Still, the midway point was something of a milestone, that being where Hutch had announced that he couldn’t go through with the rest of the ceremony the last time around, but Zane’s gaze never wavered. He seemed to be willing her forward, to take her place at his side, not just for that night, but for always and always.
For Brylee, everything happened in slow motion after that.
Walker gave her away, his voice gruff with pride and love, and tears rolled down Casey’s, Amy’s and Clare’s faces, even as the brightness of their smiles rivaled the candlelight.
Zane moved to stand beside her and subtly took her hand, gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, full of meaning. I’m here to stay, babe. For good.
Brylee’s throat tightened and went so dry she was afraid her vows might come out as gruff croaks, but the whole ceremony went without a hitch, right down to “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
After the kiss, though, Zane broke tradition by sweeping his bride up into his arms and carrying her back down the aisle, while the wedding guests laughed and cried and even applauded.
The reception, over at the Somerset Inn, passed in a blur, just as the wedding had. There were photographs to pose for, and the usual, precious routine of feeding each other cake while cameras clicked all around them.
There was that first dance, with Brylee and Zane alone on the floor at first, while the band spun out the old standard “At Last,” the music unfurling like bright, multicolored banners and causing more clapping, laughing and crying among the guests.
“Now can we have sex?” Brylee whispered to Zane, a couple of hours later, when the celebration was finally beginning to wind down. Six months of close but hands-off proximity was all she could stand, and she made no secret of it, with her new husband at least.
Zane laughed. “Well, not now,” he retorted, with a twinkle. “But the moment the door of the bridal suite closes behind us? Hold on to something, Mrs. Sutton, because I’m planning on taking you down.”
Everything inside Brylee crackled at the prospect. Six months was a long, long time to abstain, but they’d managed it. Somehow.
Soon after the spicy exchange with Zane, Brylee danced with Walker, who informed her, with a sparkle in his eyes, that Casey thought she might be starting labor, so they’d be heading straight for the small hospital in Parable, in short order. Clare had her driver’s license now, and she’d get herself, Shane and Preston home just fine.
Brylee said she was worried about road conditions, but Walker silenced her with a brotherly kiss on the forehead.
“This is your wedding night, sweetheart,” he reminded her. “And that’s all you need to think about.”
The song ended, and before Walker could lead his kid sister off the dance floor, Hutch appeared in front of her, grinning. He and Kendra had a son now, in addition to their two daughters; they’d been cheek to cheek during the reception, even when the music wasn’t playing. Both of them were lit from within.
Brylee smiled up into the face of the man she’d once believed she loved, and was destined to spend the rest of her life with. “Thank you,” she said, very softly.
Hutch arched one eyebrow, pretending to be puzzled, but his grin was unchanged. “Told you so,” he teased. “Remember?”
“I remember,” Brylee confirmed, as they moved in time to the music. She was getting tired; she wanted to get out of her beautiful but cumbersome dress and especially her high heels, but this moment was almost as much a part of her wedding as the vows and the music and the flickering candlelight. “You said I’d thank you for calling it off someday, when I met the right man.” She scanned the couples surrounding them, spotted Zane waltzing with Clare, his head thrown back as he laughed at something she’d said. “And you were right, Hutch. Once again, thank you.”
He chuckled and kissed her forehead, much as Walker had done, and when the set was over, he squeezed her hand, grinned again and walked away.
Zane was immediately there, taking her into his arms.
“Happy?” he asked.
“Happy doesn’t begin to cover it,” Brylee replied, gazing up at him. “I love you, Zane Sutton.”
“And I love you, Mrs. Sutton. Now, what do you say we sneak out of here and get started on our honeymoon?”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Brylee said, grinning.
* * *
BRYLEE WONDERED, AS Zane set her back on her feet inside the modest but beautifully decorated bridal suite, if any bride had ever gotten naked as quickly as she did.
She took a look around, saw that a cheery fire crackled on the hearth, champagne cooled in a silver bucket full of ice, fat snowflakes were falling beyond the windows, and the floor, as well as the bed, had been liberally sprinkled with all-color flower petals, bright as the pieces of a broken rainbow.
And she practically scrambled out of the magnificent dress and the heavy petticoat beneath, tore off the twinkling veil, kicked away the satin shoes that had been pinching her feet from “I do” onward and stood before her groom in silk stockings, a teddy, what was left of her summer tan, and the elegant silver cuff bracelet Zane had given her a few months before, as a sort of pre-engagement gift. The exquisitely fashioned horse-head in its center represented their shared love of animals, and, like her rings, she rarely took the piece off.
