Courtney smiled and made her way over to Taylor. “Hi Taylor, I’m Ava and Walker’s mom, Courtney. This is my husband, Reed.”
Shaking everyone’s hands, Taylor stole a peek over to me. I quickly made my way back to her side and pulled her to my side. Leaning over, I put my lips to her. “What did Ava say to you?”
Taylor pressed her lips together and glanced around the room before turning to me and speaking so only I could hear her. “She told me she was so happy for us and the distraction we provided.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
With a shrug, she replied, “I was going to ask you the very same thing.”
“Taylor, Whitley said you’re going to be working for a friends breeding business.”
Clearing her throat, Taylor nodded. “Um, yes. I’m a financial analyst. My job is to see where they can best cut back in their expenses.”
Whitley and Liza both raised a brow. “Really? Do you know much about the breeding world?”
“Nope. Not a darn thing. But I do know horses along with the cost of up keep for them. I’m a quick learner so I don’t think it will take me long to get a game plan down.”
My father wore a thoughtful look as he turned to Taylor. “What about cattle? Do you know anything about them?”
“I’ve practically grown up on the Mathews cattle ranch in Mason.”
I couldn’t believe the smile that appeared on my father’s face. “No kidding. I’ve met with Gunner and Jeff a lot over the years. I admire them both, not only for the cattle knowledge but also with racehorses. Jeff and I actually co-own a racehorse.”
Taylor’s eyes widened in shock. “I thought you looked familiar! I must have seen you before if you’ve been to the Mathews’ place before.”
“I have, a lot. So has Reed.”
Taylor turned to me and I couldn’t help but return the happy look she was giving me. “What a crazy small world.”
With a chuckle, I nodded my head. “It is.” I turned to my father and said, “I wonder if Gunner is related to the architect I have a meeting with in a few weeks. His last name is Mathews.”
Taylor gasped. “Drew! Drew Mathews?”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“Jase! That’s Gunner! Drew is his real name.” Shaking her head in disbelief, she covered her mouth and laughed.
“Now this is crazy. It appears our worlds were meant to collide one way or another doesn’t it?” my mother said as she took an apple pie out of the oven.
Reed slapped me on the back and said, “I’m shocked the two of you didn’t meet before college.”
Everyone laughed as my mom and Courtney started bringing the food into the dining room. “Let me help, please,” Taylor said.
Whitley drew her attention over to Jase. “No! You’re a guest, Walker and Jase can help, you visit with Liza and Ava and get to know them.”
Liza walked up to Taylor and hugged her. “I know we keep saying it, but it is really wonderful that things worked out the way they have. I haven’t seen Jase this happy in a very long time.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jase this happy,” Ava said with a giggle.
Taylor’s face blushed even more.
Once we got all the food in the dining room, I led Taylor in and pulled a chair out for her. Ava quickly sat down next to Taylor. Peeking up at me she said, “I’m going to need a neutral supporter.”
“Oh no,” Taylor said under her breath.
Narrowing my eye at Ava, I asked, “What are you planning on doing?”
She leaned in closer as I sat down and answered, “Ryder asked me to marry him.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Taylor asked.
Ava screwed her face up. “It will be for my parents. But it most certainly isn’t for me.”
“Your dad is going to freak, Ava!” I whispered.
She sighed. “You don’t think I know that?”
“When are you going to tell them?” Taylor asked.
Ava glanced around at everyone. “Probably when my dad has had a few drinks. I thought about drugging him, but I figured he might not like that.”
Taylor’s face dropped as I took her hand in mine. “She’s kidding. I think.”
“Half-heartedly,” Ava mumbled.
“So, Ava, how was Montana? Are you glad to be home?” my mother asked.
Walker and Liza must have known as well because they froze just like Taylor and I did.
Ava giggled nervously. “Well, I’m not actually home to stay.”
Reed and Courtney both said together, “What?”
“This just got interesting,” my father said as Taylor tried to hide her smile.
Ava turned to Taylor. “So, Taylor, when was the first time you and Jase met?”
“Oh God,” I said as I picked up my beer and took a gulp.
Taylor kicked me under the table as she stumbled over her words. “Um . . . well we ah . . . freshman year I guess? Right, Jase?”
“I’d rather hear about Ava not staying in Texas,” I said with a smirk.
“Oh dear,” Taylor spoke under her breath.
Ava glared at me as I winked. “It’s like you’re pushing me all over again,” she hissed through her teeth.
Leaning forward, I said in a flat voice, “I. Didn’t. Push. You.”
Taylor looked between the two of us with a confused expression. “Wait. Why did you push, Ava?”
Snapping my eyes, to Taylor I shook my head. “I didn’t push her! She slipped and fell. That’s how she broke her ankle and leg.”
Taylor turned to Ava. “How much longer do you have to wear the cast?”
Ava’s face dropped as she pouted. “The doctors say—”
“Stop! Everyone stop talking for two minutes!”
All eyes fell on Reed. Ava’s little plan of trying to pull me into a fight with her was never going to work.
“Ava Grace Reed. What do you mean you’re not staying here?”
