by R. C. Ryan
Jonah and Max stood on the porch, watching as the last of the news crews packed their trucks and began the long trek back to civilization.
Max dropped an arm around Jonah’s shoulders. “There now. That wasn’t so terrible, was it?”
“Next time, just ask me to slit my wrists and give them a quart of my blood.”
“So dramatic.” Max chuckled. “But then, writing all that blood and gore is how you earn the big bucks.”
“No, Max. I earn the big bucks by discipline and hard work. Anything that interrupts that flow costs me, and that in turn costs you.”
Max rolled his eyes. “It was a one-time event. And you won’t believe all the mileage you’ll get out of this. I’m telling you, JR, your latest book will be the biggest seller of all time.”
Jonah shot him a smile. “It better be. Are you staying for lunch?”
“What about that amazing breakfast Billy cooked?”
“That was two hours ago. Before long it’ll be lunchtime.”
Max checked his phone. “Sorry. My plane’s ready. I’m heading out now.”
The two men shook hands and Jonah remained on the porch until Max drove away.
As Jonah started toward the kitchen, he could hear the loud murmur of his family. From the tone of their voices, they were as disturbed by the media circus as he was.
When he stepped into the room, heads came up and a sudden silence descended.
“It’s all right.” He shot them a wide grin. “They’re all gone. Even Max. Now if we can just get that special agent to leave town, maybe we can get back to normal.” He sauntered across the room, his gaze scanning them, searching for the one face among them that could restore his sanity. “Where’s Annie?”
For a moment nobody said a word. Even Billy, always so animated, seemed to be at a loss.
Finally Meg spoke for them. “Avery found her upstairs. Packing.”
“Packing?” He arched a brow. “Why? What’s this about?”
Meg was holding tightly to Egan’s hand. “She feels responsible for the media intruding on your privacy. She told Avery that she knows how much you hate it and that it’s all her fault.”
Avery nodded. “I heard her call her uncle to ask if she could stay with him until she can figure out where to go from here.”
With an oath, Jonah spun on his heel and stormed out of the kitchen.
As soon as he was gone, the family leaned close, buzzing like bees as they speculated on what would happen next.
Their ordinary lives had become a hotbed of drama.
Seeing the closed door of the guest room, Jonah just stood there, debating on whether to knock or kick it open. What he wanted to do was confront Annie with the absurdity of her plan. What he knew he would have to do was to engage her in a civil discussion.
Civil.
At the moment, he couldn’t find a shred of civility in his bones. He was feeling like a barbarian at the gates, ready to plunder and pillage to have his way.
The thought had him frowning as he knocked. Without waiting for a response, he opened the door and stepped inside.
A closed suitcase stood by the door. Annie was across the room, staring at the Tetons in the distance.
At the sound of the door, she turned.
He was leaning on the door, arms crossed over his chest, regarding her with a look that had her poor heart stuttering.
“I can see how angry you are. I’m sorry.”
“I’m mad as hell.” He remained where he was.
“I know. And it’s all my fault.” Her hands fluttered, and she gave another glance out the window. “All those cameras and microphones and”—Ham’s insulting words flew into her brain—“that toothy shark. I never meant for any of this to happen, Jonah, but I take full responsibility. If I hadn’t brought all this to your doorstep, none of it would have touched you or your family.”
“Actually, the shark was a surprise. She was nice. And smart as a whip. Of all the questions she threw at me, not one of them was silly or banal. The lady has a brain and knows how to use it.”
Her brows shot up. “You…aren’t mad?”
“Of course I am. And I’ll let Max suffer for a couple of days, just so he doesn’t get the notion that he can let this happen again.”
Hearing the sound of an engine, she turned and saw her uncle’s car pulling up at the back door. “Uncle Des is here.” She crossed the room.
Seeing that Jonah hadn’t moved, she tried a stiff smile. “I asked him to come and get me. I know it’s cowardly of me, but I was hoping to slip away while you were busy with the media.”
