Tristan's Destiny, Bonus Book #1.5

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Nora thought about it a moment. Tristan was good at surprises, and this was sure to be one of the best. She wouldn’t ruin his plan. Nora wanted to jump up and down, or run around the dance floor like Destiny, even sing her song. “I’m so crazy about all this, and I’ll wait for your surprise.”

  “All right. I need to get a couple things done before tonight—you know, get these muscles pumped up by throwing around a few bales of hay, or maybe break a horse.” He chuckled. “I’ll be inside in an hour or so.” Tristan touched the tip of his hat before leaving, but came back to give her a kiss. “I love you.”

  “Tristan?”

  He whirled around and the sunlight struck his eyes. Her soon to be husband was devastatingly handsome, and she realized how lucky she was today. He was the whole package. “Um, can we make sure Randy and Roxanne sit together tonight?”

  “Huh?” He took a couple steps forward. “Randy and Roxanne? Really?”

  Nora shrugged. What could she say?

  “Sure, I’ll take care of that. Hmm, never gave that much of a thought.” He removed his hat and shoved his fingers into his hair, glanced back toward the barn and chuckled. “Why not, right? Randy might like her company.”

  “I’m sure of it. He had that look in his eyes earlier when I introduced them…and so did she.”

  “I’ll be damned. Love happens at the Double Dutch without much reason, it seems.” He put his hat on and touched the tip. “I’ll talk to you later, sweetheart.”

  ***

  The back section of the restaurant glowed with candlelight. Country love songs played low through the speakers. The table had a white tablecloth and clear vases, the flowers in colors that matched her wedding colors of dark and lighter teal. Destiny, Madisyn, and Ethan sat beside Brody. Destiny started calling her brother, Uncle Brody. She had acquired a whole new family, too.

  Her mother sat on the right of Brody. Not that she had been invited, but it was right she was there. Nora sat as far away from her as she could. Tristan’s idea. He was distrustful of Sandy after the time at Brody’s in January, and wasn’t about to have anything negative said tonight. Nora had to agree.

  Randy and Roxanne sat across from Nora and Tristan. The other two ranch hands, Selva and Stuart, sat beside Roxanne. Jase and Judy were beside Tristan. Nora glanced around the table at her family. Not all by blood relation but still family. She learned this early on after meeting Tristan. Happiness overwhelmed her and she forced the tears to stay put.

  Judy scooted out of her seat and stood at the end of the table after they ordered. Jase got up to stand beside her. They lifted their glass of wine, tapped it against each other’s, and Jase lifted his glass toward Nora and Tristan. Jase spoke first. “I’ve seen a lot of bad and a lot of good pass through this ranch of ours.” He winked at Nora. “And you, girl, brought good in many ways. Twice in a row as a matter of fact. Y’all know what I mean.”

  Nora’s cheeks warmed, but Tristan squeezed her hand and made it all better. She said to Jase, “I had to do it big the first time, I guess. You’ve all made me so happy, I’m proud to give it back.”

  Judy spoke next. “I’m the mother of three rowdy boys, now men, and I never had a daughter.” She raised her glass to Nora.

  Nora picked up her sparkling grape juice, reaching over to tap it against Judy’s glass.

  “Welcome to our family, and I’m truly grateful to say I have a daughter now.” She peered at Jase but glanced away. She sure couldn’t consider Rebecca Carlson a daughter-in-law anymore, let alone a daughter.

  That was it. Nora’s eyes welled with tears. “Thank you, Judy. I’m honored.” Nora wanted to say that she was proud to call Judy Mom, too, but it wasn’t the right time, not with her own mother sitting at the other end of the table. She’d save it for later. Tristan gave her a little squeeze. Roxanne stood and Judy and Jase sat back down.

  “So, my friend,” she began, “We’ve been through some hell.” She purposefully glanced to the end of the table. Roxanne had never been shy about not liking Sandy. “I’m proud to call you a friend, a best friend, and that carries a lot of weight with me. You’ve come through it all, and I’d like to raise an extra special toast to your fiancé.” She peered at Tristan. “For making my friend happier than I’ve ever seen her. Thank you, Tristan.” She acknowledged the others at the table, and winked at Destiny. “Now, let’s get this party going!”

