Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

“ Y ou look beautiful, sweetheart,” Oscar said as he stepped up behind Magnolia and placed his hands on her arms.

“Thanks,” Magnolia said dully as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She ran her hand over the smooth, silky fabric. The dress was more exquisite than she’d ever imagined. This should be one of the best days of her life, the fulfillment of every young girl’s dream. And yet, Magnolia had never felt emptier. Would she grow to love Roman? The thought of being intimate with him turned her nauseous. Every time she closed her eyes, she kept seeing Lucas’s face. The tender expression of his blue-gray eyes called to her. What good was money if she couldn’t have Lucas? Why couldn’t he have stood by her? She would’ve given up everything for him, but when push came to shove, he couldn’t follow through.

“Too bad your mother couldn’t be here to see you,” Oscar said morosely. Magnolia studied his reflection in the mirror, struck by the deep sadness in his eyes. Was that how she would be? An empty shell of a person? The words rose from her lips and spilled out between them. “What happened between you and Mom?” She’d been thinking a lot about her parents’ marriage over the past several hours. This morning, she’d gotten down on her knees and prayed for direction. She prayed for peace. She even prayed for Lucas, asking the Lord to help him find his focus. How desperately she wanted him back. She kept getting the distinct impression that she needed to get some answers surrounding her parents’ divorce. She didn’t know how that tied into her situation, but she’d learned to trust her feelings.

He blinked in surprise. “Today isn’t a good time to talk about this,” he said tersely.

She turned to face him. The need to know the truth rose inside her like a fire-breathing dragon that refused to be quelled. She’d either find the answers to her questions or she’d incinerate from the inside out. She looked him in the eye. “If not now, when?” She clenched her jaw. “It was about the money, wasn’t it?”

The color drained from his face, letting her know that she’d hit her mark. “It was!” She felt her nostrils flare as she planted her hands on her hips. “Grandfather and Grandmother destroyed your marriage.” Her head swung back and forth, as a sickening feeling settled in her gut.

“The money did eventually come between me and Janet,” Oscar admitted. His words were flat and dull. “Janet felt guilty for knocking me out of my inheritance.” He exhaled loudly. “And I …” His voice faltered as he shoved his hands into his pockets, looking down at the ground.

Heat flushed through Magnolia’s body. “It wasn’t Mom’s guilt that drove y’all apart. It was you!” Her words came out in short bursts, her head spinning so fast that it made her dizzy. “You resented Mom because you gave up the money for her. Grandfather and Grandmother cut you off without a cent. You couldn’t handle living without the money.” When he didn’t respond, her voice shook with wrath. “Isn’t that right? How could you?” Tears brimmed in her eyes. “We could’ve been a family,” she uttered hoarsely.

He lifted his face to hers. The naked pain in his eyes cut her to the core. “I failed Janet.” His voice broke. “I have to live every day with that knowledge. I didn’t want that to happen to you, which is why I told Lucas—” His eyes widened as he clamped his mouth shut. His face was lobster red.

She clenched her hands, getting up in his face. “Told Lucas what?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he mumbled.

She threw her head back. “Of course it matters!”

“Keep your voice down,” he warned in a low tone. “Do you want the wedding planner and her staff to hear you?”

“I’m beyond caring who hears me!” she screamed. “I wanna know what happened. What did you tell Lucas?”

He drew his lips together. “Okay. Lower your voice, and I’ll tell you.”

When he’d finished, a blistering anger raged through Magnolia. “You drove him away!”

“I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn’t want you to end up like me.”

Magnolia’s dress suddenly felt too tight. She could feel perspiration oozing from every pore in her body. “Thanks to what you did, I’m about to end up exactly like you! I’ll have a truckload of money, and I’ll be utterly and wretchedly alone.” She lifted her chin. “Congratulations, your daughter has grown up to be just like you.”

He winced, giving her a wounded look. “I thought I was doing what was best.”

On some level Magnolia knew that what he was saying was true. Her father had always wanted what was best for her. Magnolia knew that he loved her, but he didn’t know how to show it. Right now, however, she was too livid to mince her words.

