Taming His Wild Girl by Lee Savino

Epilogue

Isabelle

“What’s wrong?” I asked Joel. He’d been acting weird all morning—fidgeting, clearing his throat. Checking three times that he’d turned off the stove. I hid my amusement at his nervousness. The big, bad, tatted-up cowboy, afraid of his little mom.

He gave me a rueful smile. “Just figuring out what to say.”

“We could just not tell her? We could let the celebrant in on it, and just sign our names in the register, and it’ll look like the real thing.”

Joel shook his head. “You don’t know my mom. She’ll find out. She’ll come across the real date of our wedding at some point in the distant future, and she’ll go full-on apocalyptic. When I was a kid, there was no way of hiding anything from her. She used to tell us that she had eyes in the back of her head, and honestly, I kind of believed her.”

I laughed and wrapped my arms around him. I never tired of that feeling. Of knowing he was mine. That I could hug him anytime I wanted. And he acted like he couldn’t get enough of me. Immediately, those big arms of his came down around my shoulders and waist, keeping me safe.

“I used to think your mom was easygoing—at least, in comparison to mine,” I said.

He chuckled. “I guess that’s fair. Your mom really defined the tiger mom.” He stroked my hair gently. He was no longer hesitant about bringing up my family, and I loved that. I was starting to enjoy talking about them with him. He was the one person I still knew from my past—actually, the only person I knew from my past who had known them. And there was no one I’d rather talk about my feelings with.

“My mom’s not intense, but she doesn’t miss a thing. We had to make our beds every single morning, and if they weren’t neat, then—” he whistled, “there’d be no horseback riding for us that morning.”

I worried at my lip. “Is she going to hate me when she finds out?”

I was actually terrified that she wouldn’t just be pissed that she’d missed the wedding, but she was going to hate that Joel had married me, period. The last thing I remembered of her was her standing in the yard, right by the barrel, hands on her hips, shaking her head as my family sped off in a cloud of dust.

“Does she know the truth about what happened that night?” I asked.

Joel nodded, his face full of love. “She knows you were a very pressured young girl, with parents who didn’t give you an inch of space to decide on things for yourself. She was real impressed that you were a ballet star, but I know she also felt bad for you. That day, after you all left, she sat me down and forced me to tell her what really happened. And if I’d taken advantage of you, I would have been out on my ass. She probably would have cut me out of her life.” He shrugged. “So I told her the truth, and all she said was, that poor kid.”

Joel saidwe could ride to his mom’s place, and my heart lifted. I’d improved a ton in the past couple of weeks, and under Joel’s patient guidance, all my fear had disappeared.

We walked to the stables together, and Joel took out Flinders, while I took out Odette. She nickered in greeting, and butted me playfully with her forehead. I sensed she was eager for a long ride. I slipped my foot into the stirrup and swung over her back effortlessly. These days, I felt like she and the saddle were made for me.

The farm where Joel’s mom lived with Stan, her second husband, was much smaller than the ranch. They mainly farmed for themselves, and sold any extras at the weekly farmer’s market, Joel had explained.

When we clattered into the yard in front of the homely-looking stone farmhouse, the front door flew open, and a familiar woman ran out. Over the past four years, Joel’s mom hadn’t changed very much. She still had the same dark chestnut hair, lightly threaded with gray; the same trim figure encased in blue jeans, and a blue denim shirt.

“Well, this is a nice surprise!” she exclaimed.

Joel jumped down from his horse, and hugged her. “Hi, Mom.”

“And who’s this?” Her attention turned to me.

“Come here, honey.” Joel took my hand once I’d dismounted, then led me over to his mom, pulling my hat off at the same time.

Her expression shifted from curiosity to surprise. Then she gasped. “Isabelle Stevens? Well, I never! Honey, is that really you?”

“Sure is—” I started to say, but a second later, I’d been swept into a soft, warm hug. Mom hugs. God. I missed them so much. Tears sprang to my eyes. When she released me, I blinked them away fast.

She gave me a kind, appraising look. “Gosh, we were so worried about you, after what happened. Joel kept telling me how he’d been looking for you, but you were nowhere to be found. I’ve been worrying about you all this time, wondering where you were. If you were safe.”

Suddenly, she was hugging me again, like I was a cherished possession that had been lost then found again.

“I’m so sorry about what I said last time I was here…” I faltered.

