Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Goldie
Barrett was caught up in the moment following our successful caper with Louisa, Olivia, and everyone else. He wanted to marry me immediately.
But I insisted that we wait until my legal troubles are behind us.
Which is today.
At least, I think so.
Audrey subpoenaed all of the trail cam footage from the day of my kidnapping, and she’s 99 percent sure the prosecutor is going to drop all charges against me, or I’ll be able to plead guilty to a lesser assault charge that won’t send me to jail.
We’ve all gathered at Sterling Ranch before heading into town. Louisa, Olivia, and Curly are coming with us to the courthouse.
It’s a warm spring day, and Curly and Barrett are having coffee on the three-season porch.
Louisa and Olivia are helping me get ready.
“This one?” Olivia holds out a slinky dress with a plunging, draped neckline.
“Maybe not for court,” I say.
The three of us finally pick something that looks innocent but pretty.
When I come out of the bedroom, I’m wearing a simple white dress, my hair is done in long, golden curls, my lips are stained red, and my lashes have mascara for the first time.
Barrett looks too stunned to speak.
Curly slaps him on the back. “Here you go, friend.”
My future husband can’t take his eyes off me. Curly clears his throat, and the rest of us chuckle.
Finally, he looks down to find the opened ring box that Curly hands to him. Inside it are two simple gold bands. Barrett takes the box and looks at Curly. “What is this?”
“Something borrowed. My late wife’s and my wedding bands. You two can wear them until you pick out something she likes.”
Barrett looks from Curly to me. “Baby, what’s going on?”
“A compromise. I said I wanted to wait until my legal troubles are behind us. No matter what happens today, I need you, Barrett.”
I stop short of making it an official proposal.
Barrett comes to me and drops to one knee. “Goldie Locke, will you marry me?”
With everything in me, I say, “Barrett Fowler, yes, I will.”