“I’ll help with running it, sure, but I’d like to open up a sporting goods store.”
Surprised, I glanced at him. “A sporting goods store? What does your father think about that?”
He laughed, and I found I liked the sound of it. “He’s supportive, and he’s given me a couple years to make a go of it. If things don’t work out, then I promised I’d work on the ranch full time. But theywillwork out. I can feel it in my bones. I’m not going to give up until it does.”
“You’re determined, then?”
Ladd smiled. “I am.”
“And your father is supporting this decision?”
“He is,” Ladd said, a smile on his face. “Both of my parents are. I have three other brothers, so it’s not like my father needs me running the ranch to keep it going. But ranching is in my blood, I can’t imagine not being a part of it in some way.”
“You dress the part. So what you’re telling me is you’re actually a full-on cowboy? Not someone who is cosplaying one?”
“Yes, ma’am. Some say I’m the wildest of my brothers.”
“Is that so?” I grinned.
We walked in comfortable silence before he asked, “What about your parents?”
Forcing myself not to change the tone of my voice, I glanced at a building as we neared and asked, “Is this where we’re eating?”
Ladd looked up and nodded. “It is.”
“I adore this place!” I said, smiling at Ladd.
A wide grin appeared on his face, and he laughed once again. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to wait a year, Viv. Maybe not even six months!”
I could feel my cheeks heating, and somewhere deep inside of me, I knew that whether it was six months or a year, if Ladd Wilde asked me to marry him at any point in the future, I would say yes.
Things between Ladd and me took off like wildfire. Whenever we were both free, we spent our time together. Picnics, long walks, or simply sitting in the library studying for a test. I hated that I had to work so much, but it never botheredLadd. If we had a free moment, we took advantage of it. Every second we spent together was cherished by both of us.
The summer before our senior year, Ladd had gone back to River Falls for a couple of weeks, but returned to Fort Collins to take a couple of summer classes. Those two weeks apart felt like an eternity. I had kept busy by working my two jobs, and we spoke on the phone every single evening. It was hard to believe we had been dating since April of our junior year and now it was October of our senior year. Soon, we’d both be making plans for life after college. The thought of Ladd not being in my life was something I tried not to think about.
“Vivianne, you’ve got a visitor.”
I looked up from the table I was serving and smiled the moment I saw Ladd walk in with his younger brother, David.
Focusing back on the couple in the booth, I asked, “Is there anything else I can get you right now?”
The young girl grinned. “That’s it, thank you.”
I hustled over to drop off their order before heading to the counter. I leaned over to meet Ladd, who had leaned over as well. We kissed, and David made a gagging sound.
Ladd and I had been dating for nearly six months, and it was the best six months of my life. We didn’t get to see each other as much as I would have liked since I was working two jobs, waitressing part time at a café and part time at a pizza parlor. I had gotten some academic scholarships, but they only covered my tuition. I still had rent and food. I had even sold my car during my sophomore year just to get rid of the expense. Between gas and insurance, it was taking up most of my paychecks.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever,” I said as I stood back and looked at his brother. “Hey, David.”
“Hey, Vivianne.”
“When do you get off?” Ladd asked.
I glanced at my watch. “I’m off in ten minutes. Let me make another round and tell my tables Lisa’s going to be taking over for me.”
After getting everyone settled and letting Lisa, who had just clocked in, know what was happening with each table, I grabbed my purse from the back room and met Ladd and David out front.
The moment I saw Ladd again, I ran and jumped into his arms.
