Page 68 of Spurred On

We walk hand in hand and make our way to our separate booths. The Judge looks over to us, still not looking too impressed, and takes a seat at her podium. “Alright, you two, it has been a quick six months. I see you both survived. It appears that all court orders were followed. Should you both wish, your request for divorce will be granted."

Unsure of what the proper courtesy is in court, I raise my hand. “Your Honor?”

“Yes?” She quirks a brow, and I almost feel like I’m going to be scolded.

Clearing my throat, I say, “We have actually decided to stay married.”

She stares at us both. A small fissure of her icy exterior begins to show when her lips curve up a little. She pushes her glasses back up on her nose and folds her arms over one another.

“Let me get this straight. You two, who had never met before getting married, are wishing to stay married?” She looks over to Ava for confirmation.

“Yes, your honor.” Ava gives a nod before smiling over at me.

“Well, I’ll be.” Her smile grows a little larger and she does one single nod of her head. “You know, I’ve done many things in my life. Never did I imagine I’d add matchmaker to the resume.” A smile takes over my face and laughter echoes throughout the room.

“Thank you, your honor. I’m not sure we would be where we are today if you wouldn’t have made us stick it out,” Ava says.

“Something tells me you two would have found each other again, one way or another. But I’ll take the credit. Well, I guess that makes me pretty useless in this case. I wish you both many years of happiness.”

“Thank you, your honor,” Ava and I say in unison.

“You’re dismissed. Have a good day,” she says.

And a good day it is. I get to keep my girl until forever ends.

Today marks the start of forever with Ava.

We head out of the courtroom, and I have one burning image in my mind. Ava dressed in white. We missed that step, and it’s eating at me. Not knowing what she would look like as my bride.

We get back in the truck, and my brain keeps turning, making me more quiet than usual.

“You okay?” She looks over at me with a hint of worry on her face.

“Hell yeah, you’re officially Ava Ryder. Today is the best day.” I grab our linked fingers and kiss her knuckles. And I truly mean it. Today is the best day of my life. But I have to wonder what her dream daywould have entailed. We skipped that whole part. But she doesn’t seem sad or that she’s missing out. She flashes me a smile when I use her soon-to-be-official last name.

“Ava Ryder does have a good ring to it, doesn’t it?” She grins once more at me before looking out the window while gears turn in my head.

We get back home, and I make an excuse to help the boys out on the ranch, but really, I need an expert opinion.

Walking into the big house, the large windows allow light to spill into the living room. It’s my favorite thing about this space, all the natural light. Looking over to the kitchen, I spy the two people I am looking for.

“Ladies. I require some advice and, potentially, your services.” Mabel and Aspen both pop their heads up from whatever they are baking on the counter. “Well, you know Ava and I had court today.”

Mabel's face falls, and she places a lightly floured hand over her chest which luckily is covered by an apron. “Oh, Mav, I’m sorry.”

I hold up my hand, wanting to stop them before they start panicking. “We didn’t get divorced.”

Both Aspen and her mother drop their jaws. Sometimes, I forget that Aspen is the spitting image of her mother. While Mabel’s hair is grey now, and her face has a few more creases in it now than it did when I was a riled-up teenager, their expressions are the exact same.

“So you’re saying that you two stayed married.” Aspen holds up a whisk and points it at me, taking a few extra seconds to wrap her head around it.

I hop up onto the barstool that sits next to the counter, sensing it’s going to take them a minute or two to come to terms with this. Ava and I didn’t tell a soul. I didn’t tell the boys, and she didn’t tell Erin, her other friends at home, or Aspen. We just decided for ourselves and then got on with it. “Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. She’s officially Mrs. Ryder.”

“Holy shitballs, Maverick,” Aspen says. Her mom rolls her eyes at her language. But I’ve heard Mabel drop some gnarly F bombs in her day, so I know exactly where she got it from.

“Yeah, so back to why I’m here.” I tap the marble counter a couple times to keep their attention.

“Oh yeah, sorry. Go on.” Aspen ditches the whisk in the bowl and leans on the counter, one elbow propping her head up.

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