Chapter 32
POV: Cole?
The next day….
Abby was out tending to the animals this morning and singing as loudly as she could, humming a made up song to the pigs as she tossed apples at them.
I’ve never seen her this happy.
I leaned against the barn, watching her with admiration as she swayed her hips as she continued humming her tone deaf tune.
Duke came up beside me and shot me a look—the kind that said without saying, “You’re whipped, and everyone knows it, boss.”
“Don’t say it,” I said.
“I didn’t say anything,” he shrugged, watching as my eyes found their way back to her. Always.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I said, letting out a deep breath. “And you’re wrong. I’m not whipped.” But even I knew that was a lie.
I was.
“Sure,” Duke laughed, clapping me on the back. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, boss.” Then he strolled off, leaving me alone with my thoughts and with Abby still holding my attention.
I mean, would it matter if I was actually whipped?
Old Cole would think so.
But new Cole, he didn’t consider it the crutch that old me would have.
Because damn her, damn her for changing me.
I was still dominant. I was still in control. But for her, I was willing to concede—concede to things that I normally wouldn’t.
I let that thought linger in my mind as I watched her hand another pig an apple.
Goddamn her, I warned her to be careful with the pigs—I was worried that one day one would take a finger off—but Abby didn’t care, in fact she swore that they wouldn’t, and even went as far to name each and every one of our ranch animals.
She named the pig she was feeding, Oliver.
Don’t ask me how or why I remember that—but I guess I do…
because of her. Because Oliver, no matter how silly it was to name a damn pig—mattered to her.
And things that mattered to her, slowly began to matter to me.
“I’m heading into town!” I called out.
Abby turned her head, tossing Oliver another apple. She gave me a small wave then went back to nurturing the pig as if it was her own child.
“You gotta stop spoiling that pig! The other ones will get jealous, Abby!” I called out before walking towards my truck, shaking my head as I did.
And I could’ve swore she rolled her eyes.
As I drove into town, I clutched my steering wheel nervously. The hot leather burned, but it also brought me clarity to my own thoughts, no matter how nerve wrecking they were.
I wasn’t going into town to run errands. I was going into town to meet Abby’s father.
I asked to meet with him and surprisingly, he accepted.
And inside my pocket was the most expensive piece of jewelry I’ve ever purchased in my life.
An emerald diamond shaped engagement ring in a velvet box.
I tapped my hands along the steering wheel as I passed another field then another ranch, and turned off the backroads towards the city.
My nerves racked inside of my mind, bringing me further to the edge.
My palms began to sweat, and I began to overthink.
Would he say no? And if he said no, what would I do then?
But as I pulled my truck into a parking spot across from the bar and glanced inside, her father was already staring back at me.
C’mon, Cole. Be a fucking man. Go in there and tell him you want to marry his daughter. Deal with the outcome, whatever it is, like a goddamn man.
My steps felt heavy as I walked across the sidewalk, the concrete felt like quicksand underneath my feet, and as I yanked the door open and took a single step inside of the bar, I felt myself sinking.
But the ring box still sat in my pocket, giving me the strength I needed to push forward.
“Cole,” her father greeted, wiping down the bar countertop.
“Mr. Hughes,” I said, taking off my hat and smoothing down my brown hair. “Thanks for giving Abby a few days off.”
“Oh, she deserved it. Viv was happy to cover for her. How is she doing?” he asked, looking up at me.
My heart started pounding louder and faster. But I forced the words out anyways. “Good. She’s good. When I left she was feeding the animals. She loves that.”
“That she does,” he said, putting down the rag and looking me over. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
My fingers began to tremble as I dug into my pocket, pulling the ring box out and carefully setting it down onto the bar countertop.
Her father stared at the box for a while, speechless, before his gaze returned to mine.
“I know that you don’t like me and you don’t trust me to give your daughter what she deserves, but I will. I will do anything I can to make her happy.” My tone was quick and rough at its edges. And when the words finally left my mouth I felt relief wash over me.
He didn’t respond at first, instead he just looked at me, waiting for me to continue.
I let out another breath before continuing, “I know that I’m not the man you wanted her to be with—I’m older than you’d like for her and I’m rough around the edges. I’ve lived a whole life—I lived the life of a cowboy, the one I always envisioned. And in all honesty,
I didn’t picture myself having a wife or a family, but with Abby…with her I do.”
His gaze softened as he looked me over. “You’re serious about this?” He shook his head in shock.
“More than anything, sir.”
Fuck—he’s going to say no, isn’t he?
And when he opened his mouth, I expected my soul to be crushed right at impact.
“You have my blessing.” A smile crept across his face.
My jaw fell open. “Thank you, sir.” I clutched the ring box in my hand tightly then turned on my feet, feeling lightness in my step.
“Cole!” he called out.
I spun back around.
His lips curved into a smile. “Promise me one thing.” Then he said, “Don’t let her name my grandchildren after any of the farm animals.”
I let out a deep chuckle and tipped my hat down before walking towards the door. “You have my word.”