Chapter 16

Leah’s ears were still ringing from the shotgun explosion, and now the high-pitched sound of sirens grew louder and louder.

A few minutes later, the sirens wound down as two sheriff’s department vehicles screeched to a stop in the front yard. Two deputies came running into the house, their hands on their holstered weapons.

Big Jim stood stoically to one side, his shotgun broken over his forearm. He appeared to be remarkably calm, considering that he had just shot a man dead.

The deputies shouted into their two-way radios, each voice drowning out the other.

Ty held Leah, keeping her face averted from the bloody remains strewn on her grandmother’s kitchen floor.

She was still shaking with fear, although the reason for her terror lay dead beyond any doubt.

The deputies confiscated the knife and Big Jim’s shotgun before questioning him.

“My dad was only protecting us,” Ty protested.

One of the deputies raised a hand to quiet him. “We’ll get to you in a minute.”

Big Jim appeared to be completely relaxed and not in the least bit concerned. He gazed at Ty, giving him an almost imperceptible nod before turning his attention back to the deputy.

Leah raised her face to gaze at Ty. “I’m so sorry I caused all this trouble.” She heaved a sigh.

He brushed her hair back from her face. “Baby, nothing that happened here was your fault. You were the victim. I’m just glad you’re safe. I couldn’t let him hurt you again.”

She pressed herself back against him, her head tucked under his chin. “I feel so relieved. Am I a bad person to be glad Caine is dead?”

Ty pressed his lips against her temple. “I don’t think so. Caine needed to be put down like the rabid animal he was.”

Ty told the deputies he was taking Leah to sit on the front porch and shepherded her outside. Temperatures were dropping, and the night sky was more black than purple. Stars were strewn across the heavens, and a chorus of frogs sang counterpoint to the crickets.

Apparently, all was right in the universe. In spite of the terror and violence Leah had experienced earlier, the images were being eased from her brain. Drained, she felt limp with fatigue. Suddenly, she jerked, alert to the real issue. “Gracie! I didn’t get to the school to pick her up. I have to go.”

Ty stopped her. “Don’t worry. It’s already taken care of. Gracie and your grandmother are safe with my brothers at the ranch.”

Leah blew out a sigh of relief. “Thank God!” she said fervently.

Ty sank onto the wicker rocking chair and pulled her into his lap. “Just relax. This will be over with, and we can go home.”

The word home resonated in her brain. She wasn’t quite sure where home was anymore. She had thought it was here on her Gran’s little farm, but apparently, Ty was referring to Big Jim’s huge spread.

Leah rested her head against his shoulder, her tension suddenly melting from her taut muscles. She slipped her fingers inside his shirt, needing to feel closer to him. “Thank you for saving me.”

He kissed her forehead. “You can’t get rid of me that easily. I’m keeping you.”

She laughed. “I want you to.”

Another vehicle came roaring up to the house, red and blue lights flashing but no siren. The sheriff turned off the motor and stepped out, glaring at Ty and Leah as they sat cuddled together. “What’s this about a shooting?”

Ty rolled to a standing position in one smooth move. He set Leah on her feet and stepped forward to meet the sheriff. “The man who got shot is the same one who tried to kill Sara Beth and kidnapped Leah. He had a knife and was threatening to kill Leah when my father blasted him with a shotgun. Dad saved both our lives.”

The sheriff rubbed his jaw. “Well, Big Jim is a righteous man. I’ve never known him to do anything rash. I don’t suppose he would shoot someone without a damned good reason.” He nodded at Ty and went into the house without any further discussion.

Ty stared after the sheriff a moment, slowly shaking his head. “I’m always amazed at my father’s sphere of influence. The man’s got clout.”

Leah stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Well, that’s a good thing.”

He resumed his seat in the rocker and pulled Leah into his arms. Wrapped so securely, she felt safe for the first time since she’d had to leave Oklahoma. No, she felt valued for the first time in her life. Someone loved her. Someone was willing to fight to protect her. It was even more than Ty. It was his family who’d stood by her too.

The next vehicle to arrive was an ambulance, but they weren’t hurrying. Someone must have told them their passenger wasn’t in a rush. The ambulance pulled close to the house, and the two attendants climbed out, removed a gurney from the back, and rolled it through the front door.

Leah was content to keep her eyes closed and her face pressed against Ty’s neck. Whatever was happening inside couldn’t hurt her as long as she remained so.

Big Jim stepped out onto the porch. “The sheriff says you kids can go home. I’ll wait until everyone is gone and secure Fern’s house. I’m pretty sure the sheriff will give me a ride home.”

“We’ll wait for you, Dad.”

“Your little Leah looks plumb worn out. I’ll be fine.”

Leah roused herself at that. “We’ll wait for you.”

Big Jim’s face split into a big grin. “That’s real nice.”

