Promises to a Stallion (Kimani Romance) (17 page)

T
here were two limos waiting side by side when they stepped off the private jetliner onto the tarmac. Tierra’s stare was questioning as she looked from Travis to the driver, who was beckoning for her attention.

“What’s going on?” she asked curiously.

Travis gave her a breathtaking smile, his eyes glistening with joy. “We have to go get ready. I will see you later this afternoon,” he answered as he leaned to kiss her cheek. He gave her a gentle push toward the car, the driver swinging the door open for her.

“Bye, and I love you,” Travis said as he gave her a quick wink, moving toward the other vehicle.

Tierra was still standing there looking stunned when she heard her name being called from inside the car. Leaning to peer inside, she was greeted with smiles and laughter, Eden, Marah, Marla and her grandmother all waving excitedly.

“Girl, get in this car. We have a million things to do,” Mama Dee chimed.

“What’s going on?” Tierra asked, looking from one to the other.

Eden grabbed her left hand, holding it up in the sunlight.

“Nice!” Marah exclaimed. “Very nice!”

“That boy’s got good taste,” Mama Dee said, admiring Tierra’s engagement ring.

The young woman beamed. “Isn’t it gorgeous!”

“I’m just glad you said yes,” her grandmother responded. “Now we’ve got to go get you ready.”

Tierra eyes widened. “Ready for what?”

“Your wedding, of course. Travis said you would be his wife before he left to return to duty, and we promised to help make that happen.”

Eden leaned forward in her seat. “You do want to marry him, right, Tierra?”

Four pairs of eyes focused intently on her face. Mama Dee’s eyebrows were raised in query. They all stared as Tierra seemed to mull over the question, the answer coming to her slowly. Then she nodded, a deep smile filling her face.

“I do. I want to marry Travis Stallion more than anything else in this world.”

Her grandmother laughed, the deep chortle filling the car’s interior with glee. “That’s my girl!”

Eden nodded her agreement. “Well, then, let’s go get you ready for a wedding.

The next three hours were a complete blur. Manicures and pedicures were followed by a trip to the hair salon. When all of the women were primped and pampered, they returned to the ranch for a light lunch before it would be time to get themselves dressed for the wedding.

The women were joking and laughing, telling Tierra about their own nuptials and the extremes that had been taken to get their men down the aisle.

“Your granddaddy thought he was slick,” Mama Dee said with a deep chuckle. “He thought he was going to get the milk without buying the cow. I had to set him straight real quick.”

Tierra laughed. “Papa Jake loved you.”

“Yes, he did, baby. Your granddaddy said I was the best thing that ever happened to him. And I was,” Mama Dee said, her face beaming with glee.

The matriarch moved to Tierra’s side. “I have to ask you this one more time,” her grandmother said, as she reached to lower the flame on the teapot that was just beginning to simmer for attention. “You know you don’t have to do this if you’re not ready, right? You do want to marry this man, right?”

Tierra smiled, pausing as she stirred a teaspoon of sugar into the tall glass of lemonade. The kitchen was suddenly warmer than usual, and Tierra knew it had nothing to do with the heat wafting off the large black burners or coming from inside the oven, where a pan of quiche was just beginning to set. Since she’d first laid eyes on the man, every thought of him caused a rise in her temperature. She shook the sensation, taking a deep breath. “Yes,” she answered, the surety in her tone undeniable.

Mama Dee leaned to kiss her granddaughter’s cheek. “Just checkin’!” The older woman reached out a wrinkled hand and pressed her fingers to the spot where her lips had just grazed. “That man loves you, Tierra. I feel it with ever fiber in my body. And you love him, too. But that’s not enough. You and Travis are going to have to grow into this relationship. There are still some things y’all don’t know about each other, and you might discover some things y’all don’t like about each other. But if you want it to work bad enough, you can make that happen. Just hold tight to the love and let it grow with you.”

Nodding, Tierra leaned her head against her grandmother’s chest as the woman wrapped her in a deep embrace. Both women wiped a tear from their eyes, trying not to burst out crying. “Girl, you’re going to ruin my makeup,” Mama Dee exclaimed warmly. “Now finish up your meal so you can go put that dress on and let us all see how pretty you’re going to look going down that aisle!”

Travis was laughing warmly as his cousins made joke after joke about his impending nuptials. The men had gone for a quick lunch, each enjoying a cold beer before returning to the ranch to prepare themselves for his wedding.

