Page 34 of One Heated Summer

“Harlyn, this is ma…Frida and Dad…Carter.”

I held a hand toward his mother but she dragged me into a hug and kissed my cheek. “You are every bit as beautiful as my son said and I look forward to spending time getting to know you. Welcome to our family, honey.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling a little shy.

Carter held out both arms. “Would you mind?”

“We’re huggers in our family,” Jensen explained.

I laughed, shook my head, and was immediately engulfed in the man’s arms. “As my wife said, welcome to the family, honey.”

I thanked him and for the next half an hour, I was hugged and the men shook Jensen’s hand while the ladies also hugged him and congratulated us both.

Malaine presented me with the largest bunch of flowers I’d ever seen on behalf of her family and Jensen was gifted a bottle of whisky. We then were seated at the table with Jensen’s family and enjoyed a feast fit for a king and queen that lasted well into the evening.

After saying goodnight, Jensen, his parents and I all got into my pickup and we headed to the Triple C Ranch where Frida and Carter were staying during their visit which was to last for two weeks.

On the way there, I asked a question that I’d been puzzling over.

“Carter, why is your ranch…or rather Jensen’s ranch now, called The Triple C?”

“The ranch was established by my grandfather—Colin but never had a name. It was simply known as the Thomas Ranch. Then my father, Cowan inherited and when I was born and Mom named me Carter, he decided to call it The Triple C.”

“Oh, I love that there is meaning to the name. Do you know why mine is Hazy Downs?”

“Bill named it that about a month after he bought the place. We had a massive dust storm and the air stayed hazy for almost two days. He said when he looked out over the pastures the ground looked like it had ups and downs caused by the dust haze,” Carter explained.

“Did you know my grandfather very well?”

“Carter and Bill were the best of friends until he had the argument with your dad. He was a cranky old bastard after your mom and dad left and pretty much cut himself off from everyone. It really hurt him…the rift with your dad, but he was too damn stubborn to reach out and when your father eventually did, he refused to give him the time of day. It was all very sad and he died a bitter old man.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “I would have loved to have known him better but he wouldn’t even return my calls after mom and dad died.”

“He’d be proud of how you’re managing his ranch,” Jensen reached out and squeezed my hand.

After we dropped his parents at The Triple C ranch house, we drove to my place and spent the night wrapped in each other’s arms after making slow, languorous love, sealing the promise of our engagement.

Epilogue

Harlyn

July, the following year.

It was my wedding day. I was marrying the man of my dreams. The man who kept my world turning. The man who had taken possession of my heart. The man I couldn’t imagine living without. The past year had been one of new beginnings, and of events best left in the past.

A knock sounded at my bedroom door and I turned to see my soon to be mother in law who had huge smile on her face.

“You are an absolute knock out. Jensen’s eyes will bug out of his head when he sees you.”

I stepped forward and placed my hands on Frida’s forearms.

“I can’t thank you enough for all your help and for being my attendant today.”

Frida hugged me. “It’s been absolutely wonderful being a part of your planning. I’m sorry your parents can’t be here but I know they’ll be watching over you.”

“Hopefully Grandma will have brought my grandfather to his senses and all four of them will celebrate my marriage.”

Frida hugged me. “Ready to become Mrs. Johnson-Thomas?”

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