Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
My mind drifted back to earlier this morning. Stella, Hunter’s grandmother, had surprised me with a beautiful gift. It had been just me, Hunter, Stella, and Ty Sr. in his grandparents’ kitchen, eating breakfast. They’d invited us over for what Stella had said would be the only peaceful meal of the day.
“I wanted to give you this before the insanity that comes later,” Stella said with the sweetest smile on her face.
I took the bag and felt my cheeks heat. “That’s so thoughtful. I don’t have your gifts with me. They’re back at Lincoln and Brock’s house.”
She waved off my comment. “A gift is given out of love, not expectation.”
When I looked at Hunter, he winked.
I gently pulled the light-blue tissue paper out of the bag…and drew in a sharp breath at what I saw. Reaching in, I pulled out a pewter box with beautiful floral patterns. It was also covered in crystals.
“My mother gave me that box the morning of my wedding,” Stella explained.
Tears filled my eyes, and when I opened the box, my hand covered my mouth as the tears fell harder. Inside was a stunning silver hair comb adorned with small pearls.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, as I gently took it out.
“I think it will look stunning in your hair on the day of your wedding.”
My eyes snapped up to look at Stella and Ty Sr. “My…my wedding?”
Stella nodded her head to my left, and when I turned, Hunter was down on one knee, a ring box in his hand.
I instantly broke down and started to full-on bawl. At some point, Stella took the comb and box out of my hands, and I turned toward Hunter.
“I asked your dad last night, and he told me it was too fast. Then I asked my dad, and he told me it was too fast. Finally, I called Grams and Grampa…and they both told me to follow my heart.”
He looked at Stella and Ty Sr., and they both smiled. When he focused back on me, he drew in a breath and said, “So maybe fast is the way we go?”
I laughed and covered my mouth with my hand again.
“All I know, Kipton, is that I love you. I want us to be together, whether here on the ranch or anywhere else you want to live.”
Crying harder, I nodded and managed to say, “Here. I want to be here with you!”
His face lit up, and he wiped away a tear. “Kip, I want to watch you walk down the aisle and know you’re mine forever. I want to see you pregnant with our kids. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I don’t give a damn who thinks it’s too fast. Although your dad did say we couldn’t get married until we both graduated.”
I grinned at that. “What about your team roping?” I asked.
It was then I was gifted with that wicked smile of his. The smile that I was positive caused me to fall in love with him. And that dimple… Lord, that dimple.
“The only team I’m interested in is the one we’re going to build.”
I let out another sob and somehow managed to say yes. Hunter slipped the ring on my finger and kissed me, with Stella and Ty Sr. quietly getting up and leaving the room.
“What are you smiling about?” Hunter asked, his mouth next to my ear.
Looking down at the ring on my finger, I smiled wider. It was a platinum band with an intricate pattern, and numerous small baguette diamonds. The large diamond in the center was princess cut, and the whole effect was elegant and delicate.
“I cannot believe Stella wanted you to give me her engagement ring.”
Hunter lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “A princess diamond for my princess.”
I shook my head. “I also can’t believe you asked me to marry you.”
His eyes twinkled. “We should go celebrate.”
“Oh no,” I said, waving my finger at him. “No. Not in your parents’ house.”
“Why not?” he asked, his whole face transformed into a pout. “We did it before.”
Slapping him, I said, “Hush!”
“I’m just saying,” he whispered, turning my hand and kissing my wrist, then quickly flicking his tongue out to touch my skin. “We can be quiet.”
My body temperature started to climb, and I dragged my gaze around the room. “But this second Christmas is all for my parents and me.”
Hunter didn’t even bother to look. “And do you see how no one is paying any attention to us over here?”
I looked around again. “So…no one would notice if we snuck out of the house for a bit?”
He smiled wide before we both whispered, “The guesthouse?”
Hunter stood. “God, I love that you think the same way as me.”
Giggling, I allowed him to take my hand as we weaved our way through the throngs of people. Once we got to the front door, I pulled him to a stop. “I need my coat.”