Attached (Coronado Series Book 3) (30 page)

“Yes, the first step is done with many more to go. After we’re married, we’ll move on to the next phase.”

“Whatever happened to the kid?”

“I went to his arraignment and suggested to the judge that he give Kevin the option of joining the navy instead of jail time. I figured if he went to jail, he was just going to become a better criminal. The navy may offer him a small chance at becoming a responsible human being.”

“Did you hear what he decided?”

“No, Kevin has to go through the trial and then tell the judge what he’s decided. It’s his last chance at a life, so I hope he takes it. By the way, thanks for everything you’ve done over the last couple of weeks. When we get custody, we’re going to name you the godfather. Sofia will be very lucky to have you in her life.”

“No problem. You know you can count on me for anything. I already worked it out with the baby, and she already considers me her favorite.”

“Good to know. I may need backup when she starts to date.”

“You’re going to let her date?”

“Yes. When she graduates college, then she can date.”
 

David clapped him on the back. “Just keep repeating that to yourself.”

Lunch was being delivered. He went to find Cary and take the baby so she could have a chance to eat first. The women moved toward their husbands, and everyone sat down to enjoy their food. His old teammates sat around him, and he was happy to catch up-that is, until they decided to share stories with Cary.
 

Will, Cody and Caid were having a good time as they tried to top one another in sharing embarrassing stories about him. As much as it pained him, he was happy to hang out with the guys again. Cody smiled at Cary. “I think my friend found a good match. I didn’t think it was ever going to happen, but I can see that it did.”

Cary smiled back at Cody, and Travis watched him blink. It never failed. No one ever saw it coming and then they got hit with it. He laughed at his friend and shook his head. It was never going to get old watching his friends fall one by one.

Will spoke quietly in Travis’s ear. “How’s your sister Tory doing?”

Travis turned and gave him a hard stare. “She’s fine. I think she’s still dating a guy from the hospital.”

“Does she know where she is going to end up working?”

“No, she is evaluating her offers right now. She has a ton of offers because ER doctors are always in demand.”

Will nodded his head and stared at his plate. “I told you that I would never ask her out on a date until I retired from the Teams, and I meant that. The timing will probably never work out, but if it does, then I’m going to throw everything I have at it.”

“As long as your intentions are good, then I’m fine with it. Talk to her at the wedding and see if there is still anything there.”

Will nodded in agreement and felt a small ball of hope bloom in his chest. He knew that he didn’t have much longer on the Teams. At the age of thirty-seven, his body was starting to give out. He never wanted to be less than his best and cause the Team not to be able to perform because he couldn’t keep up. In his world, he was getting old. In the real world, he was in his prime. Maybe it would all work out. He looked around the room and saw the retired guys who worked for Max, and he saw how happy they were. Most of them had amazing women at their sides, and families. The view looked pretty good from where he sat.

Everyone was finishing up, and Travis knew it was time to thank the people in the room before everyone started to go.
 

He got up and looked around the room. Using his loud combat voice, he called for everyone to be quiet. “I just want to thank everyone in this room for their support today. It means the world to my family. I know a lot of you just came off a tough rotation, and I appreciate you taking showers and putting your uniforms on and showing up today. For those of you who are part of our new future, thanks for taking us in and making us feel welcome.
 

When I asked Cary to marry me, you all were part of the package. So in some way, everyone in this room has helped me achieve every dream I’ve ever had and some that I wasn’t even aware of. I think that my fiancée is about to join the match making team of Birdie and Rory, so she’s available if anyone here needs some help finding a date. Thank you again, brothers.” He lifted his glass and all the men yelled
hooyah
at the same time. “We also look forward to seeing everyone in about a month at my family’s ranch for our wedding.”

Cary stood up, took Travis’s hand and looked around the crowd. “Thank you for making me feel welcome and including me in this amazing group.”

Sofia waved to everyone because she felt like everyone must be looking at her. “Our daughter is also very happy to have so many new admirers as well.” Everyone watched Sofia clap and smile at everyone. “Well, at least she knows how to work a room.”

Before Travis sat down, he looked at all the men with a serious expression. “I will be calling for backup when she starts dating, because from what I can see, she’s going to be hell on wheels.”

The men nodded their heads in agreement. No one wanted to be in Travis’s place when that happened.

Everyone finished their meals and slowly started to leave the restaurant. Mark came up to Travis and shook his hand. “Good day, man.”
 

“It’s been almost a year since our op. I can’t believe how much has changed. I never saw any of this coming.”

“I think that’s the way it works. I never saw Birdie coming, but once I did….I was hit and that was it.”

“I never understood it until it happened to me. Now it all makes sense.”

“I told you and you never believed me. So here it goes…I told you so.”

Travis laughed and shook Mark’s hand. “You we’re right.”

“Sweeter words were never said.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“Travis Mathers, you’d better move that hand of yours.”

“Honey, I won’t make it through the day unless you let me get at you.”

“We have already broken all kinds of traditions by spending the night together before our wedding day. I don’t want to bring any bad luck to our marriage.”

Moving his hand lower, he felt her begin to respond to his fingers as he moved them around and around. “This doesn’t feel like bad luck…this feels like the best luck in the world.” He rolled her on top of him and smiled into her eyes. “Let’s make a baby on our wedding day.”
 

