“It’s life. I know it won’t be simple, but it’ll be much better because we’re facing it together. Can you trust me on this? Do you know where I see us in a few years, Ozzie? You as my husband, our ranch thriving, maybe a few more horses you can spoil, and if you want…maybe even a child.”
Ozzie’s mouth fell open. “Hu-husband?”
“Yes, Ozzie. I’ll be your groom the next time you decide to walk down the aisle. After everything that’s happened, I know you’re a little gun-shy, and that’s fine. I’ll wait for you to be ready.”
“And a child?”
“If you want. You’re amazing with kids, and seeing you with Hudson’s daughter, I can’t help but think that you’d make a wonderful father.”
“You think so?”
I took the brush from him and dropped it to the floor. With my hands planted on his hips, I pulled him forward until we were toe to toe. “I know so. You’re a wonderful man, Ozzie, and I can’t wait to start the next chapter of my life with you.”
His gaze flitted from my eyes to my lips, then back again. His chest rose and fell as he took in deep breaths.
Then he nodded.
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
Laughing, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into an embrace. The horses whinnied around us. The scent of hay, horse, and Ozzie filled my nostrils, and I inhaled deeply, ingraining this moment into my memory. It was a new beginning—a fresh start for both of us.
“You’ve just made me the happiest man alive,” I whispered, then kissed him. “I love you.”
Ozzie slipped his fingers into my hair and tugged my head back. “You promise to love me forever, Gray?”
“Nothing, and I mean nothing, can make me ever stop loving you.”
As if that was all he’d ever wanted to hear, Ozzie pulled my head down to his and kissed me as if sealing my promise. A promise I would never break.
Ozzie, when you’re ready, I’ll be your groom.
Epilogue
OZZIE
“Meet me at the new stable. I’ll be waiting with your something blue.”
A smile stretched across my lips, and the nervous butterflies in my stomach calmed down. The text message was from Gray. I quietly tucked my phone away in case Rowan saw me. Between him and Opie, I couldn’t say who was more anal about my wedding being perfect, which meant no distractions from the outside world, including Gray. In the past I would have been freaking out about every single detail too, but I just wanted to marry my man already. I’d made us wait long enough.
You’ll see your groom in a hot minute, sweetie, but this is our time to make you shine.
Despite Rowan’s words ringing in my ears, I knew I had to meet Gray. In the eighteen months since we’d been together, I’d never not meet him in our little secret places around the ranch. Whether it was to find him naked on top of a bed of straw or a candlelit dinner by the creek, every moment was always an adventure.
On our wedding day wouldn’t be an exception.
“I can’t believe we forgot the something blue!” Rowan fretted, flitting about the room like a disoriented moth. “How did we forget it? Your wedding can’t be complete without the something blue.”
“Rowan, take a deep breath.” It felt good to be the calm, sensible one at my wedding. I’d always thought I’d be a hot mess, but it turned out when you knew you were marrying the right groom, there wasn’t much to worry about.
“You don’t understand. This wedding is supposed to make my name.” He adopted a sheepish expression. “Not that that’s the reason we’re here, but business has been slow. What with Gray’s influence, I was finally able to get a newspaper with a decent readership to cover the wedding. By the way, thanks for going along with it. I appreciate you and Gray so much, darling.”
I rose to my feet and patted Rowan’s shoulders. “Don’t worry so much. I have a feeling the something blue will turn up. And didn’t Opie leave to see what he could find?”
“I just feel like I’m letting you down.”
“You are not. You are a splendid wedding planner. After the way you handled Matty’s and Hudson’s ceremony, there was no question that you would do our wedding justice.”
