Page 52 of Wicked Cowboy
His smile widened and, for one minute, he didn’t touch his food as he said, “You’re still here. Good.”
Chelsea sat on the edge of the bed like they were already best friends.
I took the breakfast plate and gave him back a knife and some butter. “Pop was the first to call me a fool when I told him what I did to you.”
Ridley hugged my Pop. “Aww. I’ll let you know if he ever acts out of line first then.”
He finished his bread like he’d been starved despite the tray of food beside him, but he still gazed at Ridley like she was the best deal he’d made in years. “Happy to help the best daughter-in-law I can ask for.”
Chelsea let out a sigh. “My mom and dad would’ve liked to be here.”
Ridley tapped her lightly as she said, “They are here. They brought us all together.”
We let my Pop eat the bread and the nurse brought in the paperwork that said he was free to go. I signed as his caregiver, but then I asked him as they brought him a wheelchair, “Are you ready to get out of here?”
“Absolutely,” Pop said and didn’t argue about the wheelchair. The last time I’d taken him home, he’d pitched a fit.
As we reached the lobby, Sally stopped us and put her hand on her hip. “Now, there is the Rockson family.”
I held Ridley’s waist. “Sally, Ridley and I are getting married today on the ranch, nothing fancy, no single men, but we’d love for you and your family to come over around six for a small backyard barbeque.”
I realized my pop practically jumped out of his chair. Guess he knew now.
Sally hugged Ridley. “We’ll be there.”
The ride home was smooth. Pop sat in the backseat with Chelsea and no one asked too many questions.
After we returned to the ranch, Pop and Chelsea went to their rooms.
I guided Ridley to the backyard where I’d been stupid before. The staff prepped a small wedding arch covered in flowers and were busy setting up the seating and table settings. I took Ridley to the side and she had a shine in her eyes that magnetized me when she said, “I never once thought we’d do any of this, even when I said I’d marry you.”
Every day for the rest of my days, I would have to remind this wonderful woman I was lucky to have her in my life. “You deserve love and I want to sleep in bed with you tonight.”
She crossed her arms and her hip went up a little. “Just sleep?”
I raised my hands like I was caught red-handed. “I want more than sleep.”
She curled her fingers in mine. “Goodness, I love you, Carter Rockson.”
I lowered my head and my eyes closed when I said, “I fucking love you, Ridley. Now go and get ready. Chelsea’s coming for you.”
“Oh, we’ll be back,” She said, but she made no move to leave me. Instead, she curled her arms around me and I kissed her.
Soon she’d be mine forever, but this preview was exactly what I needed. Life with her was everything I’d ever want.
Chapter 18
Ridley
I glanced out to the backyard where lights were strung on the porch and a wedding arch. A few small tables with white table cloths and flower centerpieces to the side, and white seats facing the arch and the red carpet that served as my aisle.
Once I saw what Carter and Chelsea had set up in a day, I'd canceled the idea of a big wedding later. This one was more than I'd dreamed.
Overlooking a vast field that was purple on a pink sunset served as the perfect backdrop to the day. And my dress was gorgeous. Strapless, but high on the chest, so nothing showed, with crystals at my waist that trailed down the front and back like I was some princess.
I honestly wouldn’t have planned anything nearly so perfect as now.
And the best part was I’d spend the rest of my life with Carter.