As he stepped out of the limousine he was momentarily taken aback by the preparations that had already been attended to. A staff of dozens was scurrying around to ensure that the ceremony and reception went off without a hitch. The women had arrived back just minutes before them, and Eden and her sisters were giving orders with exact precision.

The oldest sister hurried to his side, a wide smile filling her face. “Hey there! Are you excited?”

Travis chuckled warmly. “And scared to death!” he said, his tone teasing.

Eden brushed a warm palm against his arm. “Everything is going to be perfect. Now—” she glanced down to the page of notes in her other hand “—the chapel is ready, so make sure you take a peek inside. If there is anything you need or want in there, just let me know.”

“It’s filled with roses, right?”

She nodded. “Every single one between here and the Mexican border.”

Travis laughed.

“After the ceremony, Ross wants you and Tierra to go down to the pond for some photos.”

Travis looked around excitedly. “Is he here?”

“Yes,” Eden answered with a nod. “He’s around here somewhere assessing the best lighting and angles and whatever else it was he said he needed to make sure the photos were perfect. We’ve assigned two assistants to take care of anything he needs. I’m sure he’ll catch up with you soon.”

“Great!”

“While you and Tierra are enjoying a few minutes of private husband-and-wife time getting your picture taken, your guests will be gathering for a cocktail reception on the front lawn. Then they’ll be led into the barn for the reception.

“You’re going to love the barn. The band is already setting up and the air-conditioning is on high, so it will be comfortable for the crowd.”

“Can I take a peek inside there, too?” Travis questioned.

Eden nodded. “Of course. We’re using long white linens, white plates on gold chargers, a ton of candles and we’ve even lit up the twig chandeliers. It will be absolutely gorgeous. Tierra is going to love it! We’ve got the perfect combination of charming, rustic and elegant.”

Travis wrapped the woman in a warm embrace. “Thank you. I know everything is going to be great, and you don’t know how much I appreciate it all.”

Eden smiled. “I know that you have made one of my best friends the happiest woman in the world. None of us can ask for anything more.”

Inside the chapel, arrangements of white roses decorated the altar and pews, the delightful fragrance wafting through the midday air. Whether she had admitted it or not, Tierra was definitely a rose kind of girl, and Travis was certain that she’d be completely delighted with his flower selections.

With his arms crossed over his chest, he didn’t know where to focus his eyes first, in awe of the magnitude of it all. Mark and Matthew stepped up behind him, and Matthew dropped a large hand against his shoulder.

“So, you certain about this, big guy?”

Travis nodded. “More certain than I have ever been about anything. I love that woman.”

Mark nodded. “I knew when Mitch and I were headed cross-country that I wanted to do the same thing. And we didn’t wait. Stopped down in New Orleans and made it legal. And I don’t regret one minute of it.”

Matthew laughed. “He almost did when he got back and these women found out they couldn’t plan his wedding. They like to throw a party now!”

The three chuckled warmly.

“Well, I’m glad I could get their help with mine,” Travis said, looking from one to the other. He inhaled, air filling his nostrils with the floral scent.

“Travis,” Reverend Joshua Patrick called out. “How are you, son?”

Travis smiled as he extended his hand in greeting, the three men acknowledging the minister who’d moved into the space beside them.

“Reverend Patrick, thank you for coming,” Travis said with a warm smile. “I greatly appreciate this.”

The man nodded. “Do you think we can sit down for a minute? I’d like to talk with you, Travis.”

Matthew looked down to his wristwatch. “You gentlemen have at it. Travis, the men are getting dressed down at the conference center. When you’re ready that’s where you’ll find your tuxedo waiting for you.” He tapped his cousin’s shoulder.

Nodding, Travis moved beside the minister, who’d taken a seat on the front pew.

“Marriage is a very serious commitment, son,” the pastor started, forgoing the small talk. “Usually, I don’t marry anyone until they’ve gone through pre-marital counseling with me.”

Travis smiled. “I know, sir. And I appreciate your understanding our time constraints.”

“I had a very nice chat with your young lady. She’s very grounded in her faith. She’s also got a good head on her shoulders. But I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you both some serious questions to ensure that you’re headed in the right direction.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you trust Tierra, Travis?”

“With everything I have, sir.”

“What will you do if you cannot agree?”

Travis smiled. “Tierra is extremely strong-willed when she wants to be. I’m sure there will be much compromising, and on occasion, I may even have to concede to her best judgment as I would hope she would concede to mine, if need be. I do know though there will always be an open line of communication. I will keep talking to her and encouraging her to share her feelings with me.”