Ava sat up straighter and looked at Taylor. “So . . . tell us about Paris!”
Taylor
I sat there stunned as Ava looked at me with pleading eyes.
“Ah . . . Paris is amazing?”
“The city of love! Did you and Jase first have se—”
“Ava!” Reed and Courtney both shouted.
Turning back to me, she smiled. “If they try to come after me, I’m counting on you to block them so I get a head start.”
My mouth fell open, but nothing came out.
Dropping her shoulders, she put her fork down. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with. Ryder asked me to marry him and I really think I want to make Montana my permanent home.”
Jase took my hand under the table and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry I brought you here. Now you’re going to be a witness to murder and this puts a real damper on my plans for tonight.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Covering my mouth, I dropped my eyes to my plate and bit on the side of my cheek. It was so refreshing to see Jase’s family was normal like mine. Crazy normal.
Courtney held up her hands to hush Jase. “Wait. Did I just hear you say Ryder asked you to marry him? Ava! Didn’t you learn anything from the last time with Johnny?”
“Who’s Johnny?”
Jase replied, “I’ll tell you later.”
“Mom, don’t bring him up. What I feel for Ryder is so much more.”
Whitley cleared her throat and announced, “I think maybe we should save this conversation for another time, don’t y’all agree?”
Ava and Courtney both nodded. Reed stared at Ava. “I agree. Nice try though, Ava.”
“Can’t blame a girl for trying,” Ava said with an innocent grin.
The rest of dinner was spent with conversations around the table. Ava and I talked mostly about Paris. I could see the passion in her eyes as she talked about her love of designing wedding gowns.
Leaning in closer to her so no one would hear, I asked, “Will you design your own?”
Her eyes lit up and I knew that no matter what her parents had to say, none of it would matter. She was in love and you clearly saw it in her eyes.
“Yes! I already have most of it planned out in my head, but, I’ve stumbled upon a design that Ryder’s sister, Kate, was working on before she passed away.”
My stomach dropped. “Oh no!”
Ava frowned, “I know. She was so young and she was pre . . . um . . . well it was really sad.”
I nodded and quickly changed the subject. It was obvious she was about to say Kate was pregnant.
Dinner finished and the kids cleaned off the table as the parents happily let us take care of the clean up.
When the last dish was dried and put away, Jase winked and motioned for me to walk over to him.
“Have you had enough of my crazy family?”
With a titter, I hit him lightly on the chest. “Nonsense. I’ve had a wonderful time. It’s nice to see they’re normal just like mine. I have to admit; I give Ava props for trying to use me being there as a way to soften the blow of her news.”
Jase rolled his eyes. “Typical Ava. Come on, let’s head out back and let my parents know we are heading out.”
“So soon?”
Without so much as looking back at me, Jase took my hand and pulled me along behind him. “I don’t want to miss the sunset.”
Grinning from ear to ear, I said, “Because we know how much you love the sunset.”
Glancing over his shoulder, he gave me a wicked smile. “Yes, I do. And I will love it even more sharing it with you.”
Thud. There went my heart against my chest. I never imagined I’d find someone as romantic as Colt, Will, and Luke. I dare say Jase could give them a run for their money.
Meagan, Lauren, Grace, and Alex had all been texting me throughout the day. I texted them each back and told them to give me twenty-four hours and then I’d fill them in on everything. Lauren pretty much told them everything so far. I knew they would hit me up with questions like how is the sex or is he hung well.
“What are you smiling about over there?” Jase asked as we walked up to his parents.
“Nothing, I’m just happy.”
He stopped walking and cupped my face in his hands. “And you have no idea how happy that makes me hearing you say that.”
Kissing me lightly on the lips, he took my hand again. Stopping in front of Whitley and Layton, I smiled at them as Jase told them our plans.
“I’m gonna show Taylor the ranch before the sun goes down. We probably won’t be stopping back by before we leave. We’ve got a date under the stars tonight.”
Courtney sighed as Whitley beamed. “How romantic.” Turning to look at me, she asked, “Taylor sweetheart, did you bring a jacket?”
“Yes ma’am, I did.”
Turning to Courtney and Reed, I smiled brightly. “It was such a pleasure meeting you both.”
They both stood and hugged me. “I’m so sorry Ava dropped her bomb on us at dinner,” Courtney said in a frustrated voice.
“It’s really okay. She kind of gave me a heads up. For what it’s worth, she really seems to be happy.”
Tears built in Courtney’s eyes as she looked at Reed who barely smiled. “That’s what scares me,” he barely said.
Jase clapped his hands together and said, “Okay, let’s go. The sun is dipping further down and we need time to get to my spot I have picked out.”
Whitley kissed Jase and then me. “Have fun and be careful, Jase,” Layton said as he kissed me on the cheek. “We’ll see you soon, Taylor.”
“Thank you again for dinner.”
“Any time, sweetheart. You’re always welcome here,” Whitley said as her voice cracked.
Jase took my hand and pulled gently. “That’s our cue to leave before she gets all emotional.”
Laughing, I waved goodbye to everyone. I was on a high the whole way to Jase’s truck. There was a feeling in my bones telling me tonight was going to be a night I would never forget.
