“Hey.” Ace returned the punch, sending Hazard backward against the counter. “All I’m saying is, I got used to Maggie’s cooking, and I don’t want to lose her.”
“You think Chance does?” Hazard reared back, ready to send his little brother into next week.
Ace looked over at Chance. “If you don’t want to lose Maggie, you’d better do something about it fast, pal.”
“What would you suggest? You think I should tie her up and hold her against her will?”
“That’s a start.” Ace shot him a grin that had him gritting his teeth. “Or you could start with a little honesty.”
“Such as?” Chance could feel his temper heating up. When it reached the boiling point, he’d be happy to unleash it on whichever brother happened to be the closest to his fist.
Ace saw Maggie just stepping into the room. He dropped his hands to his sides and grinned. “I’ll leave that to you to figure out, bro.”
He ambled out of the room with Hazard right behind him. When the door closed, he halted, then leaned his ear against the door. When he felt a big hand close over his shoulder, he looked up with a frown.
“Hey. You can’t blame a guy for trying to eavesdrop.”
Instead of yanking him away, Hazard surprised him by crowding in beside him. “Try to zip that lip, Ace. I don’t want to miss a single word. This ought to be good.”
Maggie stood across the room, staring around as if memorizing every detail. When she finally turned to Chance, she felt her heart do a series of somersaults. Even though she’d tried to prepare herself for this, she was afraid she wouldn’t get through it without tears. She squared her shoulders, determined not to embarrass herself.
“I want you to know how sorry I am, Chance.”
“Sorry?” He stood where he was, afraid to get too close. If he did, he’d have to touch her. And if he touched her, there was no way he’d ever stop.
“For bringing my troubles to your doorstep. You and your brothers deserved better.”
“We’re big boys, Maggie. We can take care of ourselves.”
“I know.” She took a deep breath and stared down at her hands. “I’ll…think of you and the Double W often in the years to come.”
“How comforting. We’ll get the crumbs of your thoughts after you’ve spent the day making fancy dinners at that fancy restaurant?”
At his sharp tone, she looked up.
“You’re angry!”
“You’re damned right I am.”
“But you just said…”
“Not about that. About the fact that you’d consider leaving without a thought to my feelings.”
“But I have to go. You heard the detectives. They need the truth about Ray. And they’re going to have to exhume…” She couldn’t bring herself to say it.
“And you think I’m going to just let you walk out the door and go through all that alone?”
She blinked. “I won’t ask you to leave all this. Your home. Your brothers. The demands of your job. You can’t turn your back on all this just so you can hold my hand.”
“And why not? Isn’t that what people do when they love each other?” He took a step closer and saw the wary confusion in her eyes.
“Love? You never said anything about love.”
“Maybe I…maybe I forgot to mention that. There just never seemed to be the right time.”
Time, he thought with a frown. It was time to put into words all the things that were in his heart. If he didn’t say them now, there wouldn’t be a next time.
His tone deepened. “We’re a team now, Maggie. When you hurt, I bleed. I’m not letting you go to Chicago without me.”
“But this could take weeks.”
“I don’t care if it takes months. Years.”
“You’d…” she stared up into his eyes and felt a jolt at the look of steely determination, “…you’d do that for me?”
“I’d like to do a whole lot more.” He reached out a hand and caught a wisp of dark hair between his fingers. “Ace suggested I hog-tie you and keep you here by force. I’d try it if I thought it would work. But I know you have to see this through, so we’ll see it together. But when it’s over, if you’re willing, I’d like you to come back to the Double W with me and live here as my wife.”
“Wife?” She knew she sounded like a parrot, but she couldn’t help herself. She simply couldn’t think of a thing to say. This wasn’t at all what she’d been ex pecting. She’d been steeling herself for a stilted goodbye. And now… “You’re…proposing?”