The minister nodded. “With you headed back to Afghanistan, you two are starting your marriage off in a very unconventional manner. You’re essentially committing your lives to each other today, and then tomorrow you’ll be apart for the next twelve months or so. How will you continue to bond as a couple as well as build your relationship with so much distance between you?”

Travis paused, reflecting on the gravity of the question. He and Tierra had talked in great depth about what might happen once he returned to his duties. Neither could deny the seriousness of his situation.

“Reverend Patrick, Tierra has promised me her love and support, and I have pledged to give that back to her tenfold. I don’t know what might happen to me once I report back to duty. I don’t know if I’ll survive tomorrow without being hit by a bus. I just know that right now, today, I love that woman with everything in me. I pray daily that God will wrap his hands around this union and support and nourish it.

“There won’t be a day that goes by that I won’t tell Tierra how much I love her and want the best for her. And I will share everything I have in me to share, with her and only her. I stand on the power of faith that she will do the same.”

The two men continued talking, the minister throwing questions at Travis and Travis answering them from his heart. When John poked his head into the room to let them both know that Travis needed to get dressed if the ceremony was going to start on time, Reverend Patrick nodded.

Rising from his seat, he extended his hand in Travis’s direction, the two shaking hands easily. “Son, I wish you and Tierra much success. I am honored to be able to bless this union this afternoon. I think you should go get yourself ready. You definitely don’t want to keep that pretty lady waiting.”

Travis grinned. “Thank you, sir. And no, I don’t. I wouldn’t want her to change her mind,” he said teasingly.

His pastor laughed with him. “Son, I do not think you have anything to worry about!”

T
ierra had not known it possible to be so happy. Staring out to the swell of activity outside, she was mesmerized by the sheer magnitude of what was about to happen. The grounds had been transformed, and she couldn’t wait to see what Travis had designed for their wedding ceremony. Knowing that he’d spent the last four weeks discovering what she’d wished for herself, she instinctively knew that she would not be disappointed.

Turning to admire her reflection in the full-length mirror, Tierra took a deep breath. The woman who stared back at her was confident and sexy, determined and beautiful. She had waited her whole life to be in this place with a man whose love for her was all encompassing. She passed her hands down the length of her dress, fanning the skirt of her gown around her small frame.

Her Monique Lhuillier gown had been donated to a women’s shelter to be auctioned at their annual fundraising event. This gown, a Manuel Mota original, had been flown in from Barcelona, Spain, specifically for her. The delicate, classical gown was layers of sumptuous embroidered lace and silk taffeta. Her wedding gown was everything she had ever hoped it would be, and Travis had made it all possible.

Tierra believed beyond any doubt that Travis loved her with all his heart. She knew that she loved him as much, if not more. She was excited at the prospect of their future, eager to see what fate had in store for them.

Understanding that they still had much to learn about each other, Tierra was excited by the possibilities. Every day forward would be a day of exploration and learning for them. Time would be a welcome friend as they grew together, determined to reach new heights hand in hand.

As Eden stood in the doorway telling her it was time for the ceremony, Tierra closed her eyes and whispered a prayer skyward, giving thanks for the blessings of that moment and for the man she was ready to promise herself to.

Travis walked the length of the cobblestoned courtyard back toward the chapel. Understanding that he needed just a few minutes to himself, his family had gone on ahead, awaiting his arrival for the ceremony. The late-afternoon air was exceptionally warm but comfortable. Taking a deep breath, Travis willed away the rise of anxiety that had nestled in the pit of his stomach. Nervous energy was abundant.

Had anyone told him that a chance meeting would have changed the entire direction of his life, he would not have believed them. He was completely in awe of everything that had changed for him since that day he’d stepped out of the elevator at Tierra’s apartment and had seen her standing there in the hallway.

With much certainty, Travis knew that Tierra completed him. Tierra had been that one thing that he had been longing for even when he hadn’t had a clue that anything was missing from his life. Tierra was that one piece that completed all of his puzzles.

He would never have imagined any woman having his heart so completely, but Tierra did. He had relinquished every ounce of himself to her, heart and soul. He loved that woman beyond reason, and he was excited by the prospect of them sharing the rest of their days with each other.

Pausing just outside the door of the chapel, Travis’s only regret was that his parents couldn’t be there to share this day with him. But as his cousin Mark gestured in his direction, waving him to stand with his family at the altar, his heart lifted with abundance. He had family who loved him immensely and family he loved just as much.

