Page 14 of Born Wild

“Besides, we have something important to discuss first.” I tug her back into my arms.

“What?” Her eyes drop to my mouth.

“Cass, you gotta name this horse.”

Her sweet laughter wraps around my heart like a warm blanket. Every fiber of my being delights in making her smile.

After Cassie names the colt—Silas—we make out in the barn for a while before I drive her home. By the time I return to the ranch, it’s late. The kitchen light is still on as I walk up the drive, and for the first time since asking Cass to marry me, my gut twists with apprehension.

The conversation with my father is unavoidable. I wish we had the kind of relationship where I am excited to share my good news, but that’s just how how it is. Fuck it. Better to get this over with.

“Another late night.” The judgment in his tone is clear the second I step inside the house. “Out with that Higgins girl again?”

“Cassie,” I say as I remove my boots and hang up my jacket.

“Mphh,” he grunts from his chair near the radio. A glass of whisky sits near a half-empty bottle. His evening wind down routine before heading to bed.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about.” I take the seat on the opposite end of the room, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my thighs.

“Here it comes,” he scoffs. “Let me guess. You knocked her up.”

I bite back the urge to tell him to fuck off but instead, I inhale all the patience in the world. I’ll need it for a conversation with this man. “I want to marry her.”

“Course you do.” He rolls his eyes.

“I do. And will marry her.” I clear my throat. “I’m not asking, I’m telling. But I would like your support, and I would like to fix up one of the cabins on the ranch for us to live in.”

“So you want a free place to stay?” He shakes his head.

“Free?” Anger boils to the surface. “I don’t know what your idea of free is, but I’ve been working on this damn ranch since I could lift a shovel. I work my ass off every day for you, and I don’t complain because I love it here. I want to continue our family’s legacy, even if that means working for my father and brother the rest of my life.”

“And youwhat? You want a damn medal for that? I put a roof over your head and feed you. You’ve never had to worry about nothing! You ungrateful shit!”

“Hey, what’s going on?” My older brother steps through the front door before I can respond to my father’s insults.

“This lovesick fool wants to get married,” our dad says with a snark of laughter.

“You’re going to marry Cassie?” Bob’s eyes light up and he closes the space between us in quick strides. “Congratulations, little brother.” He pulls me to my feet and clasps me on the shoulder when we embrace.

“Don’t encourage him.” Our father appraises us with a glare.

“Why not? We both know he’ll die a lonely bastard if he lets that girl slip through his fingers.” My brother shoots me a wink before knocking his shoulder against mine.

Our father chuckles, enjoying any joke at my expense.

“Did you ask her yet? When’s the wedding?” Bob asks.

“She said yes.” Heat creeps onto my cheeks as tonight replays in my mind. “I’ll go talk to her folks tomorrow, but we want to wed as soon as possible.”

Bob’s brows shoot high. “Okay, then. I’m excited to have a sister-in-law and become an uncle.”

I don’t even know how to respond.

“He wants to fix up the old cabin. But that’s yours.”

“Oh, I don’t want it.” Bob shakes his head. “Leslie would rather leave me than live on the ranch. She likes being in town. Especially now with two little ones.”

“What about when I retire and you take over the ranch?” our dad asks, obviously hurt by my brother’s answer, and showing a splinter of vulnerability.

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