A Lawman in Her Stocking (13 page)

“Now…now, see here,” the man stammered. “There’s no reason for anybody to go quittin’ their job or leavin’ town.”

“No reason at all,” Luke Washburn said, his eyes looking slightly moist.

“Put that badge back on, Dylan,” Ed Taylor said, his voice hoarse. “We’ll work this out.”

Dylan pulled her into his arms. “What do you say, Brenna? Are we going to be able to work all this out?”

Tears flowed down her cheeks as Brenna gazed up at the man she loved with all her heart. “I think there’s a good probability that we will,” she said, smiling.

“Good enough for me,” he said, his heated gaze sending a shiver of longing down her spine. “Darlin’, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

If Brenna thought the room fell silent when Dylan handed the mayor his badge, it couldn’t compare to the hush that fell over the crowd as they awaited her answer. Even the children milling around the Christmas tree in the corner seemed to pause as if they sensed something significant was about to take place.

Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks as she threw her arms around his neck. “Dylan, if it were possible, I’d marry you right here, tonight. Yes, I’ll be your wife.”

An immediate cheer rose from the citizens of Tran
quillity and it took several minutes for everyone to settle down after congratulating the happy couple.

“Brenna?”

Turning at the sound of her name, Brenna watched Mildred Bruner come forward. “Did you mean it when you said you’d marry Dylan tonight if it were possible?”

Glancing up at his handsome face, Brenna turned back to Mildred. “Yes, I would.”

“What about you, dear?” Mildred asked Dylan.

Brenna watched him nod without hesitation. “I wish we could get married tonight, Mildred. But as county clerk, you know there’s a three-day waiting period from the time the marriage license is issued until a couple can exchange vows.”

“That’s true,” the woman admitted. “But if a district judge waives the waiting period, a couple can get married right away.”

His grin wide, Pete walked up to slap Dylan on the back at the same time Abigail hugged Brenna. “Judge Bertrand’s ranch is only seven miles from here,” Pete said thoughtfully.

“He owes me a favor,” Myron said, looking pleased. “Me, Ed and Luke can take a run up that way and have him back here in an hour.”

Dylan gave Brenna a look that curled her toes inside her green Christmas boots. “Do you still carry your book of certificates with you, Mildred?” he asked.

Mildred nodded. “A body never knows when it might come in handy.”

His slow grin made Brenna’s heart skip a beat.
“What do you say, darlin’? Would you like to get married tonight?”

“Yes,” she said without a moment’s hesitation.

Dylan gave her a quick kiss a moment before everyone seemed to start talking at once.

Cornelia stepped forward, and barking orders that would have made any wedding planner proud, took charge. Dispatching Myron, Ed and Luke to get the judge, she set the ladies of the Beautification Society to the task of turning the Christmas Jamboree into a wedding, while an ecstatic Abigail hustled Brenna home to change out of the elf costume.

An hour later, wearing the green dress she’d worn for Pete and her grandmother’s wedding, and holding a bouquet of red and white silk rosebuds, Brenna stood in the hallway outside of the community room.

“Brenna, you make a mighty pretty bride,” Pete said, his faded blue eyes suspiciously bright.

“Of course, she does, you old goat.” Abigail placed a garland of white baby’s breath on Brenna’s head. “She’s my granddaughter.”

Pete chuckled. “And Dylan’s a handsome young buck because he’s my nephew.”

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Brenna murmured, her head spinning from the events of the last hour.

The muted sound of “Here Comes the Bride” filtered from the community room a moment before Cornelia opened the door. “Your groom awaits, Brenna.”

Abigail gave her a watery smile and patted her
cheek, then turned and slowly walked through the door.

“Ready, gal?” Pete asked, holding his arm out for her to take.

Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, Brenna nodded. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

When Pete escorted her through the door, the citizens of Tranquillity parted into two groups to form an aisle. Brenna looked for, and found, Dylan standing next to Judge Bertrand on the far side of the candlelit room by the Christmas tree. Lights on the tree twinkled behind him, but she barely noticed. The glow of love she saw in his emerald eyes held her captive as she walked toward the man she loved.

“Are you ready to make this a Christmas Jamboree that Tranquillity will never forget?” Dylan asked as he took her hand from Pete.

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life,” she said, tears of happiness blurring her vision. “I love you, Dylan Chandler.”

“And I love you, darlin’.” He placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand, then giving her a smile that warmed her all the way to her soul, he said, “Let’s get married.”

Christmas Eve, one year later

D
ylan smiled fondly as he watched Brenna slowly lower herself into a chair beside the Christmas tree, then pick up the book she’d selected to read to the kids before Santa Claus made his big entrance at the Christmas Jamboree. He’d have never believed it possible, but he loved her more today than he had the day he’d made her his wife.

“Brenna looks very pretty tonight,” Mayor Worthington said, coming to stand next to Dylan.

“Yes, she does, Cornelia,” he said proudly. He glanced over at the first female elected to the position of mayor in Tranquillity’s one hundred and fifty year history. “Where’s Myron?”