After quite some time, the ambulance rolled out with Caine’s remains in a black, zippered body bag. The deputies exited the small house and climbed in their vehicles, leaving in a much more sedate manner than they had arrived.

Finally, the sheriff and Big Jim came out and shook hands on the porch. The sheriff departed, and Big Jim motioned to Ty and Leah. “Let’s go home.”

Ty and Leah climbed out of the chair. “Right behind you, Dad.”

* * *

The next morning, Leah woke up in Ty’s bedroom at the Garrett ranch. Surprisingly, Ty was in bed with her. She didn’t remember much of the ride home or how she had gotten out of the truck and into the house.

That they shared a bed was somewhat disturbing. She figured his brothers and father knew they were intimate, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to rub their noses in it.

A few rays of the early-morning sunshine crept through the curtains.

She watched Ty as he slept, feeling nothing but love for him. Dark lashes shuttered his eyes. The planes of his face were sharply defined in this light, and his jaw was shadowed with a scruff of beard. She resisted the urge to run her fingertips over his cheek.

His blue eyes opened. “Good morning.” His voice was rough with sleep.

“Good morning.” She cuddled closer in his arms. “I better get up and get ready for work.”

“No,” he said. “With everything that happened, I think you can take a day off. Breck will understand.”

“Do you think so?” She hated the idea of shirking her duty, but she would also love to remain in Ty’s arms and be able to embrace her entire family, not allowing them out of her sight.

She was painfully aware of the danger she had been in the night before and how easily she could have become the victim. An even more tragic outcome could have resulted. “I’ll call Breck.”

He nuzzled her forehead. “I could have lost you yesterday.”

Leah splayed her fingers over his chest just above his heart. “Maybe. I somehow knew you would find me.”

“I need to ask you something.”

“You can ask me anything.” She leaned back to gaze into his eyes.

“Are you ready to marry me now? I don’t want to wait any longer.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “I love you like crazy, but I still have to take care of Gran and Gracie. I’m not sure it’s fair to ask you to take on my responsibilities.”

A slow grin spread across his features. “Don’t be silly. They’re a part of you, and I love you. The question is, will you take on my responsibilities? I have two crazy brothers and a father who thinks he rules the world and everyone in it.”

Leah laughed. “Maybe he does. He sure came in at the right time last night.”

Ty kissed her forehead. “Maybe.”

“Seriously, Ty. Your dad is a great guy.”

“I’m beginning to think so.” A smile touched his mouth and crinkled his eyes.

When they made it to the breakfast table, Leah was clad in one of Ty’s T-shirts and a pair of cutoff shorts. She embraced Gracie, who had spent the night in the room with Gran. She gazed around the kitchen, at the hum of activity and the morning bustle, at all the people she loved and had grown to care for. “Yes.”

Ty spun around to face her. “Was that a yes?”

Leah giggled. “Yes. What more could I ever want than this?”

“Yahoo!” Ty grabbed her and lifted her in the air. “She’s going to marry me!”

There was an uproar of voices in the Garrett kitchen.

Beau grabbed a saucepan and beat on the bottom with a large ladle, while Colton hooted and made drumming noises on the table.

Gran clapped her hands and said, “Thank heavens!”

Big Jim folded his arms across his chest and beamed his pleasure.

Gracie ran over to throw her arms around Ty’s legs. “Now you’ll be my daddy.”

* * *

Big Jim contacted a construction team out of Amarillo to build a home for his middle son and his bride. He claimed it was his wedding gift to them. He also gave them two sections of land.

Leah had asked what a section of land was, and Ty had whispered that it was six hundred and forty acres.

She swallowed hard. “You mean to tell me your father just gave us over twelve hundred acres? Just for us?”

“Just for us.” Ty squeezed her hand. “And for Gracie and her brothers and sisters.”

Leah laughed. “Just how many brothers and sisters did you have in mind?”

“Whatever happens is fine with me.” He suddenly sobered. “I would like to formally adopt Gracie. I think it would be nice if we all shared the same last name.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful. Gracie will finally have the daddy she’s always wanted.”

He stroked the side of her face. “Another thing…I thought we could build a little cottage for your grandmother, so she could be the queen of her own castle but still keep her close.”

She couldn’t stop grinning. “A cottage for Gran. She’s going to love that…and I will too.”

“And a chicken coop, of course.”

“Of course.” She felt as though a down pillow had exploded inside her chest. Everyone she loved would be gathered together. Family…

It seemed that Big Jim didn’t want to take any chances that Ty might slip away from him again. He became much more supportive of Ty’s musical career.

They hired a hand to live at the bunkhouse behind Gran’s house to take care of the property and farm the land for her.

The wedding was simple. At least more simple than expected.

Leah had wanted to wait until Ty was through competing on Texas Country Star, but he wouldn’t have any of it. She chose Sara Beth as her bridesmaid and Gran to give her away. Gracie, of course, led the procession down the aisle.