Sarina, the wedding planner, knocked once before opening the bedroom door and sticking her head in. “Everything is a go. We’re ready when you are.” Her cheery smile fell a notch when she got a good look at Magnolia and Oscar. “Is everything okay?”

Oscar offered a tight smile. “We’re fine. Just give us a few more minutes.”

“Okay,” she replied in a voice too chipper, “just stick your head out the door and let me know when you’re ready.” She popped out, closing the door.

Oscar turned to Magnolia. “Now that you have all the information, what’re you going to do?” Usually, he was in complete control of himself and his surroundings. She’d never before seen him look so distraught or defeated.

A humorless laugh rattled Magnolia’s throat. “You mean all the information that you’ve been keeping from me?” she slung out. She could tell that her words cut. Normally, she tried to be respectful of her father, but right now, she had to get the ire out or she’d explode. She pressed her fingers to her temples and closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down enough to think. Lucas had left because he thought he was doing what was best for Magnolia. He hadn’t given up on her … not exactly. Her heart wrenched at the irony. Lucas thought he was being noble by leaving. She was so furious with her father.

What was she going to do? A new thought circled her brain. She didn’t have to get married to Roman. She could break the chain of control that her grandparents had exerted over her and her parents. Did she have the courage to do it? Now that she knew that Lucas still loved her, it changed everything.

“I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you,” her father said, his eyes going glassy. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”

Not wanting to argue any further, she remained silent.

He cleared his throat. “I’ll be outside the door, waiting to walk you down the aisle.”

She lifted an eyebrow in cynical amusement. “You seem awfully sure that I’m going through with this.”

“Money is a powerful persuader,” he said sadly.

She thrust out her chin. “So is love.”

He nodded, but she could tell that he didn’t believe her. “I’ll be right outside.”

She waited until he’d left the room before turning to look at her reflection. What kind of woman was Magnolia Bentley? The type to hold her ground for love or the type to marry for money? Her father was right. The lure of money was intoxicating. She balled her fists. She could rise above this! She could break the chain! She could give herself the purest gift of all—the gift to choose one’s life and love. “Lucas Romeo, what have you done to me?” she muttered.

Another knock sounded at the door. Her father stuck his head in. “It’s time,” he announced soberly.

She ran a hand over the bodice of the dress. “It is beautiful,” she murmured. The right dress, the wrong groom. She adjusted her veil, giving her face one last check. “Here goes nothing,” she said as she straightened her shoulders. “Let’s do this,” she said to her father as she linked her arm through his.

“I knew you’d come around,” he sighed in relief.

“Yep, I have come around.” It’s about time! she added to herself.

When Magnolia and her father reached the atrium, they stood just outside the door, waiting for the wedding march so they could walk down the aisle. One of the assistants to the wedding planner handed Magnolia her bouquet. Her colors were dusty rose and sage green. Magnolia had felt it was a perfect combination for a winter wedding.

Roman was the picture of elegance in his tux, standing erect and tall, his dark hair gleaming. He wore a cavalier smile, but it seemed a little strained around the edges. Magnolia thought he might be a touch nervous. Her grandfather was sitting on the front row. Eric Stanford and his wife were beside him. There were around twenty other guests, but Magnolia didn’t know a one of them.

The wedding march sounded. Magnolia and her father jumped into gear as they propelled their feet forward, going down the aisle. The guests rose to their feet. Her father delivered her to Roman. They faced the preacher who was standing in front of an ornately carved wooden arch, draped with some of the most beautiful flowers and greenery Magnolia had ever seen. The decorators had outdone themselves. It was an incredible space—one that would have had Pinterest lovers salivating.

Roman’s gaze flickered over her with appreciation. It seemed strange that the two of them had once been close. She’d been happy with Roman for a time, but then her heart had longed for more. All the memories were there, but they felt like they were part of someone else’s life instead of her own. Roman was still as handsome as ever with his dazzling smile and dark eyes, but he did nothing for her. Not anymore.

