He tapped the wheel. “Is that all?”
I pressed my lips, pictured my apartment with a refrigerator full of hospital cafeteria food and didn’t really see anything else as truly important. I snapped my fingers as a memory hit. “I have a few pieces of my mom’s jewelry.”
His gaze briefly met mine as we drove and he said, “You’ll have it all tonight.”
This hadn’t been how I expected today, but I turned closer to him and my lips went up. “Thanks.”
We drove to the courthouse I’d spent hours in yesterday.
I recognized the signs now as he said, “Trust me.”
I cooled down with his air conditioning now hitting my skin. “I do, Carter. I don’t know why. The only thing I know about you is that you were friends with good people, and you dance pretty well.”
He grimaced like I'd insulted him. “I don’t dance.”
I thought he remembered, and I tilted my head. “You danced with me at the wedding.”
He took the exit for the town. Once we were on Main Street, he said, “Oh, you were my exception.”
“That doesn’t count. It was tradition.”
“It counts. It was you.”
My heart thudded in my chest a little. Seriously? Me. A small sigh escaped my lips and my face heated. “That sounds nice. Tell me more about your likes.”
We passed clothing stores, bakeries, cafes, jewelers, banks, and pretty much everything a small town might have on the main street. “I served my country for ten years. It’s never been about what I like.”
“Modest, then.” The words came out fast and I swallowed. I traced the cloth seat beside me. “I’ve been to your house. You had a lifetime of getting whatever your heart desires.”
He headed away from the main street and was getting closer. “I was never in want, if that’s the question.”
“You seem…grounded, but part of me thinks you want to get married so you get to take care of those you love and have a little help.”
“Help would be nice, yeah.” He massaged his cheek like he was checking his stubble. “I enjoy working with my horses these days. I think I can make Henry a champion.”
Interesting. He was handsome, rich, and nice. There was probably a line of women who wanted to be his, but I didn’t ask and instead raised my eyebrow. “Henry?”
“He was beaten and almost sent to the glue factory. I rescued him and he’s filling out nicely. Though he still has a wild spirit in him.”
Broken but healing. Sounded like my favorite kind of animal. I playfully poked him. “I’d like to meet him.”
“Absolutely.” We pulled into the same parking lot I’d spoken to Frank yesterday. The electric storm of energy from being with Carter was the tip of the iceberg in how different today was though he continued to speak about his horse. “He was my main project until you and Chelsea came into my life. Henry is improving every day.”
“You're proud. It’s cute.” He opened my door, but I jumped out first. I wasn’t the type who needed a man to hold it for me and I snapped my finger as something came to my mind. “I do need something that won’t fit on your plane. I’d like my car too, as I’ll have to return the rental.”
He offered his arm and I hedged for a second. Marriage would be strange, but I was ready to be his.
I gave him my hand and he squeezed it. “We’ll get it or get you a new one. Whatever you want.”
A new car? I wasn’t really into my old one to care, but it got me where I wanted to go without trouble. I’d stew on this later. As we strolled inside the building together, I asked, “Did you leave the SEALs to take over for your father, or was it a coincidence you were able to be there for him?”
“I left because he needed me.”
More proof he cared about family. I kept the thought to myself and asked, “And how has It been taking over from your dad?”
We read the board and headed to room three for the license while he said, “It’s not as bad as I imagined. I learned how to handle myself.”
The line had a few people in front of us, so we took our place.
“That’s noble. What was your call sign? That’s a military thing, no?”
His face grew pale and he straightened. “You don’t want to know.”
I raised my eyebrow and placed my hand on my hip. “I absolutely do.”
“Hard.”
The image of him, on top of me, in bed roared to life in my mind. My chest tightened as I imagined what he looked like under those clothes. His muscles were ripped, and that was only the beginning. I needed to stop this fantasy, and I fanned myself as I asked, “What?”
“My last name is Rockson.” We stepped forward as we were next. He took out his wallet and pointed to my pocketbook as he said, “They loved to get on the comm to say Hard Rocks when calling me.”
I reached in and took out my license, and a laugh burst out of me. Once I calmed down, I was still all smiles. “That’s funny.”
The couple in front of us paid and my heart sped up faster as he asked, “What about you? Will you miss long hours in an ER?”
Maybe courts and IDs were normal for him, but this seemed strange for me. We took our place at the window and pushed our driver's licenses through. The worker typed.
“My calf muscles won’t and I’m sure I’ll lose a few pounds now that I don’t snack to stay awake.”
He winked at me as the clerk printed out a piece of paper. “You’re gorgeous as you are.”
“That’s sweet.” The words flew out of my mouth as goosebumps grew on my arms. Being his would be sweet, but I ignored that when the clerk came over and pointed at two spaces on the paper. I took the pen and asked, “We sign here?”
The worker said, “Yes, ma’am.”
He took the paper back and handed us a post-dated license for 72 hours starting now. The time seemed faster. I smiled. “That was easy.”
The clerk handed us back our licenses as he said, “After the ceremony of your choice, our officiant finalizes the paperwork once it’s returned.”
Carter stuck his in his wallet and then patted my lower back. “Okay.”
