“Where are you taking me?” Jade teases. “We have friends and food. And cake.”
“It can all wait.” I lower her to the grass. Standing back to look at her. “Wow. I mean, wow, honey. That dress…”
She blushes, her hands coming to my waist, smoothing down my black dress shirt. “I was thinking the same thing. I mean not that you’re wearing a dress, but, wow. Seeing you standing there, my heart did a loop in my chest. I mean, gorgeous.”
I brush the hair back that’s dancing in the wind. “Come on.”
“Now I’m curious.” She lays her hand in mine. Trusting. Like she did from the beginning. It still humbles me.
We cross the side lawn toward the fence. It’s a good thing I’m an operator because this took some serious covert action.
“Look over there.”
She blocks the sun adorably from her eyes with her hand, the diamond wedding band flashing like fire in the light.
“Oh, wait. Is that a horse in our field?”
We reach the fence line before I answer. “Would you believe me if I told you her name is Ruby?”
Jade gasps, covering her mouth.
“She’s yours, sweetheart.”
“I don’t know how to ride.” Her serious expression kicks me in the gut.
“It’s okay, I booked private lessons. If you want to ride. Only if you want to. If you just want her here to brush and pet, that’s fine too.”
When Jade turns to me, she breaks. I’ve never seen her lose it before and it nearly gives me a heart attack.
“Oh. Jesus.” I pull her into my arms. “I didn’t know it would upset you.”
“Not. Upset.” Her sobs are destroying me. “These are tears of joy.”
“Honey. God bless.” I bury my face in her hair, cradling the back of her neck. “You just aged me ten years.”
“I’m sorry, it just overwhelmed me.”
I rock her back and forth as we watch Ruby enjoying the grass in her new pasture.
“Can you ride?” She asks, surprising me, as she looks up at me with so much happiness I can barely stay in my skin.
“I can.”
“Oh my god, I married a hot SEAL cowboy.”
I laugh all the way back to the reception. “Now that’s going a bit far. I can ride. I can’t rope.”
“You lassoed me,” she teases, pinching my ribs.
“Hm, maybe I should show you my knot-tying skills.”
She chokes, burying her face in my shirt. “Behave.”
An instant later we’re surrounded by the team.
“To the bride and groom!” Thane toasts. “May the rest of your lives be slow and boring.”
“Amen!” Colt adds.