“I know for a city girl life in Wyoming must seem pretty tame. You’ll miss the excitement of the big city. And the challenge of a successful restaurant. Out here we’re hemmed in by snow and ice half the year. But whenever it gets to be too much for you, I promise you, I’ll fly you to some tropical island, and we’ll play in the sun and surf until you’ve had enough.”
“You’d do that for me?” He was so solemn, so serious. She tried not to laugh. “I guess I could get used to that.”
“And don’t worry about the isolation. Even though we’re miles from our nearest neighbor, we can be anywhere in the world in a matter of hours. All you need to do is say the word and I’ll call up the jet or the chopper.”
“Isolation isn’t so bad, Chance. It could make for some…interesting evenings.”
He saw the smile in her eyes and felt the sudden quickening of his pulse. Maybe, just maybe, she could be persuaded.
He allowed himself to touch her. Just the curve of her shoulder. At the first touch, he felt her tremble. “You won’t mind giving up the restaurant?”
She shook her head.
“I know it won’t be easy, Maggie. I’m sure you’ll miss the challenge of preparing exotic meals for hundreds of people.”
“I don’t know. Cooking for you and your brothers has become something of a challenge. And I suppose, when the spirit moves me, I could always start catering to the cowboys in the bunkhouse.”
“So.” He stared down into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts. “Is that a yes?”
She was too overcome for words. All she could do was nod her head.
As he bent to claim her lips, the door was shoved open.
“Was that a yes?” Ace demanded.
“I don’t know.” Hazard was grinning from ear to ear. “I didn’t hear what Maggie said. But I think, by the smile on our big brother’s face, that she’s agreed.”
Chance’s smile faded. He shot them both withering looks. “Do you want to die?”
“No. What we want is a wedding. The sooner the better.” Hazard hurried across the room to pat Maggie’s shoulder. “You won’t be sorry, Maggie. We’ve never had a sister. But I promise you, we’ll be the best brothers in the world.”
“We’re not just gaining a sister,” Ace said with a yelp of enthusiasm. “We’re gaining a cook.”
Chance grabbed him by the front of the shirt and dragged him close. “If you’re not out of here by the count of ten, you won’t be alive to enjoy her cooking.”
Ace threw up his hands. “I’m going. I’m going.”
As he backed away, his grin returned. He and Hazard dropped their arms around each other’s shoulders and sauntered away.
Over his shoulder Ace added, “I never thought I’d be saying this, Maggie. To you or any woman. The way Chance felt about committing to marriage, we figured he’d be an old man before some woman snagged his heart. Anyway, welcome to the family, Maggie. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”
“That goes double for me, Maggie,” Hazard called.
Chance was still frowning when the door closed be hind them. Then he turned back to Maggie and burst into a roar of laughter.
“He’s right, you know. I never thought I’d be saying this either. And I do mean it from the bottom of my heart.” He dragged her close and muttered against her lips, “Welcome to the family, Margaret Mary Trainor. And be warned. I never intend to let you go.”
“Promise?”
>
“Cross my heart.” With a solemn look he made a cross over his heart, then drew her into the circle of his arms.
And then there was no need for words. As they came together, Maggie felt the familiar rush of heat and thrilled to it. The press of his lips on hers told her everything she’d ever wanted to know.
Epilogue
“Hold still.” Ace, already dressed in a tuxedo, stood beside Chance and fumbled with his French cuffs. “Why do they make these cuff links too big for the buttonholes?”
“To test a man’s patience.” Chance scowled at his reflection in the mirror. “I don’t know why we couldn’t have been married in jeans and boots.”
“No sense fighting it.” Hazard finished tying his brother’s tie, then stood back to admire his handiwork. “It’s a female thing. You say wedding, they think fairy tale. And you, Prince Charming, just have to go along.”
Chance stalked to the window to watch the parade of cars and trucks rolling up the drive. A dozen wranglers had been pressed into service to act as valets. “Look out there. Half the town of Prosperous.”
“Not half the town, bro.” Ace grinned. “The whole town. And half the state of Wyoming is invited to watch you tie the knot.”