All the Garrett men were lined up and waiting for her at the altar. Ty was flanked by both brothers and his dad, and all wore enormous grins.

The most exciting moment of all was when Ty placed the wedding ring on her finger. It had belonged to his mother. Big Jim thought it should go to the next Garrett bride. Ty offered to buy her a brand-new engagement ring of her choice, but she was thrilled to wear the one his father had given his bride. She hoped Elizabeth Jane Garrett was looking on and that she would approve their union.

The wedding reception was held at the Eagles Hall in Langston, where a country band had been booked to entertain and the dance floor had been opened to the public after the reception.

Leah sat at a table with her new husband, her daughter and grandmother, plus her new in-laws. They were joined by Sara Beth and Frank and by Breck and his wife, Cami.

She couldn’t remember ever being so very happy in her life. It appeared that all the guests were enjoying this event nearly as much as Leah herself. This day was a culmination of all her dreams coming true at one time. Hitting the jackpot.

Big Jim Garrett surprised everyone by bringing a date with him. Celia Diaz looked really good on his arm, and when he took her out onto the dance floor, Colton and Beau clinked their longnecks together and toasted them. “’Bout damned time,” Colt murmured.

When the band took their first break, two strangers entered the hall. The woman had flame-red hair and a camera with a long lens clasped in her grip. The man who came behind her lugged some kind of tripod slung over one shoulder and a huge camera bag on the other.

Leah leaned over to Ty and whispered, “Are those people from around here?”

“The photographer is from Dallas. I don’t know where the videographer is from.”

She had no idea what a videographer was or what he was going to do, but he began to unpack his equipment and set up close to the stage.

The next arrival was a big, bearlike man with glasses and a beard. He entered, looked around, and made a beeline for the other new arrivals. There was hand shaking and back slapping, with the furry-looking man making gestures toward the stage.

Ty grinned broadly as the man strode across the length of the hall with a wide grin of his own. Ty stood up to greet him and introduced him as his friend Will. Ty made room at the table, seating Will on the other side of Leah.

Will gazed at Leah with open admiration but addressed Ty. “I can see why you were in such a hurry to get back here.” He gave a nod. “Man, she is an eleven on a ten-point scale.”

Ty snugged an arm around her. “She’s better than that.”

Such glowing praise brought a flush she felt as heat rising from her neck.

When the musicians returned to the stage, the leader announced the addition of a local singer for the next set. He introduced Tyler Garrett as an emerging artist and a contestant on the upcoming Texas Country Star television program.

Grinning, Ty stood and sauntered to the stage amid applause and cheering.

Leah noted the photographer and videographer were on duty. She glanced at Ty’s father and was glad to see Big Jim applauding and beaming from ear to ear. He looked very proud of his middle son.

Ty took the stage with a confidence that amazed Leah. She couldn’t imagine how it would feel to be able to stand up in front of so many people without passing out from pure fright. Yet he grinned and adjusted the microphone to his height. He thanked everyone for their good wishes regarding his wedding earlier in the day and gestured to his “beautiful bride, Leah.”

Will nudged her. “Smile. This is being recorded.”

Leah sucked in a breath and froze as the crowd turned to her. The video guy and the camerawoman aimed their lenses in her direction. Leah bared her teeth in what she hoped passed for a smile, all the while expecting her heart to pop out of her chest at any moment.

Ty gave her a reassuring grin and patted his chest over his heart, a silent I love you. He sang a few songs made popular by other artists and then announced he was going to sing a song he had written for his bride. “Leah, you are the love of my life, and all my songs are dedicated to you.”

Tears filled Leah’s eyes as Ty sang a beautiful ballad he had written just for her. He sang about falling in love with her big brown eyes and sweet smile. He told the story of needing to leave but wanting to stay with her. His lyrics wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

For the first time in her life, Leah felt secure. She finally knew what love was and that it would endure through time, no matter what might lie ahead.

When he finished the song, he blew her a kiss, and everyone rose to their feet to applaud.

Gracie got out of her seat and threw her arms around Leah’s neck. “Mommy, I’m so glad we married Ty.”

Leah swallowed hard, her throat choked with emotion. “Me too, baby. Me too.”

Ty sang one more song. When that number ended, he returned to the table. Standing beside Leah, he held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

Leah grinned as she put both hands in his and he pulled her to her feet. “I’m not all that good at dancing,” she protested.

He led her out to the middle of the dance floor, gently guiding her. “You’re in luck, because I’m really good at dancing.”

She giggled. “And modest too. I hope I don’t stumble all over you.”

Ty drew her close and led her around the floor in a two-step. He kissed her forehead and then her lips.

Leah relaxed against his chest, his arms tight around her.

“You worry too much,” he said. “Trust me. Everything is going to be just fine.”

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