Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
His phone rang a moment later and he didn’t even have to check the screen to know, but when he did, a chuckle escaped his lips. As it rang, he wondered what he would say, but the words came out effortlessly. “Mom, she’s wonderful, sweet, and way too young for me, but I can’t and won’t let her go.”
A long, drawn-out silence hung between them until his mother, Grace, finally asked, “Are you sure?”
Gage smiled over the line. “More positive than I’ve ever been about anything. I’d do anything for her.” His heart jumped in his chest from just thinking about her. Hope had stolen it with one look across the market.
“So when do I get to meet this beautiful woman who stole your heart?”
Shit. Gage knew that was coming. He’d prayed that he’d have more time to get things settled and further along with Hope before he introduced her to people who’d steal her away.
“Not anytime soon. I have some problems here that I don’t want you mixed up in. Plus, I want to make sure she’s ready to be my wife before I make that introduction. I don’t want to scare her away.”
“Oh, hush. Well, I’ve got to head out, but you better be making it happen soon before I pop over to the ranch and say hello.” His mother was the definition of headstrong, so he didn’t doubt she meant it. He needed to figure out how to wrap up their problems before she showed up to the ranch.
“Okay, okay. I love you. Talk to you later.”
“Love you too, son.”
He hung up the call and drove back onto the Gibson estate with the groceries for the week. The ranch would require a lot more of his attention in these coming weeks.
Chapter Sixteen
“A month. I’ve been stuck in this house for a month.”
Hope slammed the dishwasher closed, then leaned her hands on the edge of the sink, wiping tears away from her eyes. Her mood only soured after learning Gage hadn’t told his mother about her. If he hadn’t bothered to mention her, then there would be no way he intended to get married to her. She felt as invisible as before. Gage did everything he could with her, but he worked out in the fields or in his office most of the time.
Gage stepped into the room just in time to hear Hope shout out her frustrations. “I’m sorry, baby.”
She gasped as she turned around, blushing and hiding her face before returning to the sink to hold onto the fight she had in her. Gage always stole her senses when he came around.
“It’s not like I’ve been off the ranch. I’ve sent the guys for us. With Navarro out, I can’t trust anyone.”
Shaking her head, she muttered, “I know. I know, Gage. I guess. I don’t know. Ugh. Who knows what I’m saying? I feel like a total mess today.”
The day had started out great for Gage even to the point that he believed today would be the day he’d take the step he’d been itching to take the first night. Gage stepped up behind his woman. The ring in his pocket had been burning a hole for a week already. “You’re feeling cooped up. I get it.”
She spun around in his arms, pressing her hands on his chest and refusing to meet his gaze. “Don’t get me wrong. I love being here and with you, but it feels like it did before. I’m trapped.”
Gage shoved the ring back down to the bottom of his pocket. He enveloped her in his arms, holding her close to his chest as he thought about a way to reassure her that her past and future had nothing in common. “You’re right. I told you that I wouldn’t do that to you. I’m so sorry. How about we go out tomorrow?”
“Are you sure?” A mixture of anticipation and disbelief ran through Hope.
“Yes, I’ll take you out. I know it’s been rough, but with the ranch needing me a lot more and the threat still very much real, I’ve been crazy. Look, Hope. I love you. I fucking love you so much that I’m at the point where I’d kill someone if they even thought about taking you from me.”
She stared at the man that stole her heart and saved her life, trusting him with her future. “I love you, too.”
“Good,” he growled, dragging his mouth across her lips until she parted them and let him in, swiping his tongue inside, seeking hers. Her hands glided up his muscular arms, rubbing the gray and blue plaid button-down. She loved the way he dressed. He had a sexy, sophisticated cowboy look about him.
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. “Go away,” he grumbled against her cheek.
“You know that’s not nice.” Hope swatted his arm, barely giving him a sting.