“That was, what, twenty-five minutes ago.”
“She sure is amazing,” Blake said, making her, Jack, and Sam laugh. Caleb didn’t.
“You knew I was going to ask you to marry me?”
“Not exactly. I hoped you’d ask, but if you didn’t by Wednesday, I planned to ask you.”
“You did?”
“Jack and Sam called me crazy, but at the rate it took for us to have our first date, I thought it might take you forever to ask me.”
“So you were going to ask me, my family will be here by the end of the week, and what, we’re getting married?”
“Yes.”
“We haven’t even talked about this.”
“We did a half hour ago. You said . . .”
“I know what I said, but you don’t have a dress. We need to get a license. Where are we getting married on such short notice? What about inviting people? Food? Flowers?”
“My dress is hanging in the loft.”
“That’s what’s in the garment bag?”
“Yes. We’ll be married on Saturday at eight P.M. at the old chapel on River Road.”
“That place has been closed down for years.”
“Jack, Sam, and Blake are going to get it ready. I have permission from the town council to use the property. Reverend Cooper agreed to do the ceremony. My mother and father are flying home from South Carolina on Friday. They’ve ordered the flowers to be shipped in from my aunt’s friend’s florist shop. Jack picked up the license a couple days ago. We just need to sign it and turn it in this week.”
“You’re serious. You don’t want to wait and take some time to make plans. This is what you want?”
She stepped close and put both her hands on his chest and stared up into his too-serious brown eyes. “I want to be your wife. I’m a simple girl. I want a simple wedding. You. Me. Our family. A few close friends. That’s all we need. Unless you want to wait. You want something bigger? Fancier?”
“I want you, crazy woman. I can’t believe you already have your dress.”
“You’re not mad?”
“No.” A smile finally spread across his face. “I’m excited. What do you need me to do?”
“Show up looking gorgeous in a black tux and bow tie.”
“You’ve got this all planned out, don’t you?”
“I want country elegance.”
“She gave us a list,” Jack added with a roll of his eyes.
“You’ll have everything you want, sweetheart. I promise.” He sealed it with a kiss.
Chapter Twelve
SUMMER STOOD AT the back of the chapel and stared down the white rose petal–dappled aisle at Caleb waiting for her. Candles and the dimmed chandelier overhead cast a soft glow over the room. Evergreen boughs with white roses, freesia, and hydrangeas decorated the ends of the pews and the altar, filling the air with their sweet scent. Beautiful; she loved the warm and cozy feel. With everyone dressed in tuxes and elegant dresses, she’d achieved the country elegance she dreamed of for her wedding day.
Caleb’s eyes went wide with surprise, then darkened with pure heat. She smiled, knowing exactly how he felt. She’d missed him this past week. Jack, Sam, and Blake kept him busy with the wedding preparations. Every time he tried to sneak over to see her at the cabin, they detained him and took him back to the big house. At first, she thought it funny and a bit traditional for the bride and groom to forgo any intimacy before the wedding, but she missed him. Tonight, they’d come together as husband and wife. She felt the crackle of electricity and passion between them all the way across the chapel.
“Are you sure about this, baby girl?”
She glanced up at her father’s rugged face. “I’ve never been more sure about anything or anyone.”
Her father placed his hand over hers on his arm and gave it a squeeze. Believing in her and the certainty she put into the words, he took the first step with her down the aisle. As they approached, Jack, Sam, Blake, and Caleb’s other two brothers, Gabe and Dane, stood and moved into position next to Caleb. Her bridesmaids waited on the other side. The men wore black tuxes with red bow ties. Caleb’s was black to set him apart. Only he wore a hat, the Stetson she’d given him for Christmas. Her girlfriends wore red dresses and their hair styled in chic old Hollywood styles. They looked gorgeous and received many appreciative glances from her and Caleb’s brothers. Caleb only had eyes for her.
