Chapter 26
“I just don’t know how to be a wife, Mae. What if I made a huge mistake, getting on that train? Marrying a man because you answered an ad in the paper seems plumb crazy,” Windsor, in character as Eliza, said to Mae, Sylvia’s character, as she helped her fix her hair for the wedding.
“Oh, don’t you worry none about that. Jesse’s a good man. All you gotta do is keep his belly full and his bed warm, if you know what I mean.”
Eliza’s blush was easy for Windsor to bring to her cheeks on cue. All she had to think about was Bo and the things he’d done to her last night when they got home.
“And cut. Great job, ladies. Stay right there. Cam A, over here for the next shot. Cam B, get Sylvia from across the room. Let’s go again. Just like that, ladies.”
Windsor and Sylvia stayed exactly in position, just waiting for the next shot.
“Belly full and bed warm … ain’t that the truth?” Sylvia whispered. “So, do you think you and Bo … I know it’s early, but … do you see wedding bells in your future?”
Windsor stared at the blurry mirror in front of her. “I swore I never would again.”
“With your douchewad ex, I would have sworn off marriage too. But Bo’s nothing like that. And this place … just wow.”
That was the word Windsor had used most often lately.
“I know. But it’s not just the place. It’s the man that makes it really wow for me.”
“Preach, sister. He’s a good guy. Getting out of Hollywood glowed him up something fierce.”
“Yeah. You really think you guys are leaving the city?”
“I’d be house-hunting right now if we weren’t here. After this, I can’t wait to find our own little spread in the mountains somewhere.”
“Really?” Windsor was amazed. “Just leave it all behind?”
“What, you love the traffic, smog, and pretentious assholes?”
She didn’t have to even think about it. “Nope.”
“Then why stay? You can travel for work if you need to go back.”
“True. And the air is so much fresher here.”
“And the cowboys are hot.”
“Sylvia!”
“What? I’m pregnant, not blind.”
“All right, ladies. Next shot.”
They both giggled and then got back into character.
During the wedding scene, Windsor couldn’t help but think about Sylvia’s question about wedding bells, especially when Bo was saying his vows as Jesse.
“I do,” he said.
He was staring into her eyes, but Windsor felt it all the way to her soul.
Was she crazy? It hadn’t even been a month.
Does time really matter when it feels like this? The voice bubbled up from within her as George Russ, playing the preacher, said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
It wasn’t in the script for them to kiss. It was a mail-order-bride wedding, but Bo leaned down anyway and brushed his lips over hers.
The entire set was hushed, and Windsor held her breath.
“And cut! Fuck, Bo, that was perfect. Good improv. We’re keeping it! Okay, reset. Let’s get the shot from behind the preacher. Kiss her again, just like that.”
Bo smiled. “Hope you don’t mind. I couldn’t resist.”
“Do you want to marry me?” Windsor hadn’t planned the question, but it came out anyway.
His head tilted ever so slightly to the side. “I do.”
“No, not for the movie.”
“I know.”
Windsor’s breath caught, and her mouth dropped open.
“Okay. Let’s go again. George, on my cue.”
With her mind blown, Windsor nearly forgot her line. Thank God it was as simple as I do.
As soon as they finished the shots for the scene and broke for lunch, Windsor grabbed Bo’s hand.
“Did you mean that?”
“Sweetheart, when are you going to realize I only say what I mean?”
“You really want to marry me?”
“I figured I’d ask first. But that’s definitely the plan.”
Windsor’s chest rose and fell as he led her to the enclosed UTV to drive them back to the house.
“Since when?”
He laughed and squeezed her hand before opening her door for her. “My lady.”
“Since when?” she repeated, stopping to face him.
“Since you tried to jump me in the pool barn and it nearly killed me to say no.”
“No way.”
He nodded. “I knew then that if it were up to me, you’d never be going back to LA without my ring on your finger.”
She sucked in a breath and heaved it out. “So, that’s … that’s been your plan all along?”
“It’d be helpful if it was your plan too. Preferably you not going back to LA without me by your side. Not just with a ring. And if I’m being fully honest, preferably just to pack your stuff and have it sent here.”
Windsor blinked several times as she stared at his handsome face. He was serious. Totally and completely serious.
“You look surprised, Win. I haven’t exactly been subtle about my intentions.”
“I just … thought you’d want to date for a while.”
His chest bounced under his white wedding shirt as he chuckled.
“No way. I know what I want. I’ve waited a long time.
You’re spending every night in my bed. We eat every meal together.
We work out together. We shower together.
And I don’t see myself ever getting enough of you.
Why wouldn’t I want to make that permanent as soon as possible?
I don’t want to go back to a life without you, Win. I love doing life with you.”
“You haven’t even told me you loved me yet,” she said.
“Yes, I have.”
“What?” Shock blew through her. “When?”
“In the shower. After the moonlight river scene. When we decided I’d still be a stud at eighty.”
“Oh my God.” She blinked twice more. “You meant that.”
“I told you. I only say what I mean.”
Win was dumbstruck. He loved her. He planned to marry her.
Laughter bubbled up from within her, and she wondered if this was what joy felt like. She lifted her gaze to his again. “I’m in love with you too.”
His smile was brilliant, and his aquamarine gaze shone as though lit from within. “I know, but I’m really glad you’ve finally figured it out.”