At Long Last; Book 4 of the Long Ranch Series Read online

  This stilled him and he dropped his hand back to the torture area. “When did that happen?”

  “A while ago. Harper asked me and I said sure. You two got along last time she was here.”

  “Not too well, she hasn’t been back.”

  “Doesn’t mean she didn’t want to.” Melody flipped his hand over and looked at the mess they’d become. “This because of her?”

  “Partially,” he admitted. “There is something about her. I don’t know how I’m going to sit in a courtroom with her at the next table.”

  “How bad is it?” she asked as she rubbed lotion on his palms. “I don’t remember you ever really being sprung on any girl. Do you even date?”

  “Yes, but rarely. I had someone before sort of. No one worth bringing home though.”

  “What about in college?”

  “You know this is why men don’t go to salons,” he said as he finally had his hands back and he played with the bottles of nail polish in her kit.

  “I don’t think you could handle a bold red today.”

  “It was never a color I could pull off on my best day,” he said with a smirk. “Ash is really coming on Saturday?”

  “Yep, and if you want to impress her keep those nails clean.”

  * * * *

  “Ouch, quit pulling,” Sierra whined as Ashleigh curled a section of her hair.

  “You wanted curls. They come at a price, Miss Thing.”

  “Are you going to put flowers in my hair too?” she asked.

  “I’ve got crystal ones,” Ashleigh explained as she put down the curling iron and opened the box with tiny faux diamonds on a comb in the shape of flowers. It would be perfect if Sierra would sit still long enough to get it put in. First, with bobby pins then the comb slid in and helped to hold her hair back on one side of her face. “That’s it, you can’t go.”

  “What?” her sister blanched. “Why not? You said I could.”

  “You’re prettier than the bride. Maybe I should give you a black eye with mascara.”

  “No.” Sierra held her hands up and laughed at the attempt.

  “Are you sure? What about zombie makeup?”

  ‘No, just regular.”

  “Fine, but it’s not my fault if you get banished to the car until the ceremony is over.”

  Her sister got up and stood to see herself in the full length mirror. “I’ll take my chances.”

  “Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Ashleigh passed her sister a yellow shawl to go with her summer dress and cowboy boots. “Now scoot, so I can finish getting ready.”

  Sierra tried to hide her disappointment from Ashleigh driving to the Long Ranch and not her. Yes, Ashleigh had allowed her to get her permit, but no, she wasn’t quite ready to have her take off on an hour road trip with her.

  An hour later, when they arrived, they followed the signs and balloons that brought them deep into the Long Ranch. They’d passed an older adobe style home and a newer one that still had the tape across the windows and siding laying against the walls, ready to be installed. She wondered if that would be Harper’s…a beautiful single story house that spread out over the land. Finally, a turn brought her into an area with tons of cars and another new home. Only this one had a bow on the door and the guests were snapping pictures of it.

  About a half mile from the home, chairs were set up on either side of a long white piece of fabric creating an aisle. In stark contrast to the red clay of the land, a portico was at the end of the aisle with flowers and tulle, snaking their way up and around the wood. With the mountains in the background, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful view.

  Sierra found them a set of chairs in the middle of the groom’s section since the bride’s was practically packed. They really didn’t know either very well, but she supposed it would be best to make the crowd look even. Nervously, they sat for fifteen minutes until they heard soft music playing and an older white man and woman walked down the aisle and sat five rows in front of her.

  The man looked as if he’d swallowed a bag of lemons, but Sunny’s mother was beaming with pride. Then Clevon walked down with his mother and Loretta, Miles’ mother on either side of him. They sat in the front row, leaving the first seat empty for Melody’s father.

  The groomsmen and bridesmaids were next. Clayton was the first to walk down with a beautiful raven haired woman. The bridesmaid dresses were a pale purple and summerlike with spaghetti straps with a tight bunch of matching lilac colored roses for the bouquets. She had to give them credit for still wearing heels in this rocky terrain. The woman glided as if she were on a catwalk in Milan.