After a quick rap on the door, it swung open to admit Cody. “Well, don’t you three look spiffy?”
Chance snarled, “We look like—”
Hazard interrupted. “How’s the bride-to-be holding up?”
“That lady’s absolutely amazing. Agnes and Thelma had to drag her into her room to get dressed. She was still arranging those trays of fancy canapés and telling the girls from town just how she wanted them served.” He shook his head. “And the wedding cake she fixed—it looks like some kind of fairy castle, with white-frosted towers.”
Ace turned to Chance. “See? I told you. A fairy tale. And you’re her knight in shining armor.”
“A knight? I look like a damned—”
Cody dropped a hand to his shoulder. “Getting cold feet?”
Chance shook his head. “Not about marrying Maggie. Hell, I’d walk through the town of Prosperous buck naked, if that’s what she wanted. But I just want this over with.”
“Yeah.” Ace shot a look at Hazard. “Then comes the good part. So, what island paradise did you two decide on for the honeymoon?”
“You don’t think I’m going to tell you. After two beers at Clancy’s, you’d blab it to the whole town. And with my luck, I’d find some reporter from the Wyoming Report outside my room with a camera and a microphone.” Chance began to pace. “How much longer?”
Ace glanced at his watch. “Reverend Young said he’d be here promptly at noon.”
“That’s another thing.” Chance stopped his pacing. “Maggie insisted on inviting him to offer the service. I tried to warn her about how long-winded he can be. Always in that same monotone. But she wants tradition. When she found out he officiated at Dad’s wedding and his funeral, she became hell-bent on having him officiate at ours, too.”
“Let’s hope your funeral can wait a few years.” Hazard opened a box of cigars on his brother’s desk and passed them around. “As long as we have to kill time in here, why not enjoy ourselves?”
While he flipped open a lighter, Ace took down a dusty bottle of whiskey and filled four tumblers.
“Since we’re drinking from Dad’s stash, let’s drink the first one to him.”
The four men lifted their glasses.
“To Dad,” Chance said solemnly. “And to his legacy.”
Cody watched as the three brothers downed their drinks in one long swallow. Then he followed suit. He waited until they refilled the tumblers, then said, “And now I’d like to offer a toast. I’ve watched the three of you grow into fine men that your dad would be proud of. I know you always thought this land was the legacy he left you. Maybe that was part of it. But the real legacy is what the three of you share. The best thing your father could have given you is each other. So here’s to the Wildes of Wyoming. Long may you live.”
They tilted their heads back and drank.
Suddenly Chance set his glass down with a clatter and headed toward the door.
“Hey. Where are you going?” Hazard demanded. “We’re not finished yet.”
“Yes, we are. I’m not waiting another minute. I want to see Maggie right now.”
As he stormed away, Ace turned to Hazard.
“Ten dollars says Agnes and Thelma don’t let him get so much as a glimpse of his bride before the ceremony.”
Hazard shrugged. “I don’t know. He looks pretty determined.” He turned to Cody. “What do you think?”
The old cowboy threw back his head and laughed. “I’m putting my money on Chance. There isn’t a locked door that can hold that man back when he’s set his mind to something.”
Hazard took some money from his pocket and slapped it into his brother’s hand. “I’m with Cody. I’m putting my money on Chance.”
“What’s keeping you two?” Thelma stopped her pacing long enough to pound on Maggie’s bedroom door. “I’m on my third cigarette. You should have been ready long ago. Why won’t you let me help?”
“Keep your shirt on,” came Agnes’s muffled voice from the other room. “We’re just about done.”
A minute later the old woman opened the door with a flourish, then stepped aside to reveal the bride.
“Oh.” Thelma stubbed out her cigarette, then stared at the vision in white. The gown was a simple column of white silk, with a softly rounded neck and long, tapered sleeves. A small crown of white pearls was nestled in Maggie’s dark hair. Fastened to the crown was a veil that spilled around her shoulders. “Oh, honey. You look so…” Without warning, Thelma burst into tears.