“Dearly beloved,” the preacher began, “we are gathered here today to witness the union of this couple.” As he continued the ceremony, Magnolia took in his appearance. The preacher was a thin man with stooped shoulders who looked to be in his late sixties. He had a shock of white hair and hawklike features. His skin was pitted like he might’ve had acne at one time. There was a faint stain on his shirt, to the right of his burgundy tie. Magnolia wondered what he’d eaten before coming. She had no idea how much the preacher was being paid to officiate the ceremony. She’d never even thought to ask how much the caterer or wedding planner charged. Her grandfather was paying for the entire thing, so money wasn’t an object.

She felt like she was standing on a precipice, with her entire life spread before her. If she chose to walk away from her inheritance, she would have to make a vow to herself that she wouldn’t fall into the same trap her father had. She couldn’t let money come between her and Lucas. Could she do it? Was she strong enough to just walk away? The current of tradition in the Bentley family was strong and swift like river rapids. Could she navigate them without getting pulled under?

It startled her when she realized that the preacher and Roman were looking at her expectantly. Was this where she was supposed to say I do?

She coughed. “I’m sorry, could you please repeat the question?” This brought gentle ripples of laughter from the audience. She looked at Roman. His eyes were shadowed with concern.

The preacher looked down at the black leather book in his hands as if trying to find his place. He cleared his throat, starting again, “Magnolia Bentley, do you take Roman Abbott to be your lawfully wedded husband, forsaking all others, to have and to hold from this time forward, till death do you part?”

Here it was, the moment of truth. She felt her spirit split from her body. It soared forward, trying to discern how the future Magnolia Bentley would feel about the repercussions that would follow this fateful moment in time. She straightened her shoulders. “No,” she said loudly.

Roman’s face caved. “Think about what you’re doing,” he whispered in an urgent tone. “The money.”

She flinched. “I thought it wasn’t about the money for you.”

“It’s not,” he stammered, “I’m just thinking about you.”

Roman was such a smooth talker, so quick on his feet that she couldn’t be sure whether or not he was telling the truth. Then again, it didn’t matter. “I’m sorry,” she said loudly, “but I can’t marry you. I love someone else.”

Murmurs went through the crowd.

A look of panic streaked over the preacher’s face as he glanced at her grandfather. Everyone, it seemed, was keenly worried about her grandfather and his long arm of influence.

Magnolia turned to face the audience. “Thank you for coming out this evening. As a little girl, I would often dream about how my wedding would be. What kind of dress I’d wear. What type of decorations I’d have. The cake.” A wistful smile tipped her lips. “The groom.” She turned to Roman. “As far as looks go, I don’t think I could’ve asked for a more handsome groom.” She pulled her lips into tight lines. “There’s only one problem—I don’t love you.” She looked at her grandfather. His expression was livid. “You see, I love a man who’s not quite so comfortable in a high-dollar tux. A man who’s rough around the edges. A man who can be moody and intolerable at times. A man who doesn’t mind setting me straight on the very rare occasion when I need it.” This evoked a few rounds of laughter. “This man is a hard worker. He doesn’t need accolades or degrees from prestigious schools to make him feel good about himself.” She glanced at Roman. His face was beet red. “My late grandmother thought she knew what was best for me and other members of my family.” She looked at her father as she spoke. His expression was too guarded to read. “But she was mistaken. You see, love can’t be bought. We can’t always choose the person we’ll fall in love with, but when our heart makes up its mind, the best we can hope for is that we can have the courage to follow it.” Her voice choked as tears pressed against her eyes. “Money is a poor substitute for love. I’m sad that I won’t be able to claim my inheritance.” She cast her grandfather a pointed look. “But I will never regret following my heart.” Her voice shook with fury. “Long story short, I’m done playing by the rules. I’m ready to live life on my terms. I’ve often heard it said that faith must take a few steps into the darkness before coming into the light. Well, I’ve been wandering in the darkness for most of my life. It’s about time that I stepped into the light.” Her gaze went to her father. His eyes were shining, tears dribbling down his cheeks. A faint smile touched his lips as he gave her an admiring look.

