Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Bronco agreed to officiate our wedding. He got ordained online a few minutes ago, and now he’s ready to perform the ceremony.
Grandma turns her attention to me. “Are you ready?”
I’m not looking at her. I’m staring into the eyes of the man who makes my heart skip a beat every time I see him. “I’ve never been more ready.”
“That’s my girl,” he says and presses a soft kiss to my forehead.
There’s a flurry of hugs and kisses then the boys are following the men outside. I love that Flint wants the boys standing up there beside Cord, Kane, and Ridge. He insisted that they’re part of his crew, same as Duchess who’s next to the boys and preening at our audience.
The music starts, and I slip my hand inside Grandma’s arm. She gives my hand a gentle pat. “He’d love this, seeing you so happy.”
“I know he’s watching over us,” I whisper.
“Let’s give him something good to see,” she says and walks with me up the aisle to the love of my life. Flint’s gaze never wavers from mine as I walk toward him. His smile is just as charming and open as it was that day at the pool.
Grandma puts my hand in his, and they exchange a nod.
“You rest now. I’ve got your girl,” he promises her.
My eyes blur as we repeat our vows then Flint is kneeling next to the boys. Each one hands him a ring, giggling and waving when Grandma snaps a photo on her phone with the flash on.
He slides the ring on my finger and waits for me to do the same then he’s sweeping me into his arms and kissing me breathless. It’s only when he stops kissing me that I realize our friends and family are giving us a standing ovation.
I put my head on his chest. “Thank you for rescuing me yesterday.”
“Thank you for keeping my baby safe.”
I look up at him again, not even paying attention to Bronco who is pronouncing us man and wife or the audience who is still cheering like they’re at a stadium game.
He smiles down at me, his eyes twinkling with delight. “Let’s go live a beautiful life together.”
Epilogue
Ronnie
“And how is the prettiest girl in the world doing?” Flint asks as he comes into the office. He’s here a little earlier than usual today which means his chores went smoothly, and all of the horses are healthy and happy.
“Tell your daddy you’re doing good,” I say to Ronnie Junior as I give her a little bounce in the sling attached to my chest. She’s six months old, and I struggled to find a good name for her until Flint suggested that we should name her Ronnie. So now I have a Junior, and it makes me happy to know my father’s tradition is continuing on.
“Actually, I was talking about your mom, but you’re a cutie too,” Flint says when she kicks and reaches for him. He takes her in his arms and coos down at her. She reveals a gummy smile. She’s already got the little nubs where teeth will soon be. I’m not ready for my baby to have teeth yet.
“I’m good,” I answer, rolling my neck now that Ronnie isn’t in my arms anymore. She’s with me or Flint most days, although once a week she gets a special grandma day. Pretty sure grandma just likes to take her around town and show off her great grandkid to the other women who seethe with jealousy that their good-looking cowboy sons and grandsons have not yet found love.
“I got the contract signed that Bronco was hoping for,” I tell him as we start the walk from the office to the cabin. It’s the place where we’re raising Branson, Brock, and little Ronnie. Right around the time construction was finished on the cabin I should have had as part of room and board, Grandma announced she wanted to move out. She insisted that we needed more space for a nursery. Really, I just think she didn’t want to share a cabin with a newborn baby, crying day and night.
I can't say it's been easy. Flint is amazing at helping me with everything, including Ronnie. She is a colic baby, so she cries a lot. Still, I wouldn't trade her for all the world.
Flint is always getting up with her or the boys in the middle of the night. He's an amazing dad. He hasn't stopped doting on the twins, even with her present, and I love that. If anything, his love for them grows deeper every day. He keeps teaching them, loving them, and caring for them in his patient, gentle way.
“You’re off early today,” I tell Flint as I take his hand.
“Well, that’s because the school called me to come down and talk with the twins.”