  Tristan thanked her and handed Nora a napkin to dry her eyes. Nora caressed his face with her fingertips, whispering, “She’s right. I’m happier than I’ve ever been, because of you.”

  Brody stood at his spot. “Well, that was a tough one to follow, Roxanne. I don’t think there’s anything else to say. Everyone knows I love my little sister, and when I walk her down the aisle tomorrow, I might have a few tears of my own, so y’all ignore it, and concentrate on the lovely bride.” Brody lifted his glass. “We can all agree with Roxanne. Let’s party!”

  Sandy stood when Brody sat down. Nora held her breath, and Tristan removed his arm from around her shoulder and slid his chair back.

  “Well, I see how happy Nora is,” she began. “And I’d like to join in the toast and send my own congratulations to my daughter, Tristan, and his little girl.” Sandy held her glass toward Nora. “Cheers to all.”

  Nora released her held breath. Whew. She bent forward, speaking to her mom at the end of the table. “Thank you, Mom.”

  Sandy nodded and broke out into a fit of coughing. She excused herself and went toward the bathroom. Nora started to follow, but Judy held her hand up, and she went instead. Nora did a silent sigh and took a drink of coffee.

  “Can I talk?” asked Destiny.

  Nora glanced at her wide-eyed. “Of course, you can.”

  Destiny stood at her spot. She held up her glass of sparkling juice like everyone else had done. “I’m doing it, too, because Nora will be my mommy.” She did a big shrug. “And I love Nora.” Pointing at her daddy, she said, “Good job, Dad!” Destiny covered her mouth with her hand when she couldn’t stop laughing, but she finally got it under control and took a seat.

  Nora caught Tristan’s gasp and knew he was close to losing it. “Thank you, Destiny. You already know how proud I am to call you my daughter.”

  “You’re welcome.” She gave a big, toothy grin.

  Everyone at the table laughed. Nora was unsure of holding back a flood of tears. One glance at Roxanne was all it took. Emotions and out-of-sync hormones could very well turn her into a blubbering mess. Tears streamed down Roxanne’s face. Randy slipped his arm around the back of her chair. Nora gulped, finding strength to wink at Roxanne without crying.

  Judy and Sandy returned to the table together. When dinner arrived, more drinks were poured. Tristan poked her side when a song came on the radio.

  “Hey,” he whispered. “That’s our first dance song. I’ve never heard it on the radio before. It’s not even country. Seems they’ve been playing all country tonight. Somebody snuck it in.” Tristan glanced at his brother who shrugged, a giveaway that he was the culprit.

  He tilted Nora’s face toward him and kissed her. “Tomorrow, girl, you’re my wife, and this song is definitely my words to you.”

  She threw her arms around his neck, but he removed them, stood, and took her hand as he shoved his chair in. “I need to talk to you a minute.”

  Nora scooted her chair back and took his offered hand.

  “Excuse us a minute,” he said to everyone. “Go ahead and eat.” He led her outside through the parking lot to her SUV. “Woman, I love you.” Tristan pressed his body against her, kissing her with abandon. A sexy and hot kiss as comfortable and pleasurable as a warm bath. Ever so gently his tongue parted her lips as if time had stood still and this was the only thing happening. His kisses trailed to her ear, her neck—over the front of her chest.

  With his teeth, he pulled the top of her dress down a bit, revealing cleavage that had been hidden moments before. Tristan used his fingers to expose her
breast, kissing and licking until her nipples hardened. By the sound of his groans, he savored it as if it were a collector’s pearl. Tristan went back to her lips, kissing her again, his mouth ravenous as if he wanted her for dessert. He whispered, “I had to be this close to you. Sweetheart, I’m madly in love. So much that I want you now.”

  Through sighs, she mumbled, “Mmm, my man, my cowboy…my boss.” She gave a quiet laugh. “I’m just as nuts for you. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.” Nora took his hand and walked him to the front of her SUV. “You want me right now, right here?” She held his face, kissing him back with equal passion, far from a simple, old peck on the mouth. She slipped her tongue through his lips, giving him a sexy and long kiss, wanting to climb all over him right there.

