Hitched! Read online

  Rand said, “We’ve got…just call ’em problems.”

  “There’s only one problem that’s insurmountable.”

  “I’m not sure I want to hear this.”

  “You’re gonna hear it whether you want to or not. Hell, now I’ve started spilling my guts, it may be hard to stop me.” Jesse grimaced. “I reckon you know what I’m about to say anyway. If you love her, you can work it out.”

  “It’s not that easy, Dad.”

  “I didn’t say it was easy.” Jesse cocked one eyebrow. “Do you love her?”

  Rand’s head sagged and he let out a weary sigh. “Yeah, I love her,” he said, giving up his last pretense of objectivity, “whoever the hell she is. I just don’t—”

  “Everybody’s waiting for you, Randy.” Clementine’s blithe voice brought both men spinning around. “Time to pay the piper.” She winked, grinned, disappeared back down the hall.

  Rand and Jesse exchanged questioning glances, then followed her to the parlor.

  LIKE A REAL-LIFE VERSION of a Hollywood movie, all the usual suspects gathered in the parlor for the final act of the improbable drama set in motion years earlier by Thom T. Taggart: Boone and Kit, Trey and Rachel, Jesse and Meg, Clementine, plus Rachel’s brother, Lee, and her son Jason. Rand and Maxi sat side by side on one of the hard Victorian sofas, not touching, not even looking at each other.

  Expecting a spotlight to pin them where they sat at any moment.

  Boone cleared his throat. “We had plenty of time to figure out how to go about this while we waited for you two to show up,” he began. “I’ve been designated master of ceremonies, so I’ll start by saying we’re all relieved you made it back before the witching hour.” Everybody smiled and nodded except the “you two” he was talking about.

  Undeterred, he continued. “Before we get on to more important things, we’d like to clear up a few little, uh, discrepancies, Randy.”

  “Great.” Rand slumped. “Lemme have it.”

  Meg said, “Randy!” in that mother voice meant to simultaneously convey disapproval and encouragement. “We just feel you have a right to know that we know everything.”

  “Everything?” That was Maxi’s croak.

  Meg nodded. “Let’s see, we know Randy’s been supporting the widow and children of his old friend Brian Kelly. You even moved them into Grandfather’s Boston town house.”

  Rand shifted uneasily on the hard sofa and Maxi couldn’t stop herself from reaching out to touch the hand resting on his knee. He gave her a startled glance but didn’t pull back. Perhaps he felt as she did, that they were momentarily united against the world whether they liked it or not.

  “I didn’t want to tell you about that, Mom,” he said. “I know how much you love that place. I didn’t think you’d appreciate my turning it over to strangers.”

  “When you were doing a kindness for someone who deserved a break? Oh, Randy…” Meg looked close to tears. “I’m proud of you, honey.”

  Rand seemed completely unprepared for this response. Before he got past that, Jesse spoke.

  “We also know you were the one who jumped the hijackers on that airplane in Mexico,” he said. “And Maxine helped, am I right?”

  “Yes, but how—”

  “Your uncle Boone still has a few contacts,” Jesse said wryly. “Does the name Larry Evans do anything for you? Insurance…Dubuque?”

  Rand groaned. Next they’ll bring up the embezzlement, Maxi thought. This is awful.

  But instead, Clementine was saying, “And of course, there’s that business about Maxine really being Maxi Rafferty, world-famous lingerie model.”

  Maxi’s stomach dropped. She hadn’t expected anyone to know that. “How did you find out, Clemmie?” she asked.

  “I recognized your picture in the catalog. I didn’t say anything then because I figured you and Randy must have your reasons for keeping quiet.”

  Rand threaded his fingers through Maxi’s and hung on tight. “What else you gonna hit us with?” he said to his assembled loved ones.

  Trey, who’d watched the proceedings silently, grinned. “When we started comparing notes, I felt duty-bound to mention that camp for disadvantaged kids you started and still support in northern California.”

  Rand expelled his breath in an annoyed whoosh. “How the hell did you find out about that?”

  “I’ve known for a while. It’s the Taggart connection. Someone asked if I was related to that Taggart and come to find out, I am.”

