by Kaci Rose
Seeing how you’ve taken Riley under your wing and helped her blossom has been amazing to watch.
Turn around, take in all you’ve built. We all busted our asses for this right here, but it’s because of you, we’re here. Your dream was so infectious, we had to be part of it.
I love working this land as much as you do, and I hope to grow old and be buried on this ranch with you.
There’s one more stop on our journey today. It’s our spot. The spot I could run away to when things got too hard. The spot where you’re always there even when you aren’t. The spot we had our biggest first last time and this time.
Our spot. See you there, my love.
Colt
Once again, this man has me in tears and as I look up, I see Riley dangling a key to one of the four-wheelers.
“I was told you would need this,” she says.
I take the key and hug her. Then I head out to our cabin, to find Colt.
CHAPTER 24
Colt
My phone pings.
Riley: She just left. Good luck!
I’ve been getting texts all day, letting me know Sage made it to the next location and when she left, so I can make sure I’m here and ready.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous a day in my life. Today is a huge turning point for Sage and me. One I hope will be the start of the life we’ve planned together.
I have about fifteen minutes before she gets here, so I make sure everything is ready. I check on the food in the kitchen. Mom’s famous crockpot lasagna and garlic bread with her famous chocolate brownies and ice cream for dessert.
The table is set with candles. I’ve covered the main living area with candles and have a fire going in the fireplace. As night falls, it will get a bit chilly. There are flower petals and more candles covering the bedroom, and everything she would need for a relaxing bath.
I turn on some quiet, slow music from my playlist and go over the words in my head. I hear the rumble of the four-wheeler’s engine and know it’s showtime.
I take a deep breath, grab the last envelope, and stand in the middle of the small living room, facing the front door, waiting.
I see the handle turn and the door open. There she is in the sexiest shorts I’ve ever seen. She looks around and surprise registers on her face.
“Colt, what’s going on?” she asks, still taking everything in.
“You have one more envelope,” I say with a smile and hand her the envelope in my hands. I watch her read it.
Sage,
All day I’ve taken you to some of the spots that hold my favorite memories of us, with the people who mean the most to us.
Now it’s time to make a new memory. Followed by many more.
I want the life we planned—kids, vacations, late nights, early mornings, family, and friends with you.
I want to watch you teach our kids to ride a horse. I want to teach them to love this land like we do. I want to sit on our front porch and watch our grandkids play and hold your hand.
I want to spoil you, show you what you mean to me daily.
You carry my heart with you daily, you own my soul, and you’re my reason for living. Life isn’t complete without you.
Now I have a very important question for you. When you’re ready….
Colt
As I see her eyes water, I get down on one knee and wait for her eyes to find me again. When they do, I almost forget everything I had planned.
There’s so much awe and love on her face, it makes my heart race.
“I love you more today than yesterday, and I will love you more tomorrow than I do today. Be my wife and let me show you that you’re my everything. Marry me?”
“Yes!” she says and falls into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck. My lips find hers for a moment before I pull back with the need to get the ring on her finger.
When she sees it, she gasps, “Colt?”
“I want to take credit for the ring, but you have to thank Mom and Dad for that one,” I say, and she cries while looking at the ring. I know what it means to her, so I just hold her and let the emotions run through her.
After a few minutes, I ask, “You hungry?”
“Yes, I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
I shake my head. “Should have made you eat at the café.”
I pick her up, carry her to the table, and sit her in the chair I set for her. I pull the bread out of the oven and bring the crockpot over to the table.
I serve her first before filling my plate and sitting across from her. Seeing the ring on her hand, I reach across the table and take her hand, running my thumb over it. Something about the ring being there calms and soothes me. It’s also a major turn on. My cock has been hard ever since I slid it onto her finger.
“What kind of wedding do you want?” I ask her.
“I always thought I’d be married at the ranch church. I know what I want my dress to look like. Besides that, I don’t know. I guess I always pictured you guys standing with me. Now I have to fight over who is on my side or yours.”
“Well, what about doing couples instead and have them scattered all over the front of the church. No sides. There won’t be any sides for the guests either.”
“I love it. What about the reception at the event barn?”
“It’s perfect. How long do you need to plan? Because next weekend would be great.” I watch her eyes go big.
“Colt!”
I smile “The sooner the better. Just let me know when so I can plan our honeymoon. I want to surprise you.”
“I can’t wait to travel with you. Almost more so than our wedding.” She laughs.
We make some plans over dinner then I bring out dessert and pull her onto my lap as I feed her every bite.
I love watching her enjoy a meal I prepared for her. Knowing I provided for her makes my chest swell.
After she has finished eating, I carry her into the bedroom for my dessert.
CHAPTER 25
Sage
The next morning, we head back to the main house. When we walk in, Colt yells, “She said yes!”
Everyone yells and cheers. After breakfast, I ask Megan, Riley, and Abby to stay behind for a bit.
Once the guys are gone, I say, “I need your help.”