“Amen!” a deep masculine voice chimed. She would’ve recognized that voice anywhere. She dropped her arm, letting the bouquet hang by her side as her other hand went over her heart. “Lucas,” she exclaimed. He’d come for her! A feeling of undiluted joy splashed through her. It registered in her brain that Lillian was beside him. She was wearing a bright red sequin dress that matched her hair. The dress was so out-of-place in the artful setting where every last detail had been so fastidiously planned that Magnolia couldn’t help but giggle. No one could plan for Lillian Yates.

The audience turned to look at Lucas. He marched forward with Lillian ambling behind him, using her walker. When he reached the wedding party, he homed in on the preacher and said with an authoritative, “I don’t know if you’ve gotten to this part yet, but I object to this wedding.”

“You’re out of line here,” Roman said hotly, his face contorting with indignation.

Lucas pointed at him. “Actually, you’re the one out of line. You’re a fraud!”

“This is outrageous!” Roman spat.

Lucas grunted. “Buddy, you ain’t seen nothing yet.” He drew back his fist and popped Roman in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. “That’s for trying to deceive my woman.”

Magnolia was stunned. For an instant it seemed as if everyone and everything around her was frozen. Then, her grandfather stood, outraged. “Call the police,” he said to one of the ushers.

“That’s a splendid idea, Benjamin,” Lillian said loudly.

“What is this about?” Benjamin demanded, glaring at Lillian.

She arched an eyebrow. “Why don’t you ask Eric?” Her voice cut the air like a sharpened knife through a ripe piece of fruit.

All eyes turned to the attorney. His fleshy face began blotching red. His wife put a protective hand on his arm.

Grandfather bunched his brows. “What’s going on, Eric?”

“I—I’m not sure,” Eric stammered.

“I’ll tell you what it’s about,” Lillian continued as she threw Roman a malevolent glare. “Roman Abbott is Eric’s nephew.”

The air whooshed out of Magnolia’s lungs. She looked at Roman and could tell from his panicked expression that it was true. She’d met Roman at the country club in New Orleans. They played tennis together. Her world expanded and contracted in a hard jolt. “My entire relationship with you was a sham,” she uttered. She ran her mind back through the course of their relationship as a short laugh clipped through her throat. “No wonder I kept feeling like something was off. You are a despicable snake.”

“And you’re an entitled snot,” Roman sneered. “I’m almost glad you found out the truth. Five years with you would’ve been torture. No amount of money is worth that.”

“Careful,” Lucas warned, the vein in his neck pulsing, “or I’ll finish what I started and give you the real thrashing that you deserve.”

Roman swore. “I’m out of here.” He looked straight at Eric before he stomped away.

“Now that the trash is gone, we can breathe a little easier,” Lillian declared with a laugh. She lasered in on Eric. “Well, some of the trash is gone.”

Lucas turned to Magnolia, searching her face. “I’m so sorry I left.” He jammed a hand through his hair. “I thought I was doing the right thing,” he muttered. “I thought I was giving you a chance to get your inheritance while having a happy life.” She could tell from the tortured look in his eyes that he’d been in turmoil. “It was a mistake.” The corners of his jaw twitched. “When I think about what could’ve happened if you’d married that clown …” his expression darkened “… it makes my skin crawl.”

All her emotions bubbled to the surface as she slapped him hard against the jaw. “That’s for leaving me!”

Lucas’s eyes widened in shock as his hand went to his face.

Laughter gurgled in Magnolia’s throat as tears sprang to her eyes. “This is for coming back.” She threw down her bouquet and flung her arms around Lucas’s neck as she pressed her lips to his, giving him a long, satisfying kiss that stoked her ache for him. She drank him in, needing the reassurance that he was hers.

When they pulled back, Lucas kept both arms firmly fixed around her waist. His eyes moved over her slow and appreciatively, causing her blood to warm. “You’re the song that I never wanna let go of,” he murmured.

“Luckily, you won’t ever have to,” she asserted. “I’m not letting you get away from me again.”

A corner of his mouth pulled up in a lopsided grin. “You throw a mean slap, princess,” he drawled. “Remind me not to ever again get on your bad side.” His expression grew serious. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” A smile curved her lips. “More than a little.”

Lillian began clapping. “Now that’s what I call a happy ending,” she exclaimed jubilantly.