As we left and headed outside, the sun was growing higher in the sky. I glanced at Carter. His thin lips made it seem like he planned something.
We made it to the truck as I asked, “Where were we going?”
He held my door for me. “Shopping.”
I hopped in and asked, “We are?”
He closed my door and then crawled into the truck, placing the license between us. He started the truck. “Sure, you’re going to need a ring.”
My bare hand tingled. “Oh, I hadn’t thought about it.”
He glanced at me briefly and headed onto the street. “I don’t want anyone questioning us.”
I hugged my waist. This was a public statement, and I needed to call my family. I swallowed. “I agree. And the prenup you mentioned?”
He shrugged and we returned to the main street as he said, “It will be in my office when we get back.”
A few minutes later, we parked outside Crystal’s Jewels and he hopped out. I ignored the butterflies in my stomach and joined him.
I was probably crazy, but when I thought jewelers, I thought of pretty women who winked and smiled and seemed so happy about life.
Basically, the opposite of me. I hated the jealous feeling in my veins when I was near perky people. So my pulse quickened as he directed me in. A man in a suit and a woman in fitted clothes that looked fabulous were all behind the counter.
My insides twisted, but Carter guided us right over to a brunette with perfect skin. He pointed toward the rings and I ignored how my palms sweated. My nerves being on end wasn’t a good thing to happen, but I said, “I always like circles to be honest. Circles have no edges. I like that about them.”
He nodded at me, placed his hand around my waist, and told the woman, “We’d like to see your round cut engagement rings.”
She blinked her big doe eyes up at him and aske
d, “Are you finally getting married, Mr. Rockson? I knew there had to be someone special as you were never interested in anyone in town.”
He ran his hand up and down my back and smiled at the clerk as he said, “This is my girl, Ridley Steel. She’s said yes, but I’ve not bought her a proper ring, so we need to remedy that fast.”
She massaged her neck, but then she took out a tray. “Here are some options.” As I perused the ring choices, she asked us, “How did you two meet?”
I glanced up and read Yvette’s name tag. Carter stayed beside me. “We met years ago when our best friends married. I’ve been overseas, so we waited a long time.”
I showed one to Carter and he slipped it on my finger.
Picking out a ring wasn’t so bad. He gave me a thumbs up and I swallowed and agreed. My stomach stopped rolling as he handed it to Yvette along with his credit card.
She put the rings away and walked to the register with the one we picked and I pressed into his side. “Now that is a good cover story.”
He tightened his hold on me. “I always use the truth whenever possible. I was overseas for most of the ten years and we did meet at the wedding where you were prettier than the bride.”
I blinked, and for one minute, I fantasized he’d told the total truth and he'd spent those ten years hoping to see me again.
I held the ring one more time. “This one is lovely.”
Carter leaned onto the glass table and asked, “How much for you to hurry this one along in Ridley’s finger size?”
Yvette handed over the receipt and card. “I can have it delivered to your ranch tonight, for a fee.”
“Perfect.” She headed back to the register and typed again. It took her a second and then returned again with the receipt for him to sign. Once he did, she said, “Thanks.”
He kissed my cheek and a tremble rushed through me as he said, “Guess it’s time to head home now, sweetheart.”
I took his hand and headed out with him. I was a goner. I absolutely shouldn’t expect to be this excited, forever, but for once in my life, I was the chosen one. And this feeling had me floating to the car.
Chapter 7
Carter
The drive back from town was calm and we listened to the radio. The silence was comfortable and Ridley somehow sent a calmness through me.
Another part of me wanted to strip her naked and stop the truck on the side of the road, though she deserved to be treated like a lady.
At the jewelers, Ridley had seemed shy, but she’d said what she wanted.
I’d rather spend the day with her and discovering more about her than working today. She made the air around her sweeter just from her nearness. Her heart was open and pure. She was a rare find. Time with her flew.
I parked in front of the ranch, and she briefly smiled at me. My heart beat faster.
I went to open her door, but she met me on the sidewalk. We headed into the house and ran into Pop and Chelsea, who hugged Ridley and then settled onto the couch.
Guess my need to take her right now was on hold for a few minutes.
Ridley placed her pocketbook on the table and I slipped our license under it so we could tell the news later today.
She followed them into the living room with her hands tapping her thighs and asked, “How was school sign up?”
Chelsea gave her a two-second delay start like she was nervous, but she sat up and answered, “I start Monday.”
“Glad pop could go with you as we had to go to town.”
“We had fun,” Chelsea said. “Did Ridley buy any new clothes while there?”
“No,” She said fast. “We didn’t have time.”
Chelsea shrugged. “Maybe we’ll go together.”
“I’d like that,” Ridley said.
I joined Ridley and took her hand in mine for both to see. “We have news for both of you.”
Chelsea’s eyebrow went up as she asked, “Yeah?”
It was time to tell my dad and empower Ridley’s stay with me. So I said, “Pop, Ridley and I met years ago at Bernie and Chloe’s wedding.”
“That’s not important, unless it was love at first sight even then.” His lips thinned like he saw through me. “Spit out what you mean, Boy.”
