Cinderella and the Playboy / The Texan's Happily-Ever-After (32 page)

Afterward Raina remembered keeping her gaze on Shep's and saying vows. He'd done the same. She twisted the gold band on her finger and knew she'd put one on his finger, too. Yet the ceremony was somehow a foggy blur. Because she remembered much too well her wedding to Clark? Because his voice sometimes still whispered in her ears? Because so long ago sometimes seemed like yesterday?

Yet, when Shep held her in his arms, bent his head and kissed her, she was nowhere but here—in this gazebo, in front of the courthouse, kissing him. Shep's kiss was all about the two of them, and not the past. Maybe she
was
as important to him as their child. She became totally involved, totally responsive, awesomely excited, even here, even now…with a world of people watching.

Applause rang out as the kiss ended. Everyone was clapping—except for her mother and brother. What was she going to do about that? How could she convince them to support her decision?

Her mother might be easier to win over than her brother, especially if she spent any time around Shep's children. She'd have that chance in a little while. Gina had offered to host their reception on the Barnes estate. At first, Shep had refused, saying they could throw the party at the ranch. But Gina had come to both of them, convinced Shep that she and Raina were good friends and she and Logan wanted to do this for them. He'd reluctantly given in. Raina understood he didn't want to be beholden to anyone, something else she'd learned about her new husband.

Before Shep let her go, he murmured close to her ear, “You look beautiful today.”

She'd chosen a Western-cut, cream lace dress with a fringed neckline and hem, and cream leather platform sandals. Along with that, she wore a Western-style hat with off-white tulle tied around it.

“Thank you,” she whispered to Shep. “You look pretty good yourself.” In spite of the early-afternoon heat, he wore a Western-cut suit, white shirt and bolo tie, and looked exceptionally handsome, exceptionally like a dressed-up cowboy.

“Did you bring your bathing suit like Gina suggested?” he asked. Lately the temperature had been in the eighties.

“I did, but I don't know if I'll put it on. Going swimming at a wedding reception seems a little peculiar.”

“Not peculiar, just out of the ordinary. Everything we do might be a little out of the ordinary. Did you ever think of that?”

“I don't know if that makes me more afraid or more excited!”

Shep's hand slid under her hair. “I don't want you to be afraid.”

She moved her cheek against his thumb. “I'll try not to be.”

The judge, who seemed in a hurry to return to his chambers, shook both their hands and congratulated them. He said a few words to Ryder and then made his way back to the courthouse.

Roy asked them, “Are you married now?”

Raina dropped her arm around his shoulders. “Yes, we're married now. Are you ready for a celebration?”

“That's a party, right?” Joey asked, apparently wanting to make sure.

“Yep, it's a party with a big cake.”

Raina's mother came over to her and gave her a hug. “I wish you nothing but happiness,” she murmured. But when Raina pulled back, she saw her mother looked worried.

“Thank you, Mom. I think I
will
be happy, once I get used to the idea of being married again.”

“It won't be the same,” her mother said with a shake of her head.

“No, it won't. I don't expect it to be. Maybe that's the secret.”

Shep, standing beside Raina, obviously overheard. Her mother hesitated a moment, then patted Shep's arm. “Congratulations.” She smiled at Manuel and held out her hands to him. “Will you come to me?”

The two-year-old gave a wide grin, babbled and then leaned into her.

“You're a friendly one,” Sonya remarked.

Roy tugged on Manuel's foot, just to tease him,
then he asked Raina's mother, “Are you going to be our grandma?”

“I guess I will be,” she answered, as if she hadn't thought about that. “What do
you
think about the idea?”

“I think it's a good idea. Do you bake cookies?”

Everyone standing there laughed, and after that, conversation seemed easier. Ryder was the only one who stood apart. He and Shep just seemed to be like oil and water, and Raina didn't know if there was anything she could do about that.

They were ready to walk to their cars when Raina saw the expression on Lily's face. She asked Shep to give her a minute, and went to her friend.

Lily's eyes were moist and her lip quivered.

“I can only imagine how hard this was for you,” Raina said with her arm around her friend. “If you want to skip the reception, I'll understand.”