She gave me a final squeeze. “Honey, don’t you give that another thought. We never held it against you for a minute. Don’t be ridiculous. You were young and confused. I’m just so, so glad that you’re okay. Now, come inside, let’s all sit down, and have some tea.” She slipped her hand into mine, and led me inside.

As I passed through the threshold, I shot Joel a quick glance. He smiled at me encouragingly, but my heart was pitter-pattering. I was so relieved that she didn’t hate me. But how on earth was she going to react when she heard the real news?

Joel placed his hands in front of him on the old Hudson kitchen table. “Mom, we have some big news to share with you,” he began, clearing his throat.

She gasped. “You’re getting married!”

I burst into nervous laughter. “H-how did you know?”

“Oh, because the two of you are just perfect for one other. I saw it when you were together all those years ago. I remember, I said to Joel’s brother, Billy, ‘That’s the girl for him. I just hope he’ll be able to wait until she’s done with all her ballet dancing’.”

She leaped up from the table, looking from one of us to the other. “It is true, isn’t it?”

Joel nodded, apparently to overwhelmed to speak.

“This is just the best news. I’m so happy for you two.” She rushed around to me, and suddenly her arms were around me again. “Just wait till Stan gets home. He’s gonna be so pumped. Oh, my goodness, I can’t wait to start planning the wedding…” Then she frowned. “I mean, that’s if you want my help, Isabelle?”

Joel laughed. “Just hold on a second, Mom. There’s one more thing we have to tell you. Please—sit down.”

His mom settled down at the table again with barely suppressed energy. Joel took a deep breath, and told her the whole story about how he’d met me again, and we’d come to be married in a twenty-four-hour wedding chapel.

As he spoke, her eyes got bigger and bigger, and by the end of it, they were full of tears.

“Oh, I’m so sorry for everything else you’ve been through, my dear. It’s about cut my heart in two.” She reached across the table for my hand. “If only you’d contacted us. We would have taken you in in a heartbeat.”

“I wish I had, too,” I whispered.

“But that’s all in the past now.”

“It sure is,” I said, more brightly. “And, Mrs. Hudson, I would absolutely love it if you would help to plan our wedding.”

“Call me June, please. We’re family now. And I promise I’ll be the best mother-in-law who ever lived.”

We all laughed.

“And I’ll do my best to be a perfect daughter-in-law,” I said solemnly.

* * *

“Are you ready, honey?”Stan Matthews asked.

I swallowed down a flutter of nerves. “Sure am.”

Odette stood calmly as Stan helped me slip my white suede cowboy boot into the stirrup, and he held my fussy skirts out of the way as I cautiously slung my leg across her back. Then he went around, rearranging my skirts carefully.

A few feet away, a photographer snapped away, recording every precious moment.

Odette was wearing a festive bridle, decorated in deep-purple and burnt-orange silk flowers, and there was a garland of flowers around her neck. Her tail had been brushed to a silky sheen, and I’d braided her mane into tiny plaits. She was on her best behavior, as if she sensed that something important was happening today.

Stan looked up at me with a warm smile. “You both look beautiful,” he said, and already, my eyes started to prickle. I was glad I’d decided to wear waterproof make-up.

He and June had debated for a long time over who was going to give me away. She thought it should be her husband, so I had the tradition of a man giving me away. He thought it should be her, because she was the one person who belonged to my earlier life. In the end, we agreed that he would do the honors, so she could be there for Joel, since he’d lost his own father.

I’d only known Stan for four months, but he was one of those people you feel like you’ve known all your life. He was warm and friendly and a lot of fun, and I couldn’t be happier that he was my new father-in-law.

I looked over my shoulder. “You ready, hon?” I called to my bridesmaid, Carrie.

“Never readier,” she called back, and we both laughed. Six months pregnant, and she was blooming in her burgundy bridesmaid’s dress. She still rode every day, so she hadn’t had a hard time clambering onto the back of Megan, her little gray horse, who was also decked out in flowers and ribbons.

I also couldn’t believe I’d only known Carrie for four months. Her husband Steele was one of Joel’s friends, and Carrie’d quickly become my best friend—close as a sister. She’d had a real hard life, too, before her sexy older husband had taken her in. And gotten her civilized, she’d told me with a smirk of mischief.

At first, we’d been too shy to discuss our sex lives, but little by little, we opened up, and were amazed to discover that we both had the same dark passions—as well as bossy, dominant, sexy-as-hell husbands.

