The expression on her face tells me that was the exact right thing to say. The way the corner of her mouth curls up just confirms it. “There ain’t nothin’ and no one that’s goin’ to stop me from marryin’ you. If we could do it right this minute in front of allthese damn gnomes as our witnesses, then I’d take your name and give you my vows right here and now. Don’t doubt that, Red.”
I narrow my eyes, my voice dropping to a growl. “Fair warnin’, Mags. I’m goin’ to kiss you now and it’s goin’ to be long, and it’s goin’ to be deep, and it’ll probably leave you short of air.”
She tilts her head, sending an adorably cute but confused look my way. “You’re warnin’ me you’re goin’ to kiss me. Considerin’ we did a hell of a lot more than kiss last nightandthis mornin’…”
“You talk sweet, I’m goin’ to kiss you. You flirt with me, I’m goin’ to kiss you. You stand there lookin’ cute and sexy and sassin’ me, newsflash, darlin’, I’m goin’ to kiss you. Because now that I can, I don’t want to stop.” We stand there staring into each other’s eyes. When she pops her hip with a shrug, I fall even more in love with her.
“Then what are you waitin’ fo—” I swallow her words by slamming my mouth down on hers, my hand tangling in her wayward curls.
When we finally break apart, we are both breathless and dizzy with desire. Mags leans her forehead against mine, her breath warm against my skin. "Well,” she breathes, definitely short of air just like I promised, “I reckon I'll forgive you for hidin’ whatever you’re hidin’, just as long as you promise me a lifetime ofthosekisses."
I chuckle, the sound rumbling in my chest. "Consider it a deal, darlin'. Now, about that gnome..."
Cuddled into my side, she looks down at said gnome. “What about Ronald?”
“Like McDonald?” I say, shaking my head.
“No. In honor of Ronnie from the Secret Cow back home.”
At least that makes more sense. “Nope. It needs to be moregnomey.”
Mags stares at me in disbelief. “OK… so George is out.Ronaldis out. What about Jim-Bob.”
Now I’m the one seeingherin a different light. “Jim-Bob. You want to call our gnome, Jim-Bob?”
“Yep. It’sunique.”
“It’s somethin’, that’s for sure,” I mutter under my breath. She doesn’t miss it though because she jabs her elbow into my side with a giggle.
“Well let’s go put Jim-Bob in his rightful place on the fence and then get on our way.Especiallysince there's asurprisecomin’ my way. Can you at least tell me if it’s a good one?”
I slowly arch my brow. “Is there any other kind?”
“OK, then. We better hurry up then,” she says, bouncing on her feet with the energy of a teenager. Just seeing her so happy and knowing I’ve helped put that smile on her face has me walking taller, even putting a new spring inmystep.
Then again, being in love with my best friend, knowing my ring is going to be on her finger and that she’s going to be mine in every way? That would fill any man with pride.
All that’s left to do now is hope that everything I’ve planned falls into place, because if it does, Maggie Gallagher—soon to be Grayson—is going to get the surprise of her life.
28
MAGS
Red took over driving duties once we left Jim-Bob hanging on the fence, leaving me time to catch a nap.
When the truck finally comes to a stop, I blink myself awake, looking out the window at my new surroundings.
“Wow,” I breathe, taking in the picturesque snow-capped mountains in the distance that stand tall and proud over the land.
Red looks over at me with a soft smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hey, sleepyhead. Isn’t this place amazin’?”
“Itis. The view is breathtakin’.”
“Thought that was my job,” he replies, a mischievous twinkle lighting up his eyes.
“Red Grayson, well Inever," I say, feigning offense with a dramatic hand placed over my heart.
When he just laughs and shoots me a wink, I swear I fall even deeper in love with the man.
