Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
MILLIE
“ W e have barely seen you,” Polly says as she clings to me in a hug that not long ago would have made me incredibly uncomfortable, but now just makes me happy. “With all the shit going on in your life, how have we barely seen you?”
“And never all at the same time,” Abbi adds, smoothing her hand down my hair. I hold my hands out, and Erin and Summer take those, and now I’m in the middle of a big, weird group love fest.
“I know, I’m sorry,” I tell them. “But it feels like it’s been one thing after another every single day. Not to mention, Pound Town is a busy place to be a member of.”
I grin as they all still, and then they start to laugh. It feels so good to be with my girls.
“I’m so glad we came early,” Erin says as we untangle ourselves from each other. The IWC spring formal event is being held at Ryan and Polly’s ranch, and our guys are off somewhere, looking at something that I didn’t pay attention to.
I was too excited to see my girls.
“We needed some time together,” Summer agrees. “Also, how hot are we?”
“Super-hot, of course,” Abbi says with a laugh.
“One of the things you’re going to tell us now is about that gorgeous tattoo,” Polly says, gesturing to my wrist, and I grin.
“Happy to. Holden took me to his artist in Missoula, and we both had work done. He put my name on his ring finger.”
“No pressure or anything,” Summer says with a wink.
“That’s what I said, but he insisted.” I shrug and can’t help but grin an my friends. “It was kind of sexy.”
“It’s a lot sexy,” Erin says.
I love our seasonal events because we all get to dress up and bring dates. In the past, I never brought a date, but tonight I’ll be on Holden’s arm, and I can’t wait to show off my sexy-as-hell husband. He’s looking fine in his blue suit.
“This tent is great out here, Polly.” There’s even been a temporary floor brought in to lay under this massive tent, in the middle of their field.
The Wild River Ranch Event Center that my family runs was booked for a wedding this weekend, so Polly sweet-talked Ryan into hosting.
Not that he would ever tell her no to anything. My brother would burn down the whole world if she asked him to.
The grass is green, the wild flowers are in full bloom, and it’s seriously so beautiful out here.
“We were happy to host,” Polly replies with a grin. “And I didn’t do anything. Charlie Lexington took this whole event under her wing and made it beautiful.”
I grin as I take in the round tables covered with pretty flowers and linens, the party favors, the lights strung about that we’ll turn on when it starts to get darker.
“My sister-in-law is kind of badass.” I grin at the others and then reach out to take Erin’s hand again. “I miss you guys. The truth is, I’ve missed you for months. I know that we’re all busy, with men and families and businesses, but it feels like we’ve lost each other a bit in the past year or so.”
“I feel it, too. But we’re always right here,” Summer assures me. “Always . We need to do better about seeing each other, not just when we have an IWC event.”
“Agreed,” Abbi says, nodding. “We can arrange for a girls’ night once a month. We’re not too busy for each other.”
I feel tears threaten as I bite my lip. “Yeah, I’d like that a lot. I have so much to tell you guys. I know you get the highlights from my brothers, but?—”
“It’s not the same,” Erin says, squeezing my hand. “It’s not even close to the same.”
“Okay, I actually put makeup on today, so no more getting mushy.”
“People are starting to arrive,” Polly points out, and we turn to see Jake giving carriage rides to the women of the Iconic Women’s Collective and their dates, and suddenly, our guys join us, as if out of thin air.
“You must not have gone far,” I say to Holden as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple. He’s warm and strong, and I freaking love being in his arms. Not to mention, he turns me on with just a look or a touch. And he ravaged me before we came here today.
“Just the paddock,” he confirms and kisses my hair. He smells fucking delicious . “Ryan just took in a couple of new rescue horses, and we wanted to take a look.”
That’s my brother, always taking in someone or something that needs a safe haven.
“I want to see them.”
His blue eyes glance down at my shoes. “Not in those death traps.”
I snicker and take a glass of champagne off a tray. “I’m in flats, husband. It’s too soon for heels.”
“They’re not enough to protect your feet from mud and shit. But you’ll love those horses. There’s one girl in particular that’s just a sweetheart.”
“Maybe we should also rescue horses. And dogs. And…whatever needs rescuing.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “You don’t have time for that.”
