I reach out and ruffle her hair. “You’re a weirdo, but I like you.”
She plants her fists on her hips and glares at me. “You’re annoying, and I’m not sure if I like you. How about that?”
“Sounds like the perfect foundation for a long-lasting marriage.”
She sighs and lets her hands drop to her sides. “I’m serious, though. I think we should probably discuss how we’re going to function as a married couple. Your parents will definitely come by the house sometimes, right?”
“Then we’ll talk with them. It’s not like my dad is going to go rifle through our closets. And Mom doesn’t have the energy to be running around and snooping anymore with her arthritis flare-ups. They’ll just come visit and talk. I don’t think they’ll be expecting a lot of physical affection from us. It’s not like we’ll have to make out in front of them. That’d just be weird anyway.”
Bliss nods jerkily. “Okay, good point. Although we might have to hold hands in front of my parents. My mom is very affectionate and will expect some signs that we at least like each other.”
“Handholding sounds fair. What about forehead kisses? Would you care if I leaned over and kissed your head when we’re at your parents’?”
“Erm, well, no. I think that would be fine. That would be affectionate and not too awkward for us, I think. Are you okay with that?” Bliss is blushing.
“I think I can handle kissing your forehead,” I say with a grin. “Should we practice?”
“Out here?” Bliss sounds appalled. “What if your cows see?”
“I’m sure they’ve seen worse. Wouldn’t it be a little awkward if I tried to kiss you in front of your parents and you panicked and jumped backward?”
“If you kiss sloppily, they would understand.”
I snort. “I am not a sloppy kisser. I can promise you that.”
Bliss presses her lips together and shakes her head. “Let’s hope not. Because I just remembered we’re going to have to actually kiss at our wedding.”
The idea has merit. But I also don’t like the idea of kissing Bliss for the first time in front of a bunch of strangers.
“We should practice that ahead of time,” I suggest.
Bliss folds her arms across her chest. “Zane, I’m beginning to think you just want an excuse to kiss me.”
“It’s for the good of our marriage,” I promise solemnly.
She doesn’t look like she believes me. Smart girl. It’s not for the good of our marriage. It’s formygood. I’m attracted to my soon-to-be wife. Would it be that horrible if we actually enjoyed being together?
“I’ll think about it. Now, we’d better go tell everyone that you proposed romantically and cried while I said yes.”
“After you, fiancée.”
She turns to walk back to where we left the horses, and I have to fight the urge to give a shout of victory.
We’re engaged.
CHAPTER 11
Bliss
I scoot forwardon the truck seat as we pull down the long, familiar driveway to my home.
I could nearly cry at the thought of moving away from here. I’ve lived here my whole life. Yet I’ve agreed to marry Zane and live in his house—a crucial part of the agreement.
What was I thinking? I won’t have Grandpa over there to chat with or tell about how Mom is pushing me to the brink of insanity.
But all it takes to ground me in reality is remembering the steady string of single men Mom has been parading in front of me. Yup. I’m perfectly happy marrying Zane and moving in with him.
As we round the last corner, the house comes into view. My dad’s truck is there, so at least we won’t have to chase him down and tell him the news before Mom tells all of Pine Ridge.
