Another thing she noticed was that the Westmorelands seemed to run in a pack. All of them were standing together in one spot and it was obvious they were a family. All the men in the family resembled one another in their facial features, height and s.e.x appeal. And the Westmoreland women-sisters, cousins and wives-were all beautiful. They made stunning couples. There were Clint's cousin Jared with his wife, Dana; his cousin Storm with his wife, Jayla; his cousin Spencer and his wife, Chardonnay; his cousin Dare and his wife, Sh.e.l.ly; his cousin Thorn and his wife, Tara; and his cousin Ian and his wife, Brooke.

The group also included Clint's brother Cole, who didn't bother to bring a date; his cousin Reggie, who hadn't brought a date, either; Casey and McKinnon; and Clint's father and stepmother, Corey and Abby Westmoreland. Such an imposing group, she thought, and several times Thorn, who was nationally known for the motorcycles he built and raced, was approached by several people wanting his autograph.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"

Alyssa glanced up at the tall, handsome man who hadn't left her side all evening. She smiled up at him. "Yes, you told me. Thank you," she said.

And if he hadn't, his gaze had said it all when she had walked out of the bathroom after getting dressed. Casey, who had once owned a clothing store, had been instrumental in helping her select a dress, a short, black, clingy number that Casey claimed would hit her brother between the eyes when he saw it. Alyssa wasn't sure whether Clint had gotten hit between the eyes, but it was evident he liked seeing her in the dress. And if she was reading his mind correctly, he was counting the hours until he would get the chance to take it off of her.

"Well, well, look who's here. I can't believe my eyes. What are you doing here, Alyssa?"

Dread settled in the pit of Alyssa's stomach at the sound of that voice. She turned and tried to retain her composure when she not only saw Kim but also Kevin. She shook her head, shocked, not believing they were here tonight, of all places, and together. Kim was plastered to Kevin's side as if she wanted to make it obvious that tonight they were a couple.

Alyssa found her voice to speak. "Kim, Kevin, how are you? It's nice seeing the both of you and I'm here for the same reason you are, to support the children's hospital."

"Like you can afford to do that," Kim said with an obvious sneer, not caring who standing around her was listening. "Aunt Claudine claims you left Waco to go work for a client, but I figure you're still licking your wounds because I took Kevin away from you."

Alyssa knew Kim was deliberately trying to embarra.s.s her in front of everyone and a part of Alyssa wished at that moment she was anywhere but there. Having all her personal business exposed to everyone, especially the Westmorelands, was humiliating.

But then she happened to notice that Clint had moved closer to her side, had placed a protective arm around her waist. And out of the corner of her eye she saw the other Westmorelands closing ranks around her, as well.

"Please introduce me to your friends, Alyssa," Clint said.

Only someone as up close, intimate and personal to Clint as she was would detect the edgy steel in his voice. She glanced up at him. He hadn't taken his gaze off Kim and Kevin, and the look in his eyes matched the tone she had heard in his voice.

She cleared her throat. "Clint, this is Kevin and Kim. Kim and I are cousins. Kevin and Kim, this is Clint Westmoreland," Alyssa said.

It was only then that Clint shifted his gaze back to her and she was aware that already he had figured things out. Kevin was her former fiance and Kim was the woman who had deliberately slept with him to ruin her wedding day. Kim was also Alyssa's cousin.

Kim, who appreciated a good-looking man when she saw one, smiled sweetly at Clint. "So, you're that client she ran off to work for," she said in a smooth, silky voice as her flirty gaze rake him from head to toe.

Clint smiled at Kim, although anyone knowing him could see the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "No, I'm not Alyssa's client," he said in a clear and firm voice. "I'm Alyssa's husband."

Fourteen.

A lyssa thought for as long as she lived she would never forget the shocked look that appeared on Kim's face with Clint's statement. Kim was dumbstruck. Kevin had also seemed to lose his voice, but had quickly regained it. While Kevin stood there babbling, trying to apologize for Kim's rudeness, Clint had taken Alyssa's hand in his, and he, as well as the other Westmorelands, had walked away leaving Kim and Kevin looking like fools. In the end, the embarra.s.sment had been theirs. lyssa thought for as long as she lived she would never forget the shocked look that appeared on Kim's face with Clint's statement. Kim was dumbstruck. Kevin had also seemed to lose his voice, but had quickly regained it. While Kevin stood there babbling, trying to apologize for Kim's rudeness, Clint had taken Alyssa's hand in his, and he, as well as the other Westmorelands, had walked away leaving Kim and Kevin looking like fools. In the end, the embarra.s.sment had been theirs.

