“Can’t help it.”
When she shuddered, he took the mug and set it on the nightstand, then slipped his arm around her and pulled her close. “Maybe you need to talk it out.”
“Yeah.” She put her hand on his chest. “At first, when he forced me into his truck, I didn’t know what to think.”
“You were smart to call me and give me clues about where he was taking you. If you hadn’t…”
“Thank goodness you didn’t talk and just listened. He might have heard your voice and then who knows what he’d have done.”
“I knew right away something was wrong.”
She shuddered. “It was clear pretty quickly that he had no intention of letting me go.”
“God, Rose—”
“The thing is, I thought I was going to die and that was terrifying enough. But it wasn’t the worst thing.”
“It was to me—” Emotion choked off his words.
She smiled at him. “I only had one regret.”
“What?”
“That I never told you I love you.” She snuggled closer. “I decided that I had to do something to help myself or he would win. I was getting ready to jump out of the truck.”
“Geez, Rose. You could have been killed.”
“Thanks to you I didn’t have to.”
“Thank God I got there in time.” He kissed her hair. “So can we talk about the fact that you love me?”
“I do. With all my heart. I feel so safe with you. And that’s not all—” She couldn’t hold back a yawn, a big body-shaking yawn, proof that she was finally relaxing.
“You’re not the only one with hang-ups,” he said. “After what we’ve been through tonight it sure puts everything into perspective. Helps straighten out priorities. And if there’s any silver lining in what happened, it’s that we got to the same place emotionally and did it a lot faster than we might have otherwise if—”
Austin stopped and heard Rose’s deep, even breathing. She was asleep and he was glad. They’d been through hell tonight but came out of it more together than before. Now there was all the time in the world to say what needed to be said. But he wanted her big, beautiful, blue eyes open when he said it.
“Sweet dreams, Red.” He snuggled them down into the bed and held her as he went to sleep.
A difference of years had stood between them, but not anymore. Now they had all the time in the world.
Rose’s eyes drifted open, putting an end to her lovely dream. But two lovelier realizations penetrated her sleepy consciousness. It was just starting to get light outside and there was a man in the bed with her. Austin.
She smiled, then everything flashed back to her. Desperately wanting to get to him while a deranged and increasingly desperate man took her hostage. The fear started to crawl inside her, but in the safety of Austin’s arms, she was able to push it away. She curled closer to him and put her hand on his chest.
“Good morning.” His voice was raspy from sleep.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said.
“You didn’t.”
She sat up and smiled. In the half light she could see his dark hair rumpled from sleep, the shadow of beard on his jaw. She wanted to feel the scrape of it, to reassure herself he was real and they were truly together.
“I was having the most wonderful dream,” she said. It was her wedding and they were standing in front of the minister. “Then I opened my eyes and the reality was even better.”
He propped the pillows behind their backs and took her hand, threading his fingers through hers. “I’ve been dreaming, too, and strangely enough there was no sleeping involved.”
“Tell me,” she urged.
“We were standing in front of our family and friends and promising to love and cherish each other for as long as we live.”
“That sounds a lot like a wedding.” She stared into his eyes, hoping he was serious. “And for most guys, that would be their worst nightmare.”
“Not for me. Marrying you is my dream. I knew you were the one for me pretty much from the first moment I saw you. But two things stopped me.”
“Only two?”
“You and me.” He grinned. “My head kind of got in the way of my heart. Then I had to wait for you to grow up.”
“A near-death experience will certainly speed that process along,” she said ruefully.
“I have a feeling you’re not a woman who meekly does what she’s told and it’s one of my favorite things about you. But just for me, please, no more near-death experiences ever again.”
“It’s not on my list,” she agreed.
Intensity darkened his eyes. “What I’m trying to say is that I love you, Rose. So much that it scares me.”
“I love you, Austin.” She lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of his. “You’re everything I’ve been looking for my whole life.”
“Does that mean you’ll marry me?”
“Yes.”
He lifted up on an elbow and looked into her eyes. “I thought the best news of my life was when your brother gave me more responsibility in the company and a promotion at work. But that was nothing compared to hearing you say you’ll be my wife.”
“I should warn you that I want children,” she said.
He grinned. “Works for me.”
“Maybe more than two. In fact, it’s pretty likely that four or five could be in our future.”
“The more the merrier.”
“So we have a deal? For better, for worse. In sickness and in health. Until death do us part.”
He nodded. “I promise to honor you above everything. I’ll be the best husband I know how to be and take care of you and our children for the rest of my life.”
She smiled. “I now pronounce you the husband of my heart, the mate of my soul. You have permission to kiss your bride. And you’ll do it now if you know what’s good for you—”
He touched his lips to hers, but the touching didn’t stop there because the promises they’d just made were sacred. If that wasn’t commitment, she didn’t know what was. In their hearts they were as married as married could be. Austin made her feel alive in a way she never had before. It was their first Christmas Eve together and started in a way more promising than she’d ever imagined.
The legal part would come later.
