Whitley reached for my hands. “Yes! You should.”
The excitement of the last few minutes grew more. Thinking about Jase asking me to marry him, I placed my hand on my stomach to calm the butterflies. “He says the sweetest things to me,” I gushed.
Scrunching her nose, she grinned. “Oh, he got that from his daddy. Layton has a way of making me feel so loved and special.”
“Yes!” I replied.
She chuckled and then winked as she said, “But he also has a way of bringing out another side of me that is . . . only for him.”
Feeling my face warm, I whispered, “Yes.”
It was as if a memory swept through her mind as she fell back against the chair and smiled even bigger. “I have so many wonderful memories with that man.”
“You both seem to be so in love still. My parents are the same way. The way my father looks at my mother gives me chills. I see Layton look at you the same way.”
“And I see Jase look at you that way.” She leaned forward and took my hands in hers. “Taylor, there are going to be ups and downs. More ups in the beginning for sure, but life is going to test your love for one another as well as your patience and trust. You’ll come across people who are jealous of what the two of you share and they will do whatever they can to try and rip it apart.”
I instantly thought of Jill and the stunt she had pulled.
“Don’t let them. The key is communicating. If you’re upset or angry about something, you have to talk to each other. The worse mistake you could ever make is holding it in because you think it will get better. Don’t hold things in . . . talk about it.”
I wasn’t sure what came over me, but it was as if I was bubbling with excitement and I had to tell someone right that very second.
“Jase just asked me to marry him!” Slamming my hands over my mouth, my eyes widened.
Whitley gasped. “I knew it! I could tell the moment I saw you jumping all around!”
Dropping my hands, I said, “I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. You’re secret is safe with me. I won’t tell a soul until the two of you are ready.”
Moving my feet as if I was running in place, I let out another squeal. “I’m engaged!”
We both jumped up and grabbed hands as we jumped all around until we hugged. I knew in that moment Whitley was going to be so much more to me than just a mother-in-law. I already felt like I could tell her anything. I had just gained someone amazing in my life.
The day couldn’t get any better . . . that was until Whitley pushed me back at arm’s length and said, “Welcome to the family, Taylor.”
Jase
Rounding up the last cow, I led her back onto our property as my father whistled for Reed and Walker to bring them on up while we worked on repairing the fence.
I grabbed the fence pulls and headed over to where my father was working.
“So, are you going to tell me why you can’t wipe that shit-eating grin off your face?”
Thinking back to Taylor saying yes, my damn stomach fluttered like a pansy ass.
I had no clue why I did it, but I blurted it out. “I asked Taylor to marry me and she said yes.”
My father stopped what he was doing and looked up at me. All I could see was his blue eyes set off from the black cowboy hat he was wearing. When a smile slowly moved across his face and his hand reached out for mine, I let myself breathe.
“Well, congratulations are in order then.”
Nodding and feeling like a damn schoolboy who just got his first kiss, I replied, “Thanks, Dad.”
“Oh hell,” he said as he pulled me into his arms. He slapped me three times on the back and said, “Your mother is going to be a crying mess when she finds out.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I feel like I’m about to be a crying mess.”
“And that’s okay if you do. Love does crazy things to us. I once washed with women’s fragrance soap then kicked one of my best friend’s asses all before a huge business meeting.”
Furrowing my brows, I asked, “Why?”
He shrugged and said, “Because of love. Your mother had me in knots in the beginning. Half the time I didn’t know which way was up and which way was down. Shit . . . she still does.”
Letting out a gruff laugh, I agreed. “Sounds familiar.”
“Did you make it special for her?”
Looking away, I sighed. “Nope. I kind of blurted it out in the truck at the end of our driveway. It’s weird, Dad. It was like I had to ask her right that second or I was going to explode.”
“Sometimes it’s the spur of the moment things we do that they love the most. There have been times when I had every intention of planning the most elaborate romantic evening ever, only to have it fall apart and I have to take her on a moonlight picnic. It never fails . . . she falls apart in a crying mess and proclaims me to be the most romantic man in the world.”
My mouth fell open. “Holy fuck, Dad. I’d hate to see what an elaborate romantic evening would be because I’d have never thought about a moonlight picnic.”
He smiled and winked. “You can use it, son. I don’t mind.”
Laughing, I clipped the fence pullers onto the fence.
“I just want to make her happy.”
My father attached the clips as he looked up at me. “It’s not that hard. Make sure you always make her feel special. Even if she is sick as a dog and her nose is all red from blowing it all day and her hair looks a mess and she’s talking like Fran Drescher . . . tell her she’s beautiful.”
Looking at him with a confused expression, I asked, “Who’s Fran Drescher?”
He rolled his eyes and twisted the clip. “Never mind. The point is, never lose an opportunity to let her know how special she is to you. Remind her every day that you love her more than life itself. Surprise her with little things like a single rose.” He stood up, took off his hat and wiped the sweat away with his shirt sleeve. “Better yet, pay attention when she says she likes something. Your mother once went on and on about this book she loved so much. With the help of Courtney, I contacted the author and got her a signed book.”
