A Caldwell Wedding (Serenity Springs) Read online

  “There is a rodeo in Houston this weekend,” Katy replied with a grin. “He will be there.”

  “How did you know?” Sloane asked softly.

  “Because I know how much you love Creed,” Katy replied quietly. “There is no way in hell you would let him get married without his family there.”

  Sloane swallowed hard, “I’m trying, Katy, but I don’t know if Justice will make it.”

  “Oh, he will make it,” Katy promised with a devilish grin. “Trust me, he will be there. None of us will miss it.”

  “Thank you,” Sloane murmured, stepping out from behind the counter, and pulling Katy in for a quick hug before letting her go just as fast. “Thank you.”

  Three days later, Sloane found herself in the back of a large bridal shop, sipping champagne and nibbling on little white mints as she tried on dress after dress.

  “Ohhh, I like that one,” Hope Cavanaugh breathed, when Sloane appeared for what felt like the hundredth time, in a light-pink dress. This one had a hoop under it that made the skirt poof out away from her body, and a large bow just above her butt.

  Looking in the mirror, Sloane’s eyes narrowed. “I feel like a fucking princess,” she groused, wrinkling her nose at the yards of pink lace.

  “You look like a fucking princess,” Hope shot back, giggling loudly. “All you need is a diamond tiara.”

  Pushing down on the sides of the gown, trying unsuccessfully to make it shrink some, Sloane grimaced. “This is not what I’m looking for.”

  “Then we move on,” Rayna said, walking over with a new gown she had found on one of the racks. This one was light blue, with several rosebuds adorning the skirt.

  Sloane shook her head at it, “I’m sorry, it does nothing for me either.”

  “Well, it’s not like you can get married in jeans, Sloane,” Katy quipped, popping one of the delicious mints into her mouth.

  “Why not?” Sloane demanded. “It is my wedding.”

  Everyone burst into laughter. “Well, I suppose you could,” Katy replied, “but it just wouldn’t be as much fun. Not only that, but if you are in jeans, then the rest of us wouldn’t get to dress up like we were going to prom.”

  “How about this one?” Lacey interrupted, pulling another one from a rack across the room and holding it up for them to see. “It’s beautiful, but somewhat simple. It’s not too full, short sleeved, and has a pretty lace design.”

  Sloane turned from the mirror in front of her, to glance at the dress. Her eyes widened in wonder as she stared at the gorgeous wedding gown. It was perfect; exactly what she wanted, except for one thing. “It’s white,” she whispered.

  “Sooooo?” Katy drawled the question out, looking at Sloane in confusion.

  “I’ve been married once before, remember?” Sloane replied quietly, as she reached out to lightly trace the beautiful lace and intricate bead design at the top of the gown. All of the other dresses she’d tried on before were either a cream-colored, light blue, or pink. It just didn’t seem right to wear white.

  Katy let out a short laugh. “I am pretty sure a white dress doesn’t mean what it used to, Sloane,” she said sarcastically. “Do you really think half the brides out there are virgins? Who gives a shit if you were married once before? The guy was an ass who doesn’t even deserve to be mentioned. This is your wedding. Wear whatever the hell you want. Pink, purple, white, who cares? This is about you and Creed, not the color of your dress.”

  “Besides, most of the people there aren’t even going to know you were married before,” Lacey interjected, “and it really isn’t anyone’s business. I think that dress is perfect.”

  “Me too,” Sloane agreed softly, letting her hand trail down over the soft, silky gown. Soon she was back in the dressing room, slipping the gorgeous dress over her head and down her slim figure, and sighing in pleasure. It fit as if it were made for her. Opening the door, she stepped out, a wide smile on her face. “This is it,” she declared, knowing by the look on her friends’ faces that they agreed. “This is the one.”

  “Yes,” Katy agreed with a satisfied smile, “that is definitely it.”

  “Now for the bridesmaid dresses,” Hope giggled, clasping her hands together in excitement.

  Sloane laughed, shooing them away with her hands while she turned back to look in the mirror. Running her hands down the side of the silky fabric, she smiled. The dress was definitely made for her. They wouldn’t even have to alter it. After one last look, Sloane reluctantly changed, and then took the gown to the front counter to be held until they were finished shopping.