As he moved to the front of the church, clasping his hands in front of him, he looked out over the friends and family who had gathered to celebrate the occasion with them. The joyous energy filled the room, the magnificence of it almost overwhelming. Luke tapped him on the shoulder, his head nodding ever so slightly. Travis smiled at the four men by his side, the brothers of his soul who had helped make this moment possible. He had family, and it brought him the greatest joy to have Tierra want to be his family, as well.

Ever so thankful, Travis lifted his gaze, thoughts of praise being carried toward the clouds on a gust of breeze that seemed to rise just for that reason and blow warmly. He was thankful for their health, their spirits and the wealth of love between them. He was thankful, and he wanted everyone to know how much.

As if they’d transported the Stallion rose gardens into the chapel’s interior, brilliant white roses adorned the altar and decorated the end of each pew. The sweet nectar scented the late-afternoon air, reminding Travis of the time in the gardens when he first realized that Tierra had hold of his heart. Tiered candles shimmered between the blooms, casting a warm glow around the space and Travis was excited for Tierra to walk into the room. He said a quick prayer that it would be everything she had ever imagined for herself.

Beside him, his four cousins stood regally in charcoal to gray tuxedos. Their pristine white shirts and black bow ties were accentuated by velvet red boutonnieres. Standing to the right side of the family minister, Marla, Eden and two of Tierra’s cousins stood in silver-gray ball gowns, bouquets of red roses held primly in front of them. The women were smiling and dabbing away tears of excitement.

As a trio of flutists began to play the Wedding March, announcing the bride’s arrival, Travis eagerly searched the back of the church. As Tierra stepped inside, her brother, Tingin, escorting her down the aisle, tears swelled full in his eyes.

The exquisite woman was angelic as she glided toward him, fighting to hold her own tears at bay. She had never looked more beautiful. Stepping to his side, her mouth lifted in smile, and Travis wanted nothing more than to taste the sweetness of her lips. As Tingin passed her hand into his hand, every ounce of nervousness wafted out the door.

A wide grin spread across the man’s face. Tierra’s excitement was consuming as he pressed his cheek to hers, whispering into her ear that he loved her. She grinned in response, her love shimmering like ice in her eyes.

Hand in hand the couple exchanged their wedding vows, both promising each other an eternity of love and devotion to one another. When Reverend Patrick pronounced them husband and wife, Mama Dee cheered loudly, clapping her hands as a “Praise Jesus” rang through the air.

With the happily married couple off for pictures, the Stallion family gathered together for a few minutes to admire their handiwork.

“It was a beautiful wedding!” Joanne Lake, Luke’s fiancée, exclaimed. “And what an absolutely gorgeous bride!”

Everyone nodded their agreement.

“So, who’s next?” Eden asked, looking from Matthew to Luke and back again.

“Yeah,” Marla interjected, “we’ve gotten this wedding thing down to a science. Which one of you Stallion boys are we going to get to work our magic on next?”

Luke laughed as Joanne shook her head.

“We like being engaged,” Joanne said sweetly. “We’re in no rush, thank you very much.”

Matthew held up both hands. “Do not look at me.”

“No, we’re looking at you,” John interjected. “I’m hearing an awful lot of rumors about you, boy!”

“Ditto that!” Mark chimed as he caressed his wife’s pregnant belly. “Baby rumors, female rumors, all kinds of rumors.”

Matthew blushed. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”

“How is Vanessa, by the way?” Luke asked, inquiring about their very pregnant family friend.

Matthew smiled. “The last I heard, she was still pregnant.”

“But is she still a lesbian?” Luke asked. “Inquiring minds want to know!”

“I want to know about your new judge friend,” John teased. “The woman who helped with Travis’s marriage license. Seems you two have been spotted together around town a lot lately. Something we should know about, little brother?”

Matthew laughed, the warmth of it flooding his dark face. “Why, John, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Marla moved to John’s side, wrapping her arms around her husband’s waist. “Does the brother protest too much?” she said with a sly laugh, everyone laughing with her.

Matthew smirked, still shaking his head. “Y’all are some nosy people.”

The group laughed.

Marah shook her head. “I think it’s starting to get hot up in here!”

Nodding his agreement, Matthew headed in the direction of the bar. “Don’t you know, sister dear, we wouldn’t be true Stallions if we didn’t bring some heat!”