“Planning a wedding? Of course!” Abby is excited.
“That too but first, I need to issue a little revenge.”
“Uh oh. Kelli?” Megan asks.
“Yep,” I say, popping the ‘p.’
There’s a reason I’ve asked Megan to stay. I am so glad she’s on my side. She’s crazy!
So, after a few phone calls, Jason promises to let us know the next time Kelli is at the bar, so we can put our plan into motion.
✽✽✽
It only takes four days before Kelli shows up at the bar. I get the text from Megan. She’s on her way there to make sure she doesn’t leave while I convince Colt to go down with me. Being it’s Friday night, I have a plan.
I find him just getting out of the shower, and I can’t help but let my eyes trail down his still-wet, hard abs. My eyes follow a drop of water that slides from his hard nipple and follows the creases of his abs before running all the way down to his cock. What I wouldn’t give to be that drop of water right now.
“Sage,” he growls in a warning. It snaps me out of my thoughts and back to the task at hand.
“I was thinking maybe we could go to the bar tonight. There’s a live band playing I want to check out. Plus, I wouldn’t mind dancing with you again,” I say and lick my lips.
“Of course, love. I promised to always give you a reason to wear those dresses. Go pick one out.”
We get dressed and once on our way, I text Megan. She says Kelli just ordered drink number two. Funny how no guys are willing to buy her drinks anymore.
We walk in hand in hand, and I can tell when Colt sees her. His whole body goes rigid.
“I got this, Colt. Don’t you worry.” That’s
when he sees Megan.
“What did you do?” he asks.
“Me?” I smirk. “Nothing yet.”
I pull Colt to the bar and make sure my left side faces Kelli as I sit with a stool between us.
Jason walks up and hands us both a beer. Then he says a little louder than normal, “Hey lovebirds, how’s the wedding plans going?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kelli’s head snap my way. I use my left hand with the ring on my finger to push some hair out of my face.
“Perfect. We’re letting Blaze and Riley have their day before we jump headfirst into plans.”
Jason walks off to grab drinks for a few people at the other end of the bar.
Colt leans in and whispers in my ear, “I know what you’re doing.”
I smile. “I’m not done yet.”
“Have your fun but make it quick. I want to get you on the dance floor, so I can get my hands on your sexy body.”
His low gruff timbre sets my body on fire and causes my nipples to stiffen at how turned on I am.
I smile and bite my lip while checking Colt out.
He growls and uses his thumb to pull my lips from between my teeth before leaning in and kissing it quick.
This time, I turn to Kelli and fake a concerned look.
“You look tired.”
“Just waking up early,” she says.
I smile and grab Colt’s hand to head out to dance.
“Yeah, those morning wakeup calls can be a real bitch.” I see rage cross her face before I continue, “If you don’t slink away now, this is just the beginning of the fun I have planned. Remember my brother owns this bar…”
I smile and look at Jason who winks at her. She storms off as Colt pulls me to the dance floor.
“What was that all about?”
“That’s a good reason to always stay on Megan’s good side. Megan set up a morning four a.m. wakeup call for her every morning.”
Colt shakes his head and smiles.
“Oh, it gets worse. When she answers it, she plays a loud air horn in her ear. If she doesn’t answer, it calls every five minutes until she does. Oh, and every morning, it calls from a new number, so she can’t block it.”
Colt throws his head back and laughs. Then his eyes meet mine. He brings his hand to the side of my face.
“Remind me to not get on your bad side,” he says and runs this thumb over my mouth. “Have I told you how sexy you look tonight?”
“I don’t think that’s something you can say too much.”
He smiles. “Well, you look sexy, Sage. This dress looks amazing on you. So much so, I don’t think I can let you leave my side tonight. The moment I do, every guy in here will pounce.”
“Guess it’s a good thing the only guy I want is you.”
“Damn right, love.”
I smile. We spend the night dancing to the live music and enjoying time together.
The life I’ve dreamed of is just ahead of us, and I couldn’t be happier.
EPILOGUE 1
Sage
Three Months Later
I’m in my room watching Riley slip into her wedding dress and am an equal mix of excited and sad. Today, Riley becomes my sister for real. I’m so excited. I love this girl, and she has been so good for Blaze.
I’m sad because Blaze is the first one of us to get married. I know I’m not far behind him, but he’s the first, and it will change the whole family dynamic. I know it’s for the better, but I can’t help but mourn the loss of just the six of us.
My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts.
Colt: My room. Now.
The girls take over our room for the bride to get ready since it’s the biggest and best equipped. I can’t help but think we started a tradition here today. That means Colt has been forced from our room. The guys are getting ready in a room at the other end of the hall, so Colt must have snuck away.
“Hey, I’ll be right back,” I call to Riley who’s in the bathroom with Megan doing her hair.
Then I slip out the door and into Colt’s old room right next door. Colt has me pressed up against the door as soon as it’s closed. His eyes rake down my body.