  It took a full hour for all four women to agree on pale blue, spaghetti strap dresses that fell almost to the knee for the bridesmaids, along with a pair of matching shoes, and another half an hour to settle on a veil for Sloane.

  “Now all we have left is the flower girl dress,” Hope said. “I saw some in the back corner that would look great.”

  “Actually, Cassie and I already picked out her dress,” Sloane told them. “We found it online when I first started planning the wedding, and have had it since last September.”

  “Well, then you are all set!” Lacey grinned. “I found a tuxedo for Ethan last Wednesday. I will pick it up the day before the wedding.” Ethan was going to be the ring bearer, and would carry a small pillow with the wedding rings hooked to it. Creed’s mother, Cara Caldwell, had picked up the pillow while she was in Dallas, along with several decorations for the reception that would take place at the Caldwell ranch. Yes, it was all coming together. Only two more weeks. Sloane’s heart fluttered at the thought. Soon she would be Creed’s wife.

  Chapter 4

  Sloane sat close to the chutes at the rodeo in Houston that night, her eyes wide with anticipation as she watched event after event, waiting for the one that she really wanted to see.

  Katy and Rayna had gone back to Serenity Springs right after dress shopping. Katy was pulling night patrol, and Rayna was spending the evening with Ryder. Lacey had plans with her husband and son, and Hope caught a flight back to Arizona just a couple of hours ago. Sloane was alone, but she was fine with that. She didn’t need an audience when she talked to Creed’s brother.

  Katy warned Sloane before she left not to do anything that would compromise Linc’s cover, not that she would. Hell, she didn’t even really know anything about Linc and his secret life as an FBI agent. All she wanted was her fiancé’s brother to be at their wedding.

  Sloane enjoyed watching the rodeo, and didn’t tear her gaze away from the arena once as she waited for the very last, and most dangerous, event…bull riding. Not only did Linc ride the huge beasts, but he had steadily worked his way to the top. She’d seen him ride before, and it had been one of the most exciting, yet terrifying, things she had ever watched.

  The announcer’s voice rang out loudly over the crowd as three rodeo clowns entered the arena. One pushed a barrel towards the middle, before jumping up on top of it and waving to the roaring crowd. The other two ran around the arena, one kicking a large blue ball while the other swung a purple blowup bat. Sloane was shocked to see that one of them was a woman, her long pitch black hair and feminine features giving her away, even under all of the makeup. Sloane burst into giggles as the woman kicked hard at the blue ball, her leg high in the air, and then pretended to lose her balance, falling on her bottom. She stood up, wiping herself down, then brought her hand to her face, sniffing it. Grimacing, she started shaking her hand and yelling at the man in the barrel. The other clown ran towards them, pretending to slip and fall in a pile of what was assumed to be manure. Sloane was so engrossed in the spectacle the three clowns were making, that she almost missed the first rider being introduced.

  She didn’t hear his name, but one of the gates was suddenly yanked open, and a bull leaped through, the rider clinging to its back, thighs clinging tightly to the animal’s sides, as he spurred him on. Four quick seconds later, he was lying in the dirt, as the bull trotted away from him.

  Ther
e were three more riders, and then Sloane finally heard the name she was waiting for. “Next up, Linc Caldwell from the small town of Serenity Springs, Texas. This rider is one to keep your eyes on, ladies and gentlemen. He came out of nowhere just a year ago, and has been rising steadily in the ranks over the past year. I have no doubt he could take the championship this year if he wants it. This young man has a lot of followers, mostly women from what I hear.” There was laughter throughout the crowd. “Don’t worry, ladies. From what I’ve been told, Linc is still single, so you all still have a chance!”

  Sloane laughed to herself, shaking her head slightly. She had learned from Creed that Linc was a lot like Ryder, except possibly a little more wild and crazy. But, he kept his heart close to his chest. He’d never shared it with a woman before. According to Creed, he didn’t know if Linc ever would. There was something in his past preventing it, but she wasn’t sure what. The people of the rodeo circuit made Linc out to be a player, however she knew different. Charles and Cara had raised their boys to respect women, to care for them, and protect them. No, there was no way Linc was a player.

