Now, it was Josh’s turn to laugh. I cleared my throat and looked at Josh. “Josh, um, Mr. Hayes, um—” I pushed my hand nervously through my hair. What did I call him now?
He tilted his head and gave me a smile. He knew I was nervous and he was enjoying this a little too much.
“Sir, I’m not sure what to call you anymore,” I said.
“Josh is fine, Luke.”
Nodding my head, I asked, “May I please speak with you in private sir, um, Josh, sir?”
Libby smiled and looked away.
Josh chuckled and he motioned for me to head on out of the room. I began walking out, but quickly turned and kissed Libby on the lips fast. “In case I don’t make it back alive.”
She giggled and slapped me on the chest. “Stop it!”
I made my way out of Libby’s bedroom and followed Josh to his office. The moment we walked in, I was transported back to when I was younger and Will and I used to play in here. I smiled at the memories.
“I would think if I just got caught by my girlfriend’s daddy sneaking into her bedroom window, I wouldn’t be smiling while standing in his office,” Josh said with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“I was thinking about being younger and Will and I playing in here. We loved to be in here. The smell of your wood desk was my favorite thing.”
Josh’s face relaxed and he smiled as he sat behind his desk. I sat and pulled deep down inside for my courage.
“I’m not really sure where to start with this, so I’ll just come right out with it.” Josh leaned back in his chair. Bastard looked intimating as hell.
“I love, Libby, sir. I love her with all of my heart and I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember. She’s my best friend. I want to give her the world, Josh.” I stopped talking and took a deep breath. “I’d like to ask for your permission to marry, Libby.”
Josh sat there for a few moments and just stared at me. “Do you know how much I love that girl?”
I nodded my head. “I can only imagine, sir.”
Josh closed his eyes and smiled, as if remembering something. “I’ll never forget the first time I held Libby in my arms. I thought her mother stole my heart.” He shook his head and opened his eyes. Tears filled them and my heart dropped to my stomach. “Libby stole my heart the instant she looked into my eyes. I made a vow that day, Luke. I vowed to protect her forever. Oh, I knew someday a guy would come along and she would steal his heart like she did mine.”
I smiled and nodded my head.
“I dreaded that day to be honest. She was my girl. My little girl and she deserved so much. No guy in my eyes would ever live up to what I thought she deserved.” He smiled at me as I moved about in my seat. “Then I saw the way you looked at her one day. The way you look at her, follow her as she moves about the room. I see how much you love her. You both grew up together. The two of you got in more trouble together than I think all the kids combined.”
I laughed as I shook my head. “She is a good partner when it comes to pranks.”
Josh tossed he head back and laughed. “You don’t have to plead your case with me, Luke. I already think of you as a son. I’d be honored to have you as my son-in-law.” I was pretty sure the smile on my face was a big goofy-ass grin. I stood and reached my hand out to Josh. He stood up and shook my hand. “I just have one request.”
I nodded my head and held my breath as I waited to hear his request. “Yes, anything.”
“Don’t ever have sex on my roof again with my daughter. If I ever catch you in my daughter’s room again, I’ll hang you from a rafter in the barn. By your balls.”
I fell back into the chair. My breathing picked up and I felt like I couldn’t get in enough air. Swallowing hard, I looked at Josh. “You knew?”
Josh tilted his head and looked at me. “Someday son, when you become a father, you’ll understand. You become acutely aware of things. I knew the moment you both crawled through that window. All it took was the look on your faces to know what the two of you were up to.”
Nodding my head I stood up and turned to leave. “Oh, and Luke?”
Turning back around I asked, “Yes, sir?”
“I’m not sure where the two of you were planning on going, but I think it’s pretty late for a drive. Don’t you?”
I wanted desperately to say no, but I did what I was raised to do. “Yes, sir. It’s pretty late. I’ll go say goodnight to Libby and head on home.”
Josh grinned.
Heading down the hallway, I smiled. I had asked Josh for permission to marry Libby. I asked Libby and she said yes. Now I just needed to get the ring and make it official.
