“I’ll see what I can do about that. Maybe I can hurry things up a bit.”
“Darlin’, you do know how to please a man.”
She felt as if she’d danced with every cowboy in Texas when Mike stepped up to ask her to dance. She smiled at her brother as they danced away.
“Caitlin is a beautiful baby, Mike,”
He grinned. “Thank you. I agree. You look beautiful, too, Lindsay.”
“Thank you.”
“And happy. I’m glad. Tony’s a good guy.”
“I agree with you on that one. Savannah said Caitlin is a quiet baby.”
“She is and she’s a little doll. Someone’s holding her constantly. When Mom and Dad arrived, they stayed with us last weekend instead of their usual hotel stay.”
“Our mother?”
“Yes, she did. She thinks Caitlin is adorable.”
“I’m so glad. She looks like Savannah, even as tiny as she is.”
“I agree. I see Jake watching us, so I’m sure he’s going to want to dance with you next. I talked to Abe. He’s happy for you and he’ll run the place just fine while you’re gone. I told him if he needs me, call.”
“That was nice, thanks,” she said. “I’ve never been away like this.”
“It’s time you did, Lindsay, and time you got a life of your own. You don’t have to get out there and work like one of the boys.”
She laughed. “I think those days may be over. Being a mama sounds like a big responsibility.”
He smiled at her and danced her toward the sideline. “I’ll give you to Jake. You have so many guys who will want to dance with you that you and Tony will never get away.”
“Thanks, Mike,” she said, planting a kiss on his cheek as they halted and Jake stepped up to take her hand.
Mike was almost right. By the time she’d danced with all the Milans and Calhouns and talked to each of their guests, it was hours later. Finally they made it out of their reception hall.
For just a moment Tony stopped, standing in a downpour and laughing, dancing a jig until she grabbed his wrist and tugged.
They rushed to the waiting limo and fell laughing onto the seat as their chauffeur closed the door.
“The drought will lessen now and your brother told me rain is predicted for the next three days,” Tony said, pulling her to him to kiss her before she could answer.
When she pushed him away she laughed as she shook her head. “You’re incredibly sexy and appealing, but that wet tux is going to ruin my wedding dress.”
“It’s rainwater. Do you really care?”
As she shook her head, she laughed until he drew her close to kiss her again.
Tony had a private plane waiting at the airport, but it was the wee hours of the morning when he finally carried her over the threshold into the New York penthouse suite he had reserved for their honeymoon. Standing her on her feet, he pushed away her short charcoal jacket and wrapped his arms around her.
“I love you, Lindsay. I don’t think I can ever tell you enough. All I can do is try to show you. I’ve waited all day for this moment when we would be alone together.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled at him. “Mrs. Anthony Milan! It’s a whole new life for me. Tony, once again, I am happier than I ever dreamed possible.”
His smile vanished as he held her and began to unfasten the buttons down the back of her navy dress. “I hope so and I want to always make you happy, Lindsay. You’ve filled a huge void in my life. I want to be with you, to love you, to have a family with you. I need you, darlin’.”
She tightened her arms around his neck to pull his head down and kiss him. He held her close against him, their hearts beating together.
Joy filled her. She had never known as much contentment as she had found with Tony, and so much excitement as they looked forward to their babies. She couldn’t wait to start her new life, a life shared with the man she loved with all her heart—the one rancher in the whole world she could love.