CoyoteWhispers (21 page)

Doc’s lips curled on his shoulder. “Yeah, that fits.”

“Jesus. Give me second.”

“I want to stay.”

He lifted his head, looked down at Doc’s flushed face. “Was
there ever any doubt?”

“For me, yes.” She closed her eyes, took a deep breath that
raised her chest, pressed her breasts against him. Her lids lifted to reveal
tears. “I don’t want to promise something I might not be able to give. I don’t
know if I can do it, but I want to.”

“You don’t have to know. Life doesn’t hold guarantees,
Gordie. All I ask is that you let me love you, love me in return and promise to
never hold anything back again. No matter how trivial or how inconvenient something
is, I want to know about it.” He searched her gaze. “Can you give me that?”

“Yes.” She kissed him quickly. “So you want to get married
on New Year’s Eve?”

Steve smiled. “I’ll marry you whenever you want. I’d get
dressed and plow our way to town now if you wanted.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

“Okay, let’s go.” She tried to push him off her.

He laughed, rolled to his side and pulled her with him. “New
Year’s Eve is good enough if that’s what you really want. Besides, as far as
I’m concerned we’re as good as married now.”

She laid her head on his chest, her fingers playing over his
skin. “Steve?”

“Mmm.”

“This is my dream.”

Epilogue

The closer they got to town the harder her heart pounded.
She could suck in no more than shallow gasps of air and sweat coated her skin,
especially her palms. Her fingers trembled along with her stomach. Gordie just
hoped she didn’t embarrass herself and throw up the second she got out of the
truck.

Steve’s hand landed on her thigh. “Stop worrying. Everything
will be fine.”

“You can’t know that.”

“Yes, I can.” He glanced her way, turned back to watch the
road. “We have each other, don’t we?”

“Yes, but—”

“See, everything is fine.”

She took a deep breath. “That’s not what has me nervous and
you know it.”

He patted her leg. “Gordie, you did what you had to, there
was no other choice and those that matter to you, to us, know that.”

They turned a bend and the town came into view. It looked
exactly the same as it had every other time she’d traveled this road. On the
surface nothing had changed. But on the inside, like her, nothing was the same.
Steve drove through the center of town, found a spot across the street from the
café and parked. He switched off the engine and turned toward her.

“If you don’t want to do this now, would prefer to wait, we
can.”

“What?” She spun in her seat. “No. I want to get married.
I’ve wanted it for days. What I don’t want is to face the people waiting for us
in there.” She indicated her sister’s café.

“The only people here are the ones we invited, our family
and friends. None of them are going to judge you.” He unbuckled both their
belts and pulled her across the console as he opened his door. “Come on, let’s
go change your last name.”

Gordie laughed. “Is that all we’re doing?”

“Did I mention you’ll be tied to me for life?”

She shook her head.

“Probably best to leave that until after we change your name
then.” He grinned and pulled her out of the truck behind him.

“What other secrets have you kept hidden?” They linked hands
and checked for traffic before heading across the road.

“Oh, lifetime of happiness, a houseful of children, getting
old and wrinkly together.” Steve put his hand on the door to Kat’s place.
“Ready?”

“And willing.”

The noise from a party well underway greeted them. Kat came
rushing over yelling above those already inside.

“They’re here.” She linked arms with each of them,
separating them. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Her sister led them to a small flower-festooned arch that
had been place in front of the big stone fireplace at the back of the room.
William Brant stood in a creaseless suit waiting to commence the ceremony.

“Gordie, Steve, lovely to see you both.”

Steve shook the older man’s hand. “Thanks for doing this on
such short notice.”

“Nonsense. It’s my pleasure.” William turned to Gordie.
“Shall we start?”

“Yes.”

They removed their coats and stood facing each other, their
hands joined. Everyone moved in around them and a hush fell over the room. The
vows were simple and in only a few sentences she was Dr. Gordana McKenna. He
bent down to kiss her. A soft brush that was nowhere near enough. She wrapped
her arms around his neck, pulled herself up on her toes and showed Steve what a
real kiss should be like. Breathless, she gulped for air while whistles and
applause rang in her ears.

He grinned at her. “Hello, Mrs. McKenna.”

“That’s Dr. McKenna to you.”

His smile grew bigger. “Doc McKenna. Oh yeah, I like that
even better.”

