Page 50 of Dead Man's Hand

SADIEWOREHERred cowboy boots. The first time she met DJ, he’d been wearing a pair of worn cowboy boots. She’d commented on them, suggesting he buy a new pair.

He’d laughed. “Sorry, sweetie, but these are my lucky boots.”

“Call me sweetie again and not even your lucky boots can save you.”

She could laugh about it now. Especially since she was wearing her boots because she needed all the luck she could get as she got off the plane.

“He needs time with you and the rest of his family,” she’d told Ansley when she’d called.

“He needs you. He loves you and you love him. That makes you family. You need to come back. He’s hurting.”

“So am I.”

“Do you love him?”

“I do.” Her voice had cracked. “I just don’t know where we go next.”

Ansley had laughed. “You think there’s a road map? It’s a leap of faith. None of us can see the future. We just have to believe that something amazing is ahead and enjoy each day. DJ told me you were an optimist.”

“He did, did he?”

“All he talks about is you,” Ansley said. “He wants to make a life with you. He has a plan.”

She’d laughed. She was familiar with his plans. “A plan?”

“He’ll tell you all about it when he sees you. He isn’t going to let you go. My brother is no fool, even though sometimes he acts like one.” They’d laughed. “Tell me you’ll give him a chance. You know he loves you.”

She did know, she thought as she looked around for DJ in the crowd at the Yellowstone International Airport. She spotted him standing against a nearby wall, his Stetson cocked on his dark hair, those blue eyes taking her in as if she was a cold drink of water in the desert. He pushed off the wall and headed toward her as she descended the stairs.

The way she’d left without saying goodbye and having been gone for a couple of days, she thought they’d be awkward with each other. That they no longer had anything to say. That they would realize not even love could sustain this relationship.

She watched him approach, her pulse hammering.

“Sadie.” That one word filled her heart like helium. DJ looped his arm around her waist and picked her up before she reached the bottom step. He swung her around, taking her in his arms as he put her down. For a moment, he just looked at her, then he kissed her passionately.

She heard cheers and clapping, but they were a distant sound. Her heart was beating too loudly in her ears as DJ drew back.

“I love you, Sadie Montclair. Marry me.” He dropped to one knee. “Love your boots, by the way,” he whispered, then said, “Be my wife, be my partner, be mine.”

She smiled. She knew this man. This wasn’t such a leap of faith. Yet she couldn’t speak as she looked into his eyes. All she could do was nod and fall into his arms as he rose. There were more cheers and clapping than before as some of the crowd joined in along with the entire Colt and Crawford clan.

All she could think was that from now on these would be her lucky boots as she was swept up in this large, gregarious, loving family.

Did it matter what the future held? Not as long as she and DJ faced it together. She was putting her money on the two of them. It wasn’t a safe bet, but she was ready to play the odds.

Chapter Twenty-Two

It was their first Christmas holiday together. Also their first with DJ’s family. Sadie had never seen anything like it and she could tell that DJ was just as overcome by it all. The Colts had a variety of holiday traditions—including all getting together at Bella and Tommy’s because they had the largest space. There was a mountain of food and holiday treats, games and prizes, and more presents than she’d ever seen.

Because of everything that had happened, even the holiday had been put off until they could all be together.

“Ansley,” Buck cried as he finished bringing in all the presents his new bride had purchased.

“I might have gone a little overboard,” she admitted. “But it’s our first Christmas, the first with my family, the first with my twin.”

Buck smiled and raised his hands in surrender. “Given all that, I’m surprised you exhibited such self-control.”

Sadie and DJ had gone shopping even though everyone told them it wasn’t necessary. “The two of you are our presents,” Ansley had said, and the others had agreed.

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