The Colton Bodyguard

by Carla Cassidy

  The male nurse was joined by another nurse. It took them only seconds to get Alice off the table and the female nurse plunged a needle into her arm.

  Alice’s eyes almost immediately fell shut and her body slumped into unconsciousness. The man picked her up in his arms and carried her from the room.

  The female nurse walked around the table and placed an arm around Greta’s shoulders. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Your sister is a very sick woman.”

  Greta nodded. Although her heart hurt for the twin and all that might have been between them, she knew she wouldn’t be coming here again. There was nothing she could do to help Alice.

  The nurse escorted her from the visiting room to the waiting area, where Tyler immediately got to his feet, his forehead furrowed with concern. “That was fast. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Together they left the building and it wasn’t until they were outside that Tyler pulled her into an embrace. “Are you really all right?”

  She nodded. “We won’t be coming back here. I’ll always wish for a different ending for Alice, but she’s truly sick. I don’t know if she suffered mental illness before she found out about me, but she definitely believes right now that only one of us can exist and she doesn’t want it to be me.”

  “Then she’s where she belongs.” Tyler led her to his car.

  “I won’t go back there, because I think seeing me hurts her,” Greta said once they were in the car and headed home. “She got so worked up they had to sedate her.”

  “She’s done a lot of terrible things, Greta.”

  “I know.”

  “Did you find what you were looking for by visiting her?”

  Greta took a moment to examine what was in her heart. Peace. It radiated through her, along with closure on a horrible part of her life, a terrible threat that had affected not only her but her family, as well.

  “Yes, I did.” She smiled at him with all her love. “I closed the book on one chapter of my life and now I feel free to embrace the new chapter that is my future.”

  “Are you planning on keeping your maiden name even after the wedding?” he asked.

  She looked at him in surprise. “Goodness, no. I’m ready to become Mrs. Greta Stanton.”

  “You just made my heart swell,” he replied.

  She laughed. “You make my heart swell every time you look at me.”

  She settled back in the passenger seat and drew in a breath of sheer joy. She had the love and support of an amazing family and the love and passion of an amazing man. This was true and lasting happiness.

  Epilogue

  Abra hadn’t even blinked an eye when Greta had insisted she wanted the wedding to take place in her barn. In turn Greta had agreed to holding a reception dinner afterward at a local community center and making the colors of the wedding pink and white.

  Abra had sprung into action to make both the wedding and the reception happen without a glitch. She’d had little time to get it all together, but she’d managed to pull it off.

  Greta now stood at the side door, clad in a wedding dress that was her mother’s dream. Frothy lace and crystal beads transformed Greta from her tomboy status into a feminine cake topper, but Greta had to confess that seeing her mother’s eyes light up at the sight of her was well worth it.

  “You look so beautiful,” Abra exclaimed as Edith fussed behind Greta with the dress train.

  Greta kissed Abra on the cheek. “And thank you for everything you’ve done to make this day so special.”

  “At least you let me have the pink-and-white color scheme. I know you agreed to that just to please me.” Abra smiled.

  “It’s almost time,” Edith said.

  A flutter of nerves shot through Greta’s stomach. “Where’s Dad? He needs to be here to walk with me.”

  Brett appeared at the back door, handsome in a black tux. “Everyone is in their place. The music is set to begin in just a minute and I’m here to escort Mother.”

  Big J stepped into the mudroom. He was also clad in a black tux with a pink handkerchief peeking out of his pocket. He stepped around Greta’s train and stood before her, his eyes misty as he gazed at her.

  “My beautiful daughter,” he said, his voice deeper than usual. “You have been such a big part of the family and I’ve been proud of you every day of my life. I find myself reluctant to give you away.” He looked at her with an unusual sharpness in his eyes. “You’re sure about this...that Tyler is the one.”

  “I’ve never been so sure about anything in my entire life. He’s my happiness.”

  Big J kissed her gently on the cheek and then reached up and arranged her short veil over her face. “That’s all that is important.”

  From that moment on, everything happened in a haze for Greta. Her sisters-in-law were her bridesmaids and her brothers their counterparts in the wedding party. Tyler had asked Ryan to be his best man, as Mark wasn’t invited to the wedding.

  The sound of the wedding march began and still Greta remained in a fog as she and her father walked the distance from the house to the barn.

  Thankfully, the late afternoon was unusually warm for December, and inside the barn her mother had arranged for heaters to warm the guests attending. Despite the unconventional wedding venue, Abra had invited all of Tulsa’s society bigwigs and a few reporters to attend.

  As they passed the corral, Sugar whinnied. Greta glanced at the horse, who sported a big pink bow behind each ear. She smiled inwardly, knowing that Tyler must have brought the horse in from his place when he’d arrived earlier in the day.

  It was so right that Sugar would share in their wedding day. The horse had been much of what had brought them together. Her mind snapped out of the fog and into the moment.

  They stepped to the threshold of the barn and paused a moment. Abra had worked magic. The hay was gone, replaced by rows of folding chairs. Pink and white floral arrangements were displayed on columns here and there.