“You weren’t even going to say goodbye?”
She stood before him, forcing herself to meet his piercing gaze. “I’m sorry for all of this. For dragging you and your family into this ugly crime. And then subjecting you to all the publicity. I know it’s the one thing you most hate. Looking back, I realize I must have blown into your life like a hurricane.”
“That’s a good description of you. Hurricane Annie.”
“I deserve that.” She bent to her suitcase. “And now I’ll leave and hope that sooner or later your life can settle down to a normal routine.”
“What if I ask you to stay?” He put a hand over hers and the suitcase dropped with a thud.
She lifted her head. “Why?”
He bit back a smile. “Maybe I’m a sucker for stormy weather.”
Hearing the hint of humor in his voice, she felt a quick hitch in her heart. “Are you just teasing? Or are you really asking me to stay?”
“I’m not asking that.” He waited a beat and realized, too late, that tears were filling her eyes.
“Hey.” He caught her by the shoulders and pressed his forehead to hers. “Oh, Annie. What I meant to say is, I’m not asking you, I’m begging you. Please stay, Annie. I couldn’t bear this life without you in it.”
She pulled a little away to look into his eyes. “After all this, are you sure you mean it?”
“Annie, don’t you know yet how much I love you?”
“But the police, and the media…”
“All noise that will fade away. But love…” He tipped up her chin and brushed his mouth over hers, feeling the first of the tremors that always seemed to rock him the minute they kissed. “Love stays. Love like ours can last for a lifetime. Do you love me, Annie?”
“With all my heart.”
He gave a long, deep sigh. “That’s all we need, babe. I want you here with me. I want to marry you, and spend a lifetime with you here where we can hike whenever we want, and watch the herds of deer and mustangs and…”
She stood on tiptoe to stop his words with a kiss. “It’s what I want, too. I want to hike with you, and live with you, and have lots of little cowboys with you…”
“About damned time,” came Casey’s voice as the door opened and the family spilled inside. “I’m guessing that was a yes.”
“Of course it was a yes,” Meg said imperiously.
Laughing and squealing their approval, the women pushed between Annie and Jonah to offer hugs and kisses.
Bo grabbed his son in a great bear hug and wished him well.
Egan was slapping his grandson’s shoulder while saying, “I hope you and Annie can be as happy as Meggie and I are, Jonah.”
“That’s my hope, too, Gramps.”
Ham stood very still, studying Jonah with a steady look. “I figured a smart man like you would know how to persuade her to stay, boy.”
“You approve, Ham?”
“I do. And I agree with your assessment. She’s been a hurricane in our lives. A breath of fresh air. Don’t you ever forget that, boy.”
“No, sir. I won’t.”
Annie’s uncle was hugging her tightly before she drew back in shock. “Uncle Des. You were listening outside the door with the Merricks?”
He flushed. “What can I say? Now that we’re friends again, I guess I’ve just slipped back into the old ways.”
She wrapped
her arms around his neck and hugged him again. “I’m so glad you’ll be able to celebrate with me without feeling uncomfortable.”
“Annie, honey, I wouldn’t miss a minute of all this.”
Jonah shook Des’s hand before putting an arm around Annie’s waist and leading her across the room. “Are you okay with all my family knowing our business?”
She put her hands on either side of his face and smiled before pouring herself into a long, slow kiss. Against his mouth she murmured, “I guess, as long as you can endure the media circus, I can endure the Merrick circus.”
“Thank heaven.” He drew her close for another kiss. “Because once you give your word, you’re in it for a lifetime, Annie Dempsey, and I’m never letting you go.”
Epilogue
A few weeks later
It was one of those perfect summer days in Wyoming. A sky so blue it looked like a movie prop, with little white, puffy clouds changing shapes as they drifted toward the distant spires of the Grand Tetons.
The range grass was shoulder high, attracting herds of mustangs that could be seen foraging across the high meadows.
