Love Of Country (Country Love #3)

by Green, Vicki

  He smiles against the skin on my neck. “I fuckin’ love you so much, Prie.”

  My release hits me so hard I fall against his sweaty body, my head hitting against his chest. I can’t seem to catch my breath, his body is moving my head up and down with his heavy breathing. I smile with all the emotions I’m feeling as he gently pushes me over, but I whimper a bit when his cock pulls out of me. His arms are around me as he pulls up the covers, bringing them around me and then his arms encase me in a Trevor cocoon. I never want to be anywhere else.

  He kisses the top of my head and I nuzzle into him deeper. “What was that all about, Darlin’? You got pretty excited there. Good news?” His low chuckle vibrates through my entire body.

  I look up at him, the dampness of my hair mushing against me, but I don’t even care. “We’ve been invited to go see Colby and Shiloh marry tomorrow.” A smile creeps on his face.

  “Well, I’ll be damned. Good for them.”

  I lift my hand and place it alongside his face. His eyes focus into mine. “And my book hit best seller. She said the proceeds are gonna be huge for my charity.” He turns his head just enough so he can kiss the palm of my hand. He looks back at me with such love.

  “That’s great, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.” He leans down and kisses me, pushing me over onto my back. When he pushes his already hardened cock into me, I spread my legs even further. Guess we aren’t leaving the bed any time soon. I’m good with that.

  The rest of the night was filled with our lovemaking, food cooked and brought to me in bed by my love, and finally around one in the morning I fell asleep in his loving arms. I never dreamed I’d be happy again until Trevor.

  `*` `*` `*` `*` `*`

  “Come on! We’ll be late.”

  I laugh as I hold onto the counter in the bathroom, slipping on one of my black high heels. He’s yelled that at me several times now, not understanding just how long it takes women to get ready. By the time he helps me into his truck and takes off, we have about a half an hour before the ceremony starts. We walk into their house, a few people hanging around here and there, I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him hard then run to the stairs. Well, I kind of half jog – half walk. It’s hard to run in heels and my dress is very form fitting so it doesn’t leave much room to move very well.

  I turn right and walk down the hallway knowing she’s in their room getting ready but when I open the door there’s no one there. I hear faint laughter so I close the door and walk back, my head turns when laughter sounds again to my right. I walk up the four steps and open the door slightly. There they all are, gathered around. I step inside and close the door behind me. Everyone seems to stop and turn and the chatter begins again.

  “Oh, Prie! You look lovely.” Sadie walks over to me quickly giving me a hug.

  “Prie!” Tina runs to me and gives me hug too.

  I look over her shoulder and see Shiloh. She’s absolutely glowing and not just from her pregnancy but in her happiness. I keep my eyes on hers as I walk over to her as Tina and Sadie step away. Shiloh’s arms reach out to me and I walk right into them. “You look so beautiful, Prie,” she whispers in my ear, hugging me tight. I look up at her and smile. I take a step back, our hands clasped together. “I’m so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished. You’ve certainly gotten through such horrific things and become so strong. I….” She chokes on her words, tears brimming in her eyes.

  I reach over and wipe away a tear as I feel the wetness in mine. “Stop now. You’re the beautiful bride and have gone through so much worse than me and look at you now.” I pull on her hands, spreading her arms out. She’s been such a great friend, helped me so much. I don’t know what I would have done without her. I release one of her hands and open my mine, holding a tiny black box. “This was my mom’s and I know she’d love for you to have them. I also know she’d hug you so hard for everything you’ve done for me.” I open the box and Mom’s small diamond earrings gleam brightly.

  Shiloh’s eyes widen. “Oh, this is too much, Prie.” I push them into her hand, a tear flowing down my face. “They’re beautiful. Thank you so much.” She kisses my cheek and puts them in her ears then smiles. “This room is where my life started again so I thought it fitting that I get ready in here.” I’m so happy for her.

  “Girls! Girls!” Tina runs over handing us tissues. “Stop it or you’ll both ruin your makeup and mine. It’s almost time.” She smiles as she puts her arms around us, reaching up and wiping her own tears.