“Maybe just horses, then.” I shrug a shoulder. “Unless you don’t want my poor rescues on your ranch.”
“We’ll talk about this later.”
Holden’s sister joins us, all smiles.
“Wow, you clean up well, brother. I almost didn’t recognize you. Well?” Charlie asks, her hands on her hips as she takes a look at her handiwork. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s absolutely gorgeous,” I reply honestly. “You outdid yourself, Charlie.”
“You killed it,” Holden tells her and pulls her in for a hug. “I’m proud of you, sweetie.”
Charlie’s eyes mist over. “I think this is the first time you’ve seen one of my events.”
“Best thing I’ve ever seen,” he tells her and kisses her head. “You’re incredible, darlin’. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
“Don’t make me cry.” She half-heartedly smacks his arm but wipes away a tear. “You’re the closest thing that any of us has had to a parent, Holden. So, having you here to see what I do is important to me. I love you.”
His throat works as he swallows hard, and then he wraps her in one more hug.
“I love you, too.”
“Oops, someone’s talking in my ear.” She points to the little device in her lobe. “I have to go put out a fire. Not literally, don’t call Bridger. See you later.”
She waves, and then she’s off.
“That was incredibly sweet,” I murmur as I take Holden’s hand in mine. “They adore you, you know.”
“Yeah, well, I love my girls. I’m glad they escaped with minimal damage. I need to be more mindful of being present for them. I should have seen her work before today.”
I kiss his shoulder, and then we’re pulled into conversations, making our way through the crowd to mingle.
After an hour, we find our seats. We managed to get all ten of us around one table, and that makes me so happy.
Gazing around, I love seeing all four of my brothers with the women they love so much. They’re all so smitten that sometimes it’s disgusting. But there’s no better feeling than knowing that their wives were my friends, first and foremost, and now they’re my family.
Holden’s hand settles on my thigh, and I smile over at him. Having my husband at this special party, as my date, is the best feeling in the world. We’ve been congratulated and shown so much love and kindness already today that my cup is full.
And I can tell that he enjoys being part of this community.
“You’re fucking incredible,” he whispers into my ear. “I knew this group was special, but seeing it in action? Outstanding. I’m proud of you, Rosie.”
I smile up at him and accept his soft kiss without hesitation.
“Get a room,” Chase says, but I just wave him off, making the girls laugh.
When we’re served dinner, I notice that Holden’s phone is on the table, so I snatch it and then hold it up for him.
“Unlock, please.”
“It’s not locked. I don’t have anything to hide.”
I swipe up, and sure enough, it’s not locked. I’m not snooping. I just want to change my contact in his phone, since he was sure to do the same in mine right away.
I never did change it from Your Husband . I couldn’t bring myself to be a smartass and wipe that from my phone.
Opening his contacts, I page down, expecting to find my name. I can feel his gaze on me, watching me blatantly, and he doesn’t say a word.
My name’s not here.
No Rosie. No wife.
I frown up at him.
“Open the texts, baby girl.”
I swipe up out of the contacts and open his messages, and right on top is one from me.
Obsession.
I press my lips together so I don’t laugh out loud, and then I look up at him. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Felt appropriate.” He shrugs. “What were you going to change it to?”
“Your Wife.”
“Same thing.” He kisses my temple, and I lay his phone back on the table.
“Also, you only text four people?”
“I fucking hate texting. If someone needs me, they can call me.”
I laugh and find Remington watching us. “What are you thinking about over there?”
“You’re happy,” he says simply.
“Yes. Don’t ruin it.”
He shakes his head at me as if to say, Stop it.
“Mom was saying that she misses having Sunday dinner with the whole family,” he continues. “You two need to come to the farmhouse on Sunday. We’ll grill something.”
I blink at him, positive that I’ve misheard him.
“But, Dad?—”
“It’s my fucking house,” he says, cutting me off. “ My house. And I’ll have whoever I fucking want in it. I want my family there.”
The table is quiet, but Brady chimes in. “Dad’ll be out of town, Mill. He’s going to pick up a horse in Idaho.”
“I don’t care where Dad is,” Rem insists. “If he doesn’t like it, he doesn’t have to come.”
Holden takes my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“We’ll be there,” Holden says. “What can we bring?”