Steve picked her up and spun around. Gordie tossed her head
back and laughed. He put her down and they were surrounded. Congratulatory hugs
and kisses were delivered by all before Kat called an end to the ceremony and a
beginning to the wedding feast.

Her mother cried. Silent, happy tears she reassured everyone
but she continued to sniffle through the meal and Gordie sat beside her,
holding her hand and talking. When everyone was stuffed full to the gills
Brogan got up and made a speech. He kept it short but he did get in a dig at
Steve for taking so long to chase her down. With the formal part of the wedding
over a few people left but others stayed well into the afternoon and she sat
back and enjoyed the rest of the day.

* * * * *

Steve watched his wife.
Jesus.
His wife.
He’d
wished and hoped and prayed for so long he still wasn’t sure it was real. Doc
laughed at something Rowan said. The women had been sitting together deep in
conversation for well over an hour and he had a feeling most of the discussion
centered on the coming babies. Tatum got up and headed over to Dale. She
whispered in his ear and they both looked in his direction before she returned
to the table.

He wasn’t surprised when Dale walked over to stand beside
him. The topic the sheriff brought up did shock him though.

“We went over the clinic with a fine-toothed comb. I know
how he was getting in and out and where he’s been hiding all these weeks.”

Steve turned to look at Dale. “Marcus? Where?”

“It looks like he was hiding out in the roof cavity of the
clothing shop next door. He removed some paneling to get into the clinic’s roof
space. From there he just had to drop in through the manhole like he did at the
house.”

“Son of a bitch.”

“Doctor Monroe has organized to have the roofing checked and
repaired. The deputies cleared out all the evidence and the rubbish so Gordie
doesn’t have to worry about that,” Dale said.

“Why are you telling me this today?”

“Because I figured I’d rather you tell her about it before
she opens up the clinic day after tomorrow.”

“Coward.”

“There’s more.”

“More? What more could there be?” Steve asked.

“His brother’s coming home to claim the body.”

“What?” Steve glanced around, dropped his voice so no one
would hear. “Brady hasn’t been seen in, shit, over ten years. Everyone figured
old man Connelly killed him and his mother the year the Wilders were killed in
that mountain accident.”

“Well apparently the boy, man now I guess, is alive and
well. And to make it even more interesting, Brogan hired him on as a wilderness
guide and from what our sovereign says, Brady Connelly is definitely home to
stay.”

“Great. Just great.”

Tatum walked toward them ending the conversation.

“Ready to go?” Dale asked her.

She covered a yawn with one hand while pressing the other
into her back causing her pregnant belly to bulge even more. “We were ready an
hour ago but we couldn’t miss out on this special day.”

Tatum waddled closer to him and tried to stretch up to kiss
his cheek. “Jeez, help a girl out, Steve, bend down here.” He leaned forward
and she planted a kiss on him. “I’d say make her happy but I know you will so
instead I’ll say I hope the scientists work out how men can carry babies before
you two decide to have children and you get to do this part.”

He laughed and hugged her to his side. “If I haven’t said it
before now, Tatum, welcome home. I think having you around will lead to
interesting times.” He eyed Dale as the other man fidgeted beside them.

“Thank you. I’m really happy to be back. Come on, sheriff.
Let’s go home.” She linked her arm with Dale’s and ambled toward the door.

Doc came up next to him and slipped her arm around his
waist. “Do you think we’ll know what the deal is with those two anytime soon?”

“It’s inevitable in this small town.” Steve tugged her
around in front of him. “So, are you ready to go home, Doc McKenna?”

“Yes,” she sighed and laid her cheek on his chest. “I’m
exhausted and I’ve done nothing but sit on my butt all day and talk.”

“Well I’m sure flapping those sexy lips takes energy.” He
bent to plant a kiss on said lips. “You can nap in the truck because there’s no
way I’m letting you sleep through our wedding night. I’ve got plans for you,
Dr. McKenna.”

“Oh, sounds intriguing but I’ve got some plans of my own.”

“Really?” He arched an eyebrow. “And just what might those
be?”

She stood on tiptoes, put her mouth to his ear and
whispered.

The End

Also by
Rhian Cahill

Coyote Hunger 1:
Coyote Home

Coyote Hunger 2:
Coyote Wild

Coyote Hunger:
Coyote Run

Doing
Logan

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