Lucas released Magnolia’s waist. He reached for her hand, linking his fingers through hers. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Gladly,” she sighed.

“Wait a minute!” Eric interrupted, eyeing Lucas. “How do we know that you’re not after the money?”

“I think you’ve done enough damage,” Oscar said, a clear note of warning in his tone.

“I—I was only trying to carry out Carol’s wishes,” Eric sputtered, keeping his eyes fixed on Grandfather. “She wanted her granddaughter to marry someone with the right breeding and background so that Magnolia wouldn’t end up like Oscar. I was only trying to help. My nephew is a good man. He didn’t mean those things he said. He was just?—”

“Enough!” Grandfather commanded, holding up his hand. He gave Eric a look that was as scalding as it was cutting. “I’ll deal with you later.”

Eric was quelled into silence, shaking in his boots. Magnolia couldn’t help but feel a trace of admiration for her grandfather. Eric had better be scared. Grandfather was not one to cross. And the fact that he’d trusted Eric implicitly added fuel to the fire.

Grandfather turned to Lucas. “Unfortunately, Eric does bring up a good point. How do we know that you’re not here for the money?”

Anger surged through Magnolia. “Seriously? We’re back to this?”

“Benjamin does bring up a good point,” Lillian said.

“Thank you,” Benjamin clipped. “I’m glad someone here has enough sense to see things clearly.”

A large, checkmate smile filled Lillian’s face. “I know it’s tacky to discuss finances,” Lillian said in a chatty tone as she turned to the wedding guests nearest to where she was standing, “but in this case, I believe an exception can be made. Lucas, why don’t you explain to Benjamin why Magnolia’s inheritance is no longer an impediment?” Her eyes burned with determination as she peered over her glasses.

Magnolia turned to Lucas. “What’s going on?”

A sheepish grin moved over his lips. “Well, it would seem that I’m a man of substance.”

“He’s worth two point eight million dollars” Lillian said with a touch of pride.

Magnolia’s jaw dropped. “What? How?”

“Let’s just say that the past few hours have been interesting,” Lucas said.

“Lucas found a valuable treasure.” Lillian smiled at Magnolia and Lucas. “And I’m not talking about just money.”

Benjamin rubbed a hand over his forehead as he looked at Lillian. “Are you talking about that ridiculous treasure that you hide every year?” His voice escalated to a fevered pitch. “The one that you leave clues about on your blog?” He shook his head. “You really are as eccentric as everyone says. The eccentric billionaire who has more money than she knows what to do with.” He grunted. “Howard would roll over in his grave if he knew how you were squandering his money.”

“I like to think that Howard would be proud of the way I’m spending the money.” Lillian enunciated every word. “And for the record, I’d rather be known as eccentric than as a stubborn old curmudgeon who’ll go to his grave friendless. It sickens me to see what you and Carol have done to your granddaughter, with that dastardly trust fund.”

Magnolia’s mind was spinning. She turned to Lucas. “Lillian’s a billionaire?”

“Yep.” He grinned. “Remember how I told you that there was no way that Lillian and Sam were out in the boonies trying to find a Christmas tree?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I was right. They were hiding Lillian’s treasure. That’s what those teenagers were trying to get. Lillian’s treasure has made her famous.”

“Or infamous,” Lillian laughed.

Magnolia’s mind scrambled to catch up. She looked at Lillian. “Why would you hide a treasure and leave clues for people to find it?”

A wistful smile touched Lillian’s lips. “It started as a way to remember Howard. He died suddenly of a heart attack. In a fit of anger, I took every piece of jewelry Howard ever gave me and put it into a box. I buried it, hoping that it would help me bury my pain. Then, something magical happened. The treasure became bigger than me. It became a symbol of love and hope.” Her eyes sparkled with tender emotion. “You see, the treasure has a way of finding people who need it most. And sometimes on rare, wonderful occasions, I’m able to play a small part in getting it to its rightful owners.”

Magnolia turned to Lucas. “You and Lillian dug up her treasure?”

“Yep,” Lucas grinned. “We no longer need your inheritance. We’re free to live our lives as we please.”