“Oh, we’ll have plenty,” Erin says. “This is so great . The kids will be so excited. They’ve been asking for you, Millie.”
“Shit.” I swallow hard, looking down at my plate as regret washes through me. “I should have been coming to get them more. Take them home with me.”
“They’re fine,” Rem says. “But they will be excited to see you.”
“It’s time,” Ryan adds, and the others nod. “It’s time to get back to normal.”
“It’s obvious to anyone with a brain that you two love each other,” Chase chimes in. “Dad will come around sooner or later.”
“He won’t have a choice,” Brady agrees.
“Looks like we’re coming to dinner on Sunday,” I reply, already excited about it. “I’m totally bringing dessert.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Summer says. “She makes the best cheesecake.”
“Does she?” Holden smiles down at me. “I can’t wait.”
“Tonight was a success.” I kick my shoes off at the door, happy to be out of them. Even though they’re just flats, they still pinch my toes a bit, and the cool hardwood feels good as I pad across it to the kitchen. “You were amazing, by the way.”
“Me?” Holden lifts an eyebrow as he takes his jacket off. “I didn’t do a damn thing.”
“You looked like that.” I gesture to him, my arm moving up and down. “Hot as hell. I really did marry some damn good arm candy.”
He narrows his eyes on me. “I feel so used.”
I snort a laugh and pull out a couple of glasses. “Tequila or whiskey?”
“Whiskey for me. I’m going to change out of this real quick.”
“Go ahead. I’m going to sit on the patio for a bit.”
Before he turns to walk away, he presses his hand on my hip and leans into me. “You are gorgeous in this dress, little rose. And if anyone was amazing tonight, it was you.”
He presses his lips to mine, then walks away, and I have to take a second to catch my breath.
I don’t think there will ever be a day that he doesn’t steal my breath.
I pour our drinks and then pad outside and turn on the overhead fans. In a few more weeks, it’ll be time to lower the screens to keep the bugs out.
So far, it’s a little early in the season to be bothered by much.
I don’t flip on any of the lights out here. I want to sit in the dark and listen to the neighborhood while I unwind from being around so many people. So much noise . We danced and laughed and had a great time.
I had no idea that Holden had moves on the dance floor. And he wasn’t at all shy about it.
Within just a few minutes, Holden opens the glass door and slips out, dressed in his sweats and nothing else.
For fuck’s sake, he should warn a girl when he’s going to walk around like that.
He sits on the swing next to me, and I pass him his glass. We’re angled toward each other, one leg bent on the seat, one arm resting on the back of the swing. Holden’s rocking us with his toes.
It’s the most calm and serene I’ve felt since we got married.
“I could tell that the women there tonight admire you.” His voice is low out here in the quiet, and his fingertips brush my elbow, sending heat up my arm. “They ask smart questions. You listen to them, and when you answer or give advice, they pay attention. It’s a testament to how well you run your business and how you treat people, Millie.”
I bite my lip, staring down into my tequila.
“For a long time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I felt a little lost.” I take a sip. “I got that business degree in college, but only because I had to major in something. My brothers always knew what they would do. Rem would take over the ranch someday. Ryan’s a business man, through and through, and we all know how well that’s worked out for him. Chase is a total badass cop, and Brady’s first love, until he met Abbi and Daisy, was to be on the back of a bull. They all had things they were passionate about.”
I reach up and pull out the few pins that I popped into my hair to keep it tamed for the event, letting it fall, and brush it back behind my ears as I set the pins on the side of the swing.
“I knew that I had to come home.” I glance at him and find him sitting still, watching me with those beautiful blue eyes. “I just wanted to be here, in Bitterroot Valley. I didn’t want to live out at the ranch because I don’t love ranch work.”
His lips tip up on one side. “You’re awfully good at it for not liking it.”
“They don’t have to be mutually exclusive.” I stretch my foot out, looking at my toes as I spread them out. Holden sets our empty glasses on the ground and then takes my foot in his hands, gently massaging it. It shouldn’t be sexy, but my girl parts decide to do the cha-cha at the press of that thumb on my arch. “I love spring time at the ranch. All the babies and the branding and stuff. I always go out for that, and I always will. But the day to day?” I wrinkle my nose. “No. Not for me.”
I sigh when he massages each little toe.