Stan took hold of Odette’s bridle, and the bridal train began to move.

We walked for five minutes, and I savored every step as it brought me closer to Joel. He was already legally my husband, but I knew this wedding would mean so much more than the first one. We’d renew our vows in front of all our loved ones.

We turned around the corner of the yard and a beautiful sight came into view: a long, flower-decked archway, with a lovely garden on one side and a huge gazebo on the other. The color theme was burnt orange and purple. A fall wedding—or harvest wedding, as Joel’s mom had called it, wiggling her eyebrows significantly. Apparently, marrying during the harvest period was a great omen for future fertility. She was desperate to start having grandkids. And I had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before Joel and I obliged.

Everyone I’d gotten to know in the last few months was waiting, watching expectantly.

Sheesh, and there were a lot of them. Half of Ashcroft must be there, all dressed up in their country best.

Stan led Odette through the archway. I couldn’t see Joel at first, but when I reached the altar, there he was, astride Flinders. He looked so handsome, in his light gray suit, with a crisp white shirt and a deep burgundy carnation in his lapel, that my heart just about stopped beating. When Joel had suggested we ride our horses to the altar, it had made perfect sense. My little horse, Odette, had unknowingly been a part of my life all these years. And she had also taken her role in helping to heal me.

Joel bounded down from his horse in his usual, careless way. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his mom throw him an admonishing glance, no doubt worried he was going to tear his suit pants. I smiled to myself. Then Stan helped to arrange my skirts while I carefully dismounted from Odette. The horses were led away, and Carrie handed me my bouquet, her grin stretching from ear to ear.

Standing behind Joel were six other guys in suits. He was so popular, he hadn’t been able to decide who should be his best man and, not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings, he’d wound up going for a whole team. There were Dave and Trey—the two cops who’d rescued me from the mafia, and whom I’d always be indebted to. There was Deacon, whose bachelor’s party had been the whole reason why Joel had been at the strip club in the first place. There were Kevin and Caine, two other close friends of his, and of course, Steele, Carrie’s husband. They were all easygoing, good-natured guys, and I owed them so much.

The celebrant welcomed us all with a smile full of joy, and the wedding service began.

I was glad I’d had a chance to prepare my words this time. I told Joel how much I loved him, how proud I was of him, and I promised to do my best to make him happy every single day.

Then I said a prayer for my missing family. I truly felt they were looking down on us, sending their love and good wishes.

Joel had been very secretive about writing his vows, so I had no idea what to expect. But when he began to speak, he took my breath away. It was a testimony of how he’d known I was the one all those years ago, and how he’d been willing to wait for me, however long it took. And how, when he hadn’t been able to find me, he’d known he’d never get over me, and that he would never marry anyone else because I was always in his heart.

When the celebrant pronounced us man and wife—again—and Joel took me into his arms and kissed me, I cried so much, the tears spilled down my cheeks.

After that, it was a flood of congratulations. People weren’t real formal about these things, Joel had warned me. At most weddings, everyone lined up and you received the guests one by one. Here, it was more like a scrum. And I laughed and laughed at all the hugs and kisses. We were caught up for the next hour or so, but every so often I would look for Joel, and often he would be looking for me at the same moment, and we would exchange a special, private glance.

While we were busy with formal photos, the space was rearranged. An elaborate buffet was set up, and… a bunch of people appeared on the stage at the rear of the room. An old-fashioned country band, and a bunch of younger guys in black T-shirts and ripped skinny jeans. There was a lot of discussion going on between the two groups, and it was fast turning animated. The leader of the country band seemed to be squaring off to the tallest of the guys in black—the one with snake hips, and shaggy black hair.

“Joel, what is this?” I caught his arm.

He frowned. “I dunno. Doesn’t look like something my mom would’ve put together.”

Just then, Caine blew right past us. “Amos!” he roared. “What the hell?” He stormed right up to the stage, and grabbed the snake-hipped guy by his tattooed shoulders.

“What is going on?” I muttered, watching in fascination. I didn’t know Caine real well, but he was usually the strong, silent type. Kinda intimidating, but definitely not given to aggressive outbursts.

“Oh, I think it’s—” Joel began, but the end of his sentence was cut off by a shriek. A wild, female shriek of uncontrolled excitement.

“Oh… My… God! Amos Madison!”

Suddenly, the air was full of shrieks and whoops.

“Amos Madison? As in, Slick Lizards’s Amos Madison?” I murmured.

