Her Texas Ranger Hero (Lone Star Lawmen 4)

“Luckey? Take her hand.”

He grasped it and could probably feel her heart beating throughout his body. Her parents also stood.

“Dearly beloved, what a glorious day is about to begin for you. Two people joined as one to be friends, comforters and lovers throughout this life and the next. Man wasn’t meant to go through life alone. Cherish the families who have helped make you who you are. Treasure this gift of marriage that has been given to you. Bless it with children. Honor it with your fidelity. Strive to make the other happy and you will have joy. Now repeat after me...”

They exchanged their vows.

“I now pronounce you man and wife in the eyes of God, these witnesses and the laws of Travis County, Texas. Do you have rings to exchange?”

Ally had forgotten about that, but not her amazing husband-to-be. He pulled two rings out of his pocket and put them on the ring finger of her left hand. She gasped at the large purple solitaire diamond set in gold sitting next to the gold wedding band.

“You can kiss her now.”

Luckey gave her a peck on one side of her mouth. “I would have given her a longer one, but she has a cut lip. If I were to kiss her the way I need to...”

The judge chuckled. “I hear you.” He pulled a form out of his briefcase and placed it on the table extending over the bed. “If you ladies will put your signatures here...” he said to the nurses. Once the papers were signed, the older man thanked the two women for their participation.

After they left, Ally took her turn signing the wedding certificate. Then Luckey placed his signature on the document, while she shook the judge’s hand. “Those words were simple and beautiful. We’ll never forget this day. Thank you so much.”

“It was the perfect ceremony,” Luckey told him.

“So...the deed is done. Congratulations. I hope you’ll be very happy.”

“We already are,” Ally rushed to assure him.

Luckey shook the older man’s hand and walked him out to the corridor with Ally’s parents.

She looked at the document they’d just signed. It was official. As soon as she was released, she was going home with the man she adored.

Luckey strode back in with fire in those dark brown eyes and drew her into his arms. “The doctor will be right in to check you over one last time, Mrs. Davis.”

Mrs. Davis. What beautiful words.

Ally clung to him, burying her face against his neck and shoulder. “I didn’t know I could be this happy.”

“Just wait till I get you home.”

* * *

LUCKEY PULLED ALONGSIDE the house. He would have driven into the garage, but he wanted to carry his new bride over the threshold. With his heart pumping like crazy, he opened the passenger door and picked her up.

“Welcome home, sweetheart.” In a few steps he reached the front door and used his remote to let them inside. “I’ll bring our things in a minute.” He shut the door and carried her down the hall to his bedroom.

Ally let out a small cry. “Oh, Luckey—so many flowers! How did you have time to do all this?”

“I asked my cleaning lady, Ruth, to get things ready for us. New sheets on the bed, new towels in the bathroom. All the food we’d want to eat in the fridge. For the next forty-eight hours there’s a big Do Not Disturb sign at the Davis residence.” He laid her down gently on the bed. “I’ll be right back.”

“Luckey?” she murmured. “I’m not made of glass, you know.”

“But you’ve just come home from the hospital.” He kissed her forehead and hurried out to the car to bring in her overnight bag and the flowers. When he walked back into the bedroom he found his wife texting someone.

She looked up. “I just told Mom and Dad that you’ve brought me home. In a few days we’ll come by the ranch.”

“While the doctor gave you a last checkup, I texted my folks.”

“Oh, good.”

“Great minds think alike.” He put her overnight bag on a chair and opened it for her. “While you get ready for bed, I’ll bring in some food. Ruth makes wonderful fajitas. All I have to do is warm them up.”