The sign on the front door of the main building said WE’RE SORRY, BUT WE’RE CLOSED TODAY ONLY FOR A SPECIAL EVENT.
A yellow Mustang convertible pulled up and parked. Justin walked out of the building to meet his grandmother and escort her to the patio.
“I’m glad you came,” he said.
“I wouldn’t have missed it. I like your young lady.”
“Yeah, so do I.” He smiled. “Very much.”
They walked around the side of the building and through the arched gate, which was covered with purple wisteria whose blossoms hung through the lattice. Already in the backyard were Nick, Jamie, and, of course, Harley. Only Luke was missing.
“Hey, everyone, the bar’s open,” Justin announced.
He didn’t have to say it twice. They all headed to the tiki bar that had been set up on the patio.
“It was nice to see that my good bro could be a bad guy,” Nick smiled. “Corrupted by a chick. I like that.”
Jamie punched him. “Like you, huh?”
He gave her a hug. “And lovin’ it, darlin’.”
Grammy gave Justin a worried look. “Are you feeling okay? You looked pretty awful when I saw you in the hospital.”
“I feel a lot better. It took a few days to clear out my lungs.” Justin and Lori had spent the night in the hospital, mostly for observation and to keep them on oxygen. After a little begging, the nurses had allowed them to share a room, which made the stay bearable.
“If you boys don’t stop trying to be heroes, I’m going to request a private parking space at the hospital. Frequent visitor privileges,” Grammy snorted.
But Justin could see that she was truly worried about him. “Really, we’re both okay.” His gaze lifted to the back door of the restaurant just as Lori walked out carrying a big tray of food. “Help yourself,” he told his family and hurried to help Lori.
She looked up at him and smiled as he took the heavy tray from her. “Looks like everyone’s here. Do you want to start the barbecue now?”
He set the tray on the table. “Actually, right now I want to kiss you. Think they’d miss us if we slipped off for a little nooky?”
“No thanks. The memory of last time is a little too fresh.” She stroked his chest. “Besides, we’ve got forever to be together. That is, unless you’ve changed your mind?” She twisted his ring on her finger nervously. She had wrapped tape around it to keep it from falling off.
He pulled her into a tight hug. “No chance of that. It’s taken me thirty-seven years to find you. Besides, I came too close to losing you, and it sucked.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Hey, break it up. There are people starving here,” Nick called out.
Three more guests rounded the corner.
“Look who we found in the parking lot,” Franklin called out.
“Casey, I’m so glad you could make it.” Lori rushed forward and gave her friend a hug.
Justin greeted his boss and coworker with considerably less warmth. “Have you found anything?”
Franklin held up a briefcase. “I’ve got Lori’s paperwork in here.”
Justin breathed a sigh of relief. “Glad to hear it. Go help yourself at the bar…unless you’re on duty.”
Franklin looked down at his gaudy Hawaiian-print shirt. “Does this look like a uniform?”
“Maybe if you’re Jimmy Buffett,” Justin joked. He held his hand out to Tyler. “Hey, man, no hard feelings. You were just doing your job.”
“Not too well, apparently,” Tyler retorted. “Maybe you and I can work on a case together so I can pick your brain.”
“That shouldn’t take long.” Nick had walked up behind them. “I hear the Rangers need a good explosive materials dog. I just happen to have one.”
“I thought he was a drug dog,” Franklin commented.
“Nah, he’s better at explosives.” Nick reached down and scratched Harley’s ears. “We’ve been working with him, and he’s really good.”
“Come in sometime, and we’ll talk,” Franklin said, then turned back to Justin. “When you get back into the office on Monday, there’s an undercover opportunity I want to discuss with you.”
“I’m not sure that’s the path I want to take.”
“Come on, Justin.” Nick chuckled. “Going deep can be fun.”
Justin shook his head and dismissed Nick’s double entendre. “I’m getting that look from Lori. I’ve got to start the steaks.” Justin left them at the bar and joined Lori at the pit.
An hour later, everyone was sitting at the table, their plates empty, and the server Lori had hired for the restaurant was delivering desserts. Raúl and Raquel were honored guests today and not allowed to do any work.
Lori stood and tapped a knife against her wine glass. “Can I have your attention, please?” She waited until everyone quieted down and looked at her. “Thank you all for joining us today. This is a celebration of life and love and friendship. I think most of you have already met them, but I want to dedicate this party to two very special people. Please welcome my very dear friends…Raquel and Raúl Castillo.” Lori looked at them and smiled. Everyone clapped and cheered.
