“Does what?”he asked after he’d placed the order.
“As if you don’t know.You’d think she’d be happy and content that her three sons are married, but no, she keeps pestering me to get a husband.She makes me so mad.”
“You don’t wanna get married?”he asked as he took out his wallet.
Willow touched his hand.“I’ll pay and no, I don’t want to get married.I’m simply not bride material.”
Shaking his head, he caught her hand in his.“I’m paying.”
“Don’t be silly, I…”
Ignoring her, he paid the bill and picked up two of the trays with hot chocolate.“Can you manage the other one?”
“Of course I can manage it,” she just about snarled.
He had a hard time not smiling.“Good.After you.Why?”he asked as they made their way through the crowd.
“Why what?”she asked as they left the shop.
Outside people were mingling around, laughing and talking.
“Why don’t you want to get married?”he asked, the last four words ringing out in an unexpected lull in the conversation outside the chocolate shop.
Willow’s mother inhaled sharply.“Willow?”she shrieked so loudly everyone around them turned their way.“I don’t believe my ears!Has Hunter just asked you to marry him?”
All the eyes were on them.Willow had a dazed look on her face.
“Hot chocolate for everyone,” he said, hoping to change the topic.He quickly handed the trays to Cooper and Hayden.
Willow’s mom clapped her hands.“Oh, I love this!What an adorable romantic gesture!Celebrating your engagement with hot chocolate.”
“Mom!”Willow called out, finally coming out of her stupor.“We’re not…”
But her mother was on a roll.“Oh, I’ve been hoping for this day.You’ll make such a beautiful couple.Imagine the babies you’ll have…”
Willow groaned.“Mom, you’re not listening…”
“Oh, Willow, I’m so, so happy!”Sniffing, she searched for a tissue in her bag and blew her nose.
With what he could swear was a muffled cuss word, Willow pushed the tray in Becket’s hands and grabbed Hunter’s arm.“Excuse us, we have lots to talk about.”
Before he could blink, she was dragging him away from her family and the curious eyes of the bystanders.
“Grant?”Hayden called out behind him.
As Hunter turned around, Cooper, Hayden, and Becket were glaring at him.
“What the hell, man?You have something to say to us?”Hayden’s voice was icy cold.
“Chill, Hayden,” Willow groaned.“You can talk to him tomorrow.”With her hand in Hunter’s arm, she quickly steered them away.“Ugh, they can be so maddening.Put your arm around me and look happy,” she grumbled as she quickly walked back toward the courthouse.
Dutifully, he obliged.“Care to tell me what’s going on?”
“For the past few years, my mom has been on a mission to get all her kids married.You’d think she’d be happy all my brothers are married, but noooo.Find yourself a nice husband, Willow, you should learn to cook, Willow, update your kitchen, Willow and get married—she’s driving me crazy.So, when she heard you mentioned them-word she deduced you’d asked me to marry you then and there.You saw what she’s like.It’s no use trying to explain to her what really happened, she simply won’t listen right now.That’s why I dragged you away.Let her think what she wants for tonight, but don’t worry, I’ll talk to her tomorrow and tell her we’re not actually engaged.Would you mind taking me back to the ranch, please?”
“Of course.You could’ve warned me about your plans, though.”
“I have no plans, damn it.You were the one who was going on and on about getting married, it’s not my fault.”She sighed.“Okay, maybe I should’ve tried harder to explain to her, but with just about the whole town looking at us, I didn’t think it was a good idea.Don’t worry, I’ll speak to her and clear up this whole mess.”