  Maxi felt numb. Why on earth did Rand act as if he was ashamed of his many good deeds? He seemed to cherish his shaky reputation and shy away from his philanthropy.

  And then, because she knew him now with her heart, she understood. He wanted to be loved unconditionally, not because of what he did or didn’t do or for the size of his bank account.

  He would be in for a real surprise when he realized how many people truly cared for him. That knowledge warmed her when she needed comfort most.

  “Anything else?” Rand looked and sounded beleaguered.

  Boone glanced around with arched eyebrows and Maxi sensed Rand holding his breath just as she was. “Apparently not. In that case, it’s show time. Clemmie, punch the on button, hon.”

  IN THE QUIET ROOM, Rand watched his great-grandfather smile across time. Before Thom T. could open his mouth, the first silent tear overflowed.

  “Howdy, Great-grandson,” the old man in the tailored Western suit began. “I’m a’ hopin’ you’re watching this on your thirtieth birthday, surrounded by a lovin’ wife and a bunch of young’uns. There’s nothin’ more important in the whole world than family love and loyalty. Us Taggarts have survived all that’s been throwed at us because we always believed that. I know you won’t let anybody down, yourself included. I’ve knowed all along that you’d come through when the chips were down.”

  Someone was sobbing. Rand suspected it was Kit, who knew Thom T. better than anyone, with the possible exception of Boone and Jesse. Much better than I did, Rand thought. And now it’s too late.

  At least some hope remained that he’d get control of the ranch. They didn’t know about the embezzlement so they couldn’t know how badly he needed money. They might still decide to approve his inheritance. All was not lost.

  Thom T. continued, gently urging. “It’s never too late to do the right thing,” he said, as if privy to Rand’s thoughts. “I know you. You were a good boy and now you’re a good man. I’m proud to pass the Rockin’ T into your care. Take it to greater glory, boy.

  “Just remember that wherever I am, I love you.”

  The screen went blank. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

  MAXI COULDN’T REMEMBER the last time she’d cried—before today. Patting away her tears for what seemed like the tenth time, she glanced at Rand. He, too, had been moved to tears by the old man’s final message.

  Rand cleared his throat. “Now what? As Great-grandpa would have said, I feel like I been drug through a knothole. If you’ve got any more little surprises, let’s get ’em out of the way now.”

  Boone glanced at Jesse and Meg. “Do we?”

  “Just one.” Jesse spoke directly to his son. “We talked this over among ourselves while we were waiting, and as far as we’re concerned—” He looked around at all the suddenly solemn faces. “You’ve complied with the conditions of the will. You’re hitched, and God knows you’re a productive member of society. We were worried at first that you just wanted this place so you could sell it, but I think most of us have changed our minds about that and the rest are ready to take a chance because we love you. Congratulations, son. Unless someone’s changed his or her mind, the Rocking T is yours.”

  Maxi sat there holding her breath, her emotions in turmoil. The Taggarts loved and believed in Rand. Could he continue to deceive these wonderful people in so cruel a way? He turned and their gazes met. She wanted to plead with him, but no words came.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, “but I’ve got to do thi
s.”

  Do what? Stick to his original plan or tell the truth while there was still time, admitting that he intended to sell the ranch regardless of anyone else’s feelings? She longed to influence his decision but knew that wasn’t possible. She’d already so damaged her credibility with him that nothing she could say would make any difference. He was on his own now.

  He turned to their fascinated observers. “You’ve been straight with me so I’m going to be straight with you. Max and I met on that hijacked airplane. Our so-called marriage was nothing but a scam to get my inheritance, which I fully intended to sell.”

  Meg looked as if he’d kicked her. “Why, Randy? Why would you go to so much trouble just to sell the Rocking T?”

  “I need the money, Mom.” His words were leaden. “It’s…a long story.”

  “We got plenty of time,” Jesse said quietly.

  “Okay, then. Here’s the short version. I expect you remember Bill Overton.”

  Meg’s eyes narrowed. “And not fondly. What does he have to do with any of this?”