Magnolia’s eyes misted. “You’re a millionaire, and you came for me?” she squeaked.

A tender smile touched Lucas’s lips. “I will always come for you, princess,” he said softly. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with this old country bumpkin cowboy.”

Mirth rippled in her throat. “Aren’t we the pair? The cowboy and the princess.”

Lucas motioned with his head. “Let’s get out of here.” His eyes twinkled. “We’ve got a ranch to look at.”

She giggled. “Arthur’s ranch.”

“Soon to be our ranch.”

“But you haven’t even seen it yet?” Magnolia protested.

“Oh, yes he has,” Lillian asserted.

Lucas grinned. “Like I said, the past several hours have been busy.”

They moved to leave, but Grandfather held up his hand. “Wait!” His gaze locked with Magnolia’s. He swallowed as if collecting his thoughts. “It would seem that in my efforts to ensure that you didn’t end up with someone who was after the money, I failed dismally.” He looked at Lucas. “I’m sorry that I misjudged you.”

Magnolia’s jaw dropped clear to her feet. In all her years, she’d never heard her grandfather admit fault.

“I assume that the two of you plan to get married?” Grandfather asked.

Magnolia and Lucas looked at one another. A smile stole over Lucas’s lips. “That’s the plan.”

“Well, why not do it here?” Grandfather’s voice hitched. “It would be a great honor to have you as part of this family,” he said to Lucas. A hint of a smile touched his lips. “And, it would fulfill the terms of a certain dastardly trust fund.” He made a point of looking at Lillian.

“But the trust fund requires us to get Eric’s approval,” Magnolia countered, “not just yours.”

Grandfather cut his eyes at Eric. “Don’t worry, he’ll approve it. Won’t you?” he growled.

“You bet he will,” Eric’s wife piped in, giving her husband a withering look.

Eric nodded as he adjusted his tie and tugged on the collar of his shirt like it had suddenly grown too tight.

“What do you think?” Lucas asked, eagerness shining in his arresting blue-gray eyes. “Should we get married here and now?”

It only took a split second for Magnolia to reach a conclusion, but she pursed her lips, pretending to mull it over. She tapped her chin with her index finger. “Well, it is a fabulous setting, and I do have the perfect dress.”

“I’ll second that,” Lucas murmured, his eyes moving over her.

A radiant smile spread over her face. “Now that I have the perfect groom, how could I say no?”

Lucas looked down at his jeans and denim shirt. Magnolia was pleased to note that he was wearing his faded cowboy boots. She hadn’t even realized that he’d brought them on the trip. “I’m a bit underdressed.”

She laughed. “Nah, you’re perfect. My country bumpkin cowboy,” she said affectionately.

Lucas turned to face her, holding both her hands. Tears rose in her eyes when he got down on one knee and peered up at her. A crooked grin pulled at his lips. “Your hands are warm.”

She laughed. “Yes, they are.”

“Magnolia Bentley, you caught me completely by surprise. You’re the princess I never knew I always wanted,” he uttered, his eyes growing moist. “Thank you for showing me that I can love again.” He sucked in a breath. “Thanks for believing in me, for reminding me that I am enough.” His voice caught. “I promise that I will spend the rest of my life proving myself worthy of you.”

“You already have,” she said, her words hoarse with throaty emotion.

“Marry me?”

“Yes,” she exclaimed. “I do!”

The preacher was standing off to the side. It wasn’t until he spoke that Magnolia remembered that he was there. “Uh, wait a minute, I haven’t gotten to that part yet.”

“Well, get to it preacher,” Lillian laughed.

The instant Lucas got to his feet, Magnolia flung her arms around his neck and gave him a full kiss on the mouth, holding nothing back.

“I haven’t gotten to that part either,” the preacher said, but she didn’t care. It was time for her to start living her own life, with the one man who’d claimed her heart long ago, before she was even mature enough to realize what was happening.

Something Lillian said Christmas Eve morning floated through Magnolia’s mind. It’s not where you begin your journey, or even where you end up that matters. What counts the most is who you become along the way.

Her heart felt like it would burst open with joy. “Lillian was right. Love always finds a way.”