Free Marry in Haste... by Karen Rose Smith

he’d been given a life sentence.
    But now….
    The troubled expression on Ryan’s face warnedthem before his words did. “We all know how badly Clint hates this family, and I wouldn’t put it past him to try to do more harm. I’m hiring extra security, especially around Mary Ellen and Sam’s house. Since she’s his sister, the authorities believe he may try to contact her. I called Sam, and they’re going to cut their vacation short and return tomorrow. Authorities really don’t think Clint will get this far before he’s caught, but I’d like you all to stick close to home. I don’t want the Double Crown to feel like a prison to you, though, and I just ask that you not go anywhere alone, not until he’s apprehended. Are we agreed on that?”
    Everyone nodded.
    Ryan draped his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “On the other hand, Clint Lockhart has taken up too much of our time and attention over the past year. Rosita has fixed a spread for anyone who’s hungry, so go and enjoy it so she knows she did a good job.” Then he forced a smile and motioned toward the dining room.
    Reed leaned close to Mallory. “Just to fill you in on some background…as Ryan said, Mary Ellen is Clint’s sister. She married Ryan’s brother, Cameron, who’s now deceased. Her new husband, Sam, is a security expert. Mary Ellen and Cameron built that house we passed earlier. After Cameron died, she stayed close to the family and eloped with Sam about six months ago.”
    â€œThis family’s endless,” Mallory murmured.
    â€œJust about,” Reed quipped. “I haven’t even met all my cousins yet. C’mon, let me introduce you to some people. They’ll want to meet my new wife.”
    Mallory didn’t enjoy playing a role. Reminding herself that Reed had been engaged to someone else a few days ago, she told herself that she really didn’t belong here, didn’t really belong with Reed. But she let him guide her toward a group of family members.
    He introduced her to Dallas Fortune, the son Ryan had been talking to earlier, and his wife Maggie; another son, Matthew, and his wife Claudia; Cruz and his wife Savannah. Rosita introduced Mallory to her husband Ruben and explained that Maggie was her daughter.
    Finally Zane came over to them, a pretty brunette on his arm. She wore her hair pulled back in a ponytail and her large blue gray eyes twinkled. “My wife Gwen,” Zane said with a crooked smile. “The woman who tamed me.”
    Gwen lightly jabbed him in the ribs. “Your nose is going to grow,” she teased with a loving smile. “I didn’t tame him, I redirected his energy.”
    Zane rolled his eyes and shook his head.
    As Ryan joined them, he cast a concerned look at Mallory. “The rest of us are used to dealing with Clint and the trouble he’s brought down upon us. I hope I didn’t scare you. I just want everyone to be careful.”
    Reed put his arm around her and pulled her against his shoulder. Again she tensed for a moment, then made herself relax. Right now, being this close to Reed seemed more dangerous than any harm an escaped convict could do.
    â€œI’ll make sure she’s kept safe,” Reed told his uncle.
    â€œYou know, I’ve been thinking since you got offthe plane this afternoon, we ought to give you a real wedding, with a cake and all the trimmings,” Ryan suggested.
    â€œNo,” they both said quickly.
    Gwen and Zane exchanged looks, and Ryan asked, “Why ever not?”
    â€œWe really appreciate the thought,” Reed responded for both of them, “but we don’t want any fuss.”
    â€œRight,” Mallory agreed.
    â€œI guess this is a honeymoon of sorts for you before you go back to Australia,” Ryan concluded. “I imagine Reed’s told you that two of his brothers and his sister are coming over in a few