The Outlaw's Claim
Author
Brenda Jackson
Reads
18.1K
Chapters
1
Epilogue
Phire glanced up at the man who was holding her in his arms while they shared a dance. He was not only her best friend and husband, but he was also her everything. “Thanks for making arrangements to have Clancy and his family and the DuRands fly here. That meant a lot to me.”
Maverick smiled down at her. “I figured it would. I told him of my plans when we flew to Paris for your aunt’s memorial service. I also told him not to tell you because it was a secret.”
“And it was a wonderful one.”
“And you’re okay with us living in Alaska and not Paris?” he asked, holding her close.
“Yes, but then there’s no other place I’d rather be than where you are. Sloan’s wife, Leslie, has given me the name of her doctor and I plan to call him when we get back from our honeymoon.” Before leaving Texas, Phire had kept the appointment with her doctor. The look on Maverick’s face when he’d heard their child’s heartbeat had been priceless.
She paused and then said, “It was kind of your father to give us the ranch and the land it sits on as a wedding gift.”
Maverik nodded. “Yes, it was, but then look at how much land he kept. Over two thousand acres. I have a feeling he’ll be giving each of my other brothers and Charm acres of their own as well. Even after that, Dad will still have plenty land left for himself.”
Phire glanced across the room to where Bart and Claudia were talking to Dillon and his wife, Pam. At least Claudia was doing the talking—Bart was just listening. Maverick had said his father wasn’t all that sociable and finding out about his family history hadn’t changed that about him. “Do you think your father and Claudia will eventually get married?”
Maverick followed her gaze. “Yes, one day. There’s no way Dad will let her get away a second time. Enough about everyone else—let’s talk about us. Are you ready for our honeymoon?”
They would be flying out tomorrow for Jamaica. He said he wanted to take her someplace where there was a lot of sunlight since when they returned to Alaska, the days would be short and cold. “Yes, I’m definitely ready. I even got a bathing suit. I figured I better wear it now while I can still look sexy.”
When the music came to an end, he pulled her closer. “Baby, you’ll look sexy even if it’s the day before you deliver our baby.” He then lowered his head to hers for a kiss.
Jaxon took a sip of his champagne while watching the woman across the room talking with Zane. He had met most of the members of the Westmoreland family and wondered who she was. He thought she was beautiful, or striking was a more appropriate word.
“You’re enjoying yourself, Jaxon?”
He nodded to Jess. “I’m fine. There are a lot of Westmorelands.”
Jess chuckled. “Yes, there are. Now you can imagine how my brothers and I felt meeting them for the first time. They are a right friendly group who are big on family. I understand Dillon welcomed you to the Westmoreland family and introduced you to the Atlanta and Montana Westmorelands.”
“He did, but he really didn’t have to do that since I’m not related to them,” Jaxon said, taking another sip of his champagne.
“You’re related to us, which makes you related to them. That’s the Westmoreland way.”
“And what about that woman standing over there talking to Zane? Is she a member of the family?”
Jess followed his gaze. “That’s Nadia Novak and, yes, we consider her a member of the family.” He then studied Jaxon and said, “But not to the point where you can’t approach her if you’re interested.”
Jaxon switched his gaze from Nadia back to Jess. “You sure? You did say she was considered part of the Westmoreland family.”
“Yes, I’m sure. I can say that with certainty since my wife, Paige, is Nadia’s sister. And so is Aidan’s wife, Jillian, and Dillon’s wife, Pam. Three out of four sisters married Westmoreland men.”
A smile spread across Jaxon’s face. “You don’t say?”
“I do say. However, I’ll give you fair warning—Nadia is as feisty as they come.”
Jaxon chuckled. “I love feistiness in a woman.”
Jess threw back his head and laughed. “Then you’ll definitely love Nadia. Come on and let me introduce the two of you.”
Jaxon followed Jess across the room. He had a feeling that after meeting Nadia Novak, his life would never be the same again.
“All your sons are now married, Bart, to strong women. You have to feel good about that.”
He looked over at Claudia. “I am. They are married and producing more Outlaws.”
“Now all that’s left is Charm to marry.”
Bart snorted. “I’m not ready for that.”
“Well, you need to get ready. She’ll be thirty in a couple of years.”
Bart frowned. “And?”
“And I think it’s time you tell her what you did all those years ago. It’s best she hears it from you and not find out on her own.”
“I did the right thing, Claudia. She was too young to think herself in love. It was utter teenage nonsense.”
“She might not agree with you about that, especially when she discovers what you did to break up her and Dylan Emanuel.”
Bart didn’t say anything for a moment. “I might lose her if I told her.”
“And you might lose her if you don’t tell her.”
Bart glanced across the room, to where Charm was talking to Cash and his wife Brianna. Charm was his pride and joy and the thought of losing his only daughter was a pain he couldn’t endure.
He’d done what he thought was best, and he’d leave it at that.
Don’t miss a single installment of
Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws
from USA TODAY bestselling author
Brenda Jackson
The Wife He Needs
The Marriage He Demands
What He Wants for Christmas
What Happens on Vacation...
The Outlaw’s Claim
And Charm’s story, coming soon!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Cinderella Masquerade by LaQuette.