The preacher moved into position. Her father turned to face her and traced his finger down the curve of her hair as it cascaded down over one shoulder in a sleek wave. He squeezed both her shoulders and leaned in and kissed her forehead. His hand brushed down her bare arm to her hand. He took it and placed it in Caleb’s. Her father didn’t let go, but covered their joined hands between his. He looked from her to Caleb.
“Always be kind to each other. Love each other each and every day.”
“We will, sir. I’ll make her happy,” Caleb promised.
“I know you will, son.”
Son. It meant so much that her father accepted him into the family.
Caleb kept his hold on Summer’s hand, and her father took his seat beside her smiling, misty-eyed mother in the first pew. He glanced at his own smiling parents, thankful to have them here and all his brothers at his back along with his best friend, Jack.
He couldn’t take his eyes off Summer. She glowed, more beautiful than any woman he’d ever seen. He loved the dress with jeweled clips at the tops of her shoulders and a deep V down to her lovely rounded breasts. The silky material dappled with crystals hugged her curves and draped all the way to the floor. Crystal jewels over lace made a belt at her waist. She reminded him of a gorgeous actress in an old black and white movie.
Truthfully, he couldn’t believe they’d pulled off this wedding in a week, but Summer knew what she wanted and made it happen with help from family and friends. Seemed everyone loved the idea of a New Year’s Eve wedding, and especially seeing him and Summer together.
“We are gathered here today to join Caleb and Summer in holy matrimony,” the preacher began.
Caleb held Summer’s hands and didn’t feel any nerves. She smiled up at him, completely at ease. As he focused on her, the preacher’s words sounded hollow around him until Summer said in a clear voice, “I do.”
The preacher repeated the vows and Caleb answered with an easy “I do.”
“You may now kiss your bride.”
Caleb didn’t need to be told twice. He pulled her close and gave her a very respectable but intimate kiss on the lips.
“I love you.” He took the hat from his head and held it in front of both their faces so the crowd in the chapel couldn’t see the kiss he laid on her. He took his time, showing her a glimpse of the hunger and need he’d unleash later when they were alone.
The men behind him whooped, hollered, and whistled. Summer’s friends giggled. The photographer snapped pictures.
He ended the kiss with a sweep of his mouth over hers and put his hat back on his head before her eyes opened again, making him smile.
“Mrs. Bowden, shall we?” He held out his arm for her to take. They faced the crowd of well-wishers, who clapped and cheered.
“May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Bowden,” the preacher announced, which only made everyone cheer more. The guests took the white satin bags Summer had left at all the seats and tossed white rose petals as the couple made their way to the back of the chapel. Caleb pulled on his overcoat and helped her with hers.
He escorted her out to the waiting sleigh and horses. She tugged on his hand and he stopped and stared down at her. “Caleb, it’s perfect.”
“Like my bride.”
Their family and friends gathered on the steps to watch them leave.
“Kiss her again,” his mother called.
He obliged, leaning down to give her a soft kiss that conveyed all his love and promised everything.
They settled in the sleigh. Jack stood among the others, tossing flower petals this
time instead of snowballs. Caleb touched a finger to his hat and pointed to his best friend in a show of thanks for introducing him to the love of his life.
“Ready, Mrs. Bowden?”
“For the rest of my life with you?” She snuggled close, and he took the reins. “I can’t wait.”
Don’t miss what happens after Summer and Caleb tie the knot,
in Jennifer Ryan’s suspenseful, sexy Hunted Series . . .
SAVED BY THE RANCHER
Book One: The Hunted Series
From the moment rancher Jack Turner rescues Jenna Caldwell Merrick, he is determined to help her. Soon, he is doing more than tending her wounds; he is mending her heart. Jenna is a woman on the run—hunted down by her ex-husband, David Merrick, from the day she left him, taking part of his company with her, to the second she finds herself in the safety of Jack’s ranch. More than just a haven, Jack’s offering the love, family, and home she thought were out of reach.