“I know you said I didn't have to come, but I wanted to. This is an important day for you, and actually, I'm glad I'm here. Hearing you and Shep say your vows reminded me of my wedding day. We didn't have very many people there either, but it was the most wonderful day of my life and I don't ever want to forget that.”

“You are one strong woman,” Raina said.

Lily bumped her shoulder against Raina's. “I think we're both strong women. How are
you
feeling?”

“Like I just stepped onboard a rocket ship soaring to another planet.”

Lily gave her a watery smile. “That's the way a wedding is supposed to feel. Now go on, go with your groom. I'll see you at Gina's.”

As soon as Raina slipped into the chauffeur-driven
limo beside Shep—he had insisted they ride in style—he asked her, “Is Lily okay?”

“As okay as she can be. I just wish there was something more I could do to help her.”

“You're helping her by being her friend.” Shep's hand covered Raina's and they sat there for a moment, gazing straight ahead.

In the seat across from them, Roy said, “This is cool, but everyone else is going to beat us there, Dad. Shouldn't we go?”

“The bride and groom are supposed to arrive last,” Shep said, joking. “We're the guests of honor.”

“Us, too?” Joey asked.

“You, too. But since everyone else pulled away, I guess it's time.” He knocked on the partition between them and the driver and nodded.

Raina heard Roy say to Joey, “I bet they're going to hold hands all the time, now that they said ‘I do'.”

She wondered to herself, would they hold hands? Would Shep be affectionate in the course of a day? What would happen tonight when they shared the same bed?
Would
they be sharing the same bed? In the flurry of getting their application at the courthouse, working, spending time with the kids, they hadn't asked or answered those questions.

But she'd be finding out some of the answers tonight.

When Raina saw what Gina had done to the pool area of her home with Logan, tears came to her eyes. With Shep beside her, she threw her arms around Gina and gave her a huge hug. “Thank you so much. We never expected anything like this.”

White tables with turquoise umbrellas circled the pool. The flower arrangements on each table were the same as her bouquet—yellow roses and white gardenias. The scent of them on the breeze was heavenly. The buffet table held assorted hors d'oeuvres, crab puffs, chicken divan and prime rib for adults; pizza, chicken fingers and a crock of chili for anyone who preferred kid food.

Shep seemed a bit overwhelmed, too. He shook Logan's hand, clasped Gina's shoulder and said with heartfelt sincerity, “We'll never forget this.”

“That's the idea,” Gina said, teasing. “We want you indebted to us for a lifetime. That way you'll babysit Daniel whenever we need you.”

Raina laughed. Gina and Logan had a wonderful nanny, Hannah, who was now rounding up the boys. After settling Manuel, along with Gina's and Logan's son, into high chairs, Raina noticed that her mother had joined Hannah and was introducing herself.

Shep bent to Raina. “Your mother's making a friend.”

“She can't stay away from children. If nothing else, your boys will convince her to come out to the ranch. That is…if you want her to.”

“She's your mother. Of course I want her to.” He seemed disappointed in Raina that she would think differently.

“Mothers-in-law aren't always welcome. She might have suggestions.”

Shep drew Raina away from the others. His hand still on her arm, he assured her, “I'll listen to whatever she has to say. That doesn't mean I'll do it. That doesn't mean
we'll
do it. But she'll be welcome, especially if she wants to give our kids attention and love.”

“I'm sure I won't be able to keep her away once the baby's born. Do you think Eva will mind?”

“I think there'll be plenty for ten adults to do.”

The tension that had suddenly cropped up between them dissipated. Raina realized the beginning of their marriage would seesaw like this until they were familiar with each other's quirks, sensitivities and pasts. She and Shep still had a lot to learn about each other. The question was, would he eventually be able to reveal his heart to her? She already knew each time she was with him, she was giving him a piece of hers.

“Uh-oh,” she said to Shep in a low voice, watching Ryder stride toward them. “I don't like the look in his eyes.”

“Easy, Raina. Give him a chance to get used to us together.”

