Chapter Eleven

By the time the pianist started playing the wedding march, the church was full and everyone’s nerves seemed to have calmed. Charlie stood beside Colby, with groomsmen Wyatt, Leo and James lined up along the communion rail. Today had been such a whirlwind of completing final touches on the house, coordinating a search and rescue for Cassie’s aunt and uncle, convincing his parents this was a great love match, and finally dressing up in a tuxedo that he’d hardly had a moment to breathe.

Now, as he waited for Cassie to start her walk down the aisle, the enormity of what they were doing hit him in the gut. He was getting married. He was going to swear that he’d love, honor and protect Cassie for the rest of their lives.

He barely knew her. Could they make this work?

Then his mind went blank as she appeared in the doorway leading to the vestibule. Dressed in an antique-looking ivory wedding dress, she appeared small and fragile next to her burly uncle. A short veil covered her face, just enough so he couldn’t read her expression from here. He remembered what she looked like when she was happy, worried, sad, stubborn, and a bunch of other emotions. He especially recalled what she looked like when she lay beside him, a satisfied smile on her face.

He wanted to see her that way again. Hell, he wanted to see all of those emotions and more as the years went by.

A surge of protectiveness filled him as Cassie walked slowly, carefully, down the carpet. All eyes turned to her, but she seemed to be looking right at him through that veil. She seemed to be asking him if this was the right thing to do, if they were going to make it work, and all he could do was nod slightly and smile.

The walk seemed to take forever. He stepped forward, glancing for a moment at his dad, then his mom. She had tears in her eyes. He was the youngest and getting married first. She must be worried…but he hoped those were tears of joy.

Charlie focused on Cassie as she and her uncle stopped before him. Without a word, he took her hand and wrapped it around his arm. I’ll protect you, he wanted to say, but of course he didn’t. For a moment he wasn’t sure her uncle was going to let go, but finally, with a warning glare, Jim drew his arm away and stepped back.

Charlie guided her to the altar, just as they’d done in rehearsal, and the minister began, “Dearly beloved…”

So this is how the future begins, Charlie thought as he stood next to his bride. With a cute, smart woman I barely know but I’m crazy about, a baby on the way, a borrowed house and no job. Still, lots of folks had started with less. At least he had friends and family, his health, and a little money in the bank. They could make this work. They would make this work.

 

CASSIE STARED AT THE beautiful, delicate wedding band Charlie had slipped onto her finger. White gold with small diamonds, it fit her finger as if it had been made just for her. Darla must have “borrowed” the pearl ring Cassie’s aunt and uncle had given her when she’d gotten her MBA to check the size. Sneaky of her and Charlie.

She should have gotten him a ring. She should have asked Colby if Charlie would even wear one. Some men didn’t, especially if they worked outside or with their hands. Still, she should have asked…

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Cassie looked up into Charlie’s eyes and hoped what she saw there was real. He seemed happy. Or maybe relieved. Glad the ceremony was over, or glad they were married?

And then one arm went around her waist, the other cupped her face, and he kissed her. She closed her eyes and gave herself up to the feeling that she was being cherished. Loved, even. She parted her lips and he deepened the kiss, angling his head, his tongue touching hers.

It took her a moment to realize the noise she heard wasn’t just her heart pounding, but applause from the guests. Her wedding guests. She felt her face heat up as she pulled away. They’d gotten carried away by what was supposed to be a traditional kiss.

Charlie grinned and she smiled in return. They turned to face the congregation and heard the minister say, “It is my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yates.”

Aunt Helen was crying happy tears. Even Uncle Jim seemed to have a tear in his eyes. Her new in-laws looked happy, too, and just as weepy. Did everyone cry at weddings? She’d shed her tears before and now she felt relieved, just on the verge of happy.

I love him and I’m very happy. I love him and I’m very happy. She would make this work. Too many people, including a little one who wasn’t born yet, needed to believe that she and Charlie loved each other.

“Ready?” he asked, taking her hand.

