Alex came to stand behind her, his presence and musky scent filling her senses. She took a deep breath. “The yard is transformed into a beautiful garden,” she said.
“Thanks to you,” he said softly. His warm breath caressed the back of her neck, sending tremors throughout her body.
“Shouldn’t you be with Chance?”
“I will be in a moment.”
His hands slipped to her waist gently in the barest of touches and her skin prickled. She had yet to turn to him. He would be dashing. He would be perfect. Resisting him sapped her energy. “You look amazing, Cara.” His nose brushed her partially upswept hair as his lips skimmed her throat. “My sister is beautiful today and I wish her well, but it is also you who should be wearing a wedding gown.”
She spun around slowly. She hadn’t been wrong. He was tall, dark, handsome. His eyes beckoned hope as a charming smile graced his beautiful mouth.
Weddings always made her sentimental. A flutter whispered in her stomach. She blinked. The baby? Had he moved? She froze, hoping to feel it again. Hoping the sweet sensation would ripple through her once more.
“Cara?”
How just like Alex to charm movement from his child on such a sentimental day. If anyone could do it, it would be him. But surely it was too soon to feel any flutters yet. She must have imagined it. Whatever it was, the baby’s presence softened her outlook on everything. Cara nurtured new life. Her baby thrived. Her hands, locked at her sides, hid her secret when she wanted to touch her belly and offer her love.
She batted her eyes. “What? Is it time?”
“Yes, the music is playing. I will see you later.”
He kissed her cheek and disappeared through the kitchen doors.
Cara grinned and caressed her stomach now.
It was a monumental day for her.
In so many ways.
* * *
Vows were spoken under a floral archway of roses and greenery. Cara witnessed two of her dear friends speak promises of love and devotion. The sweet words of dedication filled her eyes with moisture and she sniffled a few times during the ceremony.
After the deacon pronounced Chance and Gabriella husband and wife and the ceremony concluded, Alex was first to make a move. He approached her as best man to lead the small procession away from the altar. She slipped her arm though his and they walked down the white carpeted aisle. A photographer’s camera clicked away at the precious moments.
Once the photographer moved on to capture the newly married couple and they were out of view of the guests, Alex lifted her into his arms. Her feet came off the ground six inches as he twirled her around. His grin was contagious, and she threw her head back and laughed along with him.
He set her down carefully. “I’ve missed laughing with you.”
“You’re crazy, Alex.”
“You like that about me.”
She swallowed and stared at him.
“I’m happy. My sister is married. And I’m here with you.”
“Oh, Alex.” She didn’t know what to say to him. She was in a beautifully sentimental mood and didn’t want to spoil it with condemnation.
His white teeth flashed in another infectious smile. “Tell me you’re happy, Cara.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then let’s not allow anything to spoil that. Let’s enjoy the day.”
Around her, the din of quietly enthusiastic guests conversing, floral scents and soft music playing in the background helped her make the decision. “Yes, I would like that.”
Gabriella strolled up, her face beaming and her fingers entwined with her new groom’s.
“Congratulations, you two!” Cara hugged the bride first and whispered in her ear. “I’m so happy for you.”
After Alex shook Chance’s hand, Cara wrapped her arms around the groom’s neck and spoke quietly in his ear. “You made the right choice. You and Gabriella are perfect for each other. I know you’ll have a wonderful life.”
Chance kissed her cheek. “I’m planning on that. Gonna start by taking her on a secret honeymoon come this summer. Someplace where we’ll have a whole lot of privacy for weeks.”
“Where will we go?” Gabriella asked, her eyes sparkling.
“I’m not sharing that information with anyone but you,” Chance replied, wiggling his brows at her. “It’ll be my wedding gift to you.”
“I think I will like your surprise.”
“I’m thinking you will, too.”
Rodrigo stepped up and the conversation stalled. He took his daughter’s hand. “You are a vision of beauty in your mother’s gown, Gabriella. Seeing you wearing it has brought back many good memories.”
“Oh, Papa,” she said.
He squeezed her tight, both arms encircling her shoulders, and then kissed her cheek, his rigid face softening with fatherly love. Cara saw tears form, but he wiped them away immediately. “You are my baby. And now you are a wife.”
He turned to Chance and extended his hand. “A handshake to welcome you to our family. I expect you will take good care of my daughter.”
Chance shook his hand. “She will not have an unhappy day, if I can help it.”
Rodrigo appeared appeased and nodded. Joaquin, Gabriella’s onetime bodyguard who now worked for Chance, moved beside him. He wore a dogged expression that spoke of loyalty and dedication. He was here as a guest, but Cara noted his gaze on every person in attendance in silent assessment. He was still watching out for Gabriella as if the action was ingrained in him through his affection for her.
Other guests approached to congratulate the couple and Cara took the opportunity to sneak away from the group. She headed to the bathroom and locked herself in. With her palms flat on the cool marble counter, she stared at herself in the mirror as emotions swept through her. Slight quivers brought her breath up short and wrung out some of her strength. What was wrong with her?