After Ryder approached the two of them, he said to Shep, “Nice reception. I imagine you could have thrown a bash like this if you'd wanted to.”

Shep didn't seem to be ruffled. “Well, we couldn't refuse Gina and Logan's kind offer. Besides, Raina and I will throw a party for friends and family once she and I are more settled.”

“Settled? You mean after the two of you get to know one another?”

“Ryder,” Raina warned.

“Just stating the obvious,” her brother said with a shrug. “This marriage was fast, and everyone knows it.”

Squaring her shoulders, Raina assured him, “Everyone here does know I'm pregnant, Ryder. These are my friends.”

“And where are Shep's friends?” Ryder asked.

Shep's face took on an unreadable expression, but Raina saw his jaw tighten. She took a step closer to him and laid her hand on his arm. He put his around her shoulders and she suddenly felt as if they stood as a couple against the world.

“I'm not sure why my friends are your concern,” Shep said. “Besides, Raina and I decided to keep this small. There wasn't that much room around the gazebo,” he remarked drily.

Ryder's eyes narrowed.

Although Shep wasn't showing it, Raina could feel the taut tension in his body. She would have to be the buffer until these two men could find some common ground. “Did you know Lily moved into the Victorian last week?”

Ryder cast a glance toward her bridesmaids. “You've really made friends since you came back to Sagebrush. I didn't know if you could fit back into small-town life.”

“Once a Sagebrush girl, always a Sagebrush girl,” she said, joking.

“Daddy! Daddy! Come see what we have to eat,” Roy called to Shep.

“Have you met Shep's boys?” Raina asked her brother.

“No,” he replied, looking over that way.

“Come on, I'll introduce you.”

But before they could move away, Shep halted Ryder. “Wait.”

Ryder swung around.

“Please don't tell them you're a police officer, at least not yet.”

Ryder frowned. “Why shouldn't I? I'm proud of being a cop.”

“I'm sure you are. But their parents were killed in an automobile accident. The police officer got to the house before the social worker did. He took them in the car to her office. Everything was handled badly.”

After Ryder studied Shep for a few moments, he agreed. “Okay, I see your point.” He headed toward the table where his mother was already seated with the boys.

Raina faced Shep. “I have a lot to learn about you. I didn't realize I have a lot to learn about the boys, too.”

“When things come up, we'll deal with them. I don't think a crash course is going to work in a situation like this.”

He was probably right. But just what would a crash course on Shep McGraw entail?

As he led her toward the kids, her stomach fluttered at the idea of finding out.

By 10:00 p.m., Roy, Joey and Manuel were all tucked in and sleeping. Raina had hugged Roy and asked Joey if it was okay to hug him, too. He'd grudgingly said yes, and she felt his hold grow a little tighter as she gave him what she hoped was the first of many bedtime comforts.

Now, however, she met Shep outside of Manuel's room. “Is he still sleeping soundly?” she asked.

“Being in the sun and dangling his toes in the pool tired him out.”

After the luncheon at Gina's, many of the guests had left, including Raina's mother and brother. But Raina and Shep had changed into more casual clothes and watched the boys have fun in the pool as Logan acted as lifeguard. Raina had been super aware of Shep all afternoon. Since their glances had connected often, she suspected he'd
been just as aware of her. Now, standing near his bedroom door, she felt unsure as to what to do next.

He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. “I don't know how to play this, Raina. We got married today and should be having a honeymoon. The thing is—we're different than most married couples. I don't want to rush you into anything you don't want. I hung your clothes in my closet, but if you'd rather sleep in the guest bedroom, I'll understand.”

“Do you want this to be a real marriage?” she asked, her voice a bit shaky.

He touched the back of his hand to her cheek. The feel of his taut, warm skin made her insides jump as he answered, “Hell, yes, I want this to be a real marriage.”

She thought about their signed prenuptial agreement, their meeting with the caseworker and Carla Sumpter's admonition that Manuel's adoption would take longer. Now she pictured the gazebo, heard in her mind the vows she and Shep had exchanged. She considered the nine years she'd spent alone, the longing to be held again and most of all the child she was carrying.