In the kitchen, Billy was having the time of his life, preparing a wedding supper fit for a king.
Beef tenderloin, cooked to perfection, lay resting in foil on the counter. A salad of fresh greens with garden tomatoes was drizzled with a hint of red wine vinegar. Au gratin potatoes were bubbling in the oven. Fresh sourdough rolls were nestled in linen napkin–lined baskets.
Billy put the finishing touches on the Black Forest cake he’d prepared. Tucked into the whipped cream frosting on top were two figures. The groom wore jeans and a plaid shirt and held a book in one hand. His other hand grasped the figure of a bride with a bank ledger tucked under her arm. Both figures wore hiking boots. Behind them grazed a couple of mustangs.
He stood back to admire his work before returning his attention to the champagne, chilling in a bucket.
The men gathered on the back porch, where a long table had been covered in white linen and a dozen or more chairs had been added for the guests.
Des Desmond stood alongside Bo, greeting guests as they stepped from their vehicles.
Jonah’s agent, Max Friend, had arrived with a generous new contract, in hopes of impressing his client and making amends for that invasion of the media.
When a police car drove up, Jonah looked over with a frown, until he saw Noble Crain walk around to the passenger side to take his wife’s arm. He visibly relaxed.
Seeing him, Casey chuckled. “Don’t worry, bro. Brand and I already agreed that if we see any sign of a news truck, or the FBI looking for another interview, we’ll strong-arm them away before they have the chance to intrude.”
“Thanks.” Jonah watched as his grandfather stood talking to Noble and MaryAnn Crain.
Seeing an unfamiliar truck, he said, “Is that the preacher?”
Brand’s smile held a hint of a secret. “That’s Nonie’s truck.”
Jonah arched a brow. “Did Annie invite her?”
Brand merely shrugged. “She may have suggested it to Pop, but he was the one who issued the invitation.” They watched with interest as Bo opened the door of the truck to assist Nonie. His arm remained around her waist as she looked up to say something, and the two of them shared a secret smile.
Brand nudged his brother. “It’s your wedding. You’re supposed to be in on all these little details.”
Jonah gave a short laugh. “It may be my wedding, but if I had my way, we’d have done what Chet and Aunt Liz did and asked the mayor to make it legal in town, without any fuss.”
“I know Aunt Liz is shy, and that suited her and Chet. But most women like fuss,” Casey reminded him. “Look at Avery and Kirby. They both wanted to be married here.” He gave Jonah a long look. “You having second thoughts about this?”
“Not on your life. I just want the fuss over with so we can spend some time alone.”
“Who says you’ll be alone?” Casey winked at Brand. “We all know where you’re going for that honeymoon. What’s to prevent us from showing up at your cabin?”
“My rifle, that’s what. Or my fists. Just remember, I’ll fight anybody who tries to invade our privacy.”
“Wow. Annie’s fierce protector.” Casey was grinning. “I hope after enough alone time, you come home feeling a little more mellow.”
Jonah returned the smile. “Count on it.” He turned away. “Here comes Reverend Lawson. I’m going upstairs to fetch my bride.”
The women gathered around Annie as she stepped from behind a screen beside her best friend Lori, who’d flown in several days earlier. The two had spent time catching up on all that had happened since they’d been apart.
Annie was wearing a white silk sundress that hugged her body before drifting around her ankles. On her feet were strappy heeled sandals. She wore her hair long and loose just the way Jonah loved it and had tucked a spray of baby’s breath in a jeweled clip. It was her only adornment.
“Oh, honey.” Aunt Bev, her short hair beginning to grow into soft curls after her last round of chemo, her cheeks flushed with color from the cruise she and Des had taken, caught both Annie’s hands and surveyed her with a look of pride. “You’re the image of your beautiful mother.”
Annie’s smile deepened. “Thank you, Aunt Bev. That’s the nicest thing you could have said.”
