Page 74 of Wyoming Tough

SHE DIDN’T GO HOMEwith her family. She moved into the big house at the Kirk ranch, into her own room, and Mallory bought her a beautiful set of rings, but emeralds instead of rubies. He wasn’t duplicating the Fortune 500 heir’s offering, he assured her. They were engaged although he’d never actually asked her to marry him. Shelby was helping with invitations. The ceremony would be held at the ranch in Texas.

The night before they flew back, Mallory held her in his lap in the recliner in the living room, after his brothers had discreetly gone to bed. He kissed her hungrily.

“I’m starving,” he groaned as his hands found their way under her flimsy blouse and molded the soft skin. “I’ve never been so hungry in all my life.”

She smiled under the warm press of his mouth. “Me, either.”

“But we’re going to wait anyway.”

She laughed. “Yes.”

He lifted his head. He was breathing hard. “Remind me again why we’re going to do that, when nobody else does?”

“Just because the whole world’s doing it, doesn’t make it right in the view of people of faith,” she replied simply. “I want a wedding night. A real one. Not an after-the-fact one that just comes after the wedding ceremony. I want oceans of lace in the gown I choose, the excitement of the ceremony and the reception, and the anticipation of how wonderful it’s going to be during the night ahead. There’s only one first time. Mine is going to be exactly the way I want it. Period.”

He sighed. “Principles are very cumbersome sometimes.”

She leaned forward and nibbled his lower lip. “You’ll be happy you waited.”

“Are you sure about that?” he mused.

She nodded. “Positively.”

“All right. I’ll have a cold shower and a colder beer and go to bed.”

“Good man.”

He made a face. “Not willingly.”

“You’re a good man,” she disagreed. “And I’ll be very proud to be your wife.”

He smiled. “My beautiful Morena,” he whispered. “Married to the ugliest tough man in Wyoming.”

“Liar,” she chided. “You’re the most gorgeous man alive to me.”

His eyebrows arched. “Me?”

“You. It isn’t the way you look that makes you gorgeous. It’s the man you are.”

He flushed.

She grinned. She kissed him again and got to her feet. “We leave first thing in the morning. Mavie and Darby have to come, too, you know.”

“They know, too. They’re packed already.”

She was somber for a moment. “I’m really sorry about Gelly. They say she’ll probably do twenty years if they convict her.”

“I’m sorry I blamed you,” he replied, hugging her close. He sighed. “I had a close call there. She really had me with blinders on.”

“You woke up in time, though. That’s what counts.”

“I suppose it does.”

THE WEDDING WAS THE BIGGESTevent Branntville could remember since Shelby Kane married King Brannt. The guest list was incredible. It included famous movie stars and television newsmen, sports stars, politicians and even European royalty.

Daryl was on the guest list. He had come by earlier to congratulate them, and to tell Morena he was happy for her. He hadn’t been offended that Morena sent the rings back instead of returning them herself, especially when he knew what she’d risked to save Mallory’s life. He was just happy that she was safe.

However, he added ruefully, now that he was no longer engaged, his enthusiastic parents were once again offering him as an entrée to any eligible young woman. He was resigned, he told her, to being hunted. But who knew, they might find him someone really nice. Like his friend Morena. Mallory stood by, not very patiently, while they spoke. But Daryl shook hands with him and after a few minutes, they were all smiling.

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