Joel chuckled. “Yeah, Caine’s cousin, I think. And by the looks of it, Caine is none too pleased by his arrival.”

Caine was dragging his famous rockstar cousin off to the side of the stage, gesticulating furiously all the way. Meanwhile, a group of women—and even some of the guys—were clapping rhythmically, and shouting out the names of the band’s most famous songs.

June rushed over to us, her eyes huge. “This is not supposed to be happening!” she gasped. “I’m sorry, I don’t know how—”

Joel laid his arm around his mom’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Mom. I’ll deal with it.”

June and I stood side by side, watching as Joel strode over to Caine and his unruly cousin. There was a bunch more gesticulating, then Joel came back to us, grinning.

“I’ve negotiated two songs from the Slick Lizards, then they’ll leave us in peace,” he said. “If that’s okay with you, honey?”

I nodded happily. As long as I had Joel, everything else was just icing on the cake.

“Joel, I don’t want them upstaging the two of you on your special day,” June hissed, looking like she was fixing to go punch Amos Madison herself.

“He understands. He’s promised to leave right after.” Joel tipped his Stetson back on his head. “And if he doesn’t, well, he’ll have an angry Caine to deal with, and, wooh, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

The country band shuffled off the stage, and Slick Lizards took their positions with a wild riff from Amos’s electric guitar. Shady Lady. The guests went crazy. The song was so familiar; it was kind of surreal that it was being played right here, at our little country wedding. I tucked myself under Joel’s arm, and watched the spectacle.

Amos Madison was a famous heartthrob. Most eligible bachelor of the year; always being linked with this-or-that female celebrity. I didn’t read gossip rags, but even I knew that. I guessed I could understand his bad boy appeal—the hair, the tattoos, the jeans that looked like they were already halfway off. But for me, he couldn’t begin to hold a candle to Joel. My gorgeous husband. As Joel snuggled me close, another wave of euphoria went through me.

At last, the two songs were done, and Slick Lizards refused an encore, despite a ton of pressure from the audience. To Amos’s credit, he did leave the ranch immediately, and the afternoon’s scheduled entertainment resumed.

The country band took to the floor again—a little huffily—but they played their hearts out, as if determined not to be outdone, and I was soon re-immersed in the beauty of the day. The burning heat of summer had faded away but it was still plenty warm, and the light played soft and golden over all the joyous guests.

When the band had played their first set, June called everyone over to the buffet, and the guests tucked right in.

Later that afternoon, after everyone had eaten their fill, and people looked like they were about ready to start dancing, Joel took me to the side of the dancefloor. Carefully, he unhooked my elaborate skirt from the top half of my dress. Underneath, I was wearing a short, flippy skirt that would be a lot easier to move in.

When I was ready, he led me to the center of the floor, the band counted us in, and we began the dance that I’d choreographed myself. We’d practiced it every single day for the past month. Despite Joel’s lack of confidence in his abilities, he’d worked real hard at it, and I sensed how much he wanted it to be perfect. How much he wanted to show me off onstage on my wedding day.

And it was a beautiful dance. I would never dance ballet again, but with Joel’s encouragement, I’d looked into other dance styles, and discovered tango. I found I loved the elegant, high-energy tempo. It suited my natural rhythms, and Joel’s strong arms were perfect to catch me and support me.

We danced a four-song mash-up. And when we’d finished, both a little out of breath but laughing with happiness, there was a round of thunderous applause.

Joe gazed at me in awe. “You were… you were, like, a star. And I was part of it.” He laughed, like he couldn’t believe it. “It was unreal.”

I blinked fast as emotion welled up in me yet again.

Understanding, he pulled me off the dancefloor, and held me close.

I buried my face in my beloved husband’s broad chest, and cried tears of pure happiness.

***

Want more dark cowboy romance? Read Steele & Carrie’s story:

The Cowboy’s Babygirl

Fate brought the pretty little runaway with defiant green eyes and that sassy mouth to my doorstep.

Carrie Smith needs more than shelter.

She needs protection.

Discipline.

A firm hand.

She came to the right ranch.

I never thought I'd have a wild girl of my own to tame.

I'm just the man to tip her across a hay bale and show her who's in charge.

But there’s more to this girl than meets the eye.

I may give her the discipline she craves, but she'll satisfy my darkest desires.

She'll be my one, my only... my babygirl.

Click to read now