Texas Lawman (29 page)

Jodie and her father had grown much closer in the past two months. She saw him as more of a whole person now, from the perspective of her own adulthood. He wasn’t the ineffective bumbler that she, to her shame, had once considered him. They’d taken tiny steps toward understanding before, but not gone far enough. Not to where they were now.

Gib patted her back as he returned her hug. Then he wiped his eyes. “That goes double for me, little girl.”

She smiled up at him. “Austin isn’t all that far away.”

“I know.”

“We’ll come for a visit every month. I promise.”

“Tate’ll take good care of yo” Gib said, more to assure himself than to assure hr. Jodie didn’t need convincing.

“He will. Like I’ll take good care of him.” Her eyes fell on the drawing of her mother, which she’d framed and hung on the wall beside the long mirror. She went to get it and brought it to her father. “Why don’t you keep this?” she said quietly. “It’s been with you all these years. And … and I don’t need it anymore.”

Gib studied it. “She was so heautifui—just like you. “

Jodie wanted to pull him from the past. She grinned and asked, “Are you ready to walk me down the aisle tomorrow?”

Gib answered in tree Texas fashion, “Sure. You bet.”

“At least it’s a short aisle—’ my to the front of Aunt Mae’s living room.”

Her father laughed. “You shoulda seen Mae today. You’d’ve thought the Queen herself was comin’! She was runnin’ poor o1’ Axel ragged, getting’ this and that, makin’ sure all the rented chairs were properly placed. All I can tell you is those flowers better arrive on time tomorrow mornin’ or there’s gonna be a florist in Del

Norte who’ll regret the day he was born. “

“I’m sure everything will be fine.”

“Harriet and Shannon are tryin’ to make her settle down, but she’s like a stubborn horse that’s taken the bit in its mouth. She’s gonna do it her way or else!”

“She’s having fun. You know Aunt Mae.”

Her father tilted his head. “You notice how she’s

taken a new lease on life? Got more energy. Gotten feistier again. For a while there I started to wonder. Then— It happened about the time you got engaged to Tate. You know, forXa woman who never had one herself, she sure seems to like weddings. “

“Maybe that’s why she likes them so much,” Jodie said softly.

Gibnodded. “You might be right.”

Once her father left, Jodie moved about the room, seeing to a few last-minute details, then climbed into bed.

She and Tate had agreed not to be with each other tonight. To keep to tradition. She would see him tomorrow for the first time in Mac’s living room, where together, gathered in front of their families and a few friends, they would exchange their vows.

She wondered what he was doing now. If he was thinking of her.

A COUPLE OF HIS OFF-DUTY deputies threw Tate a small bachelor party at the Watering Hole. Jack was there, as was Mark Lovell. They laughed together and told off-color jokes and drank a beer or two, then broke up.

Tate dropped Jack off at his new place–which was Tate’s old place–and Tate continued on to his mother’s. She’d requested he spend the night with her and he’d agreed.

Emma was still up when he let himself inside. She was playing solitaire at the kitchen table in her lightweight robe and fuzzy slippers, just as she used to do when he was a teenager.

He went over to kiss her cheek, just as he also used to do. “Waitin’ up?” he asked.

She patted his hand on her shoulder. “My very last time,” she said.

He hooked a foot around the leg of a chair and settied into place beside her. “Who’s winnin’?” he teased.

“The deck is,” she retorted, and pushed the cards away. Then she looked at him for a long moment. “I guess you know what you’re doin’ for sure, hmm?”

Tate met her gaze steadily. “I love her, Mom.” j “And she says she loves you.”

“She does love me.”

Emma considered for another long moment, then said, “I wasn’t very happy when I heard about this, you know that. A Parker … marrying into our family! Who’d’ve believed it? But you’re good enough for ‘em, Tate. You’re more than good enough!”

“They couldn’t be nicer to me, Mom. Even o1’ Mae. She even seems happy now that she’s gotten used to the idea.”

“Because you’re from town?” Emma demanded, sensing a slight.

“Because she wasn’t sure Jodie was ready to settle down. Now she is. Jodie’s convinced her.”

His mother shifted in her chair. “She’s been nice to me, too, I have to admit.”

Tate smiled fondly. “With reason, I’d say, but then, I’m prejudiced. I think you’re the world’s finest mom!”

“Flattery will get you out of all kinds of trouble–-but you already know that.”

“It never used to get me out of trouble when I was a boy.”

