Capturing Our Lady's Heart [Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (23 page)

He kissed her once more and rolled to her side, but he held her hand. When she got her breath, she leaned across his body.

“I love you, Bern.”

Bern’s eyes had turned a warm blue like the shop’s walls. He smiled and threaded his fingers through her hair falling around him. “I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you. You got up to go and glanced my way. You smiled at me shyly. I doubt you remember.”

“I do. I thought, what an interesting and handsome man. I didn’t think you’d stay in town or be interested in me.”

“I stayed because of you. Your shy smile grabbed hold of my heart. I couldn’t forget you. I knew you were the one.” Then he smiled. “I didn’t know it’d take six years to win your heart.”

“I’m a slow learner.”

“Better slow than never. I’m going to shower before you. Afterward, we’ll go to my ranch. I have a picnic planned.”

“How lovely, but why don’t we shower together?”

“Because we’d be loving and showering all day and never get to the ranch.” He rose and walked to the bathroom door. “You look tired. Take a short nap.”

“Hah, I’ll never sleep.”

* * * *

Bern stood beside the bed and smiled to see Bliss sleeping soundly. He wasn’t in a hurry. They had all day. He closed the bedroom door and checked the kitchen cupboards. She had coffee, good. He made enough for two, in case she wanted a cup when she woke.

He took his cup and sat in the lounge chair. Her scent lingered on the old leather. He sipped the coffee and relaxed.

It had been a long trip back last night. They’d been lucky and had found a man, who for money told them who had the victim. Because they’d gone after the kidnappers so quickly, the group hadn’t expected anyone to be on their trail. With a little gentle persuasion, the leader gave them the name of the man who’d hired them. It was the woman’s ex-husband. He’d been angry since he had learned the prenuptial agreement he’d signed couldn’t be broken.

Bern ran his hand through his hair.
I guess he thought he’d get his money through blackmail.
They’d brought the woman back with them until Bern’s brother, Rodolfo, and his group could find the ex-husband. He’d last been seen in Rodolfo’s territory. Rodolfo and his men would turn the husband in to the police.

The woman was staying in Lann’s guest house until it was safe for her to go home. Bern wondered about Bliss’s reaction when she saw her. Cameo Jordan was an exceptionally beautiful woman. She’d been aptly named. He liked her, and so did Lann. But they weren’t attracted to her. All their interest lay in the woman sleeping in the bedroom. Still, if Bliss felt uncertain, Cameo could create more problems. Bern hoped his brother found her ex-husband quickly, and she could return to her normal life.

When Bliss told him she loved him, his heart had stopped for a second. He had quit believing dreams came true. But this one did, and he was overjoyed.

The bedroom door cracked open. “You didn’t wake me.”

“You needed the rest. We have plenty of time.”

She came around the chair and curled in his lap. Her eyes looked sleepy and sexy. Her hair was mussed like she’d ruffled it with her hands, and her scent went straight to his head and cock.

“This isn’t safe. I want to take you back to bed and love you slowly this time.”

“Then do.”

“I’ll restrain myself for a few hours.” He lifted her off his lap, one of the hardest things he’d ever do. Then he swatted her sweet ass. “Go shower and dress for riding. The truck leaves in thirty minutes.”

“I thought you said we had plenty of time,” she grumbled and walked into the bedroom.

“We did have. You took it all up sleeping,” he teased her. Bern walked in the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee then unplugged the pot. He heard the water running when he opened the bathroom door.

Bliss put her head around the shower curtain. “Did you change your mind?”

“No, but this might make you feel better.” He handed her the cup, and she took a long swallow.

“Just what I needed.” She grinned and placed the cup on the shelf around the shower. “I may make your thirty-minute demand yet.”

He started out, and she whispered, “Thanks, honey.”

His heart burst with love for her, and his cock ached it was so hard. It took all his determination to leave the room. But he’d looked forward to the picnic and having her in the wild alone with him, just a few more hours.

Bliss sat close to Bern with her hand on his thigh as they rode to Lann’s ranch. “It’s a beautiful day for a picnic.”

“Since we didn’t get to go away alone, I thought I’d take some time right here to have you all to myself. And I want you to see more of my ranch.”

“Sounds great to me.” Just being close to him and smelling his outdoorsy scent made her feel like she was home. “I’m so glad you both are back safe.”

“I’m glad we are, too.”

He turned into the long drive toward Lann’s new house. They passed the guest house. A light-blonde-haired woman waved from the doorway.

“Who’s that?”

“The woman we rescued. Her name is Cameo Jordan. She’s staying with us until my brother finds her ex-husband and turns him over to the authorities.”

“She’s very pretty from what I could see.”

“Yes, she is, but you are the prettiest woman to me and to Lann. So don’t start worrying about her.”

“Yes, sir.” Bliss grinned. “You got bossy while you were gone.”

Bern put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. She’d moved slightly away during their interchange. Bliss snuggled into his side.

“You may have to make love to me several times more today to convince me I’m still the prettiest in your world.”

“I was hoping you’d say just that. It’s my plan.”

Lann must have been listening for the truck. He came out on the porch and stood waiting until Bern parked. Then he took long strides down the steps and across the yard. He opened Bliss’s door and pulled her into his arms. His mouth immediately captured her lips.

Bliss’s heart went into overdrive, and her body heated quickly from the pleasure of his greeting. Lann raised his head and smiled at her.

“That is some greeting, cowboy. You’d think maybe you missed me a little.”

“More than a little, honey.” He carried her to the porch and sat her in one of the new rocking chairs. “Before you and Bern ride off for your picnic, he and I have a question to ask you. The correct answer is yes.”