  I haven’t gotten to know Tina very well but she is just too cute. Her brown hair is long, almost to her waist. She normally has it up when I see her at the shop but right now it’s long and curly. When I saw her at Sadie and Memphis’ wedding it was very straight. Her eyes seem to change from a dark blue to a hazel green depending on what she’s wearing and she has such a small round face with a small frame. Her personality is bubbly and contagious and I know she and Sadie are best friends but she seems to be everyone’s friend now.

  “It’s time!”

  Sadie peeks from around the open door and smiles at Shiloh. I look back at Shiloh, push back a strand of her wayward hair and put it under one of the clips. Her hair is up with a few strands curled hanging down on the sides of her face and down her neck. She has baby’s breath intertwined around the clips in various places around her head. Her dress is white satin, gathered below her breasts and flows over her huge belly and down to the floor. She smiles at me and turns when Sadie hands her a beautiful bouquet of roses and greenery. She begins to walk towards the door, all of us following, when she stops abruptly and turns to face us.

  “You all are my best friends. I love you so much. Thank you for being here with us today.” Her eyes water up again but she takes a deep breath and turns around and walks out the door. We all follow but there isn’t a dry eye anywhere.

  I’m sitting next to Trevor, his arm is around me, and our hands linked together. It’s been beautiful. Short and simple. The only other people here are Tina, Nash, Colby’s parents, Mandy, Sadie and Memphis. I hadn’t seen Mandy in a long time but I know it wouldn’t be the same if she couldn’t be here for Shiloh. Chairs had been brought into their living room, the couch and coffee table pushed to the side, and Shiloh and Colby are standing in front of the minister who is in front of the fireplace. No fanfare, no decorations, just two people who love each other and their friends and family. They face each other and clasp their hands together, looking into each other’s eyes. Other than Sadie and Memphis, I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people more in love. Shiloh takes a deep breath and begins to speak.

  “My love. What can I say that hasn’t already been said? What can I do to show you any more than I already have how much I love you? You helped me when I needed someone in my desperate hours. You didn’t berate me or turn away but took me in your arms and loved me, guided me back to myself and could have died trying to save me.”

  I look at Colby and see his tears welling up and hear sniffles all around me. Trevor reaches over and hands me a tissue and I blot my eyes.

  “You gave something that was taken from me, knew me at my best, and have seen me at my worst.” She tilts her head slightly, tears streaming down her face. “And yet, you loved me. You took on the horror of my life and met it head on. Not thinking, not giving any care to what may happen to you.” She looks down, her tears dropping as she stares at her swollen stomach, looking back up at him and smiles. “Now we are bringing a life into this crazy world but I know you’re gonna be such a great daddy, your love and tenderness will cradle him and make him the man we’ll be proud of.”

  Colby fights back his own sob and now the room is blubbering, me included. I even saw Trevor wipe away a couple of tears.

  “Just know that I’ll love you until my last breath, be there for you always no matter what life throws our way. Our son will know a love like no other
. I love you, Colby. With all my heart and soul.”

  She squeezes his hands and sniffs but yet she’s still so beautiful, so perfect. Colby’s eyes shift out to everyone then back at Shiloh.

  “Well, I uh….” He clears his throat, choked by his emotions. “There’s no way to compete with what all you just said, you being an author.” Everyone lets out a laugh but it almost sounds like a mixture of sobs along with it. She smiles and tilts her head down shyly. “But in the end the only thing I know is that I love you with all my heart, body, and soul. I couldn’t ask for a better wife, lover, and mother of our children.” One of her brows raises but a corner of her mouth lifts. “You walked into my life at a time where I needed to feel something, be a better man, and you gave me that. You showed me that no matter what happens in our life that we can be stronger, fight it, and win. Love and support can conquer all.” He bends down and kisses her tummy and then stands back up with such a smile on his face. “Our children will know the love of good parents and you and I will grow old together and live a happily ever after.”

  He doesn’t wait for the minister to pronounce them husband and wife. He pulls her to him and kisses her hard. She’s laughing and kissing him back with equal force. We all stand clapping and cheering as they walk out to everyone and suddenly strong arms grab me and I’m pulled into Trevor’s chest, his mouth on mine, my arms wrapping around his waist. Our kissing starts to become heated when he pulls back, the look in his eyes of concern or maybe it’s just the seriousness.