Jase drove through pasture after pasture and through a couple gates. We had passed the cattle a few miles back not to mention the endless amount of deer that were out.
“So, is this really your spot?” I asked watching the beautiful countryside pass by in the window.
“Yep. I come here a lot when I need to think.”
Peeking over to him, I asked, “So, you’re sharing your thinking place with me?”
With a chuckle he nodded. “I am. After that dinner we needed a place where the only thing we hear is the crickets singing.”
Staring at him, I couldn’t believe how he made me feel. The things he said to me made me feel like I was on a constant thrill ride with as much as my stomach dropped with not only his touch, but his words as well.
“The suns starting to set. It’s perfect timing.”
My attention was drawn to the view in front of me. The sun was sinking lower on the horizon and the colors were breathtaking. “Wow,” I quietly said.
Jase turned the truck around so the bed was facing the west. “Wait. This is nothing.”
Excitement built up as Jase parked and jumped out of the truck.
When he opened my door, he held his hand in to help me down. He made me feel like a princess with everything he did.
“What do you think about my spot?”
Turning in a circle, I took it all in. We were up on a hill and the view to the west was stunning. “It’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a view this beautiful and I’ve seen some beautiful views.”
I let my eyes scan the horizon as Jase got a bag out of the backseat. Placing my hands over my stomach, I let my imagination run wild. Closing my eyes, I pictured Jase running after a little girl with brown curls bouncing while she ran. As much as I wanted to have a baby with Jase it was too soon. We needed to get to know each other. Be a couple before we took any other steps. But I didn’t see the harm in dreaming.
“All ready.”
Getting my senses about myself, I spun around and gasped. “Jase!”
The back of his truck had a blanket laid out with a picnic basket sitting in the middle. A few pillows were piled up making it look inviting enough to sleep.
My hands covered my mouth as I giggled and made my way over to the bed of the truck. Jase stood behind me and moved my hair, exposing my neck to his soft lips. “I want to learn every curve of your body. Every touch that makes you tremble. Words that make your pulse beat harder. Ways to make love to you that have you whispering for more. Tonight is all about you, Tay. Lead me where you want me to go.”
Each breath was heavy as my body was covered in goose bumps. Moving to face him, I searched his face. With trembling hands, I placed them on his chest. I’d never felt so moved by words in my entire life. It felt as if we were one. “I come alive when I’m with you, Jase. It feels like our hearts beat in a syncopated harmony.”
His hand came up and traced his finger along my jawline. “I never want to take what we have for granted. We’ve been given another shot at this and I swear to you I’m going to do everything in my power to show you every single chance I get how much I love you.”
“I’d say you’re off to a great start. This spot of yours is pretty incredible.”
His eyes searched my face as he wet his lips. My lack of concentration was evident while I focused on his beautiful baby blues. The feeling of love was almost overwhelming.
“It’s our spot now, Taylor. Our future.”
My stomach fluttered. “Our future?”
Lifting my hands to his lips, he nodded. “Yes. This is the spot where I’d like to build a house. Where someday I’d love to sit and watch a couple kids running around playing while we sit on the back porch and watch the sun go down.” Jase looked away toward the sun that was now touching the ground. “The last few months I’d come here and would sit for hours. I’d wonder if this would be the type of life you would want. Then I’d verbally beat myself up for letting you go and hurting you.”
>
I shook my head. “None of that matters anymore.” His eyes came back to mine. “All that matters now is that we have each other and I want all of this. I just need to know if you do as well.”
His eyes grew wide and glowed with happiness.
“I want all of this with you, Jase. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
Cupping my face with his hands, he tried to speak but his voice cracked, causing tears to build in my eyes.
“I . . . I love you so much, Taylor.” His thumb gently wiped my tears away.
My heart felt as if it would burst I was so happy. The sounds of crickets filled the air as they played what I would now always think of as our song. Jase reached down, picked me up, and placed me into the bed of the truck.
When he crawled up into the truck bed, I moved back against the pillows while he made his way over to me. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure Jase could hear it.
“My heart’s pounding,” he whispered.
I giggled and asked, “Why does it feel like our first time again?”
My smile faded as we got lost in one another’s eyes. The breeze lightly blew giving just the right amount of chill to the air. When I finally found my voice again, I breathed out, “Please make love to me.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Taylor
Christmas Day
The moment I walked out onto the back porch of Gunner and Ellie’s house I was attacked by the mob.
Meagan, Grace, Lauren, Libby, and Alex were all in front of me, eyeing me up and down. Meagan’s hands went to her hips as she shook her head and made a tsking sound. “I think we’ve waited long enough. It’s time to spill the beans, little sister.”
My face instantly heated as I peeked over to where my parents were standing. “There isn’t anything to tell really.”
“Bullshit,” Grace said as she held Hope in her arms. “Let me find Noah so he can take Hope. Since everyone else is free of their kids, we can talk!”
Rolling my eyes, I let out a groan.
Lauren wrapped her arm with mine as we headed down to the barn with each of our best friends following behind us.
“Have you told anyone else?” I asked in a hushed voice.