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“I know,” I whisper. “It triggered you.”
“It felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest.” He clears his throat and rubs his sternum. “I’m so, so sorry, Poppy.”
“I never expected him to show up. Literally never entered my mind. I broke up with him, firmly, when I left the city. But, like everyone in my life, he expected the least of me and assumed I wouldn’t be able to stick something out for the long haul. Because I never have. But I want this, Rhett. I want us. I want this ranch and this family.”
“I saw the possibility of you leavin’, and I thought I should be the one to hurt you first so I don’t end up looking like the idiot.”
I laugh quietly. “Yeah, you sure saved yourself looking like an idiot, Rhett Black.”
“I know, I know.” He groans. “Poppy, you asked me if I wanted the same things as you. The babies, the house filled with loud love, the grey hair and rocking chairs…I do. I want it all. With you. Only you. I was worried that if I asked you to stay that I would be holding you back…that you would end up wanting a life bigger and more exciting than the one I can give you.”
He takes a deep breath.
“But I want you tostay,Poppy. Forgive me, please. Stay with me.Chooseto stay with me, and I will work my ass off every day to deserve you. I love you. I am so fuckin’ in love with you, baby. Stay. Please.”
I smile, tears threatening to spill over as I forget we’re surrounded by people and climb onto his lap. Straddling him, I grab his face and force him to look at me. Because I need this to sink the fuck in.
“I choose you, cowboy.” I kiss him. “Every time. I choose this life with you. I choose your kids. I choose your family. I choose this whole fucking ranch. I want it all, Rhett. I want everything you have to offer and nothing else. I love you.”
His hands run up my back as he pulls me in as close as I physically can be, kissing me hard as our tongues dance together. My arms are wrapped tightly around his neck, and we just fit together. My grumpy cowboy.
Somewhere in the background, I become aware that people are clapping and shouting as we make out on this truck bed. So I pull away, laughing when I turn around and see everyone watching us. Normally, I think I would be embarrassed, but not with Rhett. I want him to claim me in front of all of these people.
Everyone should know that Rhett Black is officially mine — off-limits.
I look around at everyone here, smiling and clapping for us. Katherine and Clyde are standing off to the side, Clyde’s arm around Katherine’s shoulders as they watch us with nothing but love on their faces. Wells is shaking his fist in the air, making stupid noises, while Hayes stands next to him, staring over at River and the kids like he’s in pain just being near her.
“I’m going to need all the details about whatever happened with River and Hayes,” I tell Rhett, turning my attention back to him.
“That, poppyseed, is something you’ll have to get out of them. Because none of us know.”
The kids come running over to us, their plates piled high with food. Surprisingly, I see things on there other than dessert. And out of the corner of my eye, I see Hayes making a beeline for River. She tries to walk away, but he corners her, leaning in to speak as close to her as he possibly can.
My hackles raise, and I want to go over and save her, be the buffer I promised I would be. But the kids are handing us their plates so they can climb up in the truck with us, and Rhett refuses to let me move. When the kids are settled with their plates on their laps, I try again, but Rhett captures me, holding me tightly to him with his arms wrapped around my waist.
“You’re not goin’ anywhere,’’ he tells me, his voice all deep and raspy. “I’ve got you, and I don’t intend to let you go.”
There was a time earlier this summer when I would’ve fought back. I couldn’t stand the guy when I first met him, and fighting back just to get him riled up was my favorite pastime. But now I can’t stand being away from him. I crave his nearness and his touch, the way he smiles at me, the way he holds me.
It feels good to have a home — a home with Rhett, Jolene, and Wade.
“Itoldyou that you should marry our daddy,” Jolene says through a mouthful of cobbler.
Rhett sighs.
“What have I said about speaking with your mouth full?”
“We aren’t married, baby girl.” I smile over at her. “We just love each other very much.”
“Well, whenever you do get married,” she says, very confident in her stance on this, “I want to be the flower girl.”
“What do boys do?” Wade asks. “I want to do somethin’!”
“You’d have the important job of holdin’ on to the rings for us, bud,” Rhett tells him.
Wade nods like this is an acceptable answer to him.
Before I can say anything to Rhett about any of this, the music dies out, and everyone starts singing “Happy Birthday.” Rhett helps me turn around and climb down to watch Katherine carry out the most beautiful cake I have ever seen. Clearly handmade, but made with so much love I’m afraid my heart is going to explode. Rhett stands behind me, his arms wrapped around my torso as we sway back and forth.