Jack’s support will give Jenna the strength she needs to reclaim her life. The hunted will become the hunter, while David gets what he deserves, when they have an explosive confrontation in the boardroom of Merrick International. But not before Jack and Jenna enter into a fight . . . for their lives.
LUCKY LIKE US
Book Two: The Hunted Series
Bakery owner Elizabeth Hamilton’s quiet life is filled with sweet treats, good friends, and a loving family. But all of that is about to turn sour when an odd sound draws her outside. There’s a man lying unconscious in the street, a car speeding toward him. Without hesitation, she gets the man out of harm’s way before they’re run down.
Unwittingly, Elizabeth has put herself in the path of a serial murderer, and as the only one who can identify the FBI’s Silver Fox Killer, she’s ended up in the hospital with a target on her back.
All that stands between her and death is Special Agent Sam Turner. Against his better judgment, Sam gets emotionally involved, determined to take down the double threat against Elizabeth—an ex desperate to get her back, despite a restraining order, and a psychopath bent on silencing her before she can identify him.
They set a trap to catch the killer—putting Elizabeth in his hands, with Sam desperate to save her. If he’s lucky, he’ll get his man . . . and the girl.
THE RIGHT BRIDE
Book Three: The Hunted Series
High-powered businessman Cameron Shaw doesn’t believe in love—until he falls head over heels for beautiful, passionate, and intensely private Martina. She’s perfect in so many ways, immediately bonding with his little girl. Martina could be his future bride and a delightful stepmother . . . if only Cameron weren’t blinded by his belief that Shelly, the gold-digging woman he’s promised to marry, is pregnant with his child.
No matter how much his friends protest his upcoming marriage to Shelly, Cameron knows he has a duty to his children, so he’s determined to see it through.
Will he find out in time that Shelly’s lying and Marti’s the one who’s actually carrying his child? It’ll come down to the day of his wedding. After choosing Shelly over Marti at every turn, will he convince Marti she’s his world and the only woman he wants?
CHASING MORGAN
Book Four: The Hunted Series
FBI agent Tyler Reed trusts only facts and evidence, until the day a beautiful blonde delivers a life-saving warning . . . based on nothing more than a vision.
Five years later, the mysterious Morgan Standish has used her talents to help Tyler and the FBI bring down countless criminals. Still, Tyler knows next to nothing about her. She contacts him by phone—and by some sort of psychic connection he’s not prepared to admit exists—but has not shown herself once. Until now.
Morgan’s gift may let her see things others can’t, but it comes at a price. Getting too close to anyone is dangerous, especially the gorgeous, moody Special Agent Reed. For she’s seen the future: if they meet again too soon, an innocent could be lost.
But when Tyler’s latest case forces Morgan out of hiding, she is the one thrust into the path of a serial killer, the Psychic Slayer, who will stop at nothing to protect the secrets only Morgan can see.
Next from Jennifer Ryan:
A brand-new series kicks off—in March 2014
featuring the unforgettable McBrides of Fallbrook, Colorado.
About the Author
JENNIFER RYAN writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances featuring strong men and equally resilient women. Her stories are filled with love, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find. Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.
Also by Jennifer Ryan
Chasing Morgan
The Right Bride
Lucky Like Us
Saved by the Rancher
BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
Katie Lane
Chapter One
FREEZING TO DEATH was not the way Alana Hale had planned on dying. Not that she was one of those people who were obsessed with dying. But since she’d planned everything else in her life, she couldn’t help but plan her death. And in her plans, she was always old, surrounded by loved ones, and somewhere balmy and warm. Certainly not in her thirties. Alone. And in the middle of a New Mexico blizzard. She hadn’t even known that New Mexico had blizzards. She thought that was reserved for the far northern states on the continent—like Minnesota, North Dakota, and Alaska.
Obviously, the Internet information on New Mexico was lacking. Of course, she hadn’t had a lot of time for research before her now ex-friend had coerced her onto the plane in Maui.
