by Linda Warren
“Mmm.” She tilted her head to look at him.
He cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. “Good. I want you to be happy.”
She nestled against him. “You make me happy.”
“Then we can solve all our problems. With this much love it should be simple.”
She smiled. “What problems?”
“For starters, I’m a difficult man to live with. I don’t open up easily. Fear of losing you once again was the only thing that got me here. And of course, I realized I’d loved you forever.”
“That’s not a problem,” she told him.
“Then there’s my mother. She lives with me and Southern Cross is her home.”
“Not a problem.”
“Brenda Sue works for me and I don’t want to fire her, because Harvey and his family are going through a rough time.”
Cait touched his cheek. “See? You care about all these people. You’re just a softie underneath that stern exterior.”
“You think so?”
“Who else would put up with Brenda Sue?”
“Then there’s hope for me?”
“Yes, yes.” She kissed him and they forgot everything for a minute.
He gently tucked her hair behind her ears again. “The wedding has to be what you want, without any interference from our families.”
“I can handle that.”
“I have no doubt. Next is High Five. It stays in the Belle family. That’s the way it should be. But you, sweet lady, I want at Southern Cross with me.”
“Okay.” She ran her fingers through his chest hairs and lower.
He caught her hand. “Okay?”
“Yes. As your wife I should be at Southern Cross, but as part owner of High Five I will be here some, during the day, only until my sisters, Gran and I decide what to do with the ranch.”
“Deal.” He squeezed her. “The offer still stands about half the royalties being returned to High Five.”
“I accept graciously. Thank you.”
“I love you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “And we really have to stop meeting in horse stalls.”
“Oh, but it’s so much fun.” A bubble of laughter left her throat.
He stroked her arm. “I’m sorry I botched up that second proposal. I was protecting myself.”
She raised her head from his shoulder. “I know, but I love you, so I was willing to give you a third chance to get it right. And, boy, did you get it right!”
They gazed at each other and then burst out laughing as Red looked over the stall gate at them.
A loud bump sounded from the other side.
“That’s Solomon. He hears my voice and wants attention.”
“He’s not the only one….”
She trailed a finger down Judd’s nose and he grabbed it, then nibbled at the tip.
“There’s only one person getting my attention tonight. And for the record, you are my prince, my prize.”
He pulled her onto his lap yet again. “Ah…I like the sound of that.”
After a moment, Cait said, “Maybe we should let Red have her stall.”
“In a minute,” Judd whispered, and leaned his face against hers.
Neither wanted to move or end this moment—this time out of time—when love had made the difference.
EPILOGUE
Two months later…
CAITLYN WAS MARRYING Judd and the whole family was playing dress-up.
She crept downstairs in her long slip to take a look at the flowers and make sure they were arranged the way she wanted.
She clasped her hands as she gazed at all the beautiful white blossoms adorning the parlor. They were perfect. Two candelabras graced the fireplace mantel, along with a huge arrangement of white roses. This was where she wanted to say her vows—in her family home, which had been completely restored. To appease Renee, the reception and dance were being held at Southern Cross.
This wedding was much smaller than the original was to be, just the way she and Judd wanted it. She chose to wear her grandmother’s wedding dress, a gorgeous Italian eyelet-lace-and-silk gown that Maddie had altered to fit. Cait never knew her sister had so many domestic talents.
“What are you doing down here?” Maddie took one arm and Sky the other. “You are not supposed to see all this.” They whisked her back upstairs.
Cait was so happy Sky had come home for the wedding. Her joy was complete, and watching Gran and Kira together was an even greater joy. Cait was hoping Sky would stay, especially since Maddie had decided to run High Five, with Cooper’s help.
They all had a stake in the ranch, but Cait would now back away and let her sisters make the decisions. She’d never thought anything would become more important than High Five, but Judd had. He was her life now.
An hour later, she came down the stairs in her wedding dress, her nerves humming like taut wires. Maggie was behind her, holding the long train. Sky met her at the bottom and winked. “Ready?”
“Like fourteen years ready.”
Sky straightened Cait’s veil. “Didn’t I tell you what you had to do from the start?”
“I did, and a little more—Belle style.” She laughed and Maddie’s “Shh” stopped her.
Maddie squeezed past Cait on the stairs. “We have to behave. This is a special day.”
“I always behave,” Sky said with a straight face.
The music started and their chatter stopped. Maddie and Sky kissed her. “Good luck, big sis,” they chorused. Maddie handed Cait her bouquet of roses and baby’s breath, and then she and Sky gathered theirs and started down the aisle.
Cait held her breath and said a silent prayer for dreams that come true. And for love.
“Here Comes the Bride” echoed through the old house. Cait turned and walked to the parlor entrance. Her eyes went directly to Judd. He looked so handsome in his tux, and he looked nervous. But happy. She started down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams.
Thirty minutes later, Mr. and Mrs. Judd Calhoun walked out of the house toward the waiting limo. Frank stood nearby, and came up to Caitlyn and handed her an envelope.
“Congratulations, Caitlyn. In case you married Judd, your father wanted me to give you this.”
She stared at the envelope and started to tuck it away to read later.
“Open it,” Judd whispered, his arm around her waist. With his support, she could face anything.
She stuck a manicured nail under the flap and ripped it open. Inside was a single sheet of paper. On it was written: “Gotcha. Love, Dad.”
The sneaky old devil.
He did know what was best for her.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3615-2
CAITLYN’S PRIZE
Copyright © 2009 by Linda Warren.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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