by Fox, Calista
“Ryan will be on his knees when he sees you,” Reese told her.
“This is what I’ve always wanted.” Ginger sighed dreamily. “But until y’all opened the inn, there was no place for me to have a wedding like this. I was resigned to the Elks Lodge with the faded gray, peeling paneling on the walls. I never could have pulled this dress off at that venue.”
“I’m so relieved we finished the renovations in time,” Reese told her. Ginger and Ryan had pushed back their wedding date to correspond with the grand opening of the inn and that had put considerable pressure on everyone to meet the tight deadline.
But Caleb’s horses were in their stalls and corrals. The clinic was complete and staffed. And Sam had a dozen volunteers working the stables. Reese had filled all the positions at the inn—the entire enterprise being a significant boon to the job market and economy in Wilder. As Caleb had predicted, she had her hands full. She loved every moment of it.
Jess said, “It’s time. Let’s try to get this monstrosity into the hallway.” She surveyed the dress and added, “Thank goodness we’re in a suite with double doors.”
“Patio doors are double too,” Reese said. “She should fit.”
Ginger laughed. “Thanks, guys. You’re making me feel so good about myself.”
Liza said, “We’re just poking fun because you’re so petite. There’s more dress than there is woman, you realize.”
“Of course I know that,” Ginger said. “But this is the dress I always wanted. I don’t care how over-the-top it is. It’s my damn weddin’.”
The others lifted the train and they carefully made their way down the stairs and to the doors that led to the back deck, where they waited for their cue. Down by the lake sat the trimmed gazebo Liza had once envisioned, now a reality. A hundred chairs were perfectly aligned on the lawn, all covered with formfitting white linen with silver satin bows tied at the base of their tall backs, and occupied by Ginger and Ryan’s friends and family.
Red and white rose petals were scattered along the center aisle. Tall lampposts were accented with the elegant tulle and white floral decorations the women had crafted with silver ribbon. The trunks of the trees had been wrapped with white twinkle lights for later on, when the sun set.
Round tables that sat eight all had white linen table cloths and silver satin napkins. Squat domes of red roses served as centerpieces. Votives would be lit during the reception.
Reese, Liza and Jess had provided all the additional decorations and the setup for the wedding as their gift to Ginger and Ryan.
The bride said, “Good Lord, it’s like something straight out of a bridal magazine.”She swiped at a tear.
“No crying,” Liza said. “You’ll smudge your makeup.”
“It’s all so breathtaking,” Ginger said. “So much more than I’d imagined.”
“And look what else we did for you,” Liza said as she gestured toward the gazebo down by the water. “We even brought along a sexy Adonis for you to get hitched to.”
She laughed. “That makes you the best maid of honor, and the best bridesmaids, in history.” Peering through the framed windowpanes of the patio door, she added, “Damn, he’s hot.”
“They all are,” Reese said as she eyed Jack, George and Caleb in their tuxes, standing up for Ryan.
“Our wedding pictures are going to be gorgeous,” Ginger said. “The three of you in those strapless silver minis with your red-rose bouquets. Y’all look like movie stars.”
“No one will even notice us,” Liza said. “All eyes will be on you.”
Ginger fanned her face with a hand, apparently to keep the tears at bay.
“Well,” Reese said. “We’ve tortured Ryan long enough, making him wait for you. Jess, why don’t you start down the aisle and I’ll follow.”
Jess pulled open the doors and the three women took their places up front, while Ginger remained ensconced in the house, awaiting her grand entrance. The gentle sound of the harp stopped and Lydia Bain tickled the ivories of the sleek, black grand piano set on a parquet platform—the piano being a splurge piece Caleb had bought for the inn’s lounge.
The patio doors opened again and Sheriff Johnson escorted Ginger out onto the back deck where she paused as everyone stood and admired her.
Tears stung Reese’s eyes. Her friend was not only beautiful, the huge smile on her face told of how happy she was. And Reese was genuinely happy for her…
* * * * *
“That was some wedding you ladies pulled off,” Caleb told her later as he climbed into bed next to Reese. Their cottage wasn’t quite finished, but the bedroom was sufficiently outfitted.
