Wildcat Wedding (Wranglers & Lace #2) Page 17

  Tyler shook his head. “I just never thought I’d see the day. My little brother’s in love.”

  All at once the back door opened and Maggie, Caroline and the kids rushed in, carrying several shopping bags. Tyler immediately took the toddler from his wife.

  “How you doing, Brett?” Maggie asked. She handed the packages to Becky who took them into the other room.

  “I’m fine.”

  “No, he’s miserable,” Tyler relayed. “He’s in love.”

  Caroline looked at her son. “I take it the lucky girl is Jessie.”

  “Yeah, it’s Jessie,” Brett confessed. “But I’m afraid she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

  “Maybe if you give her a little time...and space,” Maggie suggested. “There have been a lot of changes in her life. Remember, before you came along and started sweet-talking her, her whole life had been the farm.” She glanced at her husband. “You Murdocks can be a little overpowering.”

  Tyler placed a kiss on his wife’s mouth, and all Brett could do was watch in envy. He didn’t want to spend his life watching other people grab all the happiness. “Yeah, but Maggie, she thinks she won’t fit in with this family.”

  “Well, at least she’s going to night school,” Maggie said, then looked embarrassed that she’d said something she shouldn’t have.

  Brett’s hopes soared. “You’ve talked to her?”

  Tyler and Maggie exchanged glances. “Only a few times. She signed up for night classes to get her GED.”

  “That’s great. Then things are different.”

  “Just wait, they’re not different—not yet,” Maggie cautioned. “It’s her family, too. She’s serious about raising those kids, Josh and Katie. And since she’s lived on the farm all her life, she feels she’s not sophisticated enough for you.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” Tyler let out with a hoot and his son giggled.

  Maggie glared at her husband, then turned back to her brother-in-law. “I know it’s her lack of education that bothers her the most, Brett. I don’t think you’ll convince her any differently until she has her GED.”

  “That could take what, two years?”

  Caroline Murdock stepped forward. “Maybe I can help.” She touched Brett’s arm. “Sit down, son, I have a story that just might help you win Jessie.”

  Chapter Twelve

  It was mid-August and hot. Sweat dripped down Jessie’s face as she dug the soil around one of her mother’s rosebushes. Usually she waited until after supper to do the weeding, but tonight she had her class and wanted to go over her assignment. Besides, she had been neglecting some of her chores and the gardens were suffering.

  Jessie stood and felt a little light-headed, reminding her she hadn’t been eating as she should. But it’s hard to eat when you don’t have an appetite. Wiping off her forehead, she reset her floppy hat on her head and winked up at the noonday sun, wondering if it was going to rain any time soon. It had been more than a week and the crops needed it.

  Jessie sank onto the porch step as if all the strength had left her legs. Who was she kidding? She didn’t care about the rain. She studied the garden. She didn’t even care much about her mother’s roses. All she cared about was how empty her life had been since Brett left. Over the past month, she had cried herself to sleep more times than not. A thousand times she had asked herself if she had done the right thing sending him away.

  “Yes, it was the right thing,” she said determinedly. “It was the best for everyone.” But when was the pain going to stop?

  She glanced up to see dust kicking up along the road. Squinting into the bright sun, she tried to see if she recognized the vehicle. She knew it wasn’t Josh or Mac, they had taken Katie into town. Besides, this car was cream-colored. Finally, the sedan came into view as it turned off the highway and started up the driveway. It was a Mercedes. Brett’s car.

  Her heart suddenly soared, but was quickly taken over by her anger. What was he doing here? With her excitement growing, she raced around to the side porch. From behind the post, she saw the car park under the big oak tree in the front yard.

  She stopped breathing as all six foot plus of Brett Murdock climbed out of the car. He was wearing a pair of snug black jeans and a tan shirt. A black belt with a silver buckle adorned his trim waist. He set a white Stetson on his head as his long lazy gait directed him toward the house.

  Blast it! No, she wouldn’t see him. Jessie’s gaze darted around, as if to find a place to hide.

