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She still felt hurt. And betrayed. And mad as hell. But she also felt . . . like she had just smashed Brandon in the face with the cream pie of justice. There was only one person she had to thank for that. If Rome hadn’t been there, she would have walked out without saying anything. It was Rome who made her stop. Rome who handed her the cream pie.
She looked at him. “Thank you.”
He winked. “What are husbands for?”
By the time they got back to the Remington Ranch, the icy rain had stopped, but it was still freezing cold. They planned to break the news to his brother and father first. Then head over to the Holiday Ranch to tell her family.
Cloe didn’t look forward to doing either. She was a nervous wreck when she stepped into Rome’s house.
“It’s going to be fine,” Rome said as he helped her off with her coat. “Casey likes you and my daddy has been bugging me to get married ever since Emily left.”
“Not to a Holiday.”
He hung their coats on a rack by the door. “That might be a little surprising, but he’ll get over it.”
They found Sam sitting in his study reading a book. The room was far cozier than the rest of the house with its paneled walls, western art, and the fire blazing in the huge fireplace. Sam glanced up when they entered and immediately stood, removing his reading glasses.
“So I’m assuming Cloe is the owner of the car I found parked out front when I got home from town this afternoon.”
“Yes, sir,” Rome said. “We went to College Station.”
“College Station? What for?”
“I’ll tell you as soon as Casey gets here.”
It looked like Sam wanted to say something else, but instead he held out his hand. “Won’t you sit down, Cloe? Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” She would have taken a chair, but Rome directed her to the couch Sam had been sitting on and sat down next to her. He stretched his arm along the back of the couch and his fingers gently caressed her shoulder. She knew he was only trying to ease her nerves, but her body didn’t seem to know that. His touch made her feel hotter than the crackling fire.
There was an awkward silence. Cloe started to compliment the bronze sculpture of a cowboy when bootheels clicked along the hallway and Casey peeked his head in. He looked like he’d just woken up from a nap. His hair was messed and his eyes sleepy. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by Sam.
“Have you been napping when you were supposed to be checking on the cattle out in the west pasture?”
“I checked on the cattle this morning in the freezing-assed rain.” He grinned at Cloe. “Pardon my language.” He looked back at his father. “Once I got back, I figured I had earned a hot shower and a nap.” He moved into the room and held his hands out to the fire. “So what’s this meeting about, big bro? And why is the lovely Miss Cloe Holiday being forced to join us?”
Much to Cloe’s horror, Rome didn’t mince words. “After this morning, it’s Cloe Remington.”
Casey whirled around and Sam almost dropped the book he still held. Cloe felt her cheeks heat. She sent an annoyed look at Rome, but he only shrugged while his brother and father gaped. Feeling like it was up to her to smooth things over, she forced a smile.
“I know this comes as a shock. We just thought you and my father would try to stop us if we told you.”
Sam looked at Rome. “You should have talked to me first.”
“Why?” Casey said. “Choosing Rome’s wife isn’t any of your—”
Rome cut in. “I got this, Case.” He calmly looked at his father, but Cloe could feel the tension in his body. “You’ve been pushing me to get married. I got married. Like Casey was about to point out, you don’t get to choose who.”
“What happened to the son who told me he never wanted to get married again?”
Rome glanced at her and smiled. “I got to know Cloe.” He pulled her closer and pressed a kiss on the side of her head. Her entire body flushed with heat and she knew her reaction was obvious when Sam spoke.
“Is she pregnant?”
She wasn’t at all surprised by the question. She was sure her family would think the same thing. Especially if Mimi mentioned them spending the night in the hayloft. But before she could answer Sam, Casey spoke.
“Way to make everyone feel uncomfortable, Sam. And that’s not any of our business either. If you’re going to become a grandpa and I’m going to become an uncle, I’m sure Rome and Cloe will tell us when they’re ready. Until then . . .” He walked over and took Cloe’s hands, pulling her up from the couch and into his arms for a tight hug. “Welcome to the family, sis.” He drew back and looked at Sam. “I think this calls for some of that expensive whiskey you keep hidden. Don’t you . . . Daddy?”
Sam didn’t look happy, but he didn’t ask any more questions either. Which was a relief. Cloe had not wanted to straight-face lie to Rome’s father. It was bad enough she would have to do it to her family. After Casey made a toast to the happy couple, Rome made their excuses and they headed over to the Holiday Ranch.
