“Why?” she asks softly.
Hailstorm is between us and our family, but I don’t care who hears. My why was obvious to everyone around us. I had to get my ass kicked into gear.
“Seems I’ve fallen in love with you, Belle. I found everything I’ve wanted in you, and if you don’t feel thatway, it’s fine. I won’t pressure you.” Though I’ll experience a real broken heart. “But the least I could do was take the blame for tanking the wedding, so you don’t have to waste one more minute on that couple.”
Her eyes shimmer. “You love me?”
“So damn much. I don’t care if Natalie moves to Bozeman or Huckleberry Springs, I’m not interested.” My gaze dances over her face. “She’s kind of a dick.” I lift her silver chain out of her top and rub the horseshoe charm with my thumb. “I was stupid enough to let your text stop me.”
“It was all a lie,” she whispers. “I was so certain you finally had your chance with your dream woman, and I tried to save face.”
“Campbell Joanna Hawthorne, I’m holding my dream woman in my arms. I don’t want to put you down until you’re in my house, where you belong.” I swallow, hoping this is a slam dunk. “If you want to.”
“I’m a messy person.”
“I like seeing signs that you’re in my house, that it’s not a big, empty tomb I’m going to grow old alone in.”
“I have a lot of timers.”
“I ordered a pack to keep around the house.”
Her red lips part. “You did?”
I nod.
“I’m a nepotism baby.” She says it mostly without shame.
“No reason not to use the connections you have.”
“I like to drink whiskey straight from the guy who makes it.” She licks her bottom lip. “Because I love him.”
My mouth stretches wide. “You love a guy who wrangles cattle and turns grain into alcohol?”
“I also love a guy who rides off with me into the sunset.”
“You’re it for me, Belle. Look at my face. Have I ever looked like this when I’ve talked about anyone else?”
Her eyes are liquid when she shakes her head.
“I’m setting you down only so I can kiss you.”
As soon as her feet hit the ground, I lift her into a kiss. Her mouth lands on mine, and there’s cheering around us. Hailstorm’s hooves stamp, and he huffs.
She smiles against my lips, her arms twined around my neck. “I think we have an audience.”
I set her back down, but keep her tucked close to me. “Haven said he’ll do the reception tonight. Your dad’s going to deal with your uncle, and I’m going to make sure no one bothers you about any of it.”
“Durban,” she whispers and rises to her toes to kiss me.
“Don’t worry about a thing, kiddo,” William says. “I’m going to tell my brother what I should’ve said in the beginning—shit or get off the pot. I’m not playing around.”
“Hey, Daddy,” Kacey says, tapping Iverson on the head, “Grandpa said?—”
“I heard.” Iverson smirks. “Grandpa’s allowed to say it. Not you.”
A “woohoo” rings up from the pavilion. Avery and Thea are sprinting toward us. Avery’s holding her shoes in one hand.
“I’m going to take that as a good sign,” Jamison says.
