“You’re right, Noah.”
“But this dog bites,” Reese grimly reminded them. His voice grew firm. “And under no circumstance will he come back here thinking he can either savage you or any of these men. I know you wouldn’t allow it, Shay. And I’ll back you up on that if Ray thinks he can do it and get away with it, because he can’t.”
His words were spoken with quiet authority, but Shay could feel the absolute power, the protectiveness, Reese was giving to all of them. She knew he was stronger than the other vets right now. He might have been down, but that officer/leader side to him had not been wounded. It was strong and worked just fine. Shay looked at the vets.
“Here’s my promise to all of you,” she said, her voice filled with resolve. “I need to see what my father wants. I need to hear him out. But he will not be allowed back on this ranch if he’s going to continue acting as he has in the past. No one deserves to be abused, and my father, unfortunately, has made it into an art form. I love all of you and I want you to stay here and continue to heal and get strong. No one’s leaving this ranch. And I won’t let my father come back if he thinks he can destroy the vision I’ve had for this ranch, for all of you, and those who will come here seeking help and healing from us in the future.”
Reese looked around, seeing the relief in the men’s faces. Shay was right to let them know where she stood. He was so damned proud of her. It seemed when things went to hell in a handbasket, she was the staunchest, most reliable warrior in the thick of any battle. And this was one helluva battle coming up. Reese didn’t try to kid himself about it.
“Look,” Garret said, giving her a stern look and waving his spatula in her direction, “you have more happy things to think about. You just got engaged to this hombre. You have a wedding to plan. I’ll bet a wedding dress to buy. Choosing the flowers you want for your bouquet. This is supposed to be your happy time.”
Shay shook herself internally. Garret was right. “Well, one thing for sure,” she told the vets, “you are all invited to the wedding.” She traded a smile with Reese. “Want to tell them?”
Reese moved his shoulders, as if to rid them of the tension he was carrying. “Sure. Shay and I both agree that Garret, I’d like you to be my best man. And Noah and Harper, you’ll be right behind him.”
The vets hooted and grinned broadly, pride in their expressions.
Shay’s heart spun with joy. She saw their eyes light up with happiness. They so desperately needed good news of any kind. Garret was preening. She knew he and Reese had grown close over the months. They reminded her of long lost brothers who had discovered one another after much time apart. “Hey, guys,” she said, raising her voice above the laughter, “that means you have to wear a business suit. This is a dress-up wedding. And Garret? You have to wear a tux.”
The room broke into guffaws, brutal teasing, and hooting.
Garret took it in stride, grinning like a wily wolf. “Then, I’ll be almost as good-lookin’ as that dude you’re gonna marry. Maybe some beautiful single woman will see me and swoon?”
More hoots, jeers, hollers, and teasing.
Holding up her hands, Shay laughed. “Garret, I can guarantee we’re going to rent a tux for you, but we have nothing to do with how the ladies respond to you. Okay?”
For the next ten minutes, the kitchen was warm with friendship, shared happiness, and smiles. Shay watched Reese begin to relax. She loved these vets so much. They were the salt of the earth, working so hard, consistently, caring for what she cared about on this ranch. Yes, their wedding was going to be a highlight for all of them.
As she glanced over at Reese, she felt him pondering the problem regarding her father. She knew his mind well enough by now that she was aware he was not leaving one stone unturned. He was a man who studied details with critical analysis and delved far deeper than most people into the whys and what-fors of a situation, and that reassured her. Reese would not let her make a foolish mistake based upon guilt, because that is what her father used to manipulate her all her life. And her husband-to-be was well aware of the toxic pattern she had with Ray.
A little of the worry and shock dissolved as the men kidded and teased one another over the coming wedding, the bachelor party, and what they were going to do to Reese as part of that ancient celebration. These men were military vets; they played as hard as they worked. And judging from the expressions on their faces, they were enjoying the daylights out of it. It made Shay feel good despite the shocking news.