Shelly had a dreamy look on her face. “He does?”
“Yep. Every single time.”
“We have the same interests and, well, we’re taking it slow, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Davis always makes me feel special.”
“That’s wonderful, Shelly. I’m really happy for you.” Katie nibbled on her lips, hesitating. “But I have another bit of news. I’m afraid there’s more.”
Shelly tilted her head. “Can I handle more news?”
“Gosh, I hope so. This is important.” She laid a hand on her abdomen, a protective gesture that any woman would pick up on, especially a nurse.
The words wouldn’t come. This news could crush her sister and ruin their relationship for good.
But it seemed she didn’t have to speak the words. Shelly’s eyes riveted to her stomach and she knew. “You’re pregnant.”
Goodness, this was difficult. “H-how do you feel about becoming an aunt?”
“An aunt. Katie?”
“Yes, I’m, uh, we’re going to have a baby, Shel. I hope this isn’t too much for you, because I’m really gonna need you. I need my big sis.”
“My gosh, Katie. This is a lot to take in.”
“I know,” she squeaked, and gave Shelly her best little sister pout. It used to work when they were kids. “But I hope you can, ’cause I’m gonna really need you.”
Shelly’s shoulders relaxed and her expression changed. “You know what? I’m through being miserable. It’s like meeting Davis has shined a bright light inside me. So, yes, of course I’ll be there for you. You’re my baby sister.”
Tears dripped freely down Katie’s face as she gave her sister a gigantic heartfelt squeeze. “Oh Shel, this means everything to me. Thank you.”
“Have you told Mom?”
“Yes, just before I spoke with you,” Katie said. “She’s gonna be a grandma, and that makes her happy. I think she’s accepted Luke, too. She said she just wants her girls to be happy.”
Shelly smiled for the first time since Katie walked into the apartment. “Then, I think she’s gotten her wish.”
* * *
When Katie arrived home, she slumped on her bed, drained of energy. It had been an emotional day and all she could think about was getting into bed and falling asleep. It didn’t matter it was only six in the evening, she was bone weary.
Her cell phone buzzed and buzzed and she dug into her purse. It was Luke. Immediately, she smiled. Her husband was calling.
She chuckled and then answered the phone. “Hi,” she said.
“Hi.”
Just hearing his voice brought her peace.
“How did it go with your sister?”
“It was difficult, but Shelly will come around. She’s in love with someone and I think it’s going to be okay.”
Luke released a big sigh. “Glad to hear it, sweetheart. That makes this day perfect. Well, almost perfect. If you look outside now, you’ll see there’s a car waiting for you out front.”
“A car? Luke, what are you up to?”
“You’ll see. The driver knows where to take you. Trust me, Katie.”
She took a deep breath. “Can I have twenty minutes? I need to shower and change.”
“Okay, but remember I’ll be waiting.”
After she hung up the phone, she took a quick shower and put on her favorite floral sundress, one that wouldn’t be fitting her too much longer. She tossed a short denim jacket over the dress and then slipped her feet into a pair of tan leather boots. Then she brushed her hair to one side and let it flow down her shoulders. She stared into the mirror for a second, wondering how on earth she’d gotten to this point in her life. This time, her thoughts weren’t filled with dread and fear but with hope and promise.
The “car” Luke had sent was a limousine. Of course. At times she forgot how incredibly wealthy he was. The driver opened the door for her and she climbed in the back seat and stretched out.
“Miss, there’s food and snacks and apple cider in case you get hungry,” the driver said.
“Why, where am I going? Is it far?”
“Not too far. Mr. Boone wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”
“I am, thank you. So, you can’t tell me where you’re taking me?”
“And ruin the surprise?” he asked with a grin before closing her door.
Surprise? Goodness, she didn’t know how much more her heart could take today, but she leaned back, closed her eyes and relaxed. Luke had asked her to trust him. And she did.
A short time later, the limo turned down the path toward Red Barrel Horse Rescue. Katie sat up straighter in the seat and peered out the window. Her curiosity aroused, she scanned the area. There was no sign of Luke. The driver parked in front of the office and then got out to open the door for her. “Miss, Mr. Boone is waiting for you in the barn.”
She glanced over to the big red barn and saw Luke approaching, wearing his black Stetson and a stunning dark suit, a string tie at his neck. Her heart raced. He was handsome and wonderful and all hers. She picked up the pace and soon she was in his arms, his mouth devouring hers, laying claim, making every bone in her body melt.
“Luke,” she murmured between kisses. “What’s this all about?”
Luke kissed her one last time. “Come with me.”
He placed his hand on her back and led her into the barn. She gasped when she saw what he’d done. A dozen arrangements of flowers and tiny white lights surrounded a round linen-clad table set for two. Sparkling cider sat in a bucket of ice. The whole place appeared magical. “This is beautiful.”
