SAFE BY HIS SIDE (MANHUNT) Read online

  But now she had, she couldn’t wait to say her vows to Micah.

  Her mother poked her head into the extra bedroom where she was getting ready. Micah had brought her to the ranch for a few days after Simpleton’s death, and she’d fallen in love with the land.

  She and Jenny had planned the wedding on the front lawn at sunset. White draped chairs and tables were set up facing a gazebo situated on the small hill that overlooked the creek.

  “You look beautiful, honey.” Her mother fastened a silver locket around her neck. “Here is your something borrowed.”

  Lenora fingered the heart with appreciation. The necklace had been passed down through several generations. “Thank you, Mom. I’d glad you’re here.”

  “And I’m happy you found such a wonderful man.”

  Lenora blinked back emotions. She refused to cry today. She and her mother and Nan had already shed way too many tears. Both of them had agreed to counseling and were healing. Nan admitted she still had nightmares, but they were happening less frequently. Ironically, the ordeal had brought the two of them closer again.

  Jenny and Nan slipped into the room, both looking gorgeous in the classic black dresses they’d chosen as bridesmaids.

  “It’s time,” Nan squealed.

  Jenny squeezed her hand. “Everything looks perfect. Including you.”

  Lenora hugged them both.

  “The music’s beginning.” Her mother clapped her hands. “Let’s go, girls.”

  Jenny opened the door and ushered Nan and Lenora’s mother outside to be seated. Lenora followed, her bridal gown swishing as she made her way to the French doors overlooking the lawn.

  Jenny’s fiancé Troy played the guitar, strumming softly as the bridesmaids walked through the center aisle between the rows of chairs lined up for the guests.

  The bridal march began, and she spotted Micah, dressed in a long western duster and black Stetson, waiting for her in front of the gazebo.

  He looked so sexy and handsome that her heart nearly burst with joy.

  As she walked down the aisle toward him, images of their future together flashed in her mind, making her heart pound with anticipation. When she reached him, she handed Jenny her bouquet of roses, and took Micah’s hand.

  The reverend, an older man she’d met through her job, had taken a special interest in her mother at the rehearsal. Maybe her mother would have a second chance at love now.

  He greeted everyone and read a Bible verse, but she and Micah had chosen to write their own vows.

  Micah began. “Lenora, I thought by working in law enforcement that I had to be alone. But you taught me that love means more than a job. That my job means nothing without you. I am so blessed to have you as my bride.”

  Lenora stared into his eyes, touched by his heartfelt words. “Micah, I once lived in a world of darkness. But the day you took my hand and walked me back into the light, I fell in love with you. I loved you then, I love you now, I’ll love you forever.”

  They exchanged rings, and the reverend pronounced them husband and wife.

  The ceremony was short and sweet, but Lenora knew in her heart that their marriage and their love would last a lifetime.

  Micah had never expected to find a soul mate, but he’d found one in Lenora. He couldn’t help but blush as he shook hands with his fellow rangers and watched the crowd disperse.

  As much as he’d enjoyed the party and dancing with his bride, he was ready to be alone with his new wife.

  And he still had a surprise for her.

  She’d loved his ranch immediately and hadn’t cared that it was rundown. But before he moved her here, he’d wanted to make some changes.

  Lenora waved goodbye to her friends and mother, then sashayed over to him. “Hey, husband.”

  “Wife,” he said with a grin. “I say we take this champagne inside.”

  She glanced at the fading sun on the horizon. “But I hate to leave this view.”

  “You won’t miss it.” He swung her up in his arms, grabbed the champagne and two flutes for her to hold then carried her inside to the master suite.

  He’d insisted she redecorate the kitchen, but he’d kept her from the master suite to give him time to renovate it.

  When he opened the door with his foot, she gasped. “Micah…it’s beautiful.”

  He grinned. He’d knocked out the back wall and extended the room, added skylights and French doors to offer a view of the sky and the sweeping land. The colors of the sunset shimmered on the horizon.

  “You did this for me?” she whispered, awe in her voice.

  “I know you don’t like closed in spaces.” He nuzzled her neck. “I wanted you to have your terrace and sunset here at our home.”

  “Thank you, Micah.” Lenora clasped his face between her hands. “I love you. I always will.”

  “And I love you. You’ve given me everything I ever wanted.”

  She smiled and kissed him, and he laid her on the king sized sleigh bed he’d bought for them to share.

  Smiling seductively, he stripped her wedding gown and his clothes, and they made love all night with the stars twinkling through the skylights and the moon glowing bright just as their love would glow the rest of their lives.

  Other Books by Rita Herron

  If you liked Safe by His Side, then please write a review on Amazon! You can also contact Rita at www.ritaherron.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter @ritaherron!

  You might also like Rita's other books:

  SAFE IN HIS ARMS (Book 1 of the Manhunt Series)

  She will do anything to escape her ex-husband...

  He will do anything to find her...

  And Texas Ranger Sgt. Alex Townsend will do anything to save her...

  Even if it means giving up his life.

  BEFORE SHE DIES (Prequel)

  She has to tell someone what is happening in Slaughter Creek…

  DYING TO TELL

  A mysterious killer will do anything to keep Sadie Nettleton from finding her grandfather's murderer and exposing the truth about what happened ten years ago.

  HER DYING BREATH

  A serial killer will stop at nothing to get revenge against the men who hurt her — even kill reporter Brenda Banks and Special Agent Nick Blackwood if they get too close to the truth.

  MARRY ME, MADDIE

  A woman gives her boyfriend an ultimatum on a talk show — Marry Me or Move on! Then her brothers' best friend steps in and the battle for her hand begins!

  SLEEPLESS IN SAVANNAH

  A dating game switch leaves a man sleepless when the woman he wants ends up with another man!

  I LOVE LUCY

  All Lucy wants for the holidays is to be with her family and the man she loves — instead she's hiding out from a stalker in a sixties & up community!

  HUSBAND HUNTING 101

  A woman takes a class to find a husband!

  HERE COMES THE BRIDE

  A twin switch, a fake fiancé — a real wedding?

  SINGLE AND SEARCHING

  A woman places an ad to find a date, but the man who answers is an undercover cop who thinks she's a thief!

  UNDER THE COVERS

  A famous marriage counselor hires a man to play her husband when her real one leaves her for a man!

  Meet the Author

  Multi-published, award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. She has sold over sixty novels, worked for several major publishers, and loves writing romantic comedies as well as spinning dark romantic suspense tales filled with murder and mayhem.

  For more on Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter @ritaherron.

  Table of Contents

  SAFE by His Side

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three


  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Other Books by Rita Herron

  Meet the Author