“So, I found the apartment in town, started working at the coffee shop, and it was kind of perfect for me. I like seeing all the people, and I’m good at memorizing what everyone’s favorites are.”
“Everyone except mine,” he says with a knowing smile.
“Yours was the first one I memorized.” I close my eyes and lean my head on my arm. “And every time you came in, it tore more of my heart apart.”
“Rosie.” It’s a tortured whisper.
“But if you didn’t come in, that was even worse. Anyway, we’ve been through this, and it’s not why I’m telling you this story. A couple of years ago, when Marion came to me and said that she wanted to sell the shop, I didn’t understand why she was telling me. ”
“Silly girl.” He grins at me.
“It really didn’t compute. I’m a worker bee. I’m not really a boss bee. But then I talked to Chase about it.”
“You went to Chase first?”
“Yeah. I’m close to all my brothers, but Chase and I…we’re kindred spirits. And he thought it was a great idea. Of course, I didn’t have the kind of money it would take to buy a business like that. It wasn’t cheap.”
“So, you went to Ryan.”
“Have I already told you this story?”
He pushes his hand up my calf. “No. Sorry, I won’t interrupt.”
“I went to Ryan. I knew he wouldn’t turn me away. He would have just bought the shop and given it to me as a gift if I’d asked him. He’s too fucking generous.”
“He loves you.”
“A lot, yeah. They all do, and that makes me a lucky girl. I made him set it up like a traditional bank loan, and I make payments to him. He refused the interest. In fact, he yelled at me when I told him to charge me interest.”
“I wouldn’t take that from my sisters, either, and I’m no billionaire.”
I shrug a shoulder. “It’s still nice of him. When I became close to the other four girls, we got drunk one night at The Wolf Den and decided to start this club for businesswomen. Because girls need to look out for girls, and there’s room for all of us to succeed. And now that we’ve been doing this for a little while, I honestly think that it’s the whole reason I was supposed to buy my shop, Holden. Because now I get to network and learn from all these incredible women, and they’re my friends. I guess my point of all of this is to say, I love that you’re proud of me. Like, love it. But I’m so grateful because for a long time, I felt lost. And now I’m not lost anymore.”
“Come here, baby girl.” He takes my hand, and I don’t even hesitate to crawl over into his lap and wrap my arms around him. He hugs me close, rubbing his big hand up and down my back. “You’re so fucking incredible, Millie Wild-Lexington.”
I love it when he says my whole name.
He covers my throat, drags his thumb over my jawline, and then his lips are on me, and I’ve never felt more cherished in all my life.
I shift, moving to straddle him, and press my already hot core against his hard length, and he groans against my lips.
I only have panties on under my dress, and that thin strap of fabric does nothing to cover how ready for me my husband is.
I rise up onto my knees and shimmy his sweats aside, unleashing him. But when I lower back down, I tug my panties out of the way and sheath him, not stopping until he’s seated fully, and we’re panting hard, staring into each other’s eyes in the darkness.
“You said once that I’m your world.” I kiss his lips. “Your center of gravity.” Kiss his cheek. “The reason your heart beats.”
“Jesus, wife.” His hips move just a little, but it causes the most delicious sensation that has me tightening around him. “Yes, you’re all of that and more.”
“Same.” My lips return to his. “And you were the final piece that made me feel found. Made me feel like I’m not lost.”
“Baby girl.”
I rock against him, taking it slow, keeping it so sweet. There are soft sighs and low chuckles. Breathless kisses.
I’ve never felt more loved than I do right now.
“You’re everything,” he breathes. “The beginning and the end. And you’re mine.”
“Oh, for sure.” I tip my forehead to his and feel that tightness fill me as the climax nears. “I’ve been yours all of my adult life, husband.”
Later, long after our bodies have cooled and we’ve settled back in to rock in the darkness, Holden sighs.
“Everything.”
“I’m so glad Dani called us for help.” I turn in my seat and smile at Holden, who’s driving us over to Dani’s new house. She’s moving in today and called to see if we could lend her a hand with some of the heavy stuff. “I can’t wait to see her place. I know which one it is, but I’ve never been inside.”
“I have the boys coming in from the ranch to help, too,” Holden replies. “It shouldn’t take us long, and then we’ll head to dinner at your brother’s place.”
