A Bride By Summer: The Texas Ranger's Bride / From Best Friend to Bride / Once Upon a Bride

So now that he didn’t have to guard her, he wasn’t planning on taking her to his sister’s engagement party on Sunday evening. Already he’d been put to work on another dangerous assignment. That was his job.

For one week out of her life, the two of them had been inseparable. But it was over. He’d never again be exclusively hers. How was she going to bear it?

“I hope you can make it Monday or Tuesday. Cody and I will be leaving for South Dakota on Wednesday.”

Another silence before he said, “How long will you be gone?”

The breath froze in her lungs. “Seven weeks.”

“Seven?” He sounded surprised. “Without a break?”

“After I leave Oklahoma I’m doing three rodeos throughout Texas with Sally and Manny. It’ll be November before I return home.” She stared blindly into space waiting for a response.

“If I can’t make it either of those nights, will you give me a rain check?”

Kellie had to brace herself to handle the hurt. “Do you even have to ask? Ranger Vance will always have a standing invitation to my home.”

“That’s nice to hear.”

She could hardly swallow. “I’m so glad you’re all right. Take care of yourself, Cy. The Famous Four wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Enveloped in pain, Kellie clicked off before she said too much. Then she turned off her cell. She was glad he hadn’t learned she was still at the condo earlier waiting around for him.

The remark her mother had made during their phone call had gotten her out of the house in time to save her from making the biggest mistake of her life!

* * *

CY PULLED THE van in front of Kellie’s town house with a grimace. “Let’s get this done fast.” He didn’t wait for Vic. After he got out and opened the side door to accommodate the hide-a-bed, he headed for her front door. The key was on his ring.

Vic followed him inside. They made quick work of getting the couch out to the van. In a few minutes he’d restored the living room to its former order. “I’ll run upstairs to grab my laptop and any clothes I left.”

“While you do that, I’ll take down the camera from the garage.”

“Good. Be back in a second.”

When he came down with his bag, he went into the bathroom to pack the toiletries he’d left. All was done except to leave the key and garage-door opener.

Cy walked into the kitchen and put both items on the table. That was when his eyes were drawn to the diamond and wedding band he’d given her. They were sitting on a note she’d penned. A vise seemed to close around his chest.