She nodded and stepped carefully down onto the carpeted aisle, then she and Charlie walked toward the back of the church. It seemed that each person they passed had had some role in helping this wedding become a reality. Even the folks who knew the real reason for the marriage beamed at them.

They must believe my mantra, too.

Once she and Charlie were in the vestibule, before the guests were escorted out, Charlie pulled her aside. “How are you, Mrs. Yates?” he asked with a smile as they ducked into a small room at the front of the church.

“A little stunned. Happy. How about you, Mr. Yates?”

“The same. You look beautiful, by the way.”

“Thank you. The dress is very old-fashioned, but I kind of like it.”

“You’d be beautiful if you wore one of your business suits.”

Cassie smiled and looked down at her wedding ring. “Thank you for thinking of the ring. It’s just…perfect. I love it.”

“I’m glad you like it. Darla helped me with the size.”

“I should have gotten you one.”

“I can’t wear one when I’m working. Too dangerous. But if it would make you feel better, we’ll go get one and I’ll wear it when I’m not working, like when we go out or when I’m traveling.”

“I’m not worried about you acting as if you’re single when we’re not together, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just should have thought of it. I figure my brain went into shock as soon as Aunt Helen told me they were coming to town.”

“I understand. Hey, it’s no problem. We’ll get one later.”

“Okay.” She wondered if there would be a later. Maybe an anniversary? Yes, there would. She would make this work.

“I wanted a minute alone before we have to face everyone again. To tell you that you look beautiful. To tell you that I’m proud you’re Mrs. Charlie Yates.” And then he cupped her face and kissed her, this time with less restraint.

Charlie knew as much about kissing as he did about roping. She melted into him, wishing she wasn’t wearing the tight wedding dress, wanting to be alone with him wherever they were going. Anywhere but a tiny room in the church where all their guests waited.

He pulled back, breathing hard. “It’s been a long time,” he said. “You know I want you.”

“Yes, I want you, too.”

“Good.” He seemed to give a sigh of relief, then smiled. “Very good.”

“I think we’d better make an appearance at the reception everyone has worked so hard to arrange.”

“Sounds good. Then we can go see what I’ve been working hard on all week,” Charlie added with a smile.

“Want to tell me now?”

“No, it’s a surprise. You have to be patient.”

She wasn’t sure how patient she was going to be when she wanted to be alone with Charlie so much. “Let’s go get our photos done, then cut some wedding cake.”

 

“KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED,” Charlie said as he drove past the ranch house, over the uneven ground where a driveway used to be. He’d have to get someone on that next week. When it started raining, the clay soil around here turned to mud fast. Cassie wouldn’t be able to get to the existing gravel driveway in that sporty little car of hers.

“If we don’t stop soon, I’m going to be car sick from keeping my eyes closed over this bumpy road.”

“We’re almost there. Try not to get sick.”

“I’m trying!” Cassie had already changed out of her wedding dress, which she’d said belonged to Clarissa and the Settlers’ Stroll closet. She wore a yellow-and-green sundress that he couldn’t wait to get her out of, and he’d changed out of his borrowed tux into jeans and a shirt.

Charlie pulled to a stop near the foreman’s cottage, next to the walkway he’d put in yesterday. Some yellow-and-orange flowers bloomed by the front porch and someone had placed a hanging basket right above the railing, near the new front door. Everything looked fresh and clean with the needed repairs and new paint.

He was pretty sure Cassie was going to like it. “Okay, just stay put. I’m going to come around the truck.”

“Hurry. I’m really getting a little claustrophobic over here.”

He jogged around the truck and opened her door. “Don’t look yet. Let me get you down.”

She’d already unclipped her seat belt, so he scooped her up and walked to the edge of the stepping stones. She slid down his body until her feet touched the ground. “Okay, open your eyes.”

She pulled her hands away as he turned her shoulders slightly so she faced the house. Her petite body nestled right up against him.

“Oh, Charlie, it’s so cute!”

“Welcome home, darlin’,” he said, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.

She turned and smiled up at him, and he knew then that all the hard work this past week had been worth it. “Thank you. It’s great. But where are we?”