  Although Greta took it all in briefly, her heart swelled with love as she saw the man she was about to bind her heart to forever.

  Tyler stood by the minister. He was tall and handsome in his black tux, and the smile on his face, the light in his eyes filled up the entire barn.

  She wanted him today and every day for the rest of her life and she saw her own dreams reflected in his eyes. The ceremony was short and then she was in his arms, kissing him after the minister pronounced them husband and wife.

  She and Tyler were whisked away from the barn and into the back of a limo that would take them to the community center for a continuation of the celebration.

  She stared down at her ring, a simple diamond solitaire and matching band that now bound them together through thick and thin.

  “Happy?” he asked.

  “Delirious,” she replied.

  “Me, too.”

  Those were the only words spoken, the only words needed between them. When they reached the community center, Abra’s work was once again on display. Each round table sported a white tablecloth and lovely pink-and-white floral centerpieces.

  Only Tyler and Greta and Big J and Abra shared the head table, and Greta’s brain once again fogged over as she greeted guests, ate a chicken dinner and drank toast after toast to herself and Tyler.

  When the dinner was finished, the DJ cranked up the volume, and after Tyler and Greta shared the first dance together, the real party began.

  Greta danced with each of her brothers and even had a spin with Seth, who showed her all of his five-year-old smooth dance moves. She finally collapsed in a chair against one wall and looked around the room.

  Daniel and Megan were dancing to a slow tune. They had announced a week ago that they were happily expecting a baby in the spring.

  Jack and Tracy had learned that her unborn baby was a little girl and Seth was determined to be the best big brother in the whole wide world.

  Eric trailed behind Kara as she appeared and disappeared into the kitch
en area of the community center. She had catered the dinner, and not only did she glow from all the compliments she’d received about the meal, but Eric was also obviously proud of his wife’s success.

  Brett and Hannah were seated at one of the tables, laughing as baby Alex in a bouncy seat worked his little arms and legs as if dancing to the music.

  Ryan and Susie had returned from their belated honeymoon three days earlier, and by the way they clung to each other on the dance floor, they hadn’t quite got honeymoon fever out of their veins yet.

  Finally, there was Big J and Abra. They had surprised Greta by seeing to it that Alice had been transferred to a private facility where she would still be locked up but would be treated better than where she had been, at Golden Oaks. They intended to pay the expenses for as long as Alice remained there. Their generosity had brought Greta to tears.

  Abra had become strong and Greta knew her mother would be at her father’s side if and when he needed her. Her family had weathered a storm and come out stronger on the other side.

  “What is my bride doing sitting here all alone like a little wallflower?” Tyler’s voice shot a thrill through her as she looked up at him.

  “I was just sitting here and feeling the love and counting my blessings.”

  “I’m the one counting my blessings,” he replied. He gave her a look filled with nothing but pure love. “How soon do you think we can blow off this celebration?” His eyes now held a wicked little glint.

  “Why, Mr. Stanton, what could possibly be your hurry?” she asked.

  “We have a luxury hotel room booked and I confess I’m eager to be alone with the woman of my dreams.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “And inside my suitcase I packed a chess game. I demand a replay.”

  She grinned. “It depends on what the stakes are.”

  He pretended to think. “I’ve got it. If I win, then I get to spend the night making love with you.”

  “And if I win?” she asked teasingly.

  “Then you get to spend the whole night making love with me.”

  “So it’s a win-win situation for you,” she said.

  “And for you.”

  A thrill fluttered through her. She turned her head to gaze around the room one last time and then stood. “I think we can blow this celebration right now,” she said and raced for the exit door.

  His deep laughter sounded as he ran after her. This was just the beginning, Greta thought. There would be love and more laughter to come. There would be family gatherings and new babies born and the tomboy horse trainer had finally found her happily-ever-after.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from

  RESCUING THE WITNESS by Beth Cornelison.

  Don’t forget previous titles in

  THE COLTONS OF OKLAHOMA series:

  SECOND CHANCE COLTON

  PROTECTING THE COLTON BRIDE

  THE TEMPTATION OF DR. COLTON

  COLTON’S COWBOY CODE

  COLTON COWBOY PROTECTOR

  And if you loved this novel, don’t miss other

  suspenseful titles by Carla Cassidy:

  A REAL COWBOY

  COWBOY OF INTEREST

  Available now from Harlequin Romantic Suspense!

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Romantic Suspense title.

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  Rescuing the Witness

  by Beth Cornelison

  BOOK ONE OF COWBOY CHRISTMAS RESCUE

  Chapter 1

  She’d known seeing Brady today was inevitable. He was, after all, one of the groomsmen. She’d also known seeing him would be difficult. One didn’t fall out of love with a man like Brady McCall easily. She’d just never imagined it would be this hard.

