond and distant trees as a backdrop, a blanket had been spread out across the deep green grass. At the foot of the blanket sat a brown wicker picnic basket. Beside that a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“When? I...I mean how?”
“I rode out here after you and Burk left for the church. Then Burk and Katie took care of saddling Ace up for me when we returned from the wedding.”
He swung his leg over the back of the horse and dropped to the ground. “I take it you like your surprise.”
“It’s wonderful.”
He caught her by the waist and lifted her from the saddle, keeping her body against his as he lowered her to the ground. “If I remember right, we still have some unfinished business here.”
She draped her arms around his neck, her heart racing, just as it always did whenever he held her close. “We do?”
“Yes, we do.”
Her fingers played at the buttons of the starch white shirt he wore, his tuxedo jacket having been discarded long before. “Then what are you waiting for?”
“Patience, darlin’.”
She smiled up at him as she flicked open the buttons one by one. “I’m afraid that’s not one of my better virtues.”
“Yeah, well we have the rest of our lives to work on that.” He swept her up in his arms and carried her over to the blanket. “Right now I intend to explore every inch of my beautiful wife.”
She shuddered at his words, at the promise of what was yet to come. “I love you, Cade.”
He settled onto the blanket beside her, drawing her into his arms. “I love you, too. And I’m about to show you just how much.”
“Promises. Promises,” she teased, stealing Burk’s favorite saying. But she knew Cade would be true to his word. He would love her with everything he had to give, body, heart and soul because she had finally succeeded in capturing this cowboy’s heart.
Capturing the Cowboy's Heart Page 20