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“Came to deliver the news in person. The judge is throwing out the eminent domain case. Randall Hedley may be in a hornet’s nest of trouble.” I couldn’t resist sounding happy about that last part.
“So the ranch? Your family gets to keep it?” The hope in her voice told me all I needed to know about her feelings when it came to this land. She was as invested in it as the rest of us.
“We do.”
She threw her arms around my neck, and I twirled her around. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so relieved.”
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without you to talk to about it. Thanks.”
Her eyes narrowed. “If you try to keep things like that from me…”
“I’ve learned my lesson,” I promised. “They’re pretty upset with me and Granddaddy about it, but I think they’ll get over it.”
“Perhaps a wedding will distract them?”
I grinned. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” I brushed her cheek with my thumb. “My granddaddy asked Pastor Adams to come over for coffee and pie. Nobody turns down pie made by Ruby Jacobs. I didn’t know the judge was gonna be here, so if you’d rather have the preacher do the ceremony.”
“You planned a wedding for our third date?”
“I hoped.” I fingered the pearls in her ears. “Everything’s taken care of. Here’s your something old. These are Grandmama’s.” I touched the gold hearts around her neck. “Here’s your something new.”
“This is Vivian’s,” she protested.
“No, darlin’. It’s yours. Both of our hearts hooked together. Inseparable.”
“I—Thank you,” she whispered.
“Something blue? Hmm, got any ideas?”
“The flowers.” She attempted to look stern, failing miserably. “You had this all worked out. You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“No. I’m certain of you. Of us. You said this was my last chance. I sure as hell wasn’t going to waste it.”
“So what am I borrowing?”
“Miss Ruby’s got that covered.” I winked at her.
“I’m ready.” She spoke with quiet confidence.
My chest swelled. Finally, I got the girl.
“There are a lot of women in that house, ready to fuss over you. Y’all better hurry along, or I’m coming to get you, whether you’re in a dress or not.”
She mock-saluted me. “Yes sir.”
This time it was her who reached for my hand, eagerly leading me back to the house. We were almost there when she stopped and stepped in front of me looking deadly serious. I swallowed in a panic.
“I don’t know if I can”—she glanced away before meeting my eyes—“be intimate.”
I cupped her cheek. “We’ll get there whenever you’re ready. I don’t want to marry you for your body.”
“I want to make love with you, but I’m afraid,” she admitted. “I don’t want to ruin it.”
“You couldn’t.” I kissed her forehead. “As long as you keep talking to me, trusting me enough with how you feel, we’ll be just fine.”
She nodded, blinking back the threatening tears. “Promise you’ll tell me if you need more.”
“As long as I have you, I have everything.”