Chapter Fifteen
Holding tightly to Austin’s hand, Rose walked into DJ’s Rib Shack with Claudia and Pete Wexler, her mother and stepfather. The two had arrived earlier that day to spend the holidays in Thunder Canyon. They’d come to surprise her, but got one back when she introduced her fiancé. And there were more surprises to come. She grinned at Austin and he returned her conspiratorial look.
Rose slid her arm through her mother’s. “All day a group of volunteers has been taking shifts to cook and deliver holiday meals to people in Thunder Canyon who need assistance. We’re going to do our part now.”
Claudia frowned. “Are you sure you’re up to it, sweetie? After that horrible ordeal you went through?”
“I’m fine.” She studied her mother. Claudia was in her early sixties but looked younger. Not a strand of her light brown hair was out of place, but weariness was there on her face. “But if you’re tired…”
“No.” She looked at her husband. “How about you, Pete?”
“I’m ready to pitch in.”
And that was the soul of Pete Wexler. Several inches under six feet, he was an average-looking man with receding gray hair that was getting a little thin on top. He had married her mom when Rose was four and “pitched in” right from the start to be her dad. And he was a good one.
The interior of the restaurant looked like it had on Thanksgiving and the Presents for Patriots project. There was a decorated Christmas tree in the corner of the room, shiny and bright with ornaments, ribbons and white lights. Tables were pushed together and filled with food, to-go containers and insulated carriers to keep things warm or cool as needed.
As always, a larg
e volunteer group had turned out. Rose saw the Cates family and lots of Cliftons milling around. Jeannette Williams and Zane Gunther were there with their little guy. Angie Anderson was around somewhere and Rose would find her soon. From grandparents down to newborns in infant seats, the people of Thunder Canyon took care of their own.
And speaking of hers, they hadn’t moved from just inside the door when they were surrounded by Traubs— Ethan, Corey, Dillon and Jackson, along with their significant others gathered around to welcome Claudia and Pete.
“Hey, Mom.” Jackson was the last of her sons to get a hug. “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”
“Because I didn’t plan to until I heard what happened to Rose.” She clutched her son’s arm, an anxious expression on her face. “If you hadn’t been there for her…”
“If it hadn’t been for Austin, I couldn’t have done anything.”
“All I did was talk.” Austin shrugged.
“You couldn’t have done that if you hadn’t blocked the road and then distracted him.” Rose slid her arm through his. “You’re an engineer, so talking isn’t part of your skill set. That’s what makes it even more heroic.”
“I don’t know.” His eyes twinkled. “When necessary, my skill set can be pretty convincing.”
“Yes, you can.”
“Hey? Where’s Jason?” Jackson asked his mother.
“Your brother,” Claudia said, frowning a little, “is holding down the fort for the company in Midland.”
Rose translated for Austin. “That’s code for my brother is having a fling with a really hot bathing suit model who is more interesting to him than family right now.”
“Rose,” her mother scolded.
“Am I wrong, Mom?”
Claudia sighed. “Sadly, no.”
Rose spotted her boss across the room. Bo Clifton met her gaze, then threaded his way through the crowd to join the Traubs. He greeted the newcomers, then moved a little off to the side with Austin, Rose and Jackson.
“I have some news about Arthur Swinton,” he said quietly.
“What?” Rose instinctively leaned into Austin. With him by her side, she could face anything that came their way.
“Jasper caved pretty quickly under questioning. He figured Swinton was double-crossing him and told us where he could be found.”
“So Fowler wasn’t lying. Swinton’s not dead,” Jackson said.
Bo shook his head. “The investigation is ongoing, but right now it looks like someone in the clinic at the jail helped him fake a heart attack to cover his escape. He’s been hiding out in the next town over.”
“And calling shots behind the scene with Jasper Fowler doing his dirty work,” Austin guessed.
“That’s right.” Bo looked grim. “He’s been paying off Fowler to ruin DJ and God knows what else. Swinton’s back in custody and pretty much spilling his guts, too. Apparently years ago he fell in love with Dax and DJ’s mother—”
“There’s a big eww.” Rose shuddered. “We could all have been related to him.”
“Don’t go there,” Bo warned. “Anyway, she had the good sense to not get involved with him, but over the years he watched the family be successful. Bitterness drove him a little crazy.”
“A little?” Jackson’s voice dripped sarcasm. “I’d say he’s more than a little whacked out. This whole scheme is right up there in lunatic land.”
“Yeah,” Bo said. “But I thought you should know that the two of them are in custody and singing like a couple of canaries. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“What a relief.” Rose smiled at Austin, then her boss. “In that case, it’s time for our surprise.”
“Okay.” Bo whistled, a high-pitched sound that carried through the room and stopped conversation. “Can I have your attention, please? Who’s up for a wedding?”
“Not another one.” Evelyn Cates was standing nearby with her husband, Zeke. The fiftyish, blue-eyed blonde faked a frown at the mayor. “Two of my nephews just got married and two of my daughters are engaged. I think I’ve had just about all the romantic stress I can stand. Please, I beg you, tell me it’s not one of my kids.”