They had returned home a few hours ago. Neither Clint nor any of the other Westmorelands had brought up the incident with Kim and Kevin. Alyssa guessed that before the night was over Clint would talk to her about the ugly scene and the party.

She was already in bed, but Clint, his brother and cousins were engaged in a card game. Although she was tired and sleepy, she was determined to stay awake and talk to him. He deserved to know the entire story as to why Kim disliked her so.... Not that it was an excuse for her cousin's behavior.

Later, Alyssa glanced toward the bedroom door. It opened and Clint walked in. He had removed his jacket and tie, and the two top b.u.t.tons of his shirt were open. He closed the door behind him and stood leaning against it and stared at her. She knew she owed him an apology. In trying to embarra.s.s her, Kim and Kevin had probably embarra.s.sed him, as well. He hadn't deserved it, just like he didn't deserve the predicament that had placed her here, messing up his life as he knew it.

He didn't say anything. He just continued to stare at her. He hadn't seemed upset with her during the course of the evening but she couldn't help wondering if he'd only held his temper in check around his family, and if now, since they were alone, he would let her know how he really felt.

"Why didn't you tell me the full story?" he finally asked.

Alyssa sighed. There was no need to pretend she didn't understand what he was asking. "At the time I didn't think there was a need, Clint," she said, hoping he understood. "Besides, whenever you spoke of your relatives I could feel the love and warmth all of you shared. It's not that way in my family."

He then moved and came closer to the bed and sat on the edge. "Kim really has issues, doesn't she?"

Alyssa thought that was a nice way of putting it. "Yes. She'd always been the center of attention and when I arrived on the scene it didn't sit well with her. And later when I found out my grandfather was actually my father, then she-"

"Whoa. Back up," he said, interrupting. "What do you mean your grandfather was actually your father?"

Alyssa knew that he deserved to know everything. "On his deathbed, the man who I thought was my grandfather confessed to being my father. Before then I'd always thought I was the illegitimate daughter of his dead son, the one who had been a Texas Ranger and had died in the line of duty."

She paused before continuing. "From what I understand, my grandmother died years ago and my grandfather was a widower who had raised two sons, Todd and Kim's father, Jessie. When Todd was killed, Grandpa was really torn up about it and went out drinking to drown in his sorrows. That's the night he had an affair with my mother. She was working as a waitress at the bar. She told him she had gotten pregnant and he provided for my care. When she sent me to live with him, a decision was made to let everyone think I was Todd's illegitimate daughter. The only person who knew the truth other than Grandpa was Aunt Claudine."

Clint nodded. "What was the reason that your mother gave you up?"

Alyssa sighed again before answering. "Because she found out that her new boyfriend was trying to come on to me."

She saw Clint's face harden at that statement. "And you haven't seen or heard from her since?" he asked.

"No. And according to Aunt Claudine, she never wrote or asked how I was doing. She no longer cared," Alyssa said sadly.

The pain she felt whenever she remembered her mother's denial came back, and she didn't realize tears were in her eyes until Clint reached out and took his fingertip and wiped one away. "This has been one heck of a night for you," he said softly. "Go on and get some rest."

She nodded, still unable to decipher his mood or feelings on what she had told him. Without removing his clothes he stretched out on the bed beside her and held her in his arms. And he stayed there with her until she went to sleep.

Alyssa woke the next morning in bed alone. She couldn't help wondering what the Westmorelands thought of her. Nor could she help wondering what Clint thought of her, as well. This was the first morning, since they'd begun sleeping together, that he hadn't woken her with lovemaking.

That thought remained on her mind while she showered and got dressed. When she opened the door to the hall, Clint was standing against the wall waiting for her. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a chambray shirt. As usual, he looked great.

"Good morning," he said, smiling at her.

It was a smile that made her insides feel somewhat jittery.

"Good morning, Clint," she said, searching his expression in an attempt to decipher his mood.

"I know you haven't eaten breakfast yet, but I was wondering if you would go riding with me this morning. I promise not to keep you out long."

"Sure," she said and shrugged.

They walked together through the house. The place seemed rather quiet, especially for a house full of guests. It was after eight in the morning. She had discovered over the past few days that the Westmorelands were early risers.

"Where's everyone?"

"Sleeping in late, I guess," Clint said.

"Oh."

