Loving You (Love Wanted in Texas) (26 page)

“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.”

I buried my face in my hands. I could feel my chest tightening as I struggled for air.

My mother pulled my hands away from my face and held them. “Is that why you’re so on edge? You’re worried about him flying up there?”

I couldn’t hold the secret in any longer. “That’s part of it, but I’ve been keeping a secret from you.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh. Okay . . . well let me get myself ready for this.”

She licked her lips and then pressed them together as she closed her eyes. Was she saying a prayer?

Oh. God. She thinks I’m pregnant!

“I’m not pregnant, Mom.”

Her body slumped over as she sighed. “Thank God! Your father would beat Jase’s ass.”

Trying not to giggle, I shook my head. “Well . . . he still might, if I know, Daddy.”

Her eyes lit up and she smiled from ear to ear.

“Jase asked me to marry him.”

She yelped as she slammed her hands over her mouth. Then her hands dropped and she started crying.

“My baby is getting married!”

I quickly glanced around to see who was witnessing her breakdown. A few older ladies smiled and gave me a polite nod. “Okay, Mom . . . maybe we should grab lunch.”

She jumped up. “Lunch? We have to start thinking about the dress! Let’s go.”

And just like that, I created a monster I was positive I wouldn’t be able to contain.

“Where are we going?”

Looking over her shoulder, she laughed. “Home, of course. We need to make a game plan!”

Rolling my eyes, I moaned. Maybe this was the perfect distraction I needed. My mother on a mission.

Yay. Me.

Once I was safely in my car, I dragged in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Holy hell. I’m not going to make it.”

My phone rang in my purse as I quickly dug it out. Seeing Jase’s name, I smiled.

“Hey.”

“Hi there, beautiful. How was your day with your mom?”

Dropping my head back, I moaned. “I caved.”

Jase laughed. “Was she happy?”

“So happy that I just spent the last two hours mapping out a detailed plan on what wedding dress shops we were going to visit. Of course, it all depends on what time of year the wedding is.”

“Why?”

“I asked the same thing! I did tell her it would be by the lake on your family’s ranch. She loved the idea.”

Jase chuckled again. “Hey, can you meet me where we decided to have the house built? Gunner is wanting to finalize a few things so we can get started building the house.”

My stomach fluttered. “I can’t believe we’re building a house together.”

“You don’t think we’re moving too fast, do you?”

Staring straight ahead, I smiled. “It feels right.”

“So right. But you know I can sell this land and we can build anywhere you want. It doesn’t have to be here in Llano.”

My chest expanded as Jase spoke. He was so caring of my feelings about everything. It made me love him even more. “No. I want to live where you grew up. The idea of raising our kids in your backyard makes me happy.”