His valentine triplets, p.20
His Valentine Triplets, page 20
“Yeah?”
She took a deep breath. “Are you going to divorce me?”
His shoulders seemed to slump; his face fell. “If you want me to.”
“No, I mean, do you want a divorce?” Julie asked quickly.
“Oh, hell, no. Why would I?” Rafe looked toward his daughters, then back at her. “I never wanted a divorce. It sounded like a good idea at the time, to keep you from panicking. I knew that the pregnancy and then everything else that was happening really bothered you. So I thought it was best to give you the option, so we could get married. But no, I never wanted a divorce.”
She nodded. “I don’t, either.”
He perked up. “You don’t?”
“No.” Julie shook her head. “In fact, I hope you’ll come back home.”
“You do?” His expression changed, a smile lighting his face.
“We took a vote,” she said, waving a hand to include their daughters. “It was unanimous.”
“That’s awesome,” Rafe said. He kissed her on the lips, then went around to jump in the passenger seat. “How well does this van accelerate?”
Julie laughed and handed him the keys. “Why don’t you drive us home, cowboy?”
Rafe smiled at his wife. “Drive the four most beautiful ladies in the state home? That’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
They drove away from Rancho Diablo, and the babies napped in their carriers, comforted by the drive.
“Angels,” Rafe said.
“Not always,” Julie said, laughing. “But most of the time.”
“I have something for you.” Rafe helped her carry the babies inside and settle them in their cribs. Then he pulled her to “his” room and opened the closet door.
The magic wedding dress twinkled at Julie. She recognized it immediately. Her gaze shot to Rafe. “Why is this here?”
He shrugged. “You said something about wanting to wear it. And get married at the ranch. And since we had to hurry before—”
Julie squealed and jumped into his arms. “I love you, Rafe Callahan. I’m so happy you’re willing to marry me again.”
“Well,” he said, laughing, “I wasn’t sure you’d like the idea. But I guess that’s a yes. And I love you, too, little judge. It’s an honor to get to marry you twice.”
She kissed him on the lips, overjoyed that he understood how she’d felt. “You don’t think it’s silly?”
He shook his head. “I think it’s smart. A second chance to lock you down? I’d be a fool to pass that up.”
“How did you get this dress without me knowing?”
She got down from Rafe’s arms and held the wedding gown up to herself, surprised that she felt some kind of electricity run across her skin. It was the stories, of course—romantic nonsense. But she looked at her handsome husband and smiled.
Rafe shrugged. “I told the babies to keep my secret, and they said they would.”
Julie held the dress up again. “I can’t wait. I felt so frumpy the first time we said I do. I want to be beautiful for you.”
“You were beautiful.” Rafe winked. “I wanted to undress you and get you into bed as soon as we said I do.”
Julie looked at him, then hung the magic wedding dress in the closet. “You know,” she said, “while the babies are napping…”
Rafe scooped her into his arms and carried her across the hall to the bed that would now be theirs. “Let the honeymoon begin.”
“I remember you boasting that you’d get me in a bed eventually,” Julie said, as her husband laid her gently on the sheets. His gaze simmered, promising everything she’d dreamed of.
“I said that,” Rafe said, joining his wife in the bed, “and I always keep my promises.”
“Although once under the stars and once in my office showed creativity,” Julie stated, and Rafe laughed.
“Three’s the charm,” he said, and proceeded to make love to his wife the way he’d never been able to before, holding her close while the babies slept in their cribs, completely unaware that their parents were now truly husband and wife.
Forever.
Epilogue
Rafe and Julie’s wedding day in September was beautiful, with clear blue skies. It was perfect weather for an outdoor wedding—everything Julie had ever hoped for as she prepared to marry the man she loved.
“You’re gorgeous,” Rafe told her. “I can’t wait to get that gown off you, though.”
Julie looked down at the magic wedding gown. “This dress is supposed to make certain I know who my perfect husband is. I think it works, too.”
Rafe looked devilishly handsome in his black tux. “I don’t believe in magic.”
She looked at him. “You’re the most superstitious man I know.”
“All I know is that I’m pretty certain your bikini is going to be more magical than a wedding gown. I’m counting the hours until we get to Tahiti.”
“Tahiti!”
Rafe looked at her. “A nice, quiet hut just for the two of us. I don’t want any interruptions while I’m alone with my bride.”
Julie couldn’t wait, either. She’d count the hours until she got her big, strong husband in her arms. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“That’s why they call me the thinker.” Rafe grinned.
The wedding march began to play. Julie looked at Rafe. “This is it, husband. Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Rafe took her arm to walk her to the altar on Rancho Diablo land. “The only thing I need to say is I love you.” He kissed her, and the wedding guests clapped, loving the fact that Rafe clearly intended to romance his wife on the way to the altar.
“I love you, Rafe Callahan. I never thought today would happen, but I’m so glad it is. Thank you.” She could feel her eyes twinkling with unshed tears of joy.
“No tears, or your dad’ll come after me,” Rafe said, glancing toward Bode. “He already looks fit to be tied.”
“He promised to be good for one day.” Julie looked up at her big, strong husband, thinking that she was the most blessed woman on earth. “Just today, mind you, and then he plans to fight fire with fire, he said.”
Rafe shrugged. “Makes no difference to me.” He glanced over to where the ladies of the Books’n’Bingo Society were fussing over Janet, Julianne and Judith—his three special-delivery valentines. “I’m living for the future these days.”
“Me, too,” Julie said, stepping up to the rose-festooned altar. This was heaven, all she’d ever dreamed of, all she’d ever wanted. After all the years of loving him from afar, finally Rafe Callahan would be her husband in name as well as spirit.
He looked down at her, smiling, and then sweetly kissed her lips before the priest had a chance to begin the service. The guests laughed again, enjoying their happiness, and Julie smiled. This was the start of their new lives together, a marriage reborn.
And then, like a benediction, the sound of hooves came to them. On the horizon, black shadow horses ran through the canyons, heralding blessed days ahead.
“Magic,” Julie whispered to Rafe, and he nodded, holding her close.
True magic, the kind that would last forever.
Rancho Diablo magic.
* * * * *
ISBN: 9781459219755
Copyright © 2012 by Tina Leonard
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Tina Leonard, His Valentine Triplets
