Chapter 30
Wyatt
One Day Later
Itry to get a grip, reminding myself that I've climbed onto two-thousand-pound angry bulls, been flung to the ground like a rag doll, and survived my father's wrath.
I curse myself at the thought of him.
I take a deep breath, wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans, and stare at the dark-mahogany door. It's as solid as the man behind it. Jacob's voice rumbles inside, and each second I stand here feels like an hour.
He has to give me his blessing.
What if he doesn't?
I have my shit together now.
What if it's not good enough yet?
I shift my weight, scanning the room to buy time. Framed photos of winning horses, large gold medals, and members of the Cartwright family line the walls. Other pictures boast family vacations, holidays, and kids at various ages.
Nostalgia hits me when I glance at the ones with Jagger and me. Then one catches my attention, and I can't look away. It makes my heart skip a beat. Willow's sixteen, her hair's wild, and her smile is brighter than the sun.
She's going to be my wife.
Only if Jacob gives me his blessing.
Anxiety creeps through me.
Maybe I should do this in a few months.
I don't want to wait any longer.
Stop being a pussy.
He still hates me.
No, he doesn't.
Since I told Jacob I'd snuck behind his back with his daughter for several years, things haven't been the same between us. I want to get back to the way we were, but I'm not sure that will happen.
Get it over with.
Several more excruciating seconds pass before Jacob calls out, "Come in."
I take another nervous breath, and turn the knob.
I'm met with the stern expression I remember from childhood. His brows furrow. "Wyatt. You okay?"
No. I'm about to piss myself.
I nod. "Yes, sir. Do you have a minute?"
His head tilts in curiosity as he waves me in. "Sure. Come on in."
The air conditioner is on, but the air feels heavy and too warm. Sweat pops out on my skin.
"Wyatt, is something wrong? You look sick," Jacob says, studying me.
Jesus. Stop freaking out.
I take in the oversized wooden desk, worn leather chairs, and aged oak paneling. My pulse only creeps higher.
"Sit," Jacob orders, motioning at the chair across from him.
I obey, perching on the edge like a teenager about to get his ass chewed.
Jacob waits for me to speak.
I scold myself again, then sit back, trying to get comfortable. I blow out a shaky breath. "I, uh, wanted to talk to you about Willow."
His gaze sharpens, and suddenly, I'm not a grown man anymore. I'm the poor, scrappy kid who used to get into trouble with his sons. Firmly, he prompts, "What about Willow?"
My heart tries to escape through my throat.
"Well, spit it out, son," Jacob demands.
I blurt out, "Sir, I want to ask for your permission to marry Willow."
He goes absolutely still at my pronouncement.
It's not the reaction I imagined, and it throws me off. My heart slams so hard against my rib cage, I try not to wince. I rush to fill the silence. "I realize I've made a lot of bad decisions in my life. But since I returned, I've worked hard to redeem myself."
Jacob lifts on eyebrow.
A bout of nausea hits me.
I continue babbling. "I was an idiot to destroy The Buck and Bruise, but I paid Willow back. I stopped drinking whiskey, and I uh…" I release an anxious breath.
"You what?" he questions, leaning closer.
The same sense of shame I felt when I told Willow and the others tries to pull me under.
I swallow hard, pushing forward. "I've stopped gambling.
I attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings every day for a few months, but now I only go once a week.
I'm not sure if I really need to go anymore, but I figured it doesn't hurt. "
Jacob doesn't speak, and his silence doesn't help my nerves.
My mouth turns dry. I try not to flinch under his stare.
I add, "I also saved my winnings over the last seven months. Well, besides paying Willow back and buying her a ring. I found some land that would be good for a riding school, and I'm going to put an offer on it."
"Riding school?" Jacob questions.
I nod. "Yes, sir. I've had a good run, but I think it's time to hang up my boots. Willow will always have to travel for her career, and we can't both be on the road when we have a baby."
"Is she pregnant?" he asks in a rumble.
"No! Sorry. I suppose I didn't express that correctly. But we want a big family. When she's gone, I'll be here. And going out on top is the best. I can get off the road, head up the school, and have a team of coaches who travel."
He just stares at me.
"Please say something, sir," I beg.
He leans back, pushing his fingertips together, keeping his intense gaze on mine.
An eternity passes before he says, "Do you think the land you're looking to buy is enough?"
My chest tightens. "I think it'll be enough to start a school. I can expand it down the road."
His lips twitch, but his tone remains flat. "You remember the Ashpost cabin?"
"The one where…" I stop myself from saying where Willow gave herself to me.
"Where what?" Jacob questions.
I clear my throat. "The one where your great-great-great grandaddy settled?"
"Great-great for me," he corrects.
"Oh. Yeah. Sorry."
He takes another moment to assess me.
I force myself not to shift in the seat.
He finally discloses, "Ruby and I decided that plot of land is yours.
It's in the family trust. It sits on ten acres, and ironically, Willow's ten acres butt up to it.
You can turn the dirt track into a private entrance for your students.
The only stipulation I have is that you keep one of the cabin's existing walls and the fireplace if you decide to rebuild.
If you don't want to put your house on that spot, then you'll have to restore it as a guesthouse.
If you don't, Ruby will string me up next to you when the bulldozers arrive. "
I gape at him.
I heard that wrong.
With a smirk, which is a rare thing for him, he waits for me to speak.
I sit taller. "Sorry, sir, but I'm not sure I understand."
"What isn't clear?" he prods.
I blurt out, "Did you just say you put those ten acres in my name?"
"Yes."
Shock and vulnerability have me worrying I might tear up. I shake my head, stammering, "I-I— What?"