“Thelma.” Alarmed, Maggie rushed forward.
Before she could wrap her arms around the older woman, Thelma stepped back. “No. Don’t wrinkle your dress. I’m just being silly. But I can’t help it. You look so beautiful. Just the way a bride should look on her wedding day.”
“Thanks, Thelma.” Maggie held out a small wrapped box. “This is for you.”
“For me?” The older woman tore aside the wrappings, and opened a small jeweler’s box. Inside she found a string of pearls and matching earrings. “What’s this for?”
Maggie smiled. “It’s traditional for the bride to give her attendant a gift.”
“Attendant?” Thelma’s already painted brows shot up. “Me? You want me to stand up with you?”
“Who else? You’re the first person I met when I arrived in Prosperous. You gave me a job and a place to stay. But even more important, you’re the reason for today. If you hadn’t encouraged me to take this job, I’d never have met Chance.”
“Oh, honey.” Thelma was crying again. Big wet tears that caused her makeup to smear until she resembled a raccoon.
Maggie turned to Agnes. “And this is for you.”
The woman’s eyes grew round as she opened the gift to find a similar pearl necklace and earrings. “But why?”
“You’re the closest thing Chance has to a mother, Agnes. And that makes you my mother, too.”
Agnes blinked hard, but failed to stop the moisture that burned her eyes. “You know, city-girl, I never thought I’d be saying this. But I sure am glad you’re staying. I’d hate to think how I’d handle all those hostile cowboys if I had to go back to cooking for them.”
Maggie chuckled. “Is that the only reason you’re glad I’m marrying Chance?”
The old woman shook her head, fighting the lump in her throat. “There’s another reason. I’m not sure I can say it out loud.” She sniffed. “Here goes. I never had a daughter. But if I did, I’d want her to be just like you.”
Minutes later, when Chance stormed into Maggie’s room, he found himself facing three weeping women who looked like they were about to attend a funeral.
As always, he leaped to Maggie’s defense. “What’s going on here? Maggie, if somebody’s hurt you…?”
; “It’s all right.” She started forward, but Thelma put a hand on her arm to stop her.
“Now just a minute.” She stepped in front of Maggie, as though shielding her from Chance’s view. “You can’t see the bride before the ceremony.”
“The hell I can’t.”
“Thelma’s right.” Agnes placed her considerable bulk between Chance and Maggie. “Now you wait outside with your brothers until the music starts.”
“Maggie.” Chance’s eyes were narrowed with frustration. “Tell these two mother hens to give us some privacy. Right this minute.” When she looked as though she might refuse, his eyes darkened with misery. “Please.” The word nearly stuck in his throat.
Maggie patted the two women’s shoulders, and leaned close to kiss their cheeks. “Wait outside. We need a minute alone.”
Thelma nodded, then shot a look at Chance. “One minute. But that’s all.”
As she and Agnes stepped from the room, Chance slammed the door and locked it, then leaned against it and stared at the vision that stood before him.
“Losing your nerve, cowboy?”
“Never.” He shook his head. “How about you?”
She stepped closer. “Not a chance. You’re stuck with me.”
“Promise?” He caught her hand, and lifted it to his lips.
At once she felt the jolt, and had to press a hand to his chest to steady herself. “Oh, yes. I promise. I’m going to love you until you’re tired of me, Chance Wilde.”
“That wouldn’t happen in three lifetimes.” He stared at their linked fingers. “I feel like the luckiest man in the world. To have almost lost you, and then to be given another opportunity…” He shook his head. “I hope you won’t feel smothered by the attention I intend to lavish on you.”
She laughed. “Go ahead. Lavish all you want.”
He drew her close and kissed her, long and slow and deep. As they stepped apart, he rested his forehead on hers. “How am I going to wait for this interminable day to be over?”
“You’ll survive.” She brushed her lips over his cheek. “Did you tell your brothers where we decided to spend our honeymoon?”