Tapping on Libby’s door lightly, I pushed the door open. She was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed. She glanced up from a book she was reading and smiled. Biting her lip, she jumped up and walked to me. “I take it we’re not going on our drive,” she said as she jetted her lower lip out in a pout. “Was it bad?” She looked my body up and down, as if making sure I wasn’t hurt in any way.
I shook my head slowly and kissed the tip of her nose. “It could have been worse. Will could have been in there as well.” Libby let out a chuckle. “I did however ask for your hand in marriage.”
Her smile grew into a beautiful grin. “What did he say?”
“He said he would be honored to have me as his son-in-law.” Libby jumped into my arms and smashed her lips to mine as she repeated over and over, “I love you, I love you, I love you!”
Josh walked by and cleared his throat. I slowly set Libby back down and kissed her softly on the lips. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Luke. Will I see you before we head over to Alex and Colt’s house?”
“Yes. I have something for you,” I said.
Libby wiggled her eyebrows up and down. “I have something for you too, we have to be alone though for you to open it.”
“Hmm, I’m intrigued.”
Libby whispered, “You should be.”
Groaning, I closed my eyes then opened them. “Goodnight, baby. Sleep good. Love you.”
“I will, you too. Be careful driving. Love you back.”
I started to walk through her room. Climbing through the window, I walked out onto the roof.
“Luke! You could have gone through the house,” Libby said in a hushed voice. Looking around, I shrugged. I climbed off the roof and began walking down the drive to my truck. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, even if I wanted to.
Libby’s going to be my wife.
LOOKING THROUGH THE clear glass, I was no closer to picking out a ring than I was an hour ago. Glancing to the entrance, I saw Grace walking in. I couldn’t help but smile. She commanded attention the moment she set foot through the doors. The salesman was all over Grace like a fly on shit. She was in her element. Anything to do with shopping and she was all over it. I called her twenty minutes ago in a panicked state.
Grace smiled and pointed to me as she turned to the guy who looked to have been about our age. The salesman nodded and began walking with Grace toward me. “Hey there, big brother. So wedding ring shopping are we? When were you going to tell me?”
“I thought Libby would have said something to y’all.”
Grace’s smile faded and her mouth hung open. I reached across and closed it with my index finger. “That bitch.”
“Hey don’t call my fiancé that!” I said as I turned back and looked at the engagement rings. Grace grabbed my arm and turned me toward her.
“You asked Libby to marry you? When? Oh my gosh, Luke. This is so exciting.”
I chuckled. “Christmas Eve, while making love to her.”
Grace scrunched up her nose. “Ew, but also sweet and romantic. Do Mom and Dad know?”
I shook my head. “Josh and Heather do. I asked for Libby’s hand.” Grace placed her hand over her heart. “Man oh man, did Mom and Dad do right with you.”
I gave her a gentle push on the shoulder. “Help me, Grace. There are so many
. They are different sizes, shapes, colors. I have no clue.”
Turning around and looking down Grace sighed. “Well, first off, Libby is a simple girl so you want to keep the ring fairly simple. Do you want to go with a diamond or something different?”
“Different like how?”
“Like what Gunner did with Ellie. Ellie’s engagement ring is a sapphire. You don’t have to do a diamond.”
Smiling an idea occurred to me. “The yellow diamond.”
Grace pinched her eyebrows together. “Yellow diamond?”
I grabbed her hand and led her over to the other side where I saw the ring that immediately caught my eye when I first walked in. I had thought of Libby right away. The pale-yellow color reminded me of her. Libby’s smile was like the sun’s rays—bright and radiant. My ray of sunshine. It was her light that saved me in the first place.
Walking to the counter, I pointed to the light pale-yellow diamond. Grace brought her hand up to her mouth and drew in a gasp.
The saleswoman approached. “I had a feeling you’d be back to this diamond. I saw your eyes light up when you first saw it.” I glanced to her and smiled.
Grace dropped her hand and sighed, “It’s breathtakingly beautiful.” Turning to me she smiled. “This is so Libby, Luke.”
