He’d picked that sappy song himself, hoping by some miracle she’d know he meant it.
She hadn’t.
He briefly acknowledged the congratulations from one of his neighbors, but he didn’t engage Clyde in conversation. He wanted to fade into the shadows and watch Sydney sway in Kyle’s arms, since tonight might be the last time he saw her.
The song ended and he checked the impulse to rush back to her side.
She glanced around, then glided across the floor, her dress flowing softly around her ankles. A few people stopped her to exchange words, Cole’s neighbors, Sydney’s co-workers. Then a man cut in front of her, and Cole squinted. He didn’t recognize the guest, but something prickled along his spine.
Her back was to him, but her shoulders tensed as the two began to speak. Cole ditched the beer bottle and headed across the floor.
Halfway there, he recognized Bradley Slander.
He swore under his breath and quickened his pace, shouldering his way between guests. He still couldn’t see Sydney’s expression, but Bradley was way too close.
When Cole got into range, he heard Bradley’s tone dripping with malevolence. “-and so I’m wondering what it feels like to whore yourself for an antique.”
Sydney recoiled, and something exploded inside Cole’s brain. Instinct took over as he crossed the last few yards on a dead run. He grabbed Slander by the collar and slammed him up against the wood wall.
He held him there, nose to nose, forearm jammed against his sternum while Slander’s face turned an interesting shade of maroon.
“I don’t know how things work up in New York,” stormed Cole. “But here in Texas, y’all ’ve got two choices. You can apologize to my wife and get the hell off my land. Or I can blow off your balls and feed them to the dogs.”
Slander’s mouth worked, but nothing came out except raspy squeaks.
“Cole?” came Kyle’s warning voice.
Cole would have broken Slander’s nose for good measure, but he’d already wasted too many minutes of his life on the man, and he needed to make sure Sydney was okay.
He jerked back and let Slander crumple to the floor. Then he turned to look for her.
She stood frozen, a few yards away, her eyes wide as a few people tried to engage her in conversation.
Cole marched to her side and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her away from the curious guests.
She was shaking.
Fortunately, the band hadn’t seen the altercation, and they played on. He guided Sydney into the middle of the dance floor and gathered her into his arms.
Her glance went to the doorway where Kyle was escorting Slander outside.
Cole turned her so she wouldn’t have to look.
Her voice quavered. “He-”
“He sends his apologies,” said Cole.
She nodded against Cole’s shoulder, her body stiff as a board.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, rubbing a hand up and down her back. “Relax. It’s over. Just dance with me.”
She shook her head against his chest. “He just said what they’re all thinking.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“That I married you for the brooch.”
“They’re all thinking you’re a beautiful bride.”
“They’re wondering why you agreed to marry me. They’re thinking I’m a mercenary.”
“No, they’re not.”
“That’s what Katie thought.”
He tipped her chin up. “For a short time, maybe. But then she got to know you. She knows you’re not a mercenary.”
“But I am.” There was a catch in her voice, and his heart ached.
“We both know the truth, and that’s all that matters.”
She shook her head once more.
He kissed the softness of her hair. “Stop. Just stop.”
“But we don’t, Cole.”
“We don’t what?”
She tilted her chin to look up, eyes glassy and tearful. “
He squinted at her. Oh, no.
“The truth is, I didn’t marry you for the brooch.”
A chill of fear iced Cole’s spine. He couldn’t take another one of her deceptions. Not here. Not now.
She bit her bottom lip, and her chest rose once, then fell. “I married you because I love you.”
The fear in Cole’s body plummeted through the floor-boards. He gave his head a little shake. She couldn’t have just said those words. It was his own wishful thinking.
“Say that again,” he rasped, fighting the roaring in his ears.
“I love you, Cole,” she repeated.
He squeezed her tight. “Oh, Sydney. I have loved you for…” He stroked his hand slowly over her fragrant hair, marveling that his dreams had actually come true. “Forever, I think.”
Her voice lifted. “You do?”
He kissed her temple. “I do.”
A soft sigh escaped from her, she seemed to melt against him.
“Oh, Cole.
“I know.”
“We’re married.”
“I meant the song.” He cradled her face in his hands. “For as long as I live. I meant every word.”
“I meant my vows,” she whispered.
“I will love you,” he whispered back, “cherish you, honor and keep you.”
“Till death do us part,” she said, finding his hand with her own and twining their fingers together.
“Till death do us part,” he repeated, pulling their joined hands between their bodies as the music swelled. The yellow lights shone through her hair and the scent of the wedding roses filled the new barn.
“I guess we’ll be building that house now,” said Cole, feathering light kisses down her cheek, heading for her soft lips.
“With the turret and the dormer windows.” She sighed against him. “And a breakfast bar and some of those high stools with the curved backs.”
He chuckled. “I guess if I’m going to be a patriarch, I’ll need a big house.”
“A patriarch?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, great. You’re going to start issuing decrees now, aren’t you?”
“You bet.” He nodded. “Starting tonight, I’m whipping this family into shape.”
“Kyle will never take the land.”
“I know he won’t.” Cole smiled to himself. He’d been working on that one for a while.
“What?” Sydney prompted.
“I’m leaving it to his children.”
“You’re devious.”
“That I am. But you love me, right?”
“I love you,” she said.
“Say it again.”
She pulled back and cupped his face between her soft hands. “I love you, Cole Erickson.”
He sighed. He could listen to that all night long.
“Isn’t there something you want to say to me?” she prompted.
He kissed her softly on the lips. “Hmm. Let me think.”
