Chapter 42 Saddle Up,Piss Your Pants?
Saddle up, or piss your pants?
Oliver
I shouldn’t be this nervous. After all, I’ve done this before, right?
Except I haven’t led with my heart first. This is different.
These last few months have flown by and I love her more every day.
There’s no doubt in my mind how I feel.
Maybe it’s the crowd and all of the eyes that are going to be turned on us?
Or it’s that I haven’t had my own on her since last night when she went to stay at the ranch to get ready.
Damn superstitions.
I’d feel less like ants are crawling under my skin if I could just see her again.
“Easy, Ollie. Jesus, you look like you’re gonna be sick.” Brent’s palm smacks me hard enough on my shoulder to knock me into the present.
“Just excited.” I shrug. “Stressing that everything goes smoothly.”
“It’ll be fine. You got every hand from the Black Gulch here looking like they’re ready to kick ass and take names.” His wide grin splits his freshly shaved cheeks. “Hell, I even saw the sheriff and a couple of his guys. You know he’ll be watching.” Brent winks at me.
I’m tempted to punch him again.
There is a thinly veiled hatred of Wade Rowland that I manage to keep tamped down. Knowing he fucked my ex-wife while I was still married to her is something I won’t soon forget.
Yet, if it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be standing here dancing from foot to foot awaiting my wedding with Sophia.
“You’re fixin’ to lose your best man status,” I growl, trying to focus on the bullriders under the glaring lights of the arena.
“Nah, you love me and you know it.” Another smack to my back and he turns. “I’m gonna make sure she’s ready. Are you gonna saddle up or just stand there and piss in your pants?”
“I’m not naming my kid after you. Just saying.” I flip him off, but turn to my gelding.
Brent waves with one finger over his head as he walks away, but I can hear him chuckle.
Yea, I do love him. Asshole.
Climbing onto my horse, I can get a better view of the stands, and the last of the bulls being herded out of the main ring.
It’s almost time.
A few helpers rush out a raised stage and microphone as music distracts the audience.
Then a hand grabs my leg, startling me.
When I look down, it’s not who I expected.
“Ready for your big day?” The bright Stetson matches the white teeth flashing under it, but the smile doesn’t reach the dark eyes of the man standing below me.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay away?” I lean over my saddlehorn and wish like hell I was armed. “What’d you say your name was? John?”
His red ring glints in the halogen glare when he tips the brim of his hat. “Pleasure. I heard about the nuptials through the grapevine. I’m hoping to spot a certain uncle of hers in the crowd. It’s been a while.”
“He’s performing the ceremony. If you do anything to fuck this up, I’m tying you to the back of my horse and dragging you until there’s not a speck of flesh left on your hide.” I know that’s a thing with the Black Gulch.
At this point, I’ll be happy to participate in a family tradition.
“I won’t mess up your ceremony, I swear on my sister’s grave.” He solemnly raises his palm. “I just want to have a word with him.” He pats my knee, then his hand stays. “Congrats, son. She’s a pretty girl.”
When he leaves, heading towards the bleachers, I’m tempted to call Mason to have him warn Dixon.
But then I catch sight of my brother giving me the thumb’s up with the microphone at his lips.
Holy fuck, it’s the signal.
Over the intercom, the music changes. “Ladies and gentlemen, you’re in for a special treat today!” Brent’s voice carries over the audience, stirring everyone to watch.
I tap my horse with my heels, heading out into the arena with my rope twirling over my head.
And the biggest damn grin I’ve ever had plastered to my face.
“We’re here to witness the partnering up of two of the wildest rodeo stars this side of the Mississippi!”
As I make the final turn, I see her.
My woman, the mother of my child.
Sophia’s long dark hair is trailing in a banner with the white trail of her dress billowing over Misty’s back.
Calling me to her.
Like we practiced, I kick my gelding to follow, my lariat whipping through the air until I’m close enough to toss the loop, encircling her shoulders.
Her laughter is contagious as she pulls her mare to trot next to me over to the podium.
Cheers cascade over the audience when she takes my hand.
I can’t resist raising it to my lips.
“I love you, Soph. My beautiful racing queen,” I whisper low enough only she can hear me.
Tears ripple on her lower lids and she blinks rapidly to hold them at bay.
“I love you, too, Ollie. My biggie.” She blows me a little kiss and grips my fingers as we come to a halt.
Dixon looks as serious as always standing above us.
But when he raises his arm, the entire stadium goes silent.
Shit, they’re even intimidated by him.
“I didn’t think when I got the certificate to officiate, I’d ever be fortunate enough to stand for my niece.” He barely faces the microphone, his own natural booming voice echoing around us.