Nodding my head, I agreed. “I know. It reminds me of the sunlight, which reminds me of, Lib.”
The saleswoman smiled and began telling us about the ring. She took it out and set it on a black velvet board. The contrast made it more beautiful.
“This diamond is a cushion cut yellow diamond. It is just over one carat in size. The two side diamonds are oval diamonds. They are approximately half a carat each. They are all set in a platinum band.”
Grace picked up the ring and slipped it onto her finger. Smiling Grace looked up at me as she handed the ring to me. “Luke, it’s perfect. You didn’t need me after all.”
Chuckling, I said, “I would have never have come back to this ring if you hadn’t said something, Grace.”
I watched as tears began to fill Grace’s eyes. I frowned. “Grace, what’s wrong?”
Shaking her head, she laughed. “Nothing, it’s just that I’m so happy for you and Libby. I’m glad y’all finally got your shit together.” I leaned over and kissed my sister on the cheek. If only I believed that was why she had tears in her eyes.
Taking another good look at the ring, I knew it was the one. Handing it back to the saleswoman, I said, “I’ll take it.”
Her eyes widening in surprise as she asked, “Don’t you even want to know how much it is?”
“No matter how much it is, Libby is worth every single penny. This ring is perfect for her, I don’t care how much it costs.”
She checked the sales tag and peeked up at me. “This ring is fourteen thousand dollars.”
“Holy sheets,” Grace said. I pulled out my wallet and handed her my American Express card.
Grace bumped my shoulder and smiled. “Had I known you were rich, I’d have hit you up for that Coach purse I wanted for Christmas.”
The sales lady walked back over to us and handed me my card. “Grace, can I ask you something?”
“I don’t know, can you?”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “I hate when you do that. May I ask you something?”
Smirking, she nodded her head. “Have at it.”
“Why is a girl as beautiful as you not dating anyone? You mentioned last summer about fighting your own fears.”
Grace began chewing on her lower lip. “Talk to me, Sweet Pea. Please.”
Grace looked down as her eyebrows pinched together as if she was thinking of something. “I did meet someone.”
Smiling, I tilted her chin up. Looking into her eyes I saw nothing but sadness. “And?”
Swallowing hard, I watched as a tear slowly moved down my sister’s face. My entire world stopped. I was going to kill the motherfucker if he hurt my sister. Keeping calm, I waited for her to say something. It felt like time was moving in slow motion as I waited for Grace to talk.
“We had an amazing connection, but, I—I pushed him away. I said some awful things to him, Luke. I didn’t mean them at all. I saw the hurt in his eyes. I won’t ever let myself be hurt again by someone and I didn’t know what to do. I was scared by how I felt and I panicked. Now, I think I’ve lost him forever.”
Closing my eyes, I pulled her into my arms as she began to cry. I’ve never seen my sister cry. Ever. “Shh, it’s okay, Grace. We’ll fix it. I promise.”
She shook her head as she pulled away. “You can’t. He’s getting married.”
LUKE HELD ME in his arms as we stood and talked to Roy. Roy had thrown a party to celebrate how well the football team did this season. Luke said Roy used any excuse to throw a party. I looked around and saw Colt leaning against the wall smiling politely at a few girls who were talking to him. Colt had an amazing season. Smiling, I watched as he charmed them with his handsome good looks, dimples, and sky-blue eyes.
I turned and saw Lauren walking in with Bruce. He did not seem like the type she would be with. He was cute that was for sure. Dark-brown hair, amber-green eyes, backward baseball cap that made him even cuter and a pretty rocking body. Bruce couldn’t hold a candle to Will, Colt, or Luke’s body. Turning, I looked at Luke. My eyes traveled down his body. He had on Wrangler jeans that fit him oh so good, a tight, blue T-shirt that hugged his muscles in that perfect sexy way. His messy brown hair had that just-fucked look and he was sporting a three-day stubble.
