“Mags, I don’t know what you put in this, but I swear it’sstillthe best thing I’ve ever tasted after all these years,” Wy mumbles around a mouthful of Corned Beef Hash.
He surprised us last night by turning up at the ranch house door with a big grin on his face and afiancéeon his arm. Now, he’s sitting in the Bull Mountain Ranch booth at the far end of the diner and demolishing hissecondplate of food.
“Don’t they feed you at Cooper Ranch?” I ask, watching him with amusement.
“Yeah. But it’s notyourfood. Doesn’t matter where I am, this right here,” he points to the half-empty plate, “is what I dream of.”
I lean a hip against the booth. “You know you don’t have to sweet talk me. I’m sure you know by now that I ain’t goin’ anywhere.” I look down at my beautiful rings that haven’t left my finger in thefive years since Red put them there in Palmer.A surprise rodeo wedding, who would’ve thought?
“Oh, I know. You and Dad are stuck to each other like glue.”
A big wide smile takes over my face. “And there ain’t anyone else in the world I want to be stuck to.”
“Who are you talkin’ about?” my handsome husband asks, coming up and wrapping his arms around me. I turn my head back to meet his bearded lips for a kiss that goes on for a little too long.Hey, can you blame me? My husband is hot!
“I’d gag but I’m used to you two and your public displays of affection now,” Wy says around yet more food.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Red says, making me giggle. Wy may be almost twenty three and a fully-fledged adult with responsibilitiesanda fiancée, but here he is, still getting told off by his dad.
“What are you doin’ here? Thought you and the men were workin’ on the barn roof today?”
“Can’t a husband miss his wife?” he says, his eyes warm but also a little mysterious. And given Red Grayson’s love of surprising me–something he’s continued to do throughout the last five years we’ve been together–I’m instantly suspicious.
I step out of his arms and turn around, narrowing my eyes. “What have you done?”
“Yeah, Dad. Whathaveyou done?” Wy asks, a smirk playing on his lips.
Red holds his hands up in the air. “Hey, now. Don’t start gangin’ up on me.” I look over at Wy as he looks back to me, beforeboth of our heads turn to Red with brows arched high. “Who am I kiddin’? You two have been gangin’ up on me for years now,” Red replies with a laugh.
“Sounds like Dad’s got a guilty conscience, Mags,” Wyatt says, totally throwing his father under the bus and doing it with a smirk.
I continue staring at my husband and waiting for him to crack. As expected, it doesn’t take long. “Dammit, you two. OK, darlin’. Yes, I have a surprise for you back at the ranch, and I’ve already talked to Tony in the kitchen. So, as soon as you’re ready, I’m stealin’ you away for the rest of the day.”
I cross my arms over my chest but can’t fight the joy bubbling up inside of me. For someone who used to hate surprises, Red has converted me. Now Ilivefor them. “You came intomyplace of business and talked tomystaff about me takin’ the rest of the day off?”
“Yep. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” He reaches out and grabs my hand, tangling our fingers together just the way I like and pulling me toward him. “Now c’mon, darlin’. Leave Wy and his love to their food and let’s hit the road.”
“Wait, where are we goin’?”
“Don’t ask,” Wy says with a grin. “You know he ain’t goin’ to tell you. But believe me, this is one surprise you’redefinitelygoin’ to like.”
Now I’m the one who’s head is on a swivel, moving between the older Grayson and his younger doppelganger. “Youknewabout this?” I ask Wy.
“Sure did. Why do you think I’m here? I was distractin’ you while Dad got everythin’ sorted.”
“I should feel betrayed, but–”
“But you love it,” Red says, dropping a quick kiss on my mouth. “Now, say your goodbyes. We’ve got somewhere to be.”
As we walk hand in hand towards his truck, I steal a glance at my husband. His rugged features are softened by the sunlight, his eyes holding a twinkle of mischief that never fails to make my heart flutter. Whatever he has up his sleeve, I know it’s going to be special.
Once we’re settled into the truck and Red starts the engine, I can’t contain my curiosity any longer. “Okay, cowboy, now that you’ve got me, are you goin’ to tell me what the deal is?”
He chuckles, a deep rumble that sends shivers down my spine. “Patience, darlin’.
“Patience,” I mutter. “The man tells me to have patience after I waitedyearsfor him.” I turn my head and meet his dancing eyes. “Years, Redmond.”
He lifts my arm and brushes his lips against the back of my knuckles. “I love you,” he says, and as it always does, my heart melts and all my sass disappears.