When they walked outside she saw two horses were saddled and ready for them. Clint helped her mount Sunshine, the docile mare he had given her to ride, and then he mounted Royal. She glanced over at him.

"Where are we going?"

"To the south ridge," he said mysteriously.

She nodded. They hadn't ridden on that part of his property in a while. Thanks to Clint she felt comfortable riding and appreciated the slow pace he set for them. They rode in silence, enjoying the beautiful morning.

They had been riding for a while when Clint finally brought the horses to a stop. "This is a nice place to stop," he said, glancing over at her.

For what? she couldn't help wondering. she couldn't help wondering. Was he going to ask her to leave the ranch? Had he figured out that the best way to end their farce of a marriage and quickly was to forget the annulment and file for a quick divorce instead? Was he going to ask her to leave the ranch? Had he figured out that the best way to end their farce of a marriage and quickly was to forget the annulment and file for a quick divorce instead?

She watched as Clint dismounted from Royal and tied him to a tree before coming back to help her off of Sunshine. He tied Sunshine to a tree, as well.

"Come on," Clint said, reaching for her hand. "Let's take a walk so we can talk."

She pulled her hand back. "Talking isn't necessary. I know what you want."

His brows drew together. "Do you?"

"Yes, I do," she said.

"And what do you think I want?" he asked, leaning against an oak tree.

She glanced around instead of looking at him and then she brought her gaze back to his.

"You want to skip the annulment and go straight to a divorce," Alyssa said.

Clint could only stare at her. What she had said was so far from the truth it was pitiful. What had happened last night at the ball had been an eye-opener for him. When Kim had said those insulting remarks his protective instincts had kicked in. He had immediately wanted to shield her from any kind of hurt, harm or danger.

Something else had also kicked in. His heart. He realized at that moment how much he cared for her. He loved her. And he wanted to always be by her side to protect her from the Kims and Kevins of the world. For him it wasn't a matter of l.u.s.t, as he had first a.s.sumed. He realized now that his feelings for Alyssa were a matter of love. He couldn't imagine her leaving him or the ranch next week. He had no intentions of letting her go and the sooner she knew it the better.

"There will be no divorce, Alyssa. And there won't be an annulment," he said as he took a step toward her.

"What are you saying?"

A smile touched his lips and he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small box and opened it. There was a beautiful wedding ring in the box.

"I'm saying that what I want is to marry you all over again. Make it truly right this time. Since the laws of Texas declare we're already man and wife, let's make it real. Let's renew our vows," he said.

He then got down on one knee and glanced up at her.

"Alyssa, will you continue to be my wife, till death us do part?"

Alyssa was shocked speechless. Tears flooded her eyes. She shook her head and tried wiping the tears away with her hand-the one Clint wasn't slipping the ring onto.

"But-but you can't want to stay married to me. You don't love me," she said.

Satisfied the ring was a perfect fit, Clint stood and smiled at her.

"Now that's where you're wrong. I do love you. I think I fell in love with you the first time we played our own special game," he said.

"Oh, Clint," she said, smiling through her tears.

He pulled her into his arms and murmured against her ear, "Is that a yes?"

She pulled back and smiled up at him. "That's definitely a yes! Oh, Clint, I will marry you again," she said.

"Thank you, sweetheart," he said. And then he was lowering his mouth to hers while pulling her closer into his arms. The kiss was long, deep and pa.s.sionate. Clint knew that it wasn't enough, but he broke the kiss off anyway. He knew there was something else he had to tell her.

"You know when we left the ranch and you asked where everyone was?" he asked her.

She nodded. "You told me they were probably sleeping in," she said.

"I lied."

Alyssa lifted a brow. "They aren't sleeping in?"

"No."

A confused looked touched her features. "Where are they?"

"In the barn getting things ready."

He could tell by her expression that now she was really confused so he decided to explain things. "I told everyone last night that I planned to ask you to marry me today. Abby suggested that while we had everyone here, we might as well renew our vows today. We can always have a reception for the rest of the family later, preferably on my father's mountain in Montana when the weather gets warm," he said.

Alyssa truly didn't know what to say at first.

"Your family is doing that for me?"

Clint smiled. "They are doing it for us. They know how much I love you. I think they realized it before I did because all of them, with the exception of Cole and Reggie, have been there, done that. They know what it is like to fall in love with your heart even when your mind is still in denial," he said.

He leaned down and kissed her again and when she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss, he knew that when they married this time around, it would be forever.

Epilogue.