Chapter Twenty-Six
KINDRED
Alaugh bubbles free when Cash spins me around and pulls me back to dip me backwards.
“You’re full of surprises.” When he asked me to dance, I didn’t expect this, but clearly my man is a quick study. More than that, I know he wants to make me happy. I want to give him the same too. We deserve this type of happiness. We’ve both waited so long to be together. I mean, it’s totally his fault for being so stubborn, but that’s beside the point.
“My girl wants to dance. I'll dance because I’m not letting anyone else spin you around this dance floor.” He pulls me closer as the song changes over to another slow one, but this one is more romantic. I probably shouldn't enjoy his possessiveness, but I do. I know it’s only because we have a trust that goes both ways.
“It all came together,” I say, seeing everyone around the room. I think most of the town is here, and if not, they are traveling to see family. This was a very last-second wedding.
“If I have learned anything about New Hope, it’s that if it’s possible, they will find a way to make it happen.” This is true. Our little tight-knit community shows up for one another.Whether it’s in happy, sad, criminal, or any other situations, there is always someone to lend a hand.
“I love that you’ve fallen in love with this town too.” I always knew I would spend my life here.
It was never a question in my mind. I wanted that small-town life with kids and fundraisers and chasing the dog down the driveway because the cat scared him. It may be cliché, but I saw it all around me growing up here.
My grandmother raised my brother and me after our parents' passing. When she was younger, she’d grown up in New Hope but had moved away. Then she got custody of my brother and me, and she moved us back here. I was too young to remember those things. New Hope and my grandmother were all I ever knew.
I would see all the families around town and want that for myself. I think I wanted it so badly I'd started to wiggle my way into everyone's lives, wanting to make the whole town a family, my family. That’s exactly how I see each and every one of them.
“It’s you that made me fall in love with it. I know you’d never agree with me, but this town is partly the way it is because of you.” Tears sting at my eyes because that’s so freaking sweet. To me, it’s one of the highest compliments anyone could give me. I love this man more than anything.
“And I know you’d never ask, but you’re the only person I’d leave this town for.” If I had to choose. That’s how I know how deeply I love Cash.
“We’re not going anywhere. This is where we’ll build the family we have always wanted to have. Together.”
“Ethan too.” I nod over at my brother, who is drinking a beer and talking to a random girl. I have no clue where he found her, but this isn’t shocking.
“He’s not house-trained.”
I snort a laugh. “Since I'm rich, or well, I will be after I get that ring, I’ll let him have the house.” We’ve shared it since our grandma passed a few years ago. I don’t want to sell it. Not yet. I want Ethan to always have a place to come home to. "And since you kept this whole rich thing from me and I can't trust you, there will be no prenup."
Cash throws his head back and laughs. It's deep and rich (like him) and vibrates through me. I could live off of making him laugh.
“I’ll give you every penny right now as long as I get you.”
“Cash, are you calling me a hooker?”
“You’re not a hooker.” He shakes his head at me. I used to think that was him being annoyed with me, but now I know it’s amusement.
“Hey, I could be a hooker.” I give his chest a playful smack. “I can rock heels,” I remind him.
“You’d definitely be more of the high-priced call girl.”
“Ahh!” I laugh, always feeling like I’ve won when I get him to play along with my antics. “Why thank you. I think.”
“When we get back home, I can treat you like one if you wish.”
"Cash." His name emerges in a breathy whisper. I kind of hope that I never get used to that filthy mouth of his. "When do you think we can leave?"
"You're the wedding expert. You tell me."
The cake has been cut, and all the dances are done. All that's left is to party, and that already seems to be in full swing.
"Let me talk to Candy." I don't know if they're going to do the whole garter removal. I don't see Hollis being down with that, and Candy is so shy when it comes to those things. Cash's mouth would make her faint.
His fingers slide between mine as we head toward their table. Candy is perched in Hollis's lap. I think he might be ready to head out too.