When Lann and Bern each got down on one knee, warmth radiated through her body and her heartbeat drummed in her chest. They both took one of her hands and spoke in unison.

“Will you marry us, soon?”

Bliss looked at their handsome faces and wondered how she’d gotten so lucky. “I decided while you were gone that I want my lingerie shop”—she saw a flash of disappointment on their faces and added quickly—“and I want it all. I want you two for my husbands and to be a businesswoman. Can I have it all?”

“Yes,” they both said quickly.

“Now is your answer to our question yes?” Lann asked.

She grinned. “Yes, yes, and yes.”

They scooped her out of the chair and both hugged her at once. Then Lann handed Bern a small package. “You give it to her.”

Bern pulled a jewelry box from the bag and took out a ring. When he slipped it on Bliss’s finger, she saw the middle stone was a large amethyst encircled with diamonds. Tears ran down her face.

“Honey, if you’d rather have a diamond we’ll take it back, but we both agreed this stone reminds us of your gorgeous eyes. In some lights it looks light purple, and at other times it’s more bluish violet,” Lann said. He and Bern were looking at her anxiously. Bern handed her his handkerchief.

“I love it and that you thought to get a special ring for me warms my heart.” She wiped her eyes. “Don’t you dare take it back. I won’t let you.”

“Thank goodness. When you cried, you scared us.” Bern kissed her hand.

“I was overwhelmed with how lucky I am. You two are wonderful.”

“We’re the lucky ones, but come on.” Bern started down the steps. “We’re wasting valuable time. We’ll see you later, Lann.”

“Have fun.” He kissed Bliss and carried her to the truck. “We’ll have dinner here. The three of us have a lot to talk about regarding the wedding.”

Bern leaned across Bliss from where he sat in the driver’s seat. “We’ll be back around seven.”

Lann waved as they drove off. Bliss sat admiring her ring. Bern glanced at her.

“You’ve made me believe in dreams coming true.”

“There’s a sadness in you.” Bliss put her hand on his leg. “I hope I can help you get rid of it.”

“You already have started. Maybe someday I can tell you what causes my sadness. That might help me.”

“Maybe, or perhaps it will just fade away.”

When they arrived at Bern’s ranch, he parked by the barn. Bern checked that their two horses were saddled. He picked up two saddlebags. “Wait here. I’ll fill these with the picnic goodies my cook fixed for us.”

Bliss sat on the rail of the corral beside the barn. A cool breeze blew across her face. She still trembled inside from all the excitement. This had to be the best day of her life, so far.

She was glad to soon see Bern striding toward her with two full saddlebags. “It doesn’t look like we’re going to go hungry.”

“No, I intend to stuff you with delicious food and drink, and then have my way with you.”

“You are a dangerous man,” she teased. She jumped off the rail and went in the barn with Bern.

Soon, she was riding across a prairie covered in wildflowers of every color. “Where are we going?” Bliss asked.

“We’ll ride around for a while so you can see different parts of my ranch. Then we’ll head for a lovely place by a little lake.”

“It’s on your ranch, too?”

“Yes. My land stretches for miles. I prefer quiet and privacy.”

“How will you ever cope with me and Lann?”

“Some days I may come to my ranch and stay overnight. You can come with me, or not. But if I’m in one of my down moods, you may not want to put up with me.”

Bliss stopped her horse. Bern looked at her questioningly and pulled on his horse’s reins. “What’s wrong?”

“We marry for better or worse, for good moods or not. I plan to come with you, especially if you’re feeling low. Don’t think you can pull away from me. If you say, ‘I do,’ then we’re together through it all.”

“I love you. Thank you.”

Bern led her on around his ranch. He pointed out cattle, some of his men working, and buildings they used to store additional hay and supplies for bad winters. Then he turned them west.

“Is our destination far from here?”

“Are you getting tired?”

“Anxious to eat and have you alone.”

“We’ll ride faster.” They took off across wide-open fields. It wasn’t long before they entered a stand of trees.

“On the other side is the lake. We’ll sit in the shade at the edge of the trees.” Bern stopped at the lake and let the horses drink. Then he helped Bliss down and tied his horse and Bliss’s to a low tree limb.

“Help me empty these saddle bags. Cook put a tablecloth on the top of this bag.” Bern handed the cloth to Bliss, and she spread it on the ground. He brought several plastic containers and placed them on the cloth.

Bliss went to the other saddlebag and opened it. Inside were plastic plates, napkins, a bottle of champagne, and two crystal glasses.

Bern took the champagne bottle from her to open. “I brought this in the hopes we’d have something to celebrate.” He popped the cork and poured the bubbly wine in their glasses. “To you, my love. I hope we’ll always be as happy as we are today.”

Bliss clicked her glass against his and took a swallow. “We have lovely champagne and food to eat, and being happy has made me hungry.”

“It probably has nothing to do with the fact you didn’t have breakfast.” Bern raised an eyebrow at her.

“No, it’s definitely love.”

“Then I’ll open these containers and see what we have.”

There was chicken, potato salad, fruit, and rolls. For dessert, they had chocolate cake.

“I can’t wait to fill my plate.” Bliss soon had some of everything and sat back to eat. Bern told her more about his ranch and his business in between his eating.

She sipped the bubbly wine and her heart felt like it was bubbling over with joy. “I think I may be a little tipsy.”

“No problem. I know the way home.”

After they’d finished Bern told her to stay sitting. He put away all their food and trash. Then he came and lay beside her, staring at the sky.

She rolled against him. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m wondering if I’m dreaming or if this is real. I’ve imagined this scene in my head many times.”

“And how does it end?”

“Shall I show you?” He’d rolled to face her.

She traced his face with her fingers. “Please do.”