“They have worked for the winery almost since the first day I moved here. They have been the main reason Crystal Springs is doing so well today, and I could not do this without them. You also know that my recent issues were resolved only because of their help. There’s no way I can ever repay them, but I raise a glass and say thank you.” Lori held her glass up and everyone toasted Raúl and Raquel.
“There’s two more people who need to be recognized and thanked,” Lori continued. “Actually, three. First, there’s Luke Archer. His encouragement and help in securing Raúl and Raquel’s brother’s testimony really broke this open.” She turned toward the restaurant and Luke walked out next to another man. “Second, there’s Armando, whose dream of living in the U.S. saved my life.”
Everyone turned to look at the late arrivals. Raúl and Raquel, whose backs were toward the building, jumped to their feet as soon as they saw their brother. They ran to him and enveloped him in tearful hugs. Lori let them have their reunion and looked back at the people still at the table.
“How did you do that?” Justin asked Luke, who had grabbed a steak and sat next to him.
“I’ve got a guy,” Luke answered with a cocky smile.
“That’s really cool.”
“Finally, to a Texas Ranger who is the finest man I’ve ever met. There’s no way to ever repay you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Justin.” She raised her glass in a toast in Justin’s direction.
“Speaking of Texas Rangers, I have something to say.” Franklin stood and put the briefcase on his chair. He clicked the locks and opened it. “Lori, here is your paperwork from the court, all signed and sealed. You’re officially cleared of all charges.” He glanced over at Raúl and Raquel, who were still talking to their brother on the patio. “And tell them that they will not be charged with any crime. However, Jerry Winston and your chef are currently guests of the state, and probably will be for many years to come. Brad confessed to breaking into your house, trying to blow up your truck, cutting your brake line, and trying to burn you alive, all planned and paid for by Winston.”
Lori and Justin exchanged relieved looks.
“And lastly, we were able to find a safe deposit box in Vegas, opened under an assumed name by your dead husband.” Franklin carried the briefcase over to Lori and placed it in her lap. “Except for about fifty thousand dollars, it’s all there. And yours to keep. I’m sure you’ll find good uses for it.”
Lori stared at the bundled cash with wide, unbelieving eyes.
“Is that real?” Mackenzie asked, leaning over her mother’s arm and looking at the briefcase full of money. “That’s enough to buy me a pony!”
Everyone laughed, and Lori nodded. “Yes, it is. We’ll get the stable ready.”
Franklin extended his hand to Justin and they shook. “Good job, son. I hope you enjoyed your vacation.”
Justin smiled and nodded. “Best vacation ever!”
“Oh, and the engagement ring and wallet are in the briefcase too,” Franklin added. “I’m sure the ring is worth twenty thousand or more.”
Justin stood. “Speaking of rings, Lori, that UT ring is way too big for your finger. Why don’t you give it back to me?”
Warily she removed the ring and held it out to him with shaking fingers.
He took it, then pulled a small box out of his pocket and dropped down on one knee. “I’m aware that we haven’t known each other long and that we’ve gone through some very unusual circumstances to get us here today. But when it’s right, it’s right. Lori, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I promise to love you forever.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked down at him. “Yes, yes, yes!”
He slipped the sparkling diamond ring on her finger, and she pulled him up. They kissed until his brothers started throwing napkins and leftover dinner rolls at them. Reluctantly they separated and sat back down with their fingers still entwined under the table.
“He’s going to need to turn in another vacation request,” Lori announced to Franklin. “I think this is going to be a very short engagement.”
“I’m not sure we can manage—” Franklin started to say, but Grammy stood and stared him down. “Sure, just give me some notice, and for God’s sake, focus on your other cases.”
Justin nodded his agreement. “Oh, I might be late on Monday. I’ll be commuting from here.”
Franklin opened his mouth, then shrugged.
“Congratulations, kids.” Grammy said loudly as she surveyed the table and the people. “It has been many, many years since we Archers have not had a Sunday dinner at my ranch. It feels really odd, but that’s probably because my ranch is a little more relaxing than here. Some of you understand the differences. Anyway, this has been a wonderful day, and I would be open to doing this again next year.”
Justin toasted in Grammy’s direction. The guests all dug into the desserts and went back to their conversations.
Justin put his arm around Lori. “When we were trapped in the barrel room, I was so sorry that we weren’t going to live long enough for me to show you how much I love you. I’ve never been a husband or a father, but I promise I’ll never stop trying to be the best I can be. I have forever to figure it out.”
She looked into his handsome face and smiled. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Ranger Archer.”