“I hoped you’d like it.”
“But what are we—”
Luke dropped to one knee and took her hands in his. “Katie, I want to do this right. I want you to have all the things a bride should have, including a proper proposal.”
“Oh, Luke.” Tears swam in her eyes.
“I brought you here because this is where I fell in love with you. We have good memories here, you and me. It’s fitting that this is the place I bare my soul to you. Katie Rodgers Boone, I’m crazy in love with you and have been for a long time. You’re the only girl for me and I’m asking if you’ll have me for your husband. To live and love with me for the rest of our lives. Will you, Katie?”
He reached into his pocket and presented her with a ring. Not just any diamond ring—this one was designed with emerald and marquise cuts of diamonds in the shape of a barrel. Red rubies surrounded the whole ring. “Do you see it?” he asked.
Tears streamed down her face now. Her every dream was coming true. “I see it. It’s very special. And I see you for the good and honorable man that you are. I love the ring and yes, yes, yes. I’ll have you for my husband, if you’ll have me as your wife.”
A smile spread across his face and he rose up. “Are you joking?” he teased as he placed the ring on her finger. Then he kissed her, a good, long, joyful kiss that warmed her heart. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted. You, me and our baby, Katie, we’ll be a family. I can’t wait. But for now, I’m grateful our families know about us. We can stop pretending.”
“Yes, I’m glad about that, too. I love you very much and now I get to show it.”
“There’s more.”
“There always seems to be with you.”
He chuckled and took her hand again. As they walked out of the barn, the sky was a shock of tangerine and pink hues, as if Mother Nature had summoned up such wonder for this moment.
“Katie, I said I didn’t want you to miss out on being a bride. So today I’m giving you your wedding present.”
“It’s not necessary. You’ve already given me too much.”
“Not even close, sweetheart. And I think you’re going to like this gift.” He led her to Cinnamon’s corral. The horse looked her way, those big brown eyes c
apturing her attention. “I made arrangements to adopt her. She’ll be yours.”
“Really?” She’d never dared to dream of having a horse of her own. She loved every horse at the rescue, even the feisty ones, but she had a feeling Cinnamon was extra special. “She’ll be mine...”
“Yes. And when she’s ready, we’ll take her to Rising Springs. I’ve already contacted a trainer to work with her.”
“Luke, I don’t know what to say but thank you.” She buried her face in his shoulder and hugged him tight. “This is all so very much.”
He put his hand over her belly. Any day now, the evidence of their love would be pushing the limits of her body and bumping out. “I love this little one already,” he said.
She placed her hand over his. “Me, too.”
He spoke softly, his arm snugly around her. “We should go in and have our dinner. Gotta keep the baby nourished.”
“We do,” she said. “And afterward?”
He kissed her, leading her inside. “Afterward, we’ll have a proper start to our honeymoon, making hay inside the barn.”
Katie laughed as Luke closed the big barn doors.
She was one lucky girl. Waking up wed to the Texan sure had its perks.
Epilogue
Three months later
Drew and Lottie stood before the minister in front of the backyard gazebo on Rising Springs Ranch, saying heartfelt vows of love and devotion. Luke looked on with Katie beside him. Her peach chiffon bridesmaid dress rounded over her growing belly, and her expression was light, bright and happy. The sight of her carrying their child always put a smile on his face and reminded him of his great fortune having married her.
Drea stood as Lottie’s maid of honor and Mason as Drew’s best man. Risk and April were also in the wedding party, along with a few of Drew and Lottie’s good friends.
“I do,” said Lottie, staring blissfully into Drew MacDonald’s eyes. Drew was eager to repeat those same vows to her. The wedding was a family affair with fewer than thirty people in attendance. It was how Drew and Lottie wanted it. Only the most special people in their lives had received an invitation.
Theirs was the final piece of the puzzle that was the Boone family.
Drew’s cottage was under repair, with the addition of new rooms and a modern kitchen for Lottie. The renovations gave the whole place a face-lift and soon, their Tuesday night poker games would resume there.
Mason and Drea had just moved into their newly built home on the property. Word had it that Drea was eager to start a family and Mason was more than willing to oblige.
Risk and April were just finishing the work at Canyon Lake Lodge, hoping to open their new venture this June. The Boones would receive the first invitation to test out the lodge, before paying customers made reservations.
Luke and Katie were living at the ranch, his wife delegating duties between Lori and a new hire at her shop. She didn’t want to give up Katie’s Kupcakes entirely, and on her workdays they stayed at Katie’s apartment. Things would get a little more complicated when their baby came, but they’d work it out. He had no doubt.
“You may kiss the bride,” Minister Gavin declared.
Drew landed a passionate kiss on Lottie’s lips, one that made the minister turn a shade of bright red. He pronounced them husband and wife and the couple turned to their guests.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald.”