“We’re on the Lazy Y. This used to be the foreman’s cottage. No one’s lived here in years, so it needed lots of work.”

“I remember that house! It looks so different now. I hope you got help.”

“Lots of help. You know all those ladies who were helping you? Well, their husbands were out here helping me.”

“I’m not surprised. They’ve been great, haven’t they?”

“Yeah, we had the equivalent of a barn raising, right here in Brody’s Crossing.”

“A wedding and house raising.”

“That’s right. Come on inside.” He took her hand and walked beside her as she stepped from one concrete stone to another on the walkway. Two steps up to the porch, and she reached for the doorknob.”

“Ah, not yet.” She gasped as he scooped her up again.

She laughed. “You’re going to hurt your back, carrying me around.”

“I’ve known feed sacks bigger than you.”

“Let’s see if you say that in six months.”

“Push that door open, darlin’,” he said, leaning down so she could turn the knob.

The door swung open and he carried her across the threshold. “I hope you like our new house.”

“It’s…wow, it’s great!”

He let her slide down his body again. Holding her so close was having a powerful effect on him. He hoped she didn’t want to spend too much time exploring the house because he had some exploring he wanted to do in their new bed.

She hurried across the living room, through the dining area and into the kitchen, flipping on light switches. “Everything’s new! It’s beautiful.”

“It’s not the biggest kitchen in the world, and we had to go with stock cabinets instead of custom, but I think it turned out great.” The maple cabinets were stained cherry, and Leo had ordered prefabricated granite countertops that came in sections and could be cut on-site. “Toni said we had to go with stainless appliances.”

“Oh, she’s right. These are great.” Cassie pulled open the refrigerator and gasped. “It’s full!”

“I guess people brought out casseroles and so forth so we’d have something to eat. You can’t cook on your honeymoon.”

Cassie ran across the room and into his arms. “This is the best wedding present ever!” He bent down and kissed her, pulling her tight. He felt her excitement over the house radiate through her body, but he was a little more focused on his own pleasure at having her alone. Finally.

She drew away. “Wait! Where’s your wedding present?”

“What?”

“The one I got for you. I gave it to Colby to take care of.”

She grabbed his hand and led him into the living room. “Oh, there it is.”

Sure enough, a big flat-screen TV he hadn’t noticed when they first walked in was on the wall across from the couch. “Hey, that’s nice. Thank you, darlin’. I love it.”

“I knew you would. Boys and their toys.”

“Huh?”

She chuckled. “Just something we girls were talking about. Come on, show me the rest of the house.” She tugged him toward the short hallway.

“Glad to.” Since the bedrooms were back there, he was more than willing to explore that space.

The remodeled bathroom was to the left, with the small bedroom across from it. Toni and some of the other ladies had come out and decorated it for the baby. They’d painted it yellow and green, since they didn’t know the sex yet. A white crib and changing table, plus a rocking chair, took up most of the space. A small chest of drawers fit under the window.

“It’s beautiful. I love the butterfly theme.”

“You can change it if you want to once we know whether it’s a boy or a girl.”

“No, it’s fine just like this. I won’t have to do a thing. They were so thoughtful.”

“Come on. I’ll show you our room.” The nursery was nice, but they wouldn’t need it for months yet. On the other hand, he wanted to get her into that queen-size bed as quickly as possible.

“Okay.” She held his hand as they walked down the hallway.

“I hope you like it. This was the only space they let me have my say in decorating.”

She looked around, taking in the blue and brown color scheme. He’d chosen it because it wasn’t too girly. He didn’t think he’d be able to relax under a blanket of flowers or a bunch of frilly ruffles. This comforter had a few swirls and curlicues, but wasn’t too feminine.

“It’s nice. You did a great job. I had no idea you had a knack for decorating.”

“I don’t, but I told those women I wanted some say in my own place.”

“I understand.” She turned to him and put her arms around his waist. “This past week must have seemed out of control to you. Other people making all these decisions, and with the wedding…I hope you don’t feel as if you were caught up in a tidal wave.”

