“I’m out of breath myself. I didn’t know three weeks without seeing you could be so long. It’s embarrassing how much I love you.”
They got out on the next floor and walked down the hall to Judge Hayes’s office. The secretary smiled and told them to be seated while she let the judge know they had arrived. Cy put the corsage box on the next seat over and clasped her hand in his.
“If you only knew how long I’ve been waiting for this moment.” The throb in his deep voice resonated throughout her trembling body.
“I do know,” she whispered back. Kellie would have said more, but the judge came into the outer office. The older man studied them for a moment.
“I believe I’m about to marry two of our state’s most famous celebrities this morning. Come into my chambers.” In an aside, he asked his secretary to find the other witness and join them. Cy squeezed Kellie’s hand a little harder before walking her into the judge’s office. He put the necessary papers on the desk. Two women came into the room after them and shut the door.
After the judge made the introductions, he asked Kellie and Cy to stand in front of him and join hands. They reached for each other automatically.
“It’s my privilege to marry a fine Texas Ranger and our state’s champion barrel racer. If you’re ready, we’ll begin the ceremony.”
“We’ve been ready for a long time.” Cy spoke boldly.
A smile broke out in the judge’s eyes. “Is that true?” he asked Kellie.
“Yes.”
“I can tell your husband-to-be is impatient.”
“Not as impatient as I am, Your Honor.”
“All right, then. Let’s get to it. Kellie Parrish, do you promise to love him and cherish him and all that other stuff?”
Kellie couldn’t help but laugh. “I do.”
“Cyril Vance, do you promise to love her and cherish her and all that other stuff?”
Cy looked at her. “I do.”
“We both do,” Kellie said emotionally. “Forever.”
The judge nodded. “Forever it is. I now pronounce you man and wife. Have you got a ring?”
Kellie stared at Cy in concern. He pulled the gold band out of his pocket and handed it to her. She pushed it onto the ring finger of his left hand.
“Now you may kiss your bride, but make it a short one.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” her new husband said.
“I get your point. Well, don’t just stand there—and don’t forget you’ve got a rodeo tonight, Mrs. Vance. After the favor I’ve granted this superhero here in cutting this ceremony short, I expect a star performance.”
“I’ll try.”
“I do believe you’ve got him hog-tied, and that’s a real feat. According to his captain, who happens to be a good friend of mine, no female has been able to succeed until now. But I can see why she’s brought you to your knees, Ranger Vance. If I were forty years younger, you’d have some tough competition. Now, get out of here and live a happy life!”
“Thank you, Judge,” she said to him as Cy rushed her into the other room. No bride had ever had such a unique wedding ceremony.
Before she could take a breath, he drew her into his arms and gave her a kiss to die for. “Let’s get back to your trailer. I’ll drive. If an officer pulls us over, I’ll flash my star.”
This was a side of Cy she hadn’t seen before. He was like a different person. Funny, playful. Life with him was going to be filled with surprises. She almost had to run to keep up with him. They flew down the hall. He didn’t want to wait for the elevator. Instead he opted for the stairwell. Before she knew it, they were outside and headed across the street to the parking lot.
“The truck’s down there on the right.”
“I know where it is. I watched you drive in and park.”
That was her Texas Ranger. Always ten steps ahead of everyone else, and he was her husband!