Page 25 of Crashing the Altar
He sighed. “Marriage is a commitment, not an adventure.”
“Why can’t it be both?”
Scrubbing a hand over his face, he groaned. “Before I agree, I need you to answer me one question.”
“Anything,” I vowed, excitement beginning to buzz beneath my skin at the possibility of my every dream coming true.
“This how it’s gonna work? With you makin’ all the major life decisions for the both of us and me powerless to say no from now until forever?”
I scrunched my face up as I admitted the truth. “Probably.”
“Well, if that’s settled, then . . .” The truck lurched into motion again.
My mouth dropped open. “Seriously? We’re getting married?”
Tripp didn’t spare me a glance as he drove through the gates at the front of his family’s property. “That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, but—” I shook my head. “Is that what you want too?”
“Penny.” He reached across the center console to take my hand before bringing it to his lips. “I never dared to dream you might agree to be my wife, let alone that you’d be one to suggest taking on that role. Believe me when I tell you that I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire life than to marry you.”
Warmth curled low in my belly, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest at his words.
His thumb toyed with the ring on my fourth finger. Voice going gruff, he commanded, “Take this off.”
Without hesitation, I slid the diamond Jake had given me over my knuckles, leaving my left hand bare. Tripp’s gaze flickered over as I rubbed the empty space. “Don’t worry, Lucky. I’ll buy you a new one.”
A smile split my face at that promise, and I bounced in my seat.
His soft chuckle sounded beside me. “Maybe I don’t know you as well as I thought. Never pegged you as the type of girl to care much about shiny things.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “I don’t.” Then I clarified, “I only care about them when they come fromyou, is all.”
The doubtful look he shot me was ruined by the playful smirk tugging up the corner of his lips. “Uh-huh, sure. I can just see it now, having to sell off the whole damn ranch to keep you dripping in diamonds.”
“Jerk.” I smacked his shoulder.
His laughter had me breathing easier for the first time in weeks. God, I’d missed him something fierce.
We reached a crossroads where turning left would take us to Rust Canyon’s Main Street and turning right would lead us onto the state route outta town.
“Where to?”
Peeking behind me to make sure we weren’t being followed, I curled my fingers. “Give me your phone.”
“Any particular reason you can’t use yours?”
“Forgot this thing was riddled with pockets.” I patted down the length of the wedding dress I wore as sarcasm colored my words. “We left in a rush, in case you didn’t notice.”
Reaching into his pocket, Tripp produced his cell and handed it over. “Remind me to send Mac a thank you when the dust settles.”
“Why’s that?” My fingers flew over the screen, doing the research necessary for our impromptu quest.
“Persistent fucker dragged my ass back from Kansas this morning.”
That had my head whipping to the side. “What?”
Chest expanding on a deep inhale, he breathed out, “Not gonna lie to you, darlin’. I was planning on staying away today. If he hadn’t shown up . . .” He shook his head, eyes squeezing shut. “Kills me to even think about it.”
