Page 53 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“I want you as my wingman. I want you to stand up before God and all our nosy neighbors, and look fierce if anyone seems like they’re going to object when the pastor calls out the option.” Then he reached over and took Cade by the bicep, his face serious. “All humor aside?”

Cade nodded, mouth too dry to speak.

“Man, you’re my brother.” Eli opened his mouth to say more and shook his head, his eyes red, a shimmer of tears catching the light. “You’re my brother.”

Tears threatened, and Cade only tilted his head back and let the emotional cards fall where they may.

His brother thought a lot of him as a man. But he hadn’t been much of a man last night with Emma. She’d deserved some assurances, and he hadn’t been able to give them to her.

He’d watched his father turn into a bitter, angry man because of love, and he’d vowed never to become his father. But here was Eli, ready to profess his love and give everything he was and had to Reagan. Did Cade believe Eli would become their old man? No, he was a better man than their father ever had been. And so was Cade.

So he’d put himself out there. He’d make sure she never had to wonder if he’d been coerced or acted out of guilt or whatever other crazy stories she might concoct. She would know that this was where she belonged. With him.

A soft knock sounded on the door, and they both called, “Come in,” at the same time.

The door pushed in and Cade stopped breathing. Emma wore a fitted gown of dark chocolate that had been somehow gathered at the sides so it created a draping effect to the knees where it then flared out. She reached behind her for something and Cade couldn’t help but gasp. The gown was backless—from the top of her shoulders to the sway of her bottom—nothing.

Cade let out a single whistle.

She brought boutonnieres into the room, a pretty flush staining her pale skin. “Stop. You’re going to make me self-conscious.”

That was fine with him. Maybe then she’d put on a shawl.

Cade stepped toward her. “Will you pin mine on for me?”

She silently moved in close enough he could smell her. Without a word, she pinned his small calla lily boutonniere on his lapel. Then she repeated the same procedure for Eli.

“Where’s Tyson?” Cade’s voice was gravelly.

Emma laughed, the sound only reinforcing his arousal. “He’s on the front porch waiting to escort Reagan ‘at the Commander’s commanding command.’” She crossed to Eli and took his hand. “She’ll be starting down the aisle at exactly one o’clock, so you’d better take your place, Eli.”

The eldest Covington paled. “Yeah. Take my place.”

She cupped Eli’s cheek, and Cade was overcome with such strong emotion for her that he fought the urge to take her free hand, to thank her for comforting his older brother. “She’s beautiful, Eli. She’s positively vibrating with the intensity of love she has for you.”

“You sure?” Eli asked in a rare show of insecurity that made Cade’s gaze snap toward his brother.

“I’m more sure of this than anything in my life.”

The comment, meant to reassure, cut Cade to the quick. He hadn’t been the man she deserved, but he vowed to change for her. Not next week, not tomorrow, not later today, not after the ceremony.Now. Today was a day for making vows that lasted lifetimes. Eli and Reagan would make their vows publicly. He’d see to it that he and Emma took theirs however they had to. Days like today, where the heart was entirely sure of itself, shouldn’t be squandered.

She left the room, calling out that Eli had fifteen minutes to get to his place in the event hall. Cade was to radio Tyson when Eli was in place. Then the bridal party would start from the house.

With the kind of grace few women possessed, she shut the door behind her and sashayed up the path to the house.

Cade knew because he watched her take every step until she was through the front door.

“You okay?” Eli asked.

“Not really.” Cade stuffed his hands in his pants’ pockets and loosed a cynical laugh. “Not at all. She’s been here days already. I’ve managed one stolen kiss she told me to stop. I did because I respect her, Eli, but I didn’t want to stop. I want her as lost to me as I am to her.”

His older brother smiled softly, the gesture full of understanding. “I get it.”

“Yeah? Then what do I do about it?” Cade asked with something caught between desperation and demand.

“You up the stakes—for both of you.”

An idea took form in Cade’s head. It meant putting himself out there, putting his pride on the line, but she’d be forced to respond.