“He’s putting on his suit.” Cornelia laughed. “He
complained that it’s a tradition for the mayor to play Santa at the Jamboree, but the council members and I decided that it would be best if he continued, since I wouldn’t be as convincing as he is.”

Dylan grinned. “I heard the women also voted to have Luke and Ed play Santa’s helpers this year, too.”

“Emily made the motion and Helen seconded it,” Cornelia said, giving him a smug smile.

Cornelia moved on to talk to some of her other constituents and Dylan turned his attention back to watching Brenna. When she finally closed the oversize book she’d been reading, Santa Claus appeared at the back of the room, right on cue, and the kids turned their attention on Myron and his two disgruntled-looking elves as they carried brightly wrapped presents to place under the Christmas tree.

As Pete and Abigail passed him on their way to the punch bowl, Pete laughed. “Did you ever see a more bowlegged elf than Ed Taylor?”

Laughing Dylan shook his head. “In those green tights, he’s a real sight, that’s for sure.”

“If you ask me, Luke’s the one who’s a sight,” Abigail said, pointing toward the three men passing out presents. “There’s a good two inches of his belly shining between the bottom of his green T-shirt and the top of his pants.”

“What time is it?” Brenna asked, waddling over to join them.

Checking his watch, Dylan told her the time, then placed his arms around her shoulders. “Are you getting tired?”

She shook her head as she placed her hand over her swollen belly. “No. Just checking.”

“This is a lot different than last year’s Jubilee, isn’t it?” Abigail asked, sounding disappointed.

“Jamboree,” Brenna, Dylan and Pete corrected in unison.

“Whatever.” Abigail waved her hand dismissively. “It’s not nearly as exciting. Nobody’s feuding and no one’s getting married.”

“It can’t be excitin’ every year, sugar,” Pete said, kissing Abigail’s cheek.

Dylan hugged Brenna close, then kissed the top of her head. “As far as I’m concerned, there will never be another Jamboree as special as that one.”

“Never say never,” Brenna said, laughing breathlessly.

“So what did the doctor tell you today?” Abigail asked. “Is my first great-grandchild going to be a Christmas baby or a New Year’s baby?”

Smiling down at the woman he loved more than life itself, Dylan covered Brenna’s hand where it rested over their child. “He said it could be any time.”

Brenna nodded. “All we know for sure is that the baby is a little girl.”

“A girl?” Pete grinned. “If she’s as pretty as her momma and great-grandma, we’ll be beatin’ the boys back with a stick, Dylan.”

Dylan’s eyebrow began to twitch and his gut twisted into a tight knot. “I’m getting an ulcer just thinking about it.”

“Have you picked out a name?” Abigail asked.

“We’re leaning toward Noelle,” Brenna answered. She rubbed her lower back before asking, “What time is it now, Dylan?”

He laughed. “It’s five minutes later than the last
time you asked. Why? Do you have somewhere you need to be?”

Brenna nodded and the grin on her beautiful face made Dylan feel as if he’d been punched in the gut. “The hospital.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, feeling as if his knees might not support him.

“Yes, darling,” Brenna said calmly. “I’ve been in labor for the last two hours.”

“Hot damn! Get the car, Pete,” Abigail said happily. “Looks like we might have some excitement tonight after all.”

Four hours later, in the wee hours of Christmas morning, Noelle Dyanne Chandler was born and placed into her father’s waiting arms. Staring down at the most beautiful baby he’d ever seen, Dylan’s chest tightened and moisture filled his eyes. He’d always been a sucker for redheads, and now he had two in his life—Brenna and his new baby daughter.

“Is she all right?” Brenna asked anxiously.

Kissing the top of his wife’s head, Dylan grinned. “She’s perfect in every way. Just like her mother.”

Brenna gave him a watery smile as he laid the baby in her arms. “It looks like we disrupted the Christmas Jamboree again this year.”

Happier than he’d ever been in his life, Dylan grinned. “Your grandmother’s already speculating on what we’ll do for next year’s party.”

“That figures,” Brenna said, sounding tired. “Are she and Pete still out in the waiting room?”

Dylan nodded. “I think half of Tranquillity is out there with them, too.”

“Are you serious?” she asked, obviously shocked.

“Yep.” He smiled as he touched his baby daughter’s soft cheek. “They all wanted to know that you were going to be all right, and to welcome the town’s newest resident.” Dylan chuckled. “They were in such a hurry to get here that Cornelia, Emily and Helen wouldn’t even give Myron, Ed and Luke time to change clothes. They’re still dressed like Santa and his elves.”

“I can’t believe they all came to the hospital to wait,” Brenna said, laughing.

“Darlin’, don’t you know what you mean to all of them?” Dylan asked, brushing a strand of copper hair from her porcelain cheek. “They love you almost as much as I do.”

He watched tears fill her pretty blue eyes. “I love you, Dylan.”

“And I love you, Brenna,” Dylan said, leaning down to place a tender kiss on her sweet lips. “With every breath I take, I love you.”