  Sloane gasped when the gates swung open and a huge bull, well over 2000 pounds, crashed through with Linc on his back. They seemed to move in harmony, as Linc moved into every twist and turn the massive animal shot at him. Sloane clenched the arms of her seat tightly, her eyes glued to the sight in front of her. Her heart jumped in her chest, as the bull snorted and let out a loud bellow, kicking his back legs high and to the side, as he tried to dislodge his rider. Those eight seconds were the longest in her life. When the buzzer sounded, and Linc jumped from the back of the bull, Sloane let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Thank God he was okay.

  Suddenly the bull swung around, his eyes on Linc, watching him walk away as he waved his Stetson to the crowds. The bull began to paw at the dirt, shaking his head and snorting, angry as hell at the man who had just bested him. Sloane screamed Linc’s name loudly in terror, fear gripping her tightly as the bull lunged towards him. Linc turned just before the bull reached him, and managed to jump to the side, barely missing his large horns. The clowns were running around, throwing the ball at the bull and waving their arms wildly, trying to catch his attention, but the beast only had eyes for Linc.

  Linc grabbed his hat off the ground beside him, before rising and scrambling away from the bull, just barely missing his large, sharp horns again. Running across the arena, Linc leaped onto the gates, raising his Stetson high and waving it to the crowd, a wide grin on his face. The stadium went wild, chanting his name as he threw back his head and laughed. His eyes scanned the crowd and she saw them narrow slightly when they fell on her. Slowly, she let her hands fall from where they covered her mouth, and she smiled when he put his hat back on his head and tipped it in her direction. By now, the bull had been rounded up, and with a salute to the crowd, Linc jumped down and made his way to the back of the arena, slipping out the side gate.

  Sloane waited until the rodeo was over, then she slipped into the middle of a crowd that was leaving out the back of the building. She followed a group a ways before she saw a large parking lot, and her eyes widened at the sight of what had to be hundreds of trucks and trailers. How the hell was she supposed to find Linc in this mess?

  She must have wandered around for a good hour before she finally caught sight of Linc. He was standing with a large group of people, one arm around a tall, slender brunette, the other around a curvy blonde. Letting go of the brunette, he tipped back his head and drank from a bottle of beer, then responded to something one of the men said.

  Katy’s warning came back to Sloane as she watched the interaction, and she hesitated briefly, unsure what to say or do in front of everyone. They knew he was a Caldwell, everyone did. So she should be able to introduce herself as Creed’s fiancée to the crowd. But if he was undercover, there had to be a reason Katy had told her to be careful. Sloane sighed in frustration, wishing she’d bothered to ask more questions. Linc happened to glance over at that time to see her standing there, and she saw the recognition in his eyes even as he turned away from her. She watched as he removed his arm from the blonde’s waist, tugging on a curl and grinning. He said something to the small group, before turning and walking away.

  Taking that as her cue to follow him, Sloane waited a moment until he was just far enough ahead that it would not be obvious, before wandering after him. Soon she found herself entering a large building with several stalls filled with horses. She caught a glimpse of Linc as he turned the corner ahead of her, and she glanced around to make sure no one else was around before quickly following. After two more turns, Sloane stopped when she saw him standing at an open doorway in the back of the building, alone. A shoulder rested against the doorframe, and one leg was crossed over the other, as he gazed out into the dark night.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice low and tight, as she walked up beside him.

  “I needed to see you,” Sloane replied, her eyes on his face. “I didn’t know how else to get a hold of you.”

  “It’s not safe for you to be around me, Sloane,” he told her gruffly, meeting her gaze. “You are putting yourself in danger, and that’s going to piss Creed off.”

  Sloane grinned, “Only if he finds out.”

  A short burst of laughter left Linc, before he turned away from her, once again looking out into the darkness. “It must be important if you came all of this way.”

  “It is,” she agreed softly, “it is very important to your brother, and to me.”