Cary looked down at him and felt the heat wash over her as her heart beat wildly against her chest. “I look at you and my heart speeds up. It never fails… every time.”

“That works out for me, because I feel the same way about you. I knew it from the beginning, and that’s why I held on so tight to you. I needed you to be in this with me.” He moved his hips, and with one strong thrust he seated himself completely inside. “Now everything is where it should be.”

He moved his powerful legs and pushed himself even deeper. “I think this is an even better place.”
 

“I agree with you.”

They lay there together, breathing heavily as their hearts beat against one another. “I love you, Travis.”

“Baby, I love you more. I can’t wait to marry you in a couple of hours. Thanks for letting me get at you. I think I can make it through the day now.”

“This better bring us some serious good luck over the next fifty years. “

“I feel lucky. Don’t you?”

“I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” She watched as Travis got up and walked into the bathroom and smiled as he turned around.

“I wonder if you are going to enjoy the view as much in forty years when I’m an old man and have a saggy ass.”

“I probably will, but if not, I guess I’ll just trade you in for a younger model.” She didn’t see him move, but she felt him bounce on the bed as he started to tickle her.

“What did you say sweetheart?”

“I love you and I always will.”

He stopped torturing her and held her face between his two big hands and kissed her the same way he had the first time. “I’m going to keep kissing you like it’s all I’m allowed to do.”

“Good idea.”

********

Travis sat in the living room of his family’s house, surrounded by the men that he respected most. David was standing next to him as his best man and he couldn’t have asked for a better guy. His two brothers, Jack and Tom were his groomsmen, along with Mark. David lifted his glass of scotch in a toast. “Congratulations on finding the woman of your dreams and convincing her that you’re a good bet.”

Travis looked at the men and clinked his glass against theirs. “Thanks for standing up with me today and for everything you’ve done with me and for me over the years.”

Mark studied him over his glass. “You look really relaxed. You must have talked Cary into breaking a couple of traditions.”

“I might have, but I won’t kiss and tell.”
 

Everyone started laughing as Travis’s dad walked in the room. “Son, it’s time to get yourself down there. I have strict instructions from your mother, and I plan on making them happen.”

“We’re on our way.” The men filed out of the room and made their way down to the garden. Both Travis and Mark wore their dress uniforms, as well as Travis’s brothers, who were both still active Rangers. Seeing all four men in their uniforms gave more than a few of the guest’s ideas about dating a man in the service.
 

Travis dropped a quick kiss on his daughter’s head before he took his place next to the minister. He watched as she sat contently in her grandmother’s lap. He took a moment to take a deep breath and look out at his family and friends who were gathered to celebrate. There were a lot of days when he was on the battlefield when he didn’t know if he would ever see this place again. For him to be standing here among everyone he loved was a miracle. The fact that he’d found someone to love who seemed to love him back was a dream. He closed his eyes and said a prayer of thanks, and as he opened them, he looked up and saw Cary standing next to his father as she was about to walk toward him and make him the happiest man in the world.
 

The music changed and their song Promise started playing. He felt his heart stop as she took her first step in his direction and their future together. He wanted to rush toward her but knew that he couldn’t. She stopped next to his mom and kissed Sofia and rested her head briefly against the baby’s as she spoke quietly to her. Everything he’d ever dreamed of was steps away from him and was about to become all his. She turned and smiled at him, and he felt the same way he did when he danced with her at the honky-tonk. He held out his hand. She stepped towards him and their hands joined and that’s when his heart went back to beating normally. He was complete. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Thanks for showing up in that pretty dress to marry me.”

“I figured since I love you, I might as well make it permanent.”

“That might be a good idea. I guess we’re finally going to be attached permanently.”

“Sounds good to me Travis Mathers. I couldn’t think of a better person to spend the rest of my life with, having adventures.”

“You got that right.” He was about to lean down and kiss her when he heard the minister clear his throat. Looking up, he smiled at the man. “I guess we should have the ceremony first?”

“Yes, son. That’s usually how it works.”

Together they stepped forward into their future.

THE END

INSPIRATION

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Coronado Series

I hope you enjoyed reading the third book in the Coronado Series.

Latched is the first book in the Coronado Series

It’s the story of Birdie and Mark and how they fall in love. Because they were the first characters to inhabit my brain, they will show up in some form or fashion for the rest of the series. I’ve received the comment that the end of Latched was abrupt…. but it was the only beginning. Mark and Birdie’s story keeps unraveling. Throughout the rest of the series you’re going to meet their children and watch them as they make their way through life’s milestones.

Snatched is the second book in the series

This is Max and Rory’s story. Rory needs Max to solve a stalker problem and Max needs Rory to fall for him. Trust me when I tell you there is never a dull moment, because these two give each other a run for their money. Rory and Max will show up in the subsequent books as well because every girl needs a best friend.

Birdie and Rory are always up to something even though they have their hands full with husbands, children, family and friends. They still somehow seem to find time for shenanigans.

Catch is the fourth book in the series

 
It’s Chris and Rachel’s story. You met Chris briefly in Snatched and he shows up again in Attached. Catch is the story of a mighty warrior falling hard for a woman and trying to figure it all out. Needless to say, Rory and Birdie are there to help. No really…they are helping. It will be available in early September.