He lets out a low groan in seeing me in my maid of honor dress. “You look so damn beautiful, Sage. How am I supposed to keep my hands off you today?”
I shrug. “You’re not.” I smile as he rests his forehead on mine. “You know, I always had a fantasy of sleeping with the best man at a wedding,” I whisper.
I see Colt smile. “Guess I’m your fantasy come true tonight, love.”
I laugh. He’s right. When Riley asked me to be her maid of honor, I was torn about it. We had always planned that I’d stand with Blaze. From the time we were kids, we knew we’d be each other’s ‘best man,’ so I talked with him.
He was over the moon that Riley asked me to be her maid of honor, and that she trusts me like he does. Riley fits into our lives. She asked Megan and Abby to be bridesmaids, along with Lilly, the truck driver who brought her to Rock Springs. So, we have Lilly to thank for bringing Riley into our lives.
Blaze then asked Colt to be his best man. I joked that it’s because Colt wouldn’t put up with anyone else touching me, but I know how close the two are. He also asked Mac, Jason, and Hunter to be his groomsmen. I had to insist that Hunter and Megan be paired up. He needs all the help he can get.
“Two more months,” Colt says, pulling me from my thoughts. “Two more months, then it’s our turn,” he says into my neck and kisses where my neck and shoulder meet.
I wrap my arms around his neck. “I can’t wait until it’s our turn.”
“Longest two months of my life,” he growls, making me laugh again.
When there’s a knock on the door, we both jump.
“If you two are almost done, it’s time to head down for pictures,” Megan singsongs, causing us both to smile.
The family has gotten used to us always sneaking away for our moments alone. Blaze and Riley have them too, so I’m sure Blaze is a caged bear today, being he hasn’t seen Riley.
Colt gives my ass a good squeeze and kisses my neck again. “Soon as you’re done walking down the aisle, I’m messing up your makeup.”
My thighs squeeze together. “Can’t wait,” I moan. “Take Blaze to the back of the barn and text me when he’s there.”
Colt nods and heads out to get Blaze. They’re getting married in the barn here on this side of the property, and we’re doing a few photos of Blaze standing at the back of the barn at one corner and reaching around the corner to hold Riley’s hand. He won’t be able to see her, but the camera will get them both.
Riley is really excited about this picture idea, and I think the red clapboard siding of the barn will be the perfect background for it.
I head back to my room to find Riley and make our way to the barn.
✽✽✽
Riley is officially stuck with us. My big strong Blaze, who I’ve only ever seen cry twice in my life, does so watching Riley walk down the aisle to him. Colt and I lock eyes during the ceremony, and I can’t tell you what happened; I never took my eyes off Colt.
He makes good on his promise too. The second everyone is done with pictures and heading to the event barn, he pulls me into the barn office and properly messes up my makeup. Then he helps me fix it again before heading out to the reception.
He hasn’t left my side, and I’ve loved dancing with him. We’re now giving my poor feet a break, and he has me pulled into his lap at our table. I look around and see Megan and Hunter dancing. Mom and Dad are on the dance floor too. Blaze and Riley are at their table. Honestly, I’m surprised they haven’t snuck out to their honeymoon yet.
They’re heading down to the lake house a few hours from here. After a week, they’ve invited us all down to give Riley the full lake house family experience. That means the whole family.
Sadly, Megan is staying home this year. Part of me hopes it’s to spend some time with Hunter.
&nb
sp; “So, what do you think, my love?” Colt asks.
“About what?”
He chuckles. “All this. Is this how you picture our reception?”
I smile. “For the most part, just different people. I have a bunch of people I met while traveling who are excited to meet you, see the ranch, and be part of our day.”
He nuzzles my neck. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
“So, you going to tell me about this big awesome honeymoon you have planned?”
He smiles. “Nope. It’s my surprise to you, I will say I can’t wait to travel with you.”
I smile and rest my head on his shoulder. “I can’t wait either.”
EPILOGUE 2
Sage
One Month After Blaze’s Wedding
Today, I can’t seem to stop balling my eyes out. Both sad and happy tears. Abby is heading to live with some friends of mine in Arkansas to start her midwife schooling.
She has been staying with us, getting her head on straight, as she puts it, and getting to know the Rutherford’s. They love her instantly; their kids and she all get along. They’re willing to let her live with them while she’s in school if she helps with the cleaning and cooking duties, while keeping her grades up. She jumped at the offer.
She knows she has an open invitation to stay here at the ranch anytime she wants or needs, so I’m happy for her. Sad to see her go but happy she’s taking this next step in her life.
I’m getting married in a month, and Abby will be back with the Rutherford’s then, but it’s still sad to see her go.
The Rutherford’s arrived at the ranch a few days ago, and I’m now watching them pack up their van with Abby’s things when I feel arms circle around my waist. I don’t even have to turn around. I know those arms anywhere, and I know that scent. It’s one that turns me on every time I smell it.
Warm lips lightly kiss my neck.
