One Month Later...
In the main house’s kitchen, Amy flipped through the pictures she took last week, Olivia next to her at the island looking on. They had plans to take a ride up to Blind Man’s Bluff as soon as Nakos was finished with the horses.
It was a gorgeous Saturday, the sun bright and warm, and Amy was looking forward to enjoying it. The past couple weeks had been rough between the trips to Casper for pre-trial hearings and retelling the rape to a bunch of strangers. But her friends had been beside her the whole time, a silent show of support.
Aunt Mae set her tea on the table where she’d been watching them. “So, Clint took the plea bargain.”
“Yeah.” Amy put the photos back in the envelope. “The district attorney called yesterday. I’m shocked, actually.”
There was no physical evidence to credit her accusations against her uncle. They’d both taken lie detector tests, which wouldn’t hold up in court, but it had given authorities something to go on. She’d passed. Her uncle had failed. And when her parents had admitted, under oath, she’d told them about the assault the day it had happened, Clint’s lawyer had pressed him to plea out.
Olivia frowned. “Two years in jail, likely out in months, isn’t near enough.”
For Amy, it wasn’t about the length of his sentence. It was about standing up for herself and getting the closure Nate had suggested. He’d been right, too. Every day got better and she’d been able to shed most of the doubt she’d lived with all her life.
“I’m just glad it’s over.” She hugged Olivia, smiled at Aunt Mae.
“Amen to that.” Olivia eyed her. “You and my husband are spending a lot of time together. I’m really grateful you guys are so close.”
Rehab, they’d named it. Wednesday afternoons, Nate and Amy would climb up to the tree house and “talk” for an hour. He’d opened up and mentioned quite a few awful things from his past, and she’d done the same. It had been...expunging. Olivia and Nate had great communication, as did Nakos and Amy. But sometimes dark called to dark, needed someone who understood. It had been exceptionally therapeutic for them both.
“I’m grateful, too.” Amy sighed and knelt at Olivia’s feet. Her friend wasn’t showing yet, but Amy liked to talk to her belly anyway. If she was going to corrupt her future niece or nephew, she had to start early. “How’s my favorite fetus doing? I bought you a ton of new toys. I’m hiding them until your mommy’s baby shower. Loud, obnoxious toys.”
“Great.” Olivia rolled her eyes and grinned. “Where’s Nakos’s meticulous control when I need it?”
“In my defense, I was left unsupervised in the store.” Amy shrugged and straightened as the back door squeaked.
Kyle poked his head in from the mudroom. “Nakos is looking for you in the barn.”
She blinked at her brother. “Why?”
“I dunno.” With that blinding insight, he ducked out again.
“Well,” Mae rose from the table, “let’s go see. I could use some fresh air.”
Mae and Olivia in tow, Amy walked across the gravel-strewn path toward the three barns. They bypassed the first two and zeroed in on the third where the horse stalls were located. A whippoorwill cooed and cicadas buzzed. It was going to be a hot one today, but a nice breeze relieved the heat and brought the scent of grass and hay.
Amy jerked short in the doorway and glanced around.
What the hell? The ranch hands were all lined up on both sides of the barn’s interior, in front of the stalls as if forming an aisle. At the back, standing between the open rear carriage doors, was Nakos. Slightly behind him and off to the side, Nate grinned.
“Are you practicing military training, Nate?” Amy eyed the workers, her brother included, with their hands behind their backs, eyes on her. “Because, uh, you’re retired, you know.”
Nakos, smiling, crooked his finger, beckoning her. Wearing cowboy boots, faded denim, and a black tee snug enough to trace all the coiled muscle underneath, how could a girl resist?
She stepped closer, taking in his black Stetson, his low ponytail, and the dark dusting of stubble on his jaw. So sexy. Add in his bronze skin, and her knees weakened. She stopped in front of him, wondering what was going on, and sent him a questioning glance.
“I love you.”
A flutter pinged her belly, just as it did every time he said those words. “I love you, too.”
“I wanted to wait until all the ugliness was over before doing this. And now that it is, we have nothing in our way, bixooxu.” He dropped to one knee, his midnight eyes on her.
“Oh God.” She gasped, clapping a trembling hand over her mouth.