  Tristan went crazy wild, devouring her mouth, her lips. “Girl, you are damn tempting.” He slid her dress up, caressing her hips with gentle fingers. “You better not be kidding.”

  In the heat of passion, she whispered, “I’m not. I want you. Here. Now.”

  Grasping the waistband of her thong, he slid it off, tossing the barely-there material onto the hood. Nora undid his button and zipper in a rush. “I can’t believe we’re doing this, Tristan. Really, we can’t.”

  She leaned into the front of her vehicle when he lifted her, using it for balance. Nora wrapped her legs around him, acting like a rogue animal released from its cage. His fingers dug into her thighs as he held her. As much as she wanted to scream out, she held back in fear that someone might hear her. “You feel good. Mm, yesss…”

  Their gaze connected in the darkness as Tristan took her right there. Her mind became a fog, lost in the passion. The only focus she had was the pleasure, chills, the shudders his body caused her at the moment. How wildly in love she was with him. Music streamed to the outside patio, allowing her to float away on the rhythm of the tune and his movements.

  “Baby…this is gonna be quick.” He sighed breathlessly…and he shouted out, planting his lips against her neck. “Good Lord, woman,” he mumbled against her flesh. His breathing was deep and he panted against her ear, giving a lick with his kiss as he slowed down, holding her there, tight onto him.

  Nora’s breaths were short, deep. “I still can’t believe we’re doing this. Mmm, you’re a wild man…wild I say.”

  When it was over, he slowly released her to the ground then zipped his pants. “Electrifying.” He laughed. “I like unplanned quickies.”

  The door to the restaurant opened and a couple came toward them to their own car parked only two over. Nora inconspicuously straightened her dress. When they got into their car and drove off, she took her thong from the hood of her SUV, and attempted to put it on. Tristan halted her. “Let me put this in my pocket. You don’t want it back on.”

  Her eyes widened. “Don’t I? In your pocket?”

  “It’s a boy’s wet dream, sweetheart.” Tristan’s sexy persona blew her away.

  Oh, how she loved this guy. Life was great! “You sure ain’t no boy, rancher.” Nora ringed her arms around his neck. “I didn’t expect this to happen. I’m still throbbing.”

  Tristan ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re pretty damn good at surprises yourself. I didn’t expect ya to say yes.”

  What a shock it was to her, too. Parking lots. Mountains. “You kiss me like that and expect me to walk away? That was bold, Tristan. We could’ve been caught!”

  “We weren’t.” He glanced at the brightly lit entranceway and wrapped his arm around her waist. “We better go inside. Crimminy, I don’t know if I can keep this I-just-got-lucky expression off my face.”

  “This should last till our wedding night, don’t ya think? I can’t see you till the ceremony. I’ll hang on to this all night.”

  Tristan brushed his fingers over her hair. “It’ll turn me on the rest of the night to know your sexy undies are in my pocket. Kinky, huh?”

  “Just watch where you put your hands the rest of the night, Carlson.” She leaned in for another kiss. “And please, be careful what you’re pulling out of your pocket.”

  “No problem.” Tristan clasped her hand. “Let’s go face them. Don’t blush.”

  Nora rolled her eyes at him. “Easy for you to say. Please don’t embarrass me.”

  “Aw, darlin’, you should know I’d never do anything like that. Not to worry.” He put his arm around her shoulder and twirled her thong around his finger. “I’ll be sleeping with these tonight though.”

  “I’m glad I sprayed perfume all over me, and um, my undies.”

  “Great, more temptation.”

  “I’m teasing. You’re not taking this home.” She took it from him, and rested her hand against his shoulder. “Help me balance while I get this on.”

  Tristan held her shoulders. “Damn, heels.” She kicked her shoes off and proceeded to pull on her thong, smoothing her dress again. “Okay, I’m ready to go back inside.” She patted her hair. “Do I look a mess?”

  Tristan picked up her heels assisting her in slipping them on. “Uh uh. You look loved…magnificent. Quickies become you.” Tristan laughed. “We’ll have to do it outside more often because I like this look of you in moonlight. Our new home will have a sliding door onto the balcony, so I can sprinkle you with, ah, moon-dust.”

  He must’ve gotten into the champagne early. “Come on, bad boy, let’s go back to our party!”