  Brett felt his hands trembling, wondering if this whole idea was the craziest thing he’d ever done. He drew a deep breath and looked at the house. It was quiet. He prayed there was someone home, but he wasn’t quite sure if he wanted it to be Jessie.

  All the way up from Dallas, he had practiced what he wanted to say to her. It had sounded so convincing in the car, now he couldn’t remember a word.

  He took another long breath. “Well, it’s time to face the music.” He started up the steps.

  “Just hold it right there, Mr. Murdock.”

  Hearing Jessie’s voice, Brett swung around. He found her walking from the side of the house to the big tree in the yard. She was dressed in familiar baggy jeans, big shirt and her old floppy hat. In her hands she held a twenty-two. He bit down on his lower lip to keep from grinning. This was his Jessie. God, how he’d missed her.

  “Hi, Jessie. I told you I’d be back.”

  She gave him a hostile glare. “And I told you you wouldn’t be welcome,” she snapped. “If you’re here to check the well, you missed the service road a quarter mile back.”

  Brett ignored her words and took a step in her direction. “What if I told you I’ve come to see you?”

  She raised the rifle. “I’d say you’re wasting your time.”

  “Put that rifle down and we’ll talk. C’mon, Jessie, give me five minutes.”

  “Talk fast, and I’m holding on to the rifle.”

  Brett tipped his hat off his forehead. “First of all, I’ve missed you. And I think you’ve missed me, too.” She didn’t say anything. “Look, Jessie, I’ve spent the past month thinking up reasons to make you change your mind about us. Then I came to the conclusion that love has to be the main reason why two people get together. And we love each other.” He saw the gun teetering and kept talking. “We may have some differences, but I think that’s one of the reasons I’m so crazy about you.”

  She shook her head. “I told you I can’t live in your world.”

  “How about if I live in yours, Jessie? I’ll be working in Oklahoma for the next few years at least. Murdock Oil just picked up two more leases right here in the county.” The rifle dipped a little more and he moved toward her. She took aim again. He stopped.

  “I hear you’re taking night classes. I think that’s great, Jess. But you didn’t have to do that for me. I told you it didn’t make any difference. I still want to marry you.”

  “It would matter someday,” she said. “Folks like you don’t marry my kind.”

  Brett clenched his fists. He would like to get a hold of the man who had made her feel that she wasn’t good enough. “Whoever told you that was lying, Jessie. My daddy married a woman like you.” He saw the spark of interest in her eyes and continued. “Caroline Peaks Murdock came from generations of farmers. Honest, hardworking people who lost their land, and had to take jobs as migrant workers to keep the family fed. For years they traveled through the South picking crops, the parents and children alike, to keep from going hungry.”

  He inched a little closer, and happily Jessie didn’t seem to notice. “When Caroline turned eighteen,” he continued, “she’d had enough and left her parents just outside of Dallas. She was scared, but had to take a chance for a life. She found a waitress job at night and went to school during the day to learn office skills.”

  Brett cautiously took another step. “Six months later, my mother walked into a small company called Murdock Oil and talked J. T. Murdock into hiring her. For th
e next year, she ran the office for practically no salary because the thirty-year-old widower hadn’t hit the big strike yet. Finally, when Murdock Oil’s first well came in, J.T. confessed his love to Caroline and proposed marriage. She said yes, Jessie. My mother married my dad and made a home and helped raise his eight-year-old son, Tyler, and she still worked in the business.” Brett’s eyes met Jessie’s. “She didn’t have a high school diploma, either.”

  Jessie was silent. Brett was close enough now to see the surprise on her face. It was nothing like the shock he’d felt when his mother had told him the story last week.

  “Did she ever finish...school?” Jessie finally asked.

  He smiled and sucked air into his oxygen-starved lungs. “Later, after Jenny and I were born. She even went on to complete two years of college.”

  Jessie’s back straightened. “I don’t see what this has to do with anything.”