  Monty and Harper came down next, Ashleigh felt tears come to her eyes as she saw how round her belly was. Harper used her pinky to give Ashleigh a little wave. Next were Miles and the woman JT had married. Ashleigh’s heart took off and she worried this had been a mistake. She knew why she wanted to see Miles, but it didn’t make it any easier. With a plan to see Miles in hopes, the electricity was still there from both sides.

  Miles scanned the crowd on his sister’s side of the aisle then turned. When he saw her, he reached up to put his fingers on the brim of his hat and gave her a polite nod then headed to his side with the rest of the groomsmen.

  A few people looked over at her and she felt her face flush red.

  Sierra started to become upset. “Why is he wearing a black hat?” she asked louder than Ashleigh’s ego could handle.

  “They all are. The whole bridal party, it matches their suits.” She pointed out in a hushed whisper and Sierra’s brow knitted in displeasure. Ashleigh had missed Sunshine and the pastor coming to the front, but at least she had a reference that might settle Sierra. “See, Sunshine has a black one on too. Remember what he told you about cowboys and their hats.”

  “I ‘pose, but Miles is good.”

  “I know, but I need you to hush a moment, Melody will be coming down soon.”

  JT had walked down with a dark skinned woman, her tight braids were pulled back into a bun and the music shifted.

  At the top of the aisle, Quinton looked as lost as an almost two year old should as Walt Jr. held his hand. Both were in tuxes and even though Quinton was holding the pillow, it was obvious Walt Jr. was in charge.

  Nessa was the quite the queen with a little tiara tucked in nicely to the bun on top of her head. With a dress that matched the bride’s, she was floating as she walked down dropping purple petals like an expert. With three weddings in nine months, a girl can get pretty good.

  Henry had a stern look on his face as he walked Melody down the aisle. Her dress was a sleeveless brocade top that cascaded down into a pillowy satin skirt that had been dyed lilac on the bottom as if it had been dipped lightly and drip dried.

  As Ashleigh watched her walk down the aisle, she wondered what she would do if ever she were to get married. Walk solo, she assumed.

  Henry lifted Melody’s vale to give her a kiss on each cheek before recovering her face with the thin netting and turning to place her hand in Sunshine’s.

  The ceremony could grace the cover of any bridal magazine with every detail worked out in a way that would make Martha Stewart take notes. As they headed back down the aisle as man and wife, Ashleigh wiped at her tears.

  Against her better judgement, she’d been looking at Miles throughout most of the ceremony and he her. Sizzles were working their way up her spine and all she wanted to do was replace Melody at the front and pull a groomsman to her side.

  The reception was behind the house with the bow. She hadn’t seen the large white tent set up when she arrived, but at the end of the ceremony, Sunny scooped Melody into his arms and headed to the house. With a cheer from the crowd, she pulled off the bow and Sunny carried her over the threshold.

  “You think he’s going to show her around or consummate the marriage?” Miles whispered along Ashleigh’s neck. “Mel hasn’t seen the inside of her new house, but I have a feeling neither of them care at this moment.”
/>   “It looks beautiful from out here,” Ashleigh said as she turned and got lost in the eyes she’d been seeing every day in pictures. The real world version was so much better. Her fingers clenched into fists, so she could dig her nails into her palms to calm herself down.

  Hamilton had sent her on a mission to find out all the bad Longs had ever done. Instead of making his case stronger, she had spent two months falling in love with Miles Long. “There’s a part of me that wants to start a fight with you.”

  “Why?”

  “So you’ll silence me,” she said as she searched for breath.

  “I don’t need you to be fussing to kiss you, you know that right?”

  Ashleigh turned her head down as she took in the crowd that was walking toward the big tent. “Do you have to be somewhere right now?”

  “I’ve got a few minutes. Can’t have a receiving line without the bride and groom and like I said…” A smirk made his lips turn up on one side.

  Ashleigh looked for her sister. She was occupied by Harper who saw Ashleigh and gave her a nod.