“There’s so many amazing things I could say about her, but I promised to keep this short.
Ever since she was a little girl, she grabs a hold of what she wants with both hands and never lets go.
She keeps her circle small, but once you’re in, you’re family.
” He winks down to Sophia, then turns to me.
As he guides me through my vows, his dark eyes squint with the unspoken threat that he would break me if I ever shattered my oath.
“I do.” I squeeze Sophia’s hand as I slide the ring over her finger, my heart racing so fast I can barely hear.
A moment later, she pushes the gold band over my knuckle with her own simple two words. “I do.”
Fuck. I can feel my throat tightening and I swallow hard, fighting to keep my own eyes from welling.
“I now pronounce you, husband and wife.” Dixon’s arms raise to the massive crowd. “Mr. and Mrs. Brookes, ladies and gentlemen,” he yells loudly enough that I can feel it in my chest.
My palm finds her cheek to pull her closer.
When our lips meet, a giant wave of sound erupts from the stands. Whistles, clapping, stomping, they all blend into a deafening roar.
But my gaze never strays from my girl. My perfect match.
“Ollie?” She clings to my neck. “Can we skip to being home?”
“Anything for you, baby.” I press another kiss to her luscious mouth.
Part of me wants to stay in this exact moment forever.
She’s finally mine.
We point our horses back to the entry gate while the podium is whisked away from behind us.
Brent and all of her family gather around us, shaking hands, hugging, and crying on shoulders as we pass from one to the next.
When Dixon leans in and grabs my palm, I tug him closer. “Thank you. And there was some guy named John here earlier looking for you.”
His dark brows furrow. “Who?”
“Guy in a white Stetson, light colored hair, too white of teeth?” I hold up my hand to around my own height.
But his confused expression grows. “I have no idea who you’re talking about.”
“Huh. Well, he said he was looking for Sophia’s uncle.” I shrug and turn to Mason.
Mason’s cheeks are pale, and he clutches my elbow to pull me to him. “Sophia has two uncles. Did that guy say Cade was here?”
“No, just that he was expecting he might be.” I think that settles his nerves a little, because he relaxes.
“Ah, gotcha. Congratulations, Ollie. Welcome to the family.” His smile is broad and genuine as he gives me a fast hug.
“Thank you,” I grunt.
I search out Sophia and slip my fingers into hers. “Should we?” My lips find the shell of her ear making her giggle.
“Yes, please.” She turns to Lori for one last embrace, then entwines her hand with mine.
Pulling away from the crowd, the true weight of what we did hits me.
“Mrs. Sophia Brookes. It fits you.” I pull her to me to find her lips.
The need to taste her is overwhelming.
“Husband,” she murmurs through our kiss. “I like that.”
Cutting behind the stands, my truck is waiting, strung with half a dozen empty barrels like the ones she races around.
“Oh, that’s hysterical,” she giggles. “Did Brent do that?”
“Probably,” I snicker. “They’re gonna make a hell of noise when we’re driving.”
“Sophia!” A deep voice comes from the shadows. Then a dark figure grabs her arm, spinning her.
“Hey, don’t.” She jerks her elbow away.
“What the fuck?” I jump past her to get between them, getting my first look at an unnerving face.
He looks like Mason? But all scarred down one side.
And he has a bloody nose?
“Cade!” she exhales, backing away.
But her long train wraps around her legs, tripping her.
“Sophia, get in the truck!” I yell behind me, raising my fists.
Cade’s jaw sets as a scowl takes over his marred features. “Don’t you dare,” he growls, then tries to rush past me.
“Like hell.” My knuckles connect with his cheek, knocking him backwards.
He stumbles, wiping his split lip with the back of his hand. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
Sophia scrambles up, her limp slowing her as she tries to rush.
Then Cade takes a half leap, stepping on the fabric of her dress to send her tumbling to the ground. “Stay away from the—”
“Motherfucker.” Red tinges my vision as I land another blow directly into his teeth.
Pain shoots up my arm from the impact, but he falls backwards, then slumps to the gravel.
I run to Sophia, where she’s still trying to gather her dress to stand.
Dropping to one knee, I clasp my palms to her cheek. “Are you okay?”
“Yea,” she stammers. But the fear and panic in her wide blue eyes tells me otherwise. “Why did he—”
The heat hits first, a burning blast that scorches my back.
Then the shockwave sends agony ripping through me from behind, forcing me over her and pinning her under me.
Stars burst in my vision.
Hurts.
Is that my blood?
I feel light. Heavy.
Can’t.
Breathe.