Love at first sight? That wasn’t possible. I needed Ridley to stay and help me with Pop and Chelsea, but the words didn’t feel right. I glanced at Ridley, who sucked in her bottom lip again.
Then I said, “And because we knew each other…” She’d been like an angel that day to me that I never forgot. I puffed out my chest while still holding onto Ridley. “I asked her to marry me and she’s said yes.”
Chelsea jumped out of her seat, yelled, and threw her arms around Ridley. “You’re getting married?”
Ridley hugged her and I stepped back as she said, “Yes.”
My first vision of her had been when she wiped Chloe’s eyes at the wedding. Ridley was a healer.
Chelsea asked, “And we all stay here?”
“Yes,” I said fast.
We were getting married to raise Chelsea together. Our deal was simple.
My father slapped his knee. “Good. I thought you were going to let our family line turn to dust. Glad to be wrong.”
My gaze narrowed. What was he wrong about?
I didn’t blink and asked, “That’s all you have to say? Impregnant Ridley?”
“I can see you want to.” He stood up and patted me on the back. “So, for now, yes.” Then he interrupted Ridley by patting her shoulder for attention until she stopped hugging Chelsea. He leaned in and briefly hugged her as he said, “Welcome to the family, Ridley Steel.”
Chelsea held her hand and Ridley said, “Thanks.”
My father then tucked his hands in his back pockets. “You might fit in with this family better than Carter’s mother ever did.”
Not much startled me, but that statement left me floored. My pulse quickened.
My mother had lived as the lady of the manor, running a society of rich women and controlling my father and me.
Ridley shook her head. “Doubtful. This beautiful house was created for her.”
True, and every corner of the place had my mother’s crests and encrusted gold embedded in the stones.
Pop shrugged. “Yes, but she never enjoyed running a ranch, so she built herself a castle. Unlike my wife, you seem sturdy. More like my own mother.”
My grandmother had made delicious yogurt and jams while she ran a business she transformed into an empire.
Ridley and Chelsea whispered something, but then Ridley said, “Or you’re just saying that because I can now control your meals.”
“You can try,” Pop said.
In Pop language, that meant he’d never listen.
I gently squeezed her arm. “Don’t mind my father for being rude, Ridley.”
She waved me off like she wasn’t upset. “Are you joking? He’s fine. I’ve dealt with far worse.”
Another reason she was amazing. I curled my lips higher and my heart swelled. We'd made the right decision today. I took a breath. “If he ever triggers you, let me know.”
She stared at me and, at that moment, it was like we were alone as she said, “No problem.”
Chelsea squealed and burst the bubble, “I’m so happy you’re staying.”
Ridley turned away and brushed something off Chelsea’s shoulder as she said, “Me, too. We can get to know each other now just as your mom wanted.”
Chelsea’s face went white and her head dropped. “I… miss her.”
“Me, too,” Ridley said and hugged her.
For one minute, I stared at both of them. Ridley was more than I ever expected in my life. She’d blossom here. Blood pumped in my veins like our deal was based on more.
Pop and I walked out, and I took the license to my office to file it.
On the desk, the lawyers had delivered the paperwork.
Good. I quickly checked my portfolio to put out any immediate fires, though work was
hard.
I kept remembering her kiss and how I felt whole when I held her close.
I even laughed as I deleted a pointless email.
Footsteps echoed in the hall and my body grew hard like she’d come and strip for me. The image faded as she strode inside. I jumped out of my seat. Her face was white.
I said, “You were crying.”
She took the papers with her name on it. “Chelsea and I both needed a moment.”
She read the pages and as she initialed, I leaned on my desk in front of her. “I’m glad you’re getting along now. My father likes you, so don’t take his grumbling to heart.”
Her eyes widened on a page, but she didn’t comment.
She glanced up briefly as she said, “It’s okay, Carter.” She continued to read and initial, but then said, “When my mom was dying, after my dad died so suddenly, now that was hard, emotionally.” She let out a sigh. “It’s nice to have your dad stay healthy, so he’ll be here for you and Chelsea for years. Your dad seems more… spoiled, but he’ll get used to me in time.”
Part of me assumed this was her nurse's training talking, but her heart was already with Chelsea and helping my pop. I squeezed the edges of my desk. “Glad you’re settling in well.”
She finished signing and put the papers back on my desk without asking a question.
I braced for her to say something, but then she pointed to the door. “I was hoping you can show me Henry?”
Now I had an instant family and I wasn’t sure how to proceed.
But I stood and walked to the door with her, gently placing my hand on her back. “I’d love to.”
We headed outside a few minutes later and the sunshine and fresh air filled my lungs as the best smell in the world. After years in the sandbox, the grass and warm gravel here had been a welcome home present that still made me pause. Ridley at my side made the day better, and I directed her to the training area. “At Bernie and Chloe’s wedding, I remember you were helping to wipe Chloe’s tears before the ceremony. I always wondered why she was crying?”
Her lips curled up and Ridley glowed like she had in my memory of that day. “She was in love and happy to have found the perfect guy for her. I just had tissues handy.” She pivoted and blinked as her eyes fluttered like the sun was in her face. “How is it you remember that?”
Wicked Cowboy (Steel Series Book 4) Page 5