He wiggled his eyebrows and said, “Nine months later Liza was born.”
I made a gagging motion and held up my hand. “TMI, Dad. Way too much.”
“The bottom line, Jase, is treat her like a princess. Be the reason she smiles . . . not cries. And most of all, be faithful to her.”
We finished the fence repairs in silence as I let everything he said sink in. I tossed the tools into the back of the ranch truck as my father climbed in. Walking up to his door, I cleared my throat.
“Um . . . don’t say anything yet about me asking Taylor to marry me. I’m not sure when she’ll want to tell everyone.”
“Sure. Your secret is safe with me.”
With a slap on his shoulder, I flashed him a smile. “Thanks, Dad. For the advice and for listening.”
“Anytime, Jase. I’m always here if you need me. For anything.”
Taking a step back, I shut the door and watched him drive off.
Making my way back to the truck, I sent Taylor a text.
Me: Finished and heading back.
Taylor: Okay! Talking with your mom! We’re having fun making fudge so take your time.
My heart felt full and content as I read her text again. I couldn’t wait for my mother to find out that Taylor and I were getting married. The look on her face would be priceless.
Walker and I fed the herd while my father and Reed went over some information Ryder had sent them regarding converting fully over to organic. I was meeting Nate in two days in Austin to fly out and tour an organic cattle ranch in Wyoming. Since I’d be handling most of the cattle ranch and Walker focused on the breeding of the horses, it only made sense that I would be the one to go.
“All right, dude. I’m heading home to my wife and son. You got this?” Walker asked.
“Yeah, I’ll finish up,
you go on. Taylor is back at the house with my mom so no worries.”
Walker tipped his hat and headed out of the barn. “Tell Liza I said hey.”
He held up his hand and waved. “Will do.”
“And give my nephew a high five!”
Calling over his shoulder, he said, “Got it!”
After finishing everything up, I checked in on Bell. She was a new mare I had bought for Taylor who was expecting a foal in the next week or so. Taylor was beyond excited.
“Hey there, pretty girl,” I said as Bell walked up to me for a hand full of oats.
I ran my hand down her neck and smiled. “You’re going to be a good girl for my Taylor, aren’t you girl?”
Bobbing her head, she nudged me for more oats. With a chuckle, I shook my head. “Oh no. You’ve had enough, girl. Sleep tight.”
As I made my way from the barn to the house, I thought about Taylor. I wanted to see her. The urge to hold her in my arms and kiss her was almost overwhelming. I had asked her to marry me and then I dropped her off to spend half the day with my mother. She was probably dying to tell one of the girls our news.
Walking up to my father and Reed, I stopped short of them to allow them to finish up their conversation. Reed turned and gave me a smirk. My eyes quickly moved to my father.
“You told him.”
Reed grabbed a hold me and brought me in for a bro hug, slapping the living hell out of my back in the process.
“Damn. It wasn’t that long ago you were following us around claiming to be the best cowboy in the land. And now look at you. Engaged.”
Grinning, I shook his hand and glared at my father. “Remind me to never tell you a secret again.”
“I couldn’t help it. I’m excited.”
With a roll of my eyes, I walked past them both. “Well, neither one of you say a word to Mom and Courtney. I want Taylor to be the one to tell everyone.”
“My lips are sealed,” my father said behind me as Reed laughed his ass off.
“I’ve heard that before, Dad.”
Walking through the back door, I stepped into the kitchen. Courtney and my mother both turned and looked at me. The smile on their faces instantly told me Taylor spilled the beans.
Peeking over at Taylor, she had her lips pressed together in an attempt to hide her smile. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were filled with joy. Adrenaline rushed through my body at the idea that I was the one who made her that happy.
My father’s words replayed in my head.
Be the reason she smiles . . . not cries.
Reed and my father walked in behind me and I held my breath to see which side would break first.
“You get the fence fixed?” my mother coolly asked.
Reaching for the tea she held for him, he grinned. “Yep. All fixed and all cattle are accounted for.”
“Good.”
Slipping my arm around Taylor’s waist, I leaned in and whispered, “You told them didn’t you?”
“I couldn’t help it! It was like your mother knew and I broke. The next thing I knew Courtney was here and we were wedding planning!”
With a slight smile, I placed my lips next to her ear. “I want to celebrate.”
Her breath hitched as she peeked up at me. “Ring shopping?”
“No. Love making.”
She bit on her lip and my dick jumped in my pants. “I like the sound of that better.”
With an evil smile, my father asked, “What have you beautiful ladies been up to?”
Shrugging, my mother replied, “Nothing. Making fudge and talking girl stuff.”
When he looked at me I shook my head.
“I can’t take it!” Courtney shouted. “I have to tell!”
“Oh no,” Taylor gasped as my mother turned to Courtney with a horrified look.
“Jase asked Taylor to marry him!”
All eyes landed on Reed. Placing her hands on her hips, my mother glared at him. “Reed Moore. How could you blurt that out and steal the kid’s happy news away from them?”
Pointing to Courtney, Reed replied, “She was about to spill the beans first.”