“For once in your life, Al,” Keiko had said, “do something spontaneous.”
Alana squinted out the windshield at the Mixmaster of snow and ice.
So much for spontaneous.
Spontaneous was for people who didn’t go through five day planners a year and who would’ve paid more attention to the weather than their budget when renting a car in Albuquerque. Which was exactly how Alana had ended up stuck in a ditch. One misjudged curve, and the compact car, with tires no bigger than a bicycle’s, had slid off the road like an out-of-control bobsled.
Alana shivered and took another swig from the bottle of Hawaiian rum. The same rum that Keiko had insisted she bring as a Christmas gift for the McCormicks, along with a can of macadamia nuts and a pineapple. Alana had hated to open the gift bottle, but she hoped that the warming alcohol would keep her alive long enough for help to arrive.
Not that anyone knew she was coming.
Her arrival was all part of Keiko’s spontaneous surprise.
Alana snorted as she tugged the sock off one hand and tried her cell phone again. When there was no reception, she tossed the phone to the passenger’s seat and laid on the horn. But she could barely hear the pathetic beeping above the howling of the wind.
“I can’t die!” She rested her forehead on the steering wheel. Not now. Not when she had finally pulled her head out of her butt and gotten in a relationship with a nice guy for a change, instead of some surfer dude who thought happiness was “killer” waves, and responsibility something to be avoided at all costs.
As she stared at the snow collecting on the windshield, her past boyfriends cycled through her mind like Losers on Parade. All with windswept hair and ripped abs. All with easygoing smiles and empty wallets. And Alana had been attracted to them like a jellyfish to light.
She could blame her attraction on her mother, who went through men like a dog goes through trash—with no concern for the carnage left behind. Or on her father, who after divorcing his promiscuous wife moved their six-year-old daughter from LA to an island that was filled with men who were on a constant vacation. Or she could just blame it on the old adage that opposites attract. Carefree, irresponsible surfer dudes were the exact opposite of an uptight woman w
ho couldn’t go to sleep until she’d laid out her clothes for the following day and made sure the toilet was clean.
Whatever the reason, she’d spent her early teens and twenties with guys whose biggest commitments were letting her pay for dinner. On her thirty-first birthday, when her boyfriend had forgone her party in favor of an “awesome” kite-surfing trip, Alana had had enough. She’d broken up with him as soon as he got back, and with journal and pen in hand, she’d written down a list of what she wanted from a man. Ripped abs and windswept hair didn’t even make the cut. What made the cut were the same attributes she liked about herself. Punctuality. Responsibility. Neatness. Kindness. And the ability to commit to . . . anything.
She was so serious about finding her personality equal that she’d taken her search to the Internet. And PerfectMatch.com had her result in less than a week. Clint McCormick was everything she was looking for in a man. He was sweet. Funny. Sensitive. Hardworking. And didn’t know a surfboard from a Boogie board. It didn’t hurt that he came from a wealthy family who owned Western wear stores across the country and spent their holidays on a ranch just outside of Taos, New Mexico.
The same ranch where she was stuck in a ditch.
Alana had long since passed the bull-horned entrance to the McCormick Ranch, but that didn’t mean anything. Depending on how big the ranch was, she could be feet or miles from the main house. Still, she couldn’t sit here and wait to freeze to death. At least if she got out and headed down the road, she had a chance of finding help.
Leaning over the seat, she dug through her open suitcase in the back. Since Maui wasn’t exactly a shopping mecca for winter clothing, the pickings were slim. She had already put on as many shirts as would fit under her windbreaker and pulled sweatpants on over her skinny jeans. Now she found another pair of socks for her hands and tried to find something to protect her ears. The only thing she could come up with involved two pairs of panties and her yellow satin bra. It wasn’t exactly how she wanted to make her first impression, but she figured she could remove the ridiculous headgear when she reached the house.
All I Want for Christmas Is a Cowboy Page 13