His Heart to Have (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) by Renee Peterson Page A

already lied to your parents. A lie is a lie, no matter who it’s too.”
    “I don’t know, alright,” Allie huffed in frustration.  “I panicked and drew Jase into this mess with me.  I should’ve just listened to him.”
    “My brother doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to,” Lanie revealed. “No, I think it goes deeper than your saying.”
    “I agree,” Missy piped up, tossing a conspiring wink Lanie’s way.  “They make a beautiful couple don’t they?”
    “Yes, they do,” Lanie agreed, smiling.  “I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.”
    “Are the two of you done yet? Please don’t tell anyone, Lanie,” Allie begged.
    “You have my word,” Lanie promised. “Now, about these nail colors…”
    Glad the conversation about Jase and her had ended, Allie leaned back in her chair and relaxed; allowing herself to be pampered for the next few hours.   Anytime their talk even remotely circled back to Jase, she quickly directed it back toward Missy and the wedding.
     
    ***
    While mentally checking off his list of things he accomplished today, Jase got dressed for the wedding.   New boots, that weren’t broken in, felt alien to his feet.  They were a nice looking pair of boots, he’d grant them that; made from lizard skin, the red and black material had a shiny luster.  It’s just they weren’t yet molded to his feet; otherwise, he’d probably like them more, even if they were a bit fancy to his tastes. 
    He slid his arms through a burgundy and black diamond pattern vest then added the black crossover tie to the white wing tip shirt. The four button, western tuxedo coat still hung on a hanger, to be worn when he arrived at the church. Otherwise, he’d feel too stifled, wearing it while driving. Placing his hat on and grabbing the hanger with the tux coat, he went to his truck.
    His foot pushed the pedal to the floor.  He hadn’t seen Allie all day, except for the few minutes before she’d left; he was ready to see her.  After she retreated to the bedroom last night, he’d gone and taken a cold shower and still hadn’t been able to sleep.  He’d sat outside on the porch until the sun rose, trying to find answers.   By the time he’d left to work with Lightning, all he’d figured out was the sexual tension building between them was driving him crazy. 
    Last night, he’d been so close to throwing caution to the wind and taking her. Her pliable body told him she was just as willing and wanting, but he’d held back, unwilling to regress their relationship by progressing the physical aspect too soon. It had been the hardest thing he’d done in a long time; watching her walk alone to the bedroom, knowing that one word would be all it took to join her.
    Allie was standing outside the church when he arrived. His pulse quickened at the sight of her. Man, she was the most beautiful vision he’d ever seen. He was so used to seeing her hair pulled up in a ponytail, he’d forgotten how gorgeous it was when she allowed it to hang freely. Loose curls cascaded down her shoulders and back, with one side partially pinned back with a dusty rose colored silk flower. Her dress sat off one shoulder and the burgundy material gathered just below her breasts and flowed down covering her feet. She was breathtaking and he was awestruck watching her. He’d be a lucky man to call her his wife forever.
    She came over and greeted him at his truck, probably wondering why he was standing there, staring like an idiot. 
    “You look. Amazing,” he finished after pausing, trying to find the perfect word; except, there were no words to describe her.
    “You don’t look too bad yourself,” she replied then ducked her head, abruptly turning bashful. “I need to get back in. Maid of honor duties and all.”
    “I’ll see you up front, Mrs. Callahan,” he told her. He watched her reaction to the name he used. Despite their married status, they’d largely shied away from any husband and wife