Chapter 19
Chapter nineteen
Cooper
“Thanks for putting a rush on those, Wade.” I reach out to shake his hand.
He takes it with a firm grip before dropping it.
“What’s the damage?” I pull out my wallet.
Wade was one of the best custom jewelers in town. He wasn’t here yesterday when I picked up the rings, and his wife just told me to come by tomorrow and sort it out. She wanted to be sure we had them at the ceremony.
“Consider it a wedding gift.” He nods.
Wade was a master at hand made silver. He did everything from jewelry to buckles to custom spurs.
“Let me pay you,” I insist.
“Nope. Anita and I have known you both since you were kids.” He crosses his arms. “And it’s about damn time anyway.”
I lift a brow.
“Don’t think you were so slick, son.” He shakes his head. “You’ve been chasing that girl for years.”
Ain’t that the truth.
“Congrats, Cooper.”
“Thanks, Wade.” I give him a hug with a slap on the back before climbing into the seat of my truck.
Cranking the engine, I shift in drive when my phone rings.
Ivy.
I tap the phone icon on the screen. “Hey Ives.”
“Hey.”
“What’s up?”
“Where are you?” Her voice changes and I immediately tense.
“Why? What’s wrong?” I place my hands on the wheel, my fingers flexing.
“Dakota got a call.”
My hands clench. “What did he want?”
“I don’t really know, she was kind of in shock. She assured me she was fine, but I think you need to get there.”
I curse under my breath. “I’m on my way.”
By the time I make it to the ranch, my heart rate is through the roof.
Every time he calls it was like she took five steps back.
Completely undid all the progress she’s made.
Her dad would guilt her, manipulate her, and have her so screwed up it usually took me a couple of days to rid the Billy from her mindset.
Slamming my truck in drive, I park in front of the cabin. My heart pounds when I jump out, then march up the stairs.
The door is unlocked, which pisses me off even more. Not that anyone could get to her or Arizona, but it’s different now. They’re my responsibility.
Dakota stands at the kitchen island when I come through the door, her eyes wide. I cross the room, tossing my cowboy hat onto the counter.
“What did that motherfucker want?” I grit out.
“Ivy called you?”
“Don’t deflect. Tell me.”
Her hands slide down the side of her legs. “He said….” She shakes her hands out. “He said he’s coming home.”
I freeze. My boots glued to the floor.
“Coming home?” I question.
“He didn’t give any details. Just that condescending tone he always has. Even referred to himself as daddy,” she scoffs.
I watch her closely. “You, ok?”
“Fine.”
“Kota.”
“Coop,” she repeats, turning to face the stove.
“It’s me.” I remind her.
She places her hands on the counter, her chin dropping.
Not giving a fuck about rules or boundaries, I slide my arm around her waist and tug her back to my front. I lean down, burying my face in her neck. “It's just me, Birdie.”
I feel her breath hitch, then her body sags against me. “I can’t break, Coop. Ari is here. I’m fine. Who knows if he’s even telling the truth.”
I close my eyes, breathing her in for the few seconds she allows me to before she pulls away.
“I can make some calls.” I watch her grab a pot from under the sink.
A part of me loves that she knows where everything is already. That she's so comfortable in my home.
“They are required to notify me if he gets released.” She drops the pot on the counter. “I guess we just wait and see.”
Wait and see.
I should have ended Billy Sterling years ago, but this time is different. I’m not some young kid with a hot head. I’m her husband. And I protect what’s mine.