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“I’m sorry?”
“I had a plan. I was going to make you my mother’s raspberry scones, and then after breakfast, slip you the recipe.”
“But she said she’d only give it to family.”
He took several steps until he’d eaten up the distance between them and took her hands in his. “You’re my family. Rylie, I’ve shared more with you than with people who share my blood. You’ve seen me be a complete and utter dickhead, and you didn’t write me off. I want to be with you and only you.”
Rylie couldn’t believe that Dustin, who had only two months ago sworn to avoid relationships at all costs, was declaring himself.
And it scared her just a bit. “I want you to be sure about this, because if you’re not, if this is just some kind of experiment, I’m out.”
He smiled softly, his gaze full of such tenderness that a ball of emotion clogged her throat. “I wouldn’t be offering you my mother’s secret recipe, which will definitely incur her wrath, if I wasn’t sure.”
That was good enough for her. Rylie dropped his hands and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her cheek against his chest. She could hear the rapid thump of his heart and smiled, knowing he was scared shitless. It was kind of nice having the always cocky Dustin Kent off his game.
“If you don’t believe me, Rys, I’ll prove it to you. Just give me time.”
“How much time do you need?”
“As much as you’re willing to give me.”
She looked up at him, her chin resting on his chest.
“How about forever? Does that work for you?”
He dipped his head to kiss her, his lips warm and gentle. When he finally pulled away, he traced his finger down her cheek with a smile that still wrecked her every time.
“Forever sounds perfect.”
Epilogue
Four Years Later
Dustin was a nervous wreck as he paced the “Groom’s Saloon,” one of the restored buildings in Buzzard Gulch that was made for the groom and his party to get ready for the big day. Charlie, his best man, sat on one of the barstools, nursing a beer while Luke and his other two brothers sat around a card table playing poker.
Dustin checked the clock again as he passed by. “This is ridiculous.”
“Are you really that nervous, little brother?” Charlie teased.
Dustin didn’t want to admit that he was terrified. From the moment that Rylie had finally agreed to marry him, he’d known what was coming. Kelly and her minions had complete control over his wedding and unless his bride had interceded, Kelly would finally have her revenge.
“Hello, boys,” Kelly said, pushing through the swinging saloon doors. She was wearing a red and white floral dress and bright red cowboy boots. In her arms were five shoe boxes and behind her were two of her newer bridesmaids for hire, holding garment bags.
Kelly set the boxes down on the nearest table and clapped her hands. “I’ve got everything you need to get ready right here. Ceremony starts in twenty minutes, so you better get going.”
Dustin flipped the lid on one of the boxes, his mouth falling open. “Cowboy boots.”
“Yep. It’s a themed wedding. Welcome to the Old West.”
“She’s kidding, right?” Charlie asked.
“Hey, what’s wrong with cowboy boots?” Luke asked.
Dustin held up one of the boots…in bright red leather.
* * * *
Twenty minutes later, Dustin stood under the floral-covered arbor in his black suit with red tie. On his head sat a black cowboy hat and he had squeezed his feet into those fire engine red boots. If Kelly thought she could break him, she was wrong. He’d waited too long for this to let a few practical jokes scare him off.