  When he glanced back at her, one eyebrow raised, she continued, “We’re getting married two weeks from today, Linc. It is going to take place at the church that your family and I attend, a small ceremony with family and friends, and the reception will be at your parent’s ranch. I expect you to be there.”

  Linc’s eyes darkened, and he shook his head, “Sloane, I can’t do that. Do you not understand what is going on here?”

  “I understand everything,” she replied evenly, unwilling to give up on something she knew would mean a lot to the man she loved. “I know what you are doing. I know the dangers. But, I also know that Creed loves you, and he wants you there.”

  “Creed would never expect me…”

  “He doesn’t,” Sloane interrupted. “He doesn’t expect anything from any of you, but I do.”

  “Dammit, Sloane!”

  “No,” she spat out. “That man would do anything for you. He would lay down his life for you in a heartbeat. All I am asking is that you attend the wedding. You can leave as soon as it is over. It’s just a few hours out of your day.”

  Linc closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “It’s not that I don’t want to be there,” he muttered. “I do. I just don’t want to draw attention to my family.”

  “You have no idea what the hell your family has been through these last few months,” Sloane growled, her frustration with the man growing rapidly. “You have no clue what we have all dealt with.”

  Linc’s eyes snapped open at the fierceness in her voice. “Creed isn’t the only one who needs you to come home, Linc Caldwell. Everyone needs you right now, especially your mother. She just shot a man recently, and is having a difficult time getting past it. She needs her boys there. She needs you home.”

  “What? What the hell is going on? Is anyone hurt?”

  “It’s a long story,” Sloane said, “one we don’t have time for here. Everyone is fine now, except for a few nightmares I’m sure.” Resting her hands on her hips, she turned to face him fully, “But just know this, Linc. I am about to become a Caldwell. If I have learned anything in the past year that I have known your family, it’s that the Caldwells do anything and everything within their power to protect the ones they love. To make them happy. You will be at that wedding, Linc. You will be there with bells on, do you understand?”

  Linc’s eyes widened again, and then a slow smirk crossed his lips, “Bells?”

  “Yes, mother-fuc
king bells,” she ground out before turning around and walking away without a backward glance. She had done all she could here. He would either be there, or he wouldn’t, but at least she would know she had done what she could on her end to get him back to Serenity Springs and his family, even if it was only for a few hours.

  Chapter 5

  Creed pulled into the station early Monday morning, exhaustion eating away at him, as he parked in his designated spot on the side of the building. Removing the key from the ignition, he sat in silence for a minute, squeezing his eyes shut tiredly and swearing softly. He’d received an emergency call just after midnight about a hit and run accident out on Highway 2. What he found when he got there would be engrained in his mind for a long time.

  When he pulled off on the side of the road and rolled to a stop behind the wreck, his lights shone on the tangled mess in front of him. It had taken him less than thirty seconds to figure out who the car belonged to. When he did, he was out of his truck and beside the smashed vehicle in an instant. Peering into what was left of the backseat, he breathed a sigh of relief when he found the car seat that normally held a happy, giggling two year old infant in it empty. The mother, Amy Townsend, was unconscious in the front of the car, pinned back against the seat by the steering wheel. She had a huge gash on her forehead and glass was embedded in several spots all over her upper body. It had taken the Jaws of Life to get her out of what was left of the vehicle, before she was rushed to the hospital where they would hopefully be able to save her life.

  Not half a mile from where Amy had been found, they came upon the other car that was involved in the accident. It had skidded off the road, colliding with a large tree. The man behind the wheel of the old battered pickup hadn’t been as lucky as Amy. At least she had a fighting chance. The stench of alcohol permeated the air when Creed opened the door to the truck, beer cans falling out onto the ground. The man’s head rested against the back of the seat, his sightless gaze resting on the ceiling. Creed knew who he was as well. Clive Hanson, the town drunk. He’d been arrested several times for disorderly conduct, but never for drunk driving. The man lived in town, just five blocks from the bar he frequented. He always walked, or so they thought. What was he doing out on Highway 2 in the middle of the night, drunk off his ass?