been in existence for over a hundred years when this little gal made an appearance. My brothers and me never considered what havoc this little spitfire would cause in all our lives and our future.”
More laughter.
Keely’s stomach clenched. She desperately wanted Jack by her side as support in case her father’s impromptu speech somehow embarrassed her.
“Our beautiful Keely was the only girl for a long time. But with the arrival of more darlin’ little girls into the McKay family the last few years,” he winked and waved at his granddaughters, Liesl, Oxsana and Sasha, “me’n my brothers know that times are changin’ and these girls deserve to have an equal part in the McKay Ranch if they choose to.
“So we’ve restructured the way we’re doin’ things and… Hell, it’ll be easier to show you. Hang on a second.” He released Keely’s hand and rooted in the inside pocket of his suit coat. He held out a folded piece of paper.
Keely gave him a blank look.
“Go on, girlie. Open it up.”
With shaking hands, Keely unfolded the legal document and she scanned the words. She reread it twice before she met her father’s bright eyes. “Daddy, are you serious?”
“Yep.”
8
www.samhainpublishing.com
Slow Ride
The McKay Ranch had deeded Keely and Jack Donohue two hundred acres. Beyond shocked, beyond touched, she couldn't utter a single word.
Carson whirled around, searching the crowd. “Donohue? Where are you?”
Jack stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Keely’s waist before he peered at the document.
He looked at Keely and then Carson. “Wow. That’s very generous. Thank you, sir.”
“My pleasure. Though, I don’t envy the headaches you’re gonna have building my girl her dream house on that spot she’s always had her eye on. Do you know how many dollhouses she had growin’ up? I can’t count all the hours she spent redecorating them.”
More laughter.
Her father, the comedian. Just when she was afraid he’d keep going, Carson handed the microphone back to JC. He walked straight into the arms of Keely’s mother, who stood on the edge of the dance floor, with damp cheeks and wet eyes.
JC said, “Let’s give our bride and groom their first dance as husband and wife.”
Jack tucked the paper inside his tux pocket and brought Keely against his body as the band began to play “So Good in Love” by George Strait.
Keely clutched him, burying her face in his neck to hide her tears.
Jack didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. He just knew what she needed and gave it to her without question.
God she loved this man.
The song ended and another slow one began. She’d specifically requested all slow songs be played first, figuring it’d be the only time she’d get to slow dance with her husband.
Sure enough, her oldest brother, Cord, tapped Jack on the shoulder during the second song. “Mind if I cut in?”
“Hell yes, I mind. Go dance with your own wife, McKay.”
Okay. That was…atypical Jack behavior.
Her next oldest brother, Colby, tried to cut in, and once again, Jack refused.
Same response when her brother Colt approached them.
Same response when her brother Cam approached them.
Same response when her brother Carter approached them.
Then Jack systematically shot down all eight of her McKay cousins and all eight of her West cousins.
Puzzled by his hard stance, she whispered, “Jack. What is wrong with you?”
“I don’t trust any of your redneck relatives not to hijack you for that stupid ‘steal the bride’ tradition.
I’m letting them know the only man stealing you away tonight is me.” His lips brushed her ear. “In one hour and seventeen minutes.”
“Oh.” That was really sort of sweet. Demented, but sweet.
www.samhainpublishing.com
9
Lorelei James
Finally Jack relented and let Keely dance with his brother Justin—but only because Jack was dancing right beside them with his mother, Doro, the entire time, watching them like a
More laughter.
Keely’s stomach clenched. She desperately wanted Jack by her side as support in case her father’s impromptu speech somehow embarrassed her.
“Our beautiful Keely was the only girl for a long time. But with the arrival of more darlin’ little girls into the McKay family the last few years,” he winked and waved at his granddaughters, Liesl, Oxsana and Sasha, “me’n my brothers know that times are changin’ and these girls deserve to have an equal part in the McKay Ranch if they choose to.
“So we’ve restructured the way we’re doin’ things and… Hell, it’ll be easier to show you. Hang on a second.” He released Keely’s hand and rooted in the inside pocket of his suit coat. He held out a folded piece of paper.
Keely gave him a blank look.
“Go on, girlie. Open it up.”
With shaking hands, Keely unfolded the legal document and she scanned the words. She reread it twice before she met her father’s bright eyes. “Daddy, are you serious?”
“Yep.”
8
www.samhainpublishing.com
Slow Ride
The McKay Ranch had deeded Keely and Jack Donohue two hundred acres. Beyond shocked, beyond touched, she couldn't utter a single word.
Carson whirled around, searching the crowd. “Donohue? Where are you?”
Jack stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Keely’s waist before he peered at the document.
He looked at Keely and then Carson. “Wow. That’s very generous. Thank you, sir.”
“My pleasure. Though, I don’t envy the headaches you’re gonna have building my girl her dream house on that spot she’s always had her eye on. Do you know how many dollhouses she had growin’ up? I can’t count all the hours she spent redecorating them.”
More laughter.
Her father, the comedian. Just when she was afraid he’d keep going, Carson handed the microphone back to JC. He walked straight into the arms of Keely’s mother, who stood on the edge of the dance floor, with damp cheeks and wet eyes.
JC said, “Let’s give our bride and groom their first dance as husband and wife.”
Jack tucked the paper inside his tux pocket and brought Keely against his body as the band began to play “So Good in Love” by George Strait.
Keely clutched him, burying her face in his neck to hide her tears.
Jack didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. He just knew what she needed and gave it to her without question.
God she loved this man.
The song ended and another slow one began. She’d specifically requested all slow songs be played first, figuring it’d be the only time she’d get to slow dance with her husband.
Sure enough, her oldest brother, Cord, tapped Jack on the shoulder during the second song. “Mind if I cut in?”
“Hell yes, I mind. Go dance with your own wife, McKay.”
Okay. That was…atypical Jack behavior.
Her next oldest brother, Colby, tried to cut in, and once again, Jack refused.
Same response when her brother Colt approached them.
Same response when her brother Cam approached them.
Same response when her brother Carter approached them.
Then Jack systematically shot down all eight of her McKay cousins and all eight of her West cousins.
Puzzled by his hard stance, she whispered, “Jack. What is wrong with you?”
“I don’t trust any of your redneck relatives not to hijack you for that stupid ‘steal the bride’ tradition.
I’m letting them know the only man stealing you away tonight is me.” His lips brushed her ear. “In one hour and seventeen minutes.”
“Oh.” That was really sort of sweet. Demented, but sweet.
www.samhainpublishing.com
9
Lorelei James
Finally Jack relented and let Keely dance with his brother Justin—but only because Jack was dancing right beside them with his mother, Doro, the entire time, watching them like a
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