Page 74 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
“That’s true.”
“But I also wouldn’t want you having to drive from here into town to open your gallery every day.The weather is harsh in winter, and I’d worry about you—”
“I don’t have a gallery.”Ansley cut him short, laughing.“But one day, yes, I’m hoping.”
She swung her leg over the ATV seat and stood up, stepping into his arms.“Let’s spend some time house hunting.There’s no reason to rush.I’d rather find the right place for all of us instead of trying to squeeze us into a place that won’t work.”
“Like the Campbell farmhouse?”
“Way too small.I don’t know where we’d put everyone.”
He kissed her head and then her mouth.It was a light warm kiss, filled with sweetness.“There’s a lot of good communities between Marietta and Bozeman, and Livingston, too.”
“It’ll be fun to look for a place,ourplace,” she said with some satisfaction.
He kissed her again, a deeper kiss, a kiss of absolute love and affection.“So, when are we going to get married, Ansley?We never set a date.”
“Whenever you want to.I’m not interested in a big wedding.I’m not interested in all the fuss.I just want you.And I want us to be together.These past few months have been tough with us living in two different places, and trying to meet when we could.I’m just ready to be with you twenty-four-seven.”
“Maybe a Christmas wedding?That would give us a month to plan.Is that enough time?”
“Do you know what the weather is like around here?If we have a lot more snow—”
“Oh, we will definitely have a lot more snow, and I’m not thinking of a garden wedding.Maybe something at a hotel, and let them do all the work?”
“Wouldn’t that be a lot of money?”
He thought for a minute.“What about at Bramble House?It’s a good place and it’d probably work for a small wedding, although if all your brothers come, it’s not going to be such a small wedding.”
Ansley laughed.“They’ll come, but they’re all single so that saves money.”
“We’d have my family, plus Ron.”Rye’s tone hardened.“Or I could tell him it’s family only.”
Ansley tugged on his vest.“We could also just elope and deal with the consequences.”
Rye pictured her five older brothers and shook his head.“If your dad is anything like your brothers, eloping might not be a good idea.I have a feeling everyone wants to see you married.You’re the only girl, and the baby.”
“Then let’s talk to the Bramble House tonight when we go back to town and see if they have a day open.”
“I love it when we communicate.Look how much we get done.”
She laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist.“You will have your cast off before the wedding, won’t you?”
“Yes.Thank goodness.”
She reached up to stroke his jaw, her nails lightly grazing the bristles of his beard.“Can’t wait to marry you.Can’t wait until I’m yours forever.”
“The time will pass quickly.We have a lot to do.”
“I’m excited,” she said.“Excited about our future.”
He kissed her.“I love you, Ansley.”
She smiled against his mouth.“I love you, Rye Calhoun, and I can’t wait until we have a little Calhoun of our own.”
Epilogue
In the end,it was the Wyatts who helped Rye and Ansley find their dream house.