“Darlin’, all I’m feelin’ right now is that I’d like to peel off this little sundress and see what you’ve been hiding from me these past three months.”

Her eyes widened as he pulled her tight against the front of his jeans. “Oh.”

He grinned. “Yeah. Oh.”

She returned his smile slowly. “Okay, but can you get my suitcase out of the truck?”

“Is there anything in there you need in the next ten minutes?”

“Um, no, I don’t think so.”

“Then I’m gettin’ it for you later,” he said before he leaned down and kissed her hard. She seemed surprised, but then her lips parted and she kissed him back. Hot, hungry kisses. He walked her backward until her legs touched the bed.

Raising his head slightly, he looked into her dazed eyes. “I’m going to apologize in advance for rushing you, but this first time might be a little fast.”

“I, um, understand,” she whispered. “For me, too.”

That’s all he needed to hear. A pull on the straps and the sundress came untied. He kissed her shoulders before pulling the top down and exposing her breasts. “You are not wearing a bra, Mrs. Yates.”

“Built-in bra,” she said. “The dress—”

“Yeah, let’s get rid of this dress.” He tugged it past her waist and her rounded belly, which he couldn’t resist kissing while she stood here leaning back against the bed. She smelled and tasted so good he about lost it right then.

“Charlie,” she whispered, sexy and low, and he pulled the dress and her panties off in one tug.

“You look really good, darlin’,” he growled, “but I’d like to see you on our bed now.”

“I’d like to see you without so many clothes on,” she countered.

“Whatever you want, as long as it’s fast.” He popped the snaps on his shirt, never so thankful for that modern convenience. His buckle came loose with a jerk, and then Cassie reached down to help with the jeans. Her fingers and hands all over him just about did him in again, but finally she got the buttons undone.

“I really missed you,” she said, stroking him through the thin cotton of his boxers.

She was killing him! He lifted her beneath her arms and lowered her to the center of the bed, then leaned down and pulled off his boots and socks. His jeans seemed extra stubborn, probably because he was so swollen he had to take time not to hurt himself. He finally kicked them off and placed his knee on the bed.

“I missed you more,” he said, holding himself above her, leaning down to kiss her. His arms, hell, his whole body shook from restraint, but then she pulled him lower and kissed him hard, and he forgot to try to go slow.

“Next time we’ll dally more,” he whispered as he parted her legs and made sure she was as ready as she seemed. Yep, she was. He positioned himself and slid home.

Nothing had ever felt so good.

Cassie arched and moved against him. He thought about mentioning that she might want to slow down, that she was going to push him right over the edge, but she felt so damn fine.

His wife. He was making love to his wife in their bed in their house. His hands snaked under her shoulders, holding her tight, as he moved with her.

“Oh, Charlie,” she cried out, convulsing, and he gave himself up to the release that had been building all day.

He wasn’t sure when sanity returned, but slowly he realized they were both still breathing hard, both damp with sweat. He brushed her hair aside and kissed her shoulder.

Cassie didn’t move.

“Darlin’, are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

She turned toward him slowly and smiled. “No, cowboy. You didn’t hurt me or the baby.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t thought about the baby at all. There had been just the two of them in the room.

“You know how I wanted my suitcase?” she reminded him, drawing patterns on his back with one of her short nails.

“Oh, yeah. I’ll—”

Her arms tightened around his back. “You can get it later,” she said before she kissed him.

 

BEING MARRIED, CASSIE decided, was the greatest thing ever.

Well, except that she was a little sore, kind of sweaty, and ravenously hungry.

“Anything good in there?” Charlie asked, walking up behind her. His bare feet made no sound on the kitchen’s tile floor.

“Um, I’m looking. Do you want something in particular?” The refrigerator contained at least five casseroles, fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, bacon, milk and orange juice.

“Other than you?” he asked, kissing her bare shoulder. “Nope. Whatever you want is fine with me.”

She shivered. Mostly she wanted Charlie, but they had to keep up their strength. The sun hadn’t set yet; the night was ahead of them.

