Jodi Thomas - Texas Rain

Travis turned back to Rainey and opened his arms. "Don't cry, fairy. Everything's all right."

She hadn't even been aware she was crying. Wrapping her arms around him, she held on as tight as she could, thinking of how she'd almost lost the only man she'd ever love.

As he held her, the tears wouldn't stop.

He kissed her cheek and smiled. "It's all right, Rainey. It's all over."

She shook her head, feeling like a fool. "No. It's not all right. You almost died before I told you I love you."

He grinned. "About time you realized it. I've known it since we danced." He kissed her on the mouth in front of everyone.

"Travis McMurray," the judge interrupted finally. "Travis, if you had a ring I'd be marrying you two for acting like that in my court."

Rainey pulled away and reached for the bag around her throat. "I have a ring," she whispered as she pulled out her grandmother's only valuable. "But he'll have to ask me first."

Everyone in the room grew silent waiting, and Travis knew he'd have to do the asking in front of them all.

"Will you marry me?" he said without a smile.

"I will," she answered and was surprised he kissed her full on the mouth again.

Everyone shouted, except the judge, who hammered his desk and demanded they get on with the swearing in of Travis. "Soon as that's done, we got a wedding to have," he said and everyone broke into another round of shouts.

After several minutes the judge finished, and Travis signed the papers while Roy pulled the body of Norman from the courtroom.

After all the hugs and handshakes, Judge Gates called for a ten-minute recess to give time for Rainey to walk from the back of the courtroom and Duck to stand beside Travis.

The judge married them with simple words, but Rainey wasn't listening. All she could hear was the pounding of her own heart as Travis slipped the symbol of her freedom on her finger.

After several toasts, hugs from everyone, and advice from Roy about marriage, Travis, Rainey, and Duck made it back to the Baileys'. The old couple had left a note saying they'd already gone to bed but would serve breakfast in the morning in the private drawing room.

Travis carried a sleeping Duck to his covers by the fire. "He saved my life tonight," Travis whispered. "He remembered what I told him about if anyone pulled a gun he needed to disappear. The moment I saw him vanish, I glanced around and saw the barrel of a gun pointing directly at me from the curtains."

Rainey pulled the ribbon from her hair and moved toward Travis's room. "Now tell me about the dream again."

He followed. "I'll tell you about it tomorrow. Right now I'd like to help you get undressed."

She laughed, moving out of the light. "I can manage quite well on my own."

He crossed to her. They were lost in shadows now, but very much aware of the other being near.

He moved up behind her and circled his arms around, taking over the unbuttoning. "Let me do it," he whispered. "I've practiced a hundred times in my mind."

His fingers tickled her, warmed her as he slowly removed her clothes. His hands moved over the material first, then gently pulled the layers away. Before the cool air chilled her, his fingers slid over her skin, caressing each inch as he undressed her. When he reached her stockings, he knelt and felt his way to the top of each before sliding them down. Once she was free of one, he lifted her foot to his knee and let his fingers brush along her flesh.

She closed her eyes, feeling a fire building deep inside her. Part of her wanted to hurry him, to beg him to satisfy the ache within her, but another part of her wanted him to continue torturing her with his gentle touch. She dug her fingers into his hair and tried to stand perfectly still as he continued to explore every part of her.

When she stood before him with nothing on, he stared for a long while. His hands spread down her body, molding her shadowy form. When his fingers closed around her full breasts, she swayed with the pure pleasure he brought her. His hands moved behind her, holding her hips as he pulled her close and kissed her. When she cried softly in need, he lifted her gently and carried her to bed.

Pulling the covers to her throat, he leaned over, kissing her cheeks. "Before I found you, I don't think I was alive. You make me believe in magic." He brushed her hair away from her face. "I doubt I'd get enough of you if we both lived ten lifetimes."

Rainey couldn't answer. He was saying the words to her she thought she'd never hear.

The room was dark, light drifting only from the fire beyond the door, but Rainey wasn't afraid. She'd never be afraid of the dark again.

He crossed to the other side and slipped into bed.

They were both still for a moment, then he whispered, "Come closer, Rainey."

She rolled toward his open arms.

When she touched him, she froze. There was nothing, not one stitch of clothing between them.

"I promised"-she could feel him grinning as he kissed her gently-"that you'd have your turn."

She laughed and spread her hand across his chest, knowing she'd learn every part of her Ranger before the night was over. "I love you," she said as she tasted the warm skin of his chest.

"And I love you," he answered.