14. Katie
KATIE
T he flashbulbs going off in our eyes are reminiscent of things I’ve seen in magazines when Hollywood royalty attends movie premieres. Everyone has told me what an important event this is, but I’m not sure it sank in—not until I got right here, at this moment.
“Trace and Katie, look toward us! To the left!”
I’m trying to keep up with all of the requests, but they’re coming in quicker than I can move my eyes from one camera to another.
“You’re doing great,” he whispers into my ear.
“Kiss her, Trace.”
That voice is louder than any of the others and causes a ripple through the crowd.
“Yeah, Trace, kiss her.”
“Show us the engagement ring and wedding band.”
He turns to face me. “Well, babe. Let’s give them what they want.” Pulling me close, he drags his nose against mine before tilting his mouth over my lips and drops a kiss that blows my mind.
Reaching out, I have to steady myself by grabbing hold of his biceps.
“There’s the ring,” a female voice is heard over the rush of photographers.
Out of nowhere, he dips us, pressing his lips further into mine. I shriek in my throat, throwing my arms around his neck. His strong arms come around my waist, anchoring me to him. When we’re done, he pulls away, giving me a smile that shows a tiny dimple in his left cheek.
“Hopefully that’ll get you through tonight.”
I nod, giggling. “It sure will.”
He sets me back on my feet, steadying me with sure hands. “Should we make our way inside?”
As I turn, he puts a hand on the small of my back, pressing me toward the entrance. Butterflies bounce in my stomach as we make our way toward where the real party is. The foyer is grand in both size and the way it’s decorated—the type of thing I imagine screamed wealth even before the twentieth century. There are touches of gold in the walls.
Trace leans in. “My whole life I’ve heard the chandeliers actually have pieces hanging off them that are clear-cut diamonds.”
The way they cast rainbows across the floor, I don’t doubt it. “It’s breathtaking.”
“That it is, but now? We get to work.”
I don’t know what he means until we enter the ballroom. Immediately, we’re surrounded by a bunch of older white men who remind me of my dad. They’re wearing gold rings with diamonds on their pinkies. Most people who think about Montana don’t believe the type of opulence I’ve found to be normal in some of the small towns that have been built around families who founded them generations ago.
“Trace, good to see you,” a man approaches us with a fake smile on his face and eyes that roam up and down my body. Because I know what’s expected of me after all the talks about this event, I give him a smile of my own.
“You too, Bradford. Looking to have a good season?” Trace tightens his arm around me, bringing me closer to him.
“Last season was very good to me, and I’m planning on where to invest for the next one,” he says, running a hand over the side of his suit, patting what I assume is a checkbook.
“We’d definitely like to talk to you about our new breeding program,” Trace initiates the conversation.
“I’d love to talk to you about it as well. There are other investors who’ve been hearing about what y’all are planning over there on The Miller Ranch,” he continues. “I’d be willing to bring them to your place for some information,” he eyes me, “as long as your lovely piece of arm candy is with you.”
I turn so that my body is closer to Trace’s. It’s the only way I’m able to say what comes out of my mouth next. “We’d love to have you at the ranch, and I’d love to sit in on the meeting. I don’t know a ton about what’s involved, but I’d be happy to be there.”
“Good, I’ll tell my friends,” Bradford gives us an exaggerated wink. “Talk to you later in the week, Trace?”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Charlene Mulberry and her husband join us. I know her from hanging out at Enchanted Pages.
“Katie, you look beautiful,” Charlene says. “I love that dress; it reminds me of the book for this month's book club.”
She’s right. “I know, that’s why I chose to wear it. I hope you and Pastor Mulberry are having a good night.”
“We are,” her husband says as he and Trace discuss things I have no clue about.
When the older couple leaves, we each relax slightly.
“Is it always like that?” I ask. “I felt a little like a piece of meat, and I was the only reason he’s willing to give the breeding program a try.”
Trace grabs a small glass of bourbon off a tray before downing it in one swallow. “Breeding isn’t just something they expect women to do in this neck of the woods.”
At those words, I get my own snifter and down it just like he did. It takes a lot to hold back the cough threatening my throat. “I don’t think I could be here with anyone but you, Trace.”
“You would’ve made it with Ward,” his voice is thin. “But I would’ve been jealous as fuck of my little brother.”
The dark tone of his voice sends goosebumps along my arms and I want nothing more than to be alone with him again. This night has brought us closer together, and witnessing this side of him? I’m all in, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of our lives will bring.