  “I invested in his company, Mom, and he embezzled everything. That’s why Max and I went to Las Vegas—to catch that thieving lying pile of—” He broke off midtirade with a rueful laugh. “You get the picture. He’s in police custody now, but who knows if I’ll ever see a cent of those millions.”

  Kit, the eternal optimist, said, “But you might.”

  “I might also win the lottery.”

  Clementine frowned. “Then you’re not really married?”

  “We’re married, all right, but that was just a technicality to meet the conditions of the will. I wish I didn’t have to tell you this. I’m not proud of what I tried to do, but it’s time to be honest.”

  Maxi couldn’t let him shoulder all the blame. “Neither of us is proud of what we did,” she said quickly. “You see, my sister was Bill Overton’s secretary and she’s mixed up in the embezzlement. Only, she told me Rand was behind it and I set out to get something on him to clear her.” Her shoulders slumped. “I couldn’t have been more wrong. I deeply regret what I’ve done.”

  “But you are married,” Clementine returned stubbornly to her point.

  “Yes.” Rand bit off the word. “But we’re telling you it was just part of the hoax.”

  Meg frowned. “How can it be a hoax when you are married and you do love each other? That sounds real to me.”

  “When we love—?” Maxi couldn’t help glancing at Rand.

  All he did was bluster. “What makes you think we’re in love?”

  “Because,” Meg said sweetly, “Maxine confessed her feelings to me and I understand you, Randy, did the same with your father. Surely neither of you is still lying.”

  Maxi and Rand looked at each other then, really looked at each other.

  “Dammit, Max, he forced it out of me.”

  “Your m-mom caught me at a weak moment.”

  “I wasn’t lying.”

  “Neither was I.”

  Clementine said, “For heaven’s sake, you two act as if this is news. It’s only obvious you’re meant for each other.”

  “Yeah, right.” Rand lifted Maxi’s cold hands to his mouth and kissed them. “Say you love me now, Max, and I’ll believe you.”

  “I love you, Rand.” The icy shield around her heart began at last to thaw. “Do you love me?”

  “God, yes!”

  “The rest of it can wait, then.”

  Kit laughed with sheer relief. “That settles that. You’re in love, you’re married and Randy won’t sell the Rocking T out from under us, right?”

  Randy grinned and pressed Maxi’s hand against his chest. “Sounds right to me. Maxi?”

  Maxi closed her eyes. She’d rather take a beating than confess to yet another deception. Maybe if she let things ride she could deal with this final deceit later….

  Or maybe not. Maybe if she didn’t risk everything by speaking up, this secret would come back to ruin what she was so close to finding with this man.

  “Maxine?” Boone, ever observant, demanded her attention. “Is there something else?”

  She could be no less honest than Rand was. “Yes,” she said, “there’s something else.” Her stubborn lips would barely move to form the words. “Our marriage…” She gazed at Rand, pleading with him to understand. “It’s not real, Rand. That wasn’t a government official who married us. It was an actor I met on a modeling assignment in Ensenada a year or so ago. We’re not married and never were. I was pulling a scam of my own to help H-Helen.”

  This final confession threw everyone into an uproar, but Maxi only had eyes for Rand. He looked as if she’d hit him over the head with a baseball bat. Then his face cleared and he sighed. “It figures,” he said, and pulled her into his arms.

  He kissed her, and at the touch of his lips she believed at last that everything would be all right. With or without the Rocking T, with or without the Randall fortune, they would make it.

  She’d never ask for anything more, she swore to herself as she returned his kiss. When he lifted his head, she said, “I’m sorry I’ve cost you your inheritance, darling. If only there was something I could do.”

  “Maybe there is.” Boone glanced at his watch. “Hey, everybody quiet down!” When they did, he went on. “It’s a quarter to twelve on September 30. If Rand and Maxine really want to marry, we’ve got a minister in the family, right? Jason can perform an emergency ceremony, with the legalities to come.”

  Maxi twisted in Rand’s embrace. “Could you do that?” she asked the bespectacled Jason.

  “Only if you’re both willing to swear that this marriage is the real thing.”