“It took you growin’ up to know how to use it.” A brief silence ensued, then his mother said, “Td like to give you a special present. I know you and Jodie aren’t going to need a lot, because Jodie has her own money and you’ll be getting good pay on your new job. But, I thought—if Jodie would like it, too—I’d give you the quilt my great-grandmother handed down to me. She won all kinds of prizes for it and it’s so very pretty. She made it as her wedding present for your great-grandfather.” She waved off Tate’s protest. “I don’t have any use for it anymore. I’d rather give it to you. That is, unless you think Jodie wouldn’t like it.”

“I’m sure she’d like it! You know the locket she wears? It was Mae’s when she was a child. The Parkers set a lot of store on family traditions.”

“I didn’t think Jodie did. I thought she used most of her energy trying not to be a Parker.”

“That was before. Not now.”

“Well, now she’s gonna be a Connelly,” Emma said firmly.

Tare smiled. “Yes, she is.”

“It’ll be hard thinkin’ of you with a wife,” Emma admitted. “I still remember you as that tiny little thing your daddy and I were afraid to hold after you were born. We thought we’d break you.” She paused. “Your daddy would be so proud of you, Tare. You know that.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so. Come here. Give your o1’ mom a hug,

then get yourself off to bed. Tomorrow’s gonna be a big day for everyone. “

Tate did as his mother r:luested and added a warm kiss. His mother had always done her best by him. Raised him to the best of her ability. He would be forever grateful.

Minutes later he was stretched out on the bed in the spare room, his hands clasped behind his head as he stared at the darkened ceiling. Tomorrow he was going to marry Jodie.

Then five glorious days in Hawaii—somewhe neither of them had ever been beforemand two days to set up their apartment in Austin before he had to report for duty with Drew Winslow.

It was as if some kind of lucky star had hovered over him sprinkling magic into his life.

Jodie . his wife.

When he drifted off to sleep, Tate was smiling.

“JODm! You LOOK…” Shannon stood back, admiring the bride-to-be. Harriet hovered nearby, while Christine continued to fluff and smooth and fuss with the dress. “Perfect,” Christine finished for her.

They were in’an upstairs bedroom at Mac’s house. For the past ten minutes they’d heard family and friends assembling.

“Is Daddy ready?” Jodie asked in a mild panic, having remained calm until that moment.

Harriet peeked into the hall. “He’s here. At the top of the stairs. And he looks so handsome I almost didn’t recognize him.”

“And you’re sure Tate’s here,” Jodie said, needing additional reassurance.

“I saw him myself. And talk about handsome! Wow!” Harriet wagged her fingers as if they burned. “He came with his mother and Chief Lovell.”

Jodie shifted from foot to foot. She was ready for the ceremony to begin.

Thankfully the flowers had arrived on time, the cake was on the dining-room table, the champagne had been iced, the minister welcomed. All that remained was for the organist to start playing. At that exact moment organ music floated upstairs.

Gwen tapped on the door and opened it. Nearly twelve, she was mature enough to really appreciate this wedding. Her gray eyes, so like her mother’s, were shining with excitement. “Aunt Mae said to tell you everything’s ready downstairs.”

Jodie’s heart gave a strong beat, then a number of quick smaller ones. Her fingers felt like ice in comparison to Shannon’s as she accepted the bouquet.

She laughed giddily. It was happening! It was truly happening!

She accepted kisses and smiles of good wishes from all around, then as she stepped into the hall, she reached for her father’s arm.

Gib did look handsome in his tuxedo. And very proud.

The others hurried downstairs to take their seats.

“All the luck in the world, sweetheart,” her father murmured as they started forward.

Jodie could hear her flowers shaking, a low rustle just below the sound of the music.

The entryway looked like a spring garden, as did the living room. Mae had spared no expense. Most of the furniture had been removed and white wooden chairs set in place. A cluster of white blossoms and greenery marked the side of each aisle chair.

Everyone watched as Jodie and Gib proceeded down the narrow walkway. Smiling faces, a few with tears of happiness. Jodie looked from one to the other—the people who meant so much to her life. She saw Tate’s mother, tearing up. And Jack Denton, urbane in a suit.

Then she saw Tate. Waiting for her beside the minister.

Tate, in his tux. Strong and handsome and vital. Looking at her as if she was the most wondrous vision.

Jodie increased her pace, ready to get on with it! The ceremony and their life!