I nod and grin at Dani as we pull up in front of her new house.
“Hi!” I hurry over to her and wrap an arm around her shoulders. “This is cute. Tell me the inside is adorable, too.”
“It needs work,” she admits. “But the owners said I could do some minor DIY projects to spiff it up.”
“Dani, I don’t want you living in a fixer-upper.” Holden frowns at her, but Dani rolls her eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, okay. I can paint a wall, big brother.”
She gives us a quick tour, and I take in a small kitchen and living area and then three small bedrooms and one bathroom.
It’s tiny. It needs paint, new floors, and the kitchen could use a gut job, but it’s clean. Everything else is cosmetic.
“You’re not living here,” Holden announces, his hands on his hips.
“Uh, yeah. I am.” Dani mirrors his stance. “I already paid the money, and I have the keys. My stuff is here, Holden.”
“Don’t care.”
“Okay, now you’re being unreasonable,” I say to my husband, who simply glares at me. “Seriously, it’s a clean place, and she can make it her own.”
“Exactly.” Dani nods, and then Levi and Vance pull in, and Holden deflates.
“If one thing goes wrong in there, you move out.”
“Whatever.” Dani rolls her eyes again, and we all get to work carrying in boxes and small pieces of furniture.
“Whoa.” Holden holds a hand up to me. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Helping.”
“You’re injured.”
I laugh and boost myself up onto my toes to kiss his cheek. “I’m fine . I’m going back to work tomorrow.”
“No.”
“Husband.” I cup his cheek and smile gently. “I love you, too. I’m fine.”
“Where do you want this, Dani?” Vance asks, pointing to a lamp.
“Any of the bedrooms is fine,” she replies.
Bridger’s truck pulls in across the street, and I wave as he gets out, but he’s ignoring me.
Birdie, however, isn’t ignoring anyone.
“Millie!” She’s all smiles as she walks to the curb, carefully looks both ways, and then hurries over to me.
“You’re not supposed to cross the street by yourself,” I remind her as I pick her up into my arms and give her a hug.
“You were right here.” She hugs me back and then smiles at the others. “What are you doing?”
“Dani is moving in today, and we’re helping her.”
“I wanna help!” Birdie pushes against me, and I set her on her feet, and then she disappears inside.
When I turn back toward Bridger’s, I find the man scowling from the opposite curb.
“Come on, grouchy man. Come talk to me. I’m not allowed to lift heavy things.”
Dani jogs out of the house and comes up short when she sees Bridger cross the street. “Oh, hey, Bridge.”
“Dani.” He smiles at her, but now his eyes are a little more apprehensive, and I want to demand he tell me what in the hell is going on, but I know he won’t. Because he’s as stubborn as I am.
Dani grins, then reaches for a box in the back of the moving truck, but it must be heavy because she drops it on the ground with a loud thud. She’s struggling to pick it up when Bridger walks up behind her.
“Let me get it for you.”
“No, it’s okay, I’ve got it.”
He doesn’t intervene, just stands behind her, his hands on his hips, but she continues to struggle to lift it, until finally, he nudges her out of the way.
“Stop being stubborn and let me get it, Dani.”
He easily picks up the box and carries it inside, and Dani worries her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Wanna talk about what’s going on there?” I ask her.
Her blue eyes, so much like her brother’s, shoot over to me, and she shrugs.
“We’re just friends.”
Some of the pieces start to fall into place. “Are you sure about that?”
Dani lets out a humorless laugh. “Trust me, Bridger made it very clear to me a long time ago that we’d only ever be friends. That’s it. And that’s okay because I really care about him, you know? He…well, he did a lot for me when I was a kid. Anyway, I’d better get back to work.”
She rushes to pick up another box and carries it inside. Obviously, the subject is closed.
Interesting.
For the next hour or so, we unload the truck. Holden grumbles about his sister having too much shit. Bridger makes sure all the heavy stuff is taken care of before he takes Birdie home, and once the ranch guys have headed out, Holden turns to me.
“We’d better get out to your brother’s for dinner.”
“Thanks for your help,” Dani says as she wipes some sweat off her forehead. “I never could have done that alone.”
“That’s what family does.” I wink at her, and Holden and I head to the truck.