With an appreciative chuckle, Zane locked the door behind them without turning away from her. He divested her of the stockings and then the teddy, and then, hooking a finger under the knot of his string tie, he worked that loose. Pretending to remember something crucial, he snapped his fingers and said, “Damn. I forgot to bring condoms.”
Brylee helped him out of the fancy tuxedo coat, the cummerbund, the snow-white shirt with its pleated front. “Good,” she said, splaying her hands over his wonderful chest. “We can make a baby.”
He laughed, kissed her teasingly, ran his hands over her shoulders, her breasts, the curves of her waist and hips. “That’s a fine idea,” he said, as though pleasantly surprised by her decision.
In truth, they’d agreed weeks ago to start their family as soon as possible, and they’d both been busy rearranging their lives, making room for each other.
Zane’s house had been transformed, thanks to the amazing Cleo, probably still kicking up her flashy heels at the reception, and her devoted construction crews. Toby had already been installed in the renovated barn, along with Nash’s horse, Luckdragon, and, of course, Blackjack. Nash was now Zane’s legal ward, a permanent part of the family, and he seemed to love it.
Brylee, for her part, wasn’t ready to sell Décor Galore outright, or to go public, but in a year, when her personal sabbatical ended, she might just do that. In the meantime, Amy was definitely rising to the challenges of running a major company, blossoming under the increased responsibility and certainly the much larger paycheck, and Brylee knew she could trust her friend not only to take care of her “baby” but cause it to thrive.
Zane kissed away every coherent thought in Brylee’s head over the next few minutes and, somehow, they wound up lying on the fake-fur rug in front of the fireplace, Zane as naked as she was.
Brylee ached to be joined to him again, and she knew Zane felt the same way, but his damnable self-control was the stuff of legends—very private ones, of course.
He still knew where to touch her, where to kiss, where to nibble or use his tongue, and in no time at all, he’d transformed her into that fitful she-wolf she’d been before, moaning and writhing with primitive need.
Finally, in complete desperation, Brylee locked her fingers in his love-tousled hair and pulled him into another kiss, this one so steamy, so commanding, that Zane was doing all the groaning.
“Inside me,” she rasped, when the need for air forced them to pause. “I need you inside me, Zane.”
He took her quickly, with a hard, deep thrust, and if she hadn’t been so busy flexing with the instant climax that resulted, she might have been surprised, given the way he’d drawn things ou
t that night after the barbecue at Hutch and Kendra’s.
But the sweet violence seizing and then reseizing, in the innermost parts of her kept her fully occupied.
Finally, with a sigh, she was satisfied—only to feel yet another release building inside her, more slowly this time, and even more treacherously, deliciously powerful.
Zane, meanwhile, moved upon her, inside her, at an exquisitely slow pace. He told her he loved her, that she was beautiful, that she was his now, as much as she was her own.
Could love break a heart?
Yes, Brylee concluded breathlessly, moving in rhythm with her husband, climbing, climbing, arching her back to take him deeper, not only into her body, but into her soul itself. Love was breaking her heart, in those glorious moments of fast-approaching ecstasy, breaking it open, enlarging the mysterious interior and flooding it with light, making room for Zane and for their children, and for their children’s children.
With a lusty shout, Brylee gave herself to her man, completely.
And she received all of Zane Sutton in return. For keeps.
* * * * *
Look for Linda Lael Miller’s next Parable book,
BIG SKY SECRETS, on sale
from Harlequin HQN in January 2014
at your favorite retail outlet.
Love awaits in Parable, Montana…
If you loved Big Sky Wedding, don’t miss these other great titles from New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller.
Big Sky Summer
Big Sky River
Big Sky Mountain
Big Sky Country
Want more? There are more than forty Linda Lael Miller titles available in ebook format, including numerous stories featuring the memorable men and relationships of the Creeds and McKettricks series. Available wherever ebooks are sold!
