Page 81 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

As my dad escorted me across the room, I admired Garrett. He was my happy now and my happily ever after. Risking my heart had gained me the whole world.

I heldtight to Garrett’s neck as he carried me into the house. He bumped the door closed with his hip, then turned so that I could flip the bolt.

“Our bags are in the bedroom.” He brushed his lips on mine.

“What did you wish for?”

Curiosity wrinkled his brow. “What?”

“In the hot tub the night before Delaney’s wedding. We saw a shooting star, and you said that soon you’d tell me about it. But you haven’t.”

“And you pick now to ask?” He glanced toward the hall.

It dawned on me that I might be getting heavy. “You can put me down. I’m sorry about making you hold me so long. But I am curious. Please tell me.”

He shifted his hold but didn’t put me down. “I wished that I’d get to redeem that other raincheck.” With his eyebrows lifted, he looked toward the bedroom again. He didn’t have to say the words out loud for me to understand his question.

I fingered a button on his shirt, anticipating how amazing it would feel to have him on top of me. “Take me to bed, cowboy.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Epilogue

Garrett

Leaning against the barn, I watched as Tessa rode up the path. Her hair blew in the breeze, and a wide smile stretched across her face. We’d been married eight months, and seeing her still made my heart pound faster.

Parker slapped my shoulder. “I’ll let you help her down. Then I’ll take care of Sprinkles.”

“Thanks.” I met Tessa just outside the corral. “Hello, gorgeous.”

Her cheeks, still flushed from riding, changed from pink to red. “Hiya, cowboy.” She dismounted and wrapped her arms around me. “I thought you’d be busy until later.”

“You know what today is?” I picked her up, cradling her in my arms.

“Hmm. Monday?” She chewed her bottom lip. “Did I forget something important?”

“One year ago today, I asked you out, and you turned me down.” I’d marked the date in my calendar shortly after she’d decided to risk being more than friends.

Her eyes widened. “Garrett!”

Chuckling, I carried her to the truck. “If you have time, I was hoping you’d spend the rest of the day with me.”

“Now that I know what day it is, I can’t exactly say no. Not that I would anyway.” She grinned. “What do you have planned?”

“You’ll see.” I set her in the passenger seat.

She grabbed my shirt. “Do I need to change clothes?”

“You’ll see.” I loved watching her anticipation mount.

As I pulled away from the barn, I clasped her hand. “I ran into town this morning and bumped into someone at the feed store.”

“Okay?”

“I’d never met him before, but he sure was eager to meet me. Went on about how he’d been friends with you years ago.” I glanced at her to catch her reaction.

“Skeeter?” Panic flashed in her eyes.

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