  “Then you weren’t listening, Jessie,” he said, exasperated. “I’m my father’s son. I love you just as you are, strong, stubborn and beautiful.” Before she could protest, he jerked the rifle away from her and with his free hand pulled off her awful hat and tossed it aside. Then he cupped the back of her head and claimed her lips in a hot hungry kiss that confessed his desire. He pulled away, but held her eyes captive.

  “I want to marry you, Jessie, and spend the rest of my life with you. But if it’s so important to you to finish school, I’ll wait. I won’t like it, but I’ll wait for you. Just tell me, Jessie,” he pleaded against her tempting mouth. “I need to hear the words.”

  Jessie couldn’t speak, let alone move. Suddenly, she had no more arguments. Brett had torn down all the walls and now he wanted her heart, forever.

  “I guess I was mistaken.” He drew back, propped the rifle against the tree and turned to walk away.

  Oh, no, she couldn’t let Brett go. But she had to be sure before she surrendered her heart.

  “You know you don’t just get me,” she called out. “Mac, Josh and Katie are my family. Katie’s only eight.”

  Jessie watched as he paused and his broad shoulders sagged. Then he turned to face her. “They’ve never been a problem, you know we all get along. And I adore Katie. I just need the words, Jessie.”

  Her heart was suddenly lodged in her throat. She swallowed and managed to whisper, “I love you.”

  He didn’t move. “Say it again. Please.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes. “I love you, Brett Murdock. I love you so much.”

  Before she could blink, she was pulled into his arms and his mouth covered hers. She felt her knees weaken as he teased her with a series of slow, shivery kisses.

  Brett pulled back. “Oh, Jessie. I was so afraid I’d never hear you say those words.”

  “I was so afraid you’d never come back to me.”

  He grinned as only Brett could grin and her stomach did a flip. “You think a twenty-two would keep me away?”

  “You mean you weren’t scared I’d shoot you?”

  His expression grew serious. “I was more afraid you’d let me walk away.”

  She wiped away a tear that had fallen on her cheek, realizing what she’d almost given up. “Oh, Brett, never again. I’m going to love you forever.”

  He closed his eyes and sighed. “Oh, I like the sound of that. But, first...” He placed a kiss on her nose, then knelt down on one knee. He yanked off his hat and looked up at her with such tenderness, it brought more tears to her eyes. “I love you, Jessica Marie Burke. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  “Oh, yes, I’ll marry you.” She pulled him to his feet then launched herself into his arms, and began placing random kisses on his handsome face.

  Brett laughed. “Looks like I’ve got myself a little wildcat.”

  She stopped what she was doing and smiled at the man she loved. “And don’t you ever forget it.”

  Epilogue

  It was the second Saturday in September, late afternoon, and the warm day had cooled down just enough to be comfortable. In the garden, rows of chairs lined either side of a long, white runner leading to the vine-covered lattice arch. Emily Burke’s roses were in full bloom, making a lovely backdrop for her eldest daughter’s wedding.

  The groom stood off to the side, watching the guests taking their seats. He checked his watch then glanced down at the shine on his black boots, then upward to the perfect crease in his Western-cut, charcoal gray trousers. Nervously he released the button on his suit jacket and examined his white tux shirt, feeling the bolo tie at his dry throat. He checked the time again.

  “A little nervous, Bro?” Tyler came up beside Brett.

  “Just wishing it was all over with.” Brett blew out a long breath as he scanned the crowd. “Where did all these people come from? I thought this was going to be a small wedding.”

  Tyler raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you know you were in trouble when Caroline and Hatty got together?” Tyler gave his brother a sideways glance. “I warned you. You should have hopped a plane to Vegas. It would have been all over in ten minutes.”

  Brett shook his head. “I couldn’t do that to Jessie. She wanted to be married here at home in Oklahoma.”

  Oklahoma was going to be his home, too. At least for the next few years until Murdock Oil finished drilling in the Durant area, and Josh went off to college. Brett was also going to become Katie’s legal guardian until she turned eighteen. He smiled, remembering when Katie asked him if he was going to be like a father, or another big brother.