  “It’s real, all right,” Rand said without hesitation.

  “The marriages I perform last a lifetime,” Jason warned, “until death do you part.”

  Maxi grinned. “Not to be melodramatic, but we’ve already faced death a couple of times together. So yes, I’m willing to swear.”

  Rand nodded. He didn’t seem able to stop smiling.

  Jason looked sternly from one to the other. “Be very, very sure. I’d take it real personal if you disappointed me.”

  “Get on with it already!” Rand kissed Maxi’s temple. “Here, I’ll make it real plain.” Gazing into her eyes, he declared, “Ms. Maxine Rafferty, I love you. Will you marry me, once and for all, now and forever?”

  “I certainly will, Randall Taggart, and the sooner the better. Because as it so happens, I love you, too.”

  Assorted relatives applauded enthusiastically. Jason glanced at his watch again, then stepped to the middle of the parlor and pointed to the spot directly in front of him.

  “In that case, you two lovebirds stand right there and everybody else can serve as witnesses.”

  “Hurry!” Rachel squeezed her son’s elbow. “It’s five minutes of midnight!”

  “Relax, Mama, we’ve got plenty of time,” Jason assured her. “Y’all ready? Here we go… ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here—’”

  JASON’S “YOU MAY kiss the bride” came on the first stroke of midnight. Holding his wife in his arms, Rand felt his heart lighten with each chime of the grandfather clock, until he thought it might take wing.

  This was so much better than anything he’d dreamed of. He’d never actually expected to find real love, although he’d always known he would eventually marry. He wanted a family of his own, a son. He remembered his father’s words: Every man wants a son.

  Loving applause bathed them and Max hid her face against his chest as if suddenly shy. Boone held up his hands for quiet.

  “Are we all in agreement, then, that the conditions of Thom T.’s will have been met?”

  Nods and more applause provided the answer, and Clementine called out, “Speech! Speech!” The cry was soon taken up by the others.

  Rand was glad to oblige. “I’ve seen the light,” he assured them. “It occurs to me that I’ve been a bit secretive over the years—”

  Clementine booed
loudly, hushing only at her mother’s pointed glance.

  Rand went on. “I’m going to do better, honest. I’ll start by swearing I’ll never part with the Rocking T, assuming that’s okay with my wife?”

  “More than okay,” Maxi agreed happily. “I love this place, too.”

  “In that case—” Rand grinned broadly “—I repeat. The Taggart family heritage is safe with me. Of course, I may have to sell off everything on four legs to keep it going. And one final promise…” He met Maxi’s laughing gaze. “From here on out, my new wife handles all our family finances. Have I learned my lesson or what?”

  Everybody cheered.

  EPILOGUE

  THE THIRD TIME was a charm.

  Rand and Maxine made it all nice and legal a month later. Once again, Taggarts gathered at the Rocking T ranch house, this time for a champagne reception to honor the newlyweds.

  Clementine kissed her brother’s cheek, then her new sister-in-law’s. “This is so romantic,” she sighed. “Are you going away for a honeymoon now?”

  “Yes, but we’re not telling anyone where.”

  Rand and Maxi exchanged intimate glances. They’d agreed that the only place to honeymoon was the place where they’d “married” originally: Ensenada. This time things would be different.

  A lot had happened since Rand’s birthday. Helen had agreed to a plea bargain and would escape jail time by testifying against Bill Overton; she’d also made up with her sister, to Maxi’s relief. Kristi was divorcing Bill and couldn’t have cared less what happened to him. The crooked attorney, R. Renwood Keever, was well on his way to disbarment, and law enforcement officials were optimistic about recovering the bulk of the money Bill had misappropriated. And Maxi had made peace with her agent, promising him that after the honeymoon she and her new husband would sit down together and discuss her future—if any—as a model.

  None of this unduly concerned Rand at the moment. He and Maxi would be all right, with or without the Randall loot. For the first time in a long time, he had faith that everything would turn out okay—especially with Maxi holding the checkbook.

  Across the room, Jesse called for attention. “What we need right about now is a toast,” he announced, lifting his champagne flute. “To the newlyweds.”