“She was as sweet as she was beautiful. And from the day she married your father, she was my best friend. I miss her every day.” She patted Annie’s hand softly. “I’m so glad you followed the family into banking. And thank you for agreeing to take over the operation of our bank here in Devil’s Door. That will ease Des’s mind, knowing he can spend more time with me.”
“It was generous of Uncle Des to offer me the position of bank president.”
“You’re the generous one, honey. He’s been overworked for years and so eager to step back from it.”
The two women shared hugs.
As they stepped apart, Avery gave Annie a long look. “That dress is perfect. I’m so glad you chose it.”
“Thanks to you.” Annie turned a little circle, allowing them to see the way the silk swirled around her ankles when she moved.
“And the flowers in your hair.” Kirby gave her an admiring glance. “I like it so much better than the veil we looked at.”
Annie nodded. “Me too. I want to keep my look as simple as this day.”
Liz chuckled. “But not as simple as the wedding Chet and I had.”
“It was perfect,” Meg said in defense of her daughter.
“It was.” Annie nodded. “It was such a happy occasion. And it suited the two of you. Just as, I hope, today suits us.” With that, she reached for a cluster of little white bags from a nearby table and handed them around.
As the women opened them, there were murmurs of approval.
“Oh, honey.” Aunt Bev held up the jeweled brooch with a pink bow surrounded by precious stones. “This means the world to me. And this symbol tells the world that I’m beating this terrible illness.”
She stood still while Annie pinned it to her pale pink dress.
“Oh, Annie.” Miss Meg held up her gift. A necklace with two hearts intertwined. “How appropriate, since Egan and I just celebrated another anniversary.”
Her daughter, Liz, fastened it around Meg’s neck before opening her own bag to discover a heart-shaped picture frame that read Real love isn’t measured by words, but by hearts. Inside was a photo taken at their recent wedding, showing Liz and Chet looking into each other’s eyes with so much love it was dazzling to see.
Avery and Kirby were encouraged by Annie to open their gifts together. Inside, each of them found a silver bracelet etched with the words Sisters of the heart. The clasp resembled three pairs of hands clasping.
Lori’s bag contained a gold locket with pictures of the two taken when they were in first grade. Engraved on the back were the words Best friends forever.
All t
he women gathered around the bride-to-be, hugging and laughing together.
At a knock on the door, Meg hurried over to open it.
Though Jonah took in the sight of all of them, the only one he really saw was Annie.
Seeing the light in his eyes, the women were smiling as they walked past him, leaving the two alone.
“You look”—he swallowed—“so beautiful you take my breath away. Like that first time I saw you in Nonie’s. It was like there was a spotlight on you, and everyone else just faded away.”
She stood perfectly still. “It’s the same for me. I see you, and nothing else matters.”
He stepped closer, his voice low, as though afraid to break the spell. “I love you, Annie.”
“I love you, Jonah. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He held out a hand. “Then let’s get started.”
As they walked from the room, he paused by a hall table and handed her a nosegay of white roses.
She lifted them to her face and breathed in their perfume.
At the top of the stairs they paused, smiling at the scene below.
Reverend Lawson stood waiting expectantly.
The family had formed a semicircle around him. Jonah’s brothers and their wives were whispering. Uncle Des and Aunt Bev were standing beside Bo and Nonie, who looked so pretty in a pale yellow dress.
Ham stood, ramrod straight, belying his ninety years. Beside him were Egan and Meg, along with Billy.
Lori was surrounded by a group of handsome cowboys, all of them clearly mesmerized by the sun-kissed California beauty.
Jonah lifted Annie’s hand to his lips. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Merrick?”
She leaned close to lay her palm against his cheek. “Oh, Jonah. I’ve never been so ready for anything in my life. I think you had me with that sexy stare at Nonie’s. And then you cemented it when you told me about climbing the Chimney three times, after first breaking your collarbone and then your arm. How can I help but love a guy with so much determination?”