Leopard 04 - Wild Fire

the barn and teach him some manners,” Doc declared. “You let that girl go.”
    “Not happening, Doc,” Conner said, holding her to him. Her fingers were pure magic. He’d forgotten fun. Maybe all of them had. Abel and Mary reminded them what life was all about—sharing with family and friends. Laughter and hope. Love. And he loved Isabeau Chandler with everything in him.
    “He’s just too strong, Rio,” Isabeau claimed and then reached her arm up and behind her to hook around the nape of Conner’s neck and draw his head down to hers.
    Her lips were velvet soft, firm and far too enticing to resist. Her mouth was hot, her tongue sensually tangling with his. For a moment he forgot their audience and their silly game and just lost himself in the wonder of her kiss. He tasted love and it was the most addictive spice there was.
    “Hey there!” Rio said. “Little sister, I think you’re worse than he is. Let her go, Conner, or we’re taking you out behind the barn to give you a little lesson in respect.”
    “Actually,” Conner said, without a hint of remorse, “I am being respectful. I’m trying to spare you and your women from seeing what your shortcomings are. If I don’t keep Isabeau right here, we could have a riot on our hands.”
    She spun around and pushed him away from her with both hands flat on his chest, color flooding her face. “You’re terrible.” She marched over to Rio, her nose in the air.
    Doc intercepted her path, catching her arm. “Young lady, I think you need to come with me. It’s obvious I need to put you in protective custody.”
    She turned her head to watch the men close in on Conner. They were laughing as they advanced menacingly. She had the feeling her bridegroom was about to be subjected to some ancient ritual. She went back to the house with Doc. The women were gathered on the porch, watching the men’s antics, laughing together.
    Mary snapped a tea towel at her. “Naughty girl.” Amusement sparkled in her eyes. “Sign the documents for Abel and let him complete your health certificates and then we’ve prepared you a nice bath. Claudia will do your hair for you. She’s a wonderful hairdresser. Leopard hair grows so thick and fast and yours has curl to it. She’ll be able to put it up beautifully.”
    “I brought jewelry,” another woman said. “I’m Monica, a jewelry designer. As soon as Mary called me and said you were Marisa’s daughter-in-law, I knew I had found the perfect person for my most special design. It’s just been sitting there. I’ve never even displayed it. I just knew it was for an important occasion. This is my present to you on your wedding day.”
    She held up a box. Champagne diamonds sparkled in a swirl of glittering white diamonds dropping in tears from a chain of white gold. The earrings were small teardrops matching the necklace. It was the most beautiful jewelry Isabeau had ever seen. She stepped back, shaking her head. “I can’t accept that.”
    Monica smiled at her. “I’m eighty-two, Isabeau. I have no children and this is my work. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give it to someone who will treasure it.”
    Isabeau felt tears choking her. The kindness of these people, the sheer generosity was amazing. She let her breath out, struggling not to cry. “Then, thank you. I’ll never forget any of you. You make me feel as if I really have a family.”
    The women smiled at one another and ushered her into the house, out of Conner’s sight.

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    17
    CONNER was nervous. He hadn’t expected to be nervous. He was also excited and he’d expected that, but suddenly, standing up in front of the judge with a much larger audience than he’d counted on was a little disconcerting. Rio kept grinning at him and he found it was just better not to look at Leonardo or Felipe. Even Elijah had shot him a quick smirk before going off to patrol. He ran his finger around his collar and adjusted his tie one more time. Admittedly this was all his idea, so he couldn’t exactly run.

He wanted to marry Isabeau. It wasn’t that making him nervous. But what if she changed her mind? He shouldn’t have pushed her so hard. She was young. Nearly ten years younger than he was, and she’d been sheltered. What had he done? Come into her life, exposed her father, revealed she’d been adopted and then dragged her into a very dangerous situation. He took a breath and ran