  “By the way. Your dress is awesome. The color makes your eyes pop. You’re stunning tonight. It’s a good choice for our wedding colors, although I’m not big on the bowtie.”

  “You’ll be handsome in a black tux, and besides, the tie is darker, special for the guys. I knew you wouldn’t like the lighter color. Not big macho guys like you, Jase, and Brody.” She gave him a wink.

  Tristan held the door. “It’s all good, darlin’. We’re not wearing them.” He gave an intimidating frown. “Final word on the matter.”

  Well, she’d see about that. Nora tapped her finger against his arm. “Think about how pretty our little girl will look in her dress, almost the same color as Roxanne and Leann, but a tad darker to match your tie.”

  “Come on, girl. Onward to our crew and dinner.”

  She let the subject drop for now. “I’m still tingling inside. You sure do have your ways.”

  “Yeah, and that was only a quickie.” He bumped her shoulder. “Wait for the long one. Let’s stop at the bathroom.”

  “I’ve had your longie intimate sessions. Looking forward to more of them.”

  Tristan pulled her to a halt outside the restrooms and lifted her chin to look at him. “I’m looking forward to the rest of my life with you. Long ones. Quickies. They’re all perfect.”

  Nora caressed the strong lines of his jaw. “Well, love, that goes without saying.”

  “Catch ya in a minute.”

  They parted and went to the rest rooms. When they came out, Jase was there in the hallway. “Hey, where you guys been? We looked all over for you.” Jase slipped his arm around Nora’s shoulder and escorted her to the table. He pulled her chair out when they arrived. “Your dinner’s cold.”

  “We had to discuss some issues.” Tristan ignored the questioning look on his brother’s face and peered at Nora. “I can eat it cold.” He licked his lips shamelessly. “But I prefer it hot.”

  Heat exploded over her cheeks due to his bold action. One she should be used to by now. Not to mention his cocky grin. Something all those Carlson cowboys were good at. She rolled her eyes at him and turned away. So much for not embarrassing me. He insisted on being so bad sometimes, but she liked his teasing.

  Chapter 4

  Nora peeked out the upstairs bedroom window to the decorated grounds below. The rail fence along the drive had strings of flowers intertwined with greenery. This morning on her way in, the Double Dutch sign was decorated with green roping mixed with white roses and carnations. A large banner displaying white wedding bells and the words Congratulations Nora and Tristan hung on the top rail of the ranc
h sign.

  She had made arrangements with Judy, Martyn, and Jase to make sure Tristan was out of the house by time she appeared. She didn’t know where he was, but she couldn’t wait to see him. The white carriage sat to the side, and Selva would hook Roark and Sammy George up to it for the bride and groom’s ride to the reception area.

  She ran her hands over the front of her wedding dress, the satin soft and cool beneath her fingers. It was not curve hugging but fit perfectly. The sweetheart neckline showed just enough cleavage to be sexy. Surely enough to catch Tristan’s attention. The crystals across the top were a mixture of clear and teal stones. Small beads were intermingled throughout and down the front of the bodice. The dress was elegant but not too much for an outside wedding.

  Destiny and Brody were both giving Tristan and Nora away. It was hard for Destiny to understand at first to think she had to give her daddy away, but after watching wedding videos she understood, knowing she wasn’t really giving him up.

  Roxanne came up from behind, her fingers smoothing out the veil. “We have to go downstairs now.”

  Nora knelt in front of Destiny. “You’re very beautiful in your pretty dress.” She gave her a hug.

  Destiny turned her shoulders side to side. “It’s okay for a dress. No one would let me wear my cowboy boots.” She peeked up at her grandmother.

  Nora winked at Judy. “Well, maybe Grandma will change her mind. I bet she’ll take you to get them on before going downstairs. It’s fine with me if you wear them.”

  Destiny tilted her head, looking up at her grandmother again with a smile that would sweeten lemons.

  Judy said, “Okay, little darlin’. We’ll stop for your boots before going downstairs.”

  Nora rose and hugged Judy, whispering thank you into her ear. “You look gorgeous. I bet Martyn likes your dress. Bronze is nice on you.”

  Judy gave a sweet smile. “I must say, he did give me a lot of compliments. He got a few in return from me, too.”