  Kara Pearson pressed a hand to her stomach, trying to calm the swirl of acid gnawing at her and hoping to avoid his detection as she wended her way through the crowd at the wedding. Despite reasons to be “jolly,” like Christmas being a week away, and her good friends’ nuptials, Kara was finding it hard to feel festive this year. Not only had Christmases been difficult for her since her parents had died, but this year she was mourning her broken relationship with the man she’d hoped to marry.

  “There are a couple seats on the back row,” she said to Hannah Winslow, her “plus one” and moral support for the wedding.

  Hannah gave her a withering glance. “The back row? Really? How long are you going to hide from Brady?”

  “Until I die or until it doesn’t feel like I’m being gored by a bull when I talk to him. Whichever comes first.” She tipped her head toward the back corner seats and tugged on Hannah’s sleeve. “Come on. Before someone else takes them.”

  The Wheeler Ranch bustled with more activity than Santa’s workshop on Christmas Eve, especially in light of the last-minute change of venue for the wedding festivities. The water pipes in the restroom for the ranch lodge, where the ceremony and reception had been set to take place, had sprung a massive leak that morning and flooded the building.

  At first light today, Kara had responded to a frantic text from her friend April, the bride, to help relocate chairs, flowers and sound equipment as water gushed under the bathroom door and soaked the carpet of the lodge.

  A few crazy hours later, the reception had been moved to Sal’s Diner, the only place available at the last minute in tiny Rusted Spur, Texas, that could accommodate the caterer. The ceremony itself had simply been shifted outside to the ranch yard. Thankfully, the Texas Panhandle was enjoying one of the unseasonably warm December days that Southern states boasted on occasion.

  But the balmy warmth came with a price. The pleasant temperature was the result of an encroaching cold front, compacting all the warm air in its path as it bulldozed into Texas. A line of violent thunderstorms was creeping in from the west, and the ceremony was on the clock. The groom’s mother, in a dither to finish before the storms hit, waved her hands, hurrying people to take their seats.

  Around the ranch yard, guests assembled, many of whom she recognized as clients of the large-animal veterinary clinic where she worked as a vet’s assistant. Near the front, musicians tuned up, and behind her at the barn, ranch hands decked out a pair of first-class cutting horses with black-and-white ribbons and satin drapes in preparation for the bridal couple’s departure from the ceremony.

  “You okay?” Hannah asked.

  “I’ve been better. The drama this morning didn’t help my nervous stomach.”

  Hannah gave Kara’s hand a quick squeeze. “You can do this. But...if you must toss your cookies, please remember these are new Kate Spade heels. Clearance sale or not, they still cost me my grocery money for the month.”

  Kara met her friend’s crooked smile with her own. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Hannah shoulder-bumped her. “Hey, you got this. And you look quite eye-catching, by the way.”

  Kara draped her coat and purse on the back of her chair, then tugged discreetly on the skirt of her red patterned maxi dress. It might be in the seventies now, but by the time the reception was over, the temperature was supposed to be closer to thirty-five. “Thanks. But eye-catching wasn’t what I was going for. I was hoping for simple, trying to blend in. If April and Nate weren’t such good friends, I’d probably be home now.”

  Closing her eyes, she mentally steeled herself and willed her queasy stomach to settle. She could have skipped the wedding, sure. But April Redding had been her friend since high school. More recently, Kara
had grown close to the groom, Nate Wheeler, primarily because of the rodeo accident that had ended his bull-riding career. He claimed she’d saved his life—and maybe there was some truth to that—but she’d only been doing what rodeo clowns were supposed to do. She’d been well-trained for her weekend job as a bullfighter. She’d distracted the seventeen-hundred-pound beast that had crushed Nate while the medics swooped in to help the injured rider.

  Kara heaved an agitated sigh. She’d rather go up against that injured and angry bull again than face Brady today. And didn’t that beat all? Being more intimidated by the man you’d once planned to marry than a raging Brahman?

  “Everything looks so pretty,” Hannah said, her tone as bright as the white ribbons, twinkling Christmas lights and red poinsettias that graced the trellis backdrop to the makeshift altar. “You’d never know the whole setup was moved here three hours ago.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” God bless her, Hannah was trying to keep her calm and upbeat.

  “I hope they start soon, though. I’m not sure how much longer that storm will hold off.” Hannah cast a wary eye toward the black clouds bearing down on the ranch. “It’d be a shame to see the decorations ruined.”

  Kara wished they’d begin soon as well, but not because of the decorations. She simply wanted the service over before—

  “Kara?” Brady’s deep, powerful voice sent a bittersweet pang to her core.

  —before Brady spotted her.

  Rats! Of course he’d seen her. He had a sixth sense when it came to her. A homing beacon or internal Kara-GPS. It had been kinda nice when they were dating. But now, almost ten months after their breakup, his uncanny knack for tracking her down, whether around town or at a crowded ranch wedding, was becoming annoying. Okay, maybe not so uncanny. He was the new sheriff of Trencher County, Texas, so he probably had all sorts of gizmos and training he could use to track her.

  How was a girl supposed to heal her broken heart and move on when the object of her affection seemed to be everywhere she turned?