Chapter 26
Four Months Later, The R&D Ranch
It’s the first time the guys have been alone since Caleb got back. They needed the time.
I throw the ball for Gunnar, but I’m nervous. For them.
For myself.
It’s been such a whirlwind. Winning my competitions at the Valentine’s rodeo and getting my sponsors felt good, but this… life with Diesel is beyond my dreams.
So much has happened. Selling and buying our ranch, spending every moment we can together. Riding, updating the house, mending fences, breaking the bed…
My heavens. Heat blooms all over me from just thinking about this morning. It’s a good thing the closest neighbor is a hundred acres away because getting bent over the tractor would have been quite a show.
I lick my lower lip, grinning, trying NOT to think about my boyfriend’s rough thrusts.
Tingling builds in my lower stomach, a reminder of how deep he was as he was whispering hotly in my ear. The way this pussy grips me? Fucking criminal. Like it’s trying to drag the cum out of me, over and over. You were made to take this cock, weren’t you? Say it.
Boy, did I say it. In languages I don’t even know.
Gunnar barks at me.
“Sorry, boy. I was thinking about your papa.”
He runs after the ball, but stops, his ears perking up, eyes scanning the hillside.
Finally Diesel and Caleb crest the ridge, riding slow. Side by side. The afternoon sun glints off metal and throws shadows over their faces below their cowboy hats.
Gunnar circles and drops his ball, wagging like mad. I throw it again as they draw closer.
“Welcome back. Nice ride?”
Two nods. No words.
Uh oh.
Caleb dismounts and loops Shasta’s reins on the rail and Diesel ties his horse next to mine.
“Okay, you two, what’s going on?”
They don’t answer, but we all turn when a truck rolls into the driveway, gravel loud below its tires.
Rae Lynn pops out, wearing a big smile, cut off shorts with her boots, and holds up a small cooler. “I brought cold beer!”
Diesel looks like he might pop an artery.
Caleb… he just sort of softens.
“You got the horses?” Caleb asks Diesel who replies with a grunt as my brother climbs over the fence, like a he’s hypnotized.
By Rae Lynn or the beer? I’m not sure.
I turn and gasp. Diesel’s all up in my space, looking down at me with the kind of protective ferocity I haven’t seen in month.
Christ he’s big. And with his hat and boots on, he looks seven feet tall.
He plucks my hat off and kisses me. A swift attack that makes me sway. But he’s got his hands on my hips holding me tight to his body.
“You’re coming with me,” he rasps against my lips, and a kick in my heart accelerates my pulse. Something’s up.
Maybe it’s that he doesn’t want to see my brother and Rae Lynn doing whatever they’re doing.
“Where are we going?”
He settles my hat back on my head, never taking his eyes from mine. Lord, when he looks at me like that, it feels like he’s tattooing my soul.
“You’ll see.”
I’m boosted off the ground into the saddle on Shasta’s back.
He swings up on his horse and wheels Volt around, motioning for me to follow.
“You okay?” I ask, frowning at the breadth of his back.
“I am now.”
We ride out past the barn, toward the eastern end of the property. Not unusual. Especially on a day like today when the weather demands you enjoy it. The wind is soft, the trees parting to show the clearing ahead.
After a few more minutes, the field opens wide in front of us, full of wildflowers and sun. It’s one of my favorite spots. I fell in love with it when Diesel and I were ranch shopping.
Diesel swings down and helps me off Shasta. Only he doesn’t let go of me, he holds on. His hands tight on my hips as if I might run away if he lets go.
“I love you,” he murmurs.
“I love you too, honey. But you’re making me nervous.”
He grins, clears his throat. “I’m nervous too.”
Then he steps back and drops to one knee.
I freeze. “Diesel—”
He doesn’t say anything right away. Just looks up at me, heart right there in his eyes. Raw. Open.
To see a big, hard man like that does something to a woman.
“I didn’t plan anything big,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean this isn’t important. It’s the most important moment of my life.”
Oh my goodness. My brain finally catches up. Diesel is down on one knee. He’s nervous. He’s going to propose!
Diving two fingers into his pocket, he pulls out a ring. I nearly fall over on the spot.
The sun hits the diamond, shooting sparks of fire.
I’m stunned breathless with my heart in my throat and a river of tears trying to gush from my eyes.
“I talked to Caleb,” he say quietly, his words thick and heavy. “Told him everything. How much I love you. What you mean to me. He gave his blessing.”
This big strong man waited for my brother’s approval before asking me to marry him.
Oh god. My heart is a flood of warm light.
“Will you marry me, River? Make me the happiest man in the world.”
I nod, my fingers trembling as I press them to my mouth, knees trembling.
“I don’t know what’s coming,” he rasps, “but I know I want it with you.”
My nodding is making me dizzy. “Yes,” I whisper. Then again, louder. “Yes.”
With a huge sigh, Diesel stands and pulls me into him, arms fierce around me.
“Thank you, sweetheart. Thank you.”
An Hour Later
Rae Lynn and Caleb are sitting on the fence watching Gunnar hunt for his ball in the tall grass when we ride back into the yard.
“Please tell me you didn’t hit on my sister,” Diesel grumbles.
“Didn’t have to, she was hitting on me.”
Rae Lynn smacks his shoulder. “Liar.”
“Maybe you should,” Caleb says, laughing, as he tips up his beer. “I might take you up on it.”
Uh oh. Diesel’s going to blow a fuse. But I’m too busy to pay attention to that because I’m frozen, watching my brother smile.
I’m jolted back to the moment, when Diesel tugs me off Shasta, kissing my neck. “Don’t get any ideas about those two.”
“What?”
“I saw the way you’re looking at them. Like we could be having a double wedding.”
I almost trip over my own boots.
“You should see your expression. I’m not sure I like that mischievous grin.” He takes Shasta’s reins. “Go on, I’ll take care of these two.”
My fiancé walks away and I can’t look away from that swagger, the totally unfair way his jeans hug all the right places.
I’ve got it so bad, I have to clear my throat.
That’s when I’m practically attacked.
Rae Lynn grabs my hand and nearly jerks me off my feet.
“What the hell is this!?!”
“Oh that.” I grin and I’m sure I look like I’m the one who has been drinking. “You know… this is a ring.”
She gasps, throws her arms in the air. “Hallelujah! He didn’t fuck this up.”
When I turn, Caleb’s watching me, but his earlier happiness is shadowed by something else.
“Congrats, Riv.”
“Thanks.” I kneel down, hugging Gunnar as he licks my face. “Guess I’m going to have to teach Gunnar how to be a flower boy for the wedding.”
Caleb finally grins. It comes on slow with a shake of his head. “Seriously?”
“That or Shasta. And I’m pretty sure she would just cause some kind of trouble like eating the decorations.”
“I’m gonna be a bridesmaid,” Rae Lynn announces. “We’re wearing steel gray. It’s my best color.”
I laugh at her. That’s so Rae Lynn.
“And what about you, Caleb?” she asks. “Scared to dance at the reception?”
“Dance,” he snorts. “Girl, I will two-step your dress right off of you.”
I slap my knee, laughter making me shake. “Oh boy. Nothing like cowboys fighting in tuxedos.”
Because Diesel is going to lose his mind and I’m going to love every minute of it.