“You can’t afford to be a wedding scrooge, Evelyn,” someone whooped. “Heck, you’ve still got four single kids left.”
Rose couldn’t see who said it, but someone who sounded a lot like Ben Walters called out, “And there’s a whole bunch of Cliftons still looking for love.”
Claudia moved beside her daughter. “Who’s getting married?”
“Me, Mom.”
Austin looked at his soon-to-be mother-in-law. “More than anything I want your daughter to be my wife, Mrs. Wexler. I love her very much.”
She looked confused. “Rose? You’re getting married right now?”
“We called the mayor earlier today and he used his considerable influence to expedite our marriage license so we could have the ceremony on Christmas Eve.”
“But, sweetheart—” Claudia’s light brown eyes filled with concern. “You always wanted a big wedding.”
Rose held out her hand to indicate all her family, friends and acquaintances from Thunder Canyon. “This is big.”
“I mean all the bells and whistles. From the time you were a little flower girl, you wanted the veil, the long train, white lace and promises. Flowers.” Her mother studied her. “You’re wearing a red dress.”
One that Austin had picked out. It was long-sleeved and high-necked. The skirt swirled around her legs and her black patent, peep-toed pumps made her feel feminine and sexy. What she kept to herself was that Austin chose this outfit because it was festive and later, he could get her out of it fast.
She squeezed his hand. “I guess I finally grew up because decorations and what I wear aren’t important. What really matters is being Mrs. Austin Anderson. I learned something, Mom. Foolishness is a waste of time. And you don’t know that until the one you’ve been foolish over might be taken away too soon.”
Claudia’s eyes filled with a bittersweet understanding. Pete had made her happy, but she understood that sentiment the same way Ben Walters did. Still, she looked at the two of them.
“You’re sure about this?” she asked.
Rose met Austin’s gaze and at the same time they said, “Very sure.”
“I thought the two of you were a little overdressed for a volunteer gathering.”
“So we didn’t fool you?” Rose glanced at her groom and thought he looked pretty spectacular in his dark suit and the red tie that matched her dress.
“Only a little,” her mother admitted. “I guess we’re going to have a wedding. And Austin?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Don’t ma’am me. It’s Claudia. Or better yet, Mom.” Claudia’s eyes misted. “I think I’m going to cry.”
Rose put her to work and everyone together made it happen. A short time later her maid of honor, Angie Anderson, led things off. Then Pete Wexler walked Rose down the “aisle” that was created because her family and friends parted to create it. Once upon a time she’d expected to be sad that Charles Traub wouldn’t see her get married, but she wasn’t sad at all. She believed with all her heart that her father was there, her guardian angel, watching over her.
Austin waited beside the Christmas tree with the mayor, who was going to marry them. Ben Walters, his best man, stood next to them.
To Rose, the setting was just as perfect as the double wedding she’d gone to with Austin. She had her poinsettias and white lights glittered through the branches of the pine tree. When it’s right, everything is right, she thought happily.
She could hardly wait to get to Austin and all she could see was the love in his eyes. On her stepfather’s arm, she stopped in front of the mayor.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” Bo asked.
“Her mother and I do,” Pete answered.
Rose stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Dad.” Then she kissed her mother. “I love you, Mom.”
Claudia’s brown eyes filled with tears. “Be happy, baby girl.”
“I’ll see that she is.” Austin took Rose’s hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow.
Holding tight to his arm, Rose faced the mayor for the ceremony.
“Austin Anderson, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.” His voice was clear, strong and sure.
“Rose Traub, do you take this man—”
“I do,” she answered before he could finish.
Bo grinned, then continued the ceremony and reading of the traditional vows, which they each repeated after him. The ceremony was short and incredibly sweet. It made them one in the legal sense, with all the rights and privileges allowed by law. But in Rose’s heart she’d become Austin’s bride that morning when she’d promised to love him forever.
The mayor cleared his throat. “With the powers vested in me by the great state of Montana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may—”
This time Austin didn’t wait. He pulled Rose into his arms and kissed the living daylights out of her while everyone whistled, clapped and cheered.
Then he lifted his head and whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to get you out of that dress. You can keep the heels on.”
“Oh, my.” Her breath caught at the look in his eyes.
Then they grinned happily at each other.
Jackson shook Austin’s hand, then gave his sister a hug. He held her at arm’s length and said, “So this means you lost the dating bet.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Her brother shook his head. “You’re telling me you just married a man you’ve never dated?”
“That’s right. Because I never fell in love with anyone I dated.” She leaned against her husband. “We never even set a date for the wedding.”
“I think you’re pulling a fast one, sis.”
“No, she’s not,” Austin defended. “Technically she’s telling the absolute truth. I asked her out repeatedly, but she never accepted.”
“Like I’d believe you,” Jackson scoffed. “She’d lie and you’d swear to it.”
“Think what you want.” She only had eyes for her groom. “I would happily lose the bet because I just won my happily ever after.”
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