Home on the Ranch: Texas Wedding

“Well, he needs to hurry up already.” Teddy kept on, chuckling. “She wants a child and husband and a spot on the vow tree.” He sighed.

“What’s the vow tree?” He glanced up from his coffee.

Clara nudged Teddy.

“It’s a Boone tradition,” Teddy explained, waving any true explanation aside.

“Meaning it’s a secret—unless you’re a Boone.” Clara winked. “An incredibly special and romantic secret.” With a kiss to Teddy Boone’s forehead, she added, “Now, stop worrying over your daughter. She’d tell you to mind your own business and give you one of her ‘I can take care of myself’ looks.”

Ash could imagine that look.

Teddy patted his wife’s arm. “You’re right, as always. Besides, there isn’t a man alive that deserves her. And that’s the truth.” He winked at Ash.

He tried like hell to smile in return.

Would Teddy Boone approve of him as his son-in-law? As much as he hoped so, he had his doubts. Teddy was an old-fashioned man with old-fashioned values. Having a pregnant, unmarried daughter would be a hard pill for Mr. Boone to swallow. Teddy Boone would not be happy—over any of this—but he’d understand, if not approve, when Ash proposed to Renata. At least, he sure as hell hoped so. He’d spent most of the night trying to come up with solutions that made sense. None did—except one. Marrying Renata. Not because she needed him—she’d made it clear she didn’t—but because it was best for the baby.

“She seems to love her work,” he offered. “About talked my ear off at Fisher’s place the other night.”

Teddy chuckled. “She does, indeed. No doubt about that. A real hard worker, too.” He sipped his coffee.

“Like her father. And brothers.” Clara refilled his coffee cup. “Ash, when you stop by Renata’s office, you could drop in at the real estate office a few blocks away. With any luck, there might be something good listed.”

Conversation wandered into what he was looking for. When Curtis came up, Teddy and Clara had only the best things to say about the local schools—grandparents through and through. His mother and Betty would fit in just fine here.

Ash gulped down the rest of his black coffee and stood. “Guess I’ll head that way. Thank you, again, for breakfast.”

With a wave, Ash headed out and climbed into his truck, resolve surging through his veins. Things were starting off rough, no denying that, but Ash would do his damnedest to smooth things over as soon as possible. Hopefully now, after a good night’s rest, Renata would be more willing to sit down and develop a plan for how to move forward.

On impulse, he stopped at a small floral shop and bought a bouquet of flowers. A peace offering couldn’t hurt. Once he parked, he smoothed his shirt, grabbed the flowers and walked into the City Offices—one of which was the Tourism Department.

A middle-aged woman looked up from her desk, eyes peeking over her reading glasses. “Good morning. Can I help you?”

“I hope so. I’m looking for Renata Boone.” He tried for a charming smile.

She caught sight of the flowers, her eyes going owl-like. “Miss Boone?”

He nodded.

Not a blink. “Is she expecting you?”

“No.” He looked pointedly at the flowers. “I was hoping to surprise her.” And convince her to marry me.

The woman’s expression went from cautious to excited. “Oh, I bet she will be. You go on. Her office is at the end of the hall, to the right.”

Ash nodded his thanks, walked down the hall and knocked on Renata’s door. Her muffled “Come in,” was the only invitation he needed.

“Irma,” Renata said, not looking up from the papers spread across her desk. “Have we heard back about the portable stage yet? I don’t know what we’ll do if the school doesn’t have it.”

“I can go ask her if you like,” he offered, closing the office door behind him.

“Ash...” She stood. “I

didn’t expect you.” He could see that. “Why are you here?”

Sometimes he forgot just how beautiful she was. Like now. He was too tongue-tied to say a damn thing, so he offered her the flowers. The whole charming thing was going to be a challenge.

“Flowers?” She couldn’t have been more surprised.