The Rancher And The Redhead
Page 28
The argument over by the barbecue grew louder and louder, and Jaimie crossed over to the men. She stepped between them and whisked the barbecue tongs out of Squire’s hand, turning to study the sizzling meat.
“Guys, guys,” she clucked, turning a steak that was rapidly charring. “Don’t you know how to keep the meat from burning? I had this job once. The Chuck House. Now, we specialized in charbroiling steaks. And let me tell you—”
Matthew scooped her off her feet just as Tristan grabbed the tongs. “Listen, Red,” Matthew said in her ear. “Barbecuing is a man’s job.” Safely several feet from the barbecue, he set her on the ground.
“Man’s job?” Jaimie’s tart response died a hasty death under Matthew’s lips.
Jefferson and the rest cackled as they turned back to their bickering. “They’re at it again,” he said, dismissing the couple.
“As usual,” Squire added. “Can’t turn a corner these days without running into the two of ’em making moon eyes at each other.”
Tristan elbowed Jefferson. “You’d be moon eyeing Emily if she weren’t about to pop with that baby.”
Jefferson shoved Tristan out of the way and snatched the barbecue tongs. “Shut up, kid.”
Matthew and Jaimie grinned and he led her away from the crowd of people. Jaimie had been introduced to them all, but she couldn’t remember most of their names. “What a circus,” she whispered.
He drew her behind a tree. “It’ll be over soon.”
Jaimie smiled happily. “Tomorrow afternoon, we’ll say our piece, sign the license, cut the wedding cake that Gloria arranged, and hotfoot it out of here for two whole weeks. We’ll be lazing on the beach in Jamaica, and these guys can party on without us.”
He snorted. “Can’t believe I let you talk me into taking you to Jamaica.”
“You just want to see what I look like wearing that teenie weenie little polka-dot bikini and nothing else.”
“Well there’s something else you’re gonna wear.”
“Yeah. Your wedding ring.” She kissed his jaw. “I can’t wait.” She’d been wearing the beautiful emerald and diamond ring since she’d found it in the Cracker Jack box that he’d doctored. It was a beautiful ring. But the one he would place on her finger tomorrow was the one that really mattered.
“There’s something else you’ll be wearing,” he said, and pulled a velvet-wrapped bundle from his pocket. “Here.”
Surprised, Jaimie took the bundle. “What is it?”
“Open it and see.”
“You’re spoiling me,” she murmured, eyeing him.
“Indulge me.”
Her breath caught at the glimmer in his eyes. If she lived to be three hundred, she’d get butterflies in her stomach at that particular glint.
“Open it,” he prompted with a faint smile. The man knew exactly what effect he had on her.
She dragged her eyes from his and opened the velvet. “Oh, Matthew.” A familiar strand of gold and diamonds twinkled in the sunlight, stealing her breath. “But, how did you—I never told you where I sold it.” She blinked against the tears that welled in her eyes. “And the cost...”
“I told you before, the money wasn’t important.”
“But—”
“You matter more to me than anything. So I found the bracelet and bought it back. I want you to pass that bracelet on to our own daughter someday.”
“Oh, Matthew.”
“Oh, Jaimie,” he returned softly. He took the bracelet and fastened it around her wrist. “There. That’s better.”
They were kissing again when Squire hollered for them. Matthew and Jaimie shared a soft smile.
“Tomorrow,” he murmured, “we’ll put this folderol behind us and get on with our life.”
The ceremony scheduled for tomorrow would be held right on the beautiful patch of grass in front of the house that had become her home. She would wear the delicate lace dress that had belonged to Matthew’s mother. It had taken careful alteration to retain the style, yet adjust it to Jaimie’s height.
If her prayers were answered any more fully, it would be to tell him very soon that the children he’d asked for might already be on the way.
“Tomorrow,” she agreed, her heart in her eyes.
Matthew touched her cheek intently. A sharp peal of laughter startled them both, and he muttered a heartfelt oath, moving his hand instead to her shoulder. There were too many people around. “Tomorrow,” he repeated meaningfully.
Jaimie’s bones softened at his look. Not “The Look.” This one was far better. And the only one she received from him now. She leaned against him and lifted her lips for his kiss.
Squire bellowed again. Matthew heaved a huge breath and dropped a light kiss on her lips. They shared another smile. Then he folded her arm in his and held her close as they strolled back to join their family.
Watch for Daniel and Maggie’s story,
coming only to Silhouette Special Edition
in Spring ’99.
ISBN : 978-1-4592-6711-4
THE RANCHER AND THE REDHEAD
Copyright © 1998 by Allison Lee Kinnaird
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