“I love you, too. Were you able to get us a spot in the line-up?”
I’d been prepared to crash the parade so Roxy could have her moment, but thanks to the Calhoun family, we’d been invited to ride with them. “Yep. We’re official.”
“Good. I’d hate to start off our future together by being banned from the Christmas parade.” Her lips curved into a teasing grin.
“Be a good girl and drink your cocoa, sugar. I’ll get the horses saddled up so you can prove to yourself how far you’ve come.”
“Mmm. Say that again?” Heat simmered in her eyes. My body responded by sending a rush of blood straight to my crotch.
“What part? That I’ll get the horses saddled?” I didn’t realize that would be her idea of a turn-on, but there was so much we still had to learn about each other. I was looking forward to every single second.
“No, silly. The good girl part.” She pressed against me, molding her soft curves to my chest. “I kind of like you calling me that.”
A deep laugh bubbled up through my chest. “First, we ride. You’ll get your ‘good girls’ after we’re done. Got it?”
“You’re no fun.” She let out an overly dramatic sigh.
I backed her up against the horse trailer and pressed my hard-on into her belly. “Careful, sugar. Talk like that is going to get you thrown over my shoulder and ravaged inside the cab of my truck.”
“Promises, promises.” She kissed the corner of my mouth. “At least I know what’s waiting for me after I make it through the parade. Talk about an appealing incentive.”
This woman was going to be the death of me if I wasn’t careful. She’d already ensured I’d be extremely uncomfortable sitting in the saddle for the next two hours. I’d take it, though. My future had started looking bright again thanks to Roxy.
“Come on, let’s get saddled up and into position. We don’t want to miss our start.” I held out my hand, and we walked over to where we’d tied up Trixie and my regular mount. It only took a few minutes to saddle them and lead them over to the group from the Calhoun Ranch.
Roxy swung herself up in the saddle. With her head held high, she scanned the groups ahead of us. I could tell the moment she found her family. Her lips turned down and the light in her eyes dimmed. I could also tell the moment her dad found her. He wheeled his horse around and made a beeline straight toward us. I had my horse sidestep to put me closer to Roxy and braced myself for the anger flashing in his eyes.
Mr. Swisher smiled as he lowered his voice and shot daggers at his daughter. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m riding in the parade.” Roxy held her ground, meeting his dark look with one of her own.
“Get down before you make a fool out of yourself.” And out of him. He didn’t say it out loud, but clearly that’s what he meant.
I was ready to step in and stand up for the woman I loved, but only if Roxy needed me. She was more than capable of taking on her father. Always had been, she’d just lost the confidence to do it somewhere along the way.
“I’m going to ride in the parade. Jake’s been helping me.” She turned her gaze on me. My chest warmed and my heart swelled. I was so fucking proud of her.
“Then you’ll ride with us. What the hell are people going to think when they see my daughter riding with the Calhoun Ranch?” He turned his horse around to head back to where his wife waited for him. “Come on, Roxy. Let’s go.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Does it matter? Either way, I’m not riding with you. From now on, I’m going to live my life on my own terms and that means being with Jake. It also means I’m not going to Oklahoma.” Roxy held her ground, the only sign of the toll it took was the tremble in her hand as she reached out to take mine.
“Don’t you let her do this. You know my daughter deserves a hell of a lot more than what you can offer her.” He turned his venomous sneer toward me.
“I’m not letting her do anything. Roxy makes her own choices. I’m just honored she thinks I’m worthy of her love, and I’m going to do everything possible to give her the kind of life she wants. With all due respect sir, you’re the one who’s forcing her hand. All she wants is to be loved for who she is, not for benefitting your image.”
“Damn you, Robinson.” He shook his head and returned to his place in the lineup.
“Are you okay, sugar?” I pulled off my glove and wiped away the tears on her cheek.
“Yes. For the first time in my life, I really am.”
The parade kicked off and Roxy found her smile. We waved to the kids lining the route and tossed candy canes and sprigs of mistletoe into the crowd. When we reached the end of the route, I put my hands on her waist and lifted her out of the saddle.
“You looked amazing up there. How does it feel to have conquered your fear?” If the look on her face was any indication, my girl was flying high after slaying her demons. I only wished her family was there to congratulate her, too.