  Miles took her hand and brought her to a side of the house people weren’t walking by. Once there, he ran his fingers through her hair and cradled her head in his hands before dipping down to capture her lips.

  Sparks bit at her lips as his tongue delved into her mouth and his hands kept her in place. She unbuttoned his tux, so she could be closer to his body. If he didn’t have to return to the wedding, she’d probably unbutton the shirt and start to explore him fully.

  When they broke from the kiss that had them both panting, he gazed in her eyes and spoke softly to her. “Don’t stay away again.”

  “I had to.”

  “Why?”

  “I felt myself falling in love with you.”

  “Why is falling in love such a bad thing? Or is it falling in love with me?”

  “In two days, I’m supposed to help put you away for life.”

  “Which feels worse, seeing me or keeping your distance?”

  Ashleigh was afraid to answer because the truth would set her whole world off and she would have to start over again. The thing was, if it was with Miles Long, she might just do it.

  * * * *

  “Hey, where’s Miles?” Clayton called as he came around the corner of the house. “Never mind, I found him.”

  Miles brought his forehead to Ashleigh’s and gave her a chaste kiss before stepping away. “Yes.”

  “I guess that’s what happens when you’re paired with a married woman to get down the aisle. You have to pick up wedding guests.” Clayton waved at Ashleigh. “Hey, woman who is trying to lock up my family.”

  “Hey, too scared to chase after the people trying to kill your family.”

  “Ouch,” Clayton said as he placed his hand over his heart. “That hurt young lady, but I’m giving you points. We just need him for the pictures, handshakes, dinner, well just about everything. You might see him when the dancing starts.”

  “I don’t know if I can wait that long,” Ashleigh quietly said as she reached for Miles’ hand. “Any chance I could have five more minutes?”

  “Awe, Miles is getting his first conjugal visit. Fine, five minutes and I’m sending the warden and by warden I mean—”

  “My mother, I know,” Miles cut off his cousin and returned his focus to Ashleigh. “Five minutes? You sure that’s enough time?”

  “I figured ten would get me a flat no and I did want to say something.”

  “Okay, that sounds a bit ominous.” Miles stood up and rested his arm on the side of the house, so they both could lean on it.

  “When I saw you…” Ashleigh turned her head down and he placed his fingers under her chin to turn her back to him. “…Hamilton’s case is crap and I shouldn’t be telling you this, but every day, I see you. Whether it’s a mug shot or video from that day, I’m looking right into your eyes on a daily basis.”

  “You think I could get wallets of the mug shot?” he teased as his belly tightened.

  “Even though I haven’t seen you in months, you were there and when I saw you today…when you whispered in my ear…Miles every part of me is screaming to be with you, but my mind is telling me I’m a fool. You work on a failing ranch and could be locked away for decades, but all I want is to not have wasted the last two months not being in your arms.”

  “Miles,” Clayton called again.

  Miles bit his lips to hold back the snap. “I have to…” He traced the curve of Ashleigh’s body as he could feel the want building in him too. “Are you staying all night? I mean through the dance.”

  “Yes.”

  “If I can arrange for Sierra to have a room will you spend the night?”

  A broad smile crossed Ashleigh’s lips as she tried to turn her flushed pink cheeks away. “That depends on how well you dance, cowboy.”

  “You’re in so much trouble.” A quick peck on her lips and Miles returned to the family duties, adjusting himself all the way, as he posed for pictures, stood in line and accepted congratulations from the group.

  “You can’t come to the cabin tonight,” Clay said as he stood next to Miles in the receiving line. “Weddings do something very nice to Savannah and I intend to cut out and spend the whole rest of the weekend playing bedded bliss with her.”

  “Don’t you mean wedded?”

  “Nope,” he replied with a wink.

  The last of the well-wishers came through the line and Miles found his way to the front table and his spot.