Luke took Katie’s hand and squeezed it tight as applause broke out for the newly married couple. Katie gazed at him, her pretty green eyes clear and full of love.
As the wedding party and guests dispersed, heading toward the reception area, Luke tugged Katie away to a private corner of the yard. “What is it?” she asked.
“Just wanted a kiss, the good kind.”
She laughed and then obliged him, her mouth sweet on his. The touch of her lips never failed to make him fall even harder in love with her. “I love you,” he said from deep in his heart.
“I love you right back, Luke,” she said sweetly. “And you still make me nutty.”
“I still do?”
“Yes, you still do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
* * *
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From Seduction to Secrets
by Andrea Laurence
One
As weddings go, it was a nice enough one. Sawyer Steele hadn’t been to many, but knowing his parents, it was probably an extravagant and expensive affair. Perhaps the greatest wedding ever held in Charleston. He wouldn’t know the difference. It wasn’t exactly Sawyer’s thing. But his baby sister, Morgan, was celebrating her big day, so of course he was there to smile for pictures and eat cake. Not everyone could get shipped off to work a deal in China and miss it like Finn did.
It was probably strategy on Trevor Steele’s part to have his most troublesome son out of the country for the event. Sawyer’s twin was the one most likely to cause the bulk of their father’s headaches. He could count on Sawyer and Tom, the oldest son, to attend and behave. As such, Sawyer had had his tuxedo dry-cleaned, his dark blond curls cut short and found a suitable date to bring with him. That was all that was really required of him tonight. Behave. Don’t make a scene. Make sure Morgan is happy. Easy enough.
Now the event was starting to wind down. They’d eaten, said a million toasts, had all the requisite dances and cut into the towering ivory-and-gold confection his sister had chosen for her cake. A few more dances and they should be waving sparklers and seeing his sister and her new husband off to start their lives together. He was good with that. The bow tie he was wearing felt like it was getting tighter around his throat with each passing hour.
Glancing over, he noticed his date, Serena—a woman he’d met a few weeks earlier at a conference—eyeballing the people on the dance floor. He decided it was time to take her for a spin at last. Sawyer wasn’t a dancer by any stretch, but he could manage a simple waltz for formal occasions. All the Steele children had been forced through junior cotillion to pick up some basic skills like that. They lived in the South, after all, and etiquette was paramount in the social circles he was forced into as one of the Steeles.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked Serena. The buxom blonde had chosen a low-cut, pale blue sheath dress that gave off some Cinderella vibes with her golden hair pulled up into a bun. She looked very pretty. At the same time, he just couldn’t muster up much enthusiasm for her. She didn’t have a very memorable personality. She actually reminded him of one of his mother’s beautiful, priceless antiques. Lovely to look at, but mostly decorative.
His brother Finn preferred a sports car type girlfriend. Sexy, high performance and exciting to drive, so to speak. Those women were as high maintenance as the cars and likely to get Finn in t
rouble before too long.
Sawyer’s ex, Mira, had been a Ferrari if ever he saw one. After that, he’d decided that maybe a roomy, luxury SUV was more his speed. Beautiful, adventurous, flexible, and if you took good care of it, it would reward your efforts for years to come.
But Serena looked so much like Mira that he instinctively wanted to call her by his ex’s name, and had to stop himself each time. They looked so similar that his feelings about how things had ended with Mira may have been souring how he felt about Serena. Or maybe Serena just wasn’t as much fun on the road as she appeared in the dealership.
“Sure, I’d love to dance,” she said with a smile.
Oh well. There was nothing he would or could do about it tonight. He took her hand and led her to the illuminated dance floor, where at least twenty other couples were gliding along to a romantic old Sinatra song. He wrapped his arm around her waist and they started to sway slowly to the music.
It was then, with her pressed close against him, that he realized taking a woman to a wedding on a third date was way too soon. He had to bring a plus one, but it made things feel more serious than they were. They’d had drinks and dinner so far, and if this wedding hadn’t come up, they might’ve gone to a movie. Maybe not even that, so he certainly didn’t need her getting overly romantic notions when he didn’t plan on a fourth date.
His gaze fell on a woman entering the ballroom. Even from this distance, she instantly captured his attention with fair skin that stood out against her black cocktail dress and bright auburn hair. She looked around the room, searching for someone. And then their eyes met. In an instant, it was like Sawyer had been hit directly in the gut. He’d never felt anything like that before. It was powerful. It made him forget all about the woman in his arms. At least for a moment.
Then he noticed the angry look on the newcomer’s face and wondered if it wasn’t attraction he was feeling so much as a woman’s fury.
She moved quickly through the crowd toward him. Sawyer was frozen in place on the dance floor—unable to pull away from the hold the redhead had on him even though his brain was telling him to escape.
Vegas Vows, Texas Nights Page 17