Still, this was going to be a really short honeymoon since her aunt and uncle were in town, plus Charlie’s parents.

“How about King Ranch Chicken Casserole?” she asked, pulling out a plastic container with a label on top.

“That’s fine with me.”

She opened a drawer and found a complete set of stainless-steel flatware inside, all neatly arranged. Her friends, she thought, shaking her head. They’d thought of everything.

She dished servings into two stoneware bowls and placed them in the microwave.

“What do you want to drink?” Charlie asked.

“I’d love a glass of white wine to celebrate, but I can’t,” she answered. “Do we have any iced tea?”

“Let me check,” he said, opening the refrigerator.

The microwave dinged while Charlie filled glasses with ice. They were working well together in the kitchen, she thought. And they were definitely on the same wave length in the bedroom. She paused while stirring the casserole to make sure it was warm all the way through. She’d always thought honeymoons were for visiting exotic locations together, but now she understood the real purpose: lots of private time together in bed.

He set the table while she finished warming their dinner, then she brought the bowls over. “Do we have plans tomorrow? I really want to see my aunt and uncle, but I’d also love to stay here and pretend we don’t have family visiting.”

“I know what you mean,” Charlie said. “I guess we can compromise. Colby’s taking care of the parents, keeping them entertained. Toni and Wyatt are officially in charge of your aunt and uncle, but Clarissa, Bobbi Jean and Ida all volunteered to show them around.”

“Aunt Helen will want to make sure I’m happy and Uncle Jim will want to grill you,” Cassie said, taking a bite of the casserole. “He’ll feel it’s his responsibility.”

Charlie shrugged. “Why don’t we call and see if our families want to come for lunch tomorrow? We have enough food to feed an army. That way, they can see where we’ll be living.”

“Good idea!”

“Mom and Dad saw the outside of the house last night. The last time anyone lived here was a few years before Dad retired and Colby took over. The foreman was a single man and this place was very plain. I don’t think it had changed since it was built in the early 1970s.”

“Let’s call them in the morning,” Cassie suggested. “If we call them tonight, they’ll wonder why we’re thinking about them instead of focusing on each other.”

“Yeah,” he said with a grin. “Why are we talking about them instead of eating as fast as we can so we can get back in bed?”

Cassie smiled. “Because I’m hungry and we’re sweaty and I thought we should see if we can both fit in that newly tiled shower.”

“Excellent idea, Mrs. Yates.” They ate in silence until the casserole disappeared, then Charlie reached for the empty bowls and forks. “You find the soap and towels while I do the dishes.”

“Don’t wait too long. I might use all the hot water.”

“Don’t you dare. I’m not taking any cold showers tonight.”

“And I wouldn’t want you to,” Cassie said with a flirty lilt to her voice as she hurried to the bathroom.

 

CASSIE COULDN’T REMEMBER the last time she had felt so relaxed. Being with Charlie, just the two of them, in their perfect little house, was more than she could have expected. She stretched, pointing her toes to the footboard and fingers to the headboard, careful not to awaken Charlie. Today wouldn’t be so relaxing if her family and in-laws were coming over for lunch.

She turned her head and looked out the window. Bright sunlight streamed in around the curtains and natural woven blinds. She should get up, but she was so comfortable she wanted to stay here all day.

She sighed and eased her legs from beneath the sheet. Somewhere on the floor she’d dropped her robe. She found it beside the chest of drawers, pulled it on and tied the belt. Charlie would want coffee when he woke up. She remembered that from their one weekend together, three months ago. The man liked his coffee strong, with two sugars and no cream.

“Cream in coffee is for sissies,” he’d told her with a grin as she’d added a healthy dose to her own cup. He’d gone on to tell her that he knew a lot more uses for cream than wasting it in coffee.

She shook her head. I’ve got to stop thinking about him all the time. About us. About what we did together. I have things to do. Invite the family. Get the house picked up.

After checking the clock on the stove and discovering she’d slept until almost ten, she put on coffee for Charlie and searched the cabinets for decaf for herself. There, Toni’s favorite brand, Cassie thought with a smile.