  Harper had been talking to Ashleigh at a round table at the edge of the room. Ashleigh was rubbing Harper’s expanding belly and the two laughed. Sierra seemed as excited about the baby and the three women had captured his attention as the light from the candles floating in a vase flickered on Ashleigh’s straw colored hair.

  “Hey Walt,” he called when he saw his cousin wrangling his kids. “Any chance you have room at your house for one more?”

  “Have you seen how much family we have here? I didn’t even know your mother had so much kinfolk.”

  “They tend to emerge for open bars.”

  “Great. Why? I’m sure Clay has an extra bed.”

  “He already told me he’s using both this weekend.”

  “Both?” Walt asked.

  “Both, the sofa, the kitchen table, I’m assuming the cabin might just fall down from all the rocking.”

  “Right.” Walt gave a smile of acknowledgement as he looked over to his own wife. “Well, sorry Miles, but even the kids are doubling up this weekend.”

  “It’s okay.” He viewed Ashleigh laughing with a random guest and pulled the little sister card. “Ashleigh wanted to stay for the dance, but she’s afraid it will be too late for Sierra. Remember how she crashed last time she was here.”

  “Well, our couch is open if you think she won’t mind that again.”

  “Nope, that should work.” Miles tried to hide his grin as he headed toward Ashleigh to let her know the good news. Both of them wore smiles and if she ached half as much as he was during the dinner, they wouldn’t be seen for a month. Damn his bail he was going to spend as much time as possible inside her this weekend.

  Sunny tapped his shoulder to let him know it was time for the song to the bride. When had this become a thing? He wondered, but knew is sister would love it.

  She looked a bit worried as the groomsmen disappeared with Sunny. A moment later, they were lined up looking at Sunny who was sweating like a hooker in church. JT gave him a slap to his shoulder since he was singing the Garth Brooks part to Sunny’s Chris LeDoux. The rest were just to dance in sync.

  The first three notes from Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy had Sunny sliding across the dance floor. JT was right behind him as the two continued the song. The rest of the groomsmen got behind the two jokesters and started to stomp and kick like they were a set of backup dancers. Locking arms with Monty, they passed off like a square dance to Clayton and Walt who had lucked out of the groomsman duties, but still got
roped into this. With them all on their knees at the end of the song, his sister came around the table and gave Sunny a long deep kiss.

  Miles pulled out his kerchief and dabbed his forehead.

  “You know this would have been more appropriate at your wedding,” Monty said as he slapped JT on his shoulder.

  “Clay’s actually,” JT replied with a broad smile. “Betsy knew what dating a cowboy entailed.”

  “Maybe we’ll have to do it again at Miles’ wedding,” Clay said as he gasped for air.

  “Actually, looks like your girl liked it too,” Miles nodded. “We might just make this a new Long tradition.”

  Savannah stood with her arms open then let Clay pick her up and carry her back to her seat where he sat with her on his lap. She took off his hat and wore it with pride. With a kick ball change, where he turned in perfect rhythm and kicked his booted foot up, Miles tipped his hat with a wink to Ashleigh who shook her head.

  Once the bridal party dance was over, he saw her waiting for him on the edge of the dance floor. She extended her hand and he gladly took it and spun her onto the dance floor. The pace of the song didn’t matter. Fast or slow, they were flush against each other. His arm stayed wrapped around her waist as he spun them around. After three dances, he caught sight of Sierra sitting bored at the table.

  “Excuse me,” he said as he kissed Ashleigh lightly on the lips. “I forgot about one of my dance partners.”

  Chapter Ten

  Ashleigh chilled the moment Miles stepped away. As he crossed the fake dance floor and went to her sister, her heart skipped a beat. Holding her hands to her chest she watched as Sierra’s eyes lit up and he brought her to the dance floor. He was patient with her as they two stepped to George Strait singing, I Just Want to Dance With You.

  Harper tapped her on her shoulder. “Hey, you wanna see my new house?”

  “Yes,” Ashleigh exclaimed and got Miles’ attention as she pointed to outside while she stood next to Harper.