  “Think you can handle a ready-made family?” Tyler asked “Kids are a big responsibility.”

  Brett grinned. “Yeah, I think I’m up to it.”

  “You know Jessie’s more than just a pretty face. Don’t make the mistake of trying to rein her in too tight,” Tyler advised.

  Brett knew that, too. And he was planning on spending his life with Jessie showing her just how precious she was to him.

  The minister appeared next to Brett. “We’re ready to begin.”

  Brett felt his heart thud rapidly in his chest and wondered if he was going to pass out. Somehow he managed to nod and stand next to Tyler and Josh. Hatty had just been seated beside Marcus on the bride’s side. Caroline was already in her chair, looking beautiful as always. She gave him a teary wink and a smile that said ‘I wish your father were here.’ Brett returned his mother’s smile and one for Jenny and Becky who were hanging tightly on to Zachary. He blew out another long breath as the quartet began to play and all eyes turned toward the back.

  Katie was the first down the isle. She was wearing a rose pink dress, that nearly touched her ankles as she moved slowly toward the front. Next came the matron of honor, Maggie, in a beautiful sea green dress over a cream-colored under skirt with a lace hem.

  Suddenly the music changed to the bridal march. Everyone stood and turned toward Jessie as she appeared on the arm of her brother, Mac. She was wearing her mother’s wedding gown, which had also been her grandmother’s. But Brett couldn’t imagine anyone looking as beautiful in it as his Jessie.

  This was the happiest day of her life, Jessie thought as she gripped Mac’s arm and started down the white runner. Her dress was ivory voile with a fitted bodice that dipped into a gathered skirt, accented by beautiful cut-work along the hemline. The stand up collar caressed her neck, and pinned at her throat was a lovely antique cameo that Hatty had given her. Maggie had talked her into wearing her hair up with a few strands of curls surrounding her face and sprigs of baby tears and two miniature white roses adorning her crown.

  Jessie felt Mac squeeze her hand and she looked up and smiled. “You look as pretty as Mama,” he told her, then relinquished her to her future husband.

  It was almost as if everyone else had disappeared. Jessie could only see Brett, and in his deep blue eyes, his promises of love for a lifetime. He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her lips that brought tears to her eyes. Then cradling her hand in his, he turned to the minister and the ceremony be
gan.

  * * *

  It was nearly midnight when Brett and Jessie stood on the porch waving goodbye to the last of the wedding guests. Jessie watched as Mac’s truck drove down the road taking the kids to Hatty’s for the night. The Murdocks had left ten minutes earlier to stay in town. Suddenly it seemed so quiet.

  She turned to her new husband. “That was awfully nice of Hatty to let the family stay with her so we can be alone....”

  “It’s our wedding night, Mrs. Murdock. We’re supposed to be alone.” He dipped his head and caressed her lips with a slow easy kiss. Then he released her, and bending down, picked her up in his arms. Through her giggles and mock resistance, he still managed to open the front door and carry her up the stairs. He stopped at her parents’ bedroom, which was going to be theirs.

  “I love you, Jess. And I’m going to do my best to make you happy.”

  “Oh, Brett, you’ve already made me happy,” she assured him. Then she gave her new husband a sweet kiss before opening the door.

  Brett carried his wife over the threshold, but stopped as they both glanced around the candlelit room. The walls had been freshly painted a soft blue. The beautiful antique four-poster bed was adorned by a hand-sewn wedding quilt. In the dim light, they could see at least a dozen vases of freshly cut roses placed everywhere, filling the room with a glorious fragrance.

  Brett set his bride down. “The room is beautiful, Jess,” he proclaimed as his arms circled her waist.

  Jessie was just as surprised as he was. “I knew Josh and Mac had painted, but I had no idea...” She walked to the bed and fingered the quilt. “I remember when I was little, my mother working on this.... Hatty must have kept it all these years.” She looked to the nightstand to find an ice bucket holding a bottle of champagne and two glasses.