She wasn’t feeling weak. She couldn’t blame out-of-whack hormones altering her perspective. She didn’t believe her pregnancy alone caused this reaction. It was seeing Gabriella glowing with happiness and Chance so smitten he could hardly stand it that nudged her into thinking about her own future. It was seeing Rodrigo here, the man who’d plotted to take over Windsor Oil. It was being so close to Alex again and having his words tunneling through her mind, “It is also you who should be wearing a wedding gown.”
All of it had gotten to her.
At times, she didn’t know where to turn. Her brain told her not to allow Alex back into her life, while her heart told her otherwise.
She turned on the faucet and filled a cup from a stack Alex kept in the cabinet. Sipping water slowly, she lowered herself down on the toilet seat and closed her eyes. She just needed a minute to gather her wits. She would take her time. She had the entire reception to get through.
And she wanted to be happy today.
It was ten minutes later when she walked out of the bathroom feeling better. Her little mental pep talk had worked. Her mind was made up. She wouldn’t allow anything negative to get to her today. She’d deal with her emotions tomorrow...and the next day and the day after that. But for today, she would enjoy her maid-of-honor duties and pretend she hadn’t a care in the world.
“Are you okay?” Alex said, approaching her with a worried expression.
She smiled. “I’m fine.”
His gaze roamed her face as if searching for the truth. She kept her smile in place and didn’t refuse the hand he extended. She took it and strolled outside with him as dusk settled on the horizon and table candles sent shards of flickering light skyward.
Toasts were given, the meal was served and as the band resumed playing, Chance and Gabriella were called up to the parquet dance floor for their first dance.
“They will call
us up next. Will you dance with me?” Alex asked.
“Of course,” she said. “It’s part of my duty as maid of honor to dance with the best man.”
Alex arched a brow. “And it’s part of my duty to make sure you enjoy yourself tonight.”
“It’s not your duty, Alex. But I am enjoying myself.”
Alex laid a hand on her waist, drawing her close. His touch seeped into her skin, and she relaxed against him, placing her head on his shoulder. His lips tickled her ear and tingles broke out on her throat where his warm breath caressed her. “I want to see you happy, Cara.”
Her jittery nerves had finally calmed from her little panic attack in the bathroom.
The invitation to join the bride and groom in a dance was announced and Alex led her to the floor, her hand locked in his grip. She was swept into his arms smoothly, and Alex’s fluid grace wasn’t difficult to follow as he moved and swayed with the music. His dark dreamy eyes focused solely on her. She was barely aware of Gabriella and Chance nearby or anyone else, for that matter. She wasn’t up to fighting Alex’s charm tonight. He was her escort, her other half in the bridal party, and she couldn’t possibly avoid him. They’d been thrown together all night.
Halfway during the song, the rest of the guests were invited to the dance floor and soon they were surrounded. She danced with Alex for half an hour nonstop after that and was only given a breather when Alex tapped Chance on the shoulder so he could dance with his sister.
Chance glanced at her. “Shall we?”
She sighed. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to sit this one out.”
“I don’t mind.” He led her to the table. “Would you like a drink...of cranberry juice?” He smiled. “I noticed that’s all you’ve been drinking tonight.”
“No, thank you. I’m juiced out.” She’d already had two glasses of juice, and after dancing with Alex five songs’ worth, an ice-cold glass of water looked really tempting. “I’ll have water.” She lowered herself into a seat, and he sat next to her. “Does it look odd that I was only drinking juice?”
“Not to me. You aren’t a big drinker and juice is real good for you.” He paused and leaned in, lowering his voice. “How’s the baby doing?”
“I saw the doctor and she said all was going well. I’m healthy and the baby is growing. Tonight, I think...” She nibbled on her lip. Why did her good news bring so much guilt? Possibly because under normal circumstances she would be reporting this news to the baby’s father.
“What do you think, Cara?”
“Well, I, uh...I think I felt the baby move.”
“Really?”
“I know it’s early yet and I might be imagining it, but it really felt like movement.”
“Well, darn if that isn’t exciting. I can’t wait until Gabriella and I start a family.”
“It’s an amazing feeling, Chance.”
His head dipped to meet her at eye level. “But now I see you’re frowning.”
“It’s not an ideal situation,” she admitted, drawing in her lower lip. “I haven’t forgiven Alex. I’m not even sure I really know Alejandro del Toro.”
Chance unfastened his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons on his shirt. “I get that...if he wasn’t Gabriella’s brother I don’t know if he wouldn’t be nursing a broken arm or leg, maybe even a rib or two.”
Cara laughed. Chance was full of bluster.
“He did throw us a humdinger of a wedding though.”
“He did.”
“And you helped quite a bit.”
She nodded and glanced at Gabriella on her brother’s arm. They were heading over to the table, a picture of stately grace, elegance and Latin good looks. “Here comes your bride.”
“My wife,” Chance agreed. His face lit up.
Cara sipped her drink, grateful that before reaching the table, Alex was called away from someone on the waitstaff. She spent the next thirty minutes with the bride and groom. Chance went on and on about their plans for the future, holding Gabriella’s hand as she gave nods of approval. The two were truly in sync with each other. Their marriage would be a good one.