Oh lord. The way his body made my body hum with desire was unreal. Chewing on the inside of my cheek to get my libido under check, I looked back at Lauren. I frowned as I watched Bruce lean down and kiss her. I prayed to God she hadn’t given herself to him. Bruce didn’t seem like the type who would wait patiently. They had been dating for three months now.
Luke sighed. “Shit, Colt should probably find someone soon. It looks like Lauren has.”
Turning around, I looked at Colt who was glaring at Lauren and Bruce. Before I knew it, he grabbed one of the girls and brought her out to the dance floor. My mouth dropped open at the way he was dancing with her. “Oh my gosh, Luke. What is Colt doing? He looks like he’s about to crawl into her pants,” I said, looking at Luke.
Looking back at them, Colt’s hands were all over the girl and she was just as bad. Her hands were on his ass, pulling him closer to her. The moment their lips touched, I let out a gasp. “No. Oh gosh, Luke. He’s gonna turn into a man whore!”
I turned away. I couldn’t watch him anymore. This was the fourth girl I’d seen him making-out with in the last two weeks. Will and Luke had a party last weekend and I watched as Colt made out with one girl in a corner and then leave with another girl.
Luke grabbed my hand and led me across the dance floor. “Where are we going?” I asked.
“I need fresh air.”
Luke walked over to his truck and dropped my hand. He ran both hands down his face and let out a sigh. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
Turning to look at me, Luke shook his head. “Colt’s headed down the wrong path and I have no idea how to stop him. I’m afraid he is going to do something stupid and make a mistake that will cost him his future. Have you talked to Lauren? What is going on with the two of them?”
“I know Lauren has feelings for Colt. The summer before their senior year I guess they spent some time alone, things got a bit heavy and they ended up making out pretty good. Lauren said she practically begged Colt to take her, but he wouldn’t, not in his truck. He told her he wanted it to be special.”
Luke smiled slightly. “Good. I’m glad he stopped it.”
I nodded my head and continued. “A few days later, Lauren was riding with her dad. You know Lauren wants nothing more than to take over her father’s breeding business. Horses are that girl’s life. She told Grace and me that she had some great ideas, but Scott wouldn’t listen to her. He told her she needs to go to school, get her degree and then the
y would talk.”
Luke nodded. “Okay, keep going.”
“When Lauren and Scott got back from their ride, Colt was at the barn waiting on them. He asked to talk to Scott. Said he wanted to work there for his senior year and expressed an interest in breeding. Scott asked Colt why he wasn’t interested in the cattle ranch. Colt said that was yours and Will’s thing. I guess Colt had been helping your dad, Jeff, a lot more on the horse side of things.”
Luke rubbed his chin. “Yeah, Colt’s always been more interested in the horses than the cattle.”
Letting out a sigh, I dropped my head back and then looked at Luke. “Colt had an idea for Scott. Scott listened to it and loved the idea. Offered Colt to come work for him. Lauren was furious. She was already upset and planted it in her head that Colt didn’t want her. Now she said she feels like she is competing against Colt for a position in her dad’s business. Lauren thought Colt was leading her on to get closer to Scott.”
Luke frowned. “Colt would never do something like that. Surely Lauren knows that. Has she talked to Colt or Scott about it?”
I shrugged. “Grace and I told her she needed to. That time when Colt opened up about his feelings for Lauren and she blew him off, that was the same day Scott offered Colt to come work for him.”
Luke’s shoulders sank. “Jesus, our little group, I swear. It’s a good thing we ran out of boys for Meg and Taylor.”
I giggled and nodded my head. Walking to Luke, I placed my hands on his chest. “I want to go home.”
Luke’s eyes lit up. “Your wish is my command, Lib.”
Opening the passenger door to his truck, I jumped in. Luke leaned in and kissed me quickly on the lips before shutting the door. Making his way around the front of his truck, he waved to someone. Looking I saw it was Colt. He was walking up to Luke, and he was alone. That was a good sign. They spoke for a few seconds and Luke shook Colts hand. I watched as Colt made his way into the parking lot.
The door opened and Luke got in. “Colt’s heading home. Alone.”