Page 74 of River Wild

“You can change your mind,” Stuart said next to her.

She smiled over at him and reached for his hand, squeezing it and feeling his strength as well as his love. “You have no idea what you’ve done for me. I’d never be able to thank you enough.”

“Bailey—”

“Don’t worry, I’m not saying goodbye. I just needed to tell you that I couldn’t get through this without knowing that I’m not just fighting to stay alive. I’m fighting for a happy ending I never dreamed possible. I love you, Stuart, with all my heart.”

He squeezed her hand back, his eyes shiny. “I never thought I’d hear you say those words.”

“I should have sooner, but—”

“You weren’t ready.”

She shook her head, glad he understood. “I’m ready for whatever comes next.” She checked the knife strapped to her thigh beneath her sundress. Her phone was in the small cocktail bag she carried. She doubted she’d have time to use it, but Stuart could track the phone if he lost sight of her.

“You look beautiful,” he said, and leaned over to kiss her. It was the most passionate kiss they’d shared. For a moment, they stayed locked in each other’s arms.

At a tap on the side window, they both started.

HOLDENHADTHOUGHTthe engagement was part of the ruse—just like the barbecue to celebrate it. But seeing the two of them locked together, he realized that Bailey and Stuart were actually in love.

He’d hesitated for a moment before tapping on the patrol SUV window. They pulled apart, both not happy to see him. But he needed to talk to them before things got crazy. More rigs were pulling in. Stuart had parked in a spot where he would be able to get out quickly if necessary. Pickett was directing valet parking and taking keys so no one left without him knowing it. As if Holden could forget what this event was really about.

“Some of the family has gathered in the house,” Holden said. “They want to congratulate the two of you on your engagement before everyone else gets here.” Of course, family would come to the barbecue because of Bailey’s engagement, and their family had grown in the past twelve years. He wondered if Stuart had taken that into consideration before he and Bailey had come up with this plan.

“Are you doing all right?” Stuart asked.

The rancher swore. “Why wouldn’t I be?” He looked past the sheriff to his daughter and felt emotion choke off any words he might have uttered. Turning, he headed for the house, telling himself he could do this. He hadn’t lived almost sixty years and survived everything he’d been through not to be able to play his role. He shook hands with one of the ranchers, kissed the man’s wife’s cheek, and excused himself as he entered the house.

“The engaged couple has arrived,” he announced. “They’re on their way in. I had to break them up.” There were chuckles around the room.

“Bailey and Stuart, who knew,” Tilly said, her hand on her large baby bump. She looked as if she might have the baby before the day was out.

“They make a great couple,” her husband said. Cooper had been Stuart’s best friend since they were boys. If he’d been surprised by the engagement, he didn’t show it.

Holden wondered what they would all say when they found out the real reason for the barbecue. He figured not much—unless this day had a tragic ending.

He pushed that thought away as Stuart and Bailey entered the house and the family swept around them. Holden watched as even Holly Jo joined them. The only McKenna family members missing were Treyton, who had been scarce for months, and Duffy, who was still working down in Wyoming.

But some of the Stafford family was here, including Oakley and Pickett and her younger brothers Ryder and Brand with his fiancée, Birdie. The women all had to see the ring. The men had to slap the sheriff on the back.

At one point, Stuart caught his eye. “I better get busy,” Holden said. “Sounds like our guests are arriving.” His job was to play host and not get duped by one of the wives into putting Bailey in danger.

For the life of him, he couldn’t remember who’d told him about there being a horse out at the barbecue twelve years ago. It was driving him a little batty trying to recall.

But better to worry about that, he told himself as he stopped to hug his daughter on the way outside, than what might happen today. He held Bailey too long and too tight, but she let him.

BAILEYWISHEDAGAINthat this was all real. She was so touched by the family’s sincere best wishes. She’d never thought the McKennas and Staffords could ever come together the way they had. She’d grown up in the middle of the feud between her father and Charlotte Stafford. All of the children and the ranch hands had gotten dragged into it over the years. To see peace between at least the offspring made her heart swell.

She hated how emotional she felt when Elaine came out to draw her into the kitchen with the promise of a surprise. Bailey felt Stuart tense next to her.

“She’ll be fine,” Elaine said. “I won’t keep her long.”

The moment they reached the kitchen, the housekeeper, who’d been more like a mother to her, demanded to know what was going on.

“I don’t know what—”

“Don’t even bother lying to me,” Elaine snapped. “I’ve had enough of it from your father.”

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