He held out a ring on his palm, his gaze solemn. Through a watery haze, she glanced at the square princess cut diamond in a heavy gold band before he started talking and drew her attention back to him.
“I loved you as a boy and fell in love with you as a man.” He fisted his hand over his heart. “You’re in here so deep that there is no you, no me. Only us. Marry me, anim.”
“Yes.” God, like there was even a need to ask. “Yes!”
He flashed a wicked grin and stood, wrapping his arms around her. Her feet left the floor as his lips crushed hers. Cheers erupted behind them, and she laughed against his mouth.
“That was really romantic.” She sighed dreamily, hardly able to believe this amazing man was hers.
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” He set her on her feet and slid the ring on her finger. After a kiss over her knuckles, he gripped her shoulders, turned her around, and swatted her butt. “Go get ready.”
She whirled back on him. “For what?”
“Our wedding.” He winked, then pointed to Olivia. “One hour.”
“I’ll have her ready. Count on it.”
“What?” Amy dug in her heels, but Olivia tugged her by the arm toward the exit. “I can’t get married today. That takes planning and—”
“He’s got it covered.”
Shocked silent, she glanced over her shoulder as she was maneuvered out of the barn. The guys stood around, talking and smiling. She caught Nate pulling Nakos in for a hug and bromance back slap before she was dragged out.
“Liv, seriously.” Through the mudroom, past the kitchen, to the stairs they went. “Today? There’s no time to invite guests or get flowers.” All the things missing from her first mistake of a wedding. This was supposed to be her second chance, the start to her ever-after. She’d wanted, so badly, to have the day done right. Up the staircase to Olivia’s third floor suite they continued. “I don’t even have a...”
Amy halted in the kitchenette. Stared straight through the open floor plan to Liv’s small living room. Stopped breathing. Grabbed her chest.
“A dress,” she whispered.
She gazed at the white gown, hanging on a curtain rod in front of the window. Sleeveless, it had a fitted bodice that flowed into a loose skirt, which looked to hit maybe mid-calf. As she walked closer, she realized the material was satin, but it had a very light mesh overlay with tiny pearls sewn into the hem to give the simplicity a hint of elegance.
It was...beautiful. She didn’t care for big, foofy dresses or all the layers typically found in bridal gowns.
“Aunt Mae made it.” Olivia set a soothing hand on her back. “You shouldn’t be too warm in it and you’ll look amazing.”
Trembling, Amy blinked at Liv and realized Kyle had followed them up. He stood next to Mae, a sheepish smile curving his lips.
They had a dress, a beautiful one, all ready for her. A survey of the room showed a pair of ballet flats in an open box by the couch and two bouquets of flowers on the coffee table. Bluebells and white lilies. So pretty. There was even a navy blue sundress with spaghetti straps, she assumed, for Olivia, which hung in the doorway to the bedroom.
“I really am getting married today.”
Mae walked over, rubbed her arms. “You’re really getting married today. Everything’s being seen to outside. You, sweetheart, just have to show up.”
“Thank you for the dress. I love it.”
“The groom didn’t give us much time. Go figure, considering he takes forever to do everything.” Olivia took Amy’s hand, guided her to the kitchen island, and had her sit on a stool. “Welcome to my office. Lay your hands flat. We’ll do a manicure first.”
While Liv began filing, Amy dazedly looked at her brother as he plopped on a stool beside her. This couldn’t be real. The whole thing was a dream.
“I’m going to give you your present now.” Kyle pulled an envelope out of his back pocket, flicked his gaze to Olivia bent over Amy’s hands, and shrugged. “Guess I’ll open it.” He slid out a piece of paper, unfolded it, and held it up for her to see.
The letterhead had the logo for the consolidated loan company she used for the bills her ex had accumulated. She skimmed over the numbers, not understanding, until she got to the bottom.
Balance = $0.00
“What?” She went to reach for the paper, but got her hand slapped by Olivia.
“Hold still. I’m polishing.”
