Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Why do you think you have a giant box of LEGO bricks in your trunk? I thought I’d invite Dean over to my place to play. But now I’m wondering…
I mean, do I show up at Colton’s house instead?
I’m being an idiot just thinking the thought.
But Colton showed up at my place, didn’t he? Why not return the favor? If nothing else, it will royally piss him off.
“I…um, thanks? Do you—would he—” I’m stammering like an idiot, my face hot. “I guess it’s good if I have it. For…emergencies.”
Beck grins. “Emergencies. Exactly. You might have some middle of the night—”
“Beck.”
“Questions about the ranch.” A dimple pops in his left cheek as his smile grows. He holds up his hand. “Do with it what you want. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t keep the ball rolling. You know, on y’all’s professional relati—” Beck turns his head, and his eyes light up. “Cash Rivers, is that you? And Mollie! As I live and breathe, y’all.”
I glance over my shoulder to see a tall, mustachioed man walk into the restaurant behind a very pretty woman with long hair in a gold skirt and sweater.
I do a double take. They’re a stunning couple, the kind you’d see on the cover of a wedding magazine.
They also can’t keep their hands off each other. He presses his palm to the small of her back, and she reaches up to curl her fingers around his bicep.
Watching them smile at each other and then turn those smiles on Beck, my stomach swoops. Mollie Luck and Cash Rivers have come up in conversation several times with the Wallaces and their ranch hands. The two of them are something of a legend in these parts for going from sworn enemies to lovesick husband and wife.
Honestly, I’m starting to understand how that kind of thing works. Not that I want to be anyone’s wife right now—that’s leaping several steps ahead. But maybe Beck is right about love and hate being two sides of the same coin.
Cash’s blue eyes sparkle as he walks over and offers Beck his hand. “Dang, boy, you sure do clean up nice.”
“I showered for y’all. You’re welcome.” Beck takes Cash’s hand and gives it a hard shake. “Thank you for stoppin’ by. How’s the baby?”
“Baby is good.” Mollie beams up at her husband. She’s sporting a pretty diamond on her left hand, and I glimpse a thin gold band on his too. “She’s starting to sleep through the night, which has been huge.”
Beck nods. “I remember very well how Colt came back to life once Dean wasn’t waking up at all hours. He was adamant about doing all the night feedings on his own so Abby could sleep.”
Mollie crosses her arms. “He must’ve given that advice to Cash because he does the same thing with Daisy.”
“Still love the name,” Beck says. “So cute.”
“Figure taking care of those feedings is the least I can do.” Cash’s hand is now curled around the nape of Mollie’s neck. His expression softens as he looks down at her. “Gotta give you time to get your rest too.”
They are sickeningly cute.
They are considerate of each other.
They value each other.
I don’t see that in my parents. Heck, I don’t see it in many relationships at all. This is special.
This is the kind of love I want. It’s nice to see that it actually exists.
All I’ve ever really known when it comes to this stuff is what I’ve seen with Mom and Dad. Along the way, I think I’ve internalized the idea that most love stories—most marriages—end up that way. They’re the norm, not the exception. And I guess I’ve assumed that’s what I’ll have too.
Maybe not.
“Who knew you’d make such a good husband?” Beck teases.
“Not me,” Mollie says with a laugh. “He surprised us all.”
Cash grunts. He actually sounds a lot like Colton. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, jackasses.”
“Aw, you like my ass, though.” Mollie is beaming.
He puts his hand on her backside and gives it a squeeze, making her yelp. “I love it.”
“Get a room.” But Beck is still smiling. He gestures to me. “But before y’all get busy, I wanna introduce you to Lainey Brown. She’s in town helping us level up our marketing game over at the ranch. Lainey, meet Cash and Mollie Rivers. They own Lucky River Ranch, which is down the road from ours.”
Mollie’s inquisitive brown eyes flick to me. “Marketing? Talk to me, Lainey. I own a business—”
“Correction: She’s the CEO of Bellamy Brooks, a skyrocketing cowboy boot company that was recently featured in Elle and Vogue.” Cash’s smile emanates pride.
It’s really fucking cute.
It’s also nice to see a creative like Mollie be supported this way. Not even supported—applauded.
Judging by the way she shows off the pair of sexy purple cowboy boots she’s wearing, she’s also not ashamed of her choice of profession.