She snuggled under the covers with him. “I’d say it was one hell of a grandiose inaugural event for the inn. We had to go overboard. I mean, you did see that dress Ginger was wearing.”
“Hard to miss. I was a little concerned as to whether it’d fit down the aisle without knocking over any guests.”
She laughed. “Yes, but it was gorgeous. As was she.”
“My attention was mostly elsewhere.” He kissed her, then said, “Better be careful with your party planning expertise or my mother might decide to host an event here.”
“Now why would you say such a thing to me?”
He chuckled. “Sorry about that. Although, she and my father did agree to make the trip down soon to see the place.”
“I may conveniently be out of town that weekend.”
“I wouldn’t blame you in the least.” He kissed her again. Much more passionately this time, stealing her breath.
“You’re wearing entirely too much clothing,” she said as she reached for the waistband of his boxers.
“Hold on a sec. Let me grab something from the nightstand.”
He reached for the drawer and she stripped off her short nightie. When they turned back to each other, Reese gasped. He held an opened black velvet box with a ring that showcased a large, pear-shaped diamond.
“What do you say we tie the knot too?”
Her hand pressed to her chest. “Good Lord, Caleb. That’s like two carats!”
“Four. I dipped into the trust fund for it. I’m sure our kids will understand.”
The fluttering of her heart made it difficult to breathe. “Kids?”
“Yeah, I was thinking two at least. Maybe three? We can just keep adding onto the cottage. And Sam will end up with more help in the stables.”
A smile instantly touched her lips. “Three would be fine.”
“Then we’d better get a move on it. You’re not gettin’ any younger.”
Her jaw dropped. She playfully shoved him. “Thanks a lot.”
“Well, my mother did secretly call you a cougar.” He winked at her. “I think it’s damn sexy.”
“I think you’re damn sexy.”
“So you’ll marry me?”
She held out her left hand. “’Til death do we part.”
He slid the ring on her finger and then pulled her into his arms. “This is just the beginning for us, darlin’.”
“I am very much in love with you,” she said.
“Right back at ya.”
About Calista Fox
Calista Fox in a multi-published, award-winning author of contemporary, suspense and paranormal erotic romances. She began her professional fiction-writing career in 2004, following a successful career in PR, where she specialized in writing speeches and Congressional testimonies. Her books have received rave reviews and she is also the recipient of a Reviewers Choice Award for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Novella.
Calista is a member of Romance Writers of America and two of its Phoenix Chapters, Desert Rose and Valley of the Sun Romance Writers. She has served on the Board of Directors, been the newsletter director and chaired the annual Golden Quill Contest for the Desert Rose Chapter. She is also a member of Passionate Ink, RWA’s erotic romance chapter. In addition, Calista gives presentations and workshops on writing novellas.
Calista attended college on a Journalism s
cholarship and has worked on newspapers as an editor and reporter. She holds degrees in General Studies and Communications. Calista lives in Arizona, but travels frequently to places like Mexico, Europe, San Diego and Washington, D.C. She has traveled the country by Lear Jet, always with her laptop in tow, and is a spa aficionado!
Calista welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Calista Fox
Backseat Mistress
Body Scenes 1: Stroke Me
Body Scenes 2: Melt Me
Body Scenes 3: Seduce Me
Body Scenes 4: Claim Me
Devil’s Kitchen
Rugged and Risque 1: Devil in Texas
Rugged and Risque 2: Adonis in Texas
Forever in Her Eyes
Jaden’s Wicked Witch
Thunder and Lightning
Until Jake
Print books by Calista Fox
Better with Age anthology
Passionate Peridot anthology
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Cougar in Texas
ISBN 9781419942549
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Cougar in Texas Copyright © 2012 Calista Fox
Edited by Briana St. James
Cover design by Fiona Jayde
Photos: Coka, Olivier Le Quinec/Shutterstock.com and Ron/daz3d
Electronic book publication October 2012
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