“Calm down, Amy.” Kyle, his expression dialed to an unusual tone of serious, looked Amy dead in the eye. “I’ve worked on this ranch for going on ten years and haven’t paid a dime in rent since I live in the quarters. I built up a lot in savings and—”
“Kyle, God. No, I can’t let you—”
“You can and will. Shut up and listen to me. I wasn’t there for you when I should’ve been, didn’t see the pain and heartache you were dealing with. I never got involved in the crap with Mom and Dad when I should’ve stuck up for you.” He sighed. “That denial ends now. You will take this gift and get your fresh start. I will walk you down the aisle and give you away to our broody foreman who loves you so much, and you will cooperate with a smile on your face. Got it?”
A sob hitched her chest, and she stared at her brother, normally so laid-back and carefree, looking at her like he was ready to battle anything in his path. “Are you sure?”
“Damn sure.”
“Get the crying out of your system now.” Olivia blew on Amy’s nails, painted a delicate shade of iridescent white. “Makeup is next and you’re not botching the job once it’s done.”
Amy took several deep breaths and thought about what Kyle had said. “Are Mom and Dad coming today?”
They’d told the truth when questioned about the details of her assault, but they hadn’t made any attempt to mend fences. She suspected they’d cooperated because they were under oath, not out of any sense of loyalty. They hadn’t believed her as a girl, what made her think they’d believe in her as a grown woman?
“No. I’m sorry, sis.” Kyle frowned. “Rid them from your mind. They’re not worth it. And, if it makes you feel any better, they’re as disappointed in me as they are in you.” He paused. “I came out of the closet, told them I was gay.”
“What?” Amy straightened on the stool, mindful of her tacky nails. “You’re gay?” What next? Olivia’s Loch Ness Monster showing up to serve cake?
He nodded. “Kept it private a long time. Being raised by two God-fearing people had me afraid to tell anybody. You gave me the courage to...you know. They called me a heathen, said I was going to roast in the bowels of hell.”
“Oh, Kyle. That’s not true.” Jeez, their folks were such assholes. “I’m proud of you, and I love you.”
“Love you, too.” He sucked in a breath. “So, we can be sinners together.”
“Darn right.”
“Do the guys know?” Olivia set a cosmetics bag on the counter. “The other ranch hands? Have you told them?”
Kyle nodded. “Told them yesterday. They were pretty cool about it. I got the as long as you don’t hit on me, we’re good speech from a few, but they were okay.”
“If that changes, you let me know.” Olivia pointed at him. “I mean it. I won’t tolerate hate on my ranch.”
Before Amy knew it, she was in makeup, dressed, and standing in the pasture at the end of an aisle. White folding chairs lined both sides, where some people from town and the ranch hands stood waiting on her. Nakos’s parents smiled and waved encouragingly.
Olivia faced her from the makeshift altar and nodded, but Amy couldn’t take her eyes from Nakos very long. In place beside Nate, he’d left his hair down, raven strands stirring in the breeze. He’d worn a suit. A suit. Charcoal gray with a navy blue tie. Lord have mercy, he dressed up nice.
He pressed a hand over his heart, watching her ascend with Kyle, as if he was trying to keep the organ from pounding out of his chest. Love shone in his eyes, telling her everything she needed to know. When she made it to him, Kyle kissed her cheek and sat by Mae.
“You’re breathtaking, anim. Gorgeous.”
“Thank you. So are you.”
She smiled, still stunned over all of this, and feeling like she’d been plunked into some fairy tale version of a life that wasn’t hers. But it was. This was her man and these were her people. The ones who mattered.
They did an Arapaho ceremony first. They were directed to sit on a bench, shoulder-to-shoulder, then they were covered with a cloth. A member of his tribe chanted words in his native tongue she couldn’t understand, and incense was involved. Lots of incense.
Afterward, Rip presided over the nuptials and, in a daze, she repeated what the sheriff told her to.
She snapped to somewhere between Nakos kissing her to seal the deal and applause loud enough to have the nearby horses whinnying. They took pictures and chatted with the guests, and then Nakos tucked her to his side.
“You ready to dance with me, wife?”
Giddy, and not caring how girly she probably seemed, she grinned up at him like an idiot. “I’m ready for anything.”
“Good.” He stripped off the tie and jacket, earning a laugh from her as he rolled up his sleeves. He swooped her in his arms and headed for the first barn. “I hope the reception’s to your liking. I want you to be happy from now on, bixooxu.”
“I only need you for that.”
