Country Courtship (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 2) (20 page)

"I may be shorter, but I always wanted brains like yours. And you are so good. I've always wanted to be more like you."

They grabbed each other and hung on, until Abby wandered into the bedroom carrying a plastic plate piled high with snacks. "Get over yourselves, will you? If I see one more tear, I'm going to scream."

"Who else is crying?"

"You remember Great Aunt Esmeralda?"

"Yeah?" Kelli grabbed a broccoli stalk off Abby's plate.

"She's still alive?" Lori asked. "She's got to be one hundred years old by now!"

"Well, her eyesight is failing." Abby took a chip and scooped up a tower of dip. "She confused me with Kelli."

"We look nothing alike." Kelli was flummoxed. "Why was she crying?"

"She was so happy about my upcoming nuptials. She just knew the rodeo cowboy and I would have the most beautiful babies." Abby grinned. "Maybe she had a point. Time for you to introduce me to Monty Joe, Kell."

"Forget it! He's too old for you."

"Who's Monty Joe?" asked Lori, reaching for one of Abby's chips, but Abby pulled the plate out of her sister's reach.

"Monty Joe is Bobby Gray's better looking and cuter brother." Abby sighed lustily.

"Hmm." Lori shot Kelli a wicked grin. "Then I guess you'd better introduce me to Monty Joe first because I sure don't want to miss out on another Nelson boy. Which reminds me—I need shoes so I can go downstairs. Do you have any red ones?"

"No—wait a sec." Kelli wasn't sure whether she should let Lori wear Charlie's shoes. When Kelli had tried returning them, Charlie had insisted that Kelli keep them or pass them on, swearing again that they were magical. Maybe Lori needed a little magic?

Kelli pointed to the suitcase on the bed. "I have a pair in the blue box."

Lori pulled out the box and opened it. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw the outrageous shoes. "These are yours?"

"Too cool," squealed Abby.

"My future sister-in-law gave them to me." Kelli could tell Lori was surprised at that one, too. "Don't you just love the shoes?"

"I'm crazy about them." She put one on her bare right foot and then stood—about three inches taller. "Can I borrow them?"

"They're yours. Just don't break an ankle."

"Thanks, Sis."

A short time later all of the sisters had gone outside to join the party, with its thirty barbeque grills, an even larger number of cooks and chefs and four tremendous bonfires.

A huge white tent had been set up, with an enormous wooden dance floor at one end and dozens of decorated tables and chairs covering the balance of the enclosed area.

Kelli's favorite sunflowers were on every table. Yellow, green and white ribbons adorned nearly every surface. Live musicians played country and western music right out of the Texas Hill Country.

The guests were clad in everything from Valrovian Court attire to worn blue jeans.

Kelli had chosen to wear a jeans skirt and a bright gold T-shirt. Bobby Gray spun her out to the dance floor, while her older sister and husband sashayed nearby. Charlie and Davis danced just behind them. Even Kelli's parents, seated just off the dance floor, were relaxed and having a wonderful time.

Kelli wore her favorite boots and Bobby Gray had bought a new white Stetson for the occasion. He was also wearing another new pair of boots. These were black and he kept calling them his dress boots.

He leaned closer and nuzzled her ear. "I'm counting the minutes until tomorrow."

"The wedding is going to be beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as my Dr. Bride."

"Hmm. I kinda like that—Dr. Bride."

Bobby Gray abruptly stopped dancing. "You finally approve of a nickname?"

"Well, it's better than when you called me Dr. Princess. I'm simply not like that."

He traced a finger down the side of her face. "That's where you're totally wrong. You, my darling, are the very best kind of woman. You give of yourself and always put the comfort of other people and animals ahead of your own. You don't wait for someone to wait on you; you're quick to be of service to others. Women who are all about looks, and nothing about service, are just empty shells. They're superficial images, hoping to shine outside with a smidgen of the bright beauty you have glowing from inside. No other woman can touch you in the human-being department."

He lowered his lips to claim hers, but not before she said, "Now I know I'm marrying the perfect cowboy."

"I can't wait until you become mine," he whispered as she saw Monty Joe saunter over. He slapped Bobby Gray on the back.

"Time to share your bride-to-be with your brother." Monty Joe tipped his head to indicate that Bobby Gray should clear off.

But Bobby Gray wasn't having any. "Go find your own bride." He pulled Kelli more tightly into his arms, then twirled a couple of dosey-does across the dance floor and away from the other people. "Now I've got you where I want you."

He leaned in to kiss her, leaving her breathless with expectation. He sure knew how to woo a girl.

She wasn't too distracted, though, to see Monty Joe eye Lori's shoes. His gaze shot to her face and he made a beeline toward her. Within seconds, they, too, were on the dance floor.

Was it possible Charlie was right and the shoes
were
magical?

All Kelli knew for sure, though, was how hopeful and happy she was. Bobby Gray led her out of the tent and the two of them gazed up into the inky Texas night sky and dreamed of the life they'd have together.

"I've got a present for you," he whispered.

"Oh, I love presents. But you've already given me the best gift—your love."

"You've got that, but this gift might come in a close second." He emitted a loud whistle and within a couple of minutes, David Bishop joined them with a weanling in tow.

The animal was decorated in ribbons and bows and wore a saddle blanket with the words
Kelli's Promise
embroidered on it.

"Is he the foal..." She was so choked up, words couldn't come.

"The foal you delivered. Yes." Bobby Gray nodded, taking the reins from David, who, at Bobby Gray's signal, quickly disappeared again.

Happy tears sprang to Kelli's eyes and she hugged her horse and the man she loved tightly. "You're right. He's a close second to the best gift you've ever given me."

Bobby Gray wiped a tear from her face with the soft pad of his thumb. "I hope you don't mind that I named him."

"It's the perfect name." When she gazed into his eyes, this time all she could see was the expanse of love in his heart. "I adore you, Bobby Gray."

"I'll always love you," he replied, then kissed her as if he never wanted to let her go.

And that's exactly what they both did. They held onto each other's love and never let go.

The End