Jacob's expression softens. "You got shafted by your blood kin, son. And Ruby and I have always considered you as one of our own. So you've been in the trust since you were twelve."
My mouth drops toward the floor.
He chuckles. "Don't think I've ever seen you look so shocked."
I close my mouth, staring at him, blinking hard, and trying to process everything. My eyes want to betray me, so I look away for a moment, taking deep breaths.
How is this possible?
He continues, "If you prefer to buy the other plot of land you mentioned, that's okay too. The trust always owns the land so that no one can squander it away. You're not the only Cartwright to get in too deep when gambling."
I swallow a lump in my throat and then turn back toward him. Shame still weighs heavy on my heart, but I inquire, "I'm not?"
"No. So, the ten acres are yours to do with as you please.
However, every acre will remain in the family; the trust stipulates that it'll pass to your future heirs.
If you have none, then it'll go to another one of my grandchildren.
Just don't forget about the wall and fireplace.
I prefer we both keep our balls." His eyes twinkle.
My laugh comes out choppy.
Willow.
I lift my chin. "Sir, does this mean I have your blessing to marry Willow?"
His eyes narrow again.
Is he going to say no?
I swallow the bile creeping up my throat.
He leans closer. "Willow's her own woman. She'll have to make that decision. But as long as it's what she wants, then yes. You have both Ruby's and my blessing."
Giddiness fills me. I blink hard. "Thank you, sir. I'll take good care of her."
"I'm counting on it. And I'm happy to hear about the changes you've made, Wyatt. Don't stop moving forward."
"I won't, sir."
His eyes flicker with mischief. "I assume you bought a ring?"
"Yes, sir."
He holds his hand out.
I chuckle, finally relaxing, and pull it out of my pocket.
A three-carat, round diamond with a halo around it and a hidden halo underneath is cradled by two thin white gold bands lined with tiny diamonds, and there's a slight V where they meet the hidden halo.
No matter which way I turn the ring, the brilliant gems sparkle.
Jacob picks it up and whistles. "That must have set you back a pretty penny."
"Willow's worth it, sir," I proudly declare.
He studies it further, then hands it back to me. "She'll love it."
"I hope so," I state, shoving it back into my pocket.
Jacob grunts. "If a woman can't appreciate that ring, she doesn't deserve one." He rises.
I follow.
He steps around the desk and pulls me into a manly hug, slapping my back. "Glad you finally grew up, son."
His words mean more to me than any ever have. "Thank you, sir."
He steps back. "When are you asking her?"
"Now that I have your blessing, I'm asking her tonight."
He grins. "Great. And just so you know, she's as stubborn as her mother, but she has a heart bigger than Texas. Both those things will grow the longer you're married."
I laugh again. "Noted."
I leave his office, and spend the rest of the day preparing to propose to Willow. And now that Jacob told me about the land, my idea is even more perfect.
When it turns dark, I pull out my phone.
Me: You home soon, sugar?
Willow: About to pull onto our road.
Me: I took a walk and ended up at the cabin. My ankle is hurting. Think I overdid it when it was already sore. Can you pick me up?
Willow: Ashpost?
Me: Yes.
Willow: I didn't know you hurt it.
Me: Didn't want you worrying about a little twinge.
Willow: Sounds like more than that.
Me: I think the walk did it. I'll be okay. Just don't think I should walk back.
Willow: No, don't move. I'll be there soon.
Me: Thanks.
Nerves have me pacing as I glance around the cabin, taking in the weary bones and stone fireplace in the glow of the lights I strung everywhere. Memories flood me of when Willow and I first tore open each other's hearts, souls, and bodies.
I turn the lights off, and wait until Willow pulls up.
I text her.
Me: Can you come inside? I need some help getting off the couch.
Willow: Should I get my brothers?
Me: Nah. I just need a good pull to get on my feet.
The muffled sound of her SUV door shutting hits my ears. Anxiety rolls through me as I kneel on the floor.
The front door opens. She flicks the switch, and the string lights turn on.
"What's—" Her mouth drops open and her eyes start to water. She blinks, but a tear escapes.
My heart hammers hard, and I swear it shakes the old floorboards beneath my knees. I grab her hand, softly greeting, "Hey, sugar."
The corners of her lips curve. "Hey, you." Her blues shine brighter, and then a huge smile erupts on her face.
It helps calm me. I chuckle my nerves away, knowing this is the most important moment of my life, and I'm staring at my future wife.
I kiss, then caress her hand, feeling emotions I've only ever felt for her.
I rise as tall as I can and start, "You're the only woman I've ever loved.
You've helped me become the man I want to be.
There's no one I could imagine spending my life with besides you.
I don't just want you for the rest of my life, sugar.
I need you so I can breathe. So please. Say yes and become my wife.
I promise you I'll adore you until the day I die. " I open my other hand.
Another tear rolls down her cheek, competing with the bling of the diamond. She inhales sharply, staring at it.
"You can touch it if it helps you say yes," I joke, but I'm suddenly worried she might say no.
A laugh bursts from her. She steps closer, tosses her arms around me, and beams. "Yes! Of course I'll marry you!" She kisses me.
Happiness fills me to the point I might burst. I kiss her back, holding her tight.
She slides her hand into my hair and presses her body against mine.
I retreat from our kiss, stating, "You better slip it on, sugar, because the rest of the night, the only thing you're wearing is this diamond."
She laughs as more tears fall.
I slip the ring on her finger, relieved it fits perfectly, feeling more alive than ever.
She's the only one I've ever wanted. Seven months ago, I never thought we'd get here, but we did. All the years of heartache and pain have finally come to an end. Now, the only thing ahead of us is a lifetime of love.