  “Marry me.”

  I swallow hard and blink rapidly. Did he just say….?

  His face softens and his eyes beam. “Marry me. Now. Right here. Right now.”

  His hand reaches up and cups my face. My heart is beating so fast. It’s what I want, what I’ve been dreaming of. I won’t ever love another man. How could I? He’s everything to me. He fills me so completely in every sense of the word. My mouth turns into a smile but then falters.

  “But how can we….?”

  He grabs my hand and I have a very hard time keeping up with his fast pace in my heels and dress. He pushes through the few people that are here and right over to Shiloh and Colby. His breathing is a little labored but I can hardly breathe. “Look, I know this is your day, your moment, but I can’t wait anymore. I wanna marry, Prie.” Gasps are heard all around us and I feel my skin flush across my cheeks and chest. “I don’t wanna intrude but….”

  Shiloh looks at Colby and he gives her a wink. She puts her hand on Trevor’s arm and smiles. “Mr. Buckner, would you mind doing the honors?”

  Trevor smiles back and gives them both a nod. He turns to me and grasps my upper arms, looking into my eyes, then slowly releases me and kneels down on one knee. He takes my hands in his and I can already feel my tears, my breath hitches.

  “Caprice Greer. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I swear on everythin’ that’s holy that I’ll love you, take care of your every need, support you in whatever you do, and love you til my last livin’ day on this beautiful earth.”

  I swallow hard, all my love for him pouring through me. Smiling, I nod, and choke on a sob. “Trevor MacKay. I love you with everything I am and would be more than honored to be your wife.”

  He stands, almost knocking me over but throws his arms around me and kisses me hard.

  “Okay, people! Take two! C’mon, Trev. Give the girl some air so we can take her upstairs to redo her makeup you just kissed off her.” Shiloh’s voice makes me laugh against his mouth. He steps back and I’m now being shuffled upstairs. Everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve worked so hard to become strong for, is coming true.

  Epilogue

  Nash

  These are some of the strangest people but yet the best people I think I’ve ever known. Two weddings in a little over a month but I’m happy for them all. Then out of nowhere Trevor stands up pullin’ Prie behind him and announces he wants to get married. I actually got a little teary eyed myself watchin’ him drop down to his knee. I’m ecstatic for Prie. She deserves the best. She and I have become so close and I know everythin’ about her past. I can’t imagine goin’ through all that and comin’ out how amazin’ she is. She’s a strong one. She told me Trevor’s been through a bunch of stuff himself and so has Shiloh. I don’t know them as well but Trevor and I have been becomin’ closer as we work on Prie’s house project. There’s no doubt in my mind how much they love each other. Now, if only I could find someone.

  At twenty-three, you’d think I’d already had that figured out. But after Pa died and the time it took for me to sell everythin’ and find this place out here, I was so busy, hell, I never even went out much more or less thought about women. Ain’t sayin’ over time I’ve been with a few but no real connection with any of them. I want what my friends here have. I want that ‘I can’t live without you’ kinda love. Thought at first maybe I had a chance to find out with Prie but when we kissed, yeah, it was like kissin’ a sister that I never had. It just felt all kinds of weird. But we laughed about it and are even closer now.

  Now, this town is small, not that many single women. The town over is bigger and yes, I’ve noticed a few I wouldn’t mind gettin’ to know. But this Tina, which happens to be Sadie’s best friend who moved here, now she’s a looker. I’d heard from a few people she can be a little overzealous. I think that might be puttin’ it mildly, but I like that. Shows spunk. When I take some looks her way she seems all shy. Kind of a contradiction but yet, I like that too. And her cookin’? Oh, Lord. She cooks just like my mama used to. Of course, I could get fat just lookin’ in the display case at the coffee shop, and I try to watch my weight and eat healthy, but a man has to eat.

  I couldn’t stop myself from lookin’ over at Tina during the weddin’. Her long brown hair was all curled, normally it’s straight and hangs down to her waist. Damn! I can just picture my hand wrapped around a bunch and tuggin’ her head back, exposin’ that long neck. Her eyes seem to change color a bit but they’re beautiful and unique, just like her. Okay, so I haven’t been laid in a long time, doesn’t mean I don’t have feelin’s or want to get to know her. I’m a gentleman through and through. I respect them all. Wasn’t the first time I’d notice how beautiful she is. First time I’d met her at the coffee shop then other times when she was there or around Prie. Never talked to Prie about her but I think I might. Guess she’s pretty busy right now though.