By the end of the evening, after most of the guests had gone home and Cara had said her farewells to the bride and groom, she was totally beat and ready to fall into bed.
Alex walked her outside. He kept his hand possessively on her waist as they strolled toward the valet retrieving the guests’ cars. His attentiveness tonight reminded her of the couple they’d once been. It hurt to think how her life might’ve turned out differently if he hadn’t lied to her.
“I’ll drive you home,” he announced.
With her defenses down and a sentimental mood humming through her body, being alone with Alex wouldn’t be a wise move. “Thank you, but it’s not necessary. I have my car.”
His drew a deep breath. “Cara...I want to spend more time with you.” The words were soft and smooth, but there was no mistaking his frustration.
“I just can’t, Alex.” Somehow, over the past few days, her anger at him had faded and all that was left was desolation over what might have been.
“I won’t press you, but know that my door is always open to you. Anytime, day or night.”
His sweet words only added to her heartache. If only he’d given her good reason to trust him again, but she didn’t think that was possible anymore. “I’ll remember that.”
“We had a good time tonight. Remember that, as well.” He pressed a featherlike kiss on the mouth, and her lips trembled from the soft touch. “I surely will not forget it.”
* * *
“Thanks for not picking up Paul Windsor at his house, Nate. I don’t want Cara to witness him being arrested,” Alex said, standing on the steps of the Texas Cattleman’s Club. “It’s going to be enough of a shock to her when she hears the news.” Just three days ago he was dancing with Cara at his sister’s wedding. And now, in just a short time, she’d find out about her father’s crimes. For weeks after his accident, she’d been horrified that someone would commit such a vile act against him. Learning it was her father’s doing would surely tilt her world off its axis.
“Yeah, it’s gonna be rough on her. Are you planning on telling her yourself?”
Alex nodded. “I hope to. I am worried about her reaction. He’s not the greatest father, but he is all she has,” Alex said on a sigh. “I wish to God it didn’t have to be this way. I have no doubt he’ll deny everything.”
“He’ll lawyer up immediately, no matter where we make the arrest,” Nate added. “We’ll give him a chance to confess. If we lay out all the cards on the table, he might want to do the smart thing. We pretty much have him nailed. The man he hired cut a deal for a lesser sentence. He’s naming names. There were three men involved with your abduction. He’s giving us what we need to put Windsor away for a long time. But he’s claiming Windsor only wanted you out of the picture. He wanted you roughed up. We can prove kidnapping, but probably not attempted murder.”
“At least that’s some consolation for Cara.” Alex sighed. “But he’s still a dangerous man who thinks he’s above the law.”
“Well, the law’s about to come down on him,” Nate said. “It’d be better if you weren’t here, Alex.”
He nodded. “I understand. But I wish I could see the look on his face when you haul him in.” He gestured toward the dining room. “He’s in there having dinner with a few of his cronies.”
“Okay,” Nate said. “Sit tight. I’ll call you later. Until then, don’t say a word to anyone.”
“All right. Good luck.”
Alex watched the sheriff enter the premises. Sighing under his breath, he was relieved that Paul Windsor would no longer be a threat to him. The cagey old man would not be causing him any more trouble.
He walked away and climbed into his Ferra
ri. Leaning his head against the seat, he took a moment to stare out the window. His mind flashed images of his attack and kidnapping. His heart pumped hard as he recalled being beaten then blindfolded and driven somewhere. When he came to, he hadn’t known where he was or if he was going to be killed. He’d been left alone in that house to wonder and that had been the worst feeling of all.
A chilling shudder rippled through his body.
It was all Windsor’s doing.
If he hadn’t intervened, Alex would have told Cara the truth about himself and cleared everything up. They would have been married by now. Alex shook his head. Too bad it had to come to this. Cara’s father would be lost to her now.
With a press of a button, the engine roared to life. He pulled out of his parking spot, his car handling the turns easily as his heart grew heavy with thoughts of Cara. He winced, grinding his teeth as he pictured Cara’s crestfallen face when she heard the news.
He took the long route home and every so often glanced at his phone. Nate told him to sit tight. He couldn’t do that, so he kept on driving. An hour later, he pulled up in front of his house and parked the car. He waited impatiently, strumming his fingers along the dashboard and nearly jumped out of his skin when his cell phone rang. “Dios!”
He answered the phone.
“It’s done,” Nate said.
“He’s in jail?” Alex asked.
“Yes. He’s being processed as we speak.”
“How did it go at the club?”
“He was dumbfounded and made all kinds of excuses to his dinner partners, saying it was a big misunderstanding. After he was read his rights, he had the gall to tell one his friends he’d see him tomorrow on the golf course.”
“Once he finds out we’ve rounded up witnesses who are willing to testify against him, his mind won’t be on sinking a putt,” Alex said.
“True. Your father and his men worked fast getting us the lead we needed to make the arrest. You can thank him for that. Windsor’s bail will be high, but I’ve no doubt he’ll raise the money. I don’t think he’ll go after you...he’s got enough problems, but watch your back, Alex. Just in case.”
THE TEXAS RENEGADE REURNS Page 10