Taryn looked up and grinned at him. “We’re married.”
“I know,” he said and reached over to cover her hand with his. His finger slid over the ring on her hand, proclaiming her as his.
Because Taryn was such a unique and singularly incredible person, a regular wedding ring just wouldn’t work, at least in his opinion. The moment he’d found the ring, he’d known it had been designed for her. Three golden twig branches had been woven in an asymmetrical design that symbolized unity and strength. The ring was as exceptional as the woman who had stolen his heart.
“I love it,” Taryn said with a smile as he continued running his finger over the ring.
He squeezed her hand. “I’m glad. If you want a diamond—”
“I don’t need a diamond. I didn’t even need this. My heart has been yours for years. I didn’t need a ring or a piece of paper to tell me that.”
Jace slowed the truck and pulled into the drive. He shut off the engine and turned his head to her. “That is one of the many reasons I love you.”
She leaned over, and they pressed their lips together. When she moved back, she said, “What about you? Do you want a ring?”
“Do you want me to wear one?”
“Do you want to wear one?”
They both laughed. Jace shook his head. “I’d be happy to wear a ring, but like you said, I’ve been yours for years. This just makes it all official. When all this is done, we’ll go get me a ring, and we’ll plan a big event to celebrate with everyone.”
“How about a small event? Something casual.”
“Whatever you’d like, darlin’. I know women think about their weddings for years.”
She shrugged and glanced away. “I witnessed the stress of a couple of my friends during their weddings. I’d rather the event be special. Like it was today.”
“At the courthouse?” he asked with a frown.
Taryn smiled, her eyes lighting up. “Yes. Because it was about us and our love.”
“You’re a special one, do you know that?”
“Of course. I just want you to realize that,” she replied sassily.
They shared another laugh until Jace saw her look nervously at the house. “What is it?”
“This has to come off,” she said and moved the fingers on her left hand to bring attention to the ring.
“It doesn’t have to. Not until you leave for Fort Worth, at least.”
Her beautiful green eyes lifted to his. “We agreed not to tell anyone until after everything.”
“Those helping us won’t tell a soul. Leave the ring on.”
Jace saw movement in his rearview mirror and looked up to see Cooper and Marlee park behind him.
“Come on,” Taryn said with a wink. “Our quiet morning is over.”
He didn’t want to leave the truck. He wasn’t ready for the others to arrive because that meant the countdown to their mission had begun. He knew it was silly. The countdown had begun the moment Taryn asked for help. That didn’t mean he was ready for any of it.
Jace told Taryn what she needed to hear to feel safe, but he, like his friends, knew all too well the many things that could go wrong. They were professionals, and Jace trusted each of them with his life. Every one of them had been in a bad situation and had gotten out of it.
But this was the first time it was truly personal for him.
He’d helped his friends when they needed it, but this was about the woman he loved. His wife. He couldn’t lose her. Not again.
“Jace?”
He swallowed and tried to smile, but as he looked at Taryn, he failed. “You’re beautiful. Your soul is beautiful. Your body and face are stunning. You are simply amazing. I’m lucky to have your love.”
Her lips curved into a smile as she cupped her hand on his cheek. “You’ve got that backward, handsome. I’m the lucky one.”
“We have years to debate this,” Jace said with a wink.
Taryn chuckled. “Exactly. More people are pulling up. I think we should go in.”
Jace could no longer put it off. He released Taryn’s hand, and they climbed out of the truck and walked to the house together, Clayton and Caleb not far behind. Inside the house, Cooper had already opened the schematics of the warehouse complex while Marlee talked on her phone in the kitchen.
Taryn set down her purse and put the flowers in water before she stood with Jace as Caleb went to Cooper. Clayton nodded to Taryn as he removed his hat and hung it on a hook near the kitchen’s side door. Jace watched her looking at the others. About that time, Brice and Cash walked in. The conversations grew loud as everyone talked over one another. That’s when Jace noticed that Clayton stood to the side, watching him and Taryn. She turned her head to Jace and gave him a small nod.
Jace cleared his throat. “Hey, everyone! We’ve got something to say.”
Marlee ended her call, and the others turned to face them, waiting patiently.
Jace glanced at Taryn as he put his arm around her. “I honestly didn’t think I would ever see Taryn again. We both realize that we got a second chance, and while there’s a rather large obstacle in the way, it will soon be remedied thanks to the help of all of you.”
“Which I’ll never be able to repay,” Taryn said.
Cooper crossed his arms over his chest. “There’s no need to repay us. This is what friends do for each other.”
Jace couldn’t stop the smile from spreading over his face. “We wanted all of you to be the first to know that less than thirty minutes ago, we got married at the courthouse.”
The room erupted with chatter—questions and congratulations.
Finally, it died down enough for Taryn to say, “We were going to wait and tell everyone after we returned from Fort Worth, but that didn’t seem right. Y’all are risking your lives for my sister and me.”
“We’re asking that the news not get back to my parents, though,” Jace said. He then looked at Cooper. “Or your mother. Not yet. We plan to have a celebration when we get back, but for now, this needs to stay between us.”
Clayton nodded as he pushed away from the wall. “A wise decision. I’m not sure what Boyd would do if he learned of this.”
Jace felt Taryn shiver at Clayton’s words. “He’s not going to find out.”
“No, he isn’t,” Caleb said.
Brice looked around. “Where’s the champagne? Beer? Wine? Something. We need to toast.”
“We will,” Jace told him.
Cooper walked to Taryn and hugged her before he slapped Jace on the back. “Jace is right. There’s work to do. We’ll celebrate after.”
That seemed to put everyone in gear. Jace went with the guys to go over details once again before they began checking their equipment. He saw Taryn with Marlee as the two looked at Taryn’s ring. This was the first day of their married lives, and if Jace had any say in it, it wouldn’t be the last.
“There’s still time to bring in the authorities,” Clayton said in a low voice near Jace’s ear.
Jace glanced at the man who had been a father figure, brother, and friend. “If our situations were reversed, and Abby was in Taryn’s place, what would you do?”