“Careful, Ames. You’re going soft on me.” A wide grin, and he pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. He jerked his chin toward the carriage doors. “Behold.” Carrying her, he stepped inside, and her lungs collapsed.
“Oh my God.”
Round tables with seating for guests were placed along the left and right walls. Tea lights and bluebells were on the white tablecloths. Up front, by the open rear doors, was a little area reserved as a dance floor. But what was above them had her heart tripping and her throat tight.
Strands of white lights rained from the rafters. Between them, attached to tiny clips hanging by thin string, were photos. Hundreds of them, twirling in the cross-breeze. And they all seemed to be pictures she’d taken. Nature shots. Ones of Nakos. Selfies of both of them. She stared up, in awe, while he walked deeper into the barn.
He set her on her feet up front, pulled her to him. “I love you.”
“God, Nakos.” She could hardly breathe. Was there such a thing as being too happy? If so, she’d gladly perish from it. “I love you, too. I love this. It’s amazing.”
It's exactly how she would've planned the day herself. Better, actually. Simple elegance, intimate setting, and rustic-chic. Personal touches.
A song she didn’t recognize started to play, and he wrapped her in his arms. “No, my anim, my bixooxu. You’ve got that all wrong. You’re amazing. This is just paper and decoration.”
She danced with him, with his father, with Nate and Kyle and all the ranch hands. She drank champagne with his mother and Olivia and Mae, laughing until late into the evening.
And when all the guests had gone home, Nakos walked her across the grass, cool under her toes in the night air, and up the hill to the oak tree. Crickets chirped and fireflies blinked and stars shone through an inky sky.
He grabbed the rope of the tire swing, gave it a meaningful glance. “It all started here.” He chuckled as if surprised. “Hop on.”
She did, hiking up her dress and sliding her legs through the opening. She held the rope, rough against her palms, and he placed his hands over hers.
“It all started here,” he repeated. “Do you remember the first thing you said to me?”
“Boys are stupid?”
Tilting his head back, he let out a low laugh. “No, but that does sound like you.” His expression sobered, yet amusement still warmed his eyes. “Mae and my parents left you and me and Olivia here to get acquainted while they went off to talk business.”
He set the swing in motion with a gentle push. “I was struck stupid by her hair, all that red, but I noticed you first. Those damn expressive eyes that were like a mermaid call. Bluish-green and glinting with sunlit mischief. Olivia asked me questions, and I was too shy to answer. I hadn’t spoken at all, actually. For some reason, I kept going back to you, to your eyes, even though you had yet to engage me in conversation.”
Touched, she smiled at him, encouraging the rest. She had a vague recollection of their first meeting, but his memory was obviously more indelible.
“After Olivia wound down and stopped trying to badger me with kindness, you studied me with this little frown line of concentration right here.” He stopped the swing and pressed a fingertip between her eyes. “You said, hello, friend. That’s it. Nothing more. Two words that bid me welcome and gave me a title. Hello, friend.”
He kissed her forehead. “I needed that, I think. I needed the direction after the culture shock and to know my place.” His eyes narrowed. “Of course, then you stole my hat and climbed up the tree. And thus began our relationship—you accepting me, just like that, while simultaneously making my heart pound in worry with a side of teasing me to death.”
She grinned and slowly shifted to stand on the swing.
“Don’t you dare, Ames.”
Her grin widened. “Think I can climb a tree in a wedding dress?”
She reached above her head, but he wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled her over his shoulder. He stalked away, carting her.
“Hihcebe, woman. You can’t even cut me a break on our wedding day.”
Since she had a great view of his ass from the position, she didn’t complain about the barbarian treatment. Gotta love Alpha Nakos, anyway. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“Never a dull moment with you.”
“Get used to it.” She bobbed while he carried her toward the barns, most likely heading to his truck in the driveway. “Hey, I have something that sounds better than hello, friend.”
“I shudder to ask, but okay. What could possibly be better than that?”
“Hello, husband.” She paused as his steps faltered. “Maybe tonight we could start trying to produce a little person that’ll someday say, Hello, Daddy.”
He stopped, slowly let her slide down his body, and before her feet could touch the ground, he kissed her. Long, lazy, and with so much sentiment, she was dizzy. He pulled away and smiled, emotion shining in his eyes.
“You’re right. That is better. In fact, it sounds perfect.”