“I can’t believe you stole my thunder,” Courtney gasped.
My mother turned to Courtney. “Your thunder? Court, if you weren’t my best friend I’d slap you.”
“That might be fun to see,” my father said wiggling his eyebrows.
“Oh, brother. Can the four of you just stop,” I said walking in between them all. I shot a dirty look to each of them. “All I can say is when the next big news happens . . . and that won’t be for a while mind you, but—” Pointing my finger to them each, I widened my eyes, “You can be assured none of you will find out our next big news when it happens.”
“A baby!” my mother said covering her mouth. “Jase Morris, you would never hide something like that from me.”
With a glimpse over at Taylor, I grinned as she tried her best not to laugh. “Yes. Yes I would, Mom. You have all shown yourselves as sucky secret keepers.”
“Us?” my father said with a roar of laughter.
My mother gasped. “You and Taylor are the ones who suck at it! You both spilled the beans within an hour of asking her.”
“I’d worry about Courtney. She was the first to cave,” Reed said as he sat down and took a drink of tea.
“Whatever. Come give me a hug, Jase. I’ve already tackle hugged Taylor,” Courtney said.
Walking up to Courtney, I did as she asked. She and Reed had been like my second parents. I was glad they were able to share this day with Taylor and I. We spent the next hour talking to my parents about possibly getting married by the large tank on our ranch. I’d taken Taylor there a few times and she loved it.
Finally putting an end to the early wedding plans, I dragged Taylor away from everyone.
“Time for us to go.” Taylor jumped up and took my hand as we headed out.
“Jase Morris! You can’t always be taking her away like this!”
Without even bothering to look back, I lifted my hand and called out, “See y’all later!”
The sooner we got back to her place the better.
Taylor
I wandered around in the boutique while my mother went on and on about some new hair product she found. My mother’s beautiful red hair was something I always loved. When I was little and needed to get to her right away, she was the easiest mom to find . . . I just looked for her hair. When Meagan dyed her hair brown I was stunned. But then again, Meagan looks amazing as a brunette or a red head.
Sighing, I glanced around. I hated shopping with a passion. I wanted to tell my mother over the phone about the engagement, but Jase and I decided to wait until I picked out a ring and then we would make it official . . . that is if his parents could keep it to themselves.
“Taylor, you seem a million miles away.”
Trying to force a smile, I nodded. “Nah, I think I’m just tired.”
“Are you still liking your job?”
That was one thing I did love talking about. My job!
“Yes!” I replied with excitement in my voice. “It’s so different and something new every day, I swear. You wouldn’t think so with it just being horses, but there is so much that goes into taking care of them on every level. It’s been really great being able to help the business save money.”
She tilted her head and looked at me adoringly. “You sound so happy. So much more than when you were working for Granddad.”
“Ugh,” I mumbled. “How has Daddy worked for him for so long? No wonder y’all moved so far out.”
Giggling, she shook her head and said, “Oh you have no idea, Taylor. None at all.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say when your father and I were first married, I wasn’t your grandmother’s biggest fan.”
I pulled my head back in shock. “Really? But y’all get along so well.”
“Yeah well, that story needs a good bottle of wine and chocolate.”
With a chuckle, I shook my head and held up a shirt.
“Something else is on your mind though . . . I see it in your eyes.”
I wasn’t sure what was wrong. I felt guilty not telling her about the wedding, but I was more an edge with Jase leaving in two days.
“It’s probably just me feeling sad because Jase is leaving for Wyoming in a few days.”
“Oh? What for? Did you tell me this and I forgot?”
“I think I told you. He’s going with Nate Montgomery to look at a cattle ranch that is all organic. It is one of the top ranches in the country. Nate and Ryder, his brother, helped them convert over the ranch like they are Jase’s family ranch.”
My mother nodded. “Interesting. You wouldn’t think there would be that much to it but I guess you have to be certified and all of that.”
“Yeah, it’s crazy insane.”
“He’ll be fine, sweetheart. Don’t worry.”
Feeling the tears build, my eyes caught my mothers. “Oh, Taylor, come on let’s go find a place to sit down.”
I felt like a fool for over reacting the way I was. Once we got outside, my mother guided us over to a bench where we sat down. Quickly wiping my tears away, I let out a muffled laugh. “I’m not sure why I’m so emotional.”
Pushing a loose piece of hair behind my ear, she gave me a look of understanding. People walked by us like they didn’t even notice us sitting there. I could smell the wine from all the people walking by holding their stupid samples of wine. I hated that my simple little country town had been turned into a mini wine capital.
Blowing out a breath, I dropped my head back and moaned. “Oh gosh, Mom. What is wrong with me?”
“Nothing. You’re newly in love and the idea of being separated for any length of time sucks.”
I chewed on the corner of my lip. “He’s going in a private plane.”
“So?”
My shoulders sagged. “Nate is flying it.”
She looked at me like I had grown two heads. “Is that a problem?”
“No. Well, I don’t know. Why can’t they just fly in a normal plane and drive to the ranch? Just because this rancher has his own landing strip and Nate wants flying hours . . . ugh.”