  All heads turn when she walks down the stairs. Her hair is still the same. Same dress and shoes. But she looks like she has a glow around her, more beautiful than ever. I turn and look at Trevor. His eyes are shinin’ only for her. Damn, I’m just so happy for them. Pa always told me real men don’t cry but I’ll be damned if this isn’t the second time tonight I have tears wellin’ up. He meets her at the bottom of the stairs and takes her hand, puttin’ her arm through his. He lays her hand down on his arm and covers it with his. This is just like a scene outta one of those romance movies I’ve seen. They take their places in front of the minister and we all sit down.

  My eyes keep shiftin’ over to Tina. I can’t stop them. I’ve noticed her lookin’ my way a few times too, causin’ my heart to speed up a bit. When things settle down, I really want to talk to Prie about her. Maybe at some point I can get up my nerve to actually talk to Tina. Maybe she’d even go out on a date with me. Shit! I hate this. It’s like high school all over again or college. The minister clears his throat bringin’ me out of my thoughts. I watch as Prie and Trevor hold hands, much like Shiloh and Colby did earlier.

  “Darlin’,” Trevor begins. “We both know what we’ve been through. Different things yet somewhat similar in the effects they’ve had on our lives. I couldn’t be prouder of you with all you’ve accomplished, the things you’ve had to deal with. You’ve always been so much stronger than you knew. I can’t imagine livin’ with anyone else. Every day of my life I wanna wake
up next to you. Hold you in my arms when we fall asleep. Every day I’ll be blessed to have you in my life. Know I’ll never take that for granted. You’ve helped me heal, made me a better man. I love you, Caprice Greer. Marry me.”

  The women are cryin’ but yet there’s a little laugh that escapes a few with his last words. Never havin’ love like this, I’m not sure what I would say. Guess it would come to me though. Prie looks at Trevor and smiles.

  “Trevor MacKay. You were someone that came into my life and took me under your wing. You guarded me, made me feel safe, when I didn’t think I’d ever feel safe again. You showed me how to be strong even though at the time I didn’t know what you had been through yourself. You showed me the beauty in the lands, that not all people are bad, and that I can actually have a happy life. You are the kindest, sweetest, most caring man I’ve ever met. I didn’t think I’d ever be normal again, be able to really smile, or be myself. You did that by believing in me. You helped me get through my worst times and were with me at some of the best. I love you, Trevor Mackay, with all my heart and soul. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  Okay, that just made me wipe away a tear. I feel like I’m turning into a girl with all the emotion in this room. The minister barely says they’re man and wife when they both come together and kiss like there’s no tomorrow. Yup, I want that. I want what they have. Now, guess I need to just figure out how to get it.

  Tina

  Oh, my God! That was the most beautiful ceremony. Well, both of them were. Sheesh, when Trevor dropped to his knee, I almost screamed. Oh, it’s no secret that I wanted Trevor when I first saw him walking into the shop but after meeting Prie and seeing them together, I just wanted the best for them both. So I love a good looking man, a cowboy is even better, but I’m not stupid. I saw how much she meant to him long before he even realized it. I might have done that when I first saw Colby too. Yeah, they have some gorgeous looking cowboys here, that’s for sure. Then Colby and I ended up being really good friends so that’s okay too. Now, Nash. Well, that’s a man I’d like to get to know better. He’s turned out to be good friends with just about everyone since he’s been in town but there’s something about him. Maybe it’s that red hair or matching scruff. Maybe it’s his smile and his green eyes. Or maybe it’s those huge muscles that I can envision underneath his shirt. I catch him looking over at me and I can’t say I’m not interested. Sigh. I know I’m still young but I’ve put my wild days behind me when I moved here. Sadie taught me a good lesson with her life. I guess I may talk the talk but really, I’m very shy and not as outgoing as I seem. Oh, I will go after what I want but when it comes to men – yeah, that’s a different thing.