While the coffee brewed, she got her cell phone, sat in one of the chairs in the living room, and called her aunt and uncle.

“Hi, Aunt Helen. Did you get settled with Toni and Wyatt?”

“They’re wonderful!” her aunt exclaimed. “I had no idea you had such interesting friends. I mean, I knew you worked for Mr. McCall’s company in California, but I had no idea he was right here!”

“Yes, I know, and his wife is my boss.”

“I know. Have you seen this house? Oh, of course you have. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Toni and Wyatt had built their modern house into the butte behind the water tower, where she’d proposed to him. There were many levels to their home, lots of glass, and every modern convenience that Wyatt could find. Being a billionaire made him a little spoiled when it came to material comforts, but he was one of the nicest, most generous men Cassie had ever met.

“Would you and Uncle Jim like to come for lunch? We have more food than we could eat in a week.”

“Er, are you sure? I mean, you got married yesterday.”

“I know, but you just got here yesterday, too. I want to have time to visit with you. Charlie wants me to invite his mom and dad also.”

“I met them yesterday. They live in Florida, don’t they?”

“No, Harlingen. That’s on the South Texas coast.”

“They seem very nice. Had you met them before?”

“They retired from the ranch before I moved here. I met them briefly at the reception yesterday.”

“I can see how Charlie would want to spend time with his parents if they haven’t visited in a while.”

“So, you’ll come? About noon?”

“Well, if you’re sure you want company so soon. Of course we want to see you and spend more time with your…er, your husband.” Aunt Helen laughed nervously. “That sounds so odd, you know. Your husband. Such a surprise.”

“Yes, isn’t it? But when it’s right, it’s right.”

“I’d better go tell Jim. He’s probably out in the garage, looking at all of Mr. McCall’s cars and motorcycles and who knows what.”

“Wyatt and Toni can give you directions. Bye for now, Aunt Helen.”

Cassie disconnected the call and smiled at her phone. She could imagine her uncle trying not to look too amazed at whatever Wyatt had in that gleaming multi-car garage.

“What are you smiling at, sunshine?” Charlie leaned against the wall, his chest bare, his hair standing on end and a shadow of a beard on his jaw. He’d pulled on a pair of briefs and nothing else.

He’d never looked more adorable to her.

She smiled at him. “I just called my aunt and uncle and invited them for lunch. Want to call your folks?”

“I did mention that last night, didn’t I? I had no idea how tired I’d be from trying to keep up with my insatiable wife.”

“I am not insatiable! I clearly remember being satisfied multiple times.”

“Yeah, but you always come back for more, don’t you, sunshine?” He pushed away from the wall, walked to the chair, leaned down and kissed her temple.

Yes, she did always come back for more. Now that they were married, it was okay. She could have as much as she wanted of Charlie Yates.

“You made coffee,” he stated, shuffling off to the kitchen, scratching his chest. His very nice chest.

“Yes, I did.” She watched him pour a cup, then hold one up to her, his eyebrow raised.

“I can’t. I’m drinking decaf for the next six months.”

“Bummer. I don’t think I could get myself going in the morning, especially this morning, without a few cups.”

“You’d think I took you out and got you drunk last night!”

“Darlin’, you are intoxicating enough.” He found his cell phone on the breakfast bar separating the kitchen and dining area, then sauntered into the living room and stretched out on the couch.

After a few seconds, she heard him say, “Hi, Dad. Want to come over for lunch?”

He nodded. “No, she wants to spend time with you and Mom… Her aunt and uncle are coming.”

After a few more assurances, he said, “You won’t believe what we’ve done to the house.”

Then Charlie burst out laughing. “No, Dad, not Cassie and me. I meant when we remodeled it. New floors, kitchen, all that stuff. We’ll see you around noon.”

“What was that all about?” Cassie asked.

“My father thought we’d gotten wild and trashed the place last night.”

Cassie closed her eyes. “I am so embarrassed.” And now she had to tell them all about the baby.