Grumps launches into a gallop straight toward the wooden platform where we’re all standing, only diverting at the last minute to make a beeline toward the barn.
Wyatt shouts at me to stop him just as the leash flies loose. On instinct, I jump down to stop Grumps, stupidly putting myself smack bang in the middle of his escape route.
The only thing on my mind is grabbing the rings and saving the wedding–and the day. Crouching down, I throw my arm out, aiming for the leash or the bag with the rings.
Forgetting that Grumps is stuck in fight or flight mode, I don’t have time to brace myself before he barrels straight intome, knocking me to the ground just as I hook my fingers into the bag at his throat.
I crash to the ground, earning a hoof to my shoulder as he literally tramples over me. My head hits the ground, my ears ringing from the impact and my vision filling with stars as gasps and cries fill the air.
“Ow,” I grind out as I lay flat on my back and stare up into the bright blue Alaskan sky.
As I get my wits about me, I gingerly turn my head just as Blair, Mom, Cap, and both happy couples rush to my side.
Then I see it, the bag holding the rings clenched tight in my fist.
That’s when I smile, forgetting what I may or may not have injured, and groan as I lift my arm in the air, the saved rings clutched tightly in my hand. “Got them!”
Chapter 18
Blair
“Hey there, sleepyhead,” I say as Sutton opens his eyes and stares up at me from the grass.
“Definitely dreamin’,” he mumbles, wincing as he lifts his good hand to rub his undoubtedly sore shoulder. “Oww. He got me good.”
“Yeah. Grumps sure left his mark on you,” I say, my brows drawn tight as I palpate around the bruise blooming already. “Can you move it?”
He nods, rolling his shoulder against the ground. “Yeah.” He shakes his head then his much clearer gaze meets mine again. “It’s OK, gorgeous. Even that jackass can’t keep me down. He’ll have to try harder than that next time.” His lips quirk up on the side and I can’t resist smiling back at him.
I quirk a brow. “How about he doesn’t try at all?
“Sorry to interrupt you bein’ checked over by your pretty doc, son. If you’re good, there’s some people here who I think would like to get on with this shindig,” Sutton’s father muses from where he’s standing behind me.
Sutton turns from me to his dad, a slow-growing smile appearing. “I quite likethispretty doctor, Cap.”
His father’s lips twitch. “I can see that.”
Sutton sighs dramatically. “But Iguessthe show must go on.”
I move out of the way to let Case and Cap pull him to his feet.
“Glad to see you’re OK, brother,” Case says, nodding at Sutton’s hand. “Mind if I take those rings from you? We kind of need them to seal the deal.”
“Oh yeah. Guess they’re yours,” Sutt replies.
Case cups his shoulder–thankfully, hisgoodone. “Thanks for savin’ the day.”
A smirk curves his lips. “What are twins for?”
“Takin’ a hoof for him, apparently,” Cap jokes. “OK, boys. How ‘bout we get this weddin’ done and dusted before Iz and Birdie change their minds about joinin’ the family.” HIs eyes drift to me. “Or this one gets second thoughts and thinks to run.”
Sutton looks me dead in the eye, the calm in his gaze leaving me with no doubt that he’s as steady as a rock and just as resolute in his determination that I’m his soulmate.Thump. Thump. Thump.
The funny thing is, I’m not that far off from thinking the same way. My chest seized and I stopped breathing all together when I watched Grumps trample him. That didn’t change until he held his arm up like a superhero with the reclaimed rings in his hand.
He reaches down and laces his fingers with mine, giving them the softest, gentlest squeeze that makes me lock my knees to stay standing. The jolt from my hand to my chest, to…other partsof my body forces a silent gasp out of me. Suddenly I have visions of him whisking me away and…Yeah, not the time or the place Blair…
He must feel it too because the heat in his gaze turns up ten-fold. “Save me a dance, gorgeous,” he says before he reluctantly lets me go and returns to the platform where the two amused couples are waiting.