Connect with us for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Subscribe to our newsletter: Harlequin.com/newsletters
Visit Harlequin.com
We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
Read our blog for all the latest news on our authors and books: HarlequinBlog.com
ISBN: 9781460318065
BIG SKY WEDDING
Copyright © 2013 by Linda Lael Miller
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.Harlequin.com
The “First Lady of the West,” #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller, cordially invites you to Parable, Montana—where love awaits
Wedding bells are ringing in Parable, Montana, but Brylee Parrish hasn’t enjoyed the sound since being jilted at the altar by Hutch Carmody. She’s over Hutch now, and running a multimillion-dollar business is challenging enough for this country gal. So she should avoid falling head-over-boot-heels for A-list actor Zane Sutton. He’s come home to his rodeo roots, but Hollywood lured him away once and just might again. Yet everything about him, from his easy charm to his concern for his young half brother, seems too genuine to resist….
Zane didn’t come to Parable for love—but count on a spirited woman to change a jaded cowboy’s mind. Problem is, Brylee’s not convinced he’s here to stay. Good thing he’s determined to prove to her, kiss by kiss, that she’s meant to be his bride.
Praise for #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller
“Miller’s return to Parable is a charming story of love in its many forms…. [A] sweetly entertaining and alluring tale.”
—RT Book Reviews on Big Sky River
“Miller’s down-home, easy-to-read style keeps the plot moving, and she includes…likable characters, picturesque descriptions and some very sweet pets.”
—Publishers Weekly on Big Sky Country
“A delightful addition to Miller’s Big Sky series. This author has a way with a phrase that is nigh-on poetic…this story [is] especially entertaining.”
—RT Book Reviews on Big Sky Mountain
“Miller’s name is synonymous with the finest in western romance.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Linda Lael Miller creates vibrant characters and stories I defy you to forget.”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
“A passionate love too long denied drives the action in this multifaceted, emotionally rich reunion story that overflows with breathtaking sexual chemistry.”
—Library Journal on McKettricks of Texas: Tate
“Miller’s prose is smart, and her tough Eastwoodian cowboy cuts a sharp, unexpectedly funny figure in a classroom full of rambunctious frontier kids.”
—Publishers Weekly on The Man from Stone Creek
Also available from
Linda Lael Miller
and Harlequin HQN
The Parable series
Big Sky River
Big Sky Mountain
Big Sky Country
Big Sky Summer
McKettricks of Texas
An Outlaw’s Christmas
A Lawman’s Christmas
McKettricks of Texas: Austin
McKettricks of Texas: Garrett
McKettricks of Texas: Tate
The Creed Cowboys
The Creed Legacy
Creed’s Honor
A Creed in Stone Creek
The Stone Creek series
The Bridegroom
The Rustler
A Wanted Man
The Man from Stone Creek
The McKettricks
A McKettrick Christmas
McKettrick’s Heart
McKettrick’s Pride
McKettrick’s Luck
McKettrick’s Choice
The Mojo Sheepshanks series
Deadly Deceptions
Deadly Gamble
The Montana Creeds
A Creed Country Christmas
Montana Creeds: Tyler
Montana Creeds: Dylan
Montana Creeds: Logan
Coming soon
Big Sky Secrets
Dear Reader,
We’re back in Three Trees and Parable, Montana, where the wedding bells just keep ringing!
Big Sky Wedding brings you the story of Brylee Parish—a heroine who hasn’t been so lucky in love. Only interested in running her multimillion-dollar business, she has no plans to hear those bells for herself anytime soon. Especially not with Zane Sutton—the A-list actor and playboy who’s come back to his rodeo roots.
Brylee’s not convinced of his charm, or that he’s home to stay. But Zane’s not giving up. This hardheaded cowboy is determined to make her see she’s meant to be his bride. Love is in the air in Big Sky Country, and I think we’re all ready for these two to take a big whiff.
In addition to this brand-new story, I’m delighted to announce that I have teamed up with Montana Silversmiths, the legendary makers of championship belt buckles and fabulous Western jewelry, to crea
te a piece I call “Brylee’s Bracelet.” You’ll read all about it in the book and might even find yourself wanting one of your own. Just go to www.montanasilversmiths.com/brylees-bracelet. And know that one hundred percent of my share of the profits will go toward establishing perpetual funding for my Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, in the hope that generations of deserving ladies of all ages will continue to benefit from the program.
Meanwhile, stop on by www.lindalaelmiller.com for my (almost) daily blog, excerpts from my books, videos of some very sexy cowboys, scholarship news and fun contests, along with a few surprises now and then. And be sure to look for Big Sky Secrets